Ink storage container and ink discharge device

Abstract

To provide an ink storage container that is used in an ink discharge device, which can contribute to achieving 3R.SOLUTION: An ink storage container 111, which can be detachably attached to a device main body of an ink discharge device, is provided with a storage part 302 which stores ink and comprises an ink discharge part 306 that can discharge the stored ink out of the storage part 302, and an information member 303 storing information that can be read out from the outside. The information member 303 is provided at a portion having flexibility in the storage part 302 and is configured so that information can be read out from the outside in a non-contact manner. This can contribute to achieving a sustainable society such as a decarbonizing / recycling society.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink container used in an ink ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a recording device serving as an ink ejection device (liquid ejection device) that ejects ink as a recording liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, a configuration has been known in which consumed ink is replenished by an ink tank serving as an ink storage container (liquid storage container) that is detachable from the device main body. In such a configuration, in order to reduce the frequency of ink tank replacement, the capacity of the ink tank is increased, and in order to facilitate handling, a configuration has been known in which the liquid storage section is a bag made of a flexible film such as polyethylene (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-65374 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An ink tank may be provided with, for example, a memory element or the like as an information component that stores information about the ink contained therein. The information stored in the memory element is read by a reading unit provided in the device body, and in order to ensure a reliable connection between the electrical contacts of the memory element and the electrical contacts of the device body, the memory element is provided in a housing part that maintains a constant shape in the ink tank. In Patent Document 1, the part of the ink tank that positions the electrical contacts of the memory element is made of a material whose main ingredient is plastic.

[0005] In recent years, social demands have called for the development of technologies that can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a decarbonized / recycling-based society. The use of plastic materials such as those mentioned above must be reduced as much as possible, particularly in order to realize the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) that have been advocated in recent years.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can contribute to realizing the 3Rs in ink storage containers used in ink ejection devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the ink container of the present invention comprises: An ink container that is detachable from a main body of an ink ejection device, a storage section for storing ink, the storage section including an ink discharge section capable of discharging the stored ink to the outside of the storage section; an information member storing externally readable information; In an ink container comprising: The information member is provided in a flexible portion of the housing portion, and the information is configured so that it can be read from the outside without contact. In order to achieve the above object, the ink ejection device of the present invention comprises: an ink storage container of the present invention; a container housing portion that houses the ink container; a reading unit that reads the information from the information member; an ink supply unit connected to the ink discharge unit; a discharge unit that discharges ink supplied from the ink supply unit; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to contribute to realizing the 3Rs in ink containing containers used in ink ejection devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the main part of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage portion in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a liquid storage container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the liquid storage container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments 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 limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] Furthermore, although each embodiment described below includes multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined in any desired manner. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components in each embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a recording device as a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The recording device shown in FIG. 1 repeats reciprocating movement (main scanning) of a recording head 101 and conveyance (sub-scanning) of a recording sheet 108, which is a recording medium, at predetermined intervals. Synchronizing with these movements, the recording head 101 selectively ejects liquid of multiple colors onto the recording sheet 108, which is a recording medium, to form characters, symbols, images, and the like. Any recording medium may be used as long as it can form an image by ejecting liquid droplets onto the recording sheet 108. For example, various materials and shapes, such as paper, cloth, the label surface of an optical disc, a plastic sheet, an OHP sheet, and an envelope, may be used as the recording medium. The liquid contained in a liquid container to which the present invention is applicable is typically ink, but is not limited thereto and may also be a reaction liquid or a pretreatment liquid replenished in the liquid ejection device.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the recording head 101 is slidably supported on two guide rails and is detachably mounted on a carriage 102 that is moved back and forth in a straight line along the guide rails by a driving means such as a motor (not shown). A recording sheet 108 that receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portions of the recording head 101 is conveyed by a conveying roller 103, which is a conveying means, in a direction that intersects with the moving direction of the carriage 102, facing the liquid ejection surface of the recording head 101. The recording head 101 has a plurality of liquid ejection portions that each eject a different color liquid. It has multiple nozzle rows for this purpose.

[0014] A plurality of independent liquid storage sections 105, each having a liquid supply port 109 corresponding to the color of liquid ejected from the print head 101, are detachably attached to the liquid supply unit 106. The liquid supply unit 106 and the print head 101 are connected by a plurality of liquid supply tubes 107, each corresponding to the color of liquid. By attaching the liquid storage sections 105 to the liquid supply unit 106, it becomes possible to supply each color of liquid stored in the liquid storage section 105 to each nozzle row of the print head 101 independently.

[0015] A recovery unit 104 is disposed in a non-printing region, which is within the reciprocating movement range of the print head 101 but outside the range through which the recording sheet 108 passes, so as to face the liquid ejection surface of the print head 101. The recovery unit 104 includes a cap portion for capping the liquid ejection surface of the print head 101, a suction mechanism for forcibly sucking the liquid while the liquid ejection port surface is capped, and a cleaning blade for wiping dirt from the liquid ejection surface. The suction operation described above is performed by the recovery unit 104 prior to the recording operation of the recording apparatus. As a result, even if the recording apparatus is operated after being left unused for a long period of time, the recovery process performed by the recovery unit 104 can remove residual air bubbles in the ejection portion of the print head 101 and thickened liquid near the ejection ports. This maintains the ejection characteristics of the print head 101.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view that schematically shows the inside of the liquid storage section 105 that is installed in the liquid supply unit 106 of the recording apparatus in FIG.

[0017] The liquid storage section 105 is made up of a tray 110 serving as a container storage section having a liquid supply port 109 serving as a liquid supply section, and a liquid storage container 111 made of a flexible film or the like and containing a liquid. The liquid storage container 111 is configured to be detachable from the tray 110, which is a component of the main body of the recording apparatus. When installing the liquid storage section 105 in the liquid supply unit 106 of the recording apparatus, first, the liquid storage container 111 is installed on the bottom surface of the tray 110 so that the liquid supply port 109 of the tray 110 and the liquid supply port of the liquid storage container 111 are at the same height. By installing the liquid storage section 105 with the liquid storage container 111 installed on the tray 110 in the liquid supply unit 106, the liquid in the liquid storage container 111 is supplied to the recording head 101 by a liquid supply tube 107 provided in the recording apparatus. The liquid contained in the liquid container 111 is sucked from the liquid container 111 through the liquid supply port 109 due to pressure fluctuations generated by a pressure generating unit, such as a pump (not shown), and is sent to the recording head 101 via the liquid supply tube 107.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows an example of the structure of the liquid storage container 111 and an example of the arrangement of the information recording unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4(a) shows a side view of the liquid storage container 111 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4(b) shows a side view of the liquid storage container 111 when the liquid in the liquid storage portion 302 has been consumed.

[0019] The liquid container 111 comprises a liquid storage portion 302 that stores a liquid (typically ink), and a recording medium 303 that serves as an information member that stores externally readable information. The liquid storage portion 302 is provided with a liquid discharge portion 306 that can discharge the stored liquid to the outside of the liquid storage portion 302. The liquid storage portion 302 is configured to be generally flexible as a whole, and the recording medium 303 is provided in a flexible portion of the liquid storage portion 302.

[0020] The liquid storage section 302 is composed of a portion (first portion) made of a material (first material) that can be deformed by the pressure from the stored liquid, and a portion (second portion) made of a material (second material) that can maintain a constant shape against the pressure from the stored liquid.

[0021] The material (second material) constituting the latter portion (second portion) is, for example, plastic, and this portion is provided with the liquid discharge portion 306. This portion (second portion) positions the liquid storage container 111 relative to the tray 110, and by maintaining a constant shape even when the pressure from the stored liquid changes, a stable connection between the liquid discharge portion 306 and the liquid supply port 109 is ensured. The latter portion (second portion) is an extremely small portion of the entire liquid storage portion 302, and it can be said that only the liquid discharge portion 306 in the liquid storage portion 302 is made of the material (second material) constituting the latter portion. Alternatively, it can be said that only the portion of the liquid storage container 111 that requires a certain degree of rigidity from the perspective of positioning the liquid storage container 111 relative to the tray 110 and providing the liquid discharge portion 306 is made of the latter portion (second portion). In other words, only the parts of the liquid storage container 111 that require high rigidity are made of a high-rigidity material (second material), and the remaining parts that do not require high rigidity are made of a low-rigidity material (first material) that is less rigid than the previous material.

[0022] The flexible portion (first portion) of the liquid storage portion 302 is formed of a first material that is flexible, gas-barrier, and liquid-impermeable. For example, it may be formed of a film-like material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or polyethylene. It may also be formed by laminating multiple film-like materials made of the above-mentioned materials. In this case, for example, the outer layer may be formed of a PET or nylon film that has excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of a polyethylene film that has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a layer on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be added to the laminated structure.

[0023] A recording medium 303 on which information about the liquid to be stored is attached to the liquid storage portion 302, and the recording device is provided with a reading mechanism 304 as a reading unit that is capable of contactlessly reading information from the recording medium 303. The control unit of the recording device can use the liquid information read by the reading mechanism 304 from the recording medium 303 to determine, for example, whether the installed liquid storage container 111 is correct (whether or not it has been installed incorrectly). Alternatively, the recording operation may be controlled based on the read information about the type of liquid.

[0024] The reading mechanism 304 in the first embodiment is installed vertically above the recording medium 303 of the liquid storage container 111 installed in the recording device, and can be configured to have a mechanism that projects light such as illumination vertically downward onto the recording medium 303. Furthermore, the reading mechanism 304 may be an optical reading device that is equipped with an optical sensor, such as a CCD sensor, for reading information obtained when the projected light is reflected by the recording medium 303.

[0025] An optical identifier such as a one-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional barcode can be used for the recording medium 303 in the first embodiment. The recording medium 303 is preferably placed in the liquid storage portion 302 at a position on the surface of the liquid storage portion 302 that will be the vertically upper surface when the liquid storage portion 302 is attached to the tray 110 (the side opposite to the side facing the bottom surface of the tray 110).

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recording medium 303 is installed at the pressure-bonding portion 305, which is a bonding portion (welded portion) formed when forming the liquid storage portion 302 by bonding multiple film-like members together. The pressure-bonding portion 305 is a portion made of a flexible material that is particularly resistant to deformation, and by placing the recording medium 303 at this position, the position of the recording medium 303 in the liquid storage portion 302 is stabilized. In other words, it is no longer necessary to use a plastic member, as in the past, to fix the position of the recording medium 303.

[0027] Furthermore, the pressure-bonding portion 305 on which the recording medium 303 is placed is provided on the opposite end of the liquid storage portion 302, which has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, in the longitudinal direction relative to the end where the liquid discharge portion 306 is provided. The liquid storage portion 302 includes a pair of ends (first ends) facing each other in the longitudinal direction (first direction) and a pair of ends (second ends) facing each other in the lateral direction (second direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the stored liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge portion 306 in the longitudinal direction. The pressure-bonding portion 305 is formed with a width shorter than the longitudinal width at the end of the liquid storage portion 302 opposite the end where the liquid discharge portion 306 is provided, and is a portion whose position does not fluctuate significantly even if the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 302 changes. Therefore, even if the liquid in the liquid storage container 111 is consumed and the liquid storage portion 302 is deformed, the recording medium 303 can remain parallel to the reading mechanism 304, enabling stable reading.

[0028] Second Embodiment Fig. 5 shows an example of the structure of a liquid storage container and an example of the arrangement of an information member in the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6(a) shows a side view of the liquid storage container 111 in the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6(b) shows a side view of the liquid storage container 111 when the liquid in the liquid storage portion 302 has been consumed.

[0029] Here, the second embodiment will be mainly described with respect to the configuration different from the first embodiment, and the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. The second embodiment has the same features as the first embodiment except for the details not specifically described here.

[0030] As in the first embodiment, the liquid storage portion 302 of the liquid storage container 111 in the second embodiment is also formed from a material that is flexible, gas-barrier, and liquid-impermeable. For example, it may be formed from a film-like material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or polyethylene. It may also be formed by laminating multiple films made from the above-mentioned materials. In this case, for example, the outer layer may be formed from a PET or nylon film that has excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed from a polyethylene film that has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a layer on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be added to the laminated structure.

[0031] In the second embodiment as well, the reading mechanism 304 may be installed vertically above the recording medium 303 in the liquid storage container 111, have a mechanism for projecting light such as illumination vertically downward, and be equipped with an optical sensor for detecting light reflected by the recording medium 303. Also in the second embodiment as well, the recording medium 303 is preferably an optical type represented by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, and is preferably installed in a position that is vertically upper when the recording medium is loaded into the recording device.

[0032] Furthermore, in the arrangement configuration of the liquid storage unit 302 in a plan view, the recording medium 303 is preferably placed near the liquid discharge unit 306. More specifically, the recording medium 303 is preferably placed near the connection between the flexible first portion of the liquid storage unit 302 and the second portion where the liquid discharge unit 306 is located. This position is a portion of the flexible first portion of the liquid storage unit 302 where the positional fluctuation is small even if the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 302 changes. By placing the recording medium 303 in this position, the position of the recording medium 303 in the liquid storage unit 302 is stabilized. In other words, it is no longer necessary to use a plastic member, as in the past, to fix the position of the recording medium 303.

[0033] In this installation position, when the liquid contained therein is consumed and the liquid containing section 302 is deformed, it may be difficult to maintain parallelism with the reading mechanism 304, but since the change in distance between the reading mechanism 304 and the recording medium 303 is small, stable reading can be expected.

[0034] (Third embodiment) 7 and 8 show examples of the structure of a liquid storage container and an arrangement of an information medium in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9(a) shows a side view of a liquid storage container 111 in the third embodiment of the present invention when a recording medium 703 as an information medium is placed on the upper surface, and Fig. 9(b) shows a side view of a liquid storage container 111 in the third embodiment of the present invention when a recording medium 703 is placed on the lower surface.

[0035] Here, the third embodiment will be mainly described with respect to the configuration different from the first and second embodiments, and the description of the configuration common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate. Matters in the third embodiment that are not particularly described here are common to the first and second embodiments.

[0036] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid storage portion 702 may be formed from a material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or polyethylene, which has flexibility, gas barrier properties, and liquid impermeability. It may also be formed by laminating multiple films made of these materials. However, when forming the liquid storage portion 702 from a laminated film, it is preferable not to vapor-deposit a metallic material such as aluminum.

[0037] In the third embodiment, in a configuration in which the recording medium 703 is located on the upper surface of the liquid storage unit 702 when the liquid storage container 111 is mounted on the recording device, the reading mechanism 704 is installed vertically above it. Also, in a configuration in which the recording medium 703 is located on the lower surface of the liquid storage unit 702 (the surface facing the bottom surface of the tray 110), it is preferable that the reading mechanism 704 is installed vertically below the recording medium 703. Also, when the reading mechanism 704 is installed vertically below the recording medium 703, a configuration in which the liquid supply unit tray 110 is interposed therebetween may be used.

[0038] In this embodiment, the recording medium 703 and the reading mechanism 704 are configured as reading means of the RFID system (Radio Frequency Identification). That is, the reading mechanism 704 has a mechanism for irradiating the recording medium 703 with electromagnetic waves carrying an information reading signal, such as electromagnetic waves conforming to the RFID standard, and for receiving a response signal from the recording medium 703. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use, as the recording medium 703, one that generates a response signal in response to electromagnetic wave irradiation, such as an RFID tag.

[0039] In this embodiment, the recording medium 703 is placed on the surface of the liquid storage portion 702 so that it faces vertically upward or downward when attached to the recording device. The recording medium 703 may be placed on the surface of the liquid storage portion 702 as shown in Fig. 8, or on the surface of the pressure-bonding portion 705 as shown in Fig. 7.

[0040] According to this embodiment, no plastic member is required to fix the recording medium 703. Furthermore, even when the liquid contained therein is consumed and the liquid containing portion 702 is deformed, stable reading can be expected as long as the electromagnetic waves from the reading mechanism 704 are within a range that can reach the recording medium 703.

[0041] (Fourth embodiment) 10 shows an example of the structure of a liquid container and an example of the arrangement of an information recording unit in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0042] Here, the fourth embodiment will be mainly described with respect to the configuration different from the first to third embodiments, and the description of the configuration common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate. The matters in the fourth embodiment that are not particularly described here are common to the first to third embodiments.

[0043] In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the liquid storage portion 702 may be formed from a material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or polyethylene, which has flexibility, gas barrier properties, and liquid impermeability. It may also be formed by laminating multiple films made of these materials. However, when forming the liquid storage portion 702 from a laminated film, it is preferable not to vapor-deposit a metallic material such as aluminum.

[0044] In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, if the recording medium 703 is located on the upper surface of the liquid storage section 702 when the liquid storage container 111 is mounted on the recording device, the reading mechanism 704 is installed vertically above the recording medium 703. Furthermore, if the recording medium 703 is located on the lower surface of the liquid storage section 702, the reading mechanism 704 is preferably installed vertically below the recording medium 703.

[0045] Also in this embodiment, the reading mechanism 704 has a mechanism for irradiating the recording medium 703 with electromagnetic waves carrying an information reading signal, such as electromagnetic waves conforming to the RFID standard, and receiving a response signal from the recording medium 703. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use, as the recording medium 703, one that generates a response signal in response to electromagnetic wave irradiation, such as an RFID tag.

[0046] In this embodiment, the recording medium 703 is placed in a manner that it is sandwiched between a plurality of films 901 that are welded together at the pressure-bonding portion 705 that is created when the liquid storage portion 702 is formed.

[0047] According to this embodiment, even when the liquid contained therein is consumed and the liquid containing portion 702 is deformed, the change in the distance from the reading mechanism 704 to the recording medium 703 is small, so more stable reading can be expected.

[0048] According to the fourth embodiment, plastic members are not required to fix the recording medium 703, and the recording medium 703 can be incorporated at the same time as molding the liquid storage section 702, which contributes to reducing the amount of materials such as adhesives used when installing the recording medium 703.

[0049] As described above, providing a non-contact information reading mechanism in a flexible portion of the liquid container simplifies the structure of the liquid container and the liquid supply port of the device body, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, by eliminating or minimizing the size of structures primarily made of plastic, it becomes possible to fully comply with the 3Rs, which have been gaining momentum in recent years. In other words, the technology described in this specification can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free, recycling-oriented society.

[0050] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0051] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) An ink container that is detachable from a main body of an ink ejection device, a storage section for storing ink, the storage section including an ink discharge section capable of discharging the stored ink to the outside of the storage section; an information member storing externally readable information; In an ink container comprising: The ink container is characterized in that the information member is provided in a flexible portion of the container, and the information is configured so that it can be read from the outside without contact. (Configuration 2) The storage section is a first portion made of a first material that is deformable by pressure from the ink contained therein; , a second portion made of a second material capable of maintaining a constant shape against pressure from the ink contained therein; Including, the information member is provided in the first portion; The ink container according to the first aspect, wherein the ink discharge portion is provided in the second portion. (Configuration 3) the ink discharge portion is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the containing portion, 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided on the other end side of the container portion in the longitudinal direction. (Configuration 4) the first portion is formed by bonding together a plurality of film-like members, 4. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided at a bonding portion of the plurality of film-like members. (Configuration 5) 5. The ink container according to claim 4, wherein the information member is sandwiched between the plurality of film-like members at the bonding portion. (Configuration 6) 6. The ink container according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the information member is provided on the surface of the first portion. (Configuration 7) the ink discharge portion is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the containing portion, 7. The ink container according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the information member is provided in the vicinity of the ink discharge portion. (Configuration 8) The ink container according to any one of configurations 2 to 7, wherein the second material is plastic. (Configuration 9) the ink container is configured to be accommodated in a container accommodating section of the device body, 9. The ink container according to any one of configurations 2 to 8, wherein the second portion is a portion that positions the ink container relative to the container mount. (Configuration 10) 10. The ink container according to claim 9, wherein the information member is provided on a side of the first portion opposite to a side facing a bottom surface of the container holder. (Configuration 11) 10. The ink container according to claim 9, wherein the information member is provided on a side of the first portion that faces a bottom surface of the container holder. (Configuration 12) 12. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the information member is configured so that the information can be read by an optical reader. (Configuration 13) 12. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the information member is configured so that the information can be read by an RFID reader. (Configuration 14) 14. The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the information stored in the information member is information about the ink contained in the container. (Configuration 15) an ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 14; a container housing portion that houses the ink container; a reading unit that reads the information from the information member; an ink supply unit connected to the ink discharge unit; a discharge unit that discharges ink supplied from the ink supply unit; An ink ejection device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 109...liquid supply port, 110...liquid supply unit tray, 111...liquid storage container, 302...liquid storage section, 303...recording medium, 304...optical reading mechanism, 305...welded section of liquid storage section, 306...liquid discharge section

Claims

1. An ink container that is detachable from a main body of an ink ejection device, a storage section for storing ink, the storage section including an ink discharge section capable of discharging the stored ink to the outside of the storage section; an information member storing externally readable information; In an ink container comprising: The ink container is characterized in that the information member is provided in a flexible portion of the container, and the information is configured so that it can be read from the outside without contact.

2. The storage section is a first portion made of a first material that is deformable by pressure from the ink contained therein; a second portion made of a second material capable of maintaining a constant shape against pressure from the ink contained therein; Including, the information material is provided in the first portion; The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the ink discharge portion is provided in the second portion.

3. the ink discharge portion is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the containing portion, 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided on the other end side of the container portion in the longitudinal direction.

4. the first portion is formed by bonding a plurality of film-like members together, 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided at a bonding portion of the plurality of film-like members.

5. 5. The ink container according to claim 4, wherein the information member is provided so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of film-like members at the bonding portion.

6. 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided on a surface of the first portion.

7. the ink discharge portion is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the containing portion, 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the information member is provided in the vicinity of the ink discharge portion.

8. 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the second material is plastic.

9. the ink container is configured to be accommodated in a container accommodating section of the device body, The ink container according to claim 2 , wherein the second portion is a portion for positioning the ink container relative to the container mount portion.

10. 10. The ink container according to claim 9, wherein the information member is provided on a side of the first portion opposite to a side facing a bottom surface of the container holder.

11. 10. The ink container according to claim 9, wherein the information member is provided on a side of the first portion that faces a bottom surface of the container holder.

12. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the information member is configured so that the information can be read by an optical reader.

13. The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the information member is configured so that the information can be read by an RFID reader.

14. The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the information stored in the information member is information about the ink contained in the container portion.

15. The ink container according to claim 1 ; a container housing portion that houses the ink container; a reading unit that reads the information from the information member; an ink supply unit connected to the ink discharge unit; a discharge unit that discharges ink supplied from the ink supply unit; An ink ejection device comprising:

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