Liquid storage container, liquid storage unit, liquid discharge apparatus, and method of supplying liquid to liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage body capable of reducing the use of plastic materials with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container for storing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge apparatus includes a cylindrical flow path-forming member in which a flow path is formed. The liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage portion which stores a liquid inside and in which an opening through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge apparatus passes is formed; and an elastic portion which blocks the opening so that a liquid does not leak, and is elastically deformed so as to enlarge a cross-sectional area of a communication hole configured to allow communication between inside and outside the liquid storage portion by insertion of the flow path-forming member. The present technique has the potential to contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society, such as a decarbonized society / circular society.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid storage container, a liquid storage unit, a liquid ejection device, and a method for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid ejection devices such as inkjet printers are equipped with a liquid ejection head mounted on a carriage that moves back and forth across a recording medium. Methods for supplying liquid such as ink to the liquid ejection head include mounting an ink cartridge directly on the carriage to feed the liquid, and providing a separate ink tank or sub-tank and using a pump or the like to feed the liquid to the head.

[0003] In recent years, in order to reduce recording costs and accommodate large-volume printing, a configuration has become mainstream in which a large-capacity ink tank is provided in the main body of a recording device, a liquid storage container containing ink is connected to the main body, and ink is replenished from the liquid storage container to the ink tank. Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid storage body that is composed of a bag-shaped member that stores ink inside and a connecting member (hereinafter also referred to as a spout portion) that is connected to the main body of the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-065374 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-described configuration, the spout must be securely connected to the device body to prevent problems such as ink leakage, which can lead to a complex spout structure. Furthermore, to prevent users from inserting the spout incorrectly, the shape of the spout must be changed for each type of liquid ejection device, making standardization difficult, and therefore the spout tends to be expensive. Furthermore, spouts are typically made of materials primarily made of plastic (hereinafter referred to as "plastic materials"), which is undesirable from the perspective of realizing a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free, recycling-oriented society.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container that has a simple structure and that can reduce the use of plastic materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a liquid storage container according to the present invention comprises: A liquid container for containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, the liquid container comprising a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein, a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion being elastically deformed when the flow path forming member is inserted so as to expand a cross-sectional area of ​​a communication hole that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion; The present invention is characterized by comprising: In order to achieve the above object, the liquid containing unit according to the present invention comprises: A liquid containing unit that contains liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, a liquid storage container having a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes, and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent the liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section; a container case having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein and a connection part connected to a liquid ejection device, the container case containing the liquid container therein; Equipped with The elastic portion is characterized in that the flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole and elastically deformed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole expands. In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein; a liquid storage container including: a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section, and that elastically deforms so that a cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole expands when the flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole; The present invention is characterized by comprising: In order to achieve the above object, a method of supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises: A liquid supply method for supplying liquid from a liquid storage container to a liquid ejection device having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein, the liquid storage container including: a liquid storage portion that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion, The flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases, and the flow path forming member and the liquid storage portion are connected to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid container that has a simple structure and that allows for reduced use of plastic materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an ink containing container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an elastic member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing an ink containing container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink containing container according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink containing unit according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink containing unit according to a third modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink containing container according to a fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure.

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to a liquid storage container for supplying liquid such as ink to an inkjet recording head (liquid ejection head) that ejects ink and an inkjet recording apparatus (liquid ejection apparatus). An embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the liquid container of the present invention can be applied to devices such as printers, copiers, facsimiles with communication systems, word processors with printer units, and even industrial recording devices combined with various processing devices.

[0012] First Embodiment (ink container) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic diagrams of an ink containing container 1 according to the first embodiment. The ink containing container 1 is a liquid containing container that contains liquid such as ink to be supplied to a liquid ejection device. An ink injection unit 3 provided in the liquid ejection device is connected to the ink containing container 1, so that the ink inside the ink containing container 1 is supplied to the liquid ejection device. The ink containing container 1 can also be considered as a part of the components of the liquid ejection device that is removably provided in the liquid ejection device. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink containing container 1 and the ink injection unit 3.

[0013] The ink containing container 1 has a main body portion 1a (liquid containing portion) that contains ink therein, and a welded portion 1b for sealing the main body portion 1a. In the first embodiment, the main body portion 1a is formed by folding and welding a single film-like sheet member. When the ink containing container 1 is not in use, the inside of the main body portion 1a is filled with ink to be supplied to the main body of the liquid ejection device. The ink containing container 1 is a flat container whose thickness increases as it is filled with ink, and is approximately rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction. One end of the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 1a in the thickness direction is a flat surface 1a1, and the other end is a flat surface 1a2 facing in the opposite direction to the flat surface 1a1.

[0014] The ink container 1 has an ink supply unit 2 for supplying ink therein to the liquid ejection device. The ink supply unit 2 is provided at one end of the rectangular body 1a in the longitudinal direction. The welded portions 1b are located at the other end of the rectangular body 1a opposite the end where the ink supply unit 2 is provided, and at both ends in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction and the lateral direction are parallel to the flat surface 1a1.

[0015] A flexible elastic member 5 is attached to the ink supply unit 2. The liquid ejection device is also provided with an ink injection unit 3 that is hollow and has a pointed tip like a syringe needle. The ink injection unit 3 is a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein, and is inserted into the elastic member 5 of the ink supply unit 2 during the ink supply operation. Inserting the ink injection unit 3 into the ink supply unit 2 connects the liquid ejection device and the ink storage container 1, and ink from the ink storage container 1 is supplied to the ink tank or subtank of the liquid ejection device through the flow path formed in the ink injection unit 3. Figure 1(b) shows the state when the ink injection unit 3 is inserted into the ink supply unit 2 and ink has begun to be supplied from the ink storage container 1 to the liquid ejection device. In the drawing, areas filled with ink 7 are indicated by solid wavy lines as appropriate.

[0016] When the amount of ink in the ink containing container 1 decreases, the ink containing container 1 collapses in the thickness direction so that the flat surfaces 1a1 and 1a2 approach each other. Figure 1(c) shows a state in which most of the ink in the ink containing container 1 has been supplied to the liquid ejection device, and the ink containing container 1 has collapsed so that it becomes smaller in the thickness direction. The ink supplied via the ink injection unit 3 is stored in an ink tank or sub-tank of the liquid ejection device, and is supplied to the liquid ejection head as needed.

[0017] (ink supply unit) The ink supply unit 2 of the ink containing container 1 and the method of supplying ink (liquid supply method) from the ink containing container 1 to the liquid ejection device will be described in more detail. An explanatory diagram of an ink supply unit 2 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an ink containing container 1 in an unused state (brand new state). An opening 1c is formed in the main body 1a, through which ink passes to be supplied to the liquid ejection device. The cross-sectional shape of the opening 1c is circular. An elastic member 5 is provided in the opening 1c.

[0018] The elastic member 5 is a flexible member that constitutes an elastic portion that closes the opening 1c to prevent ink from leaking from the main body portion 1a. The elastic member 5 is formed with a communication hole 5a that allows communication between the inside and outside of the main body portion 1a. The elastic member 5 is attached to the opening 1c in an elastically deformable manner so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole 5a expands. However, the communication hole 5a may be configured to close when the elastic member 5 is attached to the main body portion 1a and before the ink injection portion 3 is inserted.

[0019] The elastic member 5 has a first surface 5b that contacts the outer surface of the main body 1a and a second surface 5c that contacts the inner surface of the main body 1a. The first surface 5b and the second surface 5c are in close contact with the main body 1a so as to cover the periphery of the opening 1c, respectively, and prevent ink from leaking between the main body 1a and the elastic member 5.

[0020] The communicating hole 5a of the elastic member 5 has a tapered portion 5d whose cross-sectional area gradually increases from the inside to the outside of the main body 1a, and a straight portion 5e connected to the tapered portion 5d and having a constant diameter. The tapered portion 5d is provided at the end that opens to the outside of the ink containing container 1, and the straight portion 5e is provided at the end that opens to the inside of the ink containing container 1. The cross-sectional shapes of the tapered portion 5d and the straight portion 5e are both circular. The communicating hole 5a is preferably formed with a small diameter that prevents leakage of viscous ink, and the diameter of the straight portion 5e is preferably approximately 10 μm or less. The tapered portion 5d formed in the communicating hole 5a allows the ink injection portion 3 to be guided by the small-diameter straight portion 5e when inserted into the elastic member 5, improving the operability of the ink supply operation.

[0021] The ink container 1 is provided with a sealing member 6 attached to the outer surface of the main body 1a so as to cover the opening 1c and the elastic member 5. The sealing member 6 is provided to prevent the communication hole 5a from widening due to an impact or the like, causing ink to unintentionally leak from the main body 1a to the outside, and is made of an ink-resistant material.

[0022] When connecting the ink injection part 3 to the ink storage container 1, the ink injection part 3 first breaks through the sealing member 6 and is then inserted further into the communicating hole 5a of the elastic member 5 at the back. By inserting the ink injection part 3, the elastic member 5 elastically deforms so that the cross-sectional area (diameter) of the communicating hole 5a increases. Figure 2(b) shows the state in which the sealing member 6 has been broken and the ink injection part 3 has been inserted into the communicating hole 5a. With the tip of the ink injection part 3 removed from the communicating hole 5a, the ink contained in the main body part 1a is supplied to the liquid ejection device through a flow path formed inside the ink injection part 3.

[0023] When connecting the ink injection part 3 to the ink storage container 1, the user may first peel off the sealing member 6 and then insert the ink injection part 3 into the communicating hole 5a. Figure 2(c) shows the ink injection part 3 inserted into the communicating hole 5a after the sealing member 6 has been peeled off.

[0024] 3(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the elastic member 5. Fig. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the diameter of the communication hole 5a of the elastic member 5 and the outer diameter of the ink injection section 3. Fig. 3(a) shows that the diameter of the straight section 5e of the communication hole 5a (the minimum diameter of the tapered section 5d) is D1, the maximum diameter of the tapered section 5d is D2, and the outer diameter of the part of the ink injection section 3 that is inserted into the elastic member 5 is D3.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the elastic member 5 and the ink injection portion 3 are formed so that D2 > D3 > D1. The larger the outer diameter D3, the greater the flow rate of ink flowing through the ink injection portion 3, but if the diameter D1 is too large, there is a risk of ink leaking from the main body portion 1a. Therefore, taking into account the ink flow rate and the flexibility of the elastic member 5, it is preferable that the diameter D1 when the ink injection portion 3 is not inserted be no more than one-third of the outer diameter D3. Furthermore, to make it easier to guide the ink injection portion 3 into the straight portion 5e, the diameter D2 is made larger than the outer diameter D3.

[0026] FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing the position of the elastic member 5. In FIG. 3(b), the thickness of the main body 1a of the ink containing container 1 when the ink containing container 1 is in an unused state (the distance from the flat surface 1a1 to the flat surface 1a2) is shown as L1, and the distance from the flat surface 1a1 to the center of the circular through-hole 5a of the elastic member 5 is shown as L2. The ink containing container 1 is configured to supply ink from the main body 1a to the ink supply unit with the flat surface 1a1 placed on a horizontal surface. Therefore, to ensure that all ink that accumulates on the flat surface 1a1 side, which is the bottom of the main body 1a, is supplied, the elastic member 5 is arranged closer to the flat surface 1a1 than the flat surface 1a2 in the thickness direction. In other words, it is preferable that the distance L2 be equal to or less than half the distance L1 in order to prevent ink waste.

[0027] (Ink storage container manufacturing method) A specific example of a method for manufacturing the ink containing container 1 will be described below. Figures 4(a) to 4(g) are explanatory diagrams of the method for manufacturing the ink containing container 1.

[0028] The ink container 1 is made of a sheet S, which is a multilayer film laminated with thin sheets of Al, nylon, polyethylene, etc. The sheet S is substantially rectangular, and has an opening 1c formed in the approximate center in the longitudinal and lateral directions for connection to a liquid ejection device. Figure 4(a) shows the sheet S with the opening 1c formed therein.

[0029] An elastic member 5 is attached to the sheet S so as to fit into the opening 1c. The elastic member 5 is made of a flexible material containing at least one of fluororubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, and chloroprene rubber, for example. Fig. 4(b) shows the elastic member 5 attached to the sheet S by fitting into the opening 1c.

[0030] The sheet S with the attached elastic member 5 is folded approximately in half. At this time, the portion where the elastic member 5 is provided, which will become the ink supply portion 2, is located at the folded portion. However, if the elastic member 5 is folded, it will be difficult to insert the ink injection portion 3, so it is preferable that the area around the opening 1c where the elastic member 5 is provided is configured to have a certain level of strength so as not to bend. Figure 4(c) shows the sheet S folded approximately in half.

[0031] The folded sheet S is first heated and welded at both ends in the width direction. FIG. 4(d) shows how welded portions 1b are formed at both ends in the width direction of the sheet S. Then, the end of the sheet S opposite the end where the elastic member 5 is provided in the length direction is heated and welded. FIG. 4(e) shows how welded portion 1b is formed at one end (rear end) in the length direction of the sheet S. In this way, the main body 1a of the ink containing container 1 is formed.

[0032] The ink containing container 1 is sealed into a bag shape by welding, and ink 7 is poured into the container 1 via the elastic member 5. Figure 4(f) shows how the ink 7 is poured into the main body 1a.

[0033] After the ink is injected, the seal member 6 made of an ink-resistant material covers the entire elastic member 5. The ink container 1 is then completed by attaching the seal member 6 to the ink container 1. Fig. 4(g) shows the ink container 1 after the seal member 6 has been attached.

[0034] As described above, the present invention simplifies the configuration of the connection portion with the liquid ejection device. Therefore, even if the shape of the elastic member 5 is changed for each type of liquid ejection device to prevent incorrect insertion, the liquid container will be less expensive than a container with a complex connection portion. Furthermore, the present invention can reduce the number of parts, such as the spout, that need to be made of resin such as plastic, thereby contributing to the "Reduce" aspect of the 3Rs. Therefore, the technology described herein can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / recycling-based society.

[0035] The configuration and manufacturing method of the ink containing container 1 are not limited to those described above. For example, the ink containing container 1 may be formed by connecting a supply member having an opening 1c and two films to each other by welding or the like. Also, for example, in a configuration in which a sealing member 6 is attached to the inside of the main body portion 1a, the communicating hole 5a may be formed only by a tapered portion 5d without providing a straight portion 5e in the communicating hole 5a. Below, a description will be given of modifications in which the configuration is partially changed from that of the first embodiment.

[0036] <First Modification> A first modified example of the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again, and the description will focus mainly on the characteristic parts of the first modified example. In the first modified example, the position where the seal member 6 is attached is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0037] 5(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of an ink containing container 1 according to a first modified example. In the first modified example, a sealing member 6 is attached to the inside of the ink containing container 1. FIG. 5(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the ink containing container 1 in an unused state (brand new state). In the first modified example, the sealing member 6 is attached to the inner surface of the main body 1a so as to cover the opening 1c and the elastic member 5. Therefore, ink does not enter the area inside the main body 1a where the elastic member 5 is arranged and which is covered by the sealing member 6.

[0038] When connecting the ink injection part 3 to the ink containing container 1, the ink injection part 3 is first inserted into the elastic member 5, and then inserted further until the tip of the ink injection part 3 breaks through the sealing member 6. Once the sealing member 6 is broken, the ink contained in the main body part 1a is supplied to the liquid ejection device through a flow path formed inside the ink injection part 3. Figure 5(b) shows the state in which the ink injection part 3 is inserted into the communication hole 5a and the sealing member 6 is broken through.

[0039] The following describes an example of a method for manufacturing the ink containing container 1. In manufacturing the ink containing container 1, after the elastic member 5 is attached to the sheet S, the sealing member 6 is attached to the sheet S before welding the sheet S. At this time, the sealing member 6 is attached to the surface that will become the inner surface of the main body portion 1a so as to cover the opening 1c and the elastic member 5.

[0040] With the elastic member 5 and the sealing member 6 in place, the sheet S is folded and both ends in the shorter direction are heated and welded. Then, ink is injected into the main body 1a from the end in the longer direction (the rear end of the ink container 1) that has not yet been welded. After a specified amount of ink 7 has been injected, the rear end of the ink container 1 is welded, and the ink container 1 is completed.

[0041] <Second Modification> A second modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the configuration of the second modification will be explained. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted, and the following mainly describes the characteristic features of the second modified example. The second modified example differs from the first embodiment in that the ink container 1 is connected to the liquid ejection device while housed in the housing case 8.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the ink injection section 3 was inserted directly into the elastic member 5 of the ink container 1. On the other hand, in the second modified example, the ink injection section 3 is connected to an ink containing unit 9 (liquid containing unit) that is composed of the ink container 1 and a containing case 8 that contains the ink container 1.

[0043] 6(a) to 6(c) are explanatory diagrams of an ink containing unit 9 according to a second modified example. The containing case 8 is provided with an insertion opening 8a into which the ink filling section 3 is inserted, and a cover 8b that opens and closes the space in which the ink containing container 1 is contained. The insertion opening 8a can be made of, for example, a flexible sheet-like member that opens when the ink filling section 3 is inserted. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink containing container 1 and containing case 8 according to the second modified example.

[0044] When the ink containing container 1 is housed in the housing case 8, the insertion opening 8a and the elastic member 5 are positioned to overlap when viewed in the insertion direction of the ink injection part 3 (the longitudinal direction of the ink containing container 1). Therefore, by inserting the ink injection part 3 into the insertion opening 8a and then pushing the ink injection part 3 further inward, the ink injection part 3 is inserted into the elastic member 5. FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the state before the ink injection part 3 is inserted into the ink containing unit 9. FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view showing the state after the ink injection part 3 has been inserted into the ink containing unit 9. Note that a positioning part for positioning the insertion opening 8a and the elastic member 5 may be provided on the ink containing container 1 or the housing case 8.

[0045] According to the configuration of the second modified example, the ink containing container 1 can be connected to the ink injection section 3 of the liquid ejection device while it is housed in the housing case 8. This configuration is particularly suitable when it is difficult to fix the ink containing container 1 alone in place.

[0046] <Third Modification> A third modified example of the first embodiment will now be described. In the following description, the same components of the third modified example as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus mainly on the characteristic parts of the third modified example. In the third modified example, the ink container 1 is connected to the liquid ejection device while housed in the housing case 8, as in the second modified example.

[0047] 7(a) to 7(d) are explanatory diagrams of an ink containing unit 9 according to the second modified example. In the third modified example as well, the ink filling section 11 provided in the liquid ejection device is connected to an ink containing unit 9 (liquid containing unit) composed of an ink containing container 1 and a containing case 8. The containing case 8 according to the third modified example is formed with a connection section 8c for connecting the ink filling section 3 of the liquid ejection device to the ink containing container 1 and supplying ink from the ink containing container 1 to the liquid ejection device. FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink containing container 1 and the containing case 8 according to the third modified example.

[0048] 7(b) is a plan view showing the configuration of the containing case 8. The connecting portion 8c includes a first connecting portion 8d that is inserted into the elastic member 5 of the ink containing container 1 and connected to the ink containing container 1, and a second connecting portion 8e that is connected to the ink injection portion 11 of the liquid ejection device, and a flow path for the ink to flow is formed inside.

[0049] The first connection portion 8d is configured in the same manner as the ink injection portion 3 provided in the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment, and has a channel-shaped structure with a pointed tip like a syringe needle and a hollow interior. The second connection portion 8e and the ink injection portion 11 function as a connecting member. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the second connection portion 8e and the ink injection portion 11, as long as the ink flowing into the first connection portion 8d can be supplied to an ink tank or the like in the device main body via the second connection portion 8e and the ink injection portion 11. Fig. 7(c) is a perspective view showing the state before the ink injection portion 3 is inserted into the ink containing unit 9. Fig. 7(d) is a perspective view showing the state after the ink injection portion 3 has been inserted into the ink containing unit 9.

[0050] The ink containing container 1 is housed in the housing case 8 with the first connecting portion 8d inserted into the elastic member 5. With the first connecting portion 8d inserted into the elastic member 5, the flow path of the second connecting portion 8e is closed, preventing ink from leaking from the second connecting portion 8e. When the ink inlet 11 is connected to the second connecting portion 8e, the flow path of the second connecting portion 8e is opened, connecting the interior of the main body 1a of the ink containing container 1 to the ink inlet 11, and enabling ink to be supplied from the ink containing container 1 to the ink inlet 11. Even with this configuration, the ink containing container 1 can be connected to the ink inlet 3 of the liquid ejection device while housed in the housing case 8. Therefore, this configuration is particularly suitable when it is difficult to fix the ink containing container 1 alone.

[0051] <Fourth Modification> A fourth modified example of the first embodiment will be described. In the following explanation, the same components of the fourth modified example as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus mainly on the characteristic parts of the fourth modified example. The fourth modified example differs from the first embodiment in that the ink supply unit 2 is provided on the flat surface 1a1, which is the lower surface of the ink container 1.

[0052] 8(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of an ink containing container 1 according to a fourth modified example. In the fourth modified example, an elastic member 5 is provided on a flat surface 1a1 that forms the lower surface when the ink containing container 1 is in an attitude where it is connected to the ink injection part 3, and the ink supply part 2 is formed thereon.

[0053] The liquid ejection device according to the fourth modification includes a mounting portion 12 on which the ink containing container 1 is placed when ink is supplied. The mounting portion 12 is provided with an ink injection portion 3 that includes a cylindrical flow path forming member that protrudes vertically upward. Therefore, by placing the ink containing container 1 on the mounting portion 12 so that the ink injection portion 3 is inserted into the elastic member 5, the ink containing container 1 and the ink injection portion 3 are connected, and ink is supplied from the ink containing container 1 to the liquid ejection device.

[0054] According to this example, the ink containing container 1 can be connected to the liquid ejection device simply by placing the ink containing container 1, thereby improving the workability of the ink supply operation. Furthermore, even if a small amount of ink leaks outside the main body 1a when the ink injection section 3 is inserted into the elastic member 5, the mounting section 12 receives the ink, preventing the surrounding components from being soiled. Furthermore, the mounting section 12 may be provided with a supply port or the like so that ink that leaks onto the mounting section 12 can also be supplied to the liquid ejection device, thereby enabling the ink to be supplied more efficiently.

[0055] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A liquid container for containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, the liquid container comprising a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein, a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion being elastically deformed when the flow path forming member is inserted so as to expand a cross-sectional area of ​​a communication hole that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion; A liquid storage container comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The liquid storage container according to configuration 1, wherein the communication hole communicates the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion before the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion. (Configuration 3) 2. The liquid storage container according to configuration 1, wherein the communication hole is closed before the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion. (Configuration 4) The liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a seal portion disposed outside the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening. (Configuration 5) The liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a seal portion disposed inside the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening. (Configuration 6) the communication hole and the opening have a circular cross-sectional shape, A liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the diameter of the communication hole when the flow path forming member is not inserted is 1 / 3 or less of the diameter of the opening. (Configuration 7) A liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the liquid storage portion is a flat surface, and liquid is supplied from the liquid storage portion to the flow path forming member with the flat surface placed on a horizontal surface. (Configuration 8) the communication hole and the opening have a circular cross-sectional shape, A liquid storage container as described in configuration 7, characterized in that when the flat surface is placed on the horizontal surface, the distance from the flat surface to the center of the circle of the cross-sectional shape of the opening is less than half the distance from the flat surface to the surface of the outer circumferential surface facing away from the flat surface. (Configuration 9) 9. The liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the elastic portion contains at least one of fluororubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, and chloroprene rubber. (Configuration 10) 10. The liquid container according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the liquid storage portion is formed of a flexible film. (Configuration 11) A liquid storage container according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the communicating hole has a tapered portion at the end on the outer side of the liquid storage portion, the cross-sectional area of ​​which gradually increases from the inside to the outside of the liquid storage portion. (Configuration 12) A liquid storage container for storing a liquid, a liquid storage section that stores a liquid therein and has an opening through which the liquid passes; an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion having a communication hole formed therein that allows communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion, the elastic portion being elastically deformable so that a cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases; A liquid storage container comprising: (Configuration 13) A liquid containing unit that contains liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, a liquid storage container having a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes, and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent the liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section; a container case having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein and a connection part connected to the liquid ejection device, the container case containing the liquid container therein; Equipped with The liquid storage unit is characterized in that the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion, and the elastic portion is elastically deformed so as to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole. (Configuration 14) a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein; a liquid storage container including: a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section, and that elastically deforms when the flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases; A liquid ejection device comprising: (Method 1) A liquid supply method for supplying liquid from a liquid storage container to a liquid ejection device having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein, the liquid storage container including: a liquid storage portion that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion, A method for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device, comprising inserting the flow path forming member into the communication hole so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases, and connecting the flow path forming member to the liquid storage portion. (Method 2) the liquid container includes a seal portion disposed outside the liquid container portion so as to cover the opening, A method of supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device described in Method 1, characterized in that the flow path forming member breaks the sealing portion before inserting the flow path forming member into the communicating hole in order to connect the flow path forming member to the liquid storage portion. (Method 3) the liquid container includes a seal portion disposed inside the liquid container portion so as to cover the opening; A method of supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device described in Method 1, characterized in that in order to connect the flow path forming member and the liquid storage portion, the flow path forming member is inserted into the communicating hole and then the sealing portion is broken by the flow path forming member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1... ink container (liquid container), 1a... main body portion (liquid container), 3... ink injection portion (flow path forming member), 5... elastic member (elastic portion)

Claims

1. A liquid container for containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, the liquid container comprising a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein, a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion being elastically deformed when the flow path forming member is inserted so as to expand a cross-sectional area of ​​a communication hole that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion; A liquid storage container comprising:

2. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole communicates the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion before the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion.

3. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole is closed before the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1 , further comprising a seal portion disposed outside the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1 , further comprising a seal portion disposed inside the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening.

6. the communication hole and the opening have a circular cross-sectional shape, 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the communication hole when the flow path forming member is not inserted is equal to or less than one-third of the diameter of the opening.

7. 2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the liquid storage portion is a flat surface, and liquid is supplied from the liquid storage portion to the flow path forming member with the flat surface placed on a horizontal surface.

8. the communication hole and the opening have a circular cross-sectional shape, 8. The liquid storage container according to claim 7, wherein, when the flat surface is placed on the horizontal surface, the distance from the flat surface to the center of the circle of the cross-sectional shape of the opening is less than half the distance from the flat surface to the surface of the outer circumferential surface facing away from the flat surface.

9. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion contains at least one of fluororubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, and chloroprene rubber.

10. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage portion is formed of a flexible film.

11. 2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole has a tapered portion at an end on the side that opens to the outside of the liquid storage portion, the cross-sectional area of ​​which gradually increases from the inside of the liquid storage portion toward the outside.

12. A liquid storage container for storing a liquid, a liquid storage section that stores a liquid therein and has an opening through which the liquid passes; The elastic portion closes the opening to prevent leakage of liquid, and has a communication hole formed therein that allows communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion. The elastic portion expands in cross section to expand the cross section of the communication hole. an elastic portion configured to be elastically deformable; A liquid storage container comprising:

13. A liquid containing unit that contains liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection device, a liquid storage container having a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes, and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent the liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section; a container case having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein and a connection part connected to the liquid ejection device, the container case containing the liquid container therein; Equipped with The liquid storage unit is characterized in that the flow path forming member is inserted into the elastic portion, and the elastic portion is elastically deformed so as to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole.

14. a cylindrical flow path forming member having a flow path formed therein; a liquid storage container including: a liquid storage section that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic section that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic section having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage section, and that elastically deforms when the flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases; A liquid ejection device comprising:

15. A liquid supply method for supplying liquid from a liquid storage container to a liquid ejection device having a cylindrical flow path forming member with a flow path formed therein, the liquid storage container including: a liquid storage portion that stores liquid therein and has an opening formed therein through which liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device passes; and an elastic portion that closes the opening to prevent liquid from leaking, the elastic portion having a communication hole formed therein that is configured to allow communication between the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion, A method for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device, comprising inserting the flow path forming member into the communication hole so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the communication hole increases, and connecting the flow path forming member to the liquid storage portion.

16. the liquid container includes a seal portion disposed outside the liquid container portion so as to cover the opening, 16. A method for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device according to claim 15, wherein the flow path forming member breaks the seal portion before inserting the flow path forming member into the communication hole in order to connect the flow path forming member to the liquid storage portion.

17. the liquid container includes a seal portion disposed inside the liquid container portion so as to cover the opening; 16. A method for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection device according to claim 15, wherein the flow path forming member is inserted into the communication hole and then the seal portion is broken by the flow path forming member in order to connect the flow path forming member to the liquid storage portion.

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