Liquid container

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid container. Provided is a technique capable of reducing the possibility that the engagement between a supply member and an adapter is unintentionally released in a liquid container in which the supply member and the adapter are engaged by a buckle. The liquid container is provided with: a liquid container bag having a bag main body for containing a liquid and a supply member attached to the bag main body and supplying the liquid in the bag main body to the outside; an adapter having an adapter engagement part that engages with the supply member by means of a buckle; and a protective member that is attached to the adapter and has a restricting wall that restricts at least the action of the adapter engagement section in the disengagement direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to technology for liquid containers. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, liquid containers having a liquid holding bag and an adapter were known (Patent Document 1). The liquid holding bag has a bag body for holding liquid and a supply component for supplying liquid to the outside. In addition, the adapter has a snap-fit ​​part, through which the adapter is detachably engaged with the supply component.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-35919

[0004] In the prior art, when the liquid container is impacted by a drop or other force, the engagement of the latch may be unintentionally released. Therefore, in liquid containers where the supply component and adapter are engaged by a latch, a technology is desired that can reduce the possibility of the supply component and adapter being unintentionally released. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container comprises: a liquid-containing bag having a bag body for containing liquid and a supply component, the supply component being fitted to the bag body and supplying the liquid from the bag body to the outside; an adapter having an adapter engagement portion that engages with the supply component via a latch; and a protective component fitted to the adapter and having a restraining wall that at least restrains the movement of the adapter engagement portion in a disengagement direction. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a liquid injection device.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a schematic 3D diagram of the connecting mechanism.

[0008] Figure 3 This is the first three-dimensional view of the liquid container.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a second three-dimensional view of the liquid container.

[0010] Figure 5 This is an exploded three-dimensional view of the liquid container bag and adapter.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the adapter and supply components that interlock with each other.

[0012] Figure 7 From Figure 6 The diagram shown is a view of the joint of the supply component removed.

[0013] Figure 8 This is the first perspective view showing the protective components disassembled from the liquid container.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a second perspective view showing the protective components disassembled from the liquid container.

[0015] Figure 10 It is a 3D view of the protective components.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the engagement part of the components.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the liquid container as viewed from the second side of the adapter.

[0018] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Sectional view XIII-XIII.

[0019] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 Sectional view of XIV-XIV.

[0020] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 XV-XV sectional view.

[0021] Figure 16 This is a partial perspective view of the liquid container according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the protective component according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 11…Liquid injection device, 12…Cover, 13…Housing, 13M…Second housing, 13S…First housing, 14…Housing storage part, 15…Front cover, 16…Box, 17…Mounting port, 18…Discharge tray, 19…Operating panel, 20, 20a…Liquid container, 21…Liquid injection part, 22…Slide, 29…Connecting mechanism, 29F…First connecting mechanism, 29S…Second connecting mechanism, 30…Handle component, 31…Holding part, 32…Liquid inlet part, 33…Rotating shaft, 41…Electrical connection part on device side, 42…Control device, 43…Wire, 44…Block, 45…First positioning part, 46…Second positioning part, 49…Equipment side positioning part, 49a…First device side positioning part, 49b… 50, 50a…Structure, 50fa…First surface of adapter, 50fb…Second surface of adapter, 50fc…Third surface of adapter, 50fd…First surface of structure, 54…Identification part, 57…First guide hole, 59…Second guide hole, 60…Liquid container bag, 62…Bag body, 62a…One end, 62b…Other end, 62fa…First main body surface, 62fb…Second main body surface, 70…Circuit board, 71…Recess, 77…Container side positioning part, 77a…First container side positioning part, 77b…Second container side positioning part, 120…Supply component, 121…Liquid supply part, 122…Positioning hole, 123…Supply channel, 124…Interlocking part, 124A …First engaging portion, 124B…Second engaging portion, 124C…Third engaging portion, 128…Joint portion, 130…Adapter, 131…Recess, 133…Protrusion, 134…Adapter engaging portion, 134A…First adapter engaging portion, 134B…Second adapter engaging portion, 134C…Third adapter engaging portion, 138…Adapter engaging portion, 138A…First adapter engaging portion, 138B…Second adapter engaging portion, 138C…Third adapter engaging portion, 139…Deformation limiting portion, 139A…First deformation limiting portion, 139B…Second deformation limiting portion, 139C…Third deformation limiting portion, 149…Engaged forming portion, 223…Introducing portion, 230, 230a… Protective component, 232, 232a…component body, 234…component engaging part, 234A…first component engaging part, 234B…second component engaging part, 234C…third component engaging part, 235…front end, 235A…first front end, 235B…second front end, 235C…third front end, 236…engagement release part, 236A…first engagement release part, 236B…second engagement release part, 236C…third engagement release part, 237…engagement body part, 238…engagement surface, 238A…first engagement surface, 238B…second engagement surface, 238C…third engagement surface, 239…restraint wall, 239A…first restraint wall, 239B…second restraint wall, 239C…third restraint wall,324…protrusion, 324A…first protrusion, 324B…second protrusion, 324C…third protrusion, 401…device side electrode, 424, 424A~424C…protrusions, 600…recess, 602…recess, 701…receptacle side electrode, CT…central axis, DN…release direction, DN1…first release direction, DN2…second release direction, DN3…third release direction, DP…engagement release direction, DP1…first engagement release direction, DP2…second engagement release direction, DP3…third engagement release direction, FM…film, VS…imaginary space, X…third direction, Y…first direction, Z…second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] A. First implementation method:

[0026] A-1. Composition of a liquid injection device:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the liquid injection device 11. Figure 1 It has X, Y, and Z axes that are orthogonal to each other. It should be noted that other graphs also have axes that are orthogonal to each other. Figure 1 The corresponding X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The liquid jetting device 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer, which forms a printed image by jetting ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper, thereby recording dots.

[0028] The liquid injection device 11 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer casing, namely a housing 12. Inside the housing 12 is a housing storage section 14, in which the housing 13 is detachably stored. On the front surface of the housing 12, from bottom to top, are arranged a front cover 15 that opens and closes the housing storage section 14 by rotation, and a mounting opening 17 for holding a container 16 (not shown) containing a medium. Furthermore, above the mounting opening 17 are a discharge tray 18 for discharging the medium and an operation panel 19 for the user to operate the liquid injection device 11. It should be noted that the front surface of the housing 12 refers to the side with height and width, assuming the user is facing when operating the liquid injection device 11.

[0029] In this embodiment, the housing storage section 14 can accommodate multiple housings 13 arranged in the width direction. For example, as multiple housings 13, three or more housings 13, including a first housing 13S and a second housing 13M whose width is longer than that of the first housing 13S, are installed in the housing storage section 14. Moreover, a liquid container 20 is detachably mounted in these housings 13. That is, the liquid container 20 is mounted in the housing 13 that is detachably mounted to the liquid injection device 11. The housing 13 can be detachably mounted to the housing storage section 14 even when the liquid container 20 is not held in a single state, and is a component of the liquid injection device 11. The liquid injection device 11 draws the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 through a pump mechanism (not shown), thereby receiving a supply of liquid from the liquid container 20.

[0030] The housing 12 is equipped with a liquid jetting section 21 that sprays liquid from a nozzle, and a carriage 22 that reciprocates along a scanning direction consistent with the width direction of the liquid jetting device 11. The liquid jetting section 21 moves together with the carriage 22 and prints on the medium by spraying liquid supplied from the liquid container 20 placed in the housing 13 toward the medium. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the liquid jetting section 21 may also be a line head that is fixed in position without reciprocating movement.

[0031] In this embodiment, the direction intersecting the movement path of the housing 13 when it is installed in the housing storage section 14 is the width direction, and the direction extending along the movement path is the depth direction. It should be noted that the movement path preferably intersects the width direction orthogonally. The width and depth directions are substantially along a horizontal plane. In the drawings, the Z-axis represents the direction of gravity when the liquid injection device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane in its normal operating state, and the Y-axis represents the movement direction of the housing 13 when it is installed in the housing storage section 14. The movement direction can be described as the installation direction towards the housing storage section 14 or as the insertion direction, and the opposite direction can be described as the removal direction. The installation direction of the housing 13 towards the housing storage section 14 is also the installation direction of the liquid container 20 towards the liquid injection device 11. Furthermore, the removal direction of the housing 13 from the housing storage section 14 is also the removal direction of the liquid container 20 from the liquid injection device 11. Furthermore, the width direction of the liquid injection device 11 is represented by the X-axis, which is orthogonal to both the Z-axis and the Y-axis. The width direction, gravity direction, and installation direction intersect each other, representing the directions used to describe the width, height, and depth, respectively. It should be noted that, preferably, the width direction, gravity direction, and installation direction intersect each other orthogonally.

[0032] In the following description, unless otherwise stated, the liquid injection device 11 is assumed to be in its normal operating state. Furthermore, the direction parallel to the Z-axis is referred to as the Z-direction, the direction within the Z-direction that is the same as the direction of gravity is referred to as the +Z-direction, and the direction that is opposite to the direction of gravity is referred to as the -Z-direction. Similarly, the direction parallel to the Y-axis is referred to as the Y-direction, one direction within the Y-direction is referred to as the +Y-direction, and the other direction is referred to as the -Y-direction. The direction parallel to the X-axis is referred to as the X-direction, one direction within the X-direction is referred to as the +X-direction, and the other direction is referred to as the -X-direction. The +Y-direction is the direction of movement of the housing 13 when it is inserted into the housing receiving portion 14.

[0033] One or more connecting mechanisms 29 are individually provided at the end of the housing 14 on the +Y direction side, corresponding to the housing 13. In this embodiment, four connecting mechanisms 29 are provided. It should be noted that in Figure 1 In the figure, only one connecting mechanism 29 is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of the connecting mechanism 29. The connecting mechanism 29 includes a liquid inlet portion 32 connected to the liquid container 20, and a first connecting mechanism 29F and a second connecting mechanism 29S located across the liquid inlet portion 32 in the width direction. The liquid inlet portion 32 has a flow path for liquid to flow through it, and allows liquid from the liquid container 20 to flow through. An opening is formed at the front end of the liquid inlet portion 32 on the -Y direction side to allow liquid to flow through the internal flow path. A liquid flow channel (not shown), such as a pipe, is connected to the base end of the liquid inlet portion 32 on the +Y direction side. The liquid flow channel supplies liquid to the liquid injection portion 21.

[0035] The first connecting mechanism 29F includes a device-side electrical connection portion 41 and a device-side positioning portion 49. The device-side electrical connection portion 41 is disposed above the liquid inlet portion 32 and protrudes in the extraction direction, i.e., the -Y direction. The device-side electrical connection portion 41 has a plurality of device-side electrodes 401. The plurality of device-side electrodes 401 are metal plate-shaped terminals. In this embodiment, nine device-side electrodes 401 are provided. It should be noted that the number of device-side electrodes 401 is not limited to this, and can be less than nine or more than nine. For example, the number of device-side electrodes 401 can be five or seven. The device-side electrodes 401 are electrically connected to the control device 42 via wires 43 such as flat cables. The device-side positioning portions 49 are located on both sides of the device-side electrical connection portion 41 in the width direction. The two device-side positioning portions 49 are protrusions that protrude in the width direction and extend in the mounting direction, i.e., the +Y direction. When using two device-side positioning portions 49, a first device-side positioning portion 49a and a second device-side positioning portion 49b are used.

[0036] The second connecting mechanism 29S is disposed above the liquid inlet 32 ​​and has a block 44 protruding in the removal direction to prevent accidental insertion. The block 44 has a concave-convex shape facing downward. This concave-convex shape varies depending on each connecting mechanism 29 disposed in the housing storage section 14.

[0037] The connecting mechanism 29 also includes a pair of positioning portions 45 and 46. The first positioning portion 45 is included in the second connecting mechanism 29S, and the second positioning portion 46 is included in the first connecting mechanism 29F. The first positioning portion 45 and the second positioning portion 46 are each configured as axial portions extending in the -Y direction, and are positioned separately from each other in the X direction via the liquid inlet portion 32.

[0038] The connecting mechanism 29 is located at the end of the housing accommodating portion 14 in the +Y direction. Therefore, the liquid inlet portion 32 and the device-side electrical connection portion 41 included in the connecting mechanism 29 are located at the end of the housing accommodating portion 14 in the +Y direction. Furthermore, the liquid inlet portion 32, the first positioning portion 45, and the second positioning portion 46 extend from the end of the housing accommodating portion 14 in the +Y direction toward the -Y direction.

[0039] As described above, the liquid container 20 is detachably installed on the liquid injection device 11 and supplies liquid to the liquid injection device 11.

[0040] A-2. Overall structure of a liquid container:

[0041] Figure 3 This is a first perspective view of the liquid container 20. Figure 4 This is a second perspective view of the liquid container 20. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the liquid container 20, its liquid-containing bag 60, and its adapter 130. Figure 3 In the following descriptions of the liquid container 20, the X, Y, and Z axes are added based on the installation state of the liquid container 20 towards the liquid injection device 11 in its normal operating state. In the liquid container 20, the X direction is the width, the Y direction is the length, and the Z direction is the thickness. The length direction is also called the long side direction. The Y direction is also called the first direction Y, the Z direction is also called the second direction Z, and the X direction is also called the third direction X. The direction towards one of the second directions Z is the +Z direction, and the direction towards the other is the -Z direction. The following description will take the liquid container 20 placed in the first housing 13S as an example. It should be noted that when comparing the liquid container placed in the second housing 13M with the liquid container 20, the difference is that the width dimension of the bag body 62 is larger, but the other components are the same as those of the liquid container 20.

[0042] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4As shown, the liquid container 20 includes a liquid container bag 60 and a structure 50 assembled on the liquid container bag 60. The liquid container bag 60 has a bag body 62 for containing liquid, and Figure 5 The supply component 120 is shown. (As shown) Figure 4 As shown, the structure 50 has an adapter 130 and a protective component 230 that is mounted on the adapter 130 by means of a detachable snap-fit.

[0043] The bag body 62 is a pillow shape formed by overlapping two rectangular films and joining their perimeters together. The bag body 62 is flexible. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the bag body 62 has a first body surface 62fa and a second body surface 62fb that are opposite each other. As the liquid in the bag body 62 is consumed, the first body surface 62fa and the second body surface 62fb deform in a manner that brings them closer to each other, thereby reducing the volume of the bag body 62.

[0044] The bag body 62 has one end on the side with its long side facing outwards. Figure 5 The end 62a shown, and the end on the other side in the long side direction, are... Figure 3 The other end 62b is shown. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the bag body 62 may also be a gusseted plate type. The film constituting the bag body 62 is formed of a material with flexibility and gas barrier properties. Examples of such film materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. Furthermore, a laminated structure can be used to form the film, where multiple films made of these materials are stacked. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed of PET or nylon, which have excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of polyethylene, which has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a film having a layer of deposited aluminum or the like may also be used as a component of the laminated structure.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the supply component 120 is fitted to one end 62a of the bag body 62. The supply component 120 has a supply channel 123, a connecting portion 128, a liquid supply portion 121, and a locking forming portion 149. The supply component 120 supplies liquid from the bag body 62 to the outside.

[0046] The supply channel 123 is a flow path that supplies the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 to the liquid injection device 11. In the direction of liquid supply from the bag body 62 toward the liquid injection device 11, the upstream end of the supply channel 123 is located inside the bag body 62, and the downstream end of the supply channel 123 is located outside the bag body 62.

[0047] The joint 128 is the portion that is joined to one end 62a of the bag body 62 by heat welding. A portion of the supply channel 123 is formed within the joint 128.

[0048] The liquid supply section 121 is cylindrical, allowing liquid to flow through the main body 62 of the bag. The liquid supply section 121 has a central axis CT extending along a first direction Y. A downstream portion, including the downstream end of a supply channel 123, is formed within the liquid supply section 121. An opening is formed at the front end of the liquid supply section 121 to allow liquid to flow outwards. This opening forms the downstream end of the supply channel 123. In the initial state before use of the liquid container 20, a thin film FM is adhered to the front end of the liquid supply section 121 to block the opening. When using the liquid container 20, the thin film FM is either peeled off by the user or punctured by the liquid inlet section 32 when the liquid container 20 is installed into the liquid injection device 11.

[0049] The engaging portion 149 is a generally plate-shaped component. It is located on both sides of the liquid supply portion 121 in the X direction. The engaging portion 149 has two positioning holes 122 extending along the thickness direction, i.e., the Z direction. When the adapter 130 is engaged with the supply component 120, the two positioning holes 122 position the adapter 130 relative to the supply component 120. Furthermore, the engaging portion 149 is the part that engages with the adapter 130. Details of this engagement with the adapter 130 will be described later.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the adapter 130 has an adapter first surface 50fa with a recess 131 forming a liquid supply portion 121 for receiving the supply member 120, an adapter second surface 50fb located on the opposite side of the adapter first surface 50fa, and an adapter third surface 50fc constituting the front surface. The recess 131 opens toward the +Y direction and the +Z direction.

[0051] The second surface 50fb of the adapter forms the upper surface of the structure 50 in the -Z direction. A component is assembled on the first surface 50fa of the adapter. Figure 3 The protective component 230 is shown. The protective component 230 constitutes the structure 50.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, with the first surface 50fa of the adapter facing the supply member 120, the adapter 130 is moved relative to the supply member 120 in a way that brings it closer to the supply member 120, thereby engaging the adapter 130 with the supply member 120. The adapter 130 has a connection element for connecting to the connection mechanism 29 of the liquid injection device 11.

[0053] like Figure 3As shown, the adapter 130 includes: a circuit board 70, a recess 71, a first guide hole 57, a second guide hole 59, and an identification part 54. Each element 70, 71, 57, 59, and 54 constitutes a connection element.

[0054] A recess 71 is formed at the corner where the second surface 50fb and the third surface 50fc of the adapter intersect. A circuit board 70 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 71. A container-side electrode 701, which contacts the device-side electrode 401, is formed on the surface of the circuit board 70. A memory is disposed on the back side of the circuit board 70, storing information related to the liquid container 20, such as the remaining liquid level. In the installed state, the memory of the circuit board 70 and the liquid injection device 11... Figure 2 The control device 42 shown exchanges information.

[0055] The sidewalls on both sides of the recess 71 in the X direction have a housing-side positioning portion 77. The housing-side positioning portion 77 has a first housing-side positioning portion 77a formed on the sidewall in the -X direction and a second housing-side positioning portion 77b formed on the sidewall in the +X direction. The first housing-side positioning portion 77a and the second housing-side positioning portion 77b are grooves extending in the Y direction. During the installation of the liquid container 20 onto the liquid injection device 11, a first device-side positioning portion 49a, which is a groove, is inserted into the first housing-side positioning portion 77a, which is a groove, and a second device-side positioning portion 49b, which is a groove, is inserted into the second housing-side positioning portion 77b, which is a groove. As a result, by restricting the movement of the circuit board 70 relative to the device-side electrical connection portion 41 in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction, which is the installation direction, the positioning of the housing-side electrode 701 and the device-side electrode 401 is easily performed.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, a first guide hole 57 and a second guide hole 59 are formed on the third surface 50fc of the adapter. The first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are located on opposite sides of the liquid supply section 121 in the X direction. During the installation of the liquid container 20 into the liquid injection device 11, the liquid is inserted into the first guide hole 57. Figure 2 The first positioning part 45 is shown. Furthermore, during installation, it is inserted into the second guide hole 59. Figure 2 The second positioning part 46 is shown. Thus, during installation, the liquid container 20 is guided along the installation direction.

[0057] like Figure 3As shown, the identification part 54 is provided at the portion where it intersects with the first surface 50fa and the third surface 50fc of the adapter. The identification part 54 has a protrusion and recess that are adapted to the shape of the block 44 of the corresponding connecting mechanism 29. When the liquid container 20 is correctly installed in the liquid injection device 11, the identification part 54 properly engages with the block 44 of the connecting mechanism 29. Conversely, if the liquid container 20 is installed in the wrong position, the identification part 54 does not engage with the block 44, so the liquid container 20 cannot advance further, thereby preventing misinstallation. It should be noted that in Figure 3 For ease of explanation, the illustration of the concave and convex shape of the identification part 54 is omitted in other figures.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, the adapter 130 also has a handle component 30. The handle component 30 rotates about a rotation axis 33, allowing the grip portion 31 to rotate. The grip portion 31 is held by the user. The grip portion 31 is located further away from the bag body 62 of the adapter 130 than the rotation axis 33. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the handle component 30 may be omitted.

[0059] The detailed structure of the engagement mechanism, including the supply component 120 and the adapter 130, will be described. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the adapter 130 and the supply component 120 that are interlocked. Figure 7 From Figure 6 The diagram shown is a view of the joint 128 of the supply component 120. It should be noted that... Figure 7 The diagram also shows the first protrusion 324A to the third protrusion 324C, which serve as a first engagement release clamp. The first protrusion 324A is used to release the engagement of the first adapter engagement portion 134A (described later), the second protrusion 324B is used to release the engagement of the second adapter engagement portion 134B (described later), and the third protrusion 324C is used to release the engagement of the third adapter engagement portion 134C (described later). When it is not necessary to distinguish between the first protrusion 324A and the third protrusion 324C, protrusion 324 is used.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, the joint 128 has two inlet portions 223. The inlet portions 223 are located inside the bag body 62. The inlet portions 223 form the upstream end of the supply channel 123. Liquid flowing into the bag body 62 through the inlet portions 223 is supplied from the liquid supply portion 121 to the liquid injection device 11.

[0061] like Figure 6As shown, two positioning protrusions 133 are formed on the first adapter surface 50fa of the adapter 130. These positioning protrusions 133 extend along the Z-direction, the assembly direction of the adapter 130 towards the supply component 120. The two positioning protrusions 133 are inserted into corresponding positioning holes 122. Therefore, by restricting the movement of the adapter 130 relative to the supply component 120 in a direction intersecting the assembly direction, positioning of the adapter 130 in this direction can be achieved.

[0062] like Figure 7 As shown, the adapter 130 also has a plurality of adapter engaging portions 134A, 134B, and 134C, which engage with each other in the Z direction with the engaging portion 149 of the supply member 120. The plurality of adapter engaging portions 134A, 134B, and 134C are the first adapter engaging portion 134A, the second adapter engaging portion 134B, and the third adapter engaging portion 134C. When it is not necessary to distinguish the use of the plurality of adapter engaging portions 134A to 134C, they are simply referred to as adapter engaging portion 134.

[0063] The adapter engaging portion 134 engages with the engaging portion 149 of the supply component 120 via a latch. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the engaging portion 149 of the supply component 120 has multiple engaging portions 124A, 124B, and 124C. These multiple engaging portions 124A, 124B, and 124C are designated as a first engaging portion 124A, a second engaging portion 124B, and a third engaging portion 124C. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the multiple engaging portions 124A to 124C, they are simply referred to as engaging portion 124.

[0064] The first engaging part 124A engages with the first adapter engaging part 134A. The second engaging part 124B engages with the second adapter engaging part 134B. The third engaging part 124C engages with the third adapter engaging part 134C.

[0065] The release directions of the multiple adapter engagement parts 134A to 134C are different. This reduces the possibility of unintentional disengagement of the engagement between the adapter 130 and the supply unit 120. The release direction of the first adapter engagement part 134A is the +Y direction. The release direction of the second adapter engagement part 134B is the -X direction. The release direction of the third adapter engagement part 134C is the +X direction.

[0066] The adapter engaging portion 134 has an adapter engaging disengagement portion, which is provided by a first engaging disengagement clamp. Figure 7The protrusion 324 shown is subjected to an external force to release the engagement. The adapter engagement release portion is formed at the front end of the adapter engagement portion 134. By applying an external force in the -Z direction to the adapter engagement release portion of the adapter engagement portion 134, the protrusion 324 of the first engagement release clamp causes the adapter engagement portion 134 to elastically deform around its base end by displacing the engagement portion of the adapter engagement portion 134 in the release direction. As a result, the engagement between the adapter engagement portion 134 and the supply member 120 is released.

[0067] A-3. Detailed composition of structure 50:

[0068] Figure 8 This is a first perspective view showing the protective component 230 disassembled from the liquid container 20. Figure 9 This is a second perspective view showing the protective component 230 disassembled from the liquid container 20. Figure 10 This is a 3D view of the protective component 230. Figure 11 The diagram schematically shows the engagement part 234. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the liquid container 20 as viewed from the second side 50fb of the adapter.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, the protective component 230 is assembled to the adapter 130 by detachably engaging with it. The protective component 230 has a component body 232 and multiple component engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C. The component body 232 is flat. Figure 9 As shown, the main body 232 forms the bottom surface of the structure 50, i.e., the first surface 50fd of the structure. The first surface 50fd of the structure is the surface on the +Z direction side. The first surface 50fd of the structure and the second surface 50fb of the adapter are opposite each other in the Z direction. The second surface 50fb of the adapter functions as the upper surface of the structure 50, i.e., the second surface of the structure.

[0070] like Figure 9 As shown, the protective component 230 is mounted on the adapter first surface 50fa side of the adapter 130. The adapter 130 and the protective component 230, specifically the body 232 of the protective component 230, are opposite each other in a second direction Z orthogonal to the first direction Y.

[0071] The multiple component engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C are the first component engaging portion 234A, the second component engaging portion 234B, and the third component engaging portion 234C. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the multiple component engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C, they are simply referred to as component engaging portion 234. For example... Figure 10As shown, the component engaging portion 234 extends from the component body 232 in the second direction Z. Specifically, the component engaging portion 234 extends from the component body 232 towards the adapter 130 in the second direction Z, i.e., the -Z direction side. The component engaging portion 234 engages with the adapter 130 via a latch. That is, the component engaging portion 234 and the adapter engaging portion 134, similarly, engage and disengage through elastic deformation. The component engaging portion 234 engages with the adapter 130 in the second direction Z. In other words, by engaging with the adapter 130, the movement of each other in the second direction Z is restricted.

[0072] like Figure 10 As shown, the component engaging portion 234 has an engaging body portion 237 extending from the component body 232 along the second direction Z, and a front end portion 235 on the -Z direction side of the engaging body portion 237. The front end portion 235 is a claw shape that engages with the adapter 130.

[0073] like Figure 11 As shown, the front end portion 235 protrudes from the end of the engaging body portion 237 on the -Z direction side in a direction intersecting the second direction Z. The front end portion 235 of the first component engaging portion 234A is also referred to as the first front end portion 235A. The front end portion 235 of the second component engaging portion 234B is also referred to as the second front end portion 235B. The front end portion 235 of the third component engaging portion 234C is also referred to as the third front end portion 235C.

[0074] The front end portion 235 has an engagement / disengagement portion 236 and an engagement surface 238. The engagement surface 238 engages with the adapter engaging portion 138 of the adapter 130 in the second direction Z. The engagement surface 238 of the first component engagement portion 234A is also called the first engagement surface 238A. The engagement surface 238 of the second component engagement portion 234B is also called the second engagement surface 238B. The engagement surface 238 of the third component engagement portion 234C is also called the third engagement surface 238C. The first engagement surface 238A to the third engagement surface 238C are planes with the +Z direction in the second direction Z as their normal direction. The first engagement surface 238A engages with the first adapter engaging portion 138A of the adapter 130. The second engagement surface 238B engages with the second adapter engaging portion 138B of the adapter 130. The third engaging surface 238C engages with the third adapter engaging part 138C of the adapter 130.

[0075] like Figure 11As shown, the engagement release part 236 is the portion where an external force is applied in the +Z direction by the protrusion 424 of the clamp to release the engagement between the component engagement part 234 and the adapter 130. The engagement release part 236 of the first component engagement part 234A is also called the first engagement release part 236A. The engagement release part 236 of the second component engagement part 234B is also called the second engagement release part 236B. The engagement release part 236 of the third component engagement part 234C is also called the third engagement release part 236C. The engagement release part 236 is a plane inclined relative to the second direction Z. When an external force is applied in the +Z direction by the corresponding protrusions 424A~424C of the clamp, the first engagement release part 236A~3rd engagement release part 236C elastically deforms around the base end of the component engagement part 234 connected to the component body 232, causing the front end 235 to displace in the release direction DN. The engagement between the component engaging part 234 and the adapter 130 is released by the displacement of the front end 235 in the release direction DN.

[0076] The engagement and disengagement directions (DN1 to DN3) of the first component engaging parts 234A to the third component engaging parts 234C are different. The disengagement direction DN1 between the first component engaging part 234A and the adapter 130 is -Y. The disengagement direction DN2 between the second component engaging part 234B and the adapter 130 is +Y. The disengagement direction DN3 between the third component engaging part 234C and the adapter 130 is -X. By having different directions for the first disengagement direction DN1 to the third disengagement direction DN3, even if external force is applied to the component engaging parts 234 due to impacts such as drops, the possibility of unintentional disengagement of all component engaging parts 234A to 234C from the adapter 130 can be reduced.

[0077] like Figure 12 As shown, the front end portion 235 of the component engaging portion 234 is positioned at the point exposed when the liquid container 20 is viewed from the second surface 50fb side of the adapter. Therefore, in order to release the engagement, an external force can be easily applied to the front end portion 235 via the protrusion 424, thus easily releasing the engagement between the protective component 230 and the adapter 130.

[0078] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Sectional view XIII-XIII. Figure 14 yes Figure 12 The XIV-XIV sectional view. (See example.) Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the protective component 230 has at least a restraining wall 239 that restricts the movement of the adapter engagement portion 134 in the engagement release direction DP.

[0079] like Figure 14 As shown, the first engagement release direction DP1 of the first adapter engagement part 134A is the +Y direction. Figure 13 As shown, the second engagement release direction DP2 for the second adapter engagement part 134B to be disengaged is the -X direction. Furthermore, the third engagement release direction DP3 for the third adapter engagement part 134C to be disengaged is the +X direction.

[0080] The constraint wall 239 is formed in the main body 232 of the protective component 230. The constraint wall 239 has Figure 14 The first constraint wall 239A shown is Figure 15 The second constraint wall 239B and the third constraint wall 239C are shown. Figure 14 As shown, the first restraining wall 239A at least restricts the movement of the first adapter engaging portion 134A in the first engaging / disengaging direction DP1. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the second restraining wall 239B at least restricts the movement of the second adapter engaging portion 134B in the second engagement release direction DP2. The third restraining wall 239C at least restricts the movement of the third adapter engaging portion 134C in the third engagement release direction DP3.

[0081] like Figure 14 As shown, the first restraining wall 239A is located on the first engagement / disengagement direction DP1, i.e., the +Y direction side, of the first adapter engagement portion 134A. The first restraining wall 239A and the first adapter engagement portion 134A are opposite each other in the first direction Y. When the first adapter engagement portion 134A attempts to displace in the first engagement / disengagement direction DP1 due to an external force such as an impact, the first restraining wall 239A abuts against the first adapter engagement portion 134A. Thus, further movement of the first adapter engagement portion 134A in the first engagement / disengagement direction DP1 can be restrained.

[0082] like Figure 13As shown, the second restraining wall 239B divides a recess 600, which accommodates the front end portion of the engaging portion forming the second adapter engaging portion 134B in the +Z direction. The second restraining wall 239B has a portion located on the second engagement release direction DP2, i.e., the -X direction side, of the second adapter engaging portion 134B. The second restraining wall 239B has a portion opposite to the second adapter engaging portion 134B in the third X direction. When the second adapter engaging portion 134B attempts to displace in the second engagement release direction DP2 due to an external force such as an impact, the second restraining wall 239B abuts against the second adapter engaging portion 134B. Thus, further movement of the second adapter engaging portion 134B in the second engagement release direction DP2 can be restrained. It should be noted that since the recess, i.e., the second restraining wall 239B, surrounds the second front end portion 235B, it can also restrain movement of the second adapter engaging portion 134B in a direction different from the second engagement release direction DP2, for example, in the +X direction. This can suppress the shaking of the second adapter engagement portion 134B, thereby reducing the possibility of deviation in the relative positional relationship between the protection component 230 and the adapter 130.

[0083] The third restraint wall 239C divides a recess 602, which accommodates the +Z direction front end portion of the engaging portion forming the third adapter engaging portion 134C. The third restraint wall 239C has a portion located on the third engagement release direction DP3, i.e., the +X direction side, of the third adapter engaging portion 134C. The third restraint wall 239C has a portion opposing the third adapter engaging portion 134C in the third X direction. When the third adapter engaging portion 134C attempts to displace in the third engagement release direction DP3 due to an external force such as an impact, the third restraint wall 239C abuts against the third adapter engaging portion 134C. This restricts further movement of the third adapter engaging portion 134C in the third engagement release direction DP3. It should be noted that since the recess, i.e., the third restraint wall 239C, surrounds the third front end portion 235C, it can also restrict movement of the third adapter engaging portion 134C in a direction different from the third engagement release direction DP3, for example, in the -X direction. This can suppress the shaking of the third adapter engagement part 134C, thereby reducing the possibility of deviation in the relative positional relationship between the protection part 230 and the adapter 130.

[0084] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 XV-XV sectional view. (Using...) Figure 15 The configuration of adapter 130 will be further explained. For example... Figure 15As shown, the adapter 130 also has a deformation limiting portion 139, which abuts against the component engaging portion 234 within the range of elastic deformation of the component engaging portion 234 to limit the deformation of the component engaging portion 234. The deformation limiting portion 139 is not positioned within the range where the engagement of the component engaging portion 234 is released, allowing deformation of the component engaging portion 234 to be released from engagement.

[0085] The deformation limiting part 139 includes: a first deformation limiting part 139 that limits the deformation of the first component engaging part 234A, a second deformation limiting part 139B that limits the deformation of the second component engaging part 234B, and a third deformation limiting part 139C that limits the deformation of the third component engaging part 234C.

[0086] The first deformation limiting portion 139A is a wall opposite to the first front end portion 235A of the first component engaging portion 234A. The first deformation limiting portion 139A is located further than the first front end portion 235A on the first release direction DN1 side, i.e., the -Y direction side, of the first component engaging portion 234A. Before the first component engaging portion 234A deforms beyond the range of elastic deformation, the first deformation limiting portion 139A abuts against the first front end portion 235A. Thus, further deformation of the first component engaging portion 234A is limited, thereby reducing the possibility of breakage due to plastic deformation of the first component engaging portion 234A.

[0087] like Figure 14 as well as Figure 15 As shown, the second deformation limiting portion 139B is a wall opposite to the second component engaging portion 234B. The second deformation limiting portion 139B is a wall extending along the second direction Z. The second deformation limiting portion 139B is located on the second release direction DN2 side, i.e., the +Y direction side, of the second component engaging portion 234B, further than the second front end portion 235B. Before the second component engaging portion 234B deforms beyond its elastic deformation range, the second deformation limiting portion 139B abuts against the second front end portion 235B. This limits further deformation of the second component engaging portion 234B, thereby reducing the possibility of breakage due to plastic deformation of the second component engaging portion 234B.

[0088] like Figure 15As shown, the third deformation limiting part 139C is a wall opposite to the third front end portion 235C of the third component engaging part 234C. The third deformation limiting part 139C is located on the third release direction DN3 side, i.e., the -X direction side, of the third component engaging part 234C, which is further away from the third front end portion 235C than the third front end portion 235C. Before the third component engaging part 234C deforms beyond the range of elastic deformation, the third deformation limiting part 139C abuts against the third front end portion 235C. Thus, further deformation of the third component engaging part 234C is limited, thereby reducing the possibility of the third component engaging part 234C breaking due to plastic deformation.

[0089] According to the first embodiment described above, such as Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the movement of the adapter engagement portion 134 in the engagement release direction DN1 to DN3 can be restricted by the restraining wall 239 of the protective member 230. Therefore, even if the liquid container 20 is impacted by falling or other reasons, the possibility of the engagement between the supply member 120 and the adapter 130 being unintentionally released can be reduced. Therefore, since positional displacement of the supply member 120 can be suppressed, the occurrence of poor connection between the liquid supply portion 121 of the supply member 120 and the liquid inlet portion 32 of the liquid injection device 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, the possibility of liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion 121 to the outside can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, such as Figure 11 As shown, the component engaging portion 234 has an engaging release portion 236. Therefore, by applying external force to the engaging release portion 236 using the protrusion 424 of the clamp, the component engaging portion 234 can be easily displaced in the release direction. In other words, since the engagement of the component engaging portion 234 can be easily released using the clamp with the protrusion 424, the protective component 230 can be easily reused.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, such as Figure 11 As shown, the protective component 230 and the adapter 130 can engage in the second direction Z via the component engaging part 234. Furthermore, multiple component engaging parts 234A-234C engage in the same second direction Z, as shown... Figure 12 As shown, the front portions 235A-235C of the engagement portion 234 are positioned where the liquid container 20 is exposed when viewed from the second surface 50fb side of the adapter. Therefore, by bringing the clamp closer to the front portions 235A-235C from the first surface 50fa side of the adapter, the protrusions 424A-424C of the clamp can be easily pressed against the engagement release portions 236A-236C. This allows for easy release of the engagement between the protective component 230 using the clamp and the adapter 130.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, the multiple component engaging portions 234A to 234C engage with the adapter 130 via latches, thereby reducing the possibility that the engagement between the component engaging portions 234A to 234C and the adapter 130 may be unintentionally released.

[0093] B. Second implementation method:

[0094] Figure 16 This is a partial perspective view of the liquid container 20a according to the second embodiment. Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the protective component 230a according to the second embodiment. The liquid container 20a of the second embodiment and... Figure 9 The difference between the liquid container 20 of the first embodiment shown is the configuration of the protective member 230a of the structure 50a. Since the other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to label the same configurations as in the first embodiment in the liquid container 20a, and appropriate descriptions are omitted.

[0095] like Figure 17 As shown, the protective component 230a has a component body 232a and a component engaging portion 234. The outer shape of the component body 232a is larger than that of the component body 230a. Figure 10 The main body 232 of the component in the first embodiment shown is small in size. For example... Figure 16 As shown, the protective component 230a does not have a portion protruding outward from the adapter 130, but is assembled by detachably snapping into the adapter 130. That is, the protective component 230a is located inside the imaginary space VS of the cuboid shape that accommodates the adapter 130 in its minimum volume.

[0096] According to the second embodiment described above, having the same configuration as the first embodiment, it can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. For example, the restraining wall 239 of the protective member 230a can restrain the movement of the adapter engaging portion 134 in the engaging release direction DN1 to DN3. As a result, even if the liquid container 20a is impacted by falling or other reasons, the possibility of the engagement between the supply member 120 and the adapter 130 being unintentionally released can be reduced.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment described above, such as Figure 16 As shown, the protective component 230a is fitted to the adapter 130 without any portion protruding outward from the adapter 130. Therefore, even if the liquid container 20a collides with the ground or the like due to a drop, the likelihood of the protective component 230a colliding with the ground or the like can be reduced. Thus, since the possibility of damage to the protective component 230a can be reduced, the possibility of the engagement between the supply component 120 and the adapter 130 being unintentionally released can be further reduced.

[0098] C. Other implementation methods:

[0099] C-1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0100] In the above embodiments, the protective components 230 and 230a are provided with three component engaging portions 234, but this is not a limitation. As long as the protective components 230 and 230a can be assembled to the adapter 130, the number of component engaging portions 234 can be one, two, or more than four. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the component engaging portions 234 are assembled by engaging with the adapter 130 via latches, but this is not a limitation. For example, the liquid containers 20 and 20a can have a fixing mechanism instead of the component engaging portions 234, which fixes the protective components 230 and 230a to the adapter 130. The fixing mechanism is, for example, a bolt and nut.

[0101] C-2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0102] In the above embodiments, the directions DN1 to DN3 for releasing the engagement of each of the multiple component engaging portions 234A to 234C are different, but at least two of them may be in the same direction. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the directions DP1 to DP3 for releasing the engagement of each of the multiple adapter engaging portions 134A to 134C are different, but at least two of them may be in the same direction.

[0103] C-3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0104] In the above embodiments, the adapter 130 has a deformation limiting part 139, but it may be omitted.

[0105] C-4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0106] In the above embodiments, the liquid containers 20 and 20a contain ink, but may also contain other liquids. Examples of liquids include pigments used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays, and electrode materials used in the formation of electrodes for organic EL (Electroluminescence) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), etc.

[0107] D. Other methods:

[0108] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following aspects. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various aspects described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve part or all of the technical problems of this disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of this disclosure. In addition, if the technical feature is not described as necessary in this specification, it can also be appropriately deleted.

[0109] (1) According to one aspect of this disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container comprises: a liquid holding bag having a bag body for holding liquid and a supply member, the supply member being fitted to the bag body and supplying the liquid from the bag body to the outside; an adapter having an adapter engaging portion that engages with the supply member via a latch; and a protective member fitted to the adapter and having a restraining wall that at least restrains the movement of the adapter engaging portion in the direction of disengagement. According to this method, since the movement of the adapter engaging portion in the direction of disengagement can be restrained by the restraining wall of the protective member, the possibility of unintentional disengagement of the supply member and the adapter can be reduced even if the liquid container is impacted by dropping or other means.

[0110] (2) Alternatively, according to the above method, the supply component may have a liquid supply section having a central axis along a first direction and for which the liquid flows; the adapter and the protective component may be opposed to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; the protective component may have a component engaging portion engaging with the adapter in the second direction, and the component engaging portion extending in the second direction. According to this method, the protective component and the adapter can be engaged in the second direction by the component engaging portion.

[0111] (3) Alternatively, according to the above method, there may be multiple component engaging parts, and each of the multiple component engaging parts engages with the adapter via a snap fastener. According to this method, multiple component engaging parts engage with the adapter via snap fasteners, thereby reducing the possibility that the engagement of all component engaging parts with the adapter may be unintentionally released.

[0112] (4) According to the above method, the engagement of each of the multiple component engagement parts may be released in different directions. According to this method, even if an external force is applied to the component engagement parts due to an impact such as falling, the possibility that the engagement between the engagement parts and the adapter may be unintentionally released can be reduced.

[0113] (5) According to the above method, the adapter may also have a deformation limiting part, which abuts against the component engaging part in such a way that the deformation of the component engaging part in each of the plurality of component engaging parts is within the range of elastic deformation to limit the deformation of the component engaging part. According to this method, the possibility of component engaging part breakage can be reduced.

[0114] (6) Alternatively, the protective component may be fitted to the adapter without having a portion protruding outward from the adapter. In this manner, even if the liquid container collides with the ground due to a drop, the possibility of damage to the protective component can be reduced. This further reduces the possibility of the engagement between the supply component and the adapter being unintentionally released.

[0115] (7) Alternatively, the component engaging portion may have an engaging release portion, which applies external force through the protrusion of the clamp to release the engagement. In this manner, the engagement of the component engaging portion can be easily released using the clamp. Therefore, the protective component can be easily reused.

[0116] This disclosure can also be implemented in various ways other than those described above. For example, this disclosure can be implemented as a liquid container, a method for manufacturing a liquid container assembly, a printing system having a printing apparatus and a liquid container, etc.

Claims

1. A liquid container, characterized in that, have: A liquid containing bag, the liquid containing bag having a bag body for containing liquid and a supply component, the supply component being assembled to the bag body and supplying the liquid in the bag body to the outside; An adapter has an adapter engaging portion that engages with the supply component via a snap-fit. as well as A protective component is fitted to the adapter and has a restraining wall that at least restricts the movement of the adapter engagement portion in the engagement / disengagement direction.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supply component has a liquid supply section having a central axis along a first direction, and for the liquid to flow through. The adapter and the protective component are positioned opposite each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The protective component has a component engaging portion that engages with the adapter in the second direction, and the component engaging portion extends in the second direction.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The component has multiple engaging parts. The multiple components engage with the adapter via latches.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3, characterized in that, The engagement of each of the multiple components is released in a different direction.

5. The liquid container according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adapter has a deformation limiting part that abuts against the component engaging part within the range of elastic deformation to limit the deformation of the component engaging part.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective component is fitted to the adapter without any portion protruding outward from the adapter.

7. The liquid container according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The component engagement portion has an engagement release portion, which is subjected to external force by the protrusion of the clamp having a protrusion portion in order to release the engagement.

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