Liquid storage container

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage container which can be used even if an ink reaches a ventilation film in an atmosphere-opening channel and the ventilation film is immersed in the ink.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container comprises: a liquid storage chamber; a liquid supply port which supplies a liquid in the liquid storge chamber to the exterior thereof; a liquid supply passage which connects the liquid supply port and the liquid storage chamber; an atmosphere-opening port which introduces atmosphere into the liquid storage chamber; an atmosphere introduction path which connects the atmosphere-opening port and the liquid storge chamber; and a first film and a second film that are respectively arranged to block the atmosphere introduction path, circulate air, and do not circulate the liquid in the liquid storage chamber. The atmosphere introduction path comprises an opening / closing flow passage part which is connected to a flow passage part in which the second film is arranged, and can be in a closed state where air and the liquid in the liquid storge chamber are not circulated and in an open state where air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber are circulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid storage container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exists an ink cartridge equipped with a breathable film that allows air to pass but does not allow ink to pass through an air-opening flow path that connects the ink chamber and the air vent (Patent Document 1). In the ink cartridge of Patent Document 1, even if ink in the ink chamber flows out into the air-opening flow path, the breathable film prevents the ink from leaking outside the ink cartridge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-893 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, once ink reaches the breathable film in the atmospheric open flow passage and the breathable film is immersed in the ink, the breathable film stops the flow of air, so that air cannot flow through the atmospheric open flow passage. As a result, air cannot be taken into the ink chamber through the atmospheric open flow passage, and ink in the ink chamber cannot flow out. In other words, the ink cartridge cannot supply ink to the printing device. This problem is likely to occur, for example, when a process of refilling a used ink cartridge with ink through the atmospheric open flow passage is performed, or when the ink cartridge is subjected to an external impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container including a housing, the liquid storage container including: a liquid storage chamber provided within the housing and storing a liquid; a liquid supply port that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid storage container and is provided in the housing; a liquid supply path that is provided within the housing and connects the liquid supply port and the liquid storage chamber; an atmosphere open port that introduces air into the liquid storage chamber and is provided in the housing; an atmosphere introduction path that is provided within the housing and connects the atmosphere open port and the liquid storage chamber; a first film that is arranged to close the atmosphere introduction path and allows air to flow but prevents liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing; and a second film that is arranged to close the atmosphere introduction path and allows air to flow but prevents liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing. The air introduction path is a flow path portion connected to the flow path portion in which the second film is arranged, and includes an opening / closing flow path portion configured to be capable of taking a closed state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber do not flow, and an open state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber flow. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge IC of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge IC of the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ink cartridge IC. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a side view of the ink cartridge IC as seen from the opposite direction to that of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air introduction path 400 and a liquid supply path 300. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge IC shown in FIG. 5 cut along the line VII-VII. [Figure 8] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the release valve 4B shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9]9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the destructible portion 4Bf is destroyed and the pressed portion 4Bp is separated from the blocking wall 4W from the state shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view of an on-off valve 4V provided in an ink cartridge that is a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of an on-off valve 4V provided in an ink cartridge that is a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air introduction passage 400 and a liquid supply passage 300 in an ink cartridge IC2 of a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air introduction path 400 and a liquid supply path 300 in an ink cartridge IC3 of a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air introduction passage 400 and a liquid supply passage 300 in an ink cartridge IC4 of a fourth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. First embodiment: A1.Ink cartridge: 1 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge IC of this embodiment. The ink cartridge IC contains ink inside. The ink cartridge IC is installed in a printer and supplies ink to the printer from a liquid supply port 200. The ink cartridge IC has a housing 900 with a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape.

[0008] The housing 900 is made of polypropylene. The ink cartridge IC has a memory chip MC on one of its sides when it is installed in the printer and in use (see the lower right part of Figure 1). The memory chip MC has terminals and is electrically connected to the printer's circuitry via the terminals. Below, the terms "bottom surface" of the housing 900, "top surface" of the housing 900, and "side surface" of the housing 900 will be used based on the position when it is installed in the printer and in use.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge IC of this embodiment. The ink cartridge IC includes a rubber film GM, a coil spring SP3, and a valve cover VC inside (see the center of Fig. 2). The rubber film GM, the coil spring SP3, and the valve cover VC are stacked in that order inside the ink cartridge IC to form a differential pressure valve 325. The differential pressure valve 325 will be described later.

[0010] The ink cartridge IC is provided with a coil spring SP2, a valve V2, a seal rubber SR, and a supply port film FLsp near the bottom surface of the housing 900, near the side surface to which the memory chip MC is attached (see the lower center part of FIG. 2). The coil spring SP2, valve V2, and seal rubber SR are arranged in that order in the liquid supply path 300 near the liquid supply port 200. The supply port film FLsp seals the liquid supply port 200. The supply port film FLsp is peeled off from the housing 900 when the ink cartridge IC is to be used.

[0011] The ink cartridge IC has a prism PR on the bottom of the housing 900, near the side opposite the side on which the memory chip MC is attached (see the center of FIG. 2). A part of the prism PR is exposed inside the liquid storage chamber 121 in the ink cartridge IC. The prism PR reflects light emitted from the printer, and provides the printer with information regarding the amount of ink in the liquid storage chamber 121.

[0012] The ink cartridge IC has an air opening port 401 in a portion of one side of the housing 900, the side connected to the side on which the memory chip MC is attached, near the side opposite the side on which the memory chip MC is attached (see the upper left part of FIG. 2). The air opening port 401 is sealed by a peelable sealing film FLe (see the upper left part of FIG. 1). The sealing film FLe has a peelable urethane adhesive layer on its surface. The sealing film FLe is peelably attached to the housing 900 by the urethane adhesive. The sealing film FLe does not allow the ink contained in the liquid containing chambers 117, 121 in the ink cartridge IC to flow.

[0013] With this configuration, before the ink cartridge IC is first used, ink that flows out from the capture portion 4C to the portion on the atmosphere open port 401 side within the atmosphere introduction path 400 can be prevented from flowing out through the atmosphere open port 401. The capture portion 4C will be described later.

[0014] When the ink cartridge IC is used, the sealing film FLe is peeled off from the housing 900. That is, the atmosphere open port 401 is opened. The atmosphere open port 401 allows air to circulate between the outside of the ink cartridge IC and the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 via the atmosphere introduction path 400. As a result, ink can be appropriately delivered from the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 to the liquid supply port 200.

[0015] The remaining portion of the one side surface of the housing 900 to which the sealing film FLe is attached is sealed by a partition film FLp (see the lower left part of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The partition film FLp will be described later.

[0016] The side surface of the housing 900 opposite to the side surface to which the sealing film FLe is attached is sealed with an inner film FLi (see the upper right part of FIG. 2). The side surface sealed with the inner film FLi is further covered with a lid 910.

[0017] A label Lb (see the upper center part of FIG. 2) is attached to the top surface of the housing 900. Information indicating the color of ink contained in the ink cartridge IC is printed on the label Lb.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a side view of the ink cartridge IC, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a side view of the ink cartridge IC seen from the opposite direction to that in Fig. 3.

[0019] The ink cartridge IC includes liquid storage chambers 117, 121, a liquid supply port 200, a liquid supply path 300, an air open port 401, and an air introduction path 400. The liquid storage chambers 117, 121 are provided in a housing 900 and store ink (see the upper right and lower right parts of FIG. 5). The liquid storage chambers 117, 121 are connected by a communication path 120 provided in the ink cartridge IC. Specifically, the communication path 120 distributes ink received from the liquid storage chamber 117 through circulation holes 118, 119, and supplies the ink to the liquid storage chamber 121 (see the middle left part of FIG. 3 and the middle right part of FIG. 5).

[0020] The liquid supply port 200 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 900 (see the lower right part of FIG. 3 and the lower left part of FIG. 5). The liquid supply port 200 supplies ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 to the outside of the ink cartridge IC, i.e., to the printer.

[0021] The liquid supply path 300 is provided in the housing 900. The liquid supply path 300 connects the liquid supply port 200 and the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121. Specifically, the liquid supply path 300 distributes ink received from the liquid storage chamber 121 through the distribution holes 322, 323, 324, 326, and 327 and the flow path portion 328, and supplies the ink to the liquid supply port 200 (see the lower center portion and middle left portion of FIG. 5, and FIG. 4).

[0022] The liquid supply path 300 includes a differential pressure valve 325 (see the upper part of FIG. 4 and the center part of FIG. 2). The differential pressure valve 325 is composed of a wall part constituting the housing 900, a rubber film GM, a coil spring SP3, and a valve cover VC. The differential pressure valve 325 opens the liquid supply path 300 when the downstream pressure, which is the pressure in the flow path part of the liquid supply path 300 between the differential pressure valve 325 and the liquid supply port 200, is smaller than the upstream pressure, which is the pressure in the flow path part of the liquid supply path 300 between the differential pressure valve 325 and the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, and the difference between the downstream pressure and the upstream pressure is larger than a predetermined value. The differential pressure valve 325 blocks the liquid supply path 300 when the difference between the downstream pressure and the upstream pressure is smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined value or the downstream pressure is larger than the upstream pressure.

[0023] With this configuration, ink can be appropriately supplied from the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 toward the liquid supply port 200, and ink can be prevented from flowing in the opposite direction.

[0024] As described above, the air vent 401 is provided in one side of the housing 900, in a portion near the side opposite the side on which the memory chip MC is attached (see the upper left part of FIG. 3). The air vent 401 introduces air into the liquid storage chambers 117, 121.

[0025] The air introduction path 400 is provided inside the housing 900. The air introduction path 400 connects the air open port 401 and the liquid storage chambers 117, 121. Specifically, the air introduction path 400 introduces air via the air open port 401, circulates the air through the circulation holes 402, 405A, 405B, 406, 407, 415, 416, and supplies the air to the liquid storage chamber 117 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0026] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the atmosphere introduction path 400 and the liquid supply path 300. The atmosphere introduction path 400 includes, in the direction from the atmosphere opening 401 toward the liquid storage chamber 117, a bent flow path portion 403, a film chamber 404A, an air chamber 4H1A, a connecting flow path 4H1C, air chambers 408, 409, a capture portion 4C, and air chambers 414, 415 (see the upper left part of FIG. 6, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5). The atmosphere introduction path 400 further includes a flow path portion including a film chamber 404B, an air chamber 4H1B, and a breaker valve 4B in parallel with the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A and the air chamber 4H1A (see the upper right part of FIG. 6). These two flow path portions merge at the connecting flow path 4H1C (see the center part of FIG. 6).

[0027] The bent flow path section 403 is located in the atmosphere introduction path 400 between the atmosphere opening 401 and the breathable films FLvA, LvB (see the upper left part of FIG. 3 and the upper left part of FIG. 6). The bent flow path section 403 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the front and rear flow path sections and includes a pair of flow path sections that circulate air in directions that differ by 180 degrees from each other. In this embodiment, the bent flow path section 403 includes three pairs of flow path sections. Note that the atmosphere introduction path 400 does not include such a bent flow path section 403 between the capture section 4C and the liquid storage chambers 117, 121.

[0028] With this configuration, the amount of volatile components of the ink inside the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 that evaporates through the air introduction passage 400 can be reduced.

[0029] The flow path portion including the film chamber 404A and the air chamber 4H1A connects the bent flow path portion 403 and the connecting flow path 4H1C in parallel with the flow path portion including the film chamber 404B, the air chamber 4H1B, and the rupture valve 4B (see the upper left part of FIG. 6).

[0030] The air introduction passage 400 is blocked by the ventilation film FLvA in the film chamber 404A (see the center of FIG. 2 and the upper center of FIG. 3). The ventilation film FLvA is welded to the upper end of a wall that surrounds the circulation hole 405A and is lower than the surrounding wall, and separates the space surrounded by the lower wall from the surrounding space surrounding the lower wall. As a result, the ventilation film FLvA blocks the air introduction passage 400. The space that includes these components is the film chamber 404A (see the upper center of FIG. 3 and the upper center of FIG. 2). The film chamber 404A is a flow path that constitutes part of the air introduction passage 400. The film chamber 404A communicates with the air chamber 4H1A via the circulation hole 405A (see the upper left part of FIG. 6, the upper center of FIG. 3, and the upper center of FIG. 5).

[0031] The breathable film FLvA is made of a material that allows air to pass through but does not allow the ink contained in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 to pass through. Specifically, the breathable film FLvA is made of a film having micropores that are large enough to allow gaseous oxygen and nitrogen molecules to pass through but not liquid molecules to pass through.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent liquid that flows out from capture part 4C to the part on the atmosphere open port 401 side in atmosphere introduction path 400 from flowing out to the outside through the flow path part including film chamber 404A and atmosphere open port 401 (see the center part of FIG. 6). Capture part 4C will be described later.

[0033] The air chamber 4H1A is connected to the film chamber 404A via a flow hole 405A (see the upper center of FIG. 5). The air chamber 4H1A is connected to the connection flow path 4H1C via a flow hole 406 (see the upper left part of FIG. 5, the upper right part of FIG. 3, and the upper left part of FIG. 6).

[0034] The ink cartridge IC of this embodiment is provided with an air chamber 4H1A on the side of the liquid storage chamber 117 with respect to the film chamber 404A (see the upper left part of FIG. 6). Therefore, even if ink flows out from the liquid storage chamber 117 into the air introduction path 400, the ink can be captured by the air chamber 4H1A. Therefore, the breathable film FLvA in the film chamber 404A is unlikely to be soaked with ink. As a result, the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A is unlikely to be closed.

[0035] Connection flow path 4H1C constitutes a part of atmosphere introduction path 400 (see the upper right part of FIG. 3). Connection flow path 4H1C connects through hole 406, through hole 407, and break valve 4B. Break valve 4B will be described later.

[0036] The flow path portion including the film chamber 404B, the air chamber 4H1B, and the breaker valve 4B connects the bent flow path section 403 and the connecting flow path 4H1C in parallel with the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A and the air chamber 4H1A (see the upper right part of FIG. 6). Of these flow path portions, the flow path portion that connects the film chamber 404B and the connecting flow path 4H1C is referred to as the "opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1."

[0037] The film chamber 404B has the same configuration as the film chamber 404A (see the upper center of FIG. 3). That is, the film chamber 404B is a flow path that constitutes part of the air introduction path 400. The air introduction path 400 is blocked by the ventilation film FLvB in the film chamber 404B (see the center of FIG. 2 and the upper center of FIG. 3). The ventilation film FLvA is welded to the upper end of a wall that surrounds the circulation hole 405B and is lower than the surrounding wall, and separates the space surrounded by the lower wall from the surrounding space surrounding the lower wall. As a result, the ventilation film FLvB blocks the air introduction path 400. The space that includes these components is the film chamber 404B (see the upper center of FIG. 3 and the upper center of FIG. 2). The film chamber 404B communicates with the air chamber 4H1B via the communication hole 405B (see the upper right part of FIG. 6, the upper center part of FIG. 3, and the upper left part of FIG. 5). The configuration of the breathable film FLvB is the same as the configuration of the breathable film FLvA.

[0038] By adopting such an embodiment, it is possible to prevent liquid within the atmosphere introduction path 400 that flows out from the capture portion 4C to the portion on the atmosphere open port 401 side from flowing out to the outside through the atmosphere open port 401 via the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 which includes the film chamber 404B (see the center of Figure 6).

[0039] The open / close flow path portion 4OC1 is connected to the film chamber 404B (see the upper right part of FIG. 6). The open / close flow path portion 4OC1 can be in a closed state, which does not allow the flow of air and the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, and an open state, which allows the flow of air and the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, by the rupture valve 4B. The open / close flow path portion 4OC1 includes an air chamber 4H1B and a rupture valve 4B.

[0040] Air chamber 4H1B is connected to film chamber 404B via communication hole 405B (see the upper center part of FIG. 5). Air chamber 4H1B can be connected to connection flow path 4H1C via break valve 4B (see the upper left part of FIG. 5, the upper right part of FIG. 3, and the upper right part of FIG. 6).

[0041] The ink cartridge IC of this embodiment is provided with an air chamber 4H1B on the side of the liquid storage chamber 117 with respect to the film chamber 404B (see the upper right part of FIG. 6). Therefore, even if ink flows out from the liquid storage chamber 117 into the air introduction path 400, the ink can be captured by the air chamber 4H1B. Therefore, the breathable film FLvB in the film chamber 404B is unlikely to be soaked with ink. As a result, the opening and closing flow path portion 4OC1 including the film chamber 404A is unlikely to be in a closed state.

[0042] The rupture valve 4B can communicate between the air chamber 4H1B and the connection flow path 4H1C (see the middle right part of FIG. 6, the upper left part of FIG. 5, and the upper right part of FIG. 3). However, before the ink cartridge IC is started to be used, the rupture valve 4B is in a closed state. As a result, before the ink cartridge IC is started to be used, the opening and closing flow path part 4OC1 connected to the film chamber 404B is in a closed state. For this reason, the air in the opening and closing flow path part 4OC1 cannot flow out to the outside of the ink cartridge IC through the atmosphere open port 401. As a result, the ink contained in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 cannot flow into the opening and closing flow path part 4OC1.

[0043] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 from reaching the breathable film FLvB and blocking the breathable film FLvB during initial use.

[0044] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge IC shown in Fig. 5 cut along the line VII-VII. The line VII-VII passes through the position where breaker valve 4B is disposed in ink cartridge IC.

[0045] The opening / closing flow passage portion 4OC1 including a part of the connection flow passage 4H1C includes a partition film FLp and a blocking wall 4W (see the upper center and left parts of FIG. 5 and the lower left part of FIG. 7).

[0046] The partition film FLp defines a part of the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 and is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge IC (see the upper center and left parts of FIG. 2). The partition film FLp is made of an elastically deformable material. More specifically, the partition film FLp includes a layer made of a polyolefin-based synthetic resin and a layer made of a polyethylene terephthalate-based synthetic resin. The partition film FLp is welded to the housing 900 at the layer made of the polyolefin-based synthetic resin.

[0047] The blocking wall 4W constitutes a part of the housing 900 (see the lower left part of FIG. 7). The blocking wall 4W closes the opening and closing flow path portion 4OC1. In other words, the blocking wall 4W does not allow air and the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 to flow into the opening and closing flow path portion 4OC1. More specifically, the blocking wall 4W separates the air chamber 4H1B and the connection flow path 4H1C (see the upper center part of FIG. 5 and the middle right part of FIG. 6).

[0048] A rupture valve 4B is provided in the blocking wall 4W (see the upper center part of FIG. 5 and the lower left part of FIG. 7). The rupture valve 4B can communicate between the air chamber 4H1B and the connecting flow path 4H1C, which are separated by the blocking wall 4W (see the middle right part of FIG. 6).

[0049] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing, in an enlarged scale, the break valve 4B shown in Fig. 7. The break valve 4B includes a pressed portion 4Bp and a breakable portion 4Bf.

[0050] The pressed portion 4Bp is a cylindrical member. The pressed portion 4Bp is provided on the blocking wall 4W in such a position that the central axis of the cylinder is perpendicular to the partition film FLp. The pressed portion 4Bp is pressed from the outside of the ink cartridge IC through the partition film FLp and displaced in the direction of the central axis (see arrow AP in FIG. 8).

[0051] The destructible portion 4Bf is connected to the pressed portion 4Bp. More specifically, the destructible portion 4Bf has a flange-like configuration protruding from the pressed portion 4Bp in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. The destructible portion 4Bf constitutes a part of the blocking wall 4W. The destructible portion 4Bf is destroyed in association with the above-mentioned displacement of the pressed portion 4Bp, causing the pressed portion 4Bp to separate from the blocking wall 4W. As a result, the pressed portion 4Bp moves into the air chamber 4H1B (see the left part of FIG. 7).

[0052] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the destructible portion 4Bf is destroyed and the pressed portion 4Bp is detached from the blocking wall 4W from the state shown in FIG. 8. As a result of the pressed portion 4Bp being detached from the blocking wall 4W, an opening OP is formed in the blocking wall 4W. The opening OP communicates the air chamber 4H1B and the connecting flow path 4H1C, which are separated by the blocking wall 4W (see the upper center part of FIG. 5 and the upper right part of FIG. 3). That is, the state shown in FIG. 9 is the open state of the rupture valve 4B. In this state, the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 connected to the film chamber 404B is in the open state (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). The transition of the rupture valve 4B from the closed state to the open state is irreversible because it is accompanied by the destruction of the destructible portion 4Bf.

[0053] With this configuration, the opening / closing flow passage portion 4OC1 can be switched between the closed and open states with a simple configuration by the blocking wall 4W. Also, the opening / closing flow passage portion 4OC1 can be switched from the closed state to the open state with a simple operation from outside the ink cartridge IC via the partition film FLp.

[0054] When the breaker valve 4B is in the state shown in Fig. 9, air outside the ink cartridge IC can flow into the ink cartridge IC from the atmosphere opening 401, pass through the open / close flow path portion 4OC1, and flow into the liquid storage chambers 117, 121. That is, even if the entire breathable film FLvA is immersed in ink and the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A is blocked, air outside the ink cartridge IC can flow into the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 via the open / close flow path portion 4OC1. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 can be sent out of the ink cartridge IC. That is, the ink cartridge IC can supply ink to the printing device.

[0055] In the ink cartridge IC, the air chambers 4H1A, 4H1B, which form part of the atmosphere introduction path 400, are located vertically above the capture portion 4C described later in the attitude of the liquid storage container IC when ink is supplied to the outside from the liquid supply port 200 of the liquid storage container IC (see the upper center and lower left parts of Figure 5).

[0056] With this configuration, even if there is ink that has passed through the capture portion 4C, the ink will not reach the breathable films FLvA and FlvB unless it rises against gravity and reaches the air chambers 4H1A and 4H1B located vertically above. This reduces the possibility that the ink that has passed through the capture portion 4C will come into contact with the breathable films FLvA and FlvB. As a result, the possibility that the entire breathable films FLvA and FlvB will become wet with ink, preventing air from circulating in the atmosphere introduction path 400, is reduced.

[0057] Air chambers 408, 409 are chambers for retaining air in the middle of air introduction path 400 (see the middle part of FIG. 6, and the upper left part and the lower left part of FIG. 5).

[0058] The capture portion 4C constitutes a part of the air introduction passage 400 (see the middle part of FIG. 6, the lower right part of FIG. 3, the lower left part of FIG. 5, and the lower right part of FIG. 6). The capture portion 4C functions to capture ink that has entered the air introduction passage 400. The capture portion 4C includes a first region 4C1, a second region 4C2, and a third region 4C3.

[0059] Specifically, the first area 4C1 is made up of four cylindrical spaces 410, 411, 412, and 413. The cylindrical spaces 410, 411, 412, and 413 extend in a direction parallel to one another. The cylindrical spaces 410, 411, 412, and 413 extend in a direction that coincides with the horizontal direction when the ink cartridge IC is installed in the printer and in use. Air introduced from the atmosphere opening 401 flows through the first areas 410, 411, 412, and 413 in order in the capture section 4C.

[0060] The second region 4C2 is provided on the side of the housing 900 that faces the partition film FLp (see FIG. 2 and the lower right part of FIG. 3). The second region 4C2 is a flow path portion 4C21, 4C22 that extends in a direction different from the first region 4C1. More specifically, the flow path portion 4C21, 4C22 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first regions 410, 411, 412, 413 extend. The flow path portion 4C21, 4C22 extends in a direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the ink cartridge IC is installed in the printer and in use.

[0061] The second area 4C21 is connected to the first area 410 via a circular opening having a circular outer shape provided in a wall portion 1402 constituting a part of the ink cartridge IC (see the lower right part of FIG. 3). The second area 4C21 is connected to the first area 411 via a circular opening having a circular outer shape provided in the wall portion 1402.

[0062] The second region 4C22 is connected to the first region 412 via a circular opening having a circular outer shape that is provided in the wall portion 1402. The second region 4C22 is connected to the first region 413 via a circular opening having a circular outer shape that is provided in the wall portion 1402 that constitutes a part of the ink cartridge IC. Due to this configuration, the circular opening can exchange ink with the second region 4C2 regardless of the orientation of the ink cartridge IC.

[0063] The third region 4C3 is provided on the side of the housing 900 facing the inner film FLi (see the lower left part of FIG. 5). The third region 4C3 is a flow path portion extending in a direction different from the first region 4C1 and the second region 4C2. More specifically, the third region 4C3 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first regions 410, 411, 412, and 413 extend, and in a direction twisted with the direction in which the second regions 4C21 and 4C22 extend.

[0064] The third region 4C3 is connected to the first region 411 through a circular opening having a circular outer shape (see the lower left part of FIG. 5). The third region 4C3 is connected to the first region 412 through a circular opening having a circular outer shape.

[0065] As a result, the air introduced from the atmosphere opening 401 flows through the capture section 4C in the order of the first region 410, the second region 4C21, the first region 411, the third region 4C3, the first region 412, the second region 4C22, and the first region 413.

[0066] With this configuration, even if the ink cartridge IC is arranged in various orientations, the ink can be captured by the first region 4C1, the second region 4C2, and the third region 4C3, which are included in the capture portion 4C constituting a part of the atmosphere introduction path 400 and extend in different directions. As a result, the possibility that the ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 will leak out through the atmosphere opening port 401 can be reduced.

[0067] The air chambers 414, 415 are chambers for retaining air in the middle of the air introduction path 400 (see the middle part of FIG. 6, and the upper left part and the lower left part of FIG. 5).

[0068] The liquid supply path 300 supplies ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 to the liquid supply port 200 via a differential pressure valve 325 (see the lower part of FIG. 6 and FIG. 4).

[0069] According to this embodiment, when the breathable film FLvA is not blocked by ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the blocking wall 4W closes the open / close flow passage portion 4OC1, allowing air to flow to the air introduction passage 400 through the breathable film FLvA. On the other hand, for example, during the ink refill process, when the breathable film FLvA is blocked by ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the rupture valve 4B opens the open / close flow passage portion 4OC1, allowing air to flow to the air introduction passage 400 through the breathable film FLvB. Therefore, even after the breathable film FLvA is blocked by the liquid flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 117, 121 can be supplied to the outside. As a result, the possibility that the used ink cartridge IC can be refilled with ink and reused can be increased. This reduces the burden on the environment.

[0070] In this embodiment, the ink cartridge IC is also called the "liquid container". The ink is also called the "liquid". The breathable film FLvA is also called the "first film". The breathable film FLvB is also called the "second film". The partition film FLp is also called the "elastic wall".

[0071] A2. Modification of the first embodiment: The ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment described above is provided with a break valve 4B in an opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 that constitutes part of the atmosphere introduction path 400 (see the upper center part of FIG. 5 and the lower left part of FIG. 7). However, the ink cartridge IC can also be provided with an opening / closing valve 4V instead of the break valve 4B (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). Note that in FIG. 6, the break valve 4B and the opening / closing valve 4V that are provided as alternatives are referred to as "valves".

[0072] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an on-off valve 4V provided in an ink cartridge that is a modification of the first embodiment. The on-off valve 4V is provided in the same location as the break valve 4B in the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment (see the lower left part of Fig. 7, the upper right part of Fig. 3, and the upper left part of Fig. 5). The on-off valve 4V can be in a closed state in which air and ink in the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 do not flow through the on-off flow path portion 4OC1, and an open state in which air and liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 flow through the on-off flow path portion 4OC1. The on-off valve 4V includes a valve body 4Vb and a leaf spring 4Vs.

[0073] The valve body 4Vb is disposed so as to penetrate an opening OP2 provided in the blocking wall 4W. The valve body 4Vb has a sliding portion 4Vb1 and a sealing portion 4Vb2. The sliding portion 4Vb1 penetrates the opening OP2. The sealing portion 4Vb2 is disposed on the air chamber 4H1B side with respect to the blocking wall 4W. The sealing portion 4Vb2 has an outer shape that includes the opening OP2 when projected in the central axis direction of the opening OP2. When the valve body 4Vb is pressed toward the blocking wall 4W, the sealing portion 4Vb2 comes into close contact with the blocking wall 4W that defines the opening OP2, thereby sealing the opening OP2.

[0074] The leaf spring 4Vs is disposed on the air chamber 4H1B side. Before the ink cartridge IC is used, the leaf spring 4Vs is elastically deformed by having the position of its free end restricted by the claw portion 4Vn provided on the housing 900 toward the opening OP2 with respect to the claw portion 4Vn. In this state, the leaf spring 4Vs presses the valve body 4Vb toward the blocking wall 4W. As a result, the valve body 4Vb seals the opening OP2. In other words, the opening / closing valve 4V is in a closed state in which air and ink in the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 do not flow through the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of the on-off valve 4V provided in an ink cartridge according to a modification of the first embodiment. The valve body 4Vb is pressed from the outside of the ink cartridge IC via the partition film FLp and displaced (arrow AP2 in FIG. 10). The leaf spring 4Vs is pressed by the valve body 4Vb and elastically deforms, and the free end of the leaf spring 4Vs is released from the restriction by the claw portion 4Vn. That is, the leaf spring 4Vs no longer presses the valve body 4Vb toward the blocking wall 4W. As a result, the sealing portion 4Vb2 of the valve body 4Vb moves away from the blocking wall 4W that defines the opening OP2. In this state, the air and the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 can flow through the gap between the opening OP2 and the sliding portion 4Vb1 of the valve body 4Vb. That is, the on-off valve 4V is in an open state in which the air and the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117 and 121 flow through the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1. In this manner, the on-off valve 4V transitions from a closed state to an open state in response to the displacement of the valve element 4Vb.

[0076] With this configuration, the on-off valve 4V can switch the on-off flow passage portion 4OC1 between a closed state and an open state. Also, the on-off flow passage portion 4OC1 can be switched from a closed state to an open state by a simple operation from outside the ink cartridge IC via the partition film FLp.

[0077] In this modified example, the on-off valve 4V is also called a “valve mechanism.” The valve body 4Vb is also called a “pressed portion.”

[0078] B. Second embodiment: The ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment is provided with an air chamber 4H1B and a breaker valve 4B in an opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 connected to a film chamber 404B (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). An air chamber 4H1A is provided in a flow path portion parallel to the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1. A connecting flow path 4H1C joins these two flow paths. However, the above flow path portion can have a different configuration. Below, the configuration of the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment that differs from the configuration of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment will be described. The configuration of the ink cartridge IC2 not described below is the same as the configuration of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment.

[0079] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the atmosphere introduction path 400 and the liquid supply path 300 in the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment. The ink cartridge IC2 has an open / close flow path portion 4OC2 instead of the open / close flow path portion 4OC1 (see the middle right part of Figure 12). In the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment, the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 is part of the connection flow path 4H1C (see the center part of Figure 12 and the center part of Figure 6). The open / close flow path portion 4OC2 does not have an air chamber 4H1B or a breaker valve 4B.

[0080] Ink cartridge IC2 has a flow path portion parallel to the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2 (see the middle left part of FIG. 12). The flow path portion parallel to the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2 is part of the connection flow path 4H1C (see the center part of FIG. 12 and the center part of FIG. 6). The flow path portion parallel to the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2 does not have an air chamber 4H1A.

[0081] The ink cartridge IC2 is provided with a selector 4S in the connection flow path 4H1C (see the center of FIG. 12). The selector 4S selectively opens the flow path portion parallel to the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 and the open / close flow path portion 4OC2. That is, when one of the flow path portion parallel to the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 and the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 is in an open state, the other is in a closed state. Ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 does not flow through the film chamber 404A or the film chamber 404B included in the flow path portion in the closed state among the flow path portion parallel to the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 and the open / close flow path portion 4OC2 (see the lower part of FIG. 12). As a result, the flow path portion is not blocked by the ventilation film FLvA or the ventilation film FLvB being immersed in ink.

[0082] In the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment, when the breathable film FLvA is not blocked by ink that has flowed out from the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, the selector 4S closes the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2, allowing air to circulate through the air introduction path 400 via the breathable film FLvA. When the breathable film FLvA is blocked by ink that has flowed out from the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, the selector 4S opens the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2, allowing air to circulate through the air introduction path 400 via the breathable film FLvB. Therefore, even after the breathable film FLvA is blocked by liquid that has flowed out from the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, the liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 can be supplied to the outside.

[0083] The selector 4S in the second embodiment is also called a "valve mechanism."

[0084] C. Third embodiment: The ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment, like the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment, has a pair of an air open port 401 and a curved flow path portion 403 (see the upper part of FIG. 12 and the upper left part of FIG. 3). However, the ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment has, in addition to the pair of air open port 401A and curved flow path portion 403A, an additional pair of air open port 401B and curved flow path portion 403B. The other configuration of the ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment.

[0085] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the atmosphere introduction path 400 and the liquid supply path 300 in the ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment. The ink cartridge IC3 is provided with an atmosphere open port 401A for introducing atmosphere into the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, the atmosphere open port 401A being provided in the housing 900 (see the upper left part of Fig. 13). The ink cartridge IC3 further is provided with an additional atmosphere open port 401B for introducing atmosphere into the liquid storage chambers 117, 121, the atmosphere open port 401B being provided in the housing 900 (see the upper right part of Fig. 13). The function of the atmosphere open ports 401A, 401B is the same as the atmosphere open port 401 of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment.

[0086] In the ink cartridge IC3, the air introduction channel 400 includes a first outlet channel portion 4EXA and a second outlet channel portion 4EXB (see the upper part of FIG. 13). The second outlet channel portion 4EXB is provided in parallel with the first outlet channel portion 4EXA.

[0087] The first outlet flow path portion 4EXA connects the film chamber 404A including the ventilation film FLvA to the atmosphere opening port 401A (see the upper left part of FIG. 13). The first outlet flow path portion 4EXA includes a bent flow path portion 403A. The function of the bent flow path portion 403A is the same as that of the bent flow path portion 403 of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment.

[0088] The second outlet flow path portion 4EXB connects the film chamber 404B, which includes the ventilation film FLvB, to the additional atmosphere opening 401B (see the upper right part of FIG. 13). The second outlet flow path portion 4EXB includes a bent flow path portion 403B. The function of the bent flow path portion 403B is the same as that of the bent flow path portion 403 of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment.

[0089] With this configuration, even if the breathable film FLvA is blocked by liquid that has entered through the atmosphere open port 401A and passed through the first outlet flow path portion 4EXA, the possibility that the breathable film FLvB will be blocked at the same time can be reduced. Air can be supplied to the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 via the additional atmosphere open port 401B, the second outlet flow path portion 4EXB, and the breathable film FLvB.

[0090] In the ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment, the selector 4SB selectively opens the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2 and the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2. As a result, when the breathable film FLvA is not blocked by ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the selector 4SB closes the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2, allowing air to flow to the air introduction path 400 via the breathable film FLvA. When the breathable film FLvA is blocked by ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the selector 4SB opens the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC2, allowing air to flow to the air introduction path 400 via the breathable film FLvB. Therefore, even after the breathable film FLvA is blocked by liquid flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 117, 121 can be supplied to the outside.

[0091] D. Fourth embodiment: The ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment is provided with an air chamber 4H1B and a breaker valve 4B in an opening / closing flow passage portion 4OC1 that constitutes part of the air introduction passage 400 (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). An air chamber 4H1A is provided in a flow passage portion parallel to the opening / closing flow passage portion 4OC1. A connecting flow passage 4H1C joins these two flow passages. However, the above flow passage portion can also have a different configuration. Below, the points of the configuration of the ink cartridge IC4 of the fourth embodiment that differ from the configuration of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment will be described. The configuration of the ink cartridge IC4 that is not described below is the same as the configuration of the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment.

[0092] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of air introduction path 400 and liquid supply path 300 in ink cartridge IC4 of the fourth embodiment. In ink cartridge IC4, film chamber 404A and film chamber 404B are arranged in series in the order of film chamber 404A, film chamber 404B in the direction from liquid storage chamber 117 toward air open port 401 (see the upper part of Fig. 14). Ink cartridge IC4 does not include air chambers 4H1A, 4H1B. Ink cartridge IC4 includes opening and closing flow path portion 4OC4 (see the upper right part of Fig. 14).

[0093] The open / close flow path portion 4OC4 is arranged in parallel with the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A. The open / close flow path portion 4OC4 branches off from the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A at a portion of the atmosphere introduction path 400 upstream of the film chamber 404A. The open / close flow path portion 4OC4 merges with the flow path portion including the film chamber 404A at a portion of the atmosphere introduction path 400 downstream of the film chamber 404A. The open / close flow path portion 4OC4 is equipped with an open / close valve 4VC.

[0094] The on-off valve 4VC can be in a closed state in which air and ink in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 do not flow through the on-off flow path portion 4OC4, and in an open state in which air and liquid in the liquid storage chambers 117, 121 flow through the on-off flow path portion 4OC4. In other words, the on-off valve 4VC realizes the closed and open states of the on-off flow path portion 4OC4. Before the ink cartridge IC is in a state in which it is first used, the on-off flow path portion 4OC4 connected to the film chamber 404B is in a closed state.

[0095] According to the fourth embodiment, when the breathable film FLvA is not blocked by the ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the on-off valve 4VC closes the on-off flow passage portion 4OC4, allowing air to flow to the atmosphere introduction passage 400 via the breathable film FLvA. When the breathable film FLvA is blocked by the ink flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the on-off valve 4VC opens the on-off flow passage portion 4OC4, bypassing the film chamber 404A, allowing air to flow to the atmosphere introduction passage 400 via the breathable film FLvB that is not immersed in ink. Therefore, even after the breathable film FLvA is blocked by the liquid flowing out from the liquid storage chamber 117, 121, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 117, 121 can be supplied to the outside.

[0096] The on-off valve 4VC in the fourth embodiment is also called a "valve mechanism."

[0097] E. Other embodiments: E1. Alternative embodiment 1: (1) In the above embodiment, the partition film FLp includes a layer made of a polyolefin-based synthetic resin and a layer made of a polyethylene terephthalate-based synthetic resin. The partition film FLp is welded to the housing 900 at the layer made of the polyolefin-based synthetic resin (see the left part of FIG. 2). However, the partition film FLp may not include a layer made of a polyolefin-based synthetic resin and may be adhered to the housing 900 with an adhesive. That is, the material that defines a part of the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 may be any material that has elasticity.

[0098] (2) In the first embodiment described above, the ink cartridge IC is provided with a rupture valve 4B in the open / close flow path portion 4OC1 (see the lower left part of FIG. 7). The transition of the rupture valve 4B from a closed state to an open state is irreversible because it involves the destruction of the destructible portion 4Bf (see FIGS. 8 and 9). However, the open / close flow path portion can also be configured to include an open / close valve that can reversibly transition from a closed state to an open state. In such an embodiment, the number of times the ink cartridge can be reused can be increased, reducing the burden on the environment.

[0099] (3) In the second embodiment, ink cartridge IC2 has a selector 4S in connection flow path 4H1C (see the middle part of FIG. 12). However, ink cartridge IC2 may further have a selector in the flow path connecting bent flow path section 403 to film chamber 404A and film chamber 404B (see the top part of FIG. 12). This selector can selectively open the flow path portion connecting bent flow path section 403 to film chamber 404A and the flow path portion connecting bent flow path section 403 to film chamber 404B. In other words, when one of the flow path portion toward film chamber 404A and the flow path portion toward film chamber 404B is open, the other is closed.

[0100] (4) In the first embodiment, the ink cartridge IC is provided with a break valve 4B in the opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). In the second embodiment, the ink cartridge IC2 is provided with a selector 4S in the connecting flow path 4H1C (see the middle part of FIG. 12). However, the ink cartridge may be configured so that the flow path leading to the ventilation film FLvB can be opened by processing to open a hole in the blocking wall 4W, without providing the break valve 4B or selector 4S.

[0101] (5) In any of the ink cartridges of the above embodiments, it is preferable that the open / close flow passage portion is in a closed state before the ink cartridge IC is started to be used. The open / close flow passage portion may always transition from the closed state to the open state after the ink cartridge is refilled with ink, or may transition from the closed state to the open state when the air introduction path 400 is detected to be blocked in a test to detect the flow of air in the air introduction path 400.

[0102] (6) In the ink cartridge IC of the first embodiment, the air introduction path 400 has the film chambers 404A and 404B in parallel with the air opening port 401 (see the upper part of FIG. 6). The air introduction path 400 has an opening / closing flow path portion 4OC1 that is provided in parallel with the flow path portion connected to the film chamber 404A (see the middle right part of FIG. 6). On the other hand, in the ink cartridge IC4 of the fourth embodiment, the air introduction path 400 has the film chambers 404A and 404B in series with the air opening port 401 (see the upper part of FIG. 14). The air introduction path 400 has an opening / closing flow path portion 4OC4 that branches off from the flow path portion connected to the film chamber 404A and is provided in parallel with the film chamber 404A itself (see the middle right part of FIG. 14). In this way, the flow path portion in which the first film is arranged and the flow path portion in which the second film is arranged may be provided in parallel or in series.

[0103] (7) In the first embodiment, the ink cartridge IC includes a film chamber 404A having a ventilation film FLvA, and a film chamber 404B having a ventilation film FLvB. The ink cartridge may also be configured to include three or more ventilation films.

[0104] (8) In the above embodiment, the technology of the present disclosure is described using an ink cartridge that supplies ink to a printer as an example. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to ink cartridges that supply ink to a printer, and can be applied to various liquid storage containers that supply liquid to the outside. For example, the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to a liquid storage container that supplies liquid to a device that forms a pattern on a printed circuit board.

[0105] E2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the first embodiment, before the ink cartridge IC is used, the opening and closing flow passage portion 4OC1 connected to the film chamber 404B is in a closed state (see FIG. 8 and 4B in FIG. 8). However, before the ink cartridge is used, the opening and closing flow passage portion connected to the film chamber may be in an open state. For example, in the ink cartridge IC2 of the second embodiment and the ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment, the selectors 4S and 4SB may open the flow passage portion connected to any one of the multiple film chambers.

[0106] E3. Alternative embodiment 3: In the first embodiment described above, the pressed portion 4Bp of the breaker valve 4B is pressed from the outside of the ink cartridge IC via the partition film FLp made of an elastically deformable material, and is displaced in the direction of the central axis (see arrow AP in FIG. 8). However, the valve that changes the opening / closing flow path portion from a closed state to an open state can also be configured in such a way that a portion of it is exposed to the outside and can be operated without using a film made of an elastically deformable material.

[0107] E4. Alternative embodiment 4: In the modified example of the first embodiment, the on-off valve 4V transitions from a closed state to an open state in response to the displacement of the valve body 4Vb (see Figs. 10 and 11). However, a valve that changes an opening / closing flow path portion from a closed state to an open state may also be configured to transition from a closed state to an open state in response to an angular displacement caused by a rotational operation that does not involve a displacement of the position of the valve body.

[0108] E5. Alternative embodiment 5: Ink cartridge IC3 of the third embodiment has an additional pair of atmosphere open port 401B and bent flow path portion 403B in addition to one pair of atmosphere open port 401A and bent flow path portion 403A (see the upper part of FIG. 13). However, the liquid storage container may have four or more pairs of atmosphere open ports and flow path portions leading to the atmosphere open ports. Also, the liquid storage container may have only one atmosphere open port.

[0109] F. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0110] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container including a housing, the liquid storage container including: a liquid storage chamber provided within the housing and storing a liquid; a liquid supply port that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid storage container and is provided in the housing; a liquid supply path that is provided within the housing and connects the liquid supply port and the liquid storage chamber; an atmosphere open port that introduces air into the liquid storage chamber and is provided in the housing; an atmosphere introduction path that is provided within the housing and connects the atmosphere open port and the liquid storage chamber; a first film that is arranged to close the atmosphere introduction path and allows air to flow but prevents liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing; and a second film that is arranged to close the atmosphere introduction path and allows air to flow but prevents liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing. The air introduction path is a flow path portion connected to the flow path portion in which the second film is arranged, and includes an opening / closing flow path portion configured to be capable of taking a closed state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber do not flow, and an open state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber flow. With this configuration, when the first film is not blocked by liquid that has flowed out of the liquid storage chamber, the open / close flow path portion is closed, allowing air to circulate to the air introduction path via the first film. When the first film is blocked by liquid that has flowed out of the liquid storage chamber, the open / close flow path portion is opened, allowing air to circulate to the air introduction path via the second film. Therefore, even after the first film is blocked by liquid that has flowed out of the liquid storage chamber, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be supplied to the outside.

[0111] (2) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the open / close flow path portion may be in a closed state before the liquid storage container starts to be used. According to this embodiment, the liquid storage container is started to be used with the open / close flow path portion in a closed state, which makes it possible to prevent the second film from being blocked by the liquid in the liquid storage chamber during initial use.

[0112] (3) In the liquid storage container of the above embodiment, the opening and closing flow path portion is made of an elastically deformable material, and includes an elastic wall that defines a portion of the opening and closing flow path portion and is exposed to the outside of the liquid storage container, and a blocking wall that blocks the opening and closing flow path portion and does not allow air and liquid in the liquid storage chamber to flow into the opening and closing flow path portion, and the blocking wall includes a pressed portion that is pressed and displaced from the outside of the liquid storage container via the elastic wall, and a destructible portion that is connected to the pressed portion and is broken in conjunction with the displacement of the pressed portion to form an opening in the blocking wall. In this embodiment, the blocking wall can realize the closed and open states of the opening / closing flow passage portion with a simple configuration, and the opening / closing flow passage portion can be switched from the closed state to the open state by a simple operation from outside the liquid storage container via the elastic wall.

[0113] (4) In the liquid storage container of the above embodiment, the opening / closing flow path portion is made of an elastically deformable material, and includes an elastic wall that defines a portion of the opening / closing flow path portion and is exposed to the outside of the liquid storage container, and a valve mechanism that can assume a closed state in which air and liquid in the liquid storage chamber do not flow through the opening / closing flow path portion, and an open state in which air and liquid in the liquid storage chamber flow through the opening / closing flow path portion, wherein the valve mechanism includes a pressed portion that is pressed and displaced from the outside of the liquid storage container via the elastic wall, and transitions from the closed state to the open state in response to the displacement of the pressed portion. In this embodiment, the valve mechanism can realize the closed and open states of the opening and closing flow passage portion, and the opening and closing flow passage portion can be switched from the closed state to the open state by a simple operation from outside the liquid storage container via the elastic wall.

[0114] (5) In the liquid storage container of the above embodiment, an additional atmosphere open port for introducing atmosphere into the liquid storage chamber is provided in the housing, and the atmosphere introduction path may include a first outlet flow path portion connecting the atmosphere open port and the first film, and a second outlet flow path portion connecting the additional atmosphere open port and the second film, the second outlet flow path portion being provided in parallel to the first outlet flow path portion. With this configuration, even if the first film is blocked by liquid that has entered through the atmosphere open port and passed through the first outlet flow path portion, the possibility of the second film being blocked at the same time can be reduced. Air can be supplied to the liquid storage chamber via the additional atmosphere open port, the second outlet flow path portion, and the second film.

[0115] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than a liquid storage container, for example, a method for manufacturing a liquid storage container, a method for designing a liquid storage container, a computer program for implementing the manufacturing method and the design method, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 4B...break valve, 4Bf...breakable portion, 4Bp...pressurized portion, 4C...capture portion, 4C1...first region, 4C2...second region, 4C21...flow path portion, 4C22...flow path portion, 4C3...third region, 4EXA...first outlet flow path portion, 4EXB...second outlet flow path portion, 4H1A...air chamber, 4H1B...air chamber, 4H1C...connecting flow path, 4OC1...opening / closing flow path portion, 4OC2...opening / closing flow path portion, 4OC4...opening / closing flow path portion, 4S...selector, 4SB...selector, 4V...opening / closing valve, 4VC...opening / closing valve, 4Vb...valve body, 4Vb1...slide portion, 4Vb2...seal portion, 4Vn...claw portion, 4Vs...leaf spring, 4W...blocking wall, 117...liquid storage chamber, 118...communication hole, 119...communication hole, 120...communication passage, 121...liquid storage chamber, 200...liquid supply port, 300...liquid supply path, 322...communication hole, 323...communication hole, 324...communication hole, 325...differential pressure valve, 326...communication hole, 327...communication hole, 328...flow path portion, 400...atmosphere introduction path, 401...atmosphere open port, 401A...atmosphere open port, 401B...atmosphere open port, 402...communication hole, 403...bent flow path portion, 403A...bent flow path portion, 403B...bent flow path portion, 404A ...film chamber, 404B...film chamber, 405A...communication hole, 405B...communication hole, 406...communication hole, 407...communication hole, 408...air chamber, 409...air chamber, 410...cylindrical space, 411...cylindrical space, 412...cylindrical space, 413...cylindrical space, 414...air chamber, 415...communication hole, 416...communication hole, 4B...break valve, 4Bf...breakable portion, 4Bp...pressurized portion, 4V...opening / closing valve, 4VC...opening / closing valve, 4Vb...valve body, 4Vb1...slide portion, 4Vb2...sealing portion, 4Vs...leaf spring, 900...casing, 910...lid, 1402...wall portion , AP...pressing direction, AP2...pressing direction, FLe...sealing film, FLi...inner film, FLp...partition film, FLsp...supply port film, FLvA...ventilation film, FLvB...ventilation film, GM...rubber membrane, IC...ink cartridge, IC2...ink cartridge, IC3...ink cartridge, IC4...ink cartridge, Lb...label, MC...memory chip, OP...opening, OP2...opening, PR...prism, SP2...coil spring, SP3...coil spring, SR...sealing rubber, V2...valve, VC...valve cover

Claims

1. A liquid storage container having a housing, a liquid storage chamber provided in the housing and configured to store liquid; a liquid supply port that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to an outside of the liquid storage container, the liquid supply port being provided in the housing; a liquid supply path that is provided in the housing and connects the liquid supply port and the liquid storage chamber; an air vent for introducing air into the liquid storage chamber, the air vent being provided in the housing; an air introduction passage that is provided in the housing and connects the air opening port and the liquid storage chamber; a first film disposed to close the air introduction path, allowing air to flow but preventing liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing; a second film that is disposed to close the air introduction path and allows air to flow but prevents liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing; The liquid storage container has an open / close flow path portion which is connected to a flow path portion in which the second film is disposed, and which is configured to be capable of taking a closed state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber do not circulate, and an open state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber circulate.

2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1 , A liquid storage container, wherein the open / close flow path portion is in a closed state before the liquid storage container is put into use.

3. The liquid storage container according to claim 1 , The opening and closing flow path portion is an elastic wall that is made of an elastically deformable material, defines a part of the opening and closing flow path portion, and is exposed to the outside of the liquid storage container; a blocking wall that blocks the opening and closing flow path portion and prevents air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber from flowing through the opening and closing flow path portion, The blocking wall is a pressed portion that is pressed from the outside of the liquid storage container via the elastic wall and displaced; a destructible portion connected to the pressed portion and destructible in association with displacement of the pressed portion to form an opening in the closing wall.

4. The liquid storage container according to claim 1 , The opening and closing flow path portion is an elastic wall that is made of an elastically deformable material, defines a part of the opening and closing flow path portion, and is exposed to the outside of the liquid storage container; a valve mechanism that can be in a closed state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber do not flow through the open / close flow path portion, and an open state in which air and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber flow through the open / close flow path portion, The valve mechanism includes: a pressure-receiving portion that is displaced by being pressed from the outside of the liquid storage container via the elastic wall, A liquid storage container that transitions from the closed state to the open state in response to displacement of the pressed portion.

5. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an additional atmosphere vent for introducing atmosphere into the liquid storage chamber, the additional atmosphere vent being provided in the housing; The air introduction passage is a first outlet flow path portion connecting the atmosphere opening and the first film; a second outlet flow path portion connecting the additional atmosphere opening and the second film, the second outlet flow path portion being provided in parallel with the first outlet flow path portion.

Images