Ink container and recording apparatus

Abstract

An ink container and a recording apparatus. Provided are an ink container in which clogging of a flow path in an ink storage portion is suppressed, and a recording apparatus using the same. The ink container includes: an ink storage portion having flexibility and configured to store ink therein; and an ink supply portion configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. The ridge portion is provided at a position on a surface of the ink storage portion so as to intersect an imaginary line obtained by extending a central axis of the ink supply portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ink container and a recording apparatus. Background Art

[0002] There is known an ink container (ink pack) in which liquid (particularly ink) to be supplied to a recording device such as an inkjet printer is contained in a flexible bag (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823, etc.).

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823 discloses a configuration in which an ink supply member is attached to one end portion of a bag. In this configuration, an ink outlet tube is provided at a central portion of the bag and is connected to an end portion of a spacing member extending toward the other end portion of the bag, and ink present in an inaccessible area of ​​the bag is discharged to the ink supply member through an outlet port of the ink outlet tube. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823, the spacing member suppresses positional displacement of the end of the ink outlet tube, and even when the bag shrinks due to liquid being consumed, the bag is suppressed from deforming around the liquid outlet tube and the spacing member, thereby reducing the possibility of clogging of the flow path of the liquid. In addition, it is described that a radial guide flow path for guiding ink toward the spacing member is formed in the ink storage portion, so that the flow of ink in the bag can be suppressed from being obstructed. Summary of the invention

[0004] An ink container according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an ink storage portion having flexibility and configured to store ink therein, the ink storage portion having (1) a first surface, (2) a second surface, (3) a first gusseted surface, and (4) a second gusseted surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface and having a first side and a second side, the second surface sharing the first side and the second side with the first surface, the first gusseted surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other, the second gusseted surface being opposite to the first gusseted surface and connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; and an ink supply portion provided at a first side of the ink storage portion and configured to supply ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. The ridge portion is provided at the first surface of the ink storage portion so as to intersect with an imaginary line obtained by extending a central axis of the ink supply portion. When the distance from the first end portion of the ink supply portion (the first end portion faces the inside of the ink storage portion) to the intersection of the ridge portion and the imaginary line is represented by D1 [mm], and the thickness of the first end portion of the ink supply portion is represented by T1 [mm], the ratio D1 / T1 is 5 / 8 or more and 40 / 8 or less. The first gusset surface and the second gusset surface each include a folded portion that is configured to fold toward the inside of the ink storage portion. The shortest distance from each of the two end portions of the ridge portion to the vertex of the folded portion of the first gusset surface or the second gusset surface that is closer to the one of the two end portions is 25 mm or less.

[0005] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink container.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a plan view of the ink container viewed from the positive T direction.

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply member.

[0009] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E Includes plan views of the ink supply member as viewed from various directions.

[0010] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Included are schematic diagrams each showing a state in which a flow path is blocked in a case where a ridge portion is not provided.

[0011] Fig. 6A and Figure 6BIncluded are schematic diagrams each showing a state in which obstruction of a flow path is suppressed by a ridge portion.

[0012] Figure 7 is a transparent view of the ink container viewed from the negative W direction.

[0013] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8G Included are schematic diagrams showing changes in the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion.

[0014] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G A schematic diagram showing the shape of the ridge portion in a plan view is included.

[0015] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram showing a sealing portion of an ink container.

[0016] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A perspective view including an ink inlet member and an ink outlet member.

[0017] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B A plan view including an ink inlet member and an ink outlet member.

[0018] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F Includes plan views of the ink inlet member viewed from various directions.

[0019] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14J A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ink inlet member is included.

[0020] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E Includes plan views of the ink outlet member viewed from various directions.

[0021] Fig.16 is an enlarged view of the first protruding portion.

[0022] Fig.17A and Fig. 17B Includes an enlarged view of the second protruding portion.

[0023] Fig.18 is a perspective view showing the peripheral configuration of the end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction.

[0024] Fig.19 is an exploded perspective view of the ink outlet component.

[0025] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20F A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of pad electrodes is included.

[0026] Fig.21A and Fig.21B is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a liquid supply portion and an electrical connection portion.

[0027] FIG. 22A to FIG. 22FA schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a memory device substrate at an inner surface of a memory device substrate receiving portion is included.

[0028] Fig.23 It is a perspective view of the system.

[0029] Fig.24A and Fig. 24B Included is a front view of the system and a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the system.

[0030] Fig.25 It is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply device.

[0031] Fig.26 is a perspective view of the ink container and the support unit.

[0032] Fig. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the support member.

[0033] FIG. 28A to FIG. 28C A schematic diagram showing the manner in which the ink container is placed on the support unit is included.

[0034] FIG. 29A to FIG. 29D A schematic diagram is included showing the manner in which a support unit with an ink container placed thereon is mounted into a slot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] From the viewpoint of environmental considerations, the inventors of the present disclosure have thought of the need to reduce the amount of plastic used in the ink container. As one approach, instead of providing a spacing member to position the outlet port of the ink outlet tube at the central portion of the bag as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823, a configuration has been examined in which the ink outlet port is provided near the end portion of the bag, that is, a configuration in which ink is supplied to the outside from the other end portion (the end portion facing the inside of the bag) of the ink supply member provided at one end portion of the bag.

[0036] However, it was found that this configuration of the ink container caused another new problem. More specifically, in the absence of an ink outlet tube or a spacing member as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823, there may be a problem that the passage (flow path) through which the ink flows to the ink supply member is blocked due to deformation of the ink storage portion when the ink stored in the ink storage portion is consumed.

[0037] The present disclosure provides an ink container in which clogging of a flow path in an ink storage portion is suppressed, and a recording apparatus using the same.

[0038] The ink container (ink pack, ink cartridge) and recording device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to these configurations. In addition, the contents described in the embodiments may be partially combined.

[0039] (I) Ink container

[0040] Figure 1 : is a perspective view of an ink container according to the present embodiment. The ink container of the present disclosure includes: an ink storage portion 1, which is flexible and configured to store ink in the ink storage portion; and an ink supply member / portion 2, which supplies the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. Note that in this specification, the term "ink" includes any liquid that can be used to form an image on a recording medium or to process a recording medium by applying it to the recording medium. Therefore, the "ink" in this specification is a concept that includes all liquids that can be used for recording. In addition, the concept of recording is not particularly limited, and it can be applied to industrial applications, etc. For example, it can be used in applications such as biochip production, electronic circuit printing, and semiconductor substrate production.

[0041] In order to describe the present disclosure, directions will be defined first. The direction of gravity when the ink container is placed upright will be referred to as the positive W direction. The downward-facing surface of the ink container when the ink container is placed upright is the same as the downward-facing surface of the ink container when the ink container is mounted on the recording device. The horizontal direction when the ink container is placed upright will be referred to as the positive T direction. The direction opposite to the positive W direction will be referred to as the negative W direction, and the direction opposite to the positive T direction will be referred to as the negative T direction. In addition, a direction perpendicular to both the positive W direction and the positive T direction and being the direction from one end of the ink container provided with the ink supply member to the other end portion of the ink container will be referred to as the positive D direction. Therefore, when the ink container is mounted on the recording device, the direction in which the ink container is connected to the recording device is the negative D direction. In other words, the negative D direction is the direction in which the accommodating unit (described later) to be accommodated in the ink container is pushed into the recording device, and the positive D direction is the direction in which the accommodating unit is pulled out from the inside of the recording device to the position in which the ink container becomes attachable and detachable. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the ink tank according to the present embodiment viewed from the positive T direction.

[0042] (1) Ink storage part

[0043] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion 1 has flexibility and is configured to store ink therein. Any known structure or shape may be adopted as long as the ink storage portion 1 can store ink.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the ink storage portion has at least (1) a first surface (P) and (2) a second surface (Q) opposite to the first surface. A side shared by the first surface and the second surface will be referred to as (3) a first side (R), and an ink supply member 2 that supplies the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside is provided at the first side. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply member according to the present embodiment. The ink supply member includes a first end portion facing the interior of the ink storage portion and a second end portion facing outward from the ink storage portion and opposite to the first end portion. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E The diagrams show Figure 3 The ink supply assembly is shown. Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 4C This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Figure 4D This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Figure 4E This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, in addition to the first side, the first surface and the second surface also share a second side (S). The second side is a side opposite to the first side, and the first surface and the second surface are sandwiched between the first side and the second side. The second side is a side formed by sealing the first surface and the second surface together. However, the first surface and the second surface may be connected to each other, for example, by a gusset surface.

[0046] The ink storage portion according to the present embodiment further has (3) a first gusset surface (U) provided in the positive T direction and (4) a second gusset surface (V) provided in the negative T direction, such that these gusset surfaces connect the first surface and the second surface to each other. In other words, the first gusset surface and the second gusset surface are surfaces opposing each other, and the first surface and the second surface are sandwiched between these gusset surfaces. Note that, instead of connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other via the gusset surfaces, the first surface and the second surface may be directly connected to each other by sealing them together.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the ink storage portion has a substantially rectangular shape, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the D direction and the transverse direction of which corresponds to the T direction. However, the ink storage portion may have another quadrilateral shape such as a trapezoidal shape or a square shape, or may have a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a pentagonal shape. The ink storage portion may have a shape in which, for example, its corner portions are rounded.

[0048] As a method of manufacturing the ink storage portion having such a shape, a known method can be adopted. More specifically, the ink storage portion may have a pillow-like shape formed by stacking two films and connecting their peripheral portions together, or it may have a gusseted shape.

[0049] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion has flexibility. In the present disclosure, the phrase "having flexibility" means being flexible and foldable.

[0050] As the material of the ink storage part, any known material can be used as long as the ink storage part can store ink in the ink storage part and has flexibility. Specific examples of the material include resin films made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) and the like. A film having a multilayer structure can be used in which these resin films are laminated together. Alternatively, a coating film or a vapor deposition film obtained by imparting gas barrier properties or moisture barrier properties to these resin films can be used. Alternatively, a film formed by laminating a sheet or aluminum foil to a resin film can be used. In order to store ink, a material that can suppress the evaporation of water contained in the ink can be used. In particular, aluminum foil can be used. The thickness of the film used to form the ink storage part can be more than 100 μm and less than 220 μm.

[0051] The ink storage portion can have a bag size suitable for its capacity. For example, when the capacity of the ink storage portion is 1.5L, the long sides of the ink storage portion are each about 374 mm, and the short sides of the ink storage portion are each about 180 mm. The gussets arranged at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion in the longitudinal direction of the ink storage portion each have a width of about 46 mm. When the capacity of the ink storage portion is 3.0 L, the long sides of the ink storage portion are each about 374 mm, and the short sides of the ink storage portion are each about 240 mm. The gussets arranged at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion in the longitudinal direction each have a width of about 80 mm.

[0052] In the present disclosure, the ridge portion 3 needs to be provided at the surface of the ink storage portion. The ridge portion can be formed by deforming the first surface of the ink storage portion using a compressed air method, a pressing method, a vacuum method, or the like. In the present disclosure, although the ink supply member is provided at the end of the ink storage portion, in the absence of a liquid outlet tube or a spacing member, etc., such as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-107823, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-014091, etc., there may be a problem that the passage (flow path) through which the ink flows to the ink supply member is blocked due to deformation of the ink storage portion when the ink stored in the ink storage portion is consumed. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each shows a state where the flow path is blocked in the case where no ridge portion is provided in this embodiment. Figure 5B In the figure, the blocked portion is indicated by a reference symbol X. In order to suppress the blockage of the flow path and realize the exhaustion of all the ink stored in the ink storage portion, it is useful to ensure the flow path of the ink by providing a ridge portion at the surface of the ink storage portion ( Fig. 6A and Figure 6B ). The ridge portion may be provided at both the first surface and the second surface. In the case where the ridge portion is provided on only one of the surfaces, when the ink storage portion is mounted on the recording device, the ridge portion may be provided at the upper surface (the first surface of the ink storage portion in the above configuration). Although the ridge portion may be provided at any position on the surface of the ink storage portion to achieve its effect, the ridge portion needs to be provided to intersect with an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member. Figure 7 is a transparent view of the ink container according to the present embodiment as viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 7 The dotted line W shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member. Figure 7 In FIG. 8 , the ridge portion 3 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0053] In this case, when the distance from the first end portion of the ink supply member to the intersection of the ridge portion and the imaginary line is represented by D1 [mm] and the thickness of the first end portion of the ink supply member is represented by T1 [mm], the ratio D1 / T1 needs to be 5 / 8 or more and 40 / 8 or less. The distance D1 from the first end portion of the ink supply member to the intersection of the ridge portion and the imaginary line is as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, and the thickness T1 of the first end portion of the ink supply member is as shown Figure 4D In this embodiment, when the ink storage portion has a capacity of 1.5 L (each of its long sides is about 374 mm, each of its short sides is about 180 mm, and the width of each of the gusseted portions is about 46 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm. When the ink storage portion has a capacity of 3.0 L (each of its long sides is about 374 mm, each of its short sides is about 240 mm, and the width of each of the gusseted portions is about 80 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm.

[0054] In addition, when the distance from the first side of the ink storage portion to the first end portion of the ink supply portion is represented by T2 [mm] and the distance from the first side to the second side is represented by T3, the ratio T2 / T3 may be greater than 1 / 10 and less than 3 / 10.

[0055] In the case where the ink storage portion has (3) a first gusset surface and (4) a second gusset surface respectively arranged in the positive T direction and the negative T direction so as to connect the first surface and the second surface to each other as in the present embodiment, the first gusset surface and the second gusset surface each include a folded portion arranged to be folded toward the inside of the ink storage portion, and the shortest distance from the vertex of the folded portion to both ends of the ridge portion needs to be 25 mm or less. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the apex of the folded portion of the gusset portion in the present embodiment is indicated by dotted lines Y1 and Y2. In the present embodiment, the distance from the apex of the folded portion of the first gusset surface to the corresponding end of the spine portion and the distance from the apex of the folded portion of the second gusset surface to the corresponding end of the spine portion are both 0 mm.

[0056] The length of the ridge portion may be 80 mm or more. Forming the ridge portion to be longer helps to use up the ink present at the end portion of the ink storage portion in the positive T direction and the negative T direction.

[0057] In addition, the width of the ridge portion may be 2 mm or more, and preferably 8 mm or less. The width of the ridge portion is more preferably 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less. The height of the ridge portion may be 0.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.0 mm or less. The height of the ridge portion is more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less. By setting the width and height of the ridge portion within the above range, the misalignment between the first surface (upper surface) and the second surface (lower surface) of the ink storage portion can be reduced, and the welding of the welding portion can be improved.

[0058] like FIG. 8A to FIG. 8G As shown in FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be any shape as long as the ink flows. In particular, as shown in FIG. Fig. 8A As shown, the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be a semi-elliptical shape.

[0059] like FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G As shown, the shape of the ridge portion in the plan view can be any shape as long as the effect of the present disclosure can be obtained. For example, multiple ridge portions can be arranged to be substantially parallel to each other ( Fig.9D ), or the ridge portion may be partially widened ( Fig.9E In the case where a plurality of ridge portions are provided, one ridge portion may be provided on the first side, and another ridge portion may be provided on the second side ( Figure 9G ).

[0060] In the present embodiment, as described above, a configuration in which an ink outlet is provided near the end portion of the flexible ink storage portion is adopted. However, if the ink container falls with the ink supply member facing downward, a problem that may arise is that the ink supply member may be deformed due to the impact generated by the ink container falling, causing the ink supply member to sink into the ink storage portion. In order to solve this problem, for example, a method of increasing the sealing width of a sealing portion may be considered, which is provided at the end portion of the ink storage portion (the sealing portion between the first surface and the second surface) across the entire side of the ink storage portion on which the ink supply member is provided. This method suppresses the above-mentioned deformation. However, the amount of ink that can be stored is reduced, which is disadvantageous. Therefore, a method of providing a portion having a large sealing width only near the ink supply member is considered. However, it is found that when the portion having a large sealing width has a rectangular shape, stress may be concentrated at the corner portion, although the ease of sealing can be ensured, and therefore, sometimes fracture may occur starting from the corner portion. In view of the above, the inventors of the present disclosure further examined the shape and arrangement of the portion having a large sealing width. Therefore, it has been found that, as Fig.10 As shown, the sealing portion between the first surface and the second surface may have a first sealing portion 6 having a rectangular shape parallel to the first side, and a second sealing portion 7, the first sealing portion being provided between the first sealing portion and the ink supply member and being continuously formed with the first sealing portion in a direction parallel to the first side, and having a mountain-like shape toward the inside of the ink storage portion. The sealing portion may be provided on the opposite side of the first side of the ink storage portion so that the ink supply portion is sandwiched between the sealing portions.

[0061] When the maximum width of the mountain-like shape is represented by W1 [mm], the vertex 8 of the mountain-like shape of the second sealing portion may be positioned so that the distance W2 [mm] from the ink supply member in the direction parallel to the first side is less than W1 / 2. In addition, when the height of the vertex of the mountain-like shape from the first side is represented by H1 [mm], the ratio of H1 to W2 (H1 / W2) may be 1.5 or more, and preferably 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. As H1 becomes larger relative to W2, the effect of suppressing the ink supply member from sinking when falling increases.

[0062] In addition, when the height of the first sealing portion from the first side is represented by H2 [mm], 0.83≤(H1−H2) / H2≤1.5 may be satisfied.

[0063] Although the shape of the sealing portion may be a mountain-like shape, in particular, the second sealing portion may include a curved portion having a curvature radius R of 10 mm or more from the vertex of the mountain-like shape to the outer edge of the ink supply member. Preferably, a curved portion having a curvature radius R of 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less is included. By providing the curved portion, the stress generated when falling is further dispersed.

[0064] In addition, an outer edge of the second sealing portion from the apex of the mountain-like shape to a connection portion where the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are connected to each other may include a linear portion.

[0065] As described above, the sealing portion may be provided on both sides of the ink supply member at the first side of the ink storage portion so that the ink supply member is sandwiched between the sealing portions. In this case, the distance between the vertices of the mountain-like shape of the sealing portion provided on the opposite sides of the ink supply member may be 70 mm or more and 90 mm or less, and preferably 75 mm or more and 85 mm or less. In addition, the distance between the ends of the mountain-like shape (each of the ends being closest to the ink supply portion) may be 40 mm or more and 70 mm or less, and preferably 45 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

[0066] (2) Ink supply component

[0067] In the present disclosure, the ink supply member may have any structure or shape as long as it is configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. In the present disclosure, as described above, in order to reduce the amount of plastic used in the ink container, the ink supply member is disposed at the first side of the ink storage portion. Figure 3 : is a perspective view of the ink supply member according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the ink supply member is divided into two members, namely, the ink inlet member 4 (also referred to as the filter housing) on ​​the first end portion side and the ink outlet member 5 on the second end portion side. Although the ink inlet member 4 and the ink outlet member 5 can be attached to and detached from each other, they may be formed integrally. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A perspective view showing a state where the ink supply member is divided into two members, namely, an ink inlet member 4 and an ink outlet member 5, is included, and Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The present invention includes a plan view showing a case where the ink supply member is divided into two members, namely, the ink inlet member 4 and the ink outlet member 5. In particular, Fig. 12A is a plan view from the negative W direction (top view in the use position), and Fig. 12B It is a plan view viewed from the positive W direction (bottom view in the use position).

[0068] (2-1) Ink inlet component, filter housing

[0069] The ink inlet member serving as a member of the ink supply member may be configured at least so that the ink stored in the ink storage portion is introduced thereinto, and may have at least one inlet port 9. Fig.13F The ink inlet member 4 is shown. Fig.13A This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 13B This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive D direction. Fig. 13C This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Fig.13D This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.13E This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.13F This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0070] In particular, in the case where the ink container remains as it is, the ink concentration in the ink storage portion may become uneven. In such a case, if ink with a high density is supplied to the recording device, there is a possibility that problems such as reduced discharge stability may occur, and therefore, it may be considered to suppress the increase in the concentration of the ink near the ink inlet member. For example, it may be considered to provide a mechanism for agitating the inside of the ink container. However, in this case, the ink container becomes complicated, which is disadvantageous. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14J A modification of the ink inlet member in this embodiment is described.

[0071] Notice, Fig.14A , Fig. 14C , Fig.14E , Figure 14G and Fig.14I is a schematic plan view of the ink inlet member viewed from the negative W direction, and Fig. 14B , Fig.14D , Fig.14F , Fig.14H and Fig.14J is a schematic transparent view of the ink inlet member viewed from the positive T direction.

[0072] First, if Fig.14A and Fig. 14B As shown, the ink inlet member may have a first wall 10, which is located above the inlet port in the gravity direction (negative W direction) and protrudes in the positive D direction. The ink inlet member may further have a side wall 11, which is arranged so that a portion of the side wall 11 sandwiches the first wall from the positive T direction and the negative T direction. In addition, as shown Fig. 14C and Fig.14DAs shown, the ink supply member may have a second wall 12 disposed at a position opposite to the inlet port. In this case, a gap 13 is formed between the first wall and the second wall in the positive D direction, and therefore, ink can be injected through the gap.

[0073] like Fig.14E and Fig.14F or Figure 14G and Fig.14H As shown, the end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction and / or the end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction may have a cutout 14. By providing the cutout, even when the ink storage portion is deformed due to the consumption of the ink stored in the ink storage portion and then the upper surface (first surface) and the lower surface (second surface) of the ink storage portion are in close contact with each other, a flow path through which the ink flows can be ensured between the ink inlet member and the ink storage portion. In this case, the area of ​​the cutout formed at the end portion in the positive W direction may be larger than the area of ​​the cutout formed at the end portion in the negative W direction. When the ink container is placed upright, the concentration of the ink is sometimes higher in the positive W direction (i.e., the direction of gravity) than in the negative W direction. In this case, the ink with a higher concentration becomes more viscous, making it more difficult to inhale. Therefore, by increasing the size of the cutout in the positive W direction where the ink is less likely to be inhaled, the ink can be inhaled through the cutout in the positive W direction and the cutout in the negative W direction at a ratio close to 1:1.

[0074] In addition, if Fig.14I and Fig.14J As shown, the third wall 15 may be arranged to protrude from the second wall in the negative D direction. In this case, a gap may be formed between the first wall and the third wall in the positive W direction. In addition, the third wall may be arranged at a position offset in the positive W direction relative to the first wall. Also in this case, a configuration may be adopted in which an end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction and / or an end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction may have a cutout. Note that Fig.14I and Fig.14J It is schematically shown FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F Schematic diagram of the illustrated embodiment.

[0075] Although it is obvious that the ink inside the ink storage portion is processed to prevent foreign matter such as dust from mixing therewith, the ink storage portion can have a function of serving as a filter in a manner to prevent foreign matter that has been unintentionally mixed during the manufacturing process from moving to the recording device. As described above, by narrowing the gap between the walls, the ink storage portion can have a function of serving as a filter. Alternatively, a mesh filter or the like can be attached as an actual filter. More specifically, a filter can be provided so as to connect the second wall and the wall having the inlet port to each other. Although the filter can be provided only on one side, by providing the filter in both the positive W direction and the negative W direction, the mixing of foreign matter can be more effectively suppressed.

[0076] In the direction perpendicular to the first side of the ink storage portion, the end portion of the ink inlet member (the first end portion of the ink supply member) may be located within 60 mm from the first side, preferably within 52 mm from the first side, and more preferably more than 40 mm from the first side. In addition, when the distance from the first side of the ink storage portion to the first end portion of the ink supply member is represented by T2 [mm] and the distance from the first side to the second side is represented by T3 [mm], the ratio T2 / T3 may be 1 / 10 or more and 3 / 10 or less.

[0077] (2-2) Ink outlet member

[0078] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E An ink outlet member 5 is shown. Fig.15A This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 15B This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Fig. 15C This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.15D This is a schematic diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.15E This is a schematic diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0079] The ink outlet member may include a first protruding portion 16, one of the first protruding portions protrudes in the positive T direction, and the other of the first protruding portions protrudes in the negative T direction, and the first protruding portions 16 may be each arranged at an end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative W direction (an end portion located on the upper side when the ink container is placed upright, an end portion on the first surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the first protruding portion, when a user holds the ink container, the first protruding portions can all be used as handles. In particular, this simple mechanism can enable the user to hold the ink container, thereby reducing the amount of plastic used in the ink container. From this point of view, the width (protruding width, protruding amount) of each of the first protruding portions in the T direction may be 3.0 mm or less. In addition, the width (thickness) of each of the first protruding portions in the W direction may be 3.0 mm or less. From the point of view of the strength of the gripping portion, the lower limits of these may all be 1.0 mm or more. Fig.16 is an enlarged plan view of one of the first protruding portions 16 as viewed from the negative D direction. Fig.16 , the width (protrusion width, protrusion amount) of the first protruding portion in the T direction is denoted by L3, and the width (thickness) of the first protruding portion in the W direction is denoted by T3.

[0080] The ink supply member may further include a second protruding portion 17, one of the second protruding portions protrudes in the positive T direction, and the other of the second protruding portions protrudes in the negative T direction, and the second protruding portions 17 may be both provided at the end portion of the ink supply member in the positive W direction (the end portion located on the lower side when the ink container is placed upright, the end portion on the second surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the second protruding portion, when the ink container is mounted on the recording device, the positioning of the ink container relative to the recording device becomes easier. The width (protruding width, protruding amount) of each of the second protruding portions in the T direction may be 3.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and preferably 5.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or less. In addition, the width (thickness) of each of the second protruding portions in the W direction may be 3.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less, and preferably 5.0 mm or more and 16.0 mm or less. Furthermore, the width of each of the second protruding portions in the D direction may be 3.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and preferably 5.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less. Fig.17A FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the second protruding portions 17. Fig.17AIn this case, the width (protrusion width, protrusion amount) of the second protruding portion in the T direction is represented by L4. The width (thickness) of the second protruding portion in the W direction is represented by T4. The width of the second protruding portion in the D direction is represented by W4. Fig. 17B is an enlarged plan view (top view in the use position) of one of the first protruding portions in the first protruding portion 16 and one of the second protruding portions in the second protruding portion 17 as viewed from the negative W direction. In Fig. 17B In this case, the width of the first protruding portion in the D direction is represented by W3.

[0081] In particular, the protrusion amount of each second protruding portion in the second protruding portion in the positive T direction (and negative T direction) can be greater than the protrusion amount of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion in the positive T direction (and negative T direction), that is, L3 < L4 is satisfied. Using this relationship, when the user installs the ink container onto the recording device, the user can visually check the end of the second protruding portion for positioning from above while holding the first protruding portion, and thus, the installation process becomes easier (with improved visibility during installation). Additionally, in the positive D direction, the width W3 of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion can be greater than the width W4 of each second protruding portion in the second protruding portion, that is, W4 < W3 can be satisfied, such that when the ink container is installed onto the recording device, the user can easily hold the ink container.

[0082] The ratio (L3 / L4) of the protrusion amount L3 of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion in the T direction to the protrusion amount L4 of each second protruding portion in the second protruding portion in the T direction can be 1 / 10 or more and less than 1, and preferably 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 3 or less.

[0083] The ratio (W4 / W3) of the width W4 of each second protruding portion in the second protruding portion in the D direction to the width W3 of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion in the D direction can be 3 / 22 or more and less than 1, and preferably 5 / 22 or more and 10 / 22 or less.

[0084] Additionally, in the W direction, the ratio (T3 / T4) of the width (thickness) T3 of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion to the width (thickness) T4 of each second protruding portion in the second protruding portion can be 1 / 16 or more and 3 / 5 or less.

[0085] Although when viewed from the negative W direction, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion can each have any shape, when viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each first protruding portion in the first protruding portion can be a shape tapered toward the positive D direction, as Fig. 17BWhen viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each of the second protruding portions may be a shape without a corner portion.

[0086] In addition, when viewed from the negative D direction, the shape of each of the first protruding portions may be a shape tapered toward the negative W direction (the direction toward the upper surface in the use position), such as Fig.16 This is to make it easier for the user's fingers to hold them when reaching from the negative W direction.

[0087] Liquid supply part, electrical connection part

[0088] like Fig.18 As shown, the ink outlet member includes a liquid supply portion (ink supply portion) 18, which is configured to supply liquid when it is connected to a liquid inlet portion 1005 included in the device body, which will be described later. The liquid supply portion can be provided at an end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction, that is, at an end portion of the ink container in the negative D direction.

[0089] The liquid supply portion may have any configuration as long as it has an opening 19 and can supply liquid as the liquid inlet portion of the device body is inserted into the opening. Although the opening may have any shape, it may have a circular shape (including an elliptical shape).

[0090] In a state where the liquid inlet portion of the apparatus body is not inserted (i.e., a state before the ink container is used), the liquid supply portion may be provided with a sealing portion, a valve portion, etc., so as to prevent ink from leaking to the outside. The sealing portion and the valve portion may have any known structure, and examples thereof include a valve spring structure and a slit valve. Fig.19 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink outlet member, and in this embodiment, the ink outlet member includes a valve mechanism 23, which opens and closes in response to the ink outlet member being mounted on the device body. More specifically, the valve 26 is pressed against the elastic sealing member 24 by using a pushing member 25 such as a spring, so that an opening / closing mechanism can be provided.

[0091] Alternatively, a mechanism may be adopted in which the opening is covered with a film 27 or the like before the user uses the opening, and as a result of the liquid inlet portion of the device body being inserted into the opening, the film begins to be torn, thereby establishing fluid communication between the device body and the inside of the ink storage portion. With this mechanism, it is possible to effectively suppress leakage of ink to the outside before use.

[0092] like Fig.18As shown, the ink outlet member includes an electrical connection portion 20, which is configured to be functionally connected to an electrical contact 1010, which is included in the device body and will be described later. More specifically, the electrical connection portion is a memory device substrate accommodating portion 22 that accommodates a memory device substrate 21. The memory device substrate is a chip-shaped substrate having a memory device (memory element) that stores information about ink color, information about the remaining amount of ink, etc. The memory device substrate is provided with a plurality of pad electrodes 28, each of which is in contact with the electrical contact of the device body so as to be electrically connected to the electrical contact. Note that the pad electrodes and the memory device substrate may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and in this case, they may be electrically connected to each other through wiring or the like. In practice, the electrical contacts of the device body are directly connected to the pad electrodes. Therefore, the electrical contacts of the device body are inserted into the memory device substrate accommodating portion and are in contact with the pad electrodes to be electrically connected. Although four pad electrodes are provided in the present embodiment, the number of pad electrodes is not limited to four, and a necessary number of pad electrodes may be provided. In addition, for the arrangement of the plurality of pad electrodes and the shape of each of the pad electrodes, any known configuration may be adopted. FIG. 20A to FIG. 20F Schematically shows an example of the arrangement of a plurality of pad electrodes when the pad electrodes are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Fig. 20B and Fig. 20C As shown in FIG. 1 , the arrangement of the pad electrodes can be bidirectionally asymmetric. Fig.20D As shown, the pad electrodes may be arranged vertically in two rows, for example. Fig.20E and Fig.20F As shown, each of the pad electrodes may have a shape different from a rectangular shape. Fig. 20B As shown in , a plurality of pad electrodes may be arranged so that the center of gravity of the pad electrodes as a whole does not coincide with the center of gravity of the memory device substrate.

[0093] The electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate and the memory device substrate accommodating portion may be provided at the end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction, that is, at the end portion of the ink container in the negative D direction. Although the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion may have any shape, it may have a quadrilateral shape, in particular, it may have a rectangular shape with long sides and short sides. The memory device substrate may be configured at least to be accommodated in the memory device substrate accommodating portion, and may have a quadrilateral shape similar to the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion. The memory device substrate may have a rectangular shape or a square shape.

[0094] In this case, the electrical connection portion may be arranged so that when the electrical connection portion is projected on a plane orthogonal to the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink container, the long side of the projected portion of the electrical connection portion intersects the gravity direction (negative W direction) at an angle less than 90 degrees while the ink container is in the mounting position by being mounted on the apparatus main body. In addition, the memory device substrate accommodating portion may be arranged so that when the ink container is in the mounting position by being mounted on the apparatus main body, the long side of the memory device substrate accommodating portion at the end surface of the ink outlet member (the end surface facing the negative D direction) intersects the gravity direction (negative W direction) at an angle less than 90 degrees.

[0095] In other words, when viewed from the installation direction (negative D direction) of the ink container, the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely (hereinafter also referred to as "oblique arrangement"). In the ink container of the related art, such an oblique arrangement is not adopted (hereinafter, such an arrangement of the related art is also referred to as "horizontal arrangement"), and the protruding portion of the electrical connection portion or the long side of the memory device substrate accommodating portion does not intersect the gravity direction (negative W direction), or intersects the gravity direction at 90 degrees at the installation position. The oblique arrangement makes it less likely that the ink will flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate even if the ink leaks from the liquid supply portion. In addition, by obliquely arranging the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion, the size of the ink outlet member can be reduced, which is advantageous from the perspective of reducing the amount of plastic. More specifically, in the case of the horizontal arrangement of the related art, as the size of the memory device substrate used becomes larger, the size of the ink outlet member needs to be larger. However, by adopting an oblique arrangement, the ink outlet member can be arranged while the size of the ink outlet member remains unchanged.

[0096] As schematically shown in FIG. 21 , when viewed from the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink container, as a positional relationship in the gravity direction (negative W direction), the liquid supply portion may be arranged to be offset in the positive W direction relative to the electrical connection portion or relative to the memory device substrate and the memory device substrate accommodating portion. Here, the phrase “arranged to be offset…” may refer to a positional relationship in which the center of gravity 29 of the liquid supply portion (the center of the circle in the case where the opening is circular) is positioned more toward the positive W direction than the center of gravity 30 of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion (the intersection of the diagonal lines in the case where the memory device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular). With this arrangement relationship, even if ink leaks from the liquid supply portion, the ink is less likely to flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate.

[0097] In addition, although the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely as described above, in the case where the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular, there are two possible oblique arrangement modes relative to the liquid supply portion. The first mode is an oblique arrangement in which one of the long sides of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is closer to the liquid supply portion, such as Fig.21A The second mode is an inclined arrangement in which one of the short sides of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is closer to the liquid supply portion, such as Fig.21B As shown. According to research conducted by the inventors of the present disclosure, sufficient effects can be obtained using any of these inclined arrangements. However, the first inclined arrangement can be adopted. In other words, the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion can be arranged obliquely so that the distance between the long side of the protruding portion of the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion is shorter than the distance between the short side of the protruding portion of the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion. This is because, in this case, the lower end of the long side of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion in the negative W direction is positioned in a manner spaced apart from the liquid supply portion, and therefore, the above-mentioned effect of making it less likely that ink will flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate can be obtained at a higher level.

[0098] like Fig.19 As shown, the memory device substrate accommodating portion 22 may have an opening formed at the end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction, and may be a space having a rectangular prism shape (including a cube shape) extending in the positive D direction (the direction opposite to the installation direction). The opening at the end portion in the negative D direction is an opening into which the electrical contacts of the device body are inserted. The memory device substrate is disposed on the inner surface of the memory device substrate accommodating portion, which is a space having a rectangular prism shape. In this case, the space having a rectangular prism shape has five inner surfaces, which are a bottom surface facing the opening and four side surfaces surrounding the bottom surface. As FIG. 22A to FIG. 22F As shown, the memory device substrate can be disposed on any one of the five surfaces. FIG. 22A to FIG. 22D As shown, the memory device substrate can be disposed on any one of the four side surfaces. Fig.22A As shown, the memory device substrate may be disposed on a side surface farthest from the liquid supply portion 18 .

[0099] The memory device substrate may be directly bonded to one of the inner surfaces of the memory device substrate receiving portion, or may be disposed on the inner surface in a manner such that another member is interposed therebetween. Examples of the other member may be Fig.22FThe memory device substrate holder 31 (memory device substrate supporting member) shown. In other words, the memory device substrate is arranged on the memory device substrate holder, and the memory device substrate holder is arranged on the memory device substrate accommodating portion. In this case, the memory device substrate holder can be attached so as to be movable in the memory device substrate accommodating portion. With this configuration, when the electrical contacts of the device body (the member provided with the electrical contacts) are inserted into the memory device substrate accommodating portion, the memory device substrate holder moves to an appropriate position along the member of the device body, so that the electrical connection between the memory device substrate and the electrical contacts can be achieved with higher certainty. On the other hand, in the absence of such a configuration, there is a possibility that the electrical contacts of the device body (the member provided with the electrical contacts) may be damaged or the memory device substrate may be scratched, depending on how the user inserts. With this configuration, it is also possible to accommodate the manufacturing tolerances of components of the device body, the memory device substrate accommodating portion, etc. In addition, the memory device substrate holder can be pushed in a specific direction by an elastic member such as a spring. In this case, the direction in which the memory device substrate holder is urged may be a direction in which the memory device substrate is pressed against the electrical contacts of the apparatus main body in a state in which the electrical contacts are inserted.

[0100] (II) Recording equipment

[0101] As described above, the ink container according to the present disclosure is configured to be used by being accommodated in a recording device. The recording device may be a commonly used inkjet printer (inkjet recording device), a commercial recording device, or an industrial recording device. In the case where the ink container is an ink bag, its ink capacity can be flexibly adjusted. Using an ink bag with a large ink capacity is beneficial for commercial or industrial recording devices for large-volume printing or large-volume recording.

[0102] Fig.23 is a perspective view of a system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig.24A is a front view of the system 100. Fig.23 and Fig.24A , when the system 100 is placed on a horizontal surface, the left and right directions will be referred to as the X direction. The forward and backward directions will be referred to as the Y direction, and the upward and downward directions will be referred to as the Z direction. When the system 100 is viewed from the front, the right-hand side corresponds to the positive X direction. The left-hand side corresponds to the negative X direction. The front side corresponds to the positive Y direction. The rear side corresponds to the negative Y direction. The lower side (the lower side in the direction of gravity) corresponds to the positive Z direction. The upper side corresponds to the negative Z direction. Note that the positive X direction corresponds to the negative T direction described above. The positive Y direction corresponds to the positive D direction described above. The positive Z direction corresponds to the positive W direction described above.

[0103] The system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid supply device 1001 and a recording device (liquid discharge device) 101, and is a recording system that records an image on a recording medium such as a sheet by discharging ink. In the case of the present embodiment, two liquid supply devices 1001 are provided in a manner connected to each other.

[0104] The liquid supplied from each of the liquid supply devices 1001 to the liquid discharge device 101 is ink, and the liquid discharge device 101 is a recording device that discharges ink onto a recording medium. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a recording system, and can also be applied to various liquid discharge systems that are intended to discharge liquid onto a medium.

[0105] Note that the term "recording" includes not only the formation of meaningful information (such as characters and graphics) on a recording medium, but also the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium and the processing of the medium, whether it is meaningful or meaningless. It is not important whether the information is realized in a human-perceivable manner. In addition, in this embodiment, although the "recording medium" is assumed to be a sheet of paper, it may also be a piece of cloth, a plastic film, or the like.

[0106] Liquid discharge equipment

[0107] The liquid discharge apparatus 101 will now be described. Fig. 24B 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the liquid discharge device 101. In the liquid discharge device 101, a main body 103 is supported by a left bracket and a right bracket 102. Each of the brackets 102 is provided with a caster 102a so that the liquid discharge device 101 can be moved on the floor relatively easily. A feeding unit 104 and a winding unit 105 are arranged below the main body 103. In the case of the present embodiment, the recording medium M is a roll sheet, and the feeding unit 104 has an axis on which the recording medium M is wound. The winding unit 105 has an axis on which the recording medium M is wound. In the case of the present embodiment, although the recording medium M is a roll sheet as an example, the recording medium M may be a cut sheet.

[0108] The main body 103 includes a conveying unit 106. The conveying unit 106 includes a driving roller and a driven roller, and the recording medium M fed by the feeding unit 104 is clamped at a clamping portion defined between these rollers. Due to the rotation of the driving roller, the recording medium M is conveyed onto the platen 107. The discharge head 108 is arranged to face the platen 107. The discharge head 108 is a recording head that discharges ink to form an image. Ink is discharged from the discharge head 108 onto the recording medium M that has been conveyed to the platen 107, so that the image is recorded on the recording medium M.

[0109] The discharge head 108 includes, for example, a discharge energy generating element, such as an electrothermal transducer element (heater) or a piezoelectric element, and discharges ink from a discharge port. In the case of an electrothermal transducer element, the ink is bubbled by the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer element, and the ink can be discharged from the discharge port by utilizing the bubble energy. The recording method of the discharge head 108 may be a serial scanning method or a full-line method (page width method). In the case of the serial scanning method, the discharge head 108 is mounted on a carriage and reciprocates in the X direction. The discharge head 108 discharges ink while moving in the X direction, and this will be referred to as a scanning operation and a recording operation. By alternately performing the conveying and scanning operations and the recording operation of the recording medium M using the discharge head 108, an image is recorded onto the recording medium M. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a serial scanning method is adopted. In the case of the full-line method, a discharge head 108 extending in the X direction is used, and an image is recorded while the recording medium M is continuously conveyed.

[0110] The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded is wound by the winding unit 105. The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded is cut by a user using scissors or the like, or is automatically cut by a cutter (not shown).

[0111] The recovery unit 109 is provided at the main body 103. The recovery unit 109 is provided outside the recording area (outside the discharge area) of the discharge head 108, and performs processing related to recovery and maintenance of the discharge performance of the discharge head 108. Examples of such processing include processing such as preliminary discharge or suction of residual ink from the discharge port of the discharge head 108. When the recovery processing is required, the discharge head 108 moves to a position above the recovery unit 109, such as Fig.24A shown.

[0112] In the case of the present embodiment, the bracket 102 is arranged at a position slightly outside the width of the recording medium M in the positive X direction and the negative X direction so as to support the heavier feeding unit 104 and the winding unit 105 in addition to the main body 103. The main body 103 protrudes in such a manner that a first portion of the main body 103 including the recovery unit 109 built therein is located outside one of the brackets 102 in the positive X direction. The main body 103 also protrudes in such a manner that a second portion of the main body 103 on the opposite side is located outside the other bracket 102 in the negative X direction. A mechanism or the like that moves a carriage (not shown) on which a discharge head 108 is mounted is built in the second portion of the main body 103.

[0113] The operation panel 110 is provided at the front surface of the main body 103. The operation panel 110 is, for example, a touch panel, and can receive input of various settings related to recording, display the status of a recording job, and perform other operations.

[0114] The liquid discharge device 101 further includes a waste liquid box 111. The waste liquid box 111 is provided below an end portion of the main body 103 on a side (negative X side) opposite to a side on which the liquid supply device 1001 is provided. By positioning the waste liquid box 111 below a portion of the main body 103 that protrudes to the negative X side, the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101 can be reduced.

[0115] The waste liquid (waste ink or the like) sucked by the recovery unit 109 flows into and is collected by the waste liquid box 111. The waste liquid box 111 may be provided near the recovery unit 109. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the waste liquid box 111 is provided in the vacant space below the end portion of the main body 103, thereby reducing the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101.

[0116] Liquid supply equipment

[0117] The liquid supply devices 1001 are each a device for supplying ink discharged from the discharge head 108 to the liquid discharge device 101. The liquid supply devices each include a box-shaped body 1002 defining a plurality of slots 1003. The bottom surface of the body 1002 is provided with casters 1002a so that the liquid supply device 1001 can be relatively easily moved on the floor. The plurality of slots 1003 are arranged along the Z direction at the front surface of the body 1002. The support unit 1004 is inserted into the slot 1003 in a manner that it can be attached to and detached from the slot in the Y direction. Each of the support units 1004 supports one of the ink containers 200.

[0118] Each of the slots 1003 is provided with a tube that connects a corresponding one of the ink containers 200 and the liquid discharge device 101 to each other. The tubes are connected to the liquid discharge device 101 through a single hose 121 that surrounds all the tubes. The ink contained in each of the ink containers 200 is supplied to the discharge head 108 via the corresponding tube.

[0119] The height of each of the liquid supply devices 1001 is set to be lower than the lower surface of the end portion of the main body 103 of the liquid discharge device 101, which end portion protrudes toward the positive X side. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 can be placed under the body 103. The liquid supply device 1001 can be close to the position where the liquid supply device 1001 contacts one of the brackets 102 in the negative X direction. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 may be fixed to a support 102 using a connecting member 120. In the case of moving the system 100, the entire system 100 may be moved as a single unit.

[0120] Since the system 100 of the present embodiment includes two liquid supply devices 1001, a greater number of ink containers 200 can be used. In the case of increasing the number of ink colors for higher image quality, or in the case of increasing the number of ink colors of the same color for higher productivity, it is advantageous to provide a plurality of liquid supply devices 1001 as in the present embodiment. In such a case, as in the present embodiment, by adopting a layout in which the liquid supply device 1001 partially or completely overlaps the liquid discharge device 101 in the X direction, the installation area of ​​the system 100 can be reduced. Note that in the case of the present embodiment, one of the two liquid supply devices 1001 is completely contained in the size of the liquid discharge device 101 in the X direction. Their size relationship is such that, when there are two or more liquid supply devices 1001, they protrude slightly from the system 100 in the positive X direction.

[0121] Ink container and support unit

[0122] Fig.25 1001 is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply apparatus 1001 , and shows a state in which one of the supporting units 1004 is removed from the corresponding slot 1003 . Fig.25 Also shown is a state in which some of the side walls of the outer wall of the liquid supply device 1001 are removed to expose the internal mechanism.

[0123] Fig.26 1 is a perspective view of one of the ink containers 200 and the corresponding support unit 1004. FIG. 28A to FIG. 28C and FIG. 29A to FIG. 29D As shown, in this embodiment, each ink container in the ink container 200 is placed on a corresponding one of the supporting units 1004 (according to Fig.28A , Fig.28B and Fig.28C ), and the supporting unit 1004 on which the ink container 200 is placed is installed into a corresponding one of the slots 1003 (in the order of Fig.29A , Fig.29B , Fig.29C and Fig.29D ), so that the ink container 200 is accommodated in a corresponding one of the liquid supply devices 1001. Then, as described above, ink is supplied from the liquid supply device 1001 to the liquid discharge device 101, so that an image can be recorded. The method of supplying ink from the ink container to the liquid discharge device is not limited to the method described in this embodiment, and for example, a system in which the ink container is directly mounted on the liquid discharge device without using a supporting unit or the like may be adopted.

[0124] In each of the slots 1003 of the body 1002, a needle type liquid inlet portion 1005 is provided, which is inserted into the liquid supply portion 18 of a corresponding one of the ink containers 200, and an electrical contact 1010 is configured to be connectable by being inserted into the electrical connection portion 20 of the corresponding ink container 200. The needle type liquid inlet portion 1005 and the electrical contact 1010 are provided at the rear side of the slot 1003. Fig. 27 1 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the support member 50, at which a liquid inlet portion 1005 and an electrical contact 1010 are arranged. When the liquid inlet portion 1005 is inserted into the liquid supply portion 18 and is in a connected state, the valve mechanism 23 enters an open state due to the insertion of the liquid inlet portion 1005. The liquid inlet portion 1005 is supported by the support member 50 having a block shape and is connected to the tube 51. The liquid inlet portion 1005 forms a flow path through which the liquid stored in the ink storage portion 1 flows out to the liquid discharge device 101 as a supply destination, and the liquid flowing out to the liquid inlet portion 1005 is supplied to the liquid discharge device 101 via the tube 51. The electric flow path valve 52 is provided at the middle portion of the tube 51. The opening and closing of the flow path valve 52 enables the tube 51 to be blocked and unblocked. The liquid supply portion 18 may be provided with a pump, a pressure control mechanism, etc., so as to supply the ink contained in the ink container 200 to the discharge head 108 via the tube 51.

[0125] Each of the support units 1004 includes a support portion 40 that supports a corresponding one of the ink containers 200, and when viewed as a whole, the support unit 1004 is in the form of a tray on which the ink containers 200 in a horizontal position are placed. Each of the support units 1004 is movable substantially in the Y direction between a retracted position, in which the corresponding ink container 200 is accommodated in a corresponding one of the main bodies 1002, and a removal position, in which the ink container 200 is exposed to the outside of the main body 1002. Fig.25In the embodiment, one of the support units 1004 is located at the removal position, and the other support units 1004 are located at the retracted position. Each of the ink containers 200 can be replaced at the removal position, and the liquid contained in each of the ink containers 200 can be supplied to the liquid discharge device 101 in the retracted position. In the present embodiment, each of the support units 1004 is separated from the slot 1003 at the removal position. However, the removal position may be a position where the end portion of the support unit 1004 is held in the corresponding slot 1003, and may be at least a position where the replacement of each of the ink containers 200 can be performed relative to the corresponding support unit 1004. In addition, each of the slots 1003 may be provided with a plurality of pairs of linear guides formed by one or two or more protruding shapes or recessed shapes extending in the Y direction so as to guide the movement of the corresponding support unit 1004. FIG. 29A to FIG. 29D 1004 , wherein the corresponding ink container 200 is placed on the supporting unit and moves from the removal position to the retracted position along the guide rail provided inside the corresponding slot 1003 .

[0126] In each of the supporting units 1004, the supporting portion 40 has a placement surface 41 on which the corresponding ink container 200 is placed, and four sides of the placement surface 41 are defined by left and right side plates 44, a front end portion 42, and a rear end portion 43. A notch portion 44a is formed in each of the side plates 44. The rear end portion 43 has a recess 43a in which the outlet member 201 is disposed. The supporting portion 40 may include a positioning member configured to be engageable with a positioning portion included in the ink outlet member 5 of the ink container 200. More specifically, it has a concave shape that is engageable with the second protruding portion of the ink supply member of the ink container, which has been described above. Fig.28A and Fig.28B 4 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement of the second protruding portion of the ink outlet member 5 with the recessed portion of the support portion 40 .

[0127] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An ink container, comprising: an ink storage portion, the ink storage portion being flexible and configured to store ink therein, the ink storage portion comprising: (1) First surface, (2) a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface and having a first side and a second side, the second surface sharing the first side and the second side with the first surface, (3) a first gusset surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other, and (4) a second gusset surface, the second gusset surface being opposite to the first gusset surface and connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; and an ink supply portion provided at the first side of the ink storage portion and configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside, wherein the ridge portion is provided at the first surface of the ink storage portion so as to intersect with an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply portion, wherein, when a distance from a first end portion of the ink supply portion facing the inside of the ink storage portion to an intersection of the ridge portion and the imaginary line is represented by D1 [mm], and a thickness of the first end portion of the ink supply portion is represented by T1 [mm], a ratio D1 / T1 is 5 / 8 or more and 40 / 8 or less, wherein the first gusset surface and the second gusset surface each include a folded portion, the folded portion being configured to be folded toward the inside of the ink storage portion, and The shortest distance from each of the two end portions of the spine portion to the vertex of the folded portion of the first gusset surface or the second gusset surface that is closer to the one of the two end portions is 25 mm or less.

2. The ink container according to claim 1, The height of the ridge portion is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 4.0 mm.

3. The ink container according to claim 1, The length of the ridge portion is 80 mm or more.

4. The ink container according to claim 1, The width of the ridge portion is greater than or equal to 2 mm and less than or equal to 8 mm.

5. The ink container according to claim 1, The cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion is a semi-elliptical shape.

6. The ink container according to claim 1, Wherein the ridge portion is arranged parallel to the first side.

7. The ink container according to claim 1, in, When the distance from the first side of the ink storage portion to the first end portion of the ink supply portion is represented by T2 [mm], and the distance from the first side to the second side is represented by T3, the ratio T2 / T3 is greater than 1 / 10 and less than 3 / 10.

8. A recording device comprising: Equipment body; as well as an ink container configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body, The ink container is the ink container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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