Ink container and recording apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink container supplying ink with stable color material concentration and a recording apparatus using the ink container. The ink container includes a flexible ink storage portion capable of storing ink and an ink supply portion provided at one end portion of the ink storage portion and capable of supplying ink to the outside. The ink supply portion has an inlet port through which ink is introduced. When a gravity direction when the ink container is standing is defined as a positive W direction and a direction from one end portion toward the other end portion of the ink storage portion is defined as a positive D direction, the first wall is disposed at a position positioned along a negative W direction with respect to the inlet port and protrudes along the positive D direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] It is known to have an ink container (ink pack) in which a liquid (particularly ink) to be supplied to a recording device such as an inkjet printer is contained in a flexible bag (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065373, etc.).

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065373 discloses a configuration in which an ink outlet 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 outlet member through an outlet port of the ink outlet tube. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065373, the spacing member can stabilize the concentration of the liquid by the spacing member while supplying the liquid.

[0004] As a result of research conducted by the inventors of the present disclosure, it has been found that there is a problem in the configuration disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065373, in which a spacing member is provided so as to position the outlet port of the ink outlet tube at the central portion of the bag. The problem is that when the bag shrinks as the amount of remaining ink decreases, a space is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the bag by the spacing member and the ink outlet tube, which makes it difficult to discharge the ink remaining in the space, thereby increasing the amount of residual ink. In addition, from the perspective of environmental considerations, the inventors of the present disclosure believe that reducing the amount of plastic used in the ink tank is helpful.

[0005] Therefore, as a solution, a configuration has been verified in which an ink outlet port is provided near an 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 an ink supply member provided at one end portion of the bag.

[0006] However, it has been found that this configuration of the ink container causes additional new problems. More specifically, ink with a high color material concentration may remain near the outlet port of the ink supply component, and it may become difficult to supply ink with a stable color material concentration. When the color material concentration of the ink to be supplied is unstable, there is a possibility that the image to be recorded will be affected.

[0007] It would be beneficial to provide an ink tank that supplies ink having a stable colorant concentration. Summary of the invention

[0008] The ink container according to some embodiments is configured to be attachable to and detachable from a device body of a recording device, the ink container including an ink storage portion and an ink supply portion, the ink storage portion having flexibility and configured to store ink therein, the ink supply portion being provided at one end portion of the ink storage portion and configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the device body. The ink supply portion has an inlet port, and the ink stored in the ink storage portion is introduced through the inlet port. When the direction of gravity when the ink container is in an installed position by being mounted on the device body is defined as a positive W direction, and a direction from the one end portion of the ink storage portion toward the other end portion of the ink storage portion is defined as a positive D direction, the first wall is provided at a position positioned along the negative W direction relative to the inlet port in a manner of protruding along the positive D direction.

[0009] 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

[0010] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of an ink container.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a plan view of the ink tank viewed from the positive T direction.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the ink supply component.

[0013] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E Includes plan views of the ink supply component as viewed from various directions.

[0014] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Included are diagrams each showing a state in which a flow path is blocked in a case where a ridge portion is not provided.

[0015] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Included are diagrams each showing a state in which clogging of a flow path is suppressed by a ridge portion.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the ink tank viewed from the negative W direction.

[0017] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8G Included are diagrams showing variations of the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion.

[0018] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G A diagram showing the shape of the ridge portion in a plan view is included.

[0019] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a sealing portion of an ink tank.

[0020] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Includes a perspective view of an ink inlet component and an ink outlet component.

[0021] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B Includes a plan view of the ink inlet component and the ink outlet component.

[0022] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F Includes plan views of the ink inlet component viewed from various directions.

[0023] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14J Included are diagrams showing the configuration of the ink inlet component.

[0024] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E Includes plan views of the ink outlet component viewed from various directions.

[0025] Fig.16 is an enlarged view of the first protruding portion.

[0026] Fig.17A and Fig. 17B Includes an enlarged view of the second protrusion.

[0027] Fig.18 : is a perspective view showing the peripheral configuration of the end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction.

[0028] Fig.19 It is an exploded perspective view of the ink outlet components.

[0029] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20F A diagram showing the arrangement of pad electrodes is included.

[0030] Fig.21A and Fig. 21B is a diagram showing the arrangement of a liquid supply portion and an electrical connection portion.

[0031] FIG. 22A to FIG. 22F Included are diagrams showing the arrangement of a memory device substrate at an inner surface of a memory device substrate accommodating portion.

[0032] Fig.23 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the system.

[0033] Fig.24A and Fig. 24B Included is a front view of the system and a diagram showing the internal structure of the system.

[0034] Fig.25 It is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply device.

[0035] Fig.26 is a perspective view of an ink tank and a supporting unit.

[0036] Fig. 27 It is an enlarged stereoscopic view of the supporting component.

[0037] Figures 28A to 28C A diagram showing the manner in which the ink tank is mounted on the support unit is included.

[0038] FIG. 29A to FIG. 29D Included are diagrams showing the manner in which a supporting unit with an ink tank mounted thereon is mounted into a slot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present disclosure provides an ink tank that supplies ink having a stable color material concentration and a recording apparatus using the ink tank.

[0040] The following will describe in detail the ink container (ink bag, ink cartridge) and recording device according to various embodiments, various features, and various aspects of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted 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.

[0041] (I) Ink container

[0042] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic view of an ink container according to the present embodiment. The ink container of the present disclosure includes an ink storage portion 1 and an ink supply portion 2, wherein the ink storage portion 1 is flexible and configured to store ink therein, and the ink supply portion 2 supplies the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. It should be noted 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 covers all liquids that can be used for recording. In addition, the concept of recording is not particularly limited and can be applicable to industrial applications, etc. For example, it can be used in applications such as biochip production, electronic circuit printing, and semiconductor substrate production.

[0043] In order to describe the present disclosure, directions will be defined first. The direction of gravity when the ink container is at rest will be referred to as the positive W direction. The downward-facing surface of the ink container when the ink container is at rest 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 at rest 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, the direction perpendicular to both the positive W direction and the positive T direction (that is, the direction from one end of the ink container where the ink supply component is provided to the other end portion of the ink container) will be referred to as the positive D direction. Therefore, the direction in which the ink container is connected to the recording device when the ink container is mounted on 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) that accommodates 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 a position in which the ink container becomes attachable and detachable. Figure 2 : is a diagram showing the ink tank according to the present embodiment as viewed from the positive T direction.

[0044] (1) Ink storage part

[0045] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion 1 has flexibility and is configured to be able to store ink therein. Any known structure or shape may be adopted as long as the ink storage portion 1 is able to store ink.

[0046] In this embodiment, the ink storage portion has at least: (1) a first surface (P), (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 for supplying the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside is provided on the first side. Figure 3 : is a perspective view of the ink supply member according to the present embodiment. The ink supply member includes a first end portion facing the inside 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 Both show Figure 3 The ink supply components shown in . Figure 4A This is a diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Figure 4B This is a diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 4C This is a diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Figure 4D This is a diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Figure 4E This is a diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0047] 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 by, for example, a gusset surface.

[0048] 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. It is to be noted 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.

[0049] 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 such as that its corner portions are rounded.

[0050] 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 shape formed by stacking two films and bonding their peripheral portions together, or it may have a gusset shape.

[0051] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion has flexibility. In the present disclosure, the phrase "having flexibility" means soft and foldable.

[0052] As the material of the ink storage portion, any known material can be used as long as the ink storage portion can store ink therein and has flexibility. Specific examples of the material include resin films made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc. A film having a multilayer structure in which these resin films are stacked together can be used. 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 onto a resin film can be used. In order to store ink, a material that can suppress the evaporation of moisture 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 portion can be greater than 100 μm and less than 220 μm.

[0053] The ink storage portion may have a bag size suitable for its capacity. For example, in the case where the ink storage portion has a capacity of 1.5 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 180 mm. The gusset portions provided at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion along the longitudinal direction of the ink storage portion each have a width of about 46 mm. In the case where 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 gusset portions provided at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion along the longitudinal direction each have a width of about 80 mm.

[0054] In the present disclosure, the ridge portion 3 may be provided at the surface of the ink storage portion. The ridge portion may 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, for example, in the absence of a liquid outlet tube or a spacing member such as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065373, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-014091, etc., since the ink storage portion is deformed as the ink stored in the ink storage portion is consumed, a problem may occur that the passage (flow path) through which the ink flows to the ink supply member is blocked. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Both show the 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 numeral 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, the flow path of the ink is ensured to be effective 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 a first surface of the ink storage portion, which is an upper surface when the ink storage portion is mounted on the recording device. Alternatively, the ridge portion may be provided at both the first surface and the second surface. Although the ridge portion may be provided at any position on the surface of the ink storage portion to achieve its effect, it may be provided to intersect with an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the ink tank according to the present embodiment as viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 7 The dashed line W shown corresponds to an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the ridge portion 3 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0055] 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 may 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 Figure 7 and the thickness T1 of the first end portion of the ink supply member is Figure 4D In the present embodiment, when the capacity of the ink storage portion is 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 gusset portion is about 46 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm. When the capacity of the ink storage portion is 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 gusset portion is about 80 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm.

[0056] In the case where the ink storage portion has (3) a first gusset surface and (4) a second gusset surface arranged in the positive T direction and the negative T direction, respectively, so as to connect the first surface and the second surface to each other as described 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 may be 25 mm or less. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the apex of the folded portion of the gusset portion of 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.

[0057] 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 portions of the ink storage portion in the positive T direction and the negative T direction.

[0058] In addition, the width of the ridge portion may be 2 mm or more, preferably 8 mm or less. The height of the ridge portion may be 0.5 mm or more, preferably 4.0 mm or less. By setting the width and height of the ridge portion within the above ranges, the offset 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.

[0059] The cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be any shape as long as the ink is Fig. 8A and Figure 8B In particular, if Fig. 8AAs shown, the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be a semi-elliptical shape.

[0060] The shape of the ridge portion in a plan view may be any shape as long as the following can be obtained: FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G For example, a plurality of ridge portions may be arranged 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 ).

[0061] In the present embodiment, as described above, a structure is adopted in which an ink outlet is provided near the end portion of the flexible ink storage portion. However, if the ink container falls with the ink supply component facing downward, a problem that may occur is that the ink supply component may be deformed due to the impact generated by the ink container falling, causing it 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 can be considered, wherein the sealing portion is provided at the end portion of the ink storage portion (the sealing portion between the first surface and the second surface) on the entire side of the ink storage portion where the ink supply component 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 component is considered. However, it has been found that when the portion having a large sealing width has a rectangular shape, although the ease of sealing can be ensured, stress may be concentrated at the corner portion, and thus rupture may sometimes occur starting from the corner portion. In view of the above, the inventors of the present disclosure further studied the shape and arrangement of the portion having a large sealing width. As a result, it was 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 6 being provided between the first sealing portion and the ink supply member and being formed continuously with the first sealing portion in a direction parallel to the first side and having a peak-like shape toward the inside of the ink storage portion. The sealing portions may be provided on both sides opposite to the first side of the ink storage portion so that the ink supply portion is sandwiched between the sealing portions.

[0062] When the maximum width of the peak-like shape is represented by W1 [mm], the vertex 8 of the peak-like shape of the second sealing portion can 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 peak-like shape from the first side is represented by H1 [mm], the ratio of H1 to W2 (H1 / W2) can 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 is enhanced.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Although the shape of the sealing portion may be a peak-like shape, in particular, a curved portion having a curvature radius R of 10 mm or more may be included from the apex of the peak-like shape to the outer edge of the second sealing portion of the ink supply member. It is preferred to include a curved portion having a curvature radius R of 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less. By providing the curved portion, the stress generated when dropped is further dispersed.

[0065] 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 straight line portion.

[0066] As described above, the sealing portion may be provided on both sides of the ink supply member on 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 peak-like shape of the sealing portions 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 peak-like shape (the respective ends 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.

[0067] (2) Ink supply components

[0068] 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, the ink supply member is provided at the first side of the ink storage portion in order to reduce the amount of plastic used in the ink tank. Figure 3: is a perspective view of the ink supply component according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the ink supply component is divided into two components, namely, the ink inlet component 4 (also referred to as the filter housing) on ​​the first end portion side and the ink outlet component 5 on the second end portion side. Although the ink inlet component 4 and the ink outlet component 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).

[0069] (2-1) Ink inlet parts, filter housing

[0070] 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 the inlet port 9 . FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F The ink inlet member 4 is shown in both. Fig.13A This is a diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 13B This is a diagram viewed from the positive D direction. Fig. 13C This is a diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Fig.13D This is a diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.13E This is a diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.13F This is a diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0071] In particular, in the case where the ink container is left as it is, the concentration of the ink in the ink storage portion may become uneven. In such a case, if ink having a high concentration is supplied to the recording device, there is a possibility that problems such as a decrease in discharge stability will occur, and therefore it can be considered that an increase in the ink concentration near the ink inlet part is suppressed. For example, a mechanism for stirring can be provided inside the ink container. However, in this case, the container becomes complicated, which is disadvantageous. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14J Modifications of the ink inlet member in this embodiment are described.

[0072] It should be noted that Fig.14A , 14C 14E, 14G and 14I are schematic plan views of the ink inlet member viewed from the negative W direction, and Fig. 14B , 14D, 14F, 14H and 14J are schematic perspective views of the ink inlet member viewed from the positive T direction.

[0073] First, if Fig.14A and Fig. 14B As shown in FIG. 1 , the ink inlet component needs to be configured to have a first wall 10 located above the inlet port in the gravity direction (negative W direction) and protruding in the positive D direction. The ink inlet component may also have a side wall 11, and the side wall 11 is configured so that part of the side wall 11 sandwiches the first wall from the positive T direction and the negative T direction. In addition, as Fig. 14C As shown in FIG14D, the ink supply member may have a second wall 12 provided at a position opposite to the inlet port. In this case, a gap 13 is formed between the first wall and the second wall along the positive D direction, and thus the ink can be ejected through the gap.

[0074] 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 ink stored in the ink storage portion being consumed 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 for the ink to flow through can be ensured between the ink inlet component 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 left standing, the concentration of the ink may sometimes become higher in the positive W direction as 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 be sucked. Therefore, by increasing the size of the cutout in the positive W direction where the ink is less likely to be sucked, the ink can be sucked through both the cutout in the positive W direction and the cutout in the negative W direction at a ratio close to 1:1.

[0075] In addition, if Fig.14I and Fig.14J As shown, the third wall 15 can be arranged to protrude from the second wall along the negative D direction. In this case, a gap can be formed between the first wall and the third wall along the positive W direction. In addition, the third wall can be arranged at a position offset relative to the first wall along the positive W direction. Moreover, in this case, a structure can be adopted in which 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 can have a cutout. It should be noted that Fig.14I and Fig.14J is a diagram schematically showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 .

[0076] 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 as a filter so as to prevent foreign matter accidentally mixed during the manufacturing process from moving to the recording device. As described above, the ink storage portion can have a function as a filter by narrowing the gap between the walls. Alternatively, a mesh filter or the like can be attached as an actual filter. More specifically, the filter can be arranged 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.

[0077] 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 positioned within 60 mm from the first side, preferably within 52 mm from the first side, and more preferably 40 mm or more 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.

[0078] (2-2) Ink outlet parts

[0079] Figures 15A to 15E An ink outlet member 5 is shown in each case. Fig.15A This is a diagram viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 15B This is a diagram viewed from the negative W direction. Fig. 15C This is a diagram viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.15D This is a diagram viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.15E This is a diagram viewed from the negative T direction.

[0080] The ink outlet component may include a first protruding portion 16, one of which protrudes in the positive T direction, and the other of which protrudes in the negative T direction, and the first protruding portions 16 may be arranged at the end portion of the ink outlet component in the negative W direction (the end portion located on the upper side when the ink container is at rest, the end portion on the first surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the first protruding portion, the first protruding portion may be used as a handle when the user holds the ink container. In particular, such a simple mechanism enables the user to hold the ink container, thereby reducing the amount of plastic used in the ink container. From such a perspective, the width (protruding width, protruding amount) of each first protruding portion in the T direction may be 3.0 mm or less. In addition, the width (thickness) of each first protruding portion in the W direction may be 3.0 mm or less. From the perspective of the strength of the holding portion, these lower limits may all be 1.0 mm or more. Fig.16is an enlarged plan view of one of the first protruding portions 16 viewed from the negative D direction. In Fig.16 , the width (protrusion width, protrusion amount) of the first protruding portion in the T direction is represented by L3, and the width (thickness) of the first protruding portion in the W direction is represented by T3.

[0081] The ink supply member may further include second protruding portions 17, one of the second protruding portions 17 protrudes in the positive T direction, and the other of the second protruding portions 17 protrudes in the negative T direction, and the second protruding portions 17 can be provided at the end portion in the positive W direction of the ink supply member (the end portion located on the lower side when the ink container is stationary, the end portion on the second surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the second protruding portions, the positioning of the ink container relative to the recording device becomes easier when the ink container is mounted on the recording device. The width (protrusion width, protrusion amount) of each second protruding portion in the T direction can 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 second protruding portion in the W direction can 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 second protruding portion in the D direction can 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 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the second protruding portions 17. In Fig.17A , 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 16 and one of the second protruding portions 17 viewed from the negative W direction. In Fig. 17B , the width of the first protruding portion in the D direction is represented by W3.

[0082] In particular, the protrusion amount of each second protruding portion in the positive T direction (and the negative T direction) can be greater than the protrusion amount of each first protruding portion in the positive T direction (and the negative T direction), that is, L3 < L4 can be satisfied. With this relationship, when the user mounts the ink container on 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, so the installation process becomes easier (with improved visibility during installation). In addition, in the positive D direction, the width W3 of each first protruding portion can be greater than the width W4 of each second protruding portion, that is, W4 < W3 can be satisfied, so that the user can easily hold the ink container when mounting the ink container on the recording device.

[0083] The ratio (L3 / L4) of the protrusion amount L3 of each first protruding portion in the T direction to the protrusion amount L4 of each second protruding portion in the T direction may be 1 / 10 or more and less than 1, and preferably 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 3 or less.

[0084] A ratio (W4 / W3) of the width W4 of each second protruding portion in the D direction to the width W3 of each first protruding portion in the D direction may be 3 / 22 or more and less than 1, and preferably 5 / 22 or more and 10 / 22 or less.

[0085] In addition, in the W direction, a ratio (T3 / T4) of the width (thickness) T3 of each first protruding portion to the width (thickness) T4 of each second protruding portion may be 1 / 16 or more and 3 / 5 or less.

[0086] Although the first protrusion and the second protrusion may have any shape when viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each first protrusion when viewed from the negative W direction may be as follows: Fig. 17B The shape shown is tapered toward the positive D direction. When viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each second protrusion portion may be a shape without a corner portion.

[0087] In addition, when viewed from the negative D direction, the shape of each first protrusion may be as follows: Fig.16 The shape shown tapers towards the negative W direction (the direction towards the upper surface when in the use position). This makes it easier for the user's fingers to hold them when operating from the negative W direction.

[0088] Liquid supply part, electrical connection part

[0089] like Fig.18 As shown, the ink outlet member includes a liquid supply portion (ink supply portion) 18 configured to be able to supply liquid when it is connected to a liquid inlet portion 1005 included in the device body to be described later. The liquid supply portion may 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 tank in the negative D direction.

[0090] The liquid supply portion may have any configuration as long as it has the opening 19 and can supply liquid by inserting the liquid inlet portion of the device body into the opening. Although the opening may have any shape, it may have a circular shape (including an elliptical shape).

[0091] In a state where the liquid inlet portion of the device 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. 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 component, and in this embodiment, the ink outlet component includes a valve mechanism 23, which is opened and closed in response to the ink outlet component being mounted to the device body. More specifically, the valve 26 is pressed against the elastic sealing component 24 by using a pushing component 25 such as a spring, so that an opening / closing mechanism can be provided.

[0092] Alternatively, a mechanism may be adopted in which the opening is covered with a film 27 or the like before use by a user, and in which the film is ruptured by inserting the liquid inlet portion of the device body into the opening, thereby establishing fluid communication between the device body and the inside of the ink storage portion. With such a mechanism, it is possible to effectively suppress leakage of ink to the outside before use.

[0093] like Fig.18 As shown, the ink outlet component includes an electrical connection portion 20 configured to be functionally connected to an electrical contact 1010, which is included in the device body and will be described below. More specifically, the electrical connection portion is a storage device substrate accommodating portion 22 that accommodates a storage device substrate 21. The storage device substrate is a chip-shaped substrate having a storage device (storage element) that stores information about the color of the ink, information about the remaining amount of the ink, etc. The storage device substrate is provided with a plurality of pad electrodes 28, each of which contacts the electrical contacts of the device body so as to be electrically connected to the electrical contacts. It should be noted that the pad electrodes and the storage device substrate may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and in this case, they may be electrically connected to each other by wiring, etc. In fact, 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 storage device substrate accommodating portion and contact 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 desired number of pad electrodes may be provided. In addition, any known configuration may be used for the arrangement of the plurality of pad electrodes and the shape of each pad electrode. 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 bilaterally asymmetric. Fig.20D As shown, the pad electrodes may be arranged vertically in two rows, for example. Fig.20E and Fig.20FAs shown in FIG. 1 , each pad electrode may have a shape other than 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.

[0094] The electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate and the memory device substrate accommodating portion may be disposed at the end portion of the negative D direction of the ink outlet component, that is, disposed at the end portion of the negative D direction of the ink container. Although the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion may have any shape, it may have a quadrilateral shape, and in particular, it may have a rectangular shape including a long side and a short side. 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.

[0095] In this case, when the electrical connection portion is projected on a plane orthogonal to the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink tank, the electrical connection portion may be arranged so that the long side of the projected portion of the electrical connection portion intersects the gravity direction (negative W direction) when the ink tank is in the mounting position by being mounted on the device main body at an angle of less than 90 degrees. In addition, the storage device substrate accommodating portion may be arranged so that the long side of the storage 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) when the ink tank is in the mounting position by being mounted on the device main body at an angle of less than 90 degrees.

[0096] In other words, when viewed from the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink tank, the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely (hereinafter also referred to as "oblique arrangement"). In the ink tank of the prior art, such an oblique arrangement is not adopted (hereinafter, such an arrangement of the prior art will also be referred to as "horizontal arrangement"), and the projection portion of the electrical connection portion or the long side of the storage device substrate accommodating portion does not intersect with the gravity direction (negative W direction) when in the mounting position or intersects with the gravity direction at 90 degrees. The oblique arrangement makes it less likely that the ink will flow into the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate even if the ink leaks from the liquid supply portion. In addition, by obliquely arranging the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate accommodating portion, the size of the ink outlet component 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 prior art, as the size of the storage device substrate used becomes larger, the size of the ink outlet component also needs to become larger. However, by adopting an oblique arrangement, the size of the storage device substrate can be set while the size of the ink outlet component remains unchanged.

[0097] As Fig.21A and Fig. 21B As schematically shown, when viewed from the mounting direction of the ink tank (negative D direction), 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 storage device substrate and the storage device substrate accommodating portion. Here, the phrase "arranged to be offset" may indicate 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 storage device substrate accommodating portion (the intersection of diagonal lines in the case where the storage device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular). With such an 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 storage device substrate.

[0098] In addition, although the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely as described above, in the case where the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular, there are two possible modes of oblique arrangement relative to the liquid supply portion. The first mode is as follows Fig.21A The second mode is an inclined arrangement in which one of the long sides of the electrical connection portion or the storage device substrate receiving portion is closer to the liquid supply portion. Fig. 21B The electrical connection part or one of the short sides of the storage device substrate accommodating part shown is closer to the inclined arrangement of the liquid supply part. According to the research conducted by the inventors of the present disclosure, a sufficient effect can be obtained by any of these inclined arrangements. However, the first inclined arrangement can be adopted. In other words, the electrical connection part and the liquid supply part can be arranged obliquely so that the distance between the long side of the projection part of the electrical connection part and the liquid supply part is smaller than the distance between the short side of the projection part of the electrical connection part and the liquid supply part. This is because, in this case, the lower end of the long side of the electrical connection part or the storage device substrate accommodating part along the negative W direction is positioned in a manner spaced apart from the liquid supply part, so the above-mentioned effect of making it less likely for ink to flow into the electrical connection part or the storage device substrate can be obtained at a higher level.

[0099] like Fig.19 As shown, the storage device substrate accommodating portion 22 may have an opening formed at the end portion of the negative D direction of the ink outlet component, and may be a space having a rectangular parallelepiped shape (including a cube shape) extending in the positive D direction (the direction opposite to the installation direction). The opening at the end portion of the negative D direction is an opening into which the electrical contacts of the device body are inserted. The storage device substrate is disposed on the inner surface of the storage device substrate accommodating portion which is a space having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, the space having a rectangular parallelepiped shape includes five inner surfaces (that is, a bottom surface facing the opening and four side surfaces surrounding the bottom surface). As shown in FIG. FIG. 22A to FIG. 22FAs 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 may be disposed on any one of the four side surfaces. Fig.22A As shown, the storage device substrate may be disposed on the side surface farthest from the liquid supply portion 18 .

[0100] 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 with another component interposed therebetween. Examples of the other component may be Fig.22F The memory device substrate holder 31 (memory device substrate supporting part) shown. In other words, the memory device substrate is provided on the memory device substrate holder, and the memory device substrate holder is provided on the memory device substrate accommodating part. In this case, the memory device substrate holder may be attached so as to be movable in the memory device substrate accommodating part. With such a configuration, when the electrical contacts of the device body (components provided with electrical contacts) are inserted into the memory device substrate accommodating part, the memory device substrate holder moves to an appropriate position along the components of the device body, thereby enabling electrical connection between the memory device substrate and the electrical contacts to be achieved with higher certainty. On the other hand, without such a configuration, there is a possibility that the electrical contacts of the device body (components provided with electrical contacts) may be damaged or the memory device substrate may be damaged, depending on how the user inserts. With such a configuration, manufacturing tolerances of the components of the device body, the memory device substrate accommodating part, etc. can also be absorbed. In addition, the memory device substrate holder may be pushed in a specific direction by an elastic component such as a spring. In this case, the direction in which the memory device substrate holder is pushed may be a direction in which the memory device substrate is pressed against the electrical contacts of the device body in a state in which the electrical contacts are inserted.

[0101] (II) Recording device

[0102] 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 pack, its ink capacity can be flexibly adjusted. Using an ink pack with a large ink capacity is beneficial for a commercial recording device or an industrial recording device intended for mass printing or mass recording.

[0103] 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-right direction will be referred to as the X direction. The front-back direction will be referred to as the Y direction, and the up-down direction 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. It is to be noted 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] The liquid supplied from each liquid supply device 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.

[0106] It should be noted that the term "recording" includes not only forming meaningful information such as characters and graphics on a recording medium, but also forming images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium and processing the medium and has nothing to do with whether it is meaningful. It is not important whether the information is presented in a human-perceivable manner. In addition, in this embodiment, although it is assumed that the "recording medium" is a sheet of paper, it can also be a piece of cloth, a plastic film, etc.

[0107] Liquid discharge device

[0108] The liquid discharge device 101 will now be described. Fig. 24B 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid discharge device 101. In the liquid discharge device 101, a main body 103 is supported by left and right brackets 102. Each bracket 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 around which the recording medium M is wound. The winding unit 105 has an axis around 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.

[0109] 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. The recording medium M is conveyed onto the platen 107 due to the rotation of the driving roller. The discharge head 108 is provided 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, thereby recording an image onto the recording medium M.

[0110] 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 the discharge port. In the case of the electrothermal transducer element, the ink is foamed by the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer element, and the ink can be discharged from the discharge port by utilizing the foaming energy. The recording method of the discharge head 108 can 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 along the X direction. The discharge head 108 discharges ink while moving along the X direction, which will be referred to as a scanning and recording operation. The image is recorded on the recording medium M by alternately performing the conveyance of the recording medium M and the scanning and recording operation using the discharge head 108. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the serial scanning method is adopted. In the case of the full-line method, the discharge head 108 extending in the X direction is used, and the image is recorded while the recording medium M is continuously conveyed.

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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 used, as Fig.24A As shown, the discharge head 108 is moved to a position above the recovery unit 109.

[0113] In the case of the present embodiment, the bracket 102 is arranged at a position slightly outside in the positive and negative X directions of the width of the recording medium M so as to support the heavy feeding unit 104 and the winding unit 105 in addition to the main body 103. The main body 103 protrudes so that the first part of the main body 103 including the built-in recovery unit 109 therein is located outside one of the brackets 102 in the positive X direction. The main body 103 also protrudes so that the second part 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 part of the main body 103.

[0114] 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.

[0115] The liquid discharge device 101 further includes a waste liquid box 111. The waste liquid box 111 is provided below the end portion of the main body 103 on the side (negative X side) opposite to the side on which the liquid supply device 1001 is provided. By positioning the waste liquid box 111 below the portion of the main body 103 protruding to the negative X side, the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101 can be reduced.

[0116] The waste liquid (waste ink, etc.) sucked by the recovery unit 109 flows into the waste liquid box 111 and is recovered 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 a space left vacant below the end portion of the main body 103, thereby reducing the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101.

[0117] Liquid supply device

[0118] The liquid supply devices 1001 are all devices that supply the ink discharged from the discharge head 108 to the liquid discharge device 101. The liquid supply devices each include a box-shaped body 1002 that defines a plurality of grooves 1003. Casters 1002a are provided on the bottom surface of the body 1002 so that the liquid supply device 1001 can be relatively easily moved on the floor. A plurality of grooves 1003 are arranged at the front surface of the body 1002 along the Z direction. The support unit 1004 is inserted into the groove 1003 so that it can be attached to and detached from the groove 1003 along the Y direction. Each support unit 1004 supports one of the ink containers 200.

[0119] Each tank 1003 is provided with a tube connecting a corresponding one of the ink tanks 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 surrounding all the tubes. The ink contained in each ink tank 200 is supplied to the discharge head 108 via the corresponding tube.

[0120] The height of each liquid supply device 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, and the end portion protrudes toward the positive X side. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 can be placed below the body 103. The liquid supply device 1001 can be placed close to the position where they contact one of the brackets 102 along the negative X direction. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 may be fixed to a support 102 by using a connecting member 120. In the case of moving the system 100, the entire system 100 may be moved integrally as a single unit.

[0121] Since the system 100 of the present embodiment includes two liquid supply devices 1001, a greater number of ink tanks 200 can be used. In the case of increasing the number of ink colors in order to improve image quality or in the case of increasing the number of ink colors of the same color in order to improve productivity, it is advantageous to provide a plurality of liquid supply devices 1001 as in the present embodiment. In this 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 along the X direction, the installation area of ​​the system 100 can be reduced. It is to be noted 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 two or more liquid supply devices 1001 are provided, they protrude slightly from the system 100 along the positive X direction.

[0122] Ink tank and support unit

[0123] Fig.25 1001 is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply device 1001 , and shows a state in which one of the supporting units 1004 is removed from the corresponding groove 1003 . Fig.25 Also shown is a state in which some side walls of the outer wall of the liquid supply device 1001 are removed to expose the internal mechanism.

[0124] 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 as well as FIG. 29A to FIG. 29D As shown, in this embodiment, each of the ink containers 200 is mounted on a corresponding one of the support units 1004 (in accordance with Fig.28A , Fig.28B and Fig.28C ), and the supporting unit 1004 on which the ink tank 200 is mounted is installed into a corresponding one of the slots 1003 (in the order of Fig.29A , Fig.29B , Fig.29C and Fig.29D 1001) so that the ink tank 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 tank to the liquid discharge device is not limited to the method described in this embodiment, and, for example, a system in which the ink tank is directly mounted on the liquid discharge device without using a supporting unit or the like may be adopted.

[0125] In each groove 1003 of the main body 1002, a needle-type liquid inlet portion 1005 inserted into the liquid supply portion 18 of a corresponding one of the ink tanks 200 and an electrical contact 1010 configured to be connectable by being inserted into the electrical connection portion 20 of the corresponding ink tank 200 are provided. The needle-type liquid inlet portion 1005 and the electrical contact 1010 are provided on the rear side of the groove 1003. Fig. 27 1 is a diagram showing a portion of a support member 50 in 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 to be in a connected state, the valve mechanism 23 becomes 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. An 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 can achieve blocking and unblocking of the tube 51. 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 toward the discharge head 108 via the tube 51.

[0126] Each support unit 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 container 200 in a horizontal position is placed. Each support unit 1004 can be shifted approximately along the Y direction between a storage 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.25 , one of the support units 1004 is located at the removal position, and the other support units 1004 are located at the storage position. Each ink container 200 can be replaced at the removal position, and the liquid contained in each ink container 200 can be supplied to the liquid discharge device 101 at the storage position. In the present embodiment, each support unit 1004 is separated from the groove 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 groove 1003, and may at least be a position where replacement of each ink container 200 can be performed relative to the corresponding support unit 1004. In addition, each groove 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 , on which the corresponding ink tank 200 is mounted, is a diagram showing a state in which one of the supporting units 1004 moves from the taking-out position to the housing position along a guide rail provided in the corresponding slot 1003 .

[0127] In each supporting unit 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 side plate 44. The rear end portion 43 has a recessed portion 43a in which the outlet component 201 is disposed. The supporting portion 40 may include a positioning component configured to be engageable with a positioning portion included in the ink outlet component 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 component of the ink container as described above. Fig.28A and 28B 4 is a diagram showing that the second protruding portion of the ink outlet member 5 is engaged with the recessed portion of the support portion 40 .

[0128] 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 tank configured to be attachable to and detachable from a device main body of a recording device, the ink tank comprising: an ink storage portion having flexibility and configured to be able to store ink therein; as well as an ink supply portion provided at one end portion of the ink storage portion and configured to be able to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the apparatus main body, wherein the ink supply portion has an inlet port through which the ink stored in the ink storage portion is introduced, and In which, when the direction of gravity when the ink container is in the installation position by being installed on the device body is defined as the positive W direction, and the direction from the one end portion of the ink storage portion toward the other end portion of the ink storage portion is defined as the positive D direction, the first wall is arranged at a position positioned along the negative W direction relative to the inlet port in a manner of protruding along the positive D direction.

2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply portion has a second wall at a position opposite to the inlet port.

3. The ink container according to claim 2, A gap is formed between the first wall and the second wall along the positive D direction.

4. The ink container according to claim 3, A cutout is provided at an end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction or an end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction.

5. The ink container according to claim 3, The cutouts are provided at both the end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction and the end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction.

6. The ink container according to claim 2, The third wall is configured to protrude from the second wall along the negative D direction.

7. The ink container according to claim 6, A gap is formed between the first wall and the third wall along the positive W direction.

8. The ink container according to claim 6, The third wall is arranged at a position offset relative to the first wall along the positive W direction.

9. The ink container according to claim 6, A notch is formed in an end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction or an end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction.

10. The ink tank according to claim 6, wherein a cutout is provided at both an end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction and an end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction, and The area of ​​the cutout at the end portion in the positive W direction is larger than the area of ​​the cutout at the end portion in the negative W direction.

11. The ink tank according to claim 6, in, The filter is provided to connect the second wall and the wall in which the inlet port is formed to each other.

12. The ink tank according to claim 11, The filter is arranged both in the positive W direction and in the negative W direction.

13. A recording device, comprising: Device body; as well as an ink tank configured to be attachable to and detachable from the device main body, The ink tank is the ink tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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