Liquid storage containers

Abstract

This document discloses a liquid storage container, comprising: a liquid reservoir for storing liquid; an air communication passage for communicating the liquid reservoir with the atmosphere; a partition wall for separating the interior and exterior of the liquid reservoir; a through-hole penetrating the partition wall in a first direction; a movable support member movable in the through-hole in the first direction; a first sealing member disposed in the liquid reservoir and fixed to the movable support member; and a biasing member biasing the movable support member to position the first sealing member in a closed position to close the air communication passage, wherein the movable support member has a receiving portion that receives an external force to move the first sealing member from the closed position, such that the interior of the liquid reservoir is in communication with the exterior of the liquid reservoir via the air communication passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid storage container that can be detachably attached to a printing device. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-161876 discloses a liquid cartridge that can be detachably attached to the printer body. For example... Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the liquid cartridge has an air communication portion 130 and a liquid reservoir chamber 132 for storing liquid, the air communication portion having an air communication port 134. A valve 500 is disposed in the communication port 131 for communicating the air communication portion 130 with the liquid reservoir chamber 132. The valve 500 includes a rod 510, a valve element 520, a coil spring 530, a sealing member 540, etc. In the liquid cartridge before attachment, the sealing member 550 closes the communication port 131 by the biasing force of the coil spring 530. When the liquid cartridge is attached to the printer body, the rod 510 is depressed by the pressing portion 320, and the valve element 520 moves in the opposite direction to the biasing direction of the coil spring 530. Therefore, the sealing member 540 separates from the communication port 131, and the liquid reservoir chamber 132 switches to an open state communicating with the air communication port 134. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the liquid cartridge disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-161876, even when the liquid cartridge is removed from the printer body, the lever 510 remains open in the fallen state, potentially causing liquid leakage. Furthermore, since the valve element 520 is located outside the liquid reservoir chamber 132 and is configured to close the communication port 131 from the outside, the valve element 520 may detach from the communication port 131 and liquid may leak from the liquid cartridge when the internal pressure of the liquid reservoir chamber 132 increases.

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a liquid storage container that can prevent liquid leakage.

[0005] The liquid storage container disclosed herein includes: a liquid storage section configured to store liquid; an air communication passage for communicating the liquid storage section with the atmosphere; a partition wall configured to separate the interior of the liquid storage section from the exterior of the liquid storage section; a through-hole configured to penetrate the partition wall in a first direction; a movable support member movable in the through-hole in the first direction; a first sealing member disposed in the liquid storage section and fixed to the movable support member; and a biasing member configured to bias the movable support member such that the first sealing member is positioned in a closed position where the first sealing member closes the air communication passage. In the liquid storage container, the movable support member has a receiving portion configured to receive an external force, and the external force causes the first sealing member to move from the closed position, such that the interior of the liquid storage section communicates with the exterior of the liquid storage section via the air communication passage.

[0006] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the main structure of a printing device in which the liquid storage container of this disclosure is applied.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a liquid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 3 This indicates when the liquid storage container is not attached to the printing device. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a liquid storage container is shown.

[0010] Figure 4 This illustrates when a liquid storage container is attached to a printing device. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a liquid storage container is shown.

[0011] Figure 5A and Figure 5B It is shown in Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container in the shown state.

[0012] Figure 6A and Figure 6B It is shown in Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container in the shown state.

[0013] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid storage container according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure when the liquid storage container is not attached to the printing device.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure when the liquid storage container is attached to a printing device.

[0015] Figure 9 It is shown in Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container in the shown state.

[0016] Figure 10 It is shown in Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container in the shown state.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the state just before the liquid cartridge is attached to the printer body.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the liquid cartridge after it has been attached to the printer body. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to these.

[0021] [First Embodiment]

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main structure of a printing apparatus to which the liquid storage container of this disclosure is applied. The printing apparatus is an inkjet printing apparatus for ejecting liquids (e.g., ink). The printing apparatus includes a holder 3 for holding a liquid storage container 100 according to a first embodiment of this disclosure and a printhead 1, wherein liquid is supplied from the liquid storage container 100 held by the holder 3 to the printhead via a tube 2. The liquid storage container 100 is detachably attached to the holder 3. The printhead 1 is mounted, for example, on a carriage and ejects liquid toward a printing medium (e.g., paper). Liquid consumed by the ejection is supplied from the liquid storage container 100 to the printhead 1. Inside the holder 3, a connector pin 310 communicating with the tube 2 and an internal flow passage 31, described later, are provided.

[0023] Next, the construction of the liquid storage container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0024] Figure 2This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the liquid storage container 100. Figure 2 The construction of a cross-section taken vertically along the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage container 100 is shown. Figure 2 In the diagram, the z-axis indicates the vertical direction, and the x-axis and y-axis indicate the horizontal direction, with all axes being orthogonal to each other.

[0025] refer to Figure 2 The liquid storage container 100 includes a liquid storage section 110, a liquid supply section 120, and a valve unit 140. The liquid storage section 110 and the liquid supply section 120 are integrally formed. The liquid storage section 110 stores liquid (e.g., ink). The liquid supply section 120 supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 110 to the printhead 1. A cover 136 is provided on the upper portion of the liquid storage section 110. The cover 136 is configured to accommodate a pressing portion 320, described later, when the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3.

[0026] The liquid storage container 100 is provided with an air passage 147, which is configured to connect the liquid storage section 110 to the atmosphere. When liquid is supplied to the print head 1, the interior of the liquid storage section 110 becomes negatively pressurized, but the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 remains constant because external air is drawn into the liquid storage section 110 through the air passage 147. The valve unit 140 switches between a closed state in which the air passage 147 is closed and an open state in which the air passage 147 is open.

[0027] The construction of each part of the liquid storage container 100 will be described in detail below.

[0028] (Liquid storage section)

[0029] The liquid storage container 100 has a partition wall 144 configured to separate the interior of the liquid storage section 110 from its exterior. The partition wall 144 is located in the upper region of the liquid storage section 110. In this embodiment, the partition wall 144 constitutes a cover member of the liquid storage section 110. A liquid supply section 120 is provided at the bottom portion 111 of the liquid storage section 110. Because the bottom portion 111 is formed to slope downwards toward the liquid supply section 120, liquid can be supplied to the printhead 1 without remaining in the bottom portion 111.

[0030] (Liquid Supply Department)

[0031] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure of the liquid supply unit 120 is described in detail. Figure 3 This is a view showing the state of the liquid storage container 100 before it is attached to the retainer 3. Figure 4 This is a view showing the state in which the liquid storage container 100 is fully attached to the retainer 3. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It shows that in relation to Figure 2 A cross-section at a location similar to the one in question. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the diagram, arrow 51 indicates the insertion direction when the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3. Arrow 52 indicates the direction along which the liquid storage container 100 is removed from the retainer 3.

[0032] The liquid supply unit 120 has a liquid supply port 124, a valve element 121, a valve spring 122, and an annular joint seal 123. The valve element 121 is made of resin material. The valve spring 122 is made of metal material. The joint seal 123 is made of an elastic member (e.g., rubber) and is attached to the liquid supply port 124. The valve spring 122 biases the valve element 121 toward the joint seal 123. By the biasing force of the valve spring 122, the valve element 121 closes the liquid supply port 124 to which the joint seal 123 is attached.

[0033] When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3, the connector pin 310 is inserted into the liquid supply port 124, such as Figure 4 As shown. The connector pin 310 is made of a hollow component and connected to the tube 2 via an internal flow passage 31. The connector pin 310 constitutes the end of the liquid supply system on the printing device side. When the liquid storage container 100 moves in the direction of arrow 51, the connector pin 310 moves relative to the valve element 121 in the liquid supply port 124, while maintaining a seal by closely contacting the connector seal 123. The connector pin 310 pushes the valve element 121 in a direction opposite to the bias direction of the valve spring 122. By the pressing force of the connector pin 310, the valve element 121 moves in a direction opposite to the bias direction of the valve spring 122 and separates from the liquid supply port 124. As a result, the liquid supply port 124 opens, and liquid can be supplied from the liquid storage container 100 to the printhead 1.

[0034] When the liquid storage container 100 is detached from the retainer 3, the liquid storage container 100 moves in the direction of arrow 52. The connector pin 310 moves relative to the liquid supply port 124 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (the same direction as the biasing direction of the valve spring 122), while the seal is maintained by the connector seal 123. As the connector pin 310 leaves the liquid supply port 124, the biasing force of the valve spring 122 causes the valve element 121 to close the liquid supply port 124.

[0035] (Valve unit and air connection path)

[0036] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The valve unit 140 and air communication passage 147 are described. The valve unit 140 has a movable support member 141, a torsion coil spring 142, a first sealing member 146, and a second sealing member 143. The first sealing member 146 and the second sealing member 143 are made of elastic members (e.g., rubber). The partition wall 144 is provided with a through hole 144c penetrating the partition wall 144 in a first direction B (z-axis direction). Specifically, the through hole 144c penetrates from a first surface 144a of the partition wall 144 facing the liquid storage portion 110 to a second surface 144b, which is a surface on the opposite side of the first surface 144a. The movable support member 141 is inserted into the through hole 144c and can move in the through hole 144c in the first direction B.

[0037] One end of the movable support member 141 is located on one side of the liquid reservoir 110, while the other end is located outside the liquid reservoir 110. A first sealing member 146 is disposed inside the liquid reservoir 110 and fixed to one end of the movable support member 141. A second sealing member 143 is disposed outside the liquid reservoir 110 and fixed to the movable support member 141. In other words, the first sealing member 146 is disposed on the first surface 144a side of the partition wall 144, while the second sealing member 143 is disposed on the second surface 144b side of the partition wall 144. The gap between the first sealing member 146 and the second sealing member 143 is greater than the thickness of the partition wall 144. The second sealing member 143 has an annular shape, and its inner peripheral surface is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the movable support member 141. The first sealing member 146 and the second sealing member 143 can be fixed to the movable support member 141 using, for example, an adhesive.

[0038] The torsion coil spring 142 is an example of a biasing member used to bias the movable support member 141 such that the first sealing member 146 is positioned at a closed position P1 for closing the air communication passage 147. At the closed position P1, the first sealing member 146 can close the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c. When the movable support member 141 moves in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member, the first sealing member 146 disengages from the closed position P1, and the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c. When the first sealing member 146 disengages from the closed position P1, the liquid reservoir 110 communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication passage 147.

[0039] An air passage 147 is provided in the movable support member 141. The air passage 147 has a first opening 147a communicating with the interior of the liquid storage section 110 and a second opening 147b communicating with the exterior of the liquid storage section 110. Here, the air passage 147 is provided to penetrate from one end of the movable support member 141 to the other end. The first opening 147a is formed on the side surface of one end of the movable support member 141, and the second opening 147b is formed on the end surface of the other end of the movable support member 141. The second opening 147b may be formed on the side surface of the movable support member 141. The first opening 147a is located inside the liquid storage section 110, and the second opening 147b is located outside the liquid storage section 110. In the closed state, where the first sealing member 146 is arranged in the closed position P1, the first opening 147a is received in the through hole 144c.

[0040] A gas-liquid separation membrane 145 for separating gas and liquid is disposed in the first opening 147a of the air communication passage 147. Even if the printing device is slightly tilted, the gas-liquid separation membrane 145 can prevent liquid stored in the liquid storage section 110 from leaking to one side of the air communication passage 147. The gas-liquid separation membrane 145 preferably has low flow resistance and low liquid permeability. For example, a hydrophobic filter can be used for the gas-liquid separation membrane 145.

[0041] Reference Figures 5A to 6B Describe the bias mechanism in detail. Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a view showing the state of the biasing mechanism, including the valve unit 140, before the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3, wherein Figure 5A It's a top view, and Figure 5B It is a sectional view. Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view showing the state of the biasing mechanism, including the valve unit 140, when the liquid storage container 100 is fully attached to the retainer 3, wherein Figure 6A It's a top view, and Figure 6B It is a sectional view. That is to say, Figure 5A and Figure 5B The diagram shows the state in which the first sealing member 146 is in the closed position P1, and Figure 6A and Figure 6B The state in which the first sealing member 146 is out of the closed position P1 is shown. Figure 5B and Figure 6B It shows that in relation to Figure 2 A cross-section at a location similar to the one in question. Figures 5A to 6BFor convenience, only the pressing portion 320 is shown as a component of the retainer 3. The pressing portion 320 is configured to apply an external force to the receiving portion of the movable support member 141, which will be described later, when the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3.

[0042] A male thread 148a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable support member 141, and a female thread 148b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 144c. The movable support member 141 can rotate with the male thread 148a and the female thread 148b screwed together. When the movable support member 141 rotates in a first rotation direction (arrow A1), it moves toward the interior of the liquid storage section 110, i.e., in the direction of arrow 54. When the movable support member 141 rotates in a second rotation direction (arrow A2) opposite to the first rotation direction, it moves toward the exterior of the liquid storage section 110, i.e., in the direction of arrow 53.

[0043] The movable support member 141 has a receiving portion for receiving external forces. The external force moves the first sealing member 146 from the closed position P1, allowing the interior of the liquid storage section 110 to communicate with the exterior of the liquid storage section 110 via an air communication passage 147. Here, the pressing force of the pressing portion 320 serves as the external force. The movable support member 141 includes a pressure receiving portion 141a, which serves as the external force receiving portion, arranged outside the liquid storage section 110 and extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the movable support member 141. When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3, the pressing portion 320 presses the pressure receiving portion 141a, causing the movable support member 141 to rotate in a first rotational direction.

[0044] The torsion coil spring 142 is configured to receive a torsional torque (arrow A) about the central axis of the coil. In the torsion coil spring 142, the coil portion is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the movable support member 141, the upper end of the coil is fixed to the movable support member 141, and the lower end of the coil is fixed to the spring support portion 149. The spring support portion 149 is provided on the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144. The torsion coil spring 142 biases the movable support member 141 in the second rotation direction (arrow A2) to maintain the closed state in which the first sealing member 146 is arranged in the closed position P1.

[0045] When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the retainer 3, such as Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the pressing portion 320 presses against the pressure receiving portion 141a of the movable support member 141, and the movable support member 141 rotates by an angle θ1 in the first rotation direction (arrow A1). This rotation in the first rotation direction causes the movable support member 141 to move in the direction of arrow 54. Therefore, the first sealing member 146 disengages from the closed position P1, and the second sealing member 143 comes into close contact with the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144 to close the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100 switches to an open state in which the liquid storage portion 110 communicates with the atmosphere. When switched to the open state, the torsion spring 142 receives a torsional torque corresponding to the amount of rotation of angle θ1. This torsional torque acts to rotate the movable support member 141 in the second rotation direction (arrow A2).

[0046] When the liquid storage container 100 is detached from the holder 3, the pressing portion 320 separates from the pressure receiving portion 141a, and the pressure exerted by the pressing portion 320 on the pressure receiving portion 141a is released. When the pressing portion 320 separates from the pressure receiving portion 141a, the movable support member 141 rotates by an angle θ1 in the second rotational direction under the action of a torsional torque. This rotation in the second rotational direction causes the movable support member 141 to move in the direction of arrow 53. Therefore, the second sealing member 143 separates from the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144, and the first sealing member 146 moves to the closed position P1 to close the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100 switches to a closed state in which the liquid storage portion 110 is sealed.

[0047] In the biasing mechanism, the distance D1 between the second sealing member 143 and the first surface 144a of the partition wall 144 corresponds to the amount of movement of the movable support member 141 corresponding to the rotation amount of angle θ1, and can be defined by the thread pitch and angle θ1. For example, the range of rotatable angles of the movable support member 141 (the range of angle θ1) is preferably 30° to 150°. Within this angle range, the open and closed states can be satisfactorily achieved by the action of torsional torque.

[0048] According to the liquid storage container 100 of this embodiment described above, the first sealing member 146 closes the air communication passage 147 in the disassembled state, so that the liquid storage section 110 remains in a sealed state. Therefore, for example, even when the liquid storage container 100 is transported or when a user picks up the liquid storage container 100 and tilts it, the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 110 will not leak out of the liquid storage container 100.

[0049] The first sealing member 146 is configured to close the air communication passage 147 from the interior of the liquid storage section 110 by being in close contact with the first surface 144a of the partition wall 144. Therefore, even if the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 increases due to transportation or the like, the first sealing member 146 will not separate from the first surface 144a, and the closed state can be maintained.

[0050] Furthermore, in the open state, since the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c, the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 can be prevented from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c.

[0051] [Second Embodiment]

[0052] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a liquid storage container 100A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 The state is shown before the liquid storage container 100A is attached to the retainer 3.

[0053] Figure 8 The liquid storage container 100A is shown to be fully attached to the retainer 3. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The structure of a cross-section taken vertically along the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage container 100A is shown.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the state of the biasing mechanism, including the valve unit 140, before the liquid storage container 100A is attached to the retainer 3. Figure 10 This diagram illustrates the state of the biasing mechanism, including the valve unit 140, when the liquid storage container 10A is fully attached to the retainer 3. That is, Figure 7 and Figure 9 The diagram shows the state in which the first sealing member 146 is in the closed position P1, and Figure 8 and Figure 10 The state in which the first sealing member 146 is out of the closed position P1 is shown. Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows that in relation to Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-section at a similar location. In Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the present, for convenience, only the pressing part 320 is shown as a component of the retainer 3.

[0055] The liquid storage container 100A of this embodiment differs from the liquid storage container 100 of the first embodiment in that the liquid storage container 100A has an air communication passage 247 instead of an air communication passage 147. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of these components are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0056] An air passage 247 is provided in the partition wall 144. The air passage 247 has a first opening 247a communicating with the interior of the liquid storage section 110 and a second opening 247b communicating with the exterior of the liquid storage section 110. Here, the air passage 247 is provided to penetrate from the first surface 144a to the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144. The first opening 247a is adjacent to a through hole 144c. When the movable support member 141 is arranged in the closed position P1, the first sealing member 146 closes the first opening 247a. A gas-liquid separation membrane 145 is provided in the first opening 247a.

[0057] like Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, in the disassembled state, the first sealing member 146 is in the closed position P1. The first sealing member 146 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c, and closes the first opening 247a of the air communication passage 247. In this way, the liquid storage container 100A is in a closed state in which the air communication passage 247 is closed.

[0058] like Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, when the liquid storage container 100A is attached to the retainer 3, the pressing portion 320 presses the pressure receiving portion 141a of the movable support member 141. The movable support member 141 rotates in the first rotational direction and moves in the direction of arrow 54. Therefore, the first sealing member 146 disengages from the closed position P1, and the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage section 110 is connected to the atmosphere through the air communication passage 247, and the liquid storage container 100A is switched to the open state.

[0059] Similar to the first embodiment, the liquid storage container 100A of this embodiment can also prevent liquid leakage when the liquid storage container is removed from the printing device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 increases.

[0060] In the closed state, since the first sealing member 146 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c, the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 can be prevented from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c.

[0061] Furthermore, in the open state, since the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c, the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 can be prevented from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through hole 144c.

[0062] [Third Embodiment]

[0063] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container 100B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 It is shown in relation to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The structure of the cross-section is similar to that of the location. Figure 11 In the present, for convenience, only the pressing part 320 is shown as a component of the retainer 3.

[0064] The liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment differs from the liquid storage container 100 of the first embodiment in that it does not have male threads 148a and female threads 148b and uses a helical spring 142A instead of a torsion helical spring 142. A portion of the movable support member 241 is inserted into the through hole 144c of the partition wall 144. The outer peripheral surface of the movable support member 241 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 144c, and the movable support member 241 can slide in the penetration direction (z-axis direction). The outer peripheral surface of the movable support member 241 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 144c have a concentric circular shape in the xy plane. A spring support portion 150 for supporting the upper end of the helical spring 142A is provided on the outside of the movable support member 241. The spring support portion 150 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the movable support member 241. The spring support portion 150 is parallel to the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144 and is located outside the second sealing member 143 (opposite to the partition wall 144). In other words, the second sealing member 143 is located between the spring support portion 150 and the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144.

[0065] The lower end of the helical spring 142A contacts the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144. The helical spring 142A biases the movable support member 241 such that the first sealing member 146 maintains the closed state in which the first sealing member 146 closes the air passage 147 in the closed position P1. Specifically, the helical spring 142A biases the movable support member 241 in an outward direction (arrow 53). The movable support member 241 is provided with the air passage 147 described in the first embodiment.

[0066] The pressing portion 320 has a leaf spring 320a that biases the movable support member 241 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the coil spring 142A (arrow 54). In this embodiment, one end of the movable support member 241 that contacts the leaf spring 320a serves as a receiving portion for external force. Instead of the leaf spring 320a, a ramp that functions to move the movable support member 241 in the direction of arrow 54 can be provided in the pressing portion 320.

[0067] In the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment, the first sealing member 146 is located in the closed position P1, and the first opening 147a of the air communication passage 147 is accommodated in the through hole 144c in the disassembled state. The first sealing member 146 closes the gap between the movable support member 241 and the through hole 144c at the closed position P1. In this way, the liquid storage container 100B becomes a closed state in which the air communication passage 147 is closed.

[0068] When the liquid storage container 100B is attached to the retainer 3, the leaf spring 320a of the pressing portion 320 biases the movable support member 241 in the direction of arrow 54. As the movable support member 241 moves in the direction of arrow 54, the first sealing member 146 moves away from the closed position P1, and the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 241 and the through hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100B is switched to an open state in which the liquid storage section 110 is connected to the atmosphere through the air communication passage 147.

[0069] In the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, liquid leakage can be prevented when the liquid storage container is removed from the printing device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 increases.

[0070] Furthermore, the liquid storage container 100B according to this embodiment can have a simpler structure compared to the first embodiment because it does not have a threaded structure.

[0071] The biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container 100B in this embodiment can also be applied to the liquid storage container 100A in the second embodiment. In this case, in the disassembled state, the first sealing member 146 closes the gap between the movable support member 241 and the through hole 144c at the closed position P1, and closes the opening 247a of the air communication passage 247. Therefore, the liquid storage container 100A becomes a closed state in which the air communication passage 247 is closed.

[0072] On the other hand, when the liquid storage container 100B is attached to the retainer 3, the leaf spring 320a of the pressing portion 320 biases the movable support member 241 in the direction of arrow 54. When the movable support member 241 moves in the direction of arrow 54, the first sealing member 146 moves away from the closed position P1, and the second sealing member 143 closes the gap between the movable support member 241 and the through hole 144c. As a result, the liquid storage container 100B switches to an open state in which the liquid storage section 110 is connected to the atmosphere through the air communication passage 247.

[0073] The above application examples also demonstrate the same working effect as the second embodiment.

[0074] According to this disclosure, even when the liquid storage container is removed from the printing device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section increases, leakage of liquid from the liquid storage container can be prevented.

[0075] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims is to be given the broadest interpretation in order to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An ink storage container, comprising: An ink storage unit, the ink storage unit being configured to store ink; An air communication passage, wherein the air communication passage is used to connect the ink storage unit to the atmosphere; A partition wall configured to separate the interior of the ink reservoir from the exterior of the ink reservoir; A through-hole, the through-hole being configured to penetrate the partition wall in a first direction; A movable support member, which is movable in the through hole in the first direction; A first sealing member is disposed in the ink storage section and fixed to the movable support member; A biasing member configured to bias the movable support member such that the first sealing member is positioned at a closed position where the first sealing member closes the air communication passage. A second sealing member is disposed outside the ink reservoir and fixed to the movable support member. The movable support member has a receiving portion configured to receive external forces, and the external forces cause the first sealing member to move from the closed position, thereby enabling communication between the interior of the ink reservoir and the exterior of the ink reservoir via the air communication passage. When the movable support member moves in a direction opposite to the biasing direction along which the biasing member biases the movable support member, the second sealing member closes the gap between the movable support member and the through hole.

2. The ink storage container according to claim 1, wherein, The movable support member is inserted into the through hole, and the first sealing member closes the gap between the movable support member and the through hole at the closed position.

3. The ink storage container according to claim 2, wherein, The air communication passage is provided on the movable support member.

4. The ink storage container according to claim 3, wherein, The air communication passage has a first opening communicating with the interior of the ink storage unit and a second opening communicating with the exterior of the ink storage unit, and the first opening is accommodated in the through hole when the first sealing member is positioned in the closed position.

5. The ink storage container according to claim 1, wherein, The air communication passage is located on the partition wall.

6. The ink storage container according to claim 5, wherein, The air communication passage has a first opening communicating with the interior of the ink storage unit and a second opening communicating with the exterior of the ink storage unit, and when the first sealing member is positioned in the closed position, the first sealing member closes the first opening.

7. The ink storage container according to claim 4, wherein, A gas-liquid separation membrane for separating gas and ink is disposed at the first opening.

8. The ink storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: A male threaded portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable support member; as well as A female thread portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole. The movable support member is rotatable while the male and female threaded portions are screwed together, and is configured to move toward the interior of the ink reservoir when rotating in a first rotational direction and toward the exterior of the ink reservoir when rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The biasing member biases the movable support member in the second rotational direction.

9. The ink storage container according to claim 8, wherein, The receiving part is a pressure receiving part arranged outside the ink storage part and extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the movable support member, and the movable support member can be rotated by pressing the pressure receiving part.

10. The ink storage container according to claim 8, wherein, The movable support member has a rotation angle range between 30° and 150°.

11. The ink storage container according to claim 8, wherein, The biasing component is a torsion helical spring.

12. The ink storage container according to claim 1, wherein, The biasing member biases the movable support member from the interior of the ink reservoir to the exterior of the ink reservoir in the first direction.

13. The ink storage container according to claim 12, wherein, The biasing component is a helical spring.

14. The ink storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: An ink supply port configured to supply ink stored in the ink reservoir to the outside.

15. The ink storage container according to claim 1, wherein, The ink storage container is detachably attached to a printing device for discharging ink, and when attached to the printing device, the printing device applies an external force to the receiving part, and the movable support member moves in a direction opposite to the bias direction along which the biasing member biases the movable support member.

16. The ink storage container according to claim 8, wherein, The ink storage container can be detachably attached to a printing device for discharging ink, and when attached to the printing device, the printing device applies an external force to the receiving part, and the movable support member rotates in the first rotational direction.

17. The ink storage container according to claim 12, wherein, The ink storage container can be detachably attached to a printing device for discharging ink, and when attached to the printing device, the printing device applies an external force to the receiving part, and the movable support member moves in the first direction from the outside of the ink storage part toward the inside of the ink storage part.

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