Liquid storage container

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid storage container capable of suppressing leakage of liquid caused by falling. A cartridge (4A) is provided with a liquid supply unit (442) for supplying a liquid to a printer (1), and is provided with: a first wall (48) on which the liquid supply unit (442) is provided; a second wall (47) intersecting one end of the first wall (48); a liquid storage section (450) that is provided on the inside of the first wall (48) and the second wall (47) and that communicates with the liquid supply section (442); and an adapter (402) that is attached to the outside of the first wall (48) and has an insertion opening (446) corresponding to the liquid supply unit (442), the second wall (47) has a smaller area than the first wall (48), and the adapter (402) is provided with a protrusion (470) that protrudes in a first direction from the liquid storage unit (450) toward the outside than the second wall (47).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid storage container. Background Art

[0002] A liquid storage container for supplying liquid such as ink to a printing device has been known. Such a liquid storage container is provided with a liquid supply unit for supplying liquid to the printing device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge that is inserted into a cartridge mounting unit of a printing device and used as a liquid storage container.

[0003] However, in the liquid storage container described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the liquid may leak from the liquid supply unit in the following situation. Specifically, when the liquid storage container is detached from the printing device or transported, the liquid storage container may be dropped by mistake. In the conventional liquid storage container, the liquid supply unit is arranged in a manner biased to one side in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall.

[0004] Therefore, if the container is dropped with the rear wall of the side wall intersecting the bottom wall, which is the side wall close to the above-mentioned one side, facing downward, the impact of the collision between the ground or the floor surface and the rear wall is easily transmitted to the liquid supply unit. In particular, since the rear wall has a smaller surface area than the first side wall and the second side wall, the above-mentioned impact is difficult to disperse. When the impact of the drop is transmitted to the liquid supply unit, there is a possibility that the liquid leaks from the liquid supply unit. That is, a liquid storage container is required that suppresses the leakage of the liquid caused by the drop.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-53794 Summary of the invention

[0006] The liquid storage container includes a liquid supply portion for supplying liquid to the printer, and includes: a first wall, on which the liquid supply portion is arranged between the center and one end in the length direction; a second wall, which intersects with the one end of the first wall; a liquid storage portion, which is arranged on the inner side of the first wall and the second wall and is connected to the liquid supply portion; a connector, which is installed on the outer side of the first wall and has an opening corresponding to the liquid supply portion, the second wall is formed to have a smaller area than the first wall, and the connector has a protrusion, which protrudes compared to the second wall in a first direction orthogonal to the second wall and from one side of the liquid storage portion toward the outside.

[0007] The liquid storage container includes a liquid supply portion for supplying liquid to the printer and a liquid storage portion connected to the liquid supply portion, and comprises: a first wall, on which the liquid supply portion is arranged between the center and one end in the length direction; a second wall, which intersects with the one end of the first wall; a pair of third walls, the pair of third walls intersect with the first wall and the second wall, and are opposite to each other across the second wall, the liquid storage portion is arranged on the inner sides of the first wall, the second wall, and the pair of third walls, and an impact absorbing portion is arranged at at least a portion of the first wall, the second wall, and the pair of third walls, and when the impact absorbing portion is arranged at at least a portion of the first wall and the third wall, it is arranged in the area from the center position of the first wall to the position of the one end in the length direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the printer according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the appearance of the box.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the appearance of the box.

[0011] Figure 4 The figure is a rear view showing the appearance of the box.

[0012] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the box.

[0013] Figure 6 A side view showing a box installation step relative to a box installation portion.

[0014] Figure 7 A side view showing a box installation step relative to a box installation portion.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view showing the installation state of the box.

[0016] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cartridge according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig.10 It is a rear view showing the arrangement of the impact absorbing part.

[0018] Fig.11 is along the Xα plane and includes Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view including line segment AA'.

[0019] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the impact absorbing part.

[0020] Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view showing another structure of the impact absorbing portion.

[0021] Fig.14 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cartridge according to the third embodiment.

[0022] Fig.15 for Fig.14 Cross-sectional view at line segment BB'. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the embodiments described below, a large-format inkjet printer and a box as a liquid storage container for supplying a liquid such as ink to the inkjet printer are exemplified and described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, the inkjet printer is simply referred to as a printer. In addition, the liquid supplied to the printer by the liquid storage container of the present invention is not limited to ink, but may also be a processing liquid, a coating liquid, a cleaning liquid, etc. In this specification, the above liquids are collectively referred to as ink.

[0024] In the following drawings, the α axis and the XYZ axes, which are mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, are marked as needed, the direction indicated by each arrow mark is set as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is set as the - direction. The α axis is a coordinate axis that is orthogonal to the X axis and the second wall described later, and intersects the Y axis and the Z axis. In addition, in the following drawings, the size of each component is different from the actual situation for the convenience of illustration.

[0025] 1. First Implementation

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the printer 1 includes a cartridge mounting unit 6, an operation button 15, an inkjet ejection head 22, a carriage 20 for mounting the ejection head 22, a main scanning mechanism 30, and a control unit 31. The printer 1 performs printing by attaching ink from the ejection head 22 to a recording medium 2.

[0027] The user of the printer 1 operates the printer 1 via the operation buttons 15 or an information terminal such as a personal computer. The control unit 31 is electrically connected to the operation buttons 15 and each component of the printer 1 to comprehensively control the operation of each component of the printer 1 .

[0028] The main scanning mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 that supports the carriage 20 and a motor 34 that drives the timing belt 32. The timing belt 32 is a supporting member of the carriage 20 and is installed in the main scanning direction, which is the scanning direction of the carriage 20. The carriage 20 is driven by the motor 34 via the timing belt 32, so that it can reciprocate along the X-axis. Thus, the main scanning mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction. That is, the printer 1 is a serial printer.

[0029] The printer 1 includes a platen roller (not shown). The platen roller conveys the recording medium 2 in the +Y direction, which is a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The recording medium 2 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction that is substantially consistent with the length direction of the recording medium 2. The carriage 20 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction that is substantially consistent with the width direction of the recording medium 2. Thus, the ejection head 22 can relatively scan the recording medium 2 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

[0030] Four cartridges 4A according to the present embodiment can be attached and detached to the cartridge mounting portion 6. The cartridge 4A is an example of a liquid storage container of the present invention. When the cartridge 4A is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, ink can be supplied from the cartridge 4A to the printer 1.

[0031] In the four cartridges 4A, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are stored separately. The amount of ink stored in each cartridge 4A may be different. For example, the amount of black ink, which tends to be used more, may be increased relative to other colors. In addition, the number of cartridges 4A that can be installed in the printer 1 is not limited to four.

[0032] A replacement cover 13 is disposed on the front surface in the +Y direction of the printer 1. The cartridge 4A is attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion 6 by tilting the upper side of the replacement cover 13 in the +Y direction to open the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0033] The cartridge 4A is provided with a liquid supply unit described later for supplying ink to the printer 1. When the cartridge 4A is installed in the cartridge installation unit 6, ink can be supplied from the liquid supply unit of the cartridge 4A to the ejection head 22 arranged on the carriage 20 via the hose 24. The hose 24 is connected individually to the four cartridges 4A respectively. Hereinafter, the state in which the cartridge 4A is installed in the cartridge installation unit 6 so that ink can be supplied to the printer 1 is sometimes referred to as an installed state. The installation procedure of the cartridge 4A relative to the cartridge installation unit 6 will be described later.

[0034] In the printer 1, a water head difference is used in supplying ink from the cartridge 4A to the ejection head 22. The water head difference here refers to the water head difference between the liquid surface of the ink in the liquid storage section described later inside the cartridge 4A and the ejection head 22. In the ink supply method from the cartridge 4A to the ejection head 22, a pump mechanism or the like may be used in addition to the water head difference.

[0035] The ejection head 22 is arranged below the carriage 20. The ejection head 22 has a nozzle surface (not shown) on the surface facing downward and opposite to the recording medium 2. On the nozzle surface, a nozzle array consisting of a plurality of nozzles is individually arranged in a manner corresponding to each ink. Ink of each color is supplied to the ejection head 22 from the corresponding cartridge 4A, and is ejected from the nozzle as droplets by an actuator (not shown) in the ejection head 22. The ejected ink droplets are ejected and attached to the recording medium 2.

[0036] While the ejection head 22 is relatively scanned in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction with respect to the recording medium 2, the ink is attached to the recording medium 2 from the ejection head 22 at an arbitrary timing. Thus, images, colors, texts, patterns, etc. are printed on the recording medium 2. The printed recording medium 2 is discharged onto the tray 11 arranged in the +Y direction of the printer 1.

[0037] A maintenance mechanism including a cap member 8 is disposed at the end of the main scanning direction of the ejection head 22 in the -X direction. The cap member 8 is disposed corresponding to the initial position of the ejection head 22 and the carriage 20. At the initial position, the maintenance mechanism (not shown) brings the cap member 8 into close contact with the nozzle surface and cleans the ejection head 22 by a suction device or the like. In addition, flushing may be performed from the ejection head 22 toward the cap member 8.

[0038] Although a piezoelectric element is used as a driving unit, that is, an actuator, in the ejection head 22, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an electromechanical conversion element that displaces a vibration plate as an actuator due to electrostatic adsorption, or a thermoelectric conversion element that ejects ink as droplets using bubbles generated by heating may be used as the driving unit.

[0039] In this embodiment, a non-carriage loading method is exemplified as the printer 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The printer 1 may also be a carriage loading method. In addition, the printer 1 is not limited to a serial method, and may be a line head method in which the ejection head 22 is formed to be as wide as or larger than the width of the recording medium 2, so that printing is performed without moving the ejection head 22.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, the cartridge 4A includes a main body 41 composed of a liquid storage body 401 having a liquid storage portion 450 and a connector 402. Figure 2 In the drawings in which the cartridge 4A is shown as a single body in the drawings described later, for the sake of convenience, the cartridge 4A is shown as a single body. Figure 1 The Y and Z axes in the image are changed to change the target that the arrow marks on each axis point to. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the +Y direction and the +Z direction are used when the printer 1 is placed on a horizontal surface. Figure 1 In the drawings showing the printer 1 or its components, the Z axis is in the vertical direction. In contrast, in the drawings described above, the +Y and +Z directions are used when the cassette 4A is in a posture with the upper wall 43 described later along a horizontal plane.

[0041] The liquid container 401 is arranged in the +Z direction of the adapter 402. That is, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are combined in the direction along the Z axis and thus integrated. The frames of the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are formed of, for example, resin. The frame of the liquid container 401 and the frame of the adapter 402 can be formed of a common material or different materials. In the manufacture of the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402, well-known technologies such as injection molding are adopted. The manufacturing method of the liquid container 401 and the manufacturing method of the adapter 402 can be common or different.

[0042] The liquid storage body 401 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and includes an upper wall 43, a first wall 48, a second wall 47, a pair of third walls 45 and 46 facing each other, and a rear wall 42. The upper wall 43, the first wall 48, the second wall 47, the pair of third walls 45 and 46, and the rear wall 42 form a frame of the liquid storage body 401. The liquid storage portion 450 is provided inside the frame.

[0043] The upper wall 43 is a surface of the liquid storage body 401 facing the +Z direction, and the upper wall 43 is along the XY plane. The first wall 48 is a surface of the liquid storage body 401 facing the -Z direction, and the first wall 48 is along the XY plane. The second wall 47 is a surface of the liquid storage body 401 facing the +α direction, and the second wall 47 is roughly along the XZ plane. A pair of third walls 45 and 46 are arranged opposite to each other in the direction along the X axis, and the pair of third walls 45 and 46 are along the YZ plane. The third wall 45 faces the -X direction, and the third wall 46 faces the +X direction. The rear wall 42 is a surface facing the -Y direction, and the rear wall 42 is along the XZ plane.

[0044] The longitudinal directions of the upper wall 43, the first wall 48, and the third walls 45 and 46 are respectively along the Y-axis. In other words, each longitudinal direction is a direction along the Y-axis.

[0045] The second wall 47 intersects one end of the length direction of the first wall 48 in the +Y direction and extends substantially in the +Z direction. The rear wall 42 intersects the other end of the length direction of the first wall 48 in the -Y direction and extends substantially in the +Z direction. The second wall 47 and the rear wall 42 are substantially opposite to each other in the direction along the Y axis. The second wall 47 and the rear wall 42 are formed to have smaller areas than the first wall 48 and the third walls 45 and 46.

[0046] The pair of third walls 45 and 46 intersect the first wall 48, the second wall 47, and the rear wall 42, respectively. The third wall 45 and the third wall 46 face each other with the first wall 48, the second wall 47, and the rear wall 42 interposed therebetween.

[0047] The adapter 402 is located in the -Z direction of the liquid storage body 401 and is installed along the outer side of the first wall 48. A protrusion 470 is provided in the +Y direction of the adapter 402. The protrusion 470 protrudes from the second wall 47 in the +α direction which is a first direction perpendicular to the second wall 47 and extending from the inner side of the liquid storage part 450 toward the outside. In addition, the protrusion 470 also protrudes from the second wall 47 in the +Y direction.

[0048] The α axis intersects the Y axis at an acute angle. The angle at which the α axis intersects the Y axis is, for example, approximately 8 degrees. That is, in this specification, the case where the liquid storage container is dropped with the second wall 47 facing downward includes the case where it is dropped in the +Y direction and the +α direction.

[0049] The protrusion 470 is substantially T-shaped when viewed from above in the -Z direction. Although not shown in the figure, the protrusion 470 includes a region extending from the adapter 402 and a region along a plane including the second wall 47. In the region along the plane including the second wall 47 of the protrusion 470, the end in the +Y direction protrudes in the +Y direction more than the second wall 47 when viewed from the side in the +X direction. Thus, when the cartridge 4A falls with the second wall 47 facing downward, the protrusion 470 contacts the ground or the like before the second wall 47.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the adapter 402 is attached to the first wall 48 of the liquid container 401. The first wall 48 includes a plurality of steps (not shown), but is formed to include a plurality of surfaces along the XY plane.

[0051] The adapter 402 includes a bottom wall 44. The bottom wall 44 is a surface facing the -Z direction, and the bottom wall 44 is along the XY plane. Similar to the first wall 48, the length direction of the bottom wall 44 is also along the Y axis.

[0052] On the bottom wall 44 , the supply unit positioning member 448 , the insertion opening 446 , the cartridge identification portion 430 , the recessed portion 90 , the circuit board 50 , and the corner portion 89 are arranged in this order from the second wall 47 side toward the −Y direction.

[0053] The insertion opening 446 is an opening corresponding to the liquid supply part 442 and penetrates the adapter 402 in the direction along the Z axis. The liquid supply part 442 is provided in the insertion opening 446, and the liquid supply part 442 is opened in the -Z direction through the insertion opening 446. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 passes through the insertion opening 446.

[0054] The insertion opening 446 and the liquid supply portion 442 are located in a region RY between the center portion MP of the first wall 48 and the end portion of the second wall 47 in the longitudinal direction of the first wall 48 and the bottom wall 44, that is, in the direction along the Y axis. In other words, the liquid supply portion 442 is provided on the first wall 48 between the center position in the direction along the Y axis and one end in the +Y direction.

[0055] The supply unit positioning member 448 is a recess provided on the bottom wall 44. When the cartridge 4A is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the supply unit positioning member 448 accurately regulates the position of the cartridge 4A relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0056] The box identification part 430 has the function of preventing the wrong installation when the box 4A is installed in the box installation part 6. In detail, although the diagram is omitted, a plurality of ribs are provided on the box identification part 430. The form of the ribs is different for each type of ink collected in the box 4A. In the slot of the box installation part 6, a plurality of grooves that are engaged with the above-mentioned plurality of ribs are provided at a position corresponding to the box identification part 430. Therefore, even if the box 4A is inserted into an incorrect slot, a plurality of ribs and a plurality of grooves will not be engaged, thereby the structure that the box 4A cannot be set to the installed state.

[0057] The corner portion 89 is provided at a corner portion where the rear wall 42 intersects the bottom wall 44. The corner portion 89 has a recessed portion 90 which is recessed inwardly.

[0058] The circuit substrate 50 is arranged at the corner portion 89. Although not shown in the figure, the circuit substrate 50 has a plurality of box-side terminals arranged on the surface 50fa and a storage device arranged on the back of the circuit substrate 50. When the insertion of the box 4A relative to the box mounting portion 6 is completed, the plurality of terminals of the mounting side terminal portion of the printer 1 and the plurality of box-side terminals are brought into contact in a one-to-one manner, thereby being electrically connected together. Thus, the information stored in the above-mentioned storage device can be read by the printer 1. In addition, in the above-mentioned storage device, information can also be written from the printer 1.

[0059] The surface of the adapter 402 facing the -X direction is provided with a cartridge guide 447. Although not shown in the figure, a cartridge guide 447 is also provided on the surface of the adapter 402 facing the +X direction. The pair of cartridge guides 447 face each other in the direction along the X axis.

[0060] The pair of cartridge guides 447 extend along the Y axis. When the cartridge 4A is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6, the pair of cartridge guides 447 accurately restrict the direction in which the cartridge 4A is inserted.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, a cartridge engaging portion 497 is provided below the protruding portion 470 of the adapter 402. When the cartridge 4A is placed in the mounted state, the cartridge engaging portion 497 engages with a mounting engaging portion (not shown) of the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0062] In the direction along the X-axis, the width of the protrusion 470 is equal to the width of the liquid storage body 401. In addition, the protrusion 470 does not protrude from the liquid storage body 401 in any direction of the +X direction and the -X direction. Therefore, when a plurality of cartridges 4A are adjacently mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, interference between the protrusions 470 can be prevented.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid supply portion 442 extends in the +Z direction along the central axis CA2 and communicates with the interior of the liquid storage portion 450. The liquid supply portion 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the storage body bottom wall 431, which is the bottom surface of the liquid storage body 401, to the adapter 402 side in the -Z direction. When the liquid storage body 401 and the adapter 402 are assembled together, the liquid supply portion 442 is accommodated in the concave supply portion configuration chamber 461 of the adapter 402. In the -Z direction of the supply portion configuration chamber 461, the above-mentioned insertion opening 446 is configured.

[0064] The liquid supply unit 442 has an internal flow channel 449. The liquid supply unit 442 allows the ink in the liquid storage unit 450 to flow to the printer 1 via the internal flow channel 449. The supply base end 442e2, which is the base end of the liquid supply unit 442, is connected to the storage body bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid storage body 401. The supply tip 442e1 is provided so as to protrude from the storage body bottom wall 431 and is open to the outside.

[0065] In the internal flow channel 449 of the liquid supply section 442, a valve mechanism (not shown) for opening and closing the internal flow channel 449 is provided. In the valve mechanism, a valve seat, a valve body, and a force-applying member are arranged in sequence from the supply top end portion 442e1 side. The valve seat is an annular member formed of rubber or an elastomer. The valve body is a columnar member that blocks the valve hole formed on the valve seat. The force-applying member is, for example, a coil spring that applies force to the valve body toward the valve seat side. When the cartridge 4A is installed, the liquid introduction section (not shown) of the printer 1 presses the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat, thereby opening the valve mechanism.

[0066] In order to install the cartridge 4A into the cartridge installation portion 6, first, Figure 6 As shown, the cartridge 4A is inserted into the storage chamber 61 from the insertion and extraction opening 674 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. Figure 6 , Figure 7 ,as well as Figure 8 In, relative to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In the drawings for explaining the cartridge 4A alone, the directions indicated by the arrow marks of the Y axis and the Z axis are different.

[0067] The above-mentioned mounting engaging portion of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is provided on the engaging forming body 677. The cartridge mounting portion 6 has a liquid storage portion 699 built therein in the -Z direction.

[0068] The insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4A relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the -Y direction, and the insertion direction D1 is along the direction in which the cartridge guide portion 447 extends. Figure 6 When the state is further advanced in the insertion direction D1, it becomes Figure 7 Status shown.

[0069] like Figure 7As shown, the cartridge 4A is moved forward to the maximum extent relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the insertion direction D1 and stops, thereby completing the insertion of the cartridge 4A. At this time, as described above, the multiple terminals of the mounting side terminal portion of the printer 1 are in contact with the multiple cartridge side terminals in a one-to-one manner, thereby being electrically connected together. At this point in time, the cartridge 4A is not in the mounting state, and the end of the cartridge 4A in the +Y direction, that is, the second wall 47 side, is further rotated in the connection direction D2, thereby setting Figure 8 The installation status is shown.

[0070] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the second wall 47 is rotated laterally in the connection direction D2, the cartridge 4A rotates in the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the rotation fulcrum 698 as the rotation center, thereby being in the mounted state. In the mounted state, the cartridge engaging portion 497 of the cartridge 4A is engaged with the mounting engaging portion 697 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. Therefore, the mounted state is maintained, and the cartridge 4A is fixed relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6. In the mounted state, the upper wall 43 is not along the Y axis, but is in a posture in which the +Y direction of the cartridge 4A is tilted toward the -Z direction.

[0071] In the mounted state, the liquid supply portion 442 of the cartridge 4A is connected to the liquid introduction portion 642 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. Thus, the ink stored in the liquid storage portion 450 of the cartridge 4A is supplied from the liquid supply portion 442 to the liquid introduction portion 642 and stored in the liquid storage portion 699. The ink in the liquid storage portion 699 is consumed sequentially according to the operation of the ejection head 22.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0073] The ink leakage caused by falling can be suppressed. Specifically, when the ink is dropped with the second wall 47 facing downward, in other words, when the direction of the drop is the +Y direction or the +α direction, the protrusion 470 of the adapter 402 will collide with the ground or the floor surface before the second wall 47. Since the liquid supply part 442 is not provided on the adapter 402, the impact of the collision is difficult to propagate to the liquid supply part 442. In addition, even if there is a situation where the second wall 47 contacts the ground or the like when falling, the protrusion 470 is likely to collide first, thereby alleviating the impact on the liquid supply part 442. Therefore, it is possible to provide a box 4A that suppresses the ink leakage caused by falling.

[0074] Furthermore, since the protrusion 470 protrudes further than the second wall 47 , the cartridge 4A can be easily pulled out by gripping the protrusion 470 together with the upper portion of the cartridge 4A when the cartridge 4A is initially pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 6 .

[0075] 2. Second Implementation

[0076] In this embodiment, the cartridges 4B and 4C applicable to the above-mentioned printer 1 are exemplified. The cartridges 4B and 4C involved in this embodiment are different from the cartridge 4A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that the protrusion 470 of the adapter 402 is omitted and a shock absorbing portion is provided at least in part of the first wall 48, the second wall 47, and the pair of third walls 45 and 46. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same structural parts as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In addition, the protrusion 470 may be additionally provided for the cartridges 4B and 4C.

[0077] like Fig. 9 As shown, the case 4B includes a shock absorbing portion 480. In the case 4B, the shock absorbing portion 480 is provided on the second wall 47.

[0078] Since the second wall 47 is smaller in area than the first wall 48 and the third walls 45 and 46, when the second wall 47 is dropped downward, it is easily impacted by collision with the ground, etc. On the other hand, since the impact is easily absorbed by the impact absorbing portion 480, the impact on the box 4B is mitigated.

[0079] like Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 As shown, the second wall 47 has a concave portion 481 formed in a frame shape along the peripheral portion 47r of the second wall 47 when viewed from the side in the +Y direction, and a central wall portion 47m surrounded by the concave portion 481. The concave portion 481 has an outer edge portion 483. The impact absorbing portion 480 includes the concave portion 481 and a curved portion described later.

[0080] In more detail, Fig.12 As shown, the second wall 47 has a concave portion 481 including an outer edge portion 483 and a curved portion 485 including a convex portion 482 between the peripheral portion 47r and the central wall portion 47m, and these structures are arranged in this order. Fig.12 In, yes Fig.11 The range R1 in FIG. 1 is illustrated in an enlarged manner.

[0081] The curved portion 485 connects the recessed portion 481 to the central wall portion 47m and is disposed between the recessed portion 481 and the central wall portion 47m. The cross-sectional shape of the curved portion 485 along the XY plane is an arc shape. The curved portion 485 has a convex portion 482. The convex portion 482 protrudes more than the central wall portion 47m in the +α direction, which is a first direction perpendicular to the second wall 47 and extending from the inner side of the liquid storage portion 450 toward the outside.

[0082] Therefore, when the second wall 47 is dropped downward, Fig.12 The plane along the X-axis is assumed to be the ground or floor. Therefore, when falling, first, the convex portion 482 is likely to collide with the ground or the like. Therefore, the impact of the collision is difficult to be transmitted to the central wall portion 47m. In addition, the impact of the collision is attenuated by the bending deformation of the curved portion 485 and the concave portion 481.

[0083] The recessed portion 481 has an outer edge portion 483. The outer edge portion 483 is retreated toward the inner side of the liquid storage portion 450 compared to the central wall portion 47m in the -α direction opposite to the +α direction. By providing the recessed portion 481 with the outer edge portion 483, the recessed portion 481 is more likely to deform, and the impact of the collision is more likely to be attenuated.

[0084] Alternatively, the following box 4C may be used to replace the box 4B. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the case 4C is a structure in which the outer edge portion 483 of the case 4B is omitted. The case 4C can also obtain the same effects as the case 4B.

[0085] According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0086] 3. Third Implementation

[0087] In this embodiment, a cartridge 4D applicable to the above-mentioned printer 1 is exemplified. The cartridge 4D involved in this embodiment differs in the arrangement and form of the impact absorbing portion from the cartridges 4B and 4C of the second embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same structural parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0088] like Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cartridge 4D according to the present embodiment includes a shock absorbing portion 490. In the cartridge 4D, the shock absorbing portion 490 is provided on the first wall 48, the third walls 45 and 46, and the upper wall 43.

[0089] The impact absorbing portion 490 is located in a region RY between the center portion MP of the first wall 48 and the end portion of the second wall 47 in the direction along the Y axis which is the length direction of the first wall 48 when viewed from above in the +Z direction. In other words, the impact absorbing portion 490 is located on the first wall 48, the third walls 45 and 46, and the upper wall 43, and is provided in a region RY between the center position of the first wall 48 in the direction along the Y axis and the second wall 47 which is one end position in the +Y direction.

[0090] The impact absorbing portion 490 is continuously provided on the surfaces of the upper wall 43, the third wall 45, the first wall 48, and the third wall 46 when viewed from the side in the +α direction. The impact absorbing portion 490 extends in parallel with the direction along the boundary between the second wall 47 and the third walls 45 and 46, in parallel with the direction along the boundary between the second wall 47 and the first wall 48, and in parallel with the direction along the boundary between the second wall 47 and the upper wall 43.

[0091] like Fig.15 As shown, the impact absorbing portion 490 has a groove portion 491 provided on the surface of the third walls 45 and 46. Although not shown in the figure, the groove portion 491 is also provided on the surface of the first wall 48 and the surface of the upper wall 43. When the groove portion 491 falls with the second wall 47 facing downward, the impact is easily attenuated by deformation of the groove portion 491.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0093] Explanation of symbols

[0094] 1…printer; 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D…box as liquid storage container; 45, 46…third wall; 47…second wall; 47m…central wall portion; 47r…peripheral portion; 48…first wall; 402…connector; 442…liquid supply portion; 450…liquid storage portion; 470…protrusion; 480, 490…impact absorbing portion; 481…recess; 482…convex portion; 483…outer edge portion; 485…bend portion; 491…groove portion.

Claims

1. A liquid storage container, comprising a liquid supply unit for supplying liquid to a printer, and comprising: A first wall having the liquid supply portion disposed between the center and one end in the length direction; a second wall intersecting the one end of the first wall; a liquid receiving portion, which is disposed at the inner side of the first wall and the second wall and is communicated with the liquid supply portion; an adapter installed at the outer side of the first wall and having an opening corresponding to the liquid supply portion, The second wall is formed to have a smaller area than the first wall, The adapter includes a protrusion that protrudes beyond the second wall in a first direction that is orthogonal to the second wall and that extends from the liquid storage portion side toward the outside.

2. A liquid storage container, comprising a liquid supply unit for supplying liquid to a printer, and a liquid storage unit communicating with the liquid supply unit, and comprising: A first wall having the liquid supply portion disposed between the center and one end in the length direction; a second wall intersecting the one end of the first wall; a pair of third walls, the pair of third walls intersecting the first wall and the second wall and facing each other with the second wall interposed therebetween, The liquid storage portion is provided on the inner sides of the first wall, the second wall, and the pair of third walls. A shock absorbing portion is provided at at least a portion of the first wall, the second wall, and the pair of third walls. When the impact absorbing portion is provided at least in part of the first wall and the third wall, the impact absorbing portion is provided in a region from the center position of the first wall to the position of the one end in the longitudinal direction.

3. The liquid storage container according to claim 2, wherein: The second wall is formed to have a smaller area than the first wall and the third wall. The impact absorbing portion is provided on the second wall.

4. The liquid storage container according to claim 3, wherein: The second wall has: a recessed portion formed along a peripheral edge portion of the second wall; a central wall portion surrounded by the recess; a curved portion, which connects the recessed portion to the central wall portion and has an arc-shaped cross section, The impact absorbing portion includes the recessed portion and the bent portion.

5. The liquid storage container according to claim 4, wherein: The curved portion has a convex portion that protrudes more than the central wall portion in a first direction that is orthogonal to the central wall portion and that extends from the liquid storage portion side toward the outside.

6. The liquid storage container according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein: The recessed portion has an outer edge portion that is retreated toward the inner side of the liquid storage portion relative to the central wall portion.

7. The liquid storage container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The impact absorbing portion is provided in the regions of the first wall and the third wall. The impact absorbing portion has a groove portion extending in parallel with a direction along a boundary between the second wall and the third wall.

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