Liquid storage container

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage container which enables reduction of burdens on an environment.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage body having a flexible liquid storage bag and a liquid supply part which is attached to the liquid storage bag and configured to supply liquid stored in the liquid storage bag to the outside; and a case which houses at least the liquid storage bag. A non-liquid-contact part which does not comes into contact with the liquid is formed of a material containing a recycled plastic.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a liquid storage container that includes a liquid storage body having a flexible liquid storage bag and a case that stores at least the liquid storage bag (Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-58542 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-187873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the prior art, there is a demand for a liquid container that can reduce the burden on the environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container comprising: a liquid storage body having a flexible liquid storage bag, a liquid supply part attached to the liquid storage bag and supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage bag to an outside, and a case for housing at least the liquid storage bag, wherein a non-liquid-contacting part that does not come into contact with the liquid is made of a material containing recycled plastic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a liquid ejection system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of a liquid storage container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the liquid storage container. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing a liquid container. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing the liquid container. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a liquid ejection system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a first fixing member. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the first fixing member. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view showing a portion of the second case member on the +Y direction side. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing the +Y direction side portion of the second case member. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the −Y direction side portion of the second case member. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of a supply member. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a liquid ejection system 1 according to a first embodiment. The liquid ejection system 1 according to this embodiment ejects, i.e., consumes, ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto paper P, which is an example of a target, transported in one direction, thereby forming an image or the like on the paper P. FIG. 1 shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, which are perpendicular to each other. When the liquid ejection system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, the +Z direction is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction. In other figures according to the first embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are also shown as necessary.

[0008] The liquid ejection system 1 includes a liquid ejection device 11 and a plurality of liquid storage containers 70 detachably mounted to the liquid ejection device 11. In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 is a printer. As indicated by the two-dot chain line, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and operation buttons 11b, such as a power button, for driving the liquid ejection device 11 are provided on the top surface of the housing 2 on the +Z direction side, which is the vertically upward direction. In addition, an openable cover 11c is provided on the front surface of the housing 2, which is on the -Y direction side, which is the direction in which paper P is transported. The user can access the inside of the housing 2 with this cover 11c open.

[0009] A support base 13 extends in the horizontal direction at the lower vertical side of a substantially rectangular box-shaped frame 12 housed in the internal space covered by the housing 2, i.e., at the lower part on the -Z direction side, and its longitudinal direction is the ±X direction perpendicular to the -Y direction. A paper feed motor 14a is provided at the lower rear side of the frame 12, opposite the transport direction. The transport direction is the -Y direction. A paper feed mechanism driven by the paper feed motor 14a feeds paper P in the -Y direction on the support base 13.

[0010] Additionally, a guide shaft 15 is installed above the support base 13 within the frame 12 along the longitudinal direction of the support base 13. A carriage 16 is supported on the guide shaft 15 so as to be movable back and forth in its axial direction, i.e., in the ±X directions. More specifically, a support hole 16a is formed in the carriage 16 so as to penetrate in the ±X directions, and the guide shaft 15 is inserted through the support hole 16a. Note that here, the right direction as viewed from the -Y direction side is defined as the +X direction, and the left direction as the -X direction.

[0011] A drive pulley 17a and a driven pulley 17b are rotatably supported on the inner surface of the rear wall of the frame 12 at positions near both ends of the guide shaft 15. The output shaft of a carriage motor 14b is connected to the drive pulley 17a, and an endless timing belt 17, a portion of which is connected to the carriage 16, is wound between the drive pulley 17a and the driven pulley 17b. When the carriage motor 14b is driven, the carriage 16 moves back and forth in the ±X direction, which is the scanning direction, while being guided by the guide shaft 15 via the timing belt 17.

[0012] A liquid ejection head 18, which is an example of a liquid ejection unit, is provided below the carriage 16, and ink supplied to the liquid ejection head 18 is ejected from the liquid ejection head 18 to print an image on the paper P. Ink is supplied to the liquid ejection head 18 by a liquid storage container 70 that is detachably mounted in a mounting portion 20 provided in the housing 2. That is, the mounting portion 20 to which the liquid storage container 70 is mounted is disposed on the -X direction side of the housing 2, and a liquid supply tube TB that allows ink to flow is connected between the mounting portion 20 and the carriage 16. Ink is supplied to the liquid ejection head 18 from the liquid storage container 70 mounted in the mounting portion 20 via the liquid supply tube TB.

[0013] In this embodiment, four liquid containers 70, each having a liquid containing bag in a case that contains ink of a different hue, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, or black, can be attached to the mounting portion 20. Each liquid container 70 can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion 20 via the open cover 11c, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0014] Furthermore, in an area inside the frame 12 on the +X direction side of the support base 13, i.e., a home position area that is not used during printing, a maintenance device 19 is provided, which includes a bottomed box-shaped cap 19a that opens upward and a suction pump (not shown). In the liquid ejection device 11, after the carriage 16 is moved to the home position area, the maintenance device 19 performs a maintenance operation to ensure stable ink ejection from the liquid ejection head 18.

[0015] The various operations performed in the liquid ejection device 11 are controlled by a control unit. In this embodiment, the control unit is configured by a circuit board on which electrical elements such as a CPU, RAM, and ROM are mounted, and is disposed in a box body 12a provided at the rear of the frame 12, for example.

[0016] Furthermore, when ink is supplied from the liquid storage container 70, the control unit communicates predetermined liquid information, such as the remaining liquid amount, with a memory element, which is an example of a memory device, provided in the liquid storage container 70. Specifically, the communication of liquid information is performed by an electrical connection between an electrical connection portion provided in the mounting portion 20 and an electrical connection portion provided in the liquid storage container 70.

[0017] 2 is a diagram illustrating the mounting unit 20. The mounting unit 20 is configured to be able to hold four liquid containers 70 in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, lined up along the ±X directions, inside a generally box-shaped cartridge holder 22 that is open on the -Y side. The mounting unit 20 is also configured to be able to hold, inside the cartridge holder 22, at least one of the four liquid containers 70, with a different width dimension in the ±X directions.

[0018] Specifically, in the mounting portion 20 of this embodiment, instead of the liquid storage container 70 that is held furthest in the -X direction within the cartridge holder 22 among the four liquid storage containers 70, a liquid storage container 70 that is wider than the liquid storage container 70 can also be attached and detached.

[0019] A top member 27 is attached to the inner top surface of the cartridge holder 22, located on the +Z direction side of the inside thereof. The top member 27 has upper guide ribs (not shown) as a pair of guide rails that protrude downward along the +Y direction, which is the installation direction of the liquid storage containers 70, and are provided at a predetermined interval in the ±X directions according to the insertion position of each liquid storage container 70 in the cartridge holder 22. The top member 27 is also formed with a protruding insertion guide portion 27C that guides the installation of the liquid storage container 70.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the liquid container 70. FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the liquid container 70. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid container 70 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape composed of six surfaces. Specifically, the liquid container 70 has a first surface CS1 on the +Y direction side, which is the insertion direction into the mounting portion 20, and a second surface CS2 opposite the first surface CS1. The liquid container 70 also has a third surface CS3 that intersects with the first surface CS1 and the second surface CS2 and is on the vertically downward side in the mounted state, and a fourth surface CS4 opposite the third surface CS4. The liquid container 70 also has a fifth surface CS5 that is an extending surface that extends in a direction intersecting the first surface CS1, the second surface CS2, and the third surface CS3, and a sixth surface CS6 that is also an extending surface that faces the fifth surface CS5. In this embodiment, the surface extending on the −X direction side when viewed from the second surface CS2 side is the fifth surface CS5, and the surface extending on the +X direction side is the sixth surface CS6.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , the liquid container 70 has a pair of upper protrusions 70E in the +Y direction at both ends in the ±X directions of the fourth surface CS4, which serves as the upper surface when attached to the mounting portion 20. A pair of upper inner walls 70A are formed on the inside of the pair of upper protrusions 70E in the ±X directions. Furthermore, the pair of upper protrusions 70E extend in the +Y direction on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, the outer surfaces in the ±X directions of the pair of upper protrusions 70E are formed as part of the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6, respectively. Each upper protrusion 70E has upper protrusion wall portions 70ET formed on the upper inner wall 70A at positions facing each other and protruding inward, with a predetermined length in the +Y direction. The upper protrusion wall portions 70ET function to position the liquid container 70 with respect to the mounting portion 20 when the liquid container 70 is attached to the mounting portion 20.

[0022] A circuit board 30 is attached to the corner where the first surface CS1 and the fourth surface CS4 intersect. The surface of the circuit board 30 has a plurality of container-side electrodes 35 that establish electrical connection with the mounting part 20. The circuit board 30 is attached to the inclined surface 71K of the corner in an oblique position that slopes downward toward the third surface CS3 in the +Y direction, and is inclined relative to the +Y direction.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4 , a pair of lower protrusions 70D extend in the +Y direction on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side, respectively, on the third surface CS3, which serves as the bottom surface when attached to the mounting portion 20. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the pair of lower protrusions 70D in the ±X directions form lower inner walls 70B extending along the +Y direction. Meanwhile, the outer surfaces of the pair of lower protrusions 70D in the ±X directions are formed as part of the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6, respectively. Each lower inner wall 70B is formed with lower protrusion wall portions 70DT that protrude inward at positions facing each other and have a predetermined length in the +Y direction. The lower protrusion wall portions 70DT function to position the liquid container 70 with respect to the mounting portion 20 when the liquid container 70 is attached to the mounting portion 20.

[0024] Additionally, the third surface CS3 is formed with a groove 70G that can engage with a movable locking portion of the mounting portion 20. When the liquid storage container 70 is attached to the mounting portion 20, the groove 70G engages with the movable locking portion of the mounting portion 20. This restricts movement of the liquid storage container 70 in the attached state in the +Y direction, which is the removal direction, and maintains the attached state.

[0025] 4, the third surface CS3 is provided with protrusions 70P, each of which protrudes vertically downward from the third surface CS3 in the −Z direction, that is, the vertically downward direction, on the lower protrusions 70D provided on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side. In this embodiment, two protrusions 70P are provided spaced apart in the +Y direction, resulting in a total of four protrusions 70P formed on the bottom surface. In other words, the protrusions 70C are formed by a pair of lower protrusions 70D extending along the +Y direction and the protrusions 70P provided on the lower protrusions 70D. The protrusions 70C come into contact with the mounting portion 20 by sliding on the bottom member of the mounting portion 20.

[0026] In this embodiment, a plurality of rectangular grooves 70M are formed in the lower convex portion 70D, for example, to prevent shrinkage during molding, and the protrusion portion 70P is provided at the portion of the lower convex portion 70D in which the rectangular grooves 70M are formed, which is located at the innermost position in the width direction.

[0027] 4, in the liquid storage container 70 of this embodiment, when the convex portions 70C provided on the third surface CS3 are defined as first convex portions, a connecting rib 70R that connects the two lower convex portions 70D is provided as a second convex portion located between the first convex portions when viewed from the +Y direction. The connecting rib 70R is provided on the third surface CS3 on the side of the second surface CS2 that is opposite to the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the connecting rib 70R is formed to protrude from the third surface CS3 at the same height as the lower convex portions 70D, and is provided so as to constitute a part of the second surface CS2.

[0028] 3 and 4, the first surface CS1 of the liquid container 70 has a supply unit mounting section 75. The supply unit mounting section 75 forms a through-hole 75H that penetrates the first surface CS1 in the Y direction. A liquid supply unit 85 is disposed in the through-hole 75H, and allows ink to flow from the liquid containing bag 92 disposed inside to the outside. One end of the liquid supply unit 85 has a liquid supply port 81K.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid storage container 70. The liquid storage container 70 includes a liquid storage body 80 and a case 73. The liquid storage body 80 has a flexible liquid storage bag 92 and a supply member 81 attached to the liquid storage bag 92. The liquid storage bag 92 stores liquid. The liquid storage bag 92 is formed, for example, by welding the peripheral edges of multiple sheet members to each other to form a bag body. The supply member 81 is attached to one end of the liquid storage bag 92 on the +Y direction side. The supply member 81 has a cylindrical liquid supply portion 85 and a position fixing portion 86 provided on a side wall of the liquid supply portion 85. The liquid supply portion 85 extends along the Y direction. The liquid supply portion 85 communicates with the interior of the liquid storage bag 92, allowing the liquid in the liquid storage bag 92 to circulate. As described above, the liquid supply portion 85 is attached to the liquid storage bag 92 and supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage bag 92 to the external liquid ejection device 11. The volume of the liquid containing bag 92 decreases as the liquid is consumed.

[0030] The case 73 is a rigid member. The case 73 constitutes the outer shell of the liquid container 70 and forms the first surface CS1 to the sixth surface CS6. The case 73 has a first case member 71 and a second case member 72. The first case member 71 is a member that forms the first surface CS1. The second case member 72 is a member that forms the second surface CS2. The first case member 71 and the second case member 72 are engaged with each other to form the case 73. The case 73 contains at least a liquid containing bag 92. The liquid container 80 has a position fixing portion 86 that fixes the liquid container 80 to the first case member 71 by rotationally fitting into the first case member 71 of the case 73. The liquid container 70 has a label 74 attached to the second surface CS2. The label 74 has information such as characters that can identify the liquid container 70.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a first diagram illustrating a method for fixing the liquid container 80 to the first case member 71. Fig. 7 is a second diagram illustrating a method for fixing the liquid container 80.

[0032] As shown in the left diagram of Fig. 6 and the left diagram of Fig. 7, the first case member 71 is provided with a supply part mounting part 75 having a through hole 75H formed therein into which the liquid supply part 85 provided on the supply member 81 can be inserted together with the position fixing part 86. As shown in Fig. 7, the position fixing part 86 is arranged outside the liquid container 80, i.e., on the outer surface of the liquid container 80. The position fixing part 86 fixes the position of the liquid container 80 with respect to the case 73. The position fixing part 86 is a small piece protruding from the side wall of the liquid container 80.

[0033] 6 and 7, supply unit mounting section 75 has a recess recessed from first surface CS1 in a substantially keyhole shape, and through-hole 75H is formed in the bottom wall of this recess, extending in a direction substantially parallel to first surface CS1. Support section 76 is provided on the bottom wall around through-hole 75H, and support section 76 is provided with a contact section 76A that contacts base section 81A of inserted supply member 81 on the side opposite to first surface CS1, which is the side into which liquid supply unit 85 is inserted.

[0034] As shown in the central diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7, the liquid supply unit 85 provided on the supply member 81 is inserted into the supply unit placement section 75 of the first case member 71 together with the position fixing portion 86 through the through-hole 75H. That is, the through-hole 75H is opened in a shape that allows the liquid supply unit 85 and the position fixing portion 86 to pass through. During this insertion, the insertion posture of the liquid container 80 is such that the longitudinal direction of the joint portion 82 is in a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first case member 71. The joint portion 82 is a portion of the supply member 81 that is attached to the liquid containing bag 92 by welding. The supply member 81 further has a plate-shaped base portion 81A connected to the joint portion 82. The liquid supply unit 85 protrudes from the base portion 81A.

[0035] Furthermore, when the supply member 81 is inserted until the base portion 81A abuts against the abutment portion 76A of the first case member 71, the first position fixing portion 86A of the position fixing portion 86 and the support portion 76 of the supply unit arrangement portion 75 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, which in this embodiment is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0036] As shown in the right diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7, the supply member 81, with the liquid supply unit 85 inserted into the through-hole 75H, is rotated around the liquid supply unit 85 with the insertion direction as the axial direction while the supply member 81 is in contact with the contact unit 76A. In this embodiment, the supply member 81 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front side in the insertion direction of the liquid supply unit 85. This rotation causes the longitudinal direction of the base unit 81A of the supply member 81 to be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the first case member 71, and the position fixing units 86 move to an engagement position where they overlap with the support units 76 as viewed from the insertion direction. As a result, the movement of the liquid supply unit 85 in the supply unit arrangement unit 75 in the insertion direction and the opposite direction is restricted by the engagement between the position fixing units 86 and the support units 76, and the liquid container 80 is fixed to the first case member 71 in a positioned state in which movement of the liquid container 80 along the insertion direction is restricted.

[0037] 6, when the liquid container 80 is fixed to the first case member 71, a locking portion is provided that locks onto the supply member 81 to restrict rotation of the liquid supply unit 85 in a state where the position fixing portion 86 of the liquid supply unit 85 is engaged with the support portion 76. Specifically, the first case member 71 is provided with a first protrusion 71A and a second protrusion 71B as locking portions that protrude towards the attached supply member 81 within the rotation trajectory of an L-shaped portion 81F provided on the supply member 81 that rotates clockwise.

[0038] The first protrusion 71A functions as a locking portion that locks the supply member 81 in the rotational direction by coming into contact with the rotational direction side of the L-shaped portion 81F that rotates in the rotational direction when the liquid container 80 is attached to the first case member 71. On the other hand, the second protrusion 71B functions as a locking portion that locks the supply member 81 in the reverse rotational direction by coming into contact with the L-shaped portion 81F in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction when the liquid container 80 is attached to the first case member 71. In addition, the L-shaped portion 81F functions as a locked portion.

[0039] The supply member 81 can be removed from the first case member 71 by rotating the supply member 81 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction when attaching the supply member 81 to the first case member 71. In other words, the case 73 and the liquid container 80 are configured to be separable from each other.

[0040] Next, the material of the liquid storage container 70 will be described. The liquid storage container 70 has a liquid-contacting portion that comes into contact with the liquid and a non-liquid-contacting portion that does not come into contact with the liquid. The liquid-contacting portion includes a liquid storage bag 92 and a supply member 81 having a liquid supply portion 85. In this embodiment, the liquid-contacting portion includes the liquid storage body 80. The liquid-contacting portion is made of virgin plastic material. Virgin plastic material is plastic such as synthetic resin that does not use waste plastic. In other words, virgin plastic material is plastic that has not been recycled and is plastic material made from new material.

[0041] The non-liquid-contacting portion includes the case 73 and the label 74. In other words, the non-liquid-contacting portion is an element located outside the liquid container 80. The non-liquid-contacting portion is made of a material containing recycled plastic. Recycled plastic is produced, for example, from waste plastic. Recycled plastic is, for example, a plastic such as synthetic resin that is a mixture of multiple waste plastics. Here, the waste plastic can be made from recycled materials such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). In this disclosure, "recycled material" includes, for example, pre-consumer materials and post-consumer materials as defined in JIS Q14021. Pre-consumer materials are materials extracted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process. Specifically, pre-consumer materials can be, for example, waste scraps generated during the production of synthetic resin containers. Post-consumer materials are materials discarded from households or materials generated from commercial, industrial, and other end-user facilities that can no longer be used for their intended purposes, including materials returned from distribution channels. Specifically, post-consumer materials can be, for example, recycled resins, such as pulverized materials obtained by crushing recycled synthetic resin containers. In this embodiment, materials containing recycled plastics include not only materials composed solely of recycled plastics, but also materials composed of a mixture of virgin plastics and recycled plastics. Materials containing recycled plastics may contain, for example, more than 0% by weight and up to about 40% by weight of recycled plastics and less than 100% by weight and up to about 60% by weight of virgin plastics. Furthermore, materials containing recycled plastics may be produced by reacting, for example, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, and a resin having reactive functional groups, and may have excellent impact strength and flame retardancy.

[0042] According to the first embodiment, the case 73 and label 74, which constitute non-liquid-contacting portions of the liquid storage container 70, are made of a material containing recycled plastic. This allows recycled plastic to be used in part of the liquid storage container 70, thereby reducing the environmental impact. Also, according to the first embodiment, the liquid storage bag 92 and supply member 81, which constitute liquid-contacting portions of the liquid storage container 70, are made of virgin plastic material. This reduces the possibility of impurities or foreign matter derived from recycled plastic being mixed into the liquid, thereby preventing deterioration in the quality of the liquid. Also, according to the first embodiment, the case 73 and the liquid storage body 80 are configured to be separable from each other. This allows the liquid storage body 80 to be removed from the case 73 after the used liquid storage container 70 has been collected after the liquid has been consumed. Therefore, the case 73 can be reused, further reducing the environmental impact.

[0043] B. Second embodiment: Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a liquid ejection system 1a according to a second embodiment. Similar to the liquid ejection system 1 shown in Fig. 1, the liquid ejection system 1a prints on paper P by ejecting, i.e. consuming, ink, which is an example of liquid, onto paper P to form an image or the like. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0044] The liquid ejection system 1a includes a plurality of liquid storage containers 170 and a liquid ejection device 11a. In the liquid ejection system 1a, the liquid storage containers 170 are individually and detachably mounted to a mounting portion 20a of the liquid ejection device 11a. In the following description of the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components of the mounting portion 20a and the liquid storage containers 170, the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes shown in FIG. 1 will be used as appropriate.

[0045] The liquid ejection device 11a of this embodiment is an inkjet line printer that ejects ink as a liquid from a line head 220. The line head 220 has ink ejection holes for each color of ink (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) arranged in a line in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 8, and multiple linear rows of ink ejection holes for each color arranged in the X-axis direction in FIG. 1. An operation button 7 is provided on the front of the liquid ejection device 11a, and in response to a print command entered by a user operating the button, the liquid ejection device 11a ejects ink from the line head 220 to print while transporting paper P stored in a paper tray (not shown) inside the printer housing in the -X direction, and then ejects the printed paper P from the ejection hole 111. The paper transport and printing operations are no different from those of a normal line printer and are not directly related to the gist of this disclosure, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] A plurality of liquid storage containers 170 are removably attached to the mounting portion 20a. In this embodiment, four types of liquid storage containers 170, one for each of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan ink, i.e., a total of four liquid storage containers 170, are attached to the mounting portion 20a. In the liquid ejecting device 11a of this embodiment, a replacement cover 130 is provided on the surface on the -Y direction side. When the +Z axis direction side of the replacement cover 130 is tilted forward, an opening of the mounting portion 20a appears, allowing the liquid storage containers 170 to be attached and detached.

[0047] When the liquid storage container 170 is attached to the attachment portion 20a, ink can be supplied to the line head 220 via a tube (not shown).

[0048] In this embodiment, when the liquid ejection system 1a is in use and arranged on a horizontal plane, the axis along the transport direction of the paper P is the X-axis, the axis along the vertical direction is the Z-axis, and the axis along the longitudinal direction of the linear head is the Y-axis. The vertically upward direction is the +Z-axis. The mounting direction when the liquid container 170 is mounted in the mounting portion 20a is the +Y-axis, and the direction when the liquid container 170 is removed from the mounting portion 20a is the -Y-axis. In other figures of the second embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are also indicated as necessary.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage container 170 of the second embodiment. The liquid storage container 170 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, similar to the liquid storage container 70 shown in FIG. 3. As in the first embodiment, the liquid storage container 170 includes a liquid storage body 180 and a rigid case 173 that forms an outer shell. The liquid storage container 170 has a first surface CS1a to a sixth surface CS6a. The first surface CS1a to the sixth surface CS6a are formed by the case 173. The first surface CS1a and the second surface CS2a face each other in the Y direction. The first surface CS1a is located on the mounting side when the liquid storage container 170 is mounted in the mounting portion 20a. The third surface CS3a and the fourth surface CS4a face each other in the Z direction. The third surface CS3a intersects with the first surface CS1a and the second surface CS2a. The third surface CS3a constitutes the bottom surface on the vertically downward side when the liquid storage container 170 is attached to the mounting portion 20a. The fourth surface CS4a constitutes the top surface on the vertically upward side when the liquid storage container 170 is attached. The fifth surface CS5a and the sixth surface CS6a face each other in the X direction. The fifth surface CS5a and the sixth surface CS6a intersect with the first surface CS1a to the fourth surface CS4a, respectively. In the liquid storage container 170, the Z direction is the height direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the X direction is the width direction.

[0050] The first surface CS1a has a supply unit arrangement portion 175. The supply unit arrangement portion 175 forms a through-hole 175H that penetrates the first surface CS1a in the Y direction. A liquid supply unit 185 is arranged in the through-hole 175H, and allows ink to flow out from the liquid containing bag 192 of the liquid container 180 arranged inside. One end of the liquid supply unit 185 has a liquid supply port 181K.

[0051] A circuit board 30 is attached to the corner where the first surface CS1a and the fourth surface CS4a intersect. The configuration of the circuit board 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, a groove 70G that can engage with a movable locking portion provided on the mounting portion 20a is formed on the third surface CS3a.

[0052] Furthermore, a recess 123 is formed on the first surface CS1 closer to the -Z direction than the supply unit arrangement portion 175. A plurality of circulating portions 125 are formed within the recess 123. The circulating portions 125 are cylindrical members that communicate between the outside of the case 173 and the space in which the liquid containing bag 192 is arranged. A pressurized supply gas is supplied from the liquid ejection device 11a to some of the plurality of circulating portions 125. The pressurized supply air pressurizes the liquid containing bag 192 in the case 173 from the outside. As a result, the liquid in the liquid containing bag 192 is supplied to the liquid ejection device 11a via the liquid supply unit 185. A pressurized agitating gas is supplied from the liquid ejection device 11a to the rest of the plurality of circulating portions 125. The agitating gas vibrates the liquid containing bag 192, thereby agitating the liquid in the liquid containing bag 192.

[0053] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid storage container 170. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the supply member 81. As shown in Fig. 10, the liquid storage container 170 includes a liquid storage body 180, a case 173, a sheet member 250, a first fixing member 150 and a second fixing member 190 as fixing members, and a reinforcing member 183.

[0054] The case 173 has a first case member 171 and a second case member 172. The first case member 171 is a member that forms the fifth surface CS5a. The second case member 172 is a member that forms the sixth surface CS6a. The first case member 171 and the second case member 172 are engaged with each other to form the case 173. The second case member 172 has a concave shape with the sixth surface CS6a as its bottom. The concave portion SP of the second case member 172 accommodates the liquid containing bag 192 of the liquid container 180. The sheet member 250 is airtightly attached by welding or the like to an upper end portion 173e of a side wall portion that rises from the sixth surface CS6a, which is the bottom, of the second case member 172. As a result, the second case member 172 and the sheet member 250 form a storage space in which the liquid containing bag 192 is accommodated. The first case member 71 is a plate-like member, and is attached to the second case member 172 so as to cover the sheet member 250.

[0055] The liquid containing body 180 includes a flexible liquid containing bag 192 and a supply member 181 attached to the liquid containing bag 192. The liquid containing bag 192 contains liquid. The liquid containing bag 192 is formed, for example, by welding the peripheral edges of multiple sheet members together. The liquid containing bag 192 has one end 192a on the +Y direction side and the other end 192b on the −Y direction side. The liquid containing bag 192 has a first main surface MS1 and a second main surface MS2 that form the main surface, and a first side surface PS1 and a second side surface PS2 that form the side surfaces. The first main surface MS1 faces the first case member 171. The second main surface MS2 faces the second case member 172. As the liquid in the liquid containing bag 192 is consumed, the first main surface MS1 and the second main surface MS2 deform so as to approach each other, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing bag 192. Specifically, the central regions of the first main surface MS1 and the second main surface MS2, which are not supported by the reinforcing member 183 described below, deform so as to approach each other. The first side surface PS1 and the second side surface PS2 extend from one end 192a to the other end 192b.

[0056] The supply member 181 is attached to one end 192a of the liquid containing bag 192. The supply member 181 has a cylindrical liquid supply section 185. The liquid supply section 185 extends along the Y direction. The liquid supply section 185 communicates with the interior of the liquid containing bag 192, and the liquid in the liquid containing bag 192 circulates through the liquid supply section 185. As described above, the liquid supply section 185 is attached to the liquid containing bag 192 and supplies the liquid contained in the liquid containing bag 192 to the external liquid ejection device 11a.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 11 , supply member 181 further has a position fixing portion 186 that protrudes from the side wall of liquid supply portion 185. Position fixing portion 186 has a first position fixing portion 186a and a second position fixing portion 186b on either side of liquid supply portion 185. Position fixing portion 186 has a first fixing hole 191 and a second fixing hole 197 that penetrate in the X direction. When first fixing hole 191 and second fixing hole 197 of first position fixing portion 186a and second position fixing portion 186b are to be distinguished from each other, the suffixes "a" and "b" are added.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10 , the reinforcing member 183 is disposed outside the liquid container 180. The reinforcing member 183 is a member for reinforcing the liquid container 180. The reinforcing member 183 has a reinforcing portion main body 188 and an attachment portion 189. The reinforcing portion 183 prevents the liquid containing bag 192 from repeatedly deforming due to vibrations and the like, thereby preventing the liquid containing bag 192 from being damaged. The reinforcing portion 183 is attached to the first side surface PS1 and the second side surface PS2 of the liquid containing bag 192. The reinforcing portion main body 188 is a plate-shaped member. The plate-shaped surfaces of the reinforcing portion main body 188 face the first side surface PS1 and the second side surface PS2. The reinforcing portion main body 188 attached to the first side surface PS1 has a first portion 188t and a second portion 188s. The first portion 188t of the reinforcement portion main body 188 attached to the first side surface PS1 is in contact with the first peripheral edge portion Sf1 of the first main surface MS1 to which the first side surface PS1 is welded, and the second peripheral edge portion Sf2 of the second main surface MS2 to which the first side surface PS1 is welded. The second portion 188s is a portion whose dimension in the X direction is smaller than that of the first portion 188t and is not in contact with the first peripheral edge portion Sf1 or the second peripheral edge portion Sf2. The reinforcement portion main body 188 attached to the second side surface PS2 and the reinforcement portion main body 188 attached to the first side surface PS1 have the same configuration but are attached to different surfaces. The attachment portion 189 is, for example, an adhesive tape.

[0059] The first fixing member 150 fixes the position of one end 192a of the liquid containing bag 192 within the liquid containing body 180. The first fixing member 150 is disposed outside the liquid containing body 180. The second fixing member 190 fixes the position of the other end 192b of the liquid containing bag 192 within the liquid containing body 180. The second fixing member 190 is disposed outside the liquid containing body 180. The first fixing member 150 and the second fixing member 190 are housed in the recess SP of the second case member 172. The first fixing member 150, together with the second case member 172, sandwiches the one end 192a of the liquid containing bag 192. The second fixing member 190, together with the second case member 172, sandwiches the other end 192b of the liquid containing bag 192.

[0060] Next, fixing the position of the liquid container 180 using the first fixing member 150 will be described. Fig. 12 is a first perspective view of the first fixing member 150. Fig. 13 is a second perspective view of the first fixing member 150. Fig. 14 is a first perspective view showing the +Y direction side portion of the second case member 172. Fig. 15 is a second perspective view showing the +Y direction side portion of the second case member 172.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, a first fixing member 150, which is an example of a fixing member, is block-shaped. The first fixing member 150 has a first member surface 151fa that faces the first surface CS1a of the case 173 and a first inclined surface 151fb that faces one end 192a of the liquid containing bag 192. The first fixing member 150 also has a first protrusion 151Fi and a first engagement portion 153 that protrude from the first member surface 151fa. As shown in FIG. 13, the first fixing member 150 also has a second member surface 151fc that intersects with the first member surface 151fa. The second member surface 151fc faces the fourth surface CS4a of the case 73. The first fixing member 150 also has a second engagement portion 154 that protrudes from the second member surface 151fc. The first protrusion 151Fi is used to fix the liquid container 180, and the first engagement portion 153 and the second engagement portion 154 are used to engage the first fixing member 150 with the second case member 172.

[0062] The first protrusion 151Fi has insertion hole forming portions 156a and 156b having insertion holes BH1 and BH2 through which fastening members BT1 and BT2 shown in FIG. 10 are inserted, and rods RT1 and RT2. As shown in FIG. 11, the rods RT1 and RT2 are members that protrude toward the sixth surface CS6a from the surface of the first protrusion 151Fi facing the sixth surface CS6a. When the two fastening members BT1 and BT2 are used without distinction, they are also referred to as fastening members BT. The fastening member BT is a screw. When the two insertion holes BH1 and BH2 are used without distinction, they are referred to as an insertion hole BH1. When the two insertion hole forming portions 156a and 156b are used without distinction, they are also referred to as an insertion hole forming portion 156. When the two rods RT1 and RT2 are used without distinction, they are also referred to as a rod RT.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 14, the second case member 172 has a bottom wall BFa forming a concave bottom and a side wall SFa rising from the bottom wall BFa. The outer surface of the bottom wall BFa is the sixth surface CS6a. The second case member 172 has positioning holes RV1 and RV2 and fixing holes BL1 and BL2 formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall BFa. The positioning holes RV1 and RV2 and the fixing holes BL1 and BL2 are holes formed by a cylindrical member protruding from the inner surface of the bottom wall BFa. When the positioning holes RV1 and RV2 are not distinguished, the term positioning hole RV is used. When the fixing holes BL1 and BL2 are not distinguished, the term fixing hole BL is used. Furthermore, a first engaged portion 172p is formed on the inner surface of the side wall SFa that forms the first surface CS1a. The first engaged portion 172p is a claw-shaped member that protrudes inward from the side wall SFa.

[0064] 15, a second engaged portion 172r is formed on the inner surface of the wall portion of the side wall portion SFa that forms the fourth surface CS4a. The second engaged portion 172r has a claw shape that protrudes inward from the side wall portion SFa.

[0065] The rod RT shown in FIG. 12 is inserted through the first fixing hole 191 shown in FIG. 11 and into the positioning hole RV shown in FIG. 13. As a result, the first fixing member 150 and the one end 192a side of the liquid container 180 are temporarily fixed to the second case member 172. The first engaging portion 153 shown in FIG. 12 engages with the first engaged portion 172p shown in FIG. 14. The second engaging portion 154 shown in FIG. 13 engages with the second engaged portion 172r shown in FIG. 15. This engagement fixes the first fixing member 150 to the second case member 172. The fastening member BT shown in FIG. 10 is inserted through the second fixing hole 197 shown in FIG. 11 and fastened to the fixing hole BL shown in FIG. 14. As a result, the position of the one end 192a side of the liquid container 180 is fixed by the first fixing member 150.

[0066] 10, the second fixing member 190, which is an example of a fixing member, is block-shaped. The second fixing member 190 has a second inclined surface 191fb facing the other end 192b of the liquid containing bag 192, a first opposing member surface 191fc facing the third surface CS3a, and a second opposing member surface 191fd facing the fourth surface CS4a. The second fixing member 190 has a first member engaging portion 194 protruding from the first opposing member surface 191fc and a second member engaging portion (not shown) protruding from the second opposing member surface 191fd. The shape of the first member engaging portion is the same as the shape of the first member engaging portion 194.

[0067] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a -Y direction side portion of the second case member 172. A second member engaged portion 172w is formed on the inner surface of the wall portion of the side wall portion SFa that forms the fourth surface CS4a. The second member engaged portion 172w has a claw shape that protrudes inward from the second case member 172. Furthermore, a first member engaged portion 172y is formed on the inner surface of the wall portion of the side wall portion SFa that forms the third surface CS3a. The first member engaged portion 172y has a claw shape that protrudes inward from the second case member 172. The second fixing member 190 shown in FIG. 10 is fixed to the second case member 172 with the other end portion 192b of the liquid containing bag 192 sandwiched between the second fixing member 190 and the second case member 172. 16, and the second member engaging portion (not shown) of the second fixing member 190 engages with the second member engaged portion 172w shown in FIG. 16, thereby fixing the second fixing member 190 to the second case member 172. Note that by removing the first fixing member 150 and the second fixing member 190 from the second case member 172, the liquid container 180 can be removed from the case 173. In other words, the case 173 and the liquid container 180 are configured to be separable from each other.

[0068] Next, the material of the liquid storage container 170 will be described. The liquid storage container 170 has a liquid-contacting portion that comes into contact with the liquid and a non-liquid-contacting portion that does not come into contact with the liquid. The liquid-contacting portion includes a liquid storage bag 192 and a supply member 181 that includes a liquid supply unit 185, as shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the liquid-contacting portion includes a liquid storage body 180. The liquid-contacting portion is made of virgin plastic material, as in the first embodiment.

[0069] 10, the non-liquid contact portion includes a case 173, a sheet member 250, a reinforcing member 183, a first fixing member 150, and a second fixing member 190. In other words, the non-liquid contact portion is an element located outside the liquid container 180. As in the first embodiment, the non-liquid contact portion is made of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0070] According to the second embodiment, the case 173, sheet member 250, reinforcing member 183, first fixing member 150, and second fixing member 190 of the liquid storage container 170 are made of a material containing recycled plastic. This allows recycled plastic to be used in part of the liquid storage container 170, thereby reducing the environmental impact. Also, according to the second embodiment, the liquid storage bag 192 and supply member 181, which constitute the liquid-contacting portion of the liquid storage container 170, are made of virgin plastic material. This reduces the possibility of impurities or foreign matter derived from recycled plastic being mixed into the liquid, as in the first embodiment, thereby preventing deterioration in the quality of the liquid. Also, according to the second embodiment, the case 173 and the liquid storage body 180 are configured to be separable from each other. This allows the liquid storage body 180 to be removed from the case 173 after the used liquid storage container 170 has been collected after the liquid has been consumed, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the case 173 can be reused, further reducing the environmental impact.

[0071] C. Third embodiment: 17 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container 270 according to the third embodiment. The liquid storage container 270 is detachably mounted to a printer, which is an example of a liquid ejection device. The liquid ejection device according to the third embodiment has a mounting section to which the liquid storage container 270 is detachably mounted, similar to the liquid ejection device 11 shown in FIG. 1. The third embodiment also has the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis corresponding to those of the first embodiment.

[0072] The liquid container 270 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, similar to the liquid container 70 shown in FIG. 3. As in the first embodiment, the liquid container 270 includes a liquid container body 280 that contains liquid, and a rigid case 273 that forms an outer shell. The liquid container 270 has a first surface CS1b to a sixth surface CS6b. The first surface CS1b to the sixth surface CS6b are formed by the case 273. The first surface CS1b and the second surface CS2b face each other in the Y direction. The first surface CS1b is located on the mounting side when the liquid container 270 is mounted to the mounting portion. The third surface CS3b and the fourth surface CS4b face each other in the Z direction. The third surface CS3b intersects with the first surface CS1b and the second surface CS2b. The third surface CS3b forms the bottom surface on the vertically downward side when the liquid container 270 is mounted to the mounting portion. The fourth surface CS4b constitutes the upper surface on the vertically upward side in the attached state. The fifth surface CS5b and the sixth surface CS6b face each other in the X direction. The fifth surface CS5b and the sixth surface CS6b intersect with the first surface CS1b to the fourth surface CS4b, respectively. In the liquid storage container 270, the Z direction is the height direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the X direction is the width direction.

[0073] The first surface CS1b has a supply unit arrangement portion 275 and a detection insertion hole 53. The supply unit arrangement portion 275 forms a through-hole 275H that penetrates the first surface CS1b in the Y direction. A liquid supply unit 285 is arranged in the through-hole 275H, and allows ink to flow out from the liquid containing bag 292 of the liquid container 280 arranged inside. One end of the liquid supply unit 285 has a liquid supply port that is an opening. A rod member used to detect the remaining amount of liquid contained in the liquid containing bag 292 is inserted into the detection insertion hole 53.

[0074] A circuit board 30 is attached to the corner where the first surface CS1a and the fourth surface CS4a intersect. The configuration of the circuit board 30 is the same as in the first embodiment. The surface of the circuit board 30 is horizontal when attached, but may be inclined as in the first embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid container 270. The liquid container 270 has a liquid container 280 and a case 273. The case 273 includes a first case member 273a and a container case member 273b. The first case member 273a and the container case member 273b engage with each other to form the case 273. The first case member 273a forms a first surface CS1b. The container case member 273b forms a second surface CS2b. The container case member 273b has a second case member 273b1 and a third case member 273b2 that engage with each other. The container case member 273b forms a storage space that stores the liquid container bag 292. The case 273 stores at least the liquid container bag 292. The supply member 281 of the liquid container 280 has two engagement portions 281Pa and 281Pb. The two engagement portions 281Pa, 281Pb engage with the inner wall of the containing case member 273b. By releasing this engagement, the liquid container 280 can be removed from the case 273. In other words, the case 273 and the liquid container 280 are configured to be separable from each other.

[0076] The liquid containing body 280 has a flexible liquid containing bag 292 and a supply member 281 attached to the liquid containing bag 292. The liquid containing bag 292 contains liquid. The liquid containing bag 292 is formed, for example, by welding the peripheral edges of a plurality of sheet members to one another to form a bag body. The liquid containing bag 292 has one end 292a on the +Y direction side and the other end 292b on the -Y direction side. As the liquid in the liquid containing bag 292 is consumed, the volume of the liquid containing bag 292 decreases. The liquid in the liquid containing bag 292 is consumed via the liquid supply unit 285, for example, by suction from the liquid consuming device.

[0077] The supply member 281 is attached to one end 292a of the liquid containing bag 292. The supply member 281 has a cylindrical liquid supply section 285. The liquid supply section 285 extends along the Y direction. The liquid supply section 285 communicates with the interior of the liquid containing bag 292, and the liquid in the liquid containing bag 292 circulates through the liquid supply section 285. As described above, the liquid supply section 285 is attached to the liquid containing bag 292 and supplies the liquid contained in the liquid containing bag 292 to an external liquid ejection device.

[0078] The supply member 281 further includes a remaining amount detection mechanism 380 that is used to detect the remaining amount of liquid contained in the liquid containing bag 292. The remaining amount detection mechanism 380 will be described in detail later.

[0079] 19 is an exploded perspective view of the remaining amount detection mechanism 380. The remaining amount detection mechanism 380 includes a detection chamber 100 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The detection chamber 100 is provided midway along the flow path from the liquid containing bag 292 to the liquid supply unit 285. The detection chamber 100 has an inlet 102 through which the liquid from the liquid containing bag 292 flows in, and an outlet 104 through which the liquid flows out toward the liquid supply unit 285. The upper end surface of the detection chamber 100 is covered with a film 118 made of a flexible material. The volume of the detection chamber 100 changes as the film 118 deforms in response to changes in the internal pressure.

[0080] The remaining amount detection mechanism 380 is further provided with a check valve 106 and a spring 108. The check valve 106 and the spring 108 are disposed in the detection chamber 100. The check valve 106 prevents the liquid that has flowed into the detection chamber 100 from the inlet 102 from flowing backward. The spring 108 biases the film 118 toward the outside of the detection chamber 100. Specifically, the spring 108 is disposed in the detection chamber 100 in a compressed state. The spring 108 is positioned by being fitted into a protrusion 110 that stands upright from the bottom surface of the detection chamber 100. A pressure receiving plate 112 is inserted between the spring 108 and the film 118. The pressure receiving plate 112 is integrally configured by connecting a pressure receiving portion 114 that transmits the biasing force of the spring 108 to the film 118 and a restricting portion 116 that restricts the movement of the check valve 106. When the restricting portion 116 of the pressure-receiving plate 112 is fitted into the inlet 102 of the detection chamber 100, the upward movement of the check valve 106 is restricted, and the pressure-receiving portion 114 is positioned in a state where it is sandwiched between the biasing spring 108 and the film 118. In this embodiment, the pressure-receiving portion 114 and the restricting portion 116 are integrally formed, but they may also be formed separately.

[0081] Furthermore, remaining amount detection mechanism 380 further includes lever member 120. Lever member 120 contacts film 118, which constitutes one end surface of detection chamber 100, from the outside of detection chamber 100. Lever member 120 has shaft hole 122 formed on one end side. Shaft hole 122 fits into shaft pin 126 provided on the outer surface of detection chamber 100, so that lever member 120 is rotatably supported on shaft pin 126. Meanwhile, guide hole 124 is formed on the other end side of lever member 120, and guide pin 128 fixed to supply member 281 is inserted into guide hole 124 to guide the rotation of lever member 120. Furthermore, a protrusion 132 is formed on the upper surface of lever member 120 as an abutment portion against which the tip of a rod member of a mounting portion to which liquid storage container 270 is mounted abuts.

[0082] 20 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the supply member 281. In the flow direction in which the liquid flows from the liquid containing bag 292 to the liquid supply unit 285, the upstream end 77 opens inside the liquid containing bag 292. The liquid that has flowed through the upstream end 77 passes through the detection chamber 100 and is supplied to the liquid supply unit 285.

[0083] Details of detecting the remaining amount of liquid will be described using Figures 21 and 22. Figure 21 is a first diagram for explaining a method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid. Figure 22 is a second diagram for explaining a method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid.

[0084] First, we will explain the device-side detection mechanism 48 of the liquid ejecting device to which the liquid storage container 270 is attached. The device-side detection mechanism 48 includes a rod member 45, a light-shielding portion 138, and a sensor 136. The sensor 136 is a so-called transmission type photosensor with a concave shape. The sensor 136 has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion (not shown) that are provided facing each other.

[0085] The light-shielding portion 138 is provided at the tip of the rod member 45 on the +Y direction side. When the rod member 45 moves toward the liquid container 270 due to the force of the spring 49, the light-shielding portion 138 is inserted between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 136, blocking light from the light-emitting portion. As a result, the light-receiving portion of the sensor 136 cannot receive light from the light-emitting portion, making it possible to detect a change in the position of the rod member 45. Note that although a transmission-type photosensor is used for the sensor 136 in this embodiment, any device capable of detecting the displacement of the rod member 45 is acceptable; the sensor is not limited to a photosensor. For example, the displacement of the rod member 45 may be detected by turning on and off a mechanical switch using a detection piece shaped like the light-shielding portion 138. The displacement of the rod member 45 may be detected by a detection mechanism other than an optical detection mechanism, such as a mechanical detection mechanism or an electrical detection mechanism.

[0086] When the liquid storage container 270 is not attached to the attachment portion, the rod member 45 moves toward the liquid storage container 270 due to the force of the spring 49. Therefore, the light-shielding portion 138 of the rod member 45 is inserted between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 136, blocking the light from the light-emitting portion.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 21 , when a liquid container 270 with sufficient liquid remaining is attached to the attachment section, the tip 45c of the rod member 45 abuts against the abutment portion 131 of the lever member 120 provided on the liquid container 270 side. Here, the biasing force A' applied to the abutment portion 131 of the lever member 120 by the biasing force A of the spring 108 of the liquid container 270 is set to be greater than the biasing force B of the spring 49. As a result, when the tip 45c of the rod member 45 abuts against the lever member 120, the rod member 45 moves toward the back of the attachment section against the biasing force B of the spring 49. Then, the light-blocking portion 138 of the rod member 45 moves away from the sensor 136, and the sensor 136 enters a light-transmitting state. In this way, the sensor 136 can detect that the liquid container 270 has been attached to the attachment section based on the change from a light-blocking state to a light-transmitting state due to the movement of the light-blocking portion 138 of the rod member 45.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 22 , when the liquid in the liquid containing bag 292 runs out or becomes low, ink stops flowing from the liquid containing bag 292 into the detection chamber 100, creating a negative pressure in the detection chamber 100. Here, the biasing force A of the spring 108 of the liquid containing container 270 is set to be smaller than the force C caused by the negative pressure that occurs when the liquid in the liquid containing bag 292 runs out or becomes low. Therefore, this force C causes the film 118 to remain pulled into the detection chamber 100. When the film 118 deforms in a direction that reduces the volume of the detection chamber 100, the biasing force B of the spring 49 displaces the rod member 45 in the +Y-axis direction. Furthermore, in conjunction with this displacement, the rod member 45 rotates the lever member 120 in response to the deformation of the film 118, and the lever member 120 is maintained in a closed state. As a result, the rod member 45 moves toward the liquid storage container 270, and the light-shielding portion 138 of the rod member 45 is inserted between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 136. The sensor 136 detects that the liquid in the liquid storage bag 292 has run out or is running low, based on the light being blocked by the light-shielding portion 138 of the rod member 45.

[0089] Next, the material of the liquid storage container 270 will be described. The liquid storage container 270 has a liquid-contacting portion that comes into contact with the liquid and a non-liquid-contacting portion that does not come into contact with the liquid. The liquid-contacting portion includes the liquid storage bag 292, the liquid supply unit 285, and the components of the remaining amount detection mechanism 380 other than the lever member 120, as shown in FIG. 18. The components other than the lever member 120 include, for example, the pressure-receiving plate 112 and the film 118. In this embodiment, the components of the supply member 281 other than the lever member 120 form the liquid-contacting portion. The liquid-contacting portion is made of virgin plastic material, as in the first embodiment. Note that the spring 108 forms the liquid-contacting portion, but may be made of metal instead of plastic.

[0090] The non-liquid contact portion includes the case 273 shown in Fig. 18 and the lever member 120 that is part of the remaining amount detection mechanism 380 shown in Fig. 19. In other words, the non-liquid contact portion is an element located outside the liquid containing bag 292 and the flow path from the liquid containing bag 292 to the liquid supply portion 285. As with the first embodiment, the non-liquid contact portion is made of a material that contains recycled plastic.

[0091] According to the third embodiment, the case 273 of the liquid container 270 and the lever member 120, which is part of the remaining amount detection mechanism 380, are made of a material containing recycled plastic. This allows recycled plastic to be used for part of the liquid container 270, thereby reducing the environmental impact. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the liquid container 270 includes the liquid bag 292, which constitutes the liquid-contacting portion of the liquid container 270, the liquid supply unit 285, and the remaining amount detection mechanism 380, except for the lever member 120, are made of virgin plastic. This, similar to the third embodiment, reduces the possibility of impurities or foreign matter derived from recycled plastics being mixed into the liquid, thereby preventing deterioration in the quality of the liquid. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the case 273 and the liquid container 280 are configured to be separable from each other. This allows the liquid container 280 to be removed from the case 273 after the used liquid container 270 has been collected after the liquid has been consumed, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, the case 273 can be reused, further reducing the environmental impact.

[0092] D. Other Embodiments: D-1. Other embodiment 1: In each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid supply units 85, 185, and 285, which are liquid-contacting parts, are not made of a material containing recycled plastic. In contrast, when recycled plastic that can guarantee the quality of the liquid is used, the liquid supply units 85, 185, and 285 may be made of a material containing recycled plastic. Similarly, for example, when recycled plastic that can guarantee the quality of the liquid is used, the components other than the liquid supply unit 285 of the supply member 281 shown in FIG. 19 may also be made of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0093] D-2. Alternative embodiment 2: The present disclosure is not limited to printers and their liquid containers, but can also be applied to liquid containers attached to any liquid ejection device that ejects liquids other than ink. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to various liquid ejection devices and their liquid containers, such as the following: (1) Image recording devices such as facsimile machines (2) A spraying device for spraying color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) A spraying device that sprays electrode materials used to form electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), etc. (4) An injector for injecting a liquid containing a biological organic substance used in biochip manufacturing. (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricating oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) A device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras. (9) A spraying device that sprays transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A spraying device that sprays acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch a substrate, etc. (11) Any other ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects minute droplets

[0094] The term "droplets" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a liquid ejection device, and includes droplets, teardrops, and string-like tails. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected by an ejection device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in its liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. The term "liquid" also includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also solid inorganic particles, such as pigments and metal particles, dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink refers to various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0095] E. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following aspects. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined 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 a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0096] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container. The liquid storage container includes a liquid container body having a flexible liquid storage bag and a liquid supply unit attached to the liquid storage bag and supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage bag to an outside, and a case for housing at least the liquid storage bag, wherein a non-liquid-contacting portion that does not come into contact with the liquid is made of a material containing recycled plastic. According to this aspect, by making the non-liquid-contacting portion of the liquid storage container out of a material containing recycled plastic, it is possible to reduce the environmental impact.

[0097] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the liquid-contacting portion that comes into contact with the liquid may be made of a virgin plastic material. According to this embodiment, by making the liquid-contacting portion out of a virgin plastic material, deterioration in the quality of the liquid can be suppressed.

[0098] (3) In the above aspect, the non-liquid-contacting portion may include the case. According to this aspect, the case can be made of a material containing recycled plastic material.

[0099] (4) In the above aspect, the liquid container may further include a fixing member disposed outside the liquid container and fixing the position of the liquid container, and the non-liquid-contacting portion may include the fixing member. According to this aspect, the fixing member may be made of a material containing recycled plastic material.

[0100] (5) In the above-described embodiment, a reinforcing member may be disposed outside the liquid container and reinforcing the liquid container, and the non-liquid-contacting portion may include the reinforcing member. According to this embodiment, the reinforcing member may be made of a material containing recycled plastic.

[0101] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the liquid container may have a remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid contained in the liquid containing bag, and the non-liquid-contacting portion may include a part of the remaining amount detection mechanism. According to this embodiment, a part of the remaining amount detection mechanism may be made of a material containing recycled plastic material.

[0102] (7) In the above-described embodiment, the case and the liquid container may be configured to be separable from each other. This allows the case to be reused after collecting used liquid containers, thereby further reducing the environmental impact.

[0103] The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than those described above, such as a liquid ejection system, a method for manufacturing a liquid container, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1,1a...liquid ejection system, 2...housing, 7...operation button, 11,11a...liquid ejection device, 11b...operation button, 11c...cover, 12...frame, 13...support base, 14a...motor, 14b...carriage motor, 15...guide shaft, 16...carriage, 16a...support hole, 17...timing belt, 17a...drive pulley, 17b...driven pulley, 18...liquid ejection head, 19...maintenance device, 19a...cap, 20,20a...mounting portion, 22...cartridge holder, 27... Top member, 27C...insertion guide portion, 30...circuit board, 35...container side electrode, 45...rod member, 45c...tip, 48...device side detection mechanism, 49...spring, 53...detection insertion hole, 70...liquid storage container, 70A...upper inner wall, 70B...lower inner wall, 70C...convex portion, 70D...lower convex portion, 70DT...lower convex wall portion, 70E...upper convex portion, 70ET...upper convex wall portion, 70G...groove portion, 70M...rectangular groove, 70P...projection portion, 70R...connecting rib, 71...first case member, 71A...first projection portion, 71B...second projection portion, 71K... inclined surface, 72...second case member, 73...case, 74...label, 75...supply unit arrangement portion, 75H...through hole, 76...support portion, 76A...contact portion, 77...upstream end, 80...liquid container, 81...supply member, 81A...base portion, 81F...L-shaped portion, 81K...liquid supply port, 82...joint portion, 85...liquid supply unit, 86...position fixing portion, 86A...first position fixing portion, 92...liquid containing bag, 100...detection chamber, 102...inlet, 104...outlet, 106...check valve, 108...spring, 110...protrusion, 111...discharge hole, 11 2...pressure receiving plate, 114...pressure receiving portion, 116...regulating portion, 118...film, 120...lever member, 122...shaft hole, 123...recess, 124...guide hole, 125...flow portion, 126...shaft pin, 128...guide pin, 130...replacement cover, 131...contact portion, 132...convex portion, 136...sensor, 138...light shielding portion, 150...first fixing member, 151Fi...first protrusion, 151fa...first member surface, 151fb...first inclined surface, 151fc...second member surface, 153...first engagement portion, 154...second engagement portion, 156,156a...insertion hole forming portion, 170...liquid storage container, 171...first case member, 172...second case member, 172p...first engaged portion, 172r...second engaged portion, 172w...second member engaged portion, 172y...first member engaged portion, 173...case, 173e...upper end portion, 175...supply unit arrangement portion, 175H...through hole, 180...liquid storage body, 181...supply member, 181K...liquid supply port, 183...reinforcing member, 185...liquid supply unit, 186...position fixing portion, 186a...first position fixing portion portion, 186b...second position fixing portion, 188...reinforcement portion main body, 188s...second portion, 188t...first portion, 189...mounting portion, 190...second fixing member, 191...first fixing hole, 191fb...second inclined surface, 191fc...first opposing member surface, 191fd...second opposing member surface, 192...liquid containing bag, 192a...one end portion, 192b...other end portion, 194...first member engaging portion, 197...second fixing hole, 220...line head, 250...sheet member, 270...liquid containing container, 273...case, 273a... First case member, 273b...storage case member, 273b1...second case member, 273b2...third case member, 275...supply unit arrangement portion, 275H...through hole, 280...liquid container, 281...supply unit, 281Pa...engagement portion, 285...liquid supply unit, 292...liquid storage bag, 292a...one end portion, 292b...other end portion, 380...remaining amount detection mechanism, BFa...bottom wall, BH1...insertion hole, BL...fixing hole, BL1...fixing hole, BT...fastening member, BT1...fastening member, CS1, CS1a, CS1 b...first surface, CS2, CS2a, CS2b...second surface, CS3, CS3a, CS3b...third surface, CS4, CS4a, CS4b...fourth surface, CS5, CS5a, CS5b...fifth surface, CS6, CS6a, CS6b...sixth surface, MS1...first main surface, MS2...second main surface, P...paper, PS1...first side surface, PS2...second side surface, RT, RT1...rod, RV, RV1...positioning hole, SFa...side wall portion, SP...recess, Sf1...first peripheral portion, Sf2...second peripheral portion, TB...liquid supply tube,

Claims

1. A liquid storage container, a liquid container having a flexible liquid containing bag and a liquid supply part attached to the liquid containing bag and supplying the liquid contained in the liquid containing bag to an outside; a case for accommodating at least the liquid containing bag; A liquid storage container, wherein the non-liquid-contacting portion that does not come into contact with the liquid is made of a material containing recycled plastic.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, A liquid container, wherein a liquid-contacting portion that comes into contact with the liquid is made of virgin plastic material.

3. The liquid container according to claim 1, The liquid container, wherein the non-liquid-contacting portion includes the case.

4. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixing member disposed outside the liquid container and fixing the position of the liquid container; The non-liquid-contacting portion includes the fixing member.

5. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: a reinforcing member disposed outside the liquid container and reinforcing the liquid container; The non-liquid-contacting portion includes the reinforcing member.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1, the liquid container has a remaining amount detection mechanism used to detect the remaining amount of the liquid contained in the liquid containing bag, The liquid container includes a part of the remaining amount detection mechanism, and the non-liquid contact portion includes a part of the remaining amount detection mechanism.

7. The liquid container according to claim 1, The liquid container is configured so that the case and the liquid container can be disassembled from each other.

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