Liquid storage body and liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage body in which an adapter is easily reused.SOLUTION: A liquid storage body 1 includes: a bag body 60 which is composed of a film material 82; a spout 83 which has a supply port 52; a mounting section 81; an information holding body 53; and an adapter 61 which is composed of two members so as to sandwich the bag body. The adapter 61 has an engaging section 613h, an engaged section 613c, and regulation sections 615f, 615s. The engaging section 613h is engaged with the engaged section 613c, and thereby the spout 83 is sandwiched and fixed by the adapter 61. The mounting section 81 having the information holding body 53 is positioned and fixed in a posture regulated by the regulation sections 615f, 615s.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a liquid container, which is constructed integrally by mounting a liquid containing bag on an adapter, is mounted on a liquid ejection device, and liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection device. The liquid container is provided with a storage unit that stores information about the liquid container, and the liquid ejection device is capable of reading the information from the storage unit. [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] However, in the liquid container according to Patent Document 1, the adapter is provided with a storage unit that stores information about the liquid container. Therefore, when replacing the liquid containing bag while reusing the adapter, the adapter is restricted to replacement with the same type of liquid containing bag. Therefore, when a different type of liquid containing bag is to be used, the adapter itself may need to be replaced, which makes it difficult to reuse the adapter.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid container that allows the adapter to be easily reused. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The liquid container comprises a bag body made of a film material, a spout arranged at one end of the bag body and having a supply port attached by being sandwiched by the periphery of the film material, a mounting section provided using a part of the bag body in an area at one end of the bag body adjacent to the spout, an information holder provided in the mounting section, and an adapter constructed of two members to sandwich the bag body, wherein the adapter comprises an engaging section, an engaged section with which the engaging section engages, and a determining section for determining the position of the mounting section relative to the adapter, and the engaging section and the engaged section engage to sandwich and fix the spout by the adapter, and the mounting section equipped with the information holder is positioned and fixed in an attitude determined by the determining section. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it becomes easier to reuse the adapter in the liquid container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the liquid containing bag is fixed to the adapter. [Figure 6] 11A-11C are diagrams illustrating the process of fastening the liquid containing bag to the adapter. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the mounting portion and the spacer are inserted into the slit. [Figure 10] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device 100. The liquid ejection device 100 includes a cassette 2. A liquid container 1 is contained in the cassette 2. The liquid container 1 is detachable from the cassette 2. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a recording head (not shown), a recording medium container (not shown), a recording medium transport mechanism (not shown), and the like. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a reading unit for reading information held by an information holder 53 provided in a liquid containing bag 60 described below.

[0010] About Dimensions Regarding the dimensions in the drawing, the Y direction, the X direction, and the Z direction are perpendicular to each other. First, the Y direction will be described. The Y direction in the drawing indicates the moving direction of the cassette 2.

[0011] When removing the cassette 2 from the liquid ejection device 100, the cassette 2 is pulled out in the -Y direction. On the other hand, when attaching the cassette 2 to the liquid ejection device 100, the cassette 2 is inserted in the +Y direction. The Y direction indicates the length direction of the liquid container 1. In this embodiment, the direction in which the above-mentioned cassette 2 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 is called the base end side of the liquid container 1. In other words, the +Y direction side in the figure is the base end side of the liquid container 1. On the other hand, the -Y direction side is called the tip side of the liquid container 1.

[0012] Next, the X direction in the figure will be described. In this embodiment, the X direction indicates the width direction of the liquid container 1. In this embodiment, the left direction is referred to as the -X direction based on the direction in which the cassette 2 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 (i.e., the +Y direction). On the other hand, the right direction is referred to as the +X direction based on the direction in which the cassette 2 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 (i.e., the +Y direction).

[0013] Next, the Z direction in the figure will be described. In this embodiment, the Z direction indicates the height direction of the liquid container 1. In this embodiment, the direction of gravity is used as a reference, and the direction of gravity is called the -Z direction. On the other hand, the antigravity direction is called the +Z direction.

[0014] In this embodiment, the state in which the liquid container 1 is mounted on the liquid ejection device 100 is referred to as a "mounted state." The liquid container 1 is mounted on the liquid ejection device 100 with its height direction oriented substantially in the vertical direction, and therefore, in the mounted state, the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0015] <About Liquid Container 1> The liquid container 1 contains liquid therein. An example of the liquid is ink ejected from the recording head of the liquid ejection device 100. Note that, in this embodiment, the liquid is described as being ink, but the example of the liquid is not limited to ink.

[0016] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 100 includes four cassettes 2. One liquid container 1 is contained in one cassette 2. Examples of the above-mentioned ink colors include cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In this embodiment, the four liquid containers 1 have the same size. However, the sizes of the liquid containers 1 do not all have to be the same. For example, the liquid container 1 containing black ink may be larger than the liquid containers 1 containing inks of other colors.

[0017] <Configuration of the liquid container 1> 2 is a perspective view of the liquid container 1. The liquid container 1 is used to supply liquid to the liquid ejection device 100. The liquid container 1 includes an adapter 61 and a liquid containing bag 60. The adapter 61 assists in connection and handling when the cassette 2 is attached to the liquid ejection device 100. The liquid containing bag 60 is attached to the tip side of the adapter 61.

[0018] In other words, when the cassette 2 containing the liquid container 1 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100, the liquid containing bag 60 and the liquid ejection device 100 are connected via the adapter 61. As a result, the ink in the liquid containing bag 60 is supplied to the liquid ejection device 100.

[0019] The liquid containing bag 60 includes a bag-shaped member 60c, one end 60a of the bag-shaped member 60c, and the other end 60b opposite to the one end 60a. The bag-shaped member 60c contains ink therein. The ink contains a pigment as a sedimentary component dispersed in a solvent. Note that the component contained in the ink does not have to be a pigment.

[0020] The bag-shaped member 60c has flexibility and gas barrier properties. The shape of the bag-shaped member 60c may be a pillow type or a gusset type. The bag-shaped member 60c of the present embodiment is a pillow type bag formed by stacking two rectangular films and joining their peripheral portions together.

[0021] The film constituting the bag-shaped member 60c is made of a material having the above-mentioned flexibility and gas barrier properties, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, etc.

[0022] Furthermore, a laminated structure in which a plurality of films made of the above-mentioned materials are laminated may be used to form one film portion 82. 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.

[0023] Furthermore, a film having a layer on which aluminum or the like is evaporated may be used as one of the constituent members of the laminated structure. A liquid supply port 52 for supplying the ink in the bag-shaped member 60c to the liquid ejection device 100 is attached to the one end portion 60a.

[0024] <Structure of the liquid storage bag 60> 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid containing bag 60. The liquid containing bag 60 includes a film portion 82. The film portion 82 includes a first film 82a and a second film 82b. The base end side of the liquid containing bag 60 (the side where the one end portion 60a is located) includes a spout portion 83 including the above-mentioned liquid supply port 52, an information holder 53, and a mounting portion 81.

[0025] The spout portion 83 is used to supply the liquid in the liquid containing bag 60 to the liquid discharge device 100. The spout portion 83 is sandwiched between the above-mentioned first film 82a and second film 82b. The spout portion 83 is fixed to the base end side of the liquid containing bag 60 by welding a welding portion 84, which is the peripheral portion of the liquid containing bag 60 and is shown by hatching. The spout portion 83 includes the liquid supply port 52 and a hole portion 85 provided with a hole for fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the above-mentioned adapter 61 (see FIG. 2).

[0026] The information holder 53 is mounted on the mounting portion 81. The method for mounting the information holder 53 on the mounting portion 81 may be adhesion with an adhesive or welding. In this embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the information holder 53 is adhered to the mounting portion 81 with an adhesive.

[0027] The mounting portion 81 is formed on one side of the periphery of the liquid containing bag 60 to which an adapter 61 for connecting the liquid container 1 to the liquid discharger 100 is attached. The mounting portion 81 has a convex shape that protrudes in the direction of insertion into the liquid discharger 100. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 81 is formed on the +X direction side based on the position of the spout portion 83, but it may be formed on the -X direction side. In other words, the mounting portion 81 is formed next to the spout portion 83.

[0028] Moreover, the mounting portion 81 includes a mounting hole portion 86. When the information holder 53 is mounted on the mounting portion 81, the information holder 53 is mounted so that the convex portion on the back surface of the information holder 53 fits into the mounting hole so as not to come into contact with the mounting portion 81.

[0029] The information holder 53 holds information about the liquid container 1. For example, the information holder 53 is a memory unit (such as an IC chip) provided on the surface of a circuit board. The memory unit holds various types of information about the liquid container 1 (for example, the type of the liquid container 1, the amount of liquid contained, etc.).

[0030] Furthermore, when the cassette 2 containing the liquid container 1 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100, the connection terminals provided on the surface of the circuit board are connected to terminals provided on the liquid ejection device 100 inside the liquid ejection device 100.

[0031] As a result, the above-mentioned information held by the information holder 53 is read by the liquid ejection device 100 via the connection terminal. Then, the liquid ejection device 100 can obtain the above-mentioned information.

[0032] <Fixing of liquid storage bag 60> As shown in Fig. 4, the liquid containing bag 60 (see Fig. 3) formed by welding the welding portion 84 is configured by being sandwiched and fixed from above and below by the adaptor 61 with the gravity direction as a reference. A method of attaching the liquid containing bag 60 to the adaptor 61 will be described below.

[0033] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid container 1. The adapter 61 includes a first member 611 and a second member 612. The first member 611 includes a claw portion 613c for engagement with the second member 612 and a convex first defining portion 615f having an inclined portion. The second member 612 includes an engagement hole portion 613h, a fixing portion 614, and a second defining portion 615s. When the liquid containing bag 60 is attached to the second member 612, the hole portion 85 fits into the fixing portion 614, thereby fixing the position of the liquid supply port 52.

[0034] The mounting portion 81 is placed so as to correspond to the second defining portion 615s. The second defining portion 615s has an inclined plane that slopes downward toward the base end. The mounting portion 81 is bent along the inclined plane and placed on the second defining portion 615s.

[0035] Then, the claw portions 613c are fitted from above so as to correspond to the engagement holes 613h. This causes the first member 611 to engage with the second member 612. In this embodiment, the first member 611 has four claw portions 613c at the corners. Meanwhile, the second member 612 has four engagement holes 613h at the corners. These four claw portions 613c and the engagement holes 613h are engaged so as to correspond to each other.

[0036] Then, the mounting portion 81 is sandwiched and fixed in a bent state along the inclined flat surface of the second defining portion 615s and the oblique portion of the first defining portion 615f. As a result, the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the adapter 61 so that the positions of the liquid supply port 52 and the mounting portion 81 do not shift.

[0037] Moreover, by releasing the engagement between the above-mentioned claw portion 613c and the engagement hole portion 613h, the first member 611 and the second member 612 can be removed, and the liquid containing bag 60 can be removed from the adapter 61. This allows the adapter 61 to be reused. This concludes the description of the method for attaching the liquid containing bag 60 to the adapter 61.

[0038] <Regarding the first defining portion 615f and the second defining portion 615s> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the adaptor 61. Fig. 5(a) is a top view of the adaptor 61. As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the adaptor 61 is viewed from above with the liquid containing bag 60 fixed to the adaptor 61, the information holder 53 is mounted on the mounting portion 81. The first defining portions 615f press both the left and right ends of the mounting portion 81 from above.

[0039] On the other hand, Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb in Fig. 5(a). As shown in Fig. 5(b), the mounting section 81 on which the information holder 53 is mounted is placed on a second defining section 615s provided on the second member 612. Then, a first defining section 615f provided on the first member 611 presses both the left and right ends of the mounting section 81 from above. In other words, the mounting section 81 is pressed and fixed from both the top and bottom directions by the first member 611 and the second member 612, thereby defining its position.

[0040] At this time, the mounting portion 81 and the information holder 53 are arranged with their position and posture determined so as to face diagonally upward with respect to the liquid delivery direction of the liquid container 1 along the inclined plane of the second defining portion 615s and the oblique portion of the first defining portion 615f.

[0041] <Method of manufacturing liquid container 1> A method for manufacturing the liquid container 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. First, a brief description will be given of the process that is the basis for fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the adapter 61. In the following description, "S" stands for step.

[0042] In S1, the liquid containing bag 60 is prepared. At this time, the liquid containing bag 60 contains ink inside.

[0043] In S2, the information holder 53, which holds information to be read by the liquid ejection device 100, is attached to the liquid containing bag 60. Specifically, the information holder 53 is attached to the mounting portion 81 of the liquid containing bag 60.

[0044] The above is a description of the process that is the basis for fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the adaptor 61. Below, the process of fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the adaptor 61 will be described.

[0045] <Process of fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the adapter 61> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the process of fixing the liquid containing bag 60 to the adaptor 61. The left side of Fig. 6 shows the state before the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the adaptor 61. On the other hand, the right side of Fig. 6 shows the state after the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the adaptor 61.

[0046] The position of the liquid supply port 52 is determined by inserting the hole 85 of the liquid containing bag 60 into the fixing portion 614 of the second member 612. Then, the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the second member 612.

[0047] Furthermore, the liquid containing bag 60 is fixed to the adapter 61 by engaging the claw portions 613c of the first member 611 with the corresponding engaging holes 613h of the second member 612. At this time, the first defining portion 615f and the second defining portion 615s sandwich the mounting portion 81 to define the position and posture of the information holder 53. Through the above process, the liquid containing body 1 is manufactured.

[0048] <Summary> As described above, according to the liquid container 1 of this embodiment, the information holder 53 that holds information specific to the liquid container 1 is provided in the liquid containing bag 60. In other words, since the information holder 53 is provided in the liquid containing bag 60, there is no need to provide the information holder 53 in the adapter 61. This makes it possible to reuse the adapter 61 when replacing the liquid container 1.

[0049] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second liquid containing bag 260 in this embodiment. The difference between the liquid containing bag 60 according to the first embodiment and the second liquid containing bag 260 according to the second embodiment is the presence or absence of a spacer 87. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description is omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0050] In this embodiment, the object is to attach the mounting portion 81 to the adapter 61 with high accuracy. For this reason, in this embodiment, a spacer 87 having greater rigidity than the film portion 82 is sandwiched and fixed between the first film 82a and the second film 82b. Then, the information holder 53 is adhered onto the first film 82a to form the second liquid containing bag 260. The information holder 53 may be welded onto the first film 82a. In other words, the spacer 87 is joined to the mounting portion 81 and supports the information holder 53.

[0051] Further, the spacer 87 has a square hole so that the convex portion provided on the back surface of the information holder 53 does not come into contact with the spacer 87. The spacer 87 has a joint portion 88. The joint portion 88 has a function of fixing the spacer 87 to the film portion 82. The film portion 82 and the spacer 87 are joined via the joint portion 88. As an example of the joint portion 88, for example, an adhesive may be applied to the joint portion 88. The information holder 53 is then mounted on top of the first film 82a.

[0052] <About Slit 616> In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 81 is attached at an angle and its position is determined by being sandwiched between a first member 611 and a second member 612. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the second liquid container 20 according to this embodiment. Note that the first member 611 is not shown in the drawing to simplify the explanation.

[0053] 8, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 81 and the spacer 87 are inserted into a slit 616 provided in the second member 612. Then, by inserting the mounting portion 81 provided with the spacer 87 into the slit 616, the posture of the mounting portion 81 becomes inclined, and the position of the mounting portion 81 is determined. At this time, since the spacer 87 has rigidity compared to the film portion 82, the mounting portion 81 can be attached to the second member 612 with higher accuracy than when only the film portion 82 is inserted into the slit 616.

[0054] <<Regarding insertion of mounting portion 81 and spacer 87 according to this embodiment>> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the mounting portion 81 and the spacer 87 are inserted into the slit 616. Fig. 9(a) is a top view of the adapter 61. Fig. 9(a) shows a state in which the information holder 53 is mounted on the mounting portion 81, similar to the first embodiment.

[0055] On the other hand, Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXb-IXb in Fig. 9(a). As shown in Fig. 9(b), the left and right ends of mounting portion 81 are inserted into slits 616, so that information holder 53 is kept at an angle. The position of information holder 53 is also determined.

[0056] <Summary> As described above, according to the liquid container 1 of the second embodiment, the spacer 87 and the mounting portion 81 are inserted into the slit 616, making it easier to maintain the posture and define the position of the mounting portion 81. In other words, it becomes possible to easily attach the second liquid containing bag 260 to the adapter 61 with high accuracy.

[0057] <Modification of the second embodiment> In this embodiment, an example in which an adhesive is applied is shown as an example of the joint 88, but the spacer 87 may be welded to the film part 82. In this case, the melted part of the spacer 87 becomes the joint 88.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the slits 616 are formed in the second member 612, but the slits 616 may be formed in the first member 611.

[0059] In the present embodiment, an example in which the spacer 87 is sandwiched between the first film 82a and the second film 82b has been described, but the method of attaching the spacer 87 to the film portion 82 is not limited to this example. For example, the spacer 87 may be attached to the surface of the first film 82a or the surface of the second film 82b.

[0060] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the second film 82b has the mounting hole 86, but the mounting hole 86 may be omitted, particularly in the case where the spacer 87 is sandwiched between the first film 82a and the second film 82b.

[0061] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment according to the technology of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a third liquid container 30 according to this embodiment. The difference between the liquid container 1 according to the first embodiment and the third liquid container 30 according to this embodiment is the presence or absence of a positioning hole 811 and a positioning protrusion 617. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0062] In this embodiment, the object is to fix the position of the information holder 53 with high accuracy. Therefore, the third liquid container 30 according to this embodiment includes a positioning hole 811 and a positioning protrusion 617. Specifically, the positioning protrusion 617 is formed in the second defining portion 615s according to this embodiment. Furthermore, the positioning hole 811 is formed in the mounting portion 81 according to this embodiment so as to correspond to the positioning protrusion 617.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the mounting portion 81 is placed on the second defining portion 615s, it is placed so that the positioning protrusion 617 is inserted into the positioning hole 811. Then, similar to the first embodiment, the mounting portion 81 is sandwiched and fixed between the first defining portion 615f and the second defining portion 615s. This keeps the mounting portion 81 in an oblique position. And the position of the mounting portion 81 is also defined.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more easily fix the mounting portion 81. In addition, the accuracy in defining the position of the mounting portion 81 is improved.

[0065] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, an example in which the information holder 53 is an IC chip or the like has been shown, but the example of the information holder 53 is not limited to this. The information holder 53 may be any as long as it corresponds to the configuration of the reading means provided in the liquid ejection device 100. For example, if the liquid ejection device 100 is provided with a two-dimensional code reader, the information holder 53 will have a two-dimensional code. Specifically, if the liquid ejection device 100 is provided with a barcode reader, the information holder 53 will have a barcode. In other words, regardless of the form of the information holder 53, as long as the information holder 53 is provided in the liquid containing bag 60, the adapter 61 can be reused. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Liquid container 53 Information carrier 60 Liquid Containment Bag 100 Liquid dispensing device

Claims

1. A bag body made of a film material; A spout having a supply port disposed at one end of the bag body and sandwiched and attached by the periphery of the film material; A mounting portion is provided by utilizing a part of the bag in an area adjacent to the spout at one end of the bag; An information holder provided in the mounting portion; An adapter composed of two members so as to sandwich the bag body; A liquid container comprising: The adapter comprises: an engaging portion; and an engaged portion with which the engaging portion engages; a determining portion for determining a position of the mounting portion relative to the adapter, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other to sandwich and fix the spout by the adapter, and the mounting portion including the information holder is positioned and fixed in a posture determined by the determining portion. A liquid container characterized in that

2. The defining portion of the adapter is A first defining portion having a flat surface that supports the mounting portion provided on one of the two members; a second defining portion provided on the other member side, facing a plane of the first defining portion, and pressing both left and right ends of the mounting portion; Equipped with The mounting portion is fixed by the first defining portion and the second defining portion. The liquid container according to claim 1 .

3. the mounting portion includes a spacer having a rigidity for supporting the information holder, The defining portion of the adapter includes a flat surface that supports the mounting portion provided on one of the two members, and slits are provided on both side surfaces of the defining portion along the flat surface, The mounting portion including the spacer is inserted into the slit. The liquid container according to claim 1 .

4. The defining portion of the adapter is A first defining portion having a flat surface that supports the mounting portion provided on one of the two members; a second defining portion provided on the other of the two members, facing a plane of the first defining portion, and pressing both left and right ends of the mounting portion; A positioning protrusion is provided on a plane constituting the first defining portion, The mounting portion includes a positioning hole portion at a position corresponding to the positioning protrusion portion, The positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning hole, The mounting portion is fixed by the first defining portion and the second defining portion. The liquid container according to claim 1 .

5. The mounting portion has a mounting hole portion for fitting a protrusion provided on the back surface of the information holder. The liquid container according to claim 1 .

6. The mounting portion is provided as a convex shape protruding further from one end side of the bag body adjacent to the spout, The liquid container according to claim 1 .

7. The engaging claw and the engaging hole of the adapter are removable. The liquid container according to claim 1 .

8. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A cassette that accommodates the liquid container; a mounting portion in which the cassette is mounted; a reading unit for reading information stored in the information holder of the liquid container; Equipped with A liquid ejection device comprising:

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