Liquid container, method for reusing mis-insertion preventing member, and mis-insertion preventing member

Abstract

To improve the reusability of a liquid container while inhibiting mis-insertion into a printing device.SOLUTION: A liquid container attachable to and detachable from a printing device includes: a liquid storage unit for storing liquid; a liquid supply member connected to the liquid storage unit, the liquid supply member having a supply path for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit to the printing device; an adapter that engages with the liquid supply member; and a mis-insertion preventing member for preventing mis-insertion into the printing device, the mis-insertion preventing member being detachably engageable with the adapter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container, a method for reusing a mis-insertion prevention member, and a mis-insertion prevention member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container including a bag-shaped member, a liquid supply port connected to the bag-shaped member, and an adaptor that fixes the liquid supply port inside. The adaptor has an identification part for preventing erroneous insertion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-153949 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the liquid container has a portion for preventing erroneous insertion as in Patent Document 1, the portion for preventing erroneous insertion is compatible with only a limited number of printing device models, which may reduce the reusability of the liquid container. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can improve the reusability of the liquid container while preventing erroneous insertion into a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container detachable from a printing device is provided, the liquid container comprising: a liquid container section for containing a liquid, a liquid supply member connected to the liquid container section and having a supply path for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container section to the printing device, an adapter engaging with the liquid supply member, and an erroneous insertion prevention member for preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device, the erroneous insertion prevention member detachably engaging with the adapter.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for reusing an erroneous insertion prevention member that detachably engages with an adapter of a liquid container, the method comprising the steps of: removing the erroneous insertion prevention member from an adapter of a recovered used liquid container; and attaching the removed erroneous insertion prevention member to an adapter of another liquid container different from the used liquid container.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an erroneous insertion prevention member attached to a liquid container detachable from a printing device, the erroneous insertion prevention member comprising a liquid container for containing a liquid, a liquid supply member connected to the liquid container and having a supply path for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container to a printing device side, and an adapter for engaging with the liquid supply member. The erroneous insertion prevention member comprises an erroneous insertion prevention portion for preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device, and an engaging portion for detachably engaging with the adapter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printing apparatus as viewed from the front. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a liquid supply unit as viewed from above. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a state in which a first liquid container is removed from a first case. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a state in which the adapter is detached from the liquid supply member. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter and a liquid supply member engaged with each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the connection portion of the liquid supply member is removed from FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing the adapter and the erroneous insertion prevention member in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a second view showing the adapter and the erroneous insertion prevention member in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a mis-insertion prevention member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a first schematic perspective view of the adapter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a second schematic perspective view of the adapter in the first embodiment; [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating engagement between an engaging portion and an engaged portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a process diagram of a method for reusing the mis-insertion prevention member. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a first view showing an adapter and an erroneous insertion prevention member in a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing the adapter and the erroneous insertion prevention member in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a mis-insertion prevention member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a first schematic perspective view of an adapter according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a second schematic perspective view of the adapter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a first diagram illustrating the attachment and detachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member to the adapter. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a second diagram illustrating the attachment and detachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member to the adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A. First embodiment: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printing device 10 according to the present embodiment. Arrows X, Y, and Z indicating three mutually orthogonal directions are shown in Fig. 1. Note that the arrows X, Y, and Z are also shown appropriately in other figures so as to correspond to Fig. 1.

[0010] The directions indicated by the arrows X, Y, and Z correspond to the positioning orientation of the printing device 10 in normal use. The normal use state of the printing device 10 is the state in which the printing device 10 is placed and used on a horizontal plane. In the following, the directions indicated by the arrows X, Y, and Z are called the "X direction", "Y direction", and "Z direction", respectively. The Z direction is the vertical direction. One of the X directions is called the "+X direction", and the other is called the "-X direction". Similarly, for the Y and Z directions, one is called the "+Y direction" and the "+Z direction", and the other is called the "-Y direction" and the "-Z direction". In the following description, the -Y direction is also called the "forward direction", and the +Y direction is also called the "rearward direction". The -X direction is also called the "right direction", and the +X direction is also called the "left direction". The -Z direction is also called the "upward direction", and the +Z direction is also called the "downward direction".

[0011] The printing device 10 is an inkjet printer. The liquid consumed by ejection in the printing device 10 is ink. The printing device 10 ejects ink droplets to form a printed image on a medium MP shown in FIG. 2 described below. The medium MP is, for example, fabric or printing paper. The printing device 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 10c, which is a hollow resin box that constitutes the exterior of the printing device 10. The housing 10c has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An operation unit 13, a medium discharge port 14, a medium receiving unit 15, and a cover member 18 are provided on a front portion 12 of the housing 10c.

[0012] The operation unit 13 has a display unit that displays information to the user, and multiple operation buttons that accept user operations. The medium discharge outlet 14 is an exit for the medium MP that is fed out from inside the printing device 10. The medium discharge outlet 14 is a slit-shaped opening that is wide in the X direction. The medium receiving unit 15 protrudes like an eave in the -Y direction below the medium discharge outlet 14, and receives the medium MP discharged from the medium discharge outlet 14.

[0013] The cover member 18 is a plate-shaped resin member that constitutes part of the exterior of the printing device 10. The cover member 18 is detachably attached to the housing 10c. The cover member 18 covers and protects the attachment body 105 shown in FIG. 2 that is stored inside the printing device 10.

[0014] 2 is a schematic configuration diagram seen from the front of the printing device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 10 includes a control unit 20, a discharge execution unit 30, a transport roller 36, a liquid supply unit 40, and a case storage unit 60.

[0015] The case storage section 60 is disposed inside the cover member 18 shown in FIG. 1 and is disposed at the bottom of the printing device 10. The case storage section 60 stores four mounting bodies 105. The four mounting bodies 105 specifically include three first mounting bodies 105a and one second mounting body 105b. The first mounting body 105a and the second mounting body 105b are different in size from each other. The second mounting body 105b is larger than the first mounting body 105a. The mounting body 105 is configured by a case 61 and a liquid container 100 contained in the case 61. Like the mounting body 105, the four cases 61 include three first cases 61a and one second case 61b. The four liquid containers 100 include three first liquid containers 100a and one second liquid container 100b. The first mounting body 105a is configured by storing a first liquid container 100a in a first case 61a. The second mounting body 105b is configured by storing a second liquid container 100b in a second case 61b. The second liquid container 100b differs from the liquid container 100a in that the width of a liquid container portion described below is larger than that of the first liquid container 100a, and the second liquid container 100b can store a larger amount of liquid. For example, the three first liquid containers 100a may store cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively, and the second liquid container 100b may store black ink.

[0016] The ejection execution unit 30 includes a liquid ejection unit 31, a plurality of tubes 32, and a carriage 34. A nozzle 33 that opens downward is provided on the bottom surface of the liquid ejection unit 31. The liquid ejection unit 31 ejects liquid from the nozzle 33, for example, by applying pressure to ink using a piezoelectric element. The liquid ejection unit 31 is mounted on the carriage 34. The carriage 34 moves linearly back and forth in the X direction. A transport roller 36 is installed in the X direction below the liquid ejection unit 31. The transport roller 36 transports the medium MP. The plurality of tubes 32 are arranged in the Y direction, and are connected to the liquid ejection unit 31.

[0017] The liquid supply unit 40 has four supply pipes 42, a joint unit 43, and a suction unit 45. Each of the four supply pipes 42 is connected to each of the four liquid containers 100. The joint unit 43 connects each of the four supply pipes 42 to each of the multiple tubes 32. The ink contained in the liquid container 100 is supplied to the liquid ejection unit 31 via the four supply pipes 42, the joint unit 43, and the multiple tubes 32. The suction unit 45 generates pressure for sending ink from the liquid container 100 to the supply pipes 42.

[0018] The control unit 20 controls the operation of each part in the printing device 10. The control unit 20 is configured by a microcomputer having at least a central processing unit and a main memory device, and performs various functions by the central processing unit reading and executing various programs in the main memory device.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the liquid supply unit 40 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid supply unit 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the attachment 105 is inserted into the case storage unit 60 from the outside toward the +Y direction. Four attachments 105 are stored in the case storage unit 60 and arranged in the X direction. In Fig. 3, an arrangement area LA, which is the arrangement position of the attachments 105 in the case storage unit 60, is shown by a dashed line.

[0020] In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the liquid supply unit 40 has four switching mechanisms 50 and a pressure transmission pipe 46. The four switching mechanisms 50 are arranged on the +Y direction side of the arrangement area LA. Each of the four switching mechanisms 50 is arranged corresponding to each of the four arrangement areas LA. The four switching mechanisms 50 specifically include three first switching mechanisms 50a and one second switching mechanism 50b. Each of the three first switching mechanisms 50a corresponds to each of the three first liquid containers 100a. The second switching mechanism 50b corresponds to the second liquid container 100b.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, each switching mechanism 50 has a liquid introduction part 51, an identification part 55, and an apparatus-side terminal 58. The liquid introduction part 51 is detachably connected to the liquid container 100. Hereinafter, the connection of the liquid container 100 to the liquid introduction part 51 is also referred to as "the liquid container 100 is inserted into the switching mechanism 50" or "the liquid container 100 is attached to the switching mechanism 50". The liquid introduction part 51 has a tubular shape that extends linearly in the -Y direction. The liquid introduction part 51 is connected to the liquid container 100 by inserting a tip part 51t into a liquid supply part of the liquid container 100, which will be described later. Then, the liquid contained in the liquid container 100 flows inside the liquid introduction part 51. The pressure transmission pipe 46 transmits the pressure generated by the suction part 45.

[0022] The identification portion 55 is a portion for preventing erroneous connection of the liquid container 100 to each switching mechanism 50, i.e., erroneous insertion and erroneous attachment of the liquid container 100. The identification portion 55 has a concave-convex shape with a predetermined pattern. The concave-convex shape pattern of the identification portion 55 differs for each model of the printing device 10 and each switching mechanism 50.

[0023] The device-side terminal 58 is formed of an elastic plate-like member and is electrically connected to the control unit 20 shown in FIG.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first liquid container 100a removed from the first case 61a. Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adaptor 130 removed from the liquid supply member 120. The second mounting body 105b has a similar configuration to the first mounting body 105a. Therefore, in the following, the first mounting body 105a will be described as a representative, and a description of the second mounting body 105b will be omitted.

[0025] The case 61 is a tray-shaped container that is open at the top. The case 61 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene. The liquid container 100 is removably housed in the case 61 from above. Two cylindrical guide parts 62 that rise upward from the bottom surface of the case 61 are provided at the end of the case 61 in the +Y direction. The two guide parts 62 guide the adapter 130, which will be described later, when the liquid container 100 is housed in the case 61.

[0026] The liquid container 100 includes a liquid storage portion 110 and an adaptor 130 shown in FIG. 5, and a liquid supply member 120 connected to the liquid storage portion 110 shown in FIG. 6. The liquid storage portion 110 shown in FIG. 5 is a bag for storing liquid. The liquid storage portion 110 is flexible. The liquid storage portion 110 is formed by attaching a plurality of films. The liquid storage portion 110 and the liquid supply member 120 are joined by overlapping the plurality of films constituting the liquid storage portion 110 and joining parts of the periphery to each other and another part of the periphery to the liquid supply member 120 by a method such as thermal welding. In this embodiment, the liquid storage portion 110 is a so-called gusset type bag formed by a film on a first surface 111 described later, a film on a second surface 112 described later, and two films that become gussets arranged at both ends in the X direction. The liquid storage portion 110 is not limited to the gusset type, and may be a so-called pillow type bag formed by two films. The film constituting the liquid storage portion 110 is made of a material having flexibility and gas barrier properties. Examples of the film material include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. The film may also be formed using a laminated structure in which a plurality of films made of these materials are laminated. 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 on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be used as one of the constituent members of the laminated structure.

[0027] The liquid storage portion 110 has a first surface 111 that forms the top surface, and a second surface 112 that forms the bottom surface. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 face each other in the Z direction. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 form the largest main surface among the surfaces that constitute the liquid storage portion 110. The liquid storage portion 110 has one end 621 and the other end 622 that faces the one end 621. The one end 621 is the end on the +Y direction side. The other end 622 is the end on the -Y direction side. As the liquid in the liquid storage portion 110 is consumed, the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 deform so as to approach each other, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid storage portion 110.

[0028] Here, in the liquid container 100, the Z direction in which the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 face each other is the thickness direction, the Y direction in which the one end 621 and the other end 622 face each other is the length direction, and the X direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the length direction is the width direction. In this embodiment, when the liquid container 100 is attached to the printing device 10 in a normal usage state, the thickness direction is the up-down direction.

[0029] 6, the liquid supply member 120 is attached to one end 621 of the liquid storage portion 110. The liquid supply member 120 includes a supply path 123 that communicates with the inside of the liquid storage portion 110, a connection portion 128, and an engaged member 129.

[0030] The supply path 123 is a flow path that supplies the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit 110 to the printing device 10. In the supply direction of the liquid from the liquid storage unit 110 toward the printing device 10, the upstream end of the supply path 123 is located inside the liquid storage unit 110, and the downstream end of the supply path 123 is located outside the liquid storage unit 110.

[0031] The connection part 128 is a part that is connected by being attached by thermal welding to one end part 621 of the liquid storage part 110. Inside the connection part 128, the upstream side of the supply path 123 is formed.

[0032] The engaged member 129 is connected to the end of the connection part 128 on the +Y direction side. The engaged member 129 includes a cylindrical liquid supply part 121 and engagement forming parts 239 located on both sides of the liquid supply part 121 in the width direction of the liquid container 100. The liquid supply part 121 forms the downstream side of the supply path 123, and is connected to the liquid introduction part 51 shown in Fig. 4. In the initial state before being attached to the printing device 10, the tip opening of the liquid supply part 121 is sealed by the film FM.

[0033] The engagement forming portion 239 is a generally plate-shaped member. The engagement forming portion 239 has two positioning holes 122 penetrating in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction. The two positioning holes 122 determine the position of the adaptor 130 relative to the liquid supply member 120 when the adaptor 130 is engaged with and attached to the liquid supply member 120. The two positioning holes 122 are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the liquid storage portion 110, sandwiching the liquid supply portion 121 therebetween. The engagement forming portion 239 is a portion that engages with the adaptor 130. Details of this engagement with the adaptor 130 will be described later.

[0034] 6, the adaptor 130 includes an adaptor first surface side 130fa on which a recess 131 for receiving the liquid supply portion 121 of the liquid supply member 120 is formed, and an adaptor second surface side 130fb located on the opposite side to the adaptor first surface side 130fa. The recess 131 opens in the +Y and +Z directions. An erroneous insertion prevention member 150 that detachably engages with the adaptor 130 is provided on the adaptor second surface side 130fb. The erroneous insertion prevention member 150 is a member for preventing erroneous insertion of the liquid container 100 into the printing device 10, as described below.

[0035] The adaptor 130 engages with the liquid supply member 120 by moving the adaptor 130 relatively to the liquid supply member 120 so as to approach the liquid supply member 120 while the adaptor first surface side 130fa faces the liquid supply member 120. A circuit board 132 is attached to the adaptor 130. The circuit board 132 is disposed in a recess 89 formed in a corner portion where the adaptor second surface side 130fb and the front surface of the adaptor 130 intersect. A container terminal that contacts the device side terminal 58 shown in FIG. 4 in a mounted state in which the liquid container 100 is mounted on the printing device 10 is disposed on the front surface of the circuit board 132. In addition, a storage device that stores various information related to the liquid container 100 is disposed on the rear surface of the circuit board 132. This storage device is electrically connected to the container terminal by wiring. The various information stored in the storage device is, for example, information indicating the type of the liquid container 100, the amount of liquid contained, and an identification number. In the attached state, the storage device and the control unit 20 of the printing device 10 can exchange various types of information.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the adaptor 130 and the liquid supply member 120 engaged with each other. Fig. 8 is a view in which the connection portion 128 of the liquid supply member 120 has been removed from Fig. 7.

[0037] 7, the connection portion 128 has two introduction portions 223. The introduction portions 223 are located within the liquid storage portion 110. The introduction portions 223 form the upstream end portions of the supply path 123. The liquid from the liquid storage portion 110 that flows into the introduction portions 223 is supplied from the liquid supply portion 121 to the printing device 10.

[0038] 7, two positioning protrusions 133 extending in the Z direction, which is the direction along the attachment direction of the adapter 130 to the liquid supply member 120, are formed on the adapter first surface side 130fa of the adapter 130. The two positioning protrusions 133 are inserted into two corresponding positioning holes 122. This restricts movement of the adapter 130 relative to the liquid supply member 120 in a direction intersecting the attachment direction, thereby positioning the adapter 130 in the direction intersecting the attachment direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the adaptor 130 further has a plurality of adaptor engagement parts 134A, 134B, 134C that engage with the engagement forming part 239 of the liquid supply member 120 while facing each other in the Z direction. The plurality of adaptor engagement parts 134A, 134B, 134C are a first adaptor engagement part 134A, a second adaptor engagement part 134B, and a third adaptor engagement part 134C. When the plurality of adaptor engagement parts 134A to 134C are used without distinction, they are simply called adaptor engagement parts 134. The adaptor engagement part 134 has a snap-fit ​​structure in which engagement and disengagement are performed by elastic deformation. The first adaptor engagement part 134A faces the engaged member 129 in the Z direction at the end part on the +Y direction side of the engaged member 129 and engages with the engaged member 129. The second adaptor engagement portion 134B and the third adaptor engagement portion 134C engage with the engaged member 129 at both end portions in the X direction, which is the width direction, facing the engaged member 129 in the Z direction.

[0040] 8, the engagement forming portion 239 of the liquid supply member 120 has a plurality of engagement mating portions 124A, 124B, and 124C. The plurality of engagement mating portions 124A, 124B, and 124C are a first engagement mating portion 124A, a second engagement mating portion 124B, and a third engagement mating portion 124C. When the plurality of engagement mating portions 124A to 124C are used without distinction, they are simply referred to as engagement mating portions 124.

[0041] The first mating engagement part 124A engages with the first adaptor engagement part 134A. The second mating engagement part 124B engages with the second adaptor engagement part 134B. The third mating engagement part 124C engages with the third adaptor engagement part 134C. The first mating engagement part 124A is an extension member extending from the end part on the +Y direction side of the engagement part main body 127 to the +Z direction side. The first adaptor engagement part 134A engages by being caught on the tip surface on the +Z direction side of the first mating engagement part 124A which is an extension member. The second mating engagement part 124B is composed of a protrusion protruding from the surface 127fa on the +Z direction side of the engagement part main body 127 and the engagement part main body 127 to which the protrusion is connected. The protrusion constituting the second mating engagement part 124B protrudes from the peripheral part on the -X direction side of the surface 127fa. The second adaptor engaging portion 134B engages by being caught on the tip surface on the +Z direction side of the protrusion of the second engaging portion 124B. The third engaging portion 124C is a part of the plate-shaped engaging portion main body 127 of the engagement forming portion 239. Specifically, the third engaging portion 124C is a peripheral portion on the +X direction side of the engaging portion main body 127. The third adaptor engaging portion 134C engages by being caught on the surface 127fa on the +Z direction side of the engaging portion main body 127.

[0042] Returning to the explanation of Figs. 5 and 6, the above-mentioned mis-insertion prevention member 150 is formed of, for example, resin or metal. The mis-insertion prevention member 150 is detachably engaged with the adapter 130. Hereinafter, a state in which the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is engaged with the adapter 130, that is, a state in which the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is attached to the adapter 130, is also referred to as an engaged state. The adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in Figs. 5 and 6 are in an engaged state. A state in which the mis-insertion prevention member 150 and the adapter 130 are disengaged is also referred to as a released state. In addition, releasing the engagement between the mis-insertion prevention member 150 and the adapter 130 in the engaged state is also referred to as a "release of the engaged state." The mis-insertion prevention member 150 in the engaged state is removed from the adapter 130 by at least releasing the engagement between the mis-insertion prevention member 150 and the adapter 130. Among the released states, the state in which the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is detached and separated from the adaptor 130 is also referred to as a detached state.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a first schematic perspective view showing the adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150. FIG. 10 is a second schematic perspective view showing the adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the mis-insertion prevention member 150. FIG. 9 shows the adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in a released state. FIG. 10 shows the adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in an engaged state. Hereinafter, the posture of the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in the engaged state is also referred to as the engaged posture. In FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is shown in the same posture as the engaged posture. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the description will be given assuming that the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is in the same posture as the engaged posture, regardless of whether the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is in an engaged state or a released state.

[0044] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in this embodiment has an opposing surface 151 that constitutes one side of the mis-insertion prevention member 150, at least one engagement portion 152 protruding from the opposing surface 151, a positioning portion 159 different from each engagement portion 152, and a mis-insertion prevention portion 160.

[0045] Hereinafter, the other surface of the mis-insertion prevention member 150, that is, the surface opposite to the facing surface 151, is referred to as the opposite surface 161. In this embodiment, the facing surface 151 is configured as a surface parallel to the XY plane, and constitutes the lower surface of the mis-insertion prevention member 150. The opposite surface 161 is configured as a surface parallel to the XY plane, and constitutes the upper surface of the mis-insertion prevention member 150. In addition, hereinafter, the direction along the facing surface 151 is also referred to as the surface direction. That is, the surface direction in this embodiment is the direction along the XY plane. In this specification, the term "surface" includes not only a flat surface constituted only by a plane, but also a surface that can be grasped as a surface occupying a certain area, and includes, for example, a surface having some unevenness on its surface or a surface that is somewhat curved.

[0046] The erroneous insertion prevention member 150 prevents the erroneous insertion of the liquid container 100 into the printing device 10 by the erroneous insertion prevention portion 160. That is, the erroneous insertion prevention portion 160 is a portion of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 for preventing the erroneous insertion into the printing device 10. In this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention portion 160 is provided on the opposite surface 161 side. The erroneous insertion prevention portion 160 is configured as a portion having a concave-convex shape corresponding to the concave-convex pattern of the identifier 55 to which the erroneous insertion prevention portion 160 fits. This concave-convex shape corresponds to the concave-convex shape of the identifier 55 provided in the correct switching mechanism 50 for the liquid container 100. Specifically, the concave-convex shape of the erroneous insertion prevention portion 160 is a shape that engages with the concave-convex shape of the identifier 55 provided in the switching mechanism 50 when the liquid container 100 is connected to the correct switching mechanism 50. On the other hand, the uneven shape of the erroneous insertion prevention part 160 does not correspond to and does not engage with the uneven shape of the identification part 55 provided on the incorrect switching mechanism 50 for the liquid container 100. Therefore, the connection of the liquid container 100 to the incorrect switching mechanism 50 is physically prevented by the erroneous insertion prevention part 160. Since the uneven shape pattern of the identification part 55 differs for each model of printing device 10 and each switching mechanism 50, the erroneous attachment of the liquid container 100 to the switching mechanism 50 is prevented by the erroneous insertion prevention part 160 as described above, thereby preventing the erroneous insertion of the liquid container 100 into the printing device 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the erroneous attachment of the liquid container 100 to the switching mechanism 50 in one printing device 10 is also prevented by the erroneous insertion prevention part 160. In addition, the “correct switching mechanism 50” for a liquid container 100 is, for example, a switching mechanism 50 that is compatible with the color of ink contained in that liquid container 100 in a printing device 10 model that is compatible with that liquid container 100.

[0047] In the engaged state, the opposing surface 151 faces the adaptor 130. Specifically, the opposing surface 151 faces the installation surface 211 of the installation stand 200 provided on the adaptor 130. The installation surface 211 is configured as a surface parallel to the XY plane, and constitutes the upper surface of the installation surface 211. A first wall 201, a second wall 202, and a third wall 203 are provided around the installation surface 211. The first wall 201 is along the YZ plane, and is disposed on the -X direction side of the installation surface 211. The second wall 202 is along the XZ plane, and is disposed on the -Y direction side of the installation surface 211. The third wall 203 is along the YZ plane, and is disposed on the +X direction side of the installation surface 211. In this embodiment, the dimension in the X direction of the installation surface 211, i.e., the distance between the first wall 201 and the third wall 203, is approximately the same as the dimension in the X direction of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150, i.e., the dimension in the X direction of the opposing surface 151. In addition, the dimension in the Y direction of the installation surface 211 is approximately the same as the dimension in the Y direction of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150, i.e., the dimension in the Y direction of the opposing surface 151.

[0048] In this embodiment, in the engaged state, the installation surface 211 and the opposing surface 151 face each other in the Z direction and are in contact with each other. That is, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in this embodiment is attached to the adapter 130 so as to be placed on the installation surface 211 of the installation stand 200. Also, as shown in Fig. 10, a first wall 201, a second wall 202, and a third wall 203 are arranged around the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in the engaged state.

[0049] The engagement portion 152 in this embodiment includes a first engagement portion 152A, a second engagement portion 152B, and a third engagement portion 152C. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the engagement portions 152, such as the first engagement portion 152A, the second engagement portion 152B, and the third engagement portion 152C, they will each be simply referred to as the engagement portion 152.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, at least a part of the first engagement portion 152A is disposed on the +Y side of the center C1 in the Y direction of the opposing surface 151 and on the +X side of the center C2 in the X direction of the opposing surface 151. The second engagement portion 152B is disposed on the -Y side of the center C1 and on the +X side of the center C2, and is disposed in the -Y direction position of the first engagement portion 152A. The third engagement portion 152C is disposed on the -Y side of the center C1 and on the -X side of the center C2. The third engagement portion 152C is disposed closer to the end side in the -Y direction of the opposing surface 151 than the first engagement portion 152A. Due to such an arrangement of the engagement portions 152, the center C1 is sandwiched in the Y direction by the first engagement portion 152A and the second engagement portion 152B. Moreover, the center C2 is sandwiched in the X direction between the first engagement portion 152A and the third engagement portion 152C.

[0051] In this embodiment, each of the engagement parts 152 is formed of an elastic material and has a snap-fit ​​structure that hooks onto the adapter 130 in the surface direction. In this embodiment, each of the engagement parts 152 has a rising part 153 extending in the +Z direction from the opposing surface 151, and a snap part 155 extending in a direction along the opposing surface 151 from an end of the rising part 153 on the +Z direction side. The snap part 155 is separated from the opposing surface 151 in the Z direction. Hereinafter, the rising part 153 of the first engagement part 152A is also referred to as the first rising part 153A, and the snap part 155 of the first engagement part 152A is also referred to as the first snap part 155A. The rising part 153 of the second engagement part 152B is also referred to as the second rising part 153B, and the snap part 155 of the second engagement part 152B is also referred to as the second snap part 155B. The rising portion 153 of the third engagement portion 152C is also called a third rising portion 153C, and the snap portion 155 of the third engagement portion 152C is also called a third snap portion 155C. The first snap portion 155A extends in the -Y direction from the first rising portion 153A. The second snap portion 155B extends in the +Y direction from the second rising portion 153B. The third snap portion 155C extends in the -Y direction from the third rising portion 153C.

[0052] The engaging portion 152 engages with an engaged portion 212 provided on the adapter 130. The engaged portion 212 includes a first engaged portion 212A, a second engaged portion 212B, and a third engaged portion 212C. The first engaging portion 152A engages with the first engaged portion 212A. The second engaging portion 152B engages with the second engaged portion 212B. The third engaging portion 152C engages with the third engaged portion 212C. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the engaged portions 212 such as the first engaged portion 212A, the second engaged portion 212B, and the third engaged portion 212C, each will simply be referred to as an engaged portion 212. Details of the engagement of each engaging portion 152 with each engaged portion 212 will be described later.

[0053] The positioning portion 159 is a portion different from each of the engagement portions 152, and positions the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in a direction along the opposing surface 151 with respect to the adaptor 130. The erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in this embodiment includes a first positioning portion 159A and a second positioning portion 159B as the positioning portion 159. Hereinafter, when the first positioning portion 159A and the second positioning portion 159B are not distinguished from each other, each is simply referred to as the positioning portion 159. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 159 is configured as a substantially cylindrical protrusion protruding from the opposing surface 151 in the +Z direction. Each of the positioning portions 159 is inserted into each of the positioning recesses 219 formed on the installation surface 211 of the adaptor 130, thereby positioning the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in the XY direction with respect to the adaptor 130. Specifically, the first positioning portion 159A is inserted into the first positioning recess 219A. The second positioning portion 159B is inserted into the second positioning recess 219B. In this embodiment, the positioning recess 219 is a through hole having an opening shape corresponding to the positioning portion 159. In this embodiment, since the dimension of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 in the X direction and the distance between the first wall 201 and the third wall 203 are substantially the same as described above, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 is positioned in the X direction not only by the positioning portion 159 but also by the first wall 201 and the third wall 203.

[0054] Fig. 12 is a first schematic perspective view of the adaptor 130. Fig. 13 is a second schematic perspective view of the adaptor 130. Fig. 12 shows the adaptor 130 in the released state as viewed from the +Z direction. Fig. 13 shows the adaptor 130 in the attached state as viewed from the +Z direction.

[0055] 9, 12, and 13, each engaged portion 212 has a through hole 213 penetrating the installation base 200 in the Z direction, and a hooking surface 215 located on the side of the installation base 200 opposite the installation surface 211. The opening shape of the through hole 213 is substantially rectangular. The hooking surface 215 is disposed near the through hole 213, engages with the snap portion 155 in the Z direction, and hooks onto the snap portion 155 as described below. In this embodiment, the hooking surface 215 is along the XY plane.

[0056] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the engagement between the engaging portion 152 and the engaged portion 212. In this embodiment, the first hooking direction d1, which is the hooking direction of the first engaging portion 152A, and the second hooking direction d2, which is the hooking direction of the second engaging portion 152B, are different from each other. The "hooking direction" of the engaging portion 152 represents the direction in which the engaging portion 152 is hooked to the adapter 130 by the snap-fit ​​structure, and specifically, is the protruding direction of the snap surface 156 of the snap portion 155. The snap surface 156 is a surface that engages with and hooks onto the hook surface 215 of the adapter 130 in the engaged state, and in this embodiment, is along the XY plane. The protruding direction of the snap surface 156 is a direction that intersects with the engagement direction in which the snap surface 156 and the hook surface 215 engage with each other, and is a direction in which the snap surface 156 extends from its base end side to its tip end side. In this embodiment, the base end side of the snap surface 156 is the rising portion 153 side. In this embodiment, the first hooking direction d1 is the direction from the first engagement portion 152A to the second engagement portion 152B, specifically, the -Y direction. The second hooking direction d2 is the direction from the second engagement portion 152B to the first engagement portion 152A, specifically, the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the hooking direction of the third engagement portion 152C is the -Y direction.

[0057] The above-described erroneous insertion prevention member 150 can be reused by releasing the engagement with the adaptor 130 and removing it from the adaptor 130.

[0058] 15 is a process diagram of a method for reusing the mis-insertion prevention member 150. In this reusing method, first, in step S100, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is removed from the adapter 130 in the used liquid container 100 that has been collected and prepared in advance. Specifically, in step S100, the hooking and engagement of the snap portions 155 are released, the engaging portions 152 are pulled out of the through holes 213, and the positioning portions 159 are pulled out of the positioning recesses 219, whereby the engagement between the mis-insertion prevention member 150 and the adapter 130 is released and the mis-insertion prevention member 150 is removed. In step S100, for example, a jig for releasing the engagement between the adapter 130 and the mis-insertion prevention member 150 may be used as appropriate. Next, in step S200, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 removed in step S100 is attached to the adapter 130 of another liquid container 100 prepared in advance, which is different from the used liquid container 100 in step S100. The other liquid container 100 is, for example, a newly manufactured liquid container 100 or a liquid container 100 having a liquid container portion 110 refilled with liquid. Specifically, in step S200, the engagement portions 152 are inserted into the through holes 213, the positioning portions 159 are inserted into the positioning recesses 219, and the snap portions 155 are hooked onto the hooking surfaces 215, whereby the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 engages with the adapter 130 and the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 is attached. Hereinafter, step S100 will also be referred to as a first step, and step S200 will also be referred to as a second step.

[0059] Another mis-insertion prevention member 150 having a mis-insertion prevention portion 160 with a different pattern from that of the original mis-insertion prevention member 150 can be engaged with the adapter 130 from which the original mis-insertion prevention member 150 has been removed in step S100. The other mis-insertion prevention member 150 may be configured to be engaged with the adapter 130 in the same manner as the original mis-insertion prevention member 150, and specifically, may have an engagement portion 152 and a positioning portion 159 similar to those of the original mis-insertion prevention member 150. In this way, the adapter 130 can be adapted to another switching mechanism 50 of a different type from the original switching mechanism 50, or to another printing device 10 of a different model from the original printing device 10. In addition, in order to adapt the adapter 130 to the other switching mechanism 50 or the other printing device 10, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the other switching mechanism 50 or the other printing device 10. The adapter 130 can be reused by releasing the engagement with the liquid supply member 120 and removing it from the liquid supply member 120. For example, the adaptor 130 is attached by engagement to a newly manufactured liquid supply member 120 or to a liquid supply member 120 attached to a liquid storage portion 110 that has been refilled with liquid, and is reused.

[0060] The liquid container 100 in the present embodiment described above includes the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 that is detachably engaged with the adaptor 130 that engages with the liquid supply member 120. In this way, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 can be replaced independently, improving the reusability of the liquid container 100. Also, unlike a configuration in which the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 cannot be removed from the adaptor 130, when the adaptor 130 is reused, the adaptor 130 can be adapted to another printing device 10 or another switching mechanism 50 that is different from the original printing device 10 or the original switching mechanism 50, so that it is possible to prevent the reusability of the adaptor 130 from being reduced due to the erroneous insertion prevention member 150. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reusability of the liquid container 100 while preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device 10.

[0061] In this embodiment, mis-insertion prevention member 150 has at least one engaging portion 152 that protrudes from opposing surface 151 facing adapter 130 and engages with adapter 130 in an engaged state. Therefore, mis-insertion prevention member 150 can be detachably engaged with adapter 130 by engaging portion 152 that protrudes from opposing surface 151 of mis-insertion prevention member 150.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 152A has a snap-fit ​​structure, so that the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 can be detachably engaged with the adaptor 130 with a simple structure.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first hooking direction d1 of the first engagement portion 152A having a snap-fit ​​structure that hooks in the surface direction and the second hooking direction d2 of the second engagement portion 152B having a snap-fit ​​structure that hooks in the surface direction are different from each other. Therefore, compared to the case where the first hooking direction d1 and the second hooking direction d2 are the same direction, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engagement between the first adaptor engagement portion 134A or the second adaptor engagement portion 134B and the adaptor 130 will be unintentionally released.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first hooking direction d1 is the -Y direction from the first engagement portion 152A to the second engagement portion 152B, and the second hooking direction d2 is the +Y direction from the second engagement portion 152B to the first engagement portion 152A. Therefore, since the first engagement portion 152A and the second engagement portion 152B are hooked onto the adapter 130 so as to face each other, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the engagement between the first engagement portion 152A or the second engagement portion 152B and the adapter 130 will be unintentionally released.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 has a positioning portion 159 that positions the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in a direction along the surface direction relative to the adaptor 130. Therefore, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 can be easily positioned relative to the adaptor 130 by the positioning portion 159.

[0066] Furthermore, the method for reusing the mis-insertion prevention member 150 in this embodiment includes a first step of removing the mis-insertion prevention member 150 from the adapter 130 of a used liquid container 100, and a second step of attaching the removed mis-insertion prevention member 150 to the adapter 130 of another liquid container 100. According to this reuse method, the mis-insertion prevention member 150 can be replaced independently, and a decrease in the reusability of the liquid container 100 caused by the mis-insertion prevention member 150 can be prevented. Therefore, the reusability of the liquid container 100 can be improved while preventing the liquid container 100 from being erroneously inserted into the printing device 10.

[0067] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 16 is a first schematic perspective view showing the adaptor 130b and the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a second schematic perspective view showing the adaptor 130b and the mis-insertion prevention member 150b. FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b. FIG. 16 shows the adaptor 130b and the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in a released state. FIG. 17 shows the adaptor 130b and the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in an engaged state. In this embodiment, the arrangement and shape of the engagement portion 152b of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b are different from those in the first embodiment. Also, unlike the first embodiment, the adaptor 130b in this embodiment has at least one restriction portion 170. Parts of the liquid container 100b and the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in the second embodiment that are not particularly described are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0068] In the engaged state, the restricting portion 170 restricts the movement of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b away from the adaptor 130b along the normal direction of the opposing surface 151. The normal direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. That is, in this embodiment, the restricting portion 170 restricts the movement of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in the -Z direction in the engaged state. Hereinafter, the movement of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b away from the adaptor 130b along the normal direction is also simply referred to as "movement of the mis-insertion prevention member 150b."

[0069] The restricting portion 170 in this embodiment has a first restricting portion 170A and a second restricting portion 170B. Furthermore, the restricting portion 170 in this embodiment has a third restricting portion 170C and a fourth restricting portion 170D. As shown in FIG. 17, each restricting portion 170 is arranged such that the erroneous insertion prevention member 150 is sandwiched in the Z direction by the installation surface 211 of the adapter 130 and each restricting portion 170 in the engaged state. Each restricting portion 170 allows the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b to move in the planar direction between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211 in the released state. Specifically, each restricting portion 170 allows the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b to move in the first direction and the second direction between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211 in the released state. The first direction in this embodiment is the -Y direction. The second direction is the opposite direction to the first direction. Specifically, the second direction in this embodiment is the +Y direction.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the first restricting portion 170A is substantially flat. The first restricting portion 170A is fixed to the first wall 201 and the second wall 202 above the installation surface 211 so that its plate surface is along the XY plane and overlaps with the end portions of the installation surface 211 on the -X direction side and the -Y direction side when viewed in the Z direction. The second restricting portion 170B is a protrusion protruding from the first wall 201 in the +X direction and has a lower surface and an upper surface along the XY plane. The second restricting portion 170B is fixed to the first wall 201 above the installation surface 211 so that it overlaps with a position on the +Y direction side of the end portion on the -X direction side of the installation surface 211 when viewed in the Z direction. The central position CP1 is the central position of the installation surface 211 in the Y direction. The third restricting portion 170C has a shape similar to that of the first restricting portion 170A. The third restricting portion 170C is fixed to the second wall 202 and the third wall 203 above the installation surface 211 so that its plate surface is along the XY plane and overlaps with the end portions on the +X direction side and the -Y direction side of the installation surface 211 when viewed in the Z direction. The fourth restricting portion 170D has a shape similar to that of the second restricting portion 170B, except that it is a protrusion protruding from the second wall 202 in the -X direction. The fourth restricting portion 170D is fixed to the third wall 203 above the installation surface 211 so that it overlaps with a position on the +Y direction side of the center position CP1 among the end portions on the +X direction side of the installation surface 211 when viewed in the Z direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 17, the first and second restricting portions 170A and 170B constitute a first restricting portion pair 171. When viewed along the Z direction in the engaged state, the first restricting portion pair 171 is disposed such that a center C1 is located between the first and second restricting portions 170A and 170B constituting the first restricting portion pair 171. The first and third restricting portions 170C constitute a second restricting portion pair 172. When viewed along the Z direction in the engaged state, the second restricting portion pair 172 is disposed such that a center C2 is located between the first and third restricting portions 170A and 170C constituting the second restricting portion pair 172. The second restricting portion pair 170B and the fourth restricting portion 170D constitute a restricting portion pair sandwiching the center C1 in the Y direction in a manner similar to the first restricting portion pair 171. Similarly to the second restriction portion pair 172, the third restriction portion 170C and the fourth restriction portion 170D configure a restriction portion pair that sandwiches the center C2 in the X direction.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the surface on the +Y direction side of each regulating portion 170 is configured as an inclined surface that protrudes further in the +Y direction than the side closer to the installation surface 211.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the engagement portion 152b of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b in this embodiment has a fourth engagement portion 152D and a fifth engagement portion 152E. The fourth engagement portion 152D is disposed on the -X direction side of the center C2 among the ends on the -Y direction side of the opposing surface 151. The fifth engagement portion 152E is disposed on the +X direction side of the center C2 among the ends on the -Y direction side of the opposing surface 151. Note that, in this embodiment, the dimensions in the X direction and the Y direction of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b are substantially the same as the dimensions in the X direction and the Y direction of the installation surface 211, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, in the engaged state, the center position CP1 and the center C1 are substantially the same position, and the center position CP2 and the center C2 are substantially the same position.

[0074] The fourth engaging portion 152D engages with the fourth engaged portion 212D. The fifth engaging portion 152E engages with the fifth engaged portion 212E. As shown in FIG. 16, the fourth engaged portion 212D and the fifth engaged portion 212E are disposed at positions not overlapping with the respective restricting portions 170 when viewed in the Z direction. Specifically, the fourth engaged portion 212D and the fifth engaged portion 212E are disposed at the end of the installation surface 211 on the -Y direction side so as to be sandwiched between the first restricting portion 170A and the third restricting portion 170C. Therefore, in the engaged state, the fourth engaging portion 152D and the fifth engaging portion 152E are disposed at positions not overlapping with the respective restricting portions 170, substantially similar to the respective engaged portions 212.

[0075] Unlike the first embodiment, the engaging portion 152b in this embodiment does not have the rising portion 153, but has a snap portion 155b protruding from the opposing surface 151 in the +Z direction. The base end side of the snap surface 156b of the snap portion 155b in this embodiment is on the opposing surface 151 side. The engaging direction of the engaging portion 152b in this embodiment is the Y direction. The hooking direction of the engaging portion 152b in this embodiment is the +Z direction.

[0076] Fig. 19 is a first schematic perspective view of the adaptor 130b in the second embodiment. Fig. 20 is a second schematic perspective view of the adaptor 130b in the second embodiment. Fig. 19 shows the adaptor 130b in the released state as viewed from the +Z direction side. Fig. 20 shows the adaptor 130b in the attached state as viewed from the +Z direction side. As shown in Figs. 16 and 18 to 20, the hooking surface 215b of the engaged portion 212b in this embodiment is formed by the side wall on the +Y direction side of the through hole 213b, and is along the XZ plane.

[0077] FIG. 21 is a first diagram for explaining attachment and detachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b to the adapter 130b. FIG. 22 is a second diagram for explaining attachment and detachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b to the adapter 130b. FIG. 22 shows the adapter 130b and the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b in an engaged state. FIG. 21 shows the adapter 130b and the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b in an intermediate state. The intermediate state is a state between the engaged state and the disengaged state in the release state. Specifically, the intermediate state is a state in which the engagement of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b to the adapter 130b is not completed, and at least a part of the opposing surface 151 is located between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211. The adapter 130b and the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b in this embodiment are configured to take the engaged state after passing through the intermediate state from the disengaged state, and to take the disengaged state after passing through the intermediate state from the engaged state.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 21, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is inserted into the gap formed between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211 from the +Y direction side of the restricting portion 170, more specifically, from the +Y direction side of the second restricting portion 170B, thereby transitioning from the detached state to the intermediate state. Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is further moved toward the -Y direction side in the gap formed between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211, and then each engaging portion 152b is engaged with each engaged portion 212b, thereby transitioning from the intermediate state to the engaged state. Conversely, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b transitions from the engaged state to the intermediate state by disengaging each engaging portion 152b from each engaged portion 212b. Then, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is moved toward the +Y direction side in the gap formed between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211, and is pulled out of this gap in the +Y direction, thereby transitioning from the intermediate state to the detached state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the -Y direction which is the first direction corresponds to the forward direction which is the movement direction for engaging the mis-insertion prevention member 150b with the adaptor 130b. Moreover, the +Y direction which is the second direction corresponds to the backward direction which is the movement direction for disengaging the mis-insertion prevention member 150b from the adaptor 130b. Hereinafter, the portion of the mis-insertion prevention member 150 which is located in the -Y direction from the end of the restricting portion 170 on the +Y direction side in the engaged state is also referred to as the insertion portion 179.

[0079] In this embodiment, the maximum thickness th1 of the insertion portion 179 shown in Fig. 22 is greater than the shortest distance ds1 between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211. Therefore, in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b actually moves in the Y direction between the restricting portion 170 and the installation surface 211 while locally and temporarily deforming itself and the restricting portion 170 by utilizing elastic deformation of itself and the restricting portion 170 in the mid-way state. Note that in other embodiments, the maximum thickness th1 may be less than the shortest distance ds1.

[0080] In this embodiment as well, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b and the adapter 130b can be reused by using the reuse method described with reference to Fig. 15. In this embodiment, in steps S100 and S200 of Fig. 15, as described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b can be attached to and detached from the adapter 130b by transitioning from the disengaged state to the engaged state via an intermediate state, or from the engaged state to the disengaged state via an intermediate state.

[0081] According to the liquid container 100b in the second embodiment described above, the fourth engagement portion 152D engages with the adaptor 130 so as to restrict movement of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b in the planar direction relative to the adaptor 130 in the engaged state, and the adaptor 130b has at least one restriction portion 170 that restricts the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b from moving away from the adaptor 130 in the engaged state. Therefore, the restriction portion 170 can reduce the possibility that the engaged state will be unintentionally released.

[0082] In this embodiment, each of the restricting parts 170 is disposed such that the mis-insertion prevention member 150b is sandwiched between the installation surface 211 and each of the restricting parts 170 in the normal direction in the engaged state, and in the released state, the mis-insertion prevention member 150b is allowed to move in the planar direction between each of the restricting parts 170 and the installation surface 211. In this way, the mis-insertion prevention member 150b can be attached to the adapter 130b by moving the mis-insertion prevention member 150b in the planar direction between the restricting part 170 and the installation surface 211 from the detached state and then engaging the engaging part 152 with the adapter 130b. In addition, after releasing the engaged state, the mis-insertion prevention member 150b can be moved in the planar direction between the restricting part 170 and the installation surface 211 to separate the mis-insertion prevention member 150b from the adapter 130b. Therefore, the mis-insertion prevention member 150b can be easily attached to and detached from the adapter 130b while the possibility of the engagement state being unintentionally released is reduced by the restricting part 170.

[0083] In this embodiment, the first restricting portion pair 171 consisting of the first restricting portion 170A and the second restricting portion 170B is disposed such that, in the engaged state, the center C1 in the Y direction of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is located between the first restricting portion 170A and the second restricting portion 170B when viewed in the Z direction. This can further reduce the possibility that the engaged state will be unintentionally released.

[0084] In this embodiment, the second restricting portion pair 172 consisting of the first restricting portion 170A and the third restricting portion 170C is disposed such that, in the engaged state, the center C2 in the Y direction of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is located between the first restricting portion 170A and the third restricting portion 170C when viewed in the Z direction. This can further reduce the possibility that the engaged state will be unintentionally released.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the maximum thickness th1 of the insertion portion 179 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b is greater than the shortest distance ds1 between the regulating portion 170 and the installation surface 211, so that the possibility of the engagement state being unintentionally released can be further reduced. In addition, in this embodiment, the engagement portions 152b and the regulating portions 170 do not overlap when viewed in the Z direction, so that the insertion portion 179 in the intermediate state can be easily locally and temporarily deformed. Therefore, even if the maximum thickness th1 is smaller than the shortest distance ds1 as in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b can be easily attached to and detached from the adapter 130b. Furthermore, the surface on the +Y direction side of each regulating portion 170 is configured as an inclined surface that protrudes further in the +Y direction than the side closer to the installation surface 211. Therefore, in the detached state or intermediate state, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b can be easily advanced between the regulating portion 170 and the installation surface 211, and the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b can be easily engaged with the adapter 130b.

[0086] Incidentally, the erroneous insertion prevention member 150b provided with the restricting portion 170 as in the second embodiment may be provided with the positioning portion 159 as in the first embodiment.

[0087] C. Other embodiments: (C-1) In each of the above embodiments, the mis-insertion prevention member 150, 150b has an engaging portion 152 protruding from the opposing surface 151. In contrast, the mis-insertion prevention member 150, 150b does not have to have such an engaging portion 152. In this case, the mis-insertion prevention member 150, 150b may be provided with a recess such as a hole or a depression that engages with an adaptor-side engaging portion that protrudes from the adaptor 130, 130b toward the mis-insertion prevention member 150, 150b.

[0088] (C-2) In the above embodiments, the engaging portions 152, 152b have a snap-fit ​​structure, but they do not have to have a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0089] (C-3) In each of the above embodiments, the number of engagement portions 152, 152b is not limited to two or three and may be any number, such as one, or four or more.

[0090] (C-4) In the first embodiment, the first hooking direction d1 and the second hooking direction d2 may be any direction as long as they are along the opposing surface 151. Also, the first hooking direction d1 and the second hooking direction d2 may be the same.

[0091] (C-5) In the second embodiment described above, the number of restriction portions 170 is not limited to four and may be any number, such as one, two, three, or five or more.

[0092] (C-6) In the second embodiment described above, each restricting portion 170 does not have to allow mis-insertion prevention member 150b to move in the planar direction between restricting portion 170 and installation surface 211 in the released state. In this case, mis-insertion prevention member 150b and each restricting portion 170 may be configured to enable mis-insertion prevention member 150b and adapter 130b to engage with and disengage from each other, without involving movement of mis-insertion prevention member 150b in the planar direction, by utilizing, for example, elastic deformation of mis-insertion prevention member 150b and restricting portion 170.

[0093] (C-7) In the second embodiment described above, it is not necessary to provide the first restriction portion pair 171 or the second restriction portion pair 172. For example, two or more restriction portions 170 may be arranged so as not to sandwich the center C1 or the center C2 between them in the engaged state, or only one restriction portion 170 may be provided.

[0094] (C-8) In each of the above embodiments, the positioning portion 159 does not have to be configured as a substantially cylindrical protrusion, and may have any shape. For example, the positioning portion 159 may have any shape, such as a prism shape, a cone shape, or a pyramid shape. Furthermore, the positioning portion 159 does not have to have a shape that protrudes from the opposing surface 151. For example, the positioning portion 159 may be configured as a recess such as a hole or a depression that corresponds to a positioning portion on the adapter side that protrudes from the adapters 130, 130b toward the erroneous insertion prevention members 150, 150b.

[0095] D. 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.

[0096] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container detachably attached to a printing device is provided, the liquid container including a liquid container section for containing a liquid, a liquid supply member connected to the liquid container section and having a supply path for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container section to the printing device, an adapter engaging with the liquid supply member, and an erroneous insertion prevention member for preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device, the erroneous insertion prevention member detachably engaging with the adapter. According to this aspect, since the mis-insertion prevention member detachably engages with the adapter, the mis-insertion prevention member can be replaced separately, and a decrease in the reusability of the liquid container caused by the mis-insertion prevention member can be suppressed. Therefore, the reusability of the liquid container can be improved while suppressing mis-insertion into the printing device.

[0097] (2) In the above embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member may have an opposing surface that faces the adapter when the mis-insertion prevention member is engaged with the adapter, and at least one engagement portion that protrudes from the opposing surface and engages with the adapter in the engaged state. According to this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member can be detachably engaged with the adapter by the engagement portion that protrudes from the opposing surface of the mis-insertion prevention member.

[0098] (3) In the above embodiment, the at least one engaging portion may include a first engaging portion having a snap-fit ​​structure that hooks onto the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface. According to this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member can be detachably engaged with the adapter with a simple configuration.

[0099] (4) In the above embodiment, the at least one engaging portion may include a second engaging portion, the second engaging portion having a snap-fit ​​structure that engages with the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface, and a first engaging direction that is a direction in which the first engaging portion engages with the adapter along the opposing surface and a second engaging direction that is a direction in which the second engaging portion engages with the adapter along the opposing surface may be different from each other. According to this embodiment, since the first engaging direction and the second engaging direction are different from each other, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engagement between the first engaging portion and the adapter and the second engaging portion will be unintentionally released.

[0100] (5) In the above embodiment, the first hooking direction may be a direction from the first engagement portion to the second engagement portion, and the second hooking direction may be a direction from the second engagement portion to the first engagement portion. According to this embodiment, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion hook onto the adapter so as to face each other, which further reduces the possibility that the engagement between the adapter and the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion will be unintentionally released.

[0101] (6) In the above embodiment, the at least one engaging portion may have the engaging portion that engages with the adapter so as to restrict movement of the erroneous insertion prevention member relative to the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface in the engaged state, and the adapter may have at least one restricting portion that restricts movement of the erroneous insertion prevention member away from the adapter along a normal direction to the opposing surface in the engaged state. According to this embodiment, the restricting portion can reduce the possibility that the engaged state is unintentionally released.

[0102] (7) In the above embodiment, the adapter has an installation surface that faces the opposing surface in the engaged state, and each of the restricting portions is disposed such that the mis-insertion prevention member is sandwiched between the installation surface and each of the restricting portions in the normal direction in the engaged state, and in a released state in which the engagement of the mis-insertion prevention member with the adapter is released, the mis-insertion prevention member may be allowed to move in a direction along the opposing surface between each of the restricting portions and the installation surface. According to this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member can be attached to the adapter by moving the mis-insertion prevention member in a direction along the opposing surface between the restricting portion and the adapter and then engaging the engaging portion with the adapter. In addition, the mis-insertion prevention member can be removed from the adapter by moving the mis-insertion prevention member in a direction along the opposing surface between the restricting portion and the adapter after releasing the engagement between the engaging portion and the adapter.

[0103] (8) In the above embodiment, the at least one restriction portion may have a first restriction portion pair consisting of a pair of the restriction portions, and each of the restriction portions may allow the erroneous insertion prevention member to move in a first direction along the opposing surface and a second direction opposite to the first direction between the restriction portion and the installation surface in the released state, and the first restriction portion pair may be arranged such that, in the engaged state, a center of the erroneous insertion prevention member in the first direction is located between the restriction portions constituting the first restriction portion pair when viewed along the normal direction. According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the engaged state is unintentionally released.

[0104] (9) In the above embodiment, the at least one restricting portion may have a second restricting portion pair consisting of a pair of the restricting portions, and each of the restricting portions may allow the erroneous insertion prevention member to move in a first direction along the opposing surface between the restricting portion and the adapter and in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the released state, and the second restricting portion pair may be arranged such that, in the engaged state, a center of the erroneous insertion prevention member in the second direction is located between the restricting portions constituting the second restricting portion pair when viewed along the normal direction. According to this embodiment, the possibility of the engagement state being unintentionally released can be further reduced.

[0105] (10) In the above embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member may have a positioning portion that positions the mis-insertion prevention member relative to the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface, the positioning portion being different from each of the engagement portions. According to this embodiment, the mis-insertion prevention member can be easily positioned relative to the adapter by the positioning portion.

[0106] (11) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for reusing an erroneous insertion prevention member that detachably engages with an adapter of a liquid container, the method comprising the steps of: removing the erroneous insertion prevention member from an adapter of a recovered used liquid container; and attaching the removed erroneous insertion prevention member to an adapter of another liquid container different from the used liquid container.

[0107] (12) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an erroneous insertion prevention member attached to a liquid container detachable from a printing device, the erroneous insertion prevention member comprising a liquid container for containing a liquid, a liquid supply member connected to the liquid container and having a supply path for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container to a printing device side, and an adapter for engaging with the liquid supply member. The erroneous insertion prevention member comprises an erroneous insertion prevention portion for preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device, and an engaging portion for detachably engaging with the adapter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10...printing device, 10c...housing, 12...front portion, 13...operation portion, 14...medium discharge port, 15...medium receiving portion, 18...cover member, 20...control portion, 30...ejection execution portion, 31...liquid ejection portion, 32...tube, 33...nozzle, 34...carriage, 36...transport roller, 40...liquid supply portion, 42...supply pipe, 43...joint portion, 45...suction portion, 46...pressure transmission pipe, 50...switching mechanism, 50a...first switching mechanism, 50b...second switching mechanism, 51...liquid introduction portion, 51t...tip portion, 55...identification portion, 58...device side terminal, 60...case storage portion, 61...case, 61a...first case, 6 1b...second case, 62...guide portion, 89...recess, 100, 100a, 100b...liquid container, 105...mounting body, 105a...first mounting body, 105b...second mounting body, 110...liquid container, 111...first surface, 112...second surface, 120...liquid supply member, 121...liquid supply portion, 122...positioning hole, 123...supply path, 124...mating portion, 124A...first mating portion, 124B...second mating portion, 124C...third mating portion, 127...engagement portion main body, 128...connection portion, 129...engaged member, 130, 130b...adapter, 130fa...adapter first surface side, 130fb...adapter second surface side, 131...recess, 132...circuit board, 133...projection, 134...adapter engagement portion, 134A...first adapter engagement portion, 134B...second adapter engagement portion, 134C...third adapter engagement portion, 150, 150b...misinsertion prevention member, 151...opposing surface, 152, 152b...engagement portion, 152A...first engagement portion, 152B...second engagement portion, 152C...third engagement portion, 152D...fourth engagement portion, 152E...fifth engagement portion, 153...rising portion, 153A...first rising portion, 153B...second rising portion, 153C...third rising portion, 155 ,155b...snap portion, 155A...first snap portion, 155B...second snap portion, 155C...third snap portion, 156,156b...snap surface, 159...positioning portion, 159A...first positioning portion, 159B...second positioning portion, 160...misinsertion prevention portion, 161...opposite surface, 170...regulating portion, 170A...first restricting portion, 170B...second restricting portion, 170C...third restricting portion, 170D...fourth restricting portion, 171...first restricting portion pair, 172...second restricting portion pair, 179...insertion portion, 200...installation base, 201...first wall, 202...second wall, 203...third wall, 211...installation surface, 212,212b... fastened portion, 212A... first fastened portion, 212B... second fastened portion, 212C... third fastened portion, 212D... fourth fastened portion, 212E... fifth fastened portion, 213, 213b... through hole, 215, 215b... guide surface, 219... position determination recess, 219A... first position determination recess, 219B... second position determination recess, 223... introduction portion, 239... fastening forming portion, 621... one end portion, 622... other end portion,

Claims

1. A liquid container that is detachable from a printing device, a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a liquid supply member connected to the liquid storage unit, the liquid supply member having a supply path for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit to the printing device; an adapter for engaging the liquid supply member; A liquid container comprising: an erroneous insertion prevention member for preventing erroneous insertion into a printing device, the erroneous insertion prevention member removably engaging with the adapter.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1 , The erroneous insertion prevention member is an opposing surface that faces the adapter when the erroneous insertion prevention member is engaged with the adapter; and at least one engagement portion protruding from the opposing surface and engaging with the adapter in the engaged state. Liquid container.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2 , The at least one engagement portion includes a first engagement portion, The first engagement portion has a snap-fit ​​structure that hooks onto the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3 , The at least one engagement portion includes a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion has a snap-fit ​​structure that is hooked onto the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface, A liquid container in which a first hooking direction, which is a hooking direction of the first engagement portion along the opposing surface of the adapter, and a second hooking direction, which is a hooking direction of the second engagement portion along the opposing surface of the adapter, are different from each other.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4, the first hooking direction is a direction from the first engagement portion toward the second engagement portion, The second hooking direction is a direction from the second engagement portion toward the first engagement portion.

6. The liquid container according to claim 2 , the at least one engaging portion has an engaging portion that engages with the adapter so as to restrict movement of the erroneous insertion prevention member relative to the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface in the engaged state, The adaptor has at least one restricting portion that restricts the movement of the erroneous insertion prevention member away from the adaptor along a normal direction of the opposing surface in the engaged state.

7. The liquid container according to claim 6, the adapter has an installation surface that faces the opposing surface in the engaged state, Each of the regulating portions is In the engaged state, the erroneous insertion prevention member is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the installation surface and each of the restriction portions in the normal direction, In a released state in which the engagement of the erroneous insertion prevention member with the adapter is released, the erroneous insertion prevention member is allowed to move in a direction along the opposing surface between each of the restricting portions and the installation surface. Liquid container.

8. The liquid container according to claim 7, The at least one restriction portion includes a first restriction portion pair including a pair of the restriction portions, each of the restricting portions allows the erroneous insertion prevention member to move in a first direction along the opposing surface and a second direction opposite to the first direction between the restricting portion and the installation surface in the released state; The first regulating portion pair is arranged in the engaged state so that, when viewed along the normal direction, the center of the erroneous insertion prevention member in the first direction is located between the regulating portions that constitute the first regulating portion pair.

9. The liquid container according to claim 7, The at least one restriction portion includes a second restriction portion pair including a pair of the restriction portions, each of the restricting portions allows the erroneous insertion prevention member to move in a first direction along the opposing surface between the restricting portion and the adapter and in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the released state; The second regulating portion pair is arranged in the engaged state so that, when viewed along the normal direction, the center of the erroneous insertion prevention member in the second direction is located between the regulating portions that constitute the second regulating portion pair.

10. 10. The liquid container according to claim 2, The erroneous insertion prevention member has a positioning portion that positions the erroneous insertion prevention member relative to the adapter in a direction along the opposing surface, the positioning portion being different from each of the engagement portions.

11. A method for reusing an erroneous insertion prevention member that detachably engages with an adapter of a liquid container, comprising the steps of: removing the erroneous insertion prevention member from the adapter of the recovered used liquid container; and attaching the removed erroneous insertion prevention member to an adapter of another liquid container different from the used liquid container.

12. a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a liquid supply member connected to the liquid storage unit, the liquid supply member having a supply path for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit to a printing device side; an adapter that engages with the liquid supply member, the mis-insertion prevention member being attached to a liquid container that is detachable from the printing device, an erroneous insertion prevention unit for preventing erroneous insertion into the printing device; and an engagement portion that detachably engages with the adapter.

Images