Liquid storage body

Abstract

To provide an art which enables reduction of problems which may be caused by fixing members with snap-fitting in a liquid storage body.SOLUTION: A liquid storage body includes: a liquid storage bag having a bag body for storing liquid, and a supply member attached to one end side of the bag body and having a liquid supply part; an adapter disposed at the one end side of the bag body; and a screw member which fixes the supply part to the adapter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a liquid container has been known that has a liquid storage portion, a supply path member, and an adapter, and the supply path member and the adapter are attached by snap fitting (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, when components are attached to each other using a snap fit, the rigidity of the snap fit portion tends to be lower than that of other portions. Therefore, when components are attached to each other using a snap fit, the following problems can occur. For example, the snap fit between the components may be unintentionally released, the snap fit portion may be damaged, or the components may become misaligned. Furthermore, for example, if the supply path member and the adapter become misaligned, a poor connection between the supply path member and the printer may occur, potentially resulting in liquid leaking to the outside. These issues are not limited to liquid containers that supply liquid to printers, but are common to all liquid containers that supply liquid to liquid ejection devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device, the liquid container including a liquid storage bag having a bag body for containing the liquid, a supply member attached to one end of the bag body and having a liquid supply portion, an adapter disposed on the one end of the bag body, and a screw member for fixing the supply member and the adapter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of a liquid container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the liquid container. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a supply member. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a snap-fit ​​mechanism. [Figure 9] View of the adapter from the third side. [Figure 10] IX-IX partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 5. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 3. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the fixing of the placement section and the adapter main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A. Implementation: 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection device 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer that forms a printed image by recording dots by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

[0008] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 12, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped exterior body. The housing 12 includes a case storage section 14 in which a case 13 is detachably stored. The front portion of the housing 12 is provided, from the bottom to the top, with a front cover 15 that rotates to open and close the case storage section 14, and an attachment opening 17 into which a cassette 16 capable of storing a medium (not shown) is attached. Furthermore, above the attachment opening 17 are provided an ejection tray 18 from which the medium is ejected, and an operation panel 19 through which the user operates the liquid ejection device 11. The front side of the housing 12 refers to the side that has a height and width and is expected to be faced by the user when operating the liquid ejection device 11.

[0009] In the case storage section 14 of this embodiment, multiple cases 13 can be attached in a state where they are lined up in the width direction. For example, three or more cases 13 including a first case 13S and a second case 13M having a width greater than that of the first case 13S are attached to the case storage section 14 as the multiple cases 13. The liquid containers 20 are then removably placed on these cases 13. That is, the liquid containers 20 are placed on the cases 13 that are removably attached to the liquid ejection device 11. The case 13 can be removably attached to the case storage section 14 even when it is in a standalone state without holding the liquid container 20, and is a component included in the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection device 11 receives a supply of liquid from the liquid container 20 by using a pump mechanism (not shown) to suck the liquid contained in the liquid container 20.

[0010] The housing 12 contains a liquid ejection unit 21 that ejects liquid from a nozzle, and a carriage 22 that moves back and forth along a scanning direction that coincides with the width direction of the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection unit 21 moves together with the carriage 22, and prints on the medium by ejecting liquid supplied from a liquid container 20 placed in the case 13 toward the medium. Note that in other embodiments, the liquid ejection unit 21 may be a line head that is fixed in position and does not move back and forth.

[0011] In this embodiment, the direction intersecting the movement path when the case 13 is attached to the case storage unit 14 is the width direction, and the direction along which the movement path extends is the depth direction. Preferably, the movement path and the width direction intersect perpendicularly. The width direction and the depth direction are substantially along a horizontal plane. In the drawings, the Z axis indicates the direction along gravity when the liquid ejection device 11 is placed on a horizontal surface and in normal use, and the Y axis indicates the movement direction when the case 13 is attached to the case storage unit 14. The movement direction may also be referred to as the attachment direction or insertion direction into the case storage unit 14, and the opposite direction to the movement direction may also be referred to as the removal direction. The attachment direction of the case 13 to the case storage unit 14 is also the attachment direction of the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11. The removal direction of the case 13 from the case storage unit 14 is also the removal direction of the liquid container 20 from the liquid ejection device 11. The width direction of the liquid ejection device 11 is indicated by the X axis, which is perpendicular to the Z axis and Y axis. The width direction, gravity direction, and mounting direction intersect with each other and are the directions used to express the width, height, and depth, respectively. It is preferable that the width direction, gravity direction, and mounting direction intersect with each other so as to be perpendicular to each other. In other figures, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis corresponding to Figure 1 are used.

[0012] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the liquid ejection device 11 is in a normal operating state. Furthermore, the direction parallel to the Z axis is referred to as the Z direction, and within the Z direction, the direction that is the same as the direction of gravity is also referred to as the +Z direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is referred to as the -Z direction. Furthermore, the direction parallel to the Y axis is referred to as the Y direction, and one of the Y directions is referred to as the +Y direction, and the other is referred to as the -Y direction. The direction parallel to the X axis is referred to as the X direction, and one of the X directions is referred to as the +X direction, and the other is also referred to as the -X direction. The +Y direction is the direction of movement of the case 13 when the case 13 is inserted into the case storage section 14.

[0013] One or more connection mechanisms 29 are provided at the end of the case storage section 14 on the +Y direction side so as to individually correspond to the cases 13. In this embodiment, four connection mechanisms 29 are provided. Note that only one connection mechanism 29 is shown in FIG.

[0014] 2 is a schematic perspective view of the connection mechanism 29. The connection mechanism 29 has a liquid introduction section 32 to which the liquid container 20 is connected, and a first connection mechanism 29F and a second connection mechanism 29S at positions sandwiching the liquid introduction section 32 in the width direction. The liquid introduction section 32 has a flow path therein through which the liquid flows, and the liquid from the liquid container 20 flows through. An opening is formed at the tip of the liquid introduction section 32 on the -Y direction side to allow the liquid to flow through the internal flow path. A liquid flow path such as a tube (not shown) is connected to the base end of the liquid introduction section 32 on the +Y direction side. The liquid communication path supplies the liquid to the liquid ejection section 21.

[0015] The first connection mechanism 29F includes an apparatus-side electrical connection part 41 and an apparatus-side positioning part 49. The apparatus-side electrical connection part 41 is disposed above the liquid introduction part 32 and protrudes in the -Y direction, which is the extraction direction. The apparatus-side electrical connection part 41 has multiple apparatus-side electrodes 401. Each of the multiple apparatus-side electrodes 401 is a metal plate terminal. In this embodiment, nine apparatus-side electrodes 401 are provided. Note that the number of apparatus-side electrodes 401 is not limited to this and may be fewer or more than nine. For example, the number of apparatus-side electrodes 401 may be five or seven. The apparatus-side electrodes 401 are electrically connected to the control device 42 via an electrical circuit 43 such as a flat cable. The apparatus-side positioning parts 49 are located on both sides of the apparatus-side electrical connection part 41 in the width direction. Each of the two apparatus-side positioning parts 49 is a protrusion that protrudes in the width direction and extends along the +Y direction, which is the installation direction. When the two device-side positioning units 49 are used separately, a first device-side positioning unit 49a and a second device-side positioning unit 49b are used.

[0016] The second connection mechanism 29S is disposed above the liquid introduction section 32 and includes a block 44 that protrudes in the removal direction to prevent erroneous insertion. The block 44 has an uneven shape that faces downward. The shape of this uneven shape differs for each connection mechanism 29 disposed in the case storage section 14.

[0017] The connection mechanism 29 further includes a pair of positioning members 45, 46. The first positioning member 45 is included in the first connection mechanism 29F, and the second positioning member 46 is included in the second connection mechanism 29S. The first positioning member 45 and the second positioning member 46 are each configured as an axial portion extending toward the -Y direction side, and are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the X direction with the liquid introduction member 32 sandwiched between them.

[0018] The connection mechanism 29 is located at the end on the +Y direction side of the case housing section 14. Therefore, the liquid introduction section 32 and the device-side electrical connection section 41 included in the connection mechanism 29 are located at the end on the +Y direction side of the case housing section 14. Furthermore, the liquid introduction section 32, the first positioning section 45, and the second positioning section 46 extend from the end on the +Y direction side of the case housing section 14 toward the -Y direction side.

[0019] As described above, the liquid container 20 is detachably attached to the liquid ejection device 11 and supplies liquid to the liquid ejection device 11.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a first perspective view of the liquid container 20. Fig. 4 is a second perspective view of the liquid container 20. Fig. 5 is a front view of the liquid container 20. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid container 20. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the supply member 64. In the figures explaining the liquid container 20 from Fig. 3 onwards, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are assigned based on the state in which the liquid container 20 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11 when the liquid ejection device 11 is in a normal use state.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid container 20 having the supply member 64 includes a liquid containing bag 60, an adapter 100 disposed in the liquid containing bag 60, and a screw member BN (shown in FIG. 6) that fastens the supply member 64 and the adapter 100. In this embodiment, the screw member BN includes a bolt BT and a nut NT. Two bolts BT and two nuts NT are provided. When the two bolts BT are used separately, they are referred to as a first bolt BTa and a second bolt BTb. When the two nuts NT are used separately, they are referred to as a first nut NTa and a second nut NTb. The first bolt BTa and the first nut NTa form a first screw member BNa. The second bolt BTb and the second nut NTb form a second screw member BNb. The liquid container 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the X direction as the short side, the Y direction as the long side, and the Z direction as the thickness direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6 , the adapter 100 has a first adapter 40 and a second adapter 50. In this embodiment, the supply member 64 is fixed to the adapter 100 by a screw member BN, with the supply member 64 sandwiched between the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50. In other words, the second adapter 50 is located on the opposite side of the supply member 64 from the first adapter 40. The second adapter 50 has an adapter main body 51 and a mounting portion 70 that is removably fixed to the adapter main body 51. Details of how the supply member 64 is fixed to the adapter 100 by the screw member BN, which has a first screw member BNa and a second screw member BNb, will be described later.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6 , the liquid containing bag 60 includes a bag body 62 for containing liquid and a supply member 64 having a liquid supply unit 65. The bag body 62 is flexible. In this embodiment, the bag body 62 is a pillow-type bag formed by stacking two rectangular films and joining their peripheral edges. The bag body 62 has one end 62a, which is an end on one side in the longitudinal direction, and another end 62b, which is an end on the other side in the longitudinal direction. Note that in other embodiments, the bag body 62 may be a gusset type. The film constituting the bag body 62 is made of a material that is flexible and has gas barrier properties. Examples of film materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. The film may also be formed using a laminate structure in which multiple films made of these materials are stacked. In such a laminate structure, for example, the outer layer may be made of PET or nylon, which have excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be made of polyethylene, which has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a film having a layer of deposited aluminum or the like may be used as one of the constituent members of the laminated structure.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the supply member 64 is attached to one end 62a of the bag main body 62. Specifically, the joint 64e of the supply member 64 is sandwiched between the two films constituting the bag main body 62 and attached to the two films by welding or the like. The liquid supply unit 65 has a cylindrical shape extending along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid supply unit 65 has a central axis CT extending along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the base end 65e of the liquid supply unit 65 is connected to the joint 64e. The tip end 65p of the liquid supply unit 65 forms an opening through which the liquid flows out. In the initial state before use of the liquid container 20, a film FM is attached to the tip end 65p so as to close the opening. When using the liquid container 20, the film FM is peeled off by the user or is broken by the liquid introduction unit 32 when the liquid container 20 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11.

[0025] The liquid supply section 65 is in communication with the inside of the bag body 62, and the liquid contained in the bag body 62 flows through it. Specifically, the liquid in the bag body 62 flows to the liquid supply section 65 through an internal flow path of the joint section 64e. The liquid supply section 65 supplies the liquid contained in the bag body 62 to the liquid jetting device 11. As the liquid in the bag body 62 is consumed through the liquid supply section 65, the two films deform so as to move closer to each other, and the volume of the bag body 62 decreases.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the supply member 64 further includes an insertion portion 68. The insertion portion 68 includes a screw insertion hole 67 through which the screw member BN is inserted. The insertion portion 68 is plate-shaped. The insertion portion 68 is connected to a sidewall of the liquid supply unit 65. As shown in FIG. 7, in the X direction, which is the short side direction, the insertion portion 68 includes a first insertion portion 68a located on one side of the liquid supply unit 65, that is, the -X direction, and a second insertion portion 68b located on the other side of the liquid supply unit 65, that is, the +X direction. In other words, the first insertion portion 68a and the second insertion portion 68b, which are integral with the liquid supply unit 65, are located on both sides of the liquid supply unit 65 in the X direction. The first insertion portion 68a corresponds to the first screw member BNa. The first insertion portion 68a is used to fasten members together using the first screw member BNa. The second insertion portion 68b corresponds to the second screw member BNb. The second insertion portion 68b is used for fixing the members together using the second screw member BNb.

[0027] The insertion portion 68 has a screw insertion hole 67 through which the screw member BN is inserted. The screw insertion hole 67 penetrates the main body of the insertion portion 68 in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction. The screw insertion hole 67 has a first screw insertion hole 67a formed in the first insertion portion 68a and a second screw insertion hole 67b formed in the second insertion portion 68b.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the adapter 100 is disposed on one end 62a side of the bag main body 62. The adapter 100 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. As shown in Figure 3, the adapter 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adapter 100 has a first surface 50fa, a second surface 50fb, a third surface 50fc, a fourth surface 50fd, and a fifth surface 50fe.

[0029] The first surface 50fa is a leading end surface of the liquid container 20 on the mounting direction side to the liquid ejection device 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the first surface 50fa is mainly formed by the second adapter 50. The second surface 50fb intersects with the first surface 50fa. In the mounted state, the second surface 50fb constitutes the top surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the second surface 50fb is mainly formed by the first adapter 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the third surface 50fc is located on the opposite side to the second surface 50fb and intersects with the first surface 50fa. In the mounted state, the third surface 50fc constitutes the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the third surface 50fc is formed by the second adapter 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth surface 50fd constitutes the first side surface. The fourth surface 50fd intersects with the first surface 50fa, the second surface 50fb, and the third surface 50fc. As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth surface 50fd is formed by the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the fifth surface 50fe faces the fourth surface 50fd and constitutes a second side surface. The fifth surface 50fe intersects with the first surface 50fa, the second surface 50fb, and the third surface 50fc. As shown in FIG. 6, the fifth surface 50fe is formed by the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50.

[0030] 3, the adapter 100 has connection elements for connecting to the connection mechanism 29 of the liquid ejection device 11. The adapter 100 has, as connection elements, a supply unit arrangement hole 52, a container-side positioning portion 77, a first guide hole 57, a second guide hole 59, and an identification portion 54. The liquid container 20 also has a substrate 76 disposed on the adapter 100.

[0031] The supply unit mounting hole 52 is an opening formed in the first surface 50fa. As shown in FIG. 6, the supply unit mounting hole 52 is formed in the second adapter 50. As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed in a direction along the central axis CT of the liquid supply unit 65, for example, from the first surface 50fa side, the supply unit mounting hole 52 overlaps with the tip end 65p of the liquid supply unit 65. When the liquid container 20 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11, the liquid introduction unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the supply unit mounting hole 52. The liquid introduction unit 32 inserted into the supply unit mounting hole 52 is connected to the liquid supply unit 65.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the container-side positioning portion 77 is formed at a corner portion 71 where the first surface 50fa and the second surface 50fb intersect. The corner portion 71 has a concave shape. As shown in Fig. 5, the concave corner portion 71 has a board placement wall 71fc that forms the bottom of the concave shape, and a pair of side walls 71fa, 71fb that rise from the board placement wall 71fc.

[0033] The substrate placement wall 71fc supports the substrate 76. The substrate placement wall 71fc is inclined toward the first surface 50fa so as to be positioned closer to the third surface 50fc. A container-side electrode 701 that contacts the device-side electrode 401 is formed on the front surface of the substrate 76. A memory that stores information about the liquid container 20, such as the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container 20, is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 76. In the attached state, information is exchanged between the memory of the substrate 76 and the control device 42 of the liquid ejection device 11. Nine container-side electrodes 701 are provided, corresponding to the number of device-side electrodes 401. Note that the number of container-side electrodes 701 is not limited to this and may be less than or greater than nine. For example, the number of container-side electrodes 701 may be five or seven.

[0034] The pair of side walls 71fa, 71fb are a first side wall 71fa and a second side wall 71fb. The first side wall 71fa and the second side wall 71fb face each other in the X direction. The first side wall 71fa and the second side wall 71fb each have a container-side positioning portion 77 that positions the substrate 76 and the device-side electrode 401. The container-side positioning portion 77 of the first side wall 71fa is a first container-side positioning portion 77a. The container-side positioning portion 77 of the second side wall 71fb is a second container-side positioning portion 77b. The first container-side positioning portion 77a is a groove formed in the first side wall 71fa. The first container-side positioning portion 77a extends from the first surface 50fa along the central axis CT. The second container-side positioning portion 77b is a groove formed in the second side wall 71fb. The second container-side positioning portion 77b extends from the first surface 50fa along the central axis CT. During the process of attaching the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11, the first device-side positioning portion 49a, which is a protrusion, is inserted into the first container-side positioning portion 77a, which is a groove, and the second device-side positioning portion 49b, which is a protrusion, is inserted into the second container-side positioning portion 77b, which is a groove. This restricts movement of the substrate 76 relative to the device-side electrical connection portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CT, making it easy to position the substrate 76 and the device-side electrode 401.

[0035] 6, the substrate placement wall 71fc and the side walls 71fa and 71fb are formed in the placement section 70 of the second adapter 50. That is, the placement section 70 has the substrate placement wall 71fc and the side walls 71fa and 71fb. As described above, the placement section 70 places the substrate 76 that comes into contact with the device-side electrode 401 of the liquid ejecting device 11. The placement section 70 also has a container-side positioning section 77.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are formed in the first surface 50fa. As shown in FIG. 6, the first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are formed in the adapter body 51 of the second adapter 50. The first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are located on either side of the supply unit arrangement hole 52. During the installation process of the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11, the first positioning part 45 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the first guide hole 57. During the installation process, the second positioning part 46 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the second guide hole 59. As a result, the liquid container 20 is guided along the installation direction during the installation process.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the identifier 54 is provided at the intersection of the first surface 50fa and the second surface 50fb. As shown in FIG. 6, the identifier 54 is formed on the adapter body 51 of the second adapter 50. The identifier 54 has projections and depressions shaped to fit into the corresponding block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. When the liquid container 20 is correctly attached to the liquid ejection device 11, the identifier 54 properly fits into the block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to attach the liquid container 20 in an incorrect position, the identifier 54 will not fit into the block 44, preventing the liquid container 20 from moving any further inside, thereby preventing incorrect attachment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid container 20 further has a handle member 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle member 30 is attached to the first adapter 40 of the adapter 100. The handle member 30 is configured as a separate member from the adapter 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the handle member 30 is movable by rotating about a rotation axis 33 formed by the adapter 100 and the handle member 30. The handle member 30 has a grip portion 31 that is gripped by a user. The grip portion 31 is located closer to the bag main body 62 and farther from the adapter 100 than the rotation axis 33. Note that in other embodiments, the handle member 30 may be omitted.

[0039] Next, a mechanism for fastening the supply member 64 to the adapter 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110. FIG. 9 is a diagram of the adapter 100 as viewed from the third surface 50fc side. In this embodiment, the supply member 64 and the adapter 100 are fastened together by engaging a screw member BN with a snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 (described later). The snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 fastens the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 together. The fastening by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 sandwiches the supply member 64 between the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50. The supply member 64 is fastened to the adapter 100 by being sandwiched between the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50.

[0040] First, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 will be described. The first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 each have a snap-fit ​​mechanism 110. The snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 secures components together by utilizing their elasticity. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 includes an elastic engaging portion 48 on the first adapter 40 and an engaged portion 58 on the adapter main body 51 of the second adapter 50.

[0041] The elastic engagement portions 48 are claw-shaped and protrude from both sides of the first adapter 40 in the short-side direction of the liquid container 20 toward the second adapter 50. Two elastic engagement portions 48 are provided. As shown in FIG. 9 , one of the elastic engagement portions 48 located on the −X direction side in the short-side direction is referred to as a first elastic engagement portion 48a. The other of the elastic engagement portions 48 located on the +X direction side in the short-side direction is referred to as a second elastic engagement portion 48b. The tip sides of the first elastic engagement portion 48a and the second elastic engagement portion 48b in the protruding direction can be displaced by elastic deformation.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the engaged portions 58 are formed in portions located on both sides of the adapter main body 51 in the short direction of the liquid container 20. The engaged portions 58 have portions with which the claw-shaped elastic engaging portions 48 engage. Two engaged portions 58 are provided, corresponding to the number of elastic engaging portions 48. As shown in FIG. 9, one of the engaged portions 58, with which the first elastic engaging portion 48a engages, is referred to as the first engaged portion 58a, and the other with which the second elastic engaging portion 48b engages is referred to as the second engaged portion 58b.

[0043] 8, the elastic engaging portion 48 is inserted into the engaged portion 58, and the claw portion 481 on the tip side of the elastic engaging portion 48 engages with the engaged portion 58. As a result, the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 are fixed together by the snap fit mechanism 110.

[0044] Next, the fastening of components using the screw members BN will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, a body insertion hole 59h is formed in the third surface 50fc of the adapter body 51. The body insertion hole 59h penetrates the second adapter 50 in the Z direction. The bolts BT of the screw members BN are inserted into the body insertion hole 59h. Two body insertion holes 59h are provided, corresponding to the number of screw members BN. Of the two body insertion holes 59h, one corresponding to the first screw member BNa is referred to as the first body insertion hole 59ha, and the other corresponding to the second screw member BNb is referred to as the second body insertion hole 59hb. For ease of understanding, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the second bolt BTb is inserted into the second body insertion hole 59hb, and the first bolt BTa is not inserted into the first body insertion hole 59ha. As described above, the screw members BN are inserted into the adapter body 51.

[0045] 10 and 11 are also added to explain the fixing of members by the screw member BN. Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in Fig. 3.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 11, the first adapter 40 has a nut arrangement portion 409 that forms an arrangement space in which the nut NT is arranged. The nut arrangement portion 409 forms an arrangement space that corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the nut NT. The outer peripheral shape of the nut NT is rectangular. The nut arrangement portion 409 restricts rotation of the nut NT about the axis of the screw member BN by using a wall that partitions the arrangement space. Two nut arrangement portions 409 are provided, corresponding to the number of screw members BN. Of the two nut arrangement portions 409, one that corresponds to the first screw member BNa is called the first nut arrangement portion 409a, and the other that corresponds to the second screw member BNb is called the second nut arrangement portion 409b.

[0047] Fixation using the bolt BT is performed with the nut NT placed in the nut placement portion 409 in advance and the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 engaged and fixed by the snap fit mechanism 110. As shown in Fig. 11, the shank AX of the bolt BT is inserted through the body insertion hole 59h, the screw insertion hole 67, and the nut NT, and by tightening the bolt BT in this state, the first adapter 40, the second adapter 50, and the supply member 64 are fixed.

[0048] The tightening force of the screw members BN causes the adapter body 51 of the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 to deform slightly so that they approach each other. At this time, the adapter body 51 and the supply member 64 have portions that abut against each other in the Z direction. Furthermore, the second adapter 50 and the supply member 64 have portions that abut against each other in the Z direction. This prevents deformation of the adapter body 51 and the second adapter due to the tightening force, thereby preventing misalignment of the liquid supply unit 65 with respect to the adapter 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11 , because the screw members BN are located on both sides of the liquid supply unit 65, misalignment of the liquid supply unit 65 with respect to the adapter 100 can be further prevented compared to when the screw members BN are located on only one side of the liquid supply unit 65.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the fixation of the placement section 70, on which the substrate 76 is placed, to the adapter main body 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the adapter main body 51 has a main body placement section 56 in which the placement section 70 is placed. The main body placement section 56 is formed on the opposite side of the supply section placement hole 52 from the identification section 54. The main body placement section 56 has a recessed shape that accommodates the placement section 70. The placement section 70 is moved in the -Y direction, for example, and accommodated in the main body placement section 56 for placement. With the placement section 70 placed in the main body placement section 56, the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 are fixed together by a snap fit mechanism 110 and a screw member BN.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 12 , the placement unit 70 has a member-engaged portion 79 on the wall facing the first adapter 40. The member-engaged portion 79 is groove-shaped and extends in the X direction between the first side wall 71fa and the second side wall 71fb. The groove-shaped member-engaged portion 79 is open on the side where the first adapter 40 is located. Within the adapter 100, the first adapter 40 has a placement unit engaging portion 402. The placement unit engaging portion 402 is a protrusion that protrudes toward the second adapter 50. The placement unit engaging portion 402 enters the member-engaged portion 79 and engages with the member-engaged portion 79. This engagement restricts movement of the placement unit 70 along the Y direction. In other words, the placement unit engaging portion 402 secures the placement unit 70 by engaging with the member-engaged portion 79 of the placement unit 70.

[0051] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 , 10 , and 11 , the supply member 64 and the adapter 100 are fastened together by the screw member BN, thereby reducing the occurrence of problems such as unintentional release of the fastening between the supply member 64 and the adapter 100. Furthermore, the fastening by the screw member BN can be released using a tool such as a general screwdriver, so the supply member 64, the first adapter 40, and the second adapter 50 can be easily disassembled. This allows the components constituting the liquid container 20 to be reused, thereby reducing the environmental impact. For example, after the liquid in the liquid container 20 has been consumed, the supply member 64, the first adapter 40, and the second adapter 50 can be easily disassembled by releasing the fastening by the screw member BN and the engagement by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110. This allows, for example, the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50 to be reused.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6 , the placement portion 70 can be removed from the adapter body 51. The substrate 76 placed on the placement portion 70 is subject to frequent friction with the device-side electrical connection portion 41 due to repeated attachment and detachment of the liquid container 20 to and from the liquid ejection device 11, which tends to cause wear. The memory included in the substrate 76 has a limited lifespan and storage capacity. Therefore, if the substrate needs to be discarded, the placement portion 70 can be removed from the adapter body 51, allowing only the placement portion 70 to be discarded and the adapter body 51 to be reused. Furthermore, if the substrate 76 in the liquid container 20 is damaged or reaches the end of its lifespan, simply replacing the placement portion 70 allows the liquid container 20 to continue being used. Furthermore, by providing the placement portion 70 as a separate component from the adapter body 51, the placement portion 70 can also be used as a component for other types of liquid containers. In other words, the placement portion 70 can be manufactured as a common component for various liquid containers.

[0053] 6, 10, and 11, the screw member BN is inserted into the screw insertion hole 67 of the supply member 64 having the liquid supply unit 65, and the screw member BN can be used to directly fasten the adapter 100 and the supply member 64 to each other. This makes it possible to prevent the supply member 64 including the liquid supply unit 65 from shifting in position relative to the adapter 100. Also, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the supply member 64 can be fastened to the adapter 100 using the first screw member BNa and the second screw member BNb on either side of the liquid supply unit 65. This makes it possible to further prevent the liquid supply unit 65 from shifting in position relative to the adapter 100.

[0054] 12 , the position of the placement portion 70 can be easily fixed by restricting movement of the placement portion 70 in the Y direction using the placement portion engaging portion 402. The placement portion 70 is sandwiched between the first adapter 40 and the adapter main body 51. The placement portion 70 can be easily removed from the adapter main body 51 by releasing the fixation between the adapter main body 51 and the first adapter 40 using the screw member BN and the engagement using the snap fit mechanism 110, and then disassembling the adapter main body 51 and the first adapter 40.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the first adaptor 40 and the second adaptor 50 have a snap-fit ​​mechanism 110 that utilizes the elasticity of the components to secure them to each other. This makes it possible to prevent the first adaptor 40 and the second adaptor 50 from separating before they are fastened together with the screw members BN during the assembly process of the liquid container 20. This improves the assembly efficiency of the liquid container 20.

[0056] B. Other Embodiments: B1. Alternative Embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, the screw member BN is configured by a bolt BT and a nut NT as shown in Fig. 6, but is not limited to this. For example, the screw member BN may be a tapping screw.

[0057] B2. Alternative Embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, the liquid container 20 has the snap-fit ​​mechanism 110, but this may be omitted.

[0058] B3. Alternative Embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the adapter 100 includes the first adapter 40 and the second adapter 50. However, the adapter 100 may include only the second adapter 50. In this case, the second adapter 50 and the supply member 64 are fixed together with the screw members BN. In this case, the second adapter 50 and the supply member 64 may have a snap-fit ​​mechanism that uses the elasticity of the members to fix them together. For example, the supply member 64 may be included in the first adapter 40 and have an elastic engagement portion 48. This prevents the adapter 100 and the supply member 64 from separating before they are fixed together with the screw members BN during the assembly process of the liquid container 20. This improves the assembly efficiency of the liquid container 20.

[0059] C. 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.

[0060] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container that supplies liquid to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container includes a bag body for containing the liquid, a supply member attached to one end of the bag body and having a liquid supply portion, an adapter disposed on the one end of the bag body, and a screw member that secures the supply member to the adapter. This aspect reduces the occurrence of problems such as the supply member and the adapter being secured by the screw member and the unintentional release of the securement between the supply member and the adapter. Furthermore, since the supply member and the adapter can be disassembled, the adapter can be reused, for example.

[0061] (2) In the above aspect, the supply member may have an insertion portion having a screw insertion hole through which the screw member is inserted, the insertion portion being connected to the liquid supply unit, and the screw member may be inserted into the screw insertion hole. According to this aspect, the screw member is inserted into the screw insertion hole of the supply member having the liquid supply unit, so that the adapter and the supply member can be directly fixed to each other using the screw member. This makes it possible to prevent the supply member including the liquid supply unit from being misaligned with the adapter.

[0062] (3) In the above aspect, the screw member may have a first screw member and a second screw member, the insertion portion may have a first insertion portion corresponding to the first screw member and a second insertion portion corresponding to the second screw member, and the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion may be positioned on either side of the liquid supply unit. According to this aspect, the supply member can be fixed to the adapter using the first screw member and the second screw member on either side of the liquid supply unit. This can further reduce misalignment of the liquid supply unit with respect to the adapter.

[0063] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the adapter may have an adapter main body through which the screw member is inserted and a placement portion for placing a substrate that contacts an apparatus-side electrode of the liquid ejection device, and the placement portion may be removably fixed to the adapter main body. According to this embodiment, since the placement portion can be removed from the adapter main body, it is possible to, for example, discard the placement portion and reuse the adapter main body.

[0064] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the placement unit may have a container-side positioning unit that positions the substrate and the device-side electrode. According to this embodiment, the container-side positioning unit can easily position the substrate and the device-side electrode.

[0065] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the placement section may have a substrate placement wall on which the substrate is placed and a side wall rising from the substrate placement wall, and the container-side positioning section may be a groove formed in the side wall into which an apparatus-side positioning section of the liquid ejecting device is inserted. According to this embodiment, the groove can be used to easily position the substrate and the apparatus-side electrode.

[0066] (7) In the above aspect, the adapter may have a placement portion engaging portion that engages with the placement portion to fix the placement portion. According to this aspect, the position of the placement portion can be easily fixed by the placement portion engaging portion.

[0067] (8) In the above aspect, the adapter may include a first adapter and a second adapter positioned on the opposite side of the supply member from the first adapter, and the first adapter and the second adapter may have a snap-fit ​​mechanism that uses the elasticity of the members to secure them to each other. This aspect can prevent the first adapter and the second adapter from separating before they are fastened with the screw members during the assembly process of the liquid container. This can improve the assembly efficiency of the liquid container.

[0068] (9) In the above aspect, the adapter and the supply member may have a snap-fit ​​mechanism that utilizes the elasticity of the members to secure them to each other. This aspect can prevent the adapter and the supply member from separating before they are fastened together with the screw member during the assembly process of the liquid container. This can improve the assembly efficiency of the liquid container.

[0069] The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than those described above, such as a method for manufacturing a liquid container, a liquid ejection system including a liquid container and a liquid ejection device, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...housing, 13...case, 13M...second case, 13S...first case, 14...case storage section, 15...front cover, 16...cassette, 17...mounting port, 18...ejection tray, 19...operation panel, 20...liquid container, 21...liquid ejection section, 22...carriage, 29...connection mechanism, 29F...first connection mechanism, 29S...second connection mechanism, 30...handle member, 31...gripping section, 32...liquid introduction section, 33...rotating shaft, 40...first adapter, 41...device-side electrical connection section, 42...control device, 43...electrical circuit, 44...block, 45...first position Positioning portion, 46...first positioning portion, 48...elastic engaging portion, 48a...first elastic engaging portion, 48b...second elastic engaging portion, 49...device side positioning portion, 49a...first device side positioning portion, 49b...second device side positioning portion, 50...second adapter, 50fa...first surface, 50fb...second surface, 50fc...third surface, 50fd...fourth surface, 50fe...fifth surface, 51...adapter body, 52...supply portion arranging hole, 54...identification portion, 56...main body arranging portion, 57...first guide hole, 58...engaged portion, 58a...first engaged portion, 58b...second engaged portion, 59...second guide hole, 59h...main body insert Through hole, 59ha...first main body insertion hole, 59hb...second main body insertion hole, 60...liquid containing bag, 62...bag body, 62a...one end, 62b...other end, 64...supply member, 64e...joint portion, 65...liquid supply portion, 65e...base end, 65p...tip portion, 67...screw insertion hole, 67a...first screw insertion hole, 67b...second screw insertion hole, 68...insertion portion, 68a...first insertion portion, 68b...second insertion portion, 70...arrangement portion, 71...corner portion, 71fa...first side wall, 71fb...second side wall, 71fc...board arrangement wall, 76...board, 77...container side positioning portion, 77a...first container side positioning portion Positioning portion, 77b...second housing side positioning portion, 79...member engaged portion, 100...adapter, 110...snap fit mechanism, 401...device side electrode, 402...positioning portion engagement portion, 409...nut positioning portion, 409a...first nut positioning portion, 409b...second nut positioning portion, 481...claw portion, 701...housing side electrode, AX...shaft portion, BN...screw member, BNa...first screw member, BNb...second screw member, BT...bolt, BTa...first bolt, BTb...second bolt, CT...center axis, FM...film, NT...nut, NTa...first nut, NTb...second nut

Claims

1. A liquid container that supplies liquid to a liquid ejection device, a liquid containing bag including a bag body for containing the liquid, and a supply member attached to one end side of the bag body, the supply member having a liquid supply portion; an adapter disposed on the one end side of the bag body; a screw member that fastens the supply member and the adapter together.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1 , the supply member has an insertion portion having a screw insertion hole through which the screw member is inserted, the insertion portion being connected to the liquid supply portion, The screw member is inserted into the screw insertion hole.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, The screw member includes a first screw member and a second screw member, the insertion portion has a first insertion portion corresponding to the first screw member and a second insertion portion corresponding to the second screw member, The first insertion portion and the second insertion portion are positioned on either side of the liquid supply portion.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1 , The adapter is an adapter body into which the screw member is inserted; a placement unit for placing a substrate that contacts an apparatus-side electrode of the liquid ejection apparatus, The liquid container, wherein the arrangement portion is removably fixed to the adapter body.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4, The arrangement section has a container-side positioning section that positions the substrate and the device-side electrode.

6. The liquid container according to claim 5 , the placement section has a substrate placement wall on which the substrate is placed and a side wall rising from the substrate placement wall, The container-side positioning portion is a groove formed in the side wall, into which an apparatus-side positioning portion of the liquid ejection apparatus is inserted.

7. The liquid container according to claim 4, The adapter has a placement portion engaging portion that engages with the placement portion to fix the placement portion.

8. The liquid container according to claim 1 , The adapter is A first adapter; a second adapter located on the opposite side of the supply member from the first adapter, The liquid container includes a snap-fit ​​mechanism in which the first adaptor and the second adaptor are fixed to each other by utilizing the elasticity of the members.

9. The liquid container according to claim 1 , The liquid container has a snap-fit ​​mechanism in which the adapter and the supply member are fixed to each other by utilizing the elasticity of the members.

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