box

Abstract

This disclosure provides a box and a technique for preventing the forgetting to peel off the film covering the opening. The box includes: a liquid receiving section for receiving liquid; a liquid supply section; a placement section having a bottom wall with an opening formed therein for a liquid inlet section to pass through; a film that is peelably mounted on the placement section, covering the opening; the placement section also has a mounting element that works in conjunction with a printing apparatus; and when the film is mounted on the placement section and a mounting process is performed, it is positioned between the printing apparatus and the mounting element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a technology for a box. Background Technology

[0002] A type of box (Patent Document 1) has been known to have a liquid supply section and a peelable film that blocks the liquid supply section. This film suppresses the leakage of liquid from the liquid supply section.

[0003] In existing technology, the film is peeled off from the liquid supply section along a peeling guide when using the cartridge. However, in existing technology, it is possible for the cartridge to be installed on the printing apparatus without peeling the film off the liquid supply section. In this case, various adverse conditions may occur. For example, when the cartridge is installed on the printing apparatus with the film attached, liquid may sometimes adhere to the film due to the portion of the film covering the liquid supply section colliding with the liquid inlet section of the printing apparatus. If liquid adheres to the film, it may drip from the film and contaminate the surrounding area. Furthermore, for example, when the cartridge is installed on the printing apparatus with the film attached, it is possible that the connection between the liquid supply section and the liquid inlet section cannot be properly established due to the film, thus preventing the liquid from flowing smoothly from the liquid supply section to the liquid inlet section. In addition, there is a possibility that structural components on the printing apparatus side may be damaged due to the film. Therefore, a technology that can prevent the forgetting to peel off the film has been desired.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Publication No. 2004-26259 Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to this disclosure, a box is provided that can be detachably mounted on a printing apparatus having a liquid inlet. The box includes: a liquid receiving section for receiving liquid; a liquid supply section connected to the liquid inlet and supplying the liquid to the printing apparatus; a placement section having the liquid supply section disposed inside and having a bottom wall with an opening formed on the bottom wall for the liquid inlet to pass through; and a film that is peelably mounted on the placement section, covering the opening. The placement section also includes a mounting element that cooperates with the printing apparatus in at least one of two scenarios: during an installation process where the box is mounted to the printing apparatus, and in an installation state where the box is already mounted on the printing apparatus. When the installation process is performed while the film is mounted on the placement section, the film is positioned between the printing apparatus and the mounting element. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the structure of a printing system as an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 The first figure illustrates the installation process of the box-to-box mounting section.

[0008] Figure 3 The second figure illustrates the installation process.

[0009] Figure 4 This diagram shows the installation state after the box has been installed onto the box mounting section.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the box mounting section viewed from the +Z direction side.

[0011] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Sectional view 6-6.

[0012] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of the area.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional view of the box assembly.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the box mounting section viewed from the +Z direction side.

[0015] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the first type of box.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional view of the first type of box.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a second perspective view of the first type of box with a film installed.

[0018] Figure 13 This is a bottom view of the first type of box with the film installed.

[0019] Figure 14 for Figure 13 Partial sectional view 14-14. Detailed Implementation

[0020] A. Implementation method:

[0021] A-1. Structure of the printing system:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure of a printing system 1 as an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1The diagram depicts three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, namely the X, Y, and Z axes. The arrows pointing to the X, Y, and Z axes indicate the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. These positive directions are designated as +X, +Y, and +Z, respectively. The directions opposite to the arrows pointing to the X, Y, and Z axes are designated as the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. These negative directions are designated as -X, -Y, and -Z, respectively. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of their sign, are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same approach is used for the accompanying figures and explanations.

[0023] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 for supplying ink, which is a liquid, to the printing device 10.

[0024] The printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects liquid ink from the printhead 22. This printing apparatus 10 is a large-format printer for printing on large-format paper (A2 to A0, etc.) such as posters. The printing apparatus 10 includes a cartridge mounting unit 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, a printhead 22, and a drive mechanism 30. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 includes operation buttons 15 for users to operate the printing apparatus 10.

[0025] The box mounting section 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has a plug-in opening 674, which serves as an entrance / exit for the box 4 to enter and exit the storage chamber 61. Through this plug-in opening 674, the box 4 can be stored in the storage chamber 61 of the box mounting section 6 or removed from the storage chamber 61. Multiple boxes 4 are detachably mounted in the box mounting section 6. In this embodiment, four types of boxes are mounted in the box mounting section 6 in a manner corresponding one-to-one with the four colors of ink: black, yellow, magenta, and turquoise. The box 4 storing black ink is also called box 4K, the box 4 storing yellow ink is also called box 4Y, the box 4 storing magenta ink is also called box 4M, and the box 4 storing turquoise ink is also called box 4C. In this embodiment, the box 4K is configured to hold a larger amount of liquid compared to the boxes 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, the box 4K is also referred to as the first type box 4A, and the boxes 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also referred to as the second type box 4B.

[0026] The printing apparatus 10 has a replacement cover 13 on its front surface in the +Y direction. When the replacement cover 13 is folded down towards the front side in the +Y direction, an opening appears in the cartridge mounting section 6, allowing the cartridge 4 to be installed or removed. When the cartridge 4 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 6, ink can be supplied to the nozzle 22 mounted on the carriage 20 via the pipe 24, which serves as a liquid flow pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the nozzle 22 using a pressure difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the nozzle 22 by the pressure difference between the liquid surface of the ink in the cartridge mounting section 6 and the nozzle 22. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the ink in the cartridge 4 can be drawn from the printing apparatus 10 by a pump mechanism (not shown), thereby supplying the ink to the nozzle 22. The pipe 24 is provided according to each type of ink. Here, the state in which the cartridge 4 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 6 so that liquid ink can be supplied to the printing apparatus 10 is also referred to as the "mounted state".

[0027] The print head 22 is provided with nozzles according to each type of ink. The print head 22 ejects ink from the nozzles toward the printing paper 2, thereby printing data such as text or images. In addition, in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 is a printer that is not linked to the movement of the cartridge mounting section 6, and is referred to as a "non-carriage-loaded type" printer. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to printers that are provided with the carriage 20 on the cartridge mounting section 6 and move together with the carriage 20, and are referred to as "carriage-loaded type" printers.

[0028] The control unit 31 controls the various parts of the printing apparatus 10 and transmits and receives signals with the cartridge 4. The carriage 20 causes the print head 22 to move relative to the printing paper 2.

[0029] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. Power from the drive motor 34 is transmitted to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, causing the carriage 20 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction, which is along the X direction. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 includes a transport mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction. During printing, the printing paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the transport mechanism, and the printed paper 2 is output onto the front cover 11.

[0030] Furthermore, an area called the initial position is provided at a location outside the printing area where the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction. A maintenance mechanism is mounted at the initial position to perform maintenance for normal printing. The maintenance mechanism consists of a cover member 8, a lifting mechanism (not shown), and a suction pump (not shown). The cover member 8 is pressed against the surface where the nozzle is formed on the bottom side of the printhead 22, thereby forming a closed space around the nozzle. The lifting mechanism moves the cover member 8 up and down to press it against the nozzle surface of the printhead 22. The suction pump introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed by pressing the cover member 8 against the nozzle surface of the printhead 22.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the printing system 1 is in use, the axis along the sub-scanning direction of transporting the printing paper 2 is designated as the Y-axis, the axis along the gravity direction is designated as the Z-axis, and the axis along the moving direction of the carriage 20 is designated as the X-axis. Here, "the printing system 1 in use" refers to the state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is designated as the +Y direction, its opposite direction is designated as the -Y direction, the gravity direction is designated as the -Z direction, and the anti-gravity direction is designated as the +Z direction. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction. Furthermore, when viewing the printing system 1 from the front surface side, the direction from right to left is designated as the +X direction, and its opposite direction is designated as the -X direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insertion direction of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for installation is the -Y direction, and the direction of removing the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y direction side of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is also referred to as the depth side, and the +Y direction side is also referred to as the near-front side. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 4 is designated as the X direction.

[0032] A-2. Box installation and installation status description:

[0033] Figure 2 The first figure illustrates the installation process of box 4 to box mounting section 6. Figure 3 The second figure illustrates the installation process. Figure 4 This diagram shows the installation state where the box 4 has been installed onto the box mounting section 6.

[0034] The installation process consists of terminal connection processing and the supply unit connection processing performed after the terminal connection processing. The terminal connection processing is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the case 4 is moved in the insertion direction D1 (as in the -Y direction) through the insertion opening 674 of the first device wall 67 to be inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the case mounting part 6, thereby causing the device-side terminals of the case mounting part 6 (described later) to contact and electrically connect with the case-side terminals of the case 4 (described later). Figure 3as well as Figure 4 As shown, the supply section connection process involves connecting the liquid inlet section (described later) of the box mounting section 6 and the liquid supply section (described later) of the box 4 while maintaining the connection between the device-side terminal and the box-side terminal. Specifically, in the supply section connection process, the rear wall 47 of the box 4 is rotated and moved laterally in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow mark, centered on the rotation pivot 698 of the box mounting section 6, thereby connecting the liquid inlet section and the liquid supply section. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the installed state shown, the box 4 is engaged with the engaging forming body 677 provided on the side of the first device wall 67 of the box mounting part 6, thereby maintaining the installed state.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, when the box 4 is removed from the box mounting section 6, the user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the box 4, thereby rotating the rear end 47 laterally in the connection release direction D3, which is opposite to the connection direction D2, using the rotation fulcrum 698 as a fulcrum. During this rotational movement, the engagement formed by the engaging forming body 677 is released. The box 4 is rotated in the connection release direction D3 to make the box 4... Figure 3 After reaching the state shown, the box 4 is removed from the box mounting section 6 by moving the box 4 in the +Y direction, which is the disassembly direction.

[0036] A-3. Detailed description of the box's installation status:

[0037] Figure 5 This is a view of the box mounting section 6 from the +Z direction side. Figure 6 for Figure 5 Sectional view 6-6. Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of region R7. Figure 5 In the middle, box 4K is installed in box mounting section 6. Utilizing... Figures 5 to 7 The installation status of Box 4 will now be explained. Additionally, the installation status is the same for Boxes 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

[0038] like Figure 6As shown, the box mounting portion 6 has a support member 610 that forms the bottom wall of the storage chamber 61. The support member 610 supports the box 4 from below. When the box 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the box mounting portion 6, the support member 610 supports the box 4 from the -Z direction side. Furthermore, in the installed state where the box 4 is installed in the storage chamber 61 of the box mounting portion 6, the liquid supply portion 442 of the box 4 and the liquid inlet portion 642 of the box mounting portion 6 are connected together. As a result, the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 450 of the box 4 is supplied to the liquid inlet portion 642 via the liquid supply portion 442. In addition, in this embodiment, while liquid is supplied from the liquid supply portion 442 to the liquid inlet portion 642, air stored in the liquid reservoir 699 of the box mounting portion 6 becomes bubbles and flows through the liquid inlet portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442, thereby flowing to the liquid storage portion 450. Thus, gas-liquid exchange is performed in the liquid storage section 450. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the housing 4 may have an atmospheric communication channel that connects the liquid storage section 450 to the outside, and gas-liquid exchange is performed via this atmospheric communication channel. The atmospheric communication channel is located at a different position than the liquid supply section 442, for example, it may be formed in the wall forming the liquid storage section 450.

[0039] The liquid inlet 642 receives liquid supplied from the cartridge 4. The liquid inlet 642 is a cylindrical component and has an internal flow channel for liquid to flow through it. The liquid inlet 642 has a base end 642a and a top end 642b. An opening is formed in the top end 642b that communicates with the inlet flow channel, which serves as the internal flow channel, through which ink from the liquid supply unit 442 flows into the inlet flow channel. The base end 642a is connected to the liquid reservoir 699, allowing ink flowing within the inlet flow channel to flow into the liquid reservoir 699. The liquid reservoir 699 is located on the -Z direction side of the receiving chamber 61. The liquid reservoir 699 is located via... Figure 1 The tube 24 shown communicates with the nozzle 22. As described above, the liquid inlet 642 communicates with the nozzle 22 via the liquid reservoir 699 and the tube 24. The central axis CA1 of the liquid inlet 642 is parallel to the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply section 442 in the installed state and is inclined relative to the Z direction. That is, the direction in which the liquid inlet 642 extends, i.e., along the central axis CA1, intersects the insertion direction of the cartridge 4. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply section 442 refers to the direction along the extension direction of the liquid supply section 442.

[0040] like Figure 7As shown, in the installed state of box 4, the circuit board 50 of box 4 and the device-side terminal portion 70 of box mounting part 6 are electrically connected by contact. The device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73. The device-side terminal portion 70 has a plurality of device-side terminals 721, a terminal holding part 750 and a connector 739.

[0041] Nine device-side terminals 721 are provided in this embodiment. Each of the multiple device-side terminals 721 is a plate component of conductive metal. Each device-side terminal 721 has a terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, and the portion of the terminal that contacts the box-side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50, with the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp as the fulcrum, can elastically deform. The direction of elastic deformation is along the Y and Z directions. A terminal holding portion 750 holds the multiple device-side terminals 721. A connector 739 is electrically connected to the multiple device-side terminals 721. Furthermore, the connector 739 is electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the printing apparatus 10 via wiring (not shown). Thus, the circuit board 50 and the control unit 31 can perform data communication.

[0042] The retaining mechanism 73 has a force-applying member 780 and a mounting member 782. The force-applying member 780 is made of a coil spring. The force-applying member 780 is disposed inside the mounting member 782. In addition, a device-side terminal portion 70 is mounted on the mounting member 782. The force-applying member 780 is compressed when the box 4 has been inserted into the box mounting portion 6. As a result, the force-applying member 780 applies an external force Fa to the device-side terminal portion 70 via the mounting member 782 in the direction of disassembly of the box 4, which is the first device wall 67 side. Since the device-side terminal portion 70 is pressed against the circuit board 50 by the external force Fa, the contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the box-side terminal 521 is well maintained.

[0043] As described above, the retaining mechanism 73 retains the device-side terminal portion 70 in a manner that allows it to move in the direction of insertion of the housing 4. Furthermore, one end of the force-applying member 780 on the device-side terminal portion 70 side is configured to be slightly movable in the X and Z directions intersecting the insertion direction. Thus, the device-side terminal portion 70 is retained by the retaining mechanism 73 in a manner that allows it to slightly move in the X and Z directions intersecting the insertion direction.

[0044] like Figure 6As shown, during the supply unit connection process, the device-side supply unit positioning part 644, which is a protrusion of the box mounting part 6, enters the concave supply unit positioning part 448 of the box 4, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply part 442 that intersects with the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442. This achieves positioning of the liquid supply part 442 relative to the liquid inlet part 642. Specifically, the insertion of the device-side supply unit positioning part 644 into the supply unit positioning part 448 begins before the liquid inlet part 642 is inserted into the liquid supply part 442 of the box 4, i.e., before the connection between the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid inlet part 642 begins. The device-side supply unit positioning part 644 is approximately cuboid in shape. It has one end 644a and another end 644b. One end 644a is located on the side of the liquid reservoir 699. One end 644a is located on the side closer to the storage chamber 61 than the other end 644b.

[0045] With the box 4 installed, the main wall 613 forming the bottom of the support member 610 is inclined relative to the Y direction. Specifically, the main wall 613 of the support member 610 is inclined such that it is located on the -Z direction side, which is the lower side, as it tends towards the +Y axis direction. In the initial configuration state of the box mounting part 6 without the box 4 installed, this main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction.

[0046] The box mounting section 6 includes a force-applying member 625 that applies an external force Ft1 to the support member 610 in order to restore the support member 610 to its initial configuration position when the box 4 is installed. The force-applying member 625 is a helical spring disposed between the support member 610 and the liquid reservoir 699, and is in a compressed state in the installed state. The external force Ft1 with a +Z direction component is applied to the support member 610 by means of the compressed state. On the other hand, in the installed state of the box 4, the installed state is maintained by engaging the box engagement portion 497 of the box 4 with the mounting engagement portion 697 of the box mounting section 6. The mounting engagement portion 697 is formed on the engagement forming body 677 located on the first device wall 67 side of the box mounting section 6.

[0047] As mentioned above, Figure 6 As shown, the support member 610 is pressed down in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698, thereby pressing down the liquid supply section 442 and connecting it with the liquid inlet section 642. Furthermore, the support member 610 is pushed up in the connection release direction D3 around the rotation fulcrum 698, thereby pushing the liquid supply section 442 upwards and separating it from the liquid inlet section 642, thus releasing the connection between the liquid supply section 442 and the liquid inlet section 642.

[0048] A-4. Detailed structure of box mounting part 6:

[0049] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the box mounting section 6. Figure 9 This is a view of the box mounting section 6 from the +Z direction side. Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 For ease of understanding, a portion of the structure of the box mounting section 6 is omitted from the diagram. Regarding the box mounting section 6, the X direction is also referred to as the width direction, the Y direction as the depth direction, and the Z direction as the height direction. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified regarding the state, the box mounting section 6 will be described in its initial configuration state, assuming the box 4 is not mounted on it, and each component will be explained accordingly.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the box mounting part 6 forms a storage chamber 61 for housing the boxes 4. The storage chamber 61 is approximately cuboid in shape. Within the storage chamber 61, the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K that house the boxes 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K generally correspond to the external shapes of the boxes 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. In this embodiment, to increase the amount of liquid that can be stored, box 4K is made larger in the X-direction compared to the other boxes 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of slot 61K is greater than the width of the other slots 61C, 61M, and 61Y.

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown, the box mounting section 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 forming a storage chamber 61. In this disclosure, "wall" is a concept that includes not only a single wall but also a wall composed of multiple walls. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion / removal opening 674 through which the box 4 passes when it is inserted into or removed from the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 is opposite to the first device wall 67 in the Y direction. The second device wall 62 is a substantially vertical wall in the operating state of the printing apparatus 10.

[0052] The upper wall 63 of the device forms the wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 of the device faces the upper wall 63 in the Z direction and forms the wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 of the device is formed by a support member 610. The bottom wall 64 of the device has a plurality of device openings 614. In this embodiment, four device openings 614 are formed corresponding to slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K. The upper wall 63 and the bottom wall 64 of the device intersect with the second device wall 62 and the first device wall 67. In this disclosure, "intersecting" or "crossing" refers to any one of the following states: (i) two elements intersect each other and actually intersect; (ii) one element intersects with another element when one element is extended; and (iii) the elements intersect each other when each element is extended.

[0053] The first device side wall 65 forms the wall of the storage chamber 61 in the +X direction. The second device side wall 66 is opposite to the first device side wall 65 in the X direction and forms the wall of the storage chamber 61 in the -X direction. The first device side wall 65 and the second device side wall 66 intersect with the second device wall 62, the first device wall 67, the upper device wall 63, and the bottom device wall 64.

[0054] like Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the box mounting section 6 also includes a support member 610, a liquid inlet section 642, a supply section positioning section 644, a device guide section 602, and a locking forming body 677. Multiple support members 610 are provided corresponding to the number of boxes 4 being mounted. In this embodiment, four support members 610 are provided. The support member 610 forms the device bottom wall 64 on the gravity direction side of the storage chamber 61. The support member 610 supports the box 4 from the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side. The support member 610 is a member extending along the Y direction. The support member 610 has a concave shape. The support member 610 has a main wall 613 forming the device bottom wall 64, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612.

[0055] The main wall 613 has a concave bottom on the gravity side. A device opening 614 is formed at the end of the main wall 613 on the side of the first device wall 67. The device opening 614 penetrates the main wall 613 in the thickness direction.

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, the first support sidewall 611 rises from the +X direction end of the main wall 613 toward the +Z direction, which is the anti-gravity direction. The second support sidewall 612 rises from the -X axis direction end of the main wall 613 toward the +Z direction. The first support sidewall 611 and the second support sidewall 612 are opposite each other in the X direction.

[0057] The device guide 602 guides the housing 4 in both the insertion and disassembly directions. The device guide 602 is provided for each support member 610. The device guide 602 is respectively provided on the first support sidewall 611 and the second support sidewall 612. The device guide 602 is a protrusion provided on the first support sidewall 611 and the second support sidewall 612. Figure 9 As shown, the first device guide 602a, provided on the first support sidewall 611, is a protrusion protruding from the first support sidewall 611 toward the second support sidewall 612. The first device guide 602a extends along the Y direction. Furthermore, a plurality of first device guides 602a are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The second device guide 602b, provided on the second support sidewall 612, is a protrusion protruding from the second support sidewall 612 toward the first support sidewall 611. The second device guide 602b extends along the Y direction. Furthermore, a plurality of second device guides 602b are arranged at intervals in the Y direction.

[0058] like Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the liquid inlet 642 receives the liquid from the box 4. In the initial configuration of the box mounting part 6, the liquid inlet 642 is not located inside the receiving chamber 61, but rather on the -Z side relative to the receiving chamber 61. That is, the liquid inlet 642 is located on the opposite side from the support member 610, separated by the receiving chamber 61. Therefore, when the box 4 is inserted into the receiving chamber 61 of the box mounting part 6, collision between the box 4 and the liquid inlet 642 can be prevented. As described above, Figure 3 As shown, the top end 642b of the liquid inlet 642 is positioned within the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698, thereby pressing down the device opening 614. In other words, the rotation fulcrum 698, acting as a displacement mechanism, causes the support member 610 to rotate, displacing the device opening 614 in the direction of gravity, thus positioning the top end 642b of the liquid inlet 642 within the storage chamber 61 via the device opening 614.

[0059] Figure 8The device-side supply section positioning part 644 shown is incorporated into the supply section positioning part 448, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply part 442 relative to the liquid inlet part 642. This achieves positioning of the liquid supply part 442. In the initial configuration state of the box mounting part 6, the device-side supply section positioning part 644 is not located within the storage chamber 61, but rather on the -Z direction side relative to the storage chamber 61. That is, the device-side supply section positioning part 644 is located on the opposite side from the support member 610, separated by the storage chamber 610. Therefore, when the box 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the box mounting part 6, collision between the box 4 and the device-side supply section positioning part 644 can be prevented. The other end 644b of the device-side supply section positioning part 644 is positioned within the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation pivot point 698 to press down the device opening 614. In other words, the pivot point 698 causes the support member 610 to rotate, thereby displacing the device opening 614, and thus the other end 644b of the device-side supply positioning part 644 is disposed in the storage chamber 61 via the device opening 614.

[0060] like Figure 9 As shown, the box mounting section 6 also includes the aforementioned device-side terminal section 70 and device-side identification component 630. The device-side identification component 630 is used to identify whether the correct type of box 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K is inserted into each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K in the storage chamber 61. The device-side identification component 630 forms different pattern shapes according to the color of the liquid contained in the boxes 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. Although in Figure 8 In each of the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K, the device-side identification component 630 is designed with the same pattern shape for convenience, but in reality, it has different pattern shapes. The device-side identification component 630 is disposed on the main wall 613 of the support component 610.

[0061] The device-side identification component 630 is formed by at least one rib. The pattern shape is determined according to the number and position of the ribs. A box-side identification component formed by ribs is also provided in the box 4. The box-side identification component forms different pattern shapes according to the type of box 4, i.e., the color of the liquid contained therein. Furthermore, when the correct type of box 4 is inserted into the corresponding slots 61C to 61K, the device-side identification component 630 and the box-side identification component will not collide. On the other hand, when the wrong type of box 4 is inserted into the slots 61C to 61K, the device-side identification component 630 and the box-side identification component will collide, thus hindering further insertion of the box 4. Therefore, the possibility of the wrong type of box 4 being installed in the slots 61C to 61K of the box mounting section 6 can be reduced.

[0062] like Figure 8 As shown, the engaging body 677 is formed on the +Y direction side compared to the support member 610. Furthermore, the engaging body 677 is located on the -Z direction side compared to the insertion / removal opening 674. Four engaging bodies 677 are arranged corresponding to each of the slots 61C to 61K. Figure 3 The mounting clip 697 is shown.

[0063] A-5. Detailed structure of box 4:

[0064] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the first type of box 4A. Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional view of the first type of box 4A. Figure 12 A second perspective view of the first type of box 4A with the film 200 installed. Figure 13 A bottom view of the first type of box 4A with the membrane 200 installed. Figure 14 for Figure 13 Sectional view 14-14. Figure 10 , Figure 11 The illustration of film 200 is omitted in the text. The first type of box 4A and... Figure 1 The difference in the second type of box 4B shown is the volume of the liquid storage section 450. Specifically, since the width of the liquid storage body 401 of the first type of box 4A (described later) is greater than the width of the liquid storage body 401 of the second type of box 4B, the volume of the liquid storage section 450 is different. Regarding other structures such as the adapter 402 or the membrane 200, which are the mounting parts, since they are the same in both the first type of box 4A and the second type of box 4B, the detailed structure of box 4 will be described below using the first type of box 4A. Furthermore, the first type of box 4A will also be simply referred to as box 4 below. Regarding the accompanying drawings showing box 4, the X, Y, and Z directions indicate the state in which box 4 is fully inserted into the box mounting section 6. Figure 3 The terminal connection process shown is taken as the completed state. That is, with respect to the attached drawing of box 4, the state before the supply section connection process, in which the support member 610 is rotated and moved in the X, Y, and Z directions, is taken as the reference.

[0065] like Figure 11 As shown, box 4 has a roughly rectangular shape. In box 4, the insertion direction into the box mounting part 6, i.e., along the -Y direction, is the long side direction, the X direction is the short side direction (width direction), and the Z direction is the height direction. In box 4, the dimension along the long side is the largest, and the dimension along the short side is the smallest.

[0066] Box 4 includes a box body 41 and components mounted on the box body 41. Figure 13 The circuit board 50 shown. In this embodiment, as... Figure 10As shown, the box body 41 consists of two parts. Specifically, the box body 41 includes a liquid reservoir 401 and an adapter 402, which is fitted onto the liquid reservoir 401 as a mounting part. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the box body 41 may be a single piece.

[0067] The liquid reservoir 401 and the adapter 402 are respectively formed by, for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The liquid reservoir 401 and the adapter 402 can be formed from the same material or from different materials.

[0068] like Figure 11 As shown, the box body 41 has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45 serving as a side wall, a second side wall 46 serving as a side wall, and a corner 89. Each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 is also referred to as a surface 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 are opposite each other in the Y direction along the insertion direction. The upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 are opposite each other in the Z direction. The Z direction is parallel to the central axis CA2 along the extension direction of the liquid supply section 442. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 are opposite each other in the X direction.

[0069] The front wall 42 is located on the insertion direction D1 side when the box 4 is inserted into the mounting part 6. That is, the front wall 42 forms an insertion top surface on the -Y direction side, which is the insertion direction D1 side. The rear wall 47 forms a surface on the +Y direction side, which is the disassembly direction. The upper wall 43 is located on the +Z direction side and intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. The bottom wall 44 is located on the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, in the installed state, and forms... Figure 3 The connection top surface is shown in the connection direction D2. That is, the bottom wall 44 is located on the connection direction D2 side. The bottom wall 44 intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. An opening 446 is formed in the bottom wall 44 for the liquid inlet 642 to pass through. When viewing the box 4 from the bottom wall 44 side, the opening 446 and the liquid supply part 442 are in an overlapping position. In this embodiment, the liquid supply part 442 is arranged such that its central axis CA2 passes through the opening 446. Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the bottom wall 44 is opposite the top end 442a of the liquid supply section 442 in the Z direction.

[0070] The first sidewall 45 is located on the -X direction side, and the second sidewall 46 is located on the +X direction side. The first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 intersect the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the upper wall 43, and the bottom wall 44, respectively. The first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 extend along the insertion direction D1. A corner portion 89 is provided at the corner where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a concave terminal arrangement portion 90 that is recessed inwards. Figure 13 As shown, the circuit board 50 is mounted at the terminal configuration section 90.

[0071] like Figure 10 As shown, the liquid reservoir 401 has a liquid reservoir 450 for storing liquid and a liquid supply section 442. The liquid supply section 442 is a cylindrical component protruding from the bottom wall 431 of the liquid reservoir 401, which is opposite to the upper wall 43. In the installed state, the liquid supply section 442 is connected to the liquid inlet section 642, thereby supplying the liquid from the liquid reservoir 450 to the nozzle 22 of the printing apparatus 10 via the liquid inlet section 642. Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the liquid supply section 442 has a supply section top section 442a as the top section, which forms an opening for discharging liquid to the outside.

[0072] like Figure 10 As shown, the adapter 402, serving as a configuration unit, includes an adapter front wall 82 as the front wall of the configuration unit, an adapter rear wall 87 as the rear wall of the configuration unit, an adapter bottom wall 84 as the bottom wall of the configuration unit, a first adapter side wall 85 as a first configuration unit side wall, and a second adapter side wall 86 as a second configuration unit side wall. The adapter front wall 82 forms part of the front wall 42 and has an insertion top surface on the -Y direction side as the insertion direction. The adapter rear wall 87 forms part of the rear wall 47 and is opposite to the adapter front wall 82 in the Y direction. The adapter bottom wall 84 forms the bottom wall 44. The adapter bottom wall 84 intersects with the adapter front wall 82 and the adapter rear wall 87.

[0073] The first adapter sidewall 85 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the adapter 402. The first adapter sidewall 85 is a plate-shaped wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid reservoir 401. The second adapter sidewall 86 is opposite to the first adapter sidewall 85 in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter sidewall 86 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter sidewall 86 is a plate-shaped wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid reservoir 401.

[0074] The adapter 402 has a concave shape with its bottom wall 84 as the base. An opening on the side of the adapter 402 opposite to the bottom wall 84 allows the liquid supply section 442 to be disposed inside the adapter 402. This portion of the adapter 402 where the liquid supply section 442 is disposed is also referred to as the supply section placement section 831. Figure 11 As shown, the bottom wall 84 of the adapter has an opening 446 at a position opposite to the top end 442a of the supply section, through which the liquid inlet section 642 is inserted.

[0075] like Figure 11 As shown, the adapter 402, which serves as the configuration unit, also includes a mounting element 700. This mounting element 700 works in conjunction with the box mounting portion 6 during at least one of the following processes: the installation process in which the box 4 is mounted to the box mounting portion 6 of the printing apparatus 10, and the installation state in which the box 4 is already mounted on the box mounting portion 6. The mounting element 700 works mechanically, for example, by contacting or engaging with the box mounting portion 6, or by being inserted into the box mounting portion 6. The mounting element 700 includes a box-side identification member 430, a box guide 447, a supply positioning portion 448, a box engaging portion 497, and... Figure 13 The circuit board 50 shown.

[0076] Figure 11 The box-side identification component 430 shown is provided at the end of the front wall 42 side of the bottom wall 44. The box-side identification component 430 is constructed by ribs. The box-side identification component 430 has a pattern shape determined by the number and position of the ribs. The pattern shape varies depending on the type of box 4, i.e., the color of the liquid contained therein. In the installation process of the box 4, when the correct type of box 4 is inserted into the corresponding slots 61C to 61K, the box-side identification component 430 can pass between the device-side identification components 630 without colliding with them.

[0077] like Figure 11 as well as Figure 13 As shown, the box guide 447 extends along the insertion direction D1. Figures 11-13 For ease of understanding, the box guide 447 is depicted with a single shaded line. The box guide 447 extends along the insertion direction D1 from the portion at corner 89 to the portion at opening 446. That is, in the width direction of the box 4, the first box guide 447a is located on one side relative to opening 446, and the second box guide 447b is located on the other side relative to opening 446. The box guide 447 is guided in the insertion direction D1 by the device guide 602 of the box mounting portion 6. Figure 13As shown, the box guide portion 447 is formed on the first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46, respectively. More specifically, it is formed on the first adapter sidewall 85 and the second adapter sidewall 86, respectively.

[0078] Box guide portions 447 are formed on the first adapter sidewall 85 and the second adapter sidewall 86 respectively by means of a height difference. That is, regarding the width of the box 4, a portion including the bottom wall 44 is smaller than the other portions, and the other portions are located further away from the bottom wall 44 compared to the portion with the smaller portion. Thus, a height difference is formed for forming the box guide portions 447. The box guide portions 447 are surfaces facing the -Z direction. The box guide portion 447 formed on the first adapter sidewall 85 is also referred to as the first box guide portion 447a, and the box guide portion 447 formed on the second adapter sidewall 86 is also referred to as the second box guide portion 447b.

[0079] When box 4 is inserted into box mounting part 6, the +Z direction side surface of device guide part 602 contacts box guide part 447, thereby guiding the movement of box 4 in the insertion direction D1 while maintaining the posture of box 4. During the process of box 4 being inserted into storage chamber 61, the +Z direction side surface of first device guide part 602a contacts first box guide part 447a, and the +Z direction side surface of second device guide part 602b contacts second box guide part 447b.

[0080] During the installation process, the supply section positioning section 448 incorporates the device-side supply section positioning section 644, thereby positioning the liquid supply section 442 relative to the liquid inlet section 642. Specifically, during the supply section connection process in the installation process, the supply section positioning section 448 restricts the movement of the supply section positioning section 448 in the direction intersecting the connection direction D2 by incorporating the device-side supply section positioning section 644, thereby positioning the liquid supply section 442 relative to the liquid inlet section 642. The supply section positioning section 448 is a recess formed on the bottom wall 44 and recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall 44. The supply section positioning section 448 is located between the opening 446 in the bottom wall 44 and the end to which the adapter front wall 82 is connected. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the supply section positioning section 448 may be a hole penetrating the bottom wall 44.

[0081] A locking portion 497 is provided on the rear wall 47, specifically on the adapter rear wall 87. The locking portion 497 is a recess that extends from the outer surface of the adapter rear wall 87. The locking portion 497 is formed near the end of the adapter rear wall 87 that intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84. The locking portion 497 is provided by, as... Figure 6 As shown, in the installed state, the mounting engagement part 697 is engaged, thereby maintaining the installation state of the box 4 relative to the box mounting part 6.

[0082] like Figure 13 As shown, a circuit board 50 is disposed on a terminal configuration section 90, which is provided on an adapter 402. The circuit board 50 has a housing-side terminal 521 that contacts a device-side terminal 721 in the installed state.

[0083] like Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, the box 4 also includes a first mounting portion 54, a second mounting portion 55, and a film 200. The first mounting portion 54 and the second mounting portion 55 are respectively portions on which the film 200 is peelably mounted to the adapter bottom wall 84 by means of heat welding or adhesive. The first mounting portion 54 and the second mounting portion 55 are respectively protrusions provided on the adapter bottom wall 84. The first mounting portion 54 is formed to surround the opening 446. The second mounting portion 55 is formed to surround the portion of the supply section positioning portion 448 other than the opening 446 side.

[0084] like Figure 12 As shown, the film 200 is attached to the adapter 402, which serves as a mounting part, in a peelable manner, covering the opening 446. Specifically, the film 200 is attached to the first mounting part 54 and the second mounting part 55 of the bottom wall 44. Before mounting the box 4 onto the box mounting part 6, the user peels the film 200 off the box 4. The film 200 is formed from a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. Figure 12 As shown, although the film 200 has creases 202 along the width direction of the box 4 in a portion, it is not limited to this. The film 200 may be planar without creases 202. In this embodiment, the film 200 is planar when mounted on the bottom wall 44. On the other hand, the box 4 is sealed in a depressurized bag at the time of manufacture. In this sealed state, the film 200 is bent into a shape that follows the shape of the box body 41. Therefore, when the box 4 is removed from the bag, the creases 202 formed in the sealed state are sometimes retained.

[0085] Here, a valve mechanism is provided in the liquid supply section 442. The valve mechanism opens when inserted into the liquid inlet section 642 and closes when not inserted into the liquid inlet section 642. However, in the event of an impact to the box 4 due to dropping or other reasons, liquid may sometimes leak from the liquid supply section 442 due to the valve mechanism temporarily opening. The membrane 200, by covering the opening 446, can suppress the liquid from scattering to the outside of the box 4 even if liquid leaks from the liquid supply section 442 to the outside.

[0086] The film 200 is rectangular in shape when no creases 202 are formed. The film 200 includes a first film side portion 205, a second film side portion 206, a first film end portion 208, and a second film end portion 209, all defining a rectangular shape. The first film side portion 205 forms one end portion in the X direction, which is the short side of the box 4. The second film side portion 206 forms the other end portion in the X direction. The first film end portion 208 forms one end portion in the Y direction, which is the long side of the box 4. In other words, the first film end portion 208 is located at the end of the film 200 in the box 4 on the disassembly direction side. The second film end portion 209 forms the other end portion in the Y direction. In other words, the second film end portion 209 forms the end of the film 200 in the box 4 on the insertion direction D1 side.

[0087] like Figure 14 As shown, a liquid-absorbing material 302 for absorbing liquid is disposed on the inner surface 200fa of the film 200. Specifically, the liquid-absorbing material 302 is disposed on the portion of the inner surface 200fa opposite to the supply top portion 442a, which is the top portion of the liquid supply portion 442. The liquid-absorbing material 302 is, for example, in sheet form. Furthermore, the shape of the liquid-absorbing material 302 can be various, such as circular or rectangular. The liquid-absorbing material 302 is a component for retaining liquid by a predetermined capillary force; for example, it can be a foamed component such as polyurethane foam, a porous body formed of polyvinyl alcohol, or a component formed of the nonwoven fabric. Because the film 200 has the liquid-absorbing material 302, even if liquid leaks from the liquid supply portion 442 due to the box 4 falling or colliding with other objects, the liquid-absorbing material 302 can absorb the leaked liquid. Therefore, when the film 200 is peeled off from the box, the possibility of liquid scattering to the outside can be suppressed.

[0088] When the film 200 is installed onto the adapter 402 without being peeled off, the cartridge 4 is positioned between the printing apparatus 10 and the mounting element 700 at a point before installation is complete. In other words, when the cartridge 4 is installed with the film 200 still attached, it comes into contact with the components of the printing apparatus 100 that work in conjunction with the mounting element 700. The positional relationship between the film 200 and the mounting element 700 will be described in detail below.

[0089] like Figure 13As shown, in the first case of viewing the box 4 from the bottom wall 44 side along the central axis CA2, the box 4 has the following first positional relationship. That is, in the first case, the film 200 is mounted on the adapter 402 in a manner that overlaps with a portion of the box guide 447 and extends outward compared to the box guide 447. Specifically, the first film side 205 is located outward compared to the first box guide 447a in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the box 4, in a manner that overlaps with a portion of the first box guide 447a. Furthermore, the second film side 206 is located outward compared to the second box guide 447b in the X direction, in a manner that overlaps with the second box guide 447b. In this embodiment, since the size of the film 200 in the short side direction of the box 4 is larger than the interval between the first box guide 447a and the second box guide 447b in the short side direction, the above-mentioned first positional relationship is achieved. Because the box 4 has the first positional relationship, when the installation process is performed, specifically as shown in the figure... Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In the case where the terminal connection process is implemented as shown, causing the housing 4 to move along the insertion direction D1, the film 200 is between Figure 8 The device guide 602 and the box guide 447 are shown. As a result, smooth movement of the box 4 in the insertion direction D1 is impossible. Therefore, in the terminal connection process, before the film 200 collides with the liquid inlet 642, the user may forget to peel off the film 200. This prevents the film 200 from colliding with the liquid inlet 642 and causing liquid to adhere to the outer surface of the film 200.

[0090] In addition, such as Figure 12 As shown, the film 200 is mounted on the bottom wall 44 in a state that covers the supply section positioning section 448. After the installation process is performed, specifically after the installation process is performed from... Figure 3 The state shown Figure 4 In the case of the supply unit connection process with the state transition shown, during the stage before the connection between the liquid inlet 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 begins, the film 200 is positioned between the device-side supply unit positioning part 644 and the supply unit positioning part 448. As a result, the device-side supply unit positioning part 644 collides with the film 200, preventing the smooth movement of the cartridge 4 in the connection direction D2. Therefore, in the stage before the film 200 collides with the liquid inlet 642, the user may forget to peel off the film 200. This prevents the film 200 from colliding with the liquid inlet 642 and causing liquid to adhere to the outer surface of the film 200.

[0091] In addition, such as Figure 13As shown, in the first case of viewing the box 4 from the bottom wall 44 side along the central axis CA2, the box 4 has the following second positional relationship. That is, in the first case, the film 200 is mounted on the adapter 402 in a state where it extends outward compared to the rear wall 47, and more specifically compared to the adapter rear wall 87, which is the rear wall of the mounting part. That is, the first film end 208 is located outward compared to the adapter rear wall 87 in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the box 4. Because the box 4 has the second positional relationship, when the mounting process is performed, and more specifically when the mounting process is performed from the bottom wall 44 side, the box 4 has the following second positional relationship. Figure 3 The state shown Figure 4 In the case of the supply unit connection process showing the state change, in the stage before installation is completed, the membrane 200 is in the position... Figure 6 The mounting engagement portion 697 and the box engagement portion 497 are shown. As a result, the mounting engagement portion 697 collides with the film 200, preventing the box 4 from moving smoothly in the connection direction D2. Therefore, before the box 4 is fully installed on the box mounting portion 6, the user may notice that they forgot to peel off the film 200. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first film end 208 of the film 200 is bent to contact the adapter rear wall 87, the first film end 208 extends outward relative to the adapter rear wall 87 to the extent that the film 200 covers at least a portion of the box engagement portion 497. That is, the portion of the film 200 extending outward relative to the adapter rear wall 87... Figure 12 The length L200 shown is longer than the distance from the bottom wall 44 to the locking part 497. Figure 11 The length L497 is shown. Therefore, during installation, the portion of the film 200 that extends outward compared to the adapter rear wall 87 is pressed against the mounting engagement portion 697 and bent, and configured to cover a portion of the housing engagement portion 497. Thus, the film 200 can be more reliably positioned between the mounting engagement portion 697 and the housing engagement portion 497.

[0092] According to the above embodiment, during the installation process, the film 200 is positioned between the cartridge mounting portion 6 and the cartridge guide portion 447, supply portion positioning portion 448, and cartridge engaging portion 497 constituting the mounting element 700. Therefore, the installation of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6 cannot be performed due to the film 200. Consequently, before the cartridge 4 is fully installed relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6, the user may notice that they have forgotten to peel off the film 200. Therefore, the situation where the user forgets to peel off the film 200 can be prevented. Therefore, since the film 200 is peeled off from the cartridge 4 before the cartridge is fully installed relative to the cartridge mounting portion, the connection between the liquid supply portion 442 and the liquid inlet portion 642 can be performed normally. Furthermore, the situation where structural elements of the printing apparatus 10, such as the liquid inlet portion 642, are damaged due to the film can be prevented.

[0093] B. Other implementation methods:

[0094] B-1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0095] In the above embodiment, the film 200 is located on the outer side of the box 4 in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the box 4, compared to the first box guide 447a and the second box guide 447b. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the film 200 may also be located on the outer side of the box 4 in the X direction, compared to either the first box guide 447a or the second box guide 447b. By adopting this method, since the film 200 is positioned between the device guide 602 and the box guide 447 during the installation process, the film 200 may also prevent the box 4 from being smoothly installed onto the box mounting part 6. As a result, before the box 4 is installed onto the box mounting part 6, the user may notice that they have forgotten to peel off the film 200.

[0096] B-2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0097] Although in the above embodiment, the film 200 is positioned between the box mounting portion 6 and the box guide portion 447, supply portion positioning portion 448, and box engaging portion 497 constituting the mounting element 700 during the installation process, this is not a limitation. For example, during the installation process, the film 200 may also be positioned between at least one of the mounting elements 700 (box guide portion 447, supply portion positioning portion 448, and box engaging portion 497) and the box mounting portion 6. By adopting this method, since the film is located between the mounting element 700 and the box mounting portion 6 during the installation process, the user can also notice if they forget to peel off the film 200 during the installation process.

[0098] B-3. ​​Other implementation methods 3:

[0099] This disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink cartridges, but can be applied to cartridges mounted on any printing apparatus that uses liquids other than inkjet ink. For example, it can be applied to various printing apparatuses and their cartridges as follows.

[0100] (1) Image recording devices such as fax machines

[0101] (2) A printing apparatus for printing color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays.

[0102] (3) A printing apparatus for electrode materials sprayed onto electrodes used in the formation of organic EL (Electroluminescence) displays or field emission displays (FEDs).

[0103] (4) A printing device for spraying liquids containing organic matter from living organisms used in biochip manufacturing.

[0104] (5) Sample printing device as a precision suction tube

[0105] (6) Printing device for lubricating oil

[0106] (7) Resin liquid printing device

[0107] (8) A printing device that uses a needle to spray lubricating oil into precision machinery such as clocks or cameras.

[0108] (9) A printing apparatus for spraying a transparent resin liquid, such as an ultraviolet-curable resin liquid, onto a substrate in order to form a miniature hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used in optical communication components.

[0109] (10) A printing apparatus that sprays acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch substrates, etc.

[0110] (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid jetting head that ejects any other infinitesimal amount of liquid droplets.

[0111] Furthermore, "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, and is defined as including granular, teardrop-shaped, filamentous, and tail-like forms. In addition, the term "liquid" here simply refers to any material that can be ejected from a printing device. For example, "liquid" can refer to any material in a liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquids such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. Furthermore, "liquid" includes not only liquids as a state of matter, but also liquids in which functional materials composed of solids such as pigments or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Furthermore, representative examples of liquids include inks or liquid crystals as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink is defined as including substances such as general water-based inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0112] C. Other methods:

[0113] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. Furthermore, as long as the technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0114] (1) According to the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is detachably mounted on a printing apparatus having a liquid inlet. The cartridge includes: a liquid receiving section for receiving liquid; a liquid supply section connected to the liquid inlet and supplying the liquid to the printing apparatus; a placement section having the liquid supply section disposed inside and having a bottom wall on which an opening for the liquid inlet to pass through is formed; and a film that is peelably mounted on the placement section, covering the opening. The placement section also includes a mounting element that works in conjunction with the printing apparatus during at least one of the processes of mounting the cartridge to the printing apparatus (i.e., installation processing) and the installation state in which the cartridge is already mounted on the printing apparatus. When the installation processing is performed with the cartridge mounted on the placement section, the film is positioned between the printing apparatus and the mounting element. According to this method, during the installation processing, because the film is positioned between the printing apparatus and the mounting element, the installation of the cartridge to the printing apparatus is hindered by the film. Therefore, before the box is fully installed relative to the printing device, the user can notice if they forget to peel off the film. This helps prevent users from forgetting to peel off the film.

[0115] (2) In the above-described manner, the configuration section may also be configured such that it has a sidewall that intersects with the bottom wall and extends along the insertion direction in which the box is inserted into the printing apparatus. The sidewall has a box guide portion as one of the mounting elements. The box guide portion extends along the insertion direction and is guided in the insertion direction through the printing apparatus. When viewing the box from the bottom wall side, the film is mounted on the configuration section in a state where it extends outward compared to the box guide portion. According to this method, when the mounting process is performed, the film is positioned between the apparatus guide portion and the box guide portion. Therefore, the film prevents the box from moving smoothly in the insertion direction. Consequently, before the box is fully mounted relative to the printing apparatus, the user may notice that they forgot to peel off the film.

[0116] (3) In the above-described manner, the configuration unit may also include a supply unit positioning part as one of the mounting elements. The supply unit positioning part is concave and formed on the bottom wall, incorporating the device-side supply unit positioning part of the printing apparatus, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid inlet. The film is mounted on the configuration unit in a state of covering the supply unit positioning part. According to this method, during the mounting process, the film is positioned between the device-side supply unit positioning part and the supply unit positioning part. Consequently, during the mounting process, the device-side supply unit positioning part collides with the film, making smooth movement of the mounting box impossible. Therefore, the user may notice instances where the film is forgotten to be peeled off.

[0117] (4) In the above-described manner, the configuration section may also have a rear wall that intersects with the bottom wall and has a cartridge engaging portion as one of the mounting elements. The cartridge engaging portion engages with the mounting engaging portion of the printing apparatus to maintain the cartridge's mounting state relative to the printing apparatus. The film is mounted on the configuration section in a state where it extends outward compared to the rear wall. According to this method, when the mounting process is performed, in the stage before the cartridge is fully mounted to the printing apparatus, the film is positioned between the mounting engaging portion and the cartridge engaging portion. Therefore, since the mounting engaging portion collides with the film, smooth movement of the cartridge for mounting is impossible. Consequently, the user may notice if they forget to peel off the film.

[0118] (5) In the above-described manner, the portion of the film that extends outward compared to the rear wall may also be longer than the length from the bottom wall to the housing engagement portion. According to this method, during the installation process, the film can be more reliably positioned between the installation engagement portion and the housing engagement portion.

[0119] (6) In the above-described manner, a liquid-absorbing material may also be disposed on the inner surface of the film, at the portion opposite to the tip of the liquid supply section. According to this method, even if liquid leaks from the liquid supply section due to impact from the box falling or colliding with another object, the leaked liquid can be absorbed by the liquid-absorbing material. Therefore, when the film is peeled off the box, the possibility of liquid scattering to the outside can be suppressed.

[0120] In addition to the methods described above, this disclosure can also be achieved through methods such as box manufacturing methods and printing systems equipped with boxes and printing devices.

[0121] Symbol Explanation

[0122] 1… Printing system; 2… Printing paper; 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K… Boxes; 4A… First type of box; 4B… Second type of box; 6… Box mounting part; 8… Cover part; 10… Printing apparatus; 13… Replacement cover; 15… Operation button; 20… Carriage; 22… Nozzle; 24… Tube; 30… Drive mechanism; 31… Control unit; 32… Synchronous belt; 34… Drive motor; 41… Box body; 42… Front wall; 43… Upper wall; 44… Bottom wall; 45… First side wall; 46… Second side wall; 47… Rear wall; 50… Circuit board; 54… First mounting part; 55… Second mounting part; 61… Storage chamber; 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K… Slots; 62… Second… Device wall; 63… Device upper wall; 64… Device bottom wall; 65… First device side wall; 66… Second device side wall; 67… First device wall; 70… Device side terminal portion; 73… Holding mechanism; 82… Adapter front wall; 84… Adapter bottom wall; 85… First adapter side wall; 86… Second adapter side wall; 87… Adapter rear wall; 89… Corner; 90… Terminal configuration portion; 100… Printing device; 200… Film; 200fa… Inner surface; 202… Crease; 205… First film side portion; 206… Second film side portion; 208… First film end portion; 209… Second film end portion; 302… Liquid absorbent material; 401… Liquid reservoir; 402… Adaptor Device; 430… Box side identification component; 431… Bottom wall of the storage body; 442… Liquid supply section; 442a… Top part of the supply section; 446… Opening; 447… Box guide section; 447a… First box guide section; 447b… Second box guide section; 448… Supply section positioning section; 450… Liquid storage section; 497… Box locking section; 521… Box side terminal; 602… Device guide section; 602a… First device guide section; 602b… Second device guide section; 610… Support component; 611… First support side wall; 612… Second support side wall; 613… Main wall; 614… Device opening; 625… Force application component; 630… Device side identification component; 642… Liquid Body introduction section; 642a…base end; 642b…top end; 644…device-side supply section positioning section; 644a…one end; 644b…the other end; 674…insertion opening; 677…locking body; 697…mounting locking section; 698…rotation fulcrum; 699…liquid reservoir; 700…mounting element; 721…device-side terminal; 739…connector; 750…terminal holding section; 780…force application component; 782…mounting component; 831…supply section configuration section; CA1…central shaft; CA2…central shaft; D1…insertion direction; D2…connection direction; D3…connection release direction; Fa…external force; Ft1…external force; Rp…terminal rotation fulcrum.

Claims

1. A box, which is detachably mounted on a printing apparatus having a liquid inlet, and comprises: Liquid storage section, which stores liquids; A liquid supply unit, which is connected to the liquid inlet unit, supplies the liquid to the printing apparatus; The configuration section has the liquid supply section disposed on its inner side and has a bottom wall, on which an opening is formed for the liquid inlet section to be inserted. A film, which is installed on the configuration part in a peelable manner to cover the opening. The configuration unit also includes a mounting element that works in conjunction with the printing device during at least one of the processes of mounting the box to the printing apparatus (i.e., the mounting process) and the mounting state in which the box has already been mounted on the printing apparatus. When the film is mounted on the mounting unit and the mounting process is performed, it is positioned between the printing device and the mounting element. The configuration section also has a rear wall that intersects with the bottom wall and has a cartridge engaging portion as one of the mounting elements. The cartridge engaging portion maintains the mounting state of the cartridge relative to the printing device by engaging with the mounting engaging portion of the printing apparatus. The film is mounted on the configuration part in a state where it extends outward compared to the rear wall. A liquid-absorbing material is disposed on the inner surface of the film, on the portion opposite to the tip of the liquid supply section.

2. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The configuration section has sidewalls that intersect the bottom wall and extend along the insertion direction in which the box is inserted into the printing device. The sidewall has a box guide as one of the mounting elements, the box guide extending along the insertion direction and being guided in the insertion direction by the printing device. When the box is viewed from the bottom wall side, the film is mounted on the configuration part in a state that extends outward compared to the box guide portion.

3. The box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The configuration section also has a concave-shaped supply section positioning section as one of the mounting elements. The supply section positioning section is formed on the bottom wall and incorporates the device-side supply section positioning section of the printing apparatus to restrict the movement of the liquid supply section relative to the liquid inlet section. The film is installed on the configuration section in a state that covers the positioning section of the supply section.

4. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The length of the portion of the film that extends outward compared to the rear wall is longer than the length from the bottom wall to the box engagement portion.

Images