Cartridge and liquid supply system

Abstract

To more reliably suppress leakage of liquid from a cartridge.SOLUTION: The cartridge includes a liquid containing portion that contains a liquid, a supply port member having a supply port that communicates with the liquid containing portion and supplies the liquid to the outside of the liquid containing portion, a seal member provided on an inner peripheral surface of the supply port, a case member that contains the supply port member, and a cap that covers a part of an opening surface of the supply port from the outside of the supply port. The cap is welded to at least one member of the supply port member, the seal member, and the case member, and a welded portion, which is a portion where the cap and the at least one member are welded, seals between the cap and the at least one member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge and a liquid supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink tank equipped with multiple sealing members arranged inside the ink outlet of the cartridge. Each sealing member seals the gap between the ink outlet and an ink supply needle provided in a recording device in which the cartridge is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3161478 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 uses each sealing member to prevent leakage of liquid from the ink outlet port and thus to prevent leakage of liquid from the cartridge to the outside. There is a demand for technology that can more reliably prevent leakage of liquid from such cartridges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge comprising: a liquid storage portion that stores a liquid; a supply port member having a supply port that communicates with the liquid storage portion and that supplies the liquid to the outside of the liquid storage portion; a seal member provided on an inner circumferential surface of the supply port; a case member that houses the supply port member; and a cap that covers a portion of an opening surface of the supply port from the outside of the supply port. The cap is welded to at least one of the supply port member, the seal member, and the case member, and a welded portion, which is a portion where the cap and the at least one member are welded, seals the gap between the cap and the at least one member.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid supply system including the cartridge of the above aspect, a mounting portion configured to be mountable with the cartridge and having a receiving portion configured to receive the supply port member and the cap, and a receiving-side seal member for sealing between the receiving portion and the supply port member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid ejection system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a first external perspective view of a cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cartridge. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view showing the cartridge with the second case removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a first external perspective view of the front surface 42 side of the cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid outlet portion shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a liquid outlet portion in a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a liquid outlet portion in a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid jet system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 depicts three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, the X, Y, and Z axes. The directions of the X, Y, and Z arrows indicate the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the +X, +Y, and +Z directions, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions of the X, Y, and Z arrows are the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the -X, -Y, and -Z directions, respectively. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. This also applies to the following figures and descriptions. The X, Y, and Z axes depicted in other figures correspond in direction to the X, Y, and Z axes in FIG. 1. The +Z direction is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction when the liquid jet system 1 is in use. Here, the "state of use of the liquid jet system 1" refers to a state in which the liquid jet system 1 is installed on a horizontal installation surface defined by the X direction and the Y direction.

[0009] The liquid ejection system 1 includes a printer 20 as a liquid ejection device and four cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. The printer 20 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid from a recording head 225 as a liquid ejection unit. Here, the reference symbol "4" is used when the four cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K are not to be distinguished from one another. The "usage state of the liquid ejection system 1" is also referred to as the "usage state of the printer 20."

[0010] The printer 20 comprises a roughly rectangular box-shaped main body case 212 and a control unit 230 located inside the main body case 212. The control unit 230 controls various operations of the printer 20 and exchanges various signals with the cartridges 4. The various operations of the printer 20 include the printing operation of the printer 20.

[0011] A platen 213 is disposed within the main body case 212 along the longitudinal direction of the main body case 212. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the main body case 212 is the X direction. The platen 213 is a support table that supports recording paper P as an ejection target. The recording paper P is fed onto the platen 213 in a sub-scanning direction that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). In this embodiment, the main scanning direction is the X direction.

[0012] The printer 20 further includes a guide shaft 214 , a carriage 215 , a drive pulley 216 , a driven pulley 217 , and a carriage motor 218 .

[0013] The guide shaft 214 is located on the +Z direction side of the platen 213. The guide shaft 214 is a rod-shaped member extending along the main scanning direction. A carriage 215 is supported on the guide shaft 214 so as to be movable along the guide shaft 214.

[0014] The drive pulley 216 and the driven pulley 217 are rotatably disposed on the -Y direction side of the guide shaft 214 and at positions corresponding to both ends of the guide shaft 214. A carriage motor 218 is connected to the drive pulley 216, and an endless timing belt 219 supporting the carriage 215 is wound between the pair of pulleys 216, 217. Therefore, the carriage 215 is capable of reciprocating in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 214 by being driven by the carriage motor 218. Note that in this embodiment, the recording head 225 is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the main scanning direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the recording head 225 may be a line head that extends along the X direction and is fixed in position.

[0015] The printer 20 further includes a cartridge mounting unit 6 for removably mounting the cartridge 4. The cartridge mounting unit 6 is also simply referred to as the "mounting unit." The cartridge mounting unit 6 is located inside the main case 212. A portion of the main case 212 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening this openable portion, the cartridge 4 can be mounted and removed from the cartridge mounting unit 6. Note that in this embodiment, the cartridge mounting unit 6 is located inside the main case 212, but this is not a limitation. For example, the cartridge mounting unit 6 may be located outside the main case 212.

[0016] The cartridge mounting portion 6 removably mounts four cartridges 4C, 4M, 4K, and 4Y. Cartridge 4K contains black ink. Cartridge 4C contains cyan ink. Cartridge 4M contains magenta ink. Cartridge 4Y contains yellow ink. Each ink is a pigment ink containing a dispersion medium such as water and pigment particles. The printer 20 has four liquid flow paths 223 corresponding to the four cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. The liquid flow paths 223 are tubes. The liquid flow paths 223 connect the cartridges 4 and the recording head 225.

[0017] When the cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, they are connected to the upstream ends of the corresponding liquid flow paths 223. The downstream ends of the liquid flow paths 223 are connected to the upstream sides of valve units 224 mounted on the carriage 215. The downstream sides of the valve units 224 are connected to a recording head 225, which serves as a liquid ejection head, provided on the underside of the carriage 215. That is, the ink contained in the cartridges 4 is supplied to the recording head 225 through the liquid flow paths 223.

[0018] A home position HP, which is a retracted position for the recording head 225, is provided between the cartridge mounting unit 6 and the platen 213. Before starting printing, various maintenance processes such as cleaning of the recording head 225 are performed at this home position HP.

[0019] The printer 20 further includes a pressurizing mechanism 280 for supplying pressurized fluid to the cartridge 4. The pressurizing mechanism 280 is disposed inside the main body case 212. The pressurizing mechanism 280 includes a pressure pump 226 that is a supply source of pressurized air as the pressurized fluid, and a plurality of fluid flow passages 227 for circulating the pressurized air through the cartridge 4.

[0020] The pressure pump 226 is connected to the upstream end of a fluid flow path 227. The fluid flow path 227 is a tube. The fluid flow path 227 branches at a distributor 228 disposed downstream of the pressure pump 226. The downstream ends of the branched fluid flow paths 227 are connected to the corresponding cartridges 4, respectively.

[0021] There are provided fluid flow paths 227C, 227M, and 227Y corresponding to each of the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y. On the other hand, the fluid flow path 227K corresponding to the cartridge 4K is branched into three paths downstream of the valve V (on the cartridge 4K side). The three branched paths are also referred to as a first fluid flow path 227K1, a second fluid flow path 227K2, and a third fluid flow path 227K3. The control unit 230 supplies pressurized fluid to the cartridge 4 via the fluid flow path 227 by controlling the operation of the pressurizing mechanism 280, such as the pressure pump 226 and the valve V.

[0022] The fluid flow paths 227K1, 227C, 227M, and 227Y allow pressurized air to flow through them in order to supply the ink contained in the cartridge 4 to the recording head 225. The fluid flow paths 227K1, 227C, 227M, and 227Y allow pressurized air to flow through a pressure chamber (described later) of the cartridge 4. This causes pressure to be applied to the liquid containing section of the cartridge 4. When the liquid containing section is pressed, ink is supplied to the recording head 225 through the liquid flow paths 223.

[0023] The second fluid flow path 227K2 and the third fluid flow path 227K3 allow pressurized air to circulate for stirring the liquid containing portion of the cartridge 4K. More specifically, the second fluid flow path 227K2 and the third fluid flow path 227K3 allow pressurized air to circulate through a stirring member (described later) of the cartridge 4K.

[0024] Although three fluid flow paths 227K are provided corresponding to the cartridge 4K in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of fluid flow paths 227K may be two or less, or four or more. Furthermore, although one fluid flow path 227C, 227M, and 227Y is provided corresponding to each of the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three fluid flow paths may be provided, as with the cartridge 4K, or any other number may be provided. Furthermore, although pressurized air is supplied to each of the fluid flow paths 227K1, 227K2, 227K3, 227C, 227M, and 227Y in this embodiment from a common pressure pump 226, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of pressure pumps 226 may be provided corresponding to each of the fluid flow paths 227K1, 227K2, 227K3, 227C, 227M, and 227Y.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 3 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. In FIG. 3, some components are omitted so that the internal configuration of the cartridge mounting portion 6 can be seen. The mounting direction of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the -Y direction. The removal direction of the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. In other words, the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 by being pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the +Y direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting portion 6 forms a cartridge accommodating chamber 61 that accommodates the cartridge 4 by six wall portions described below. The cartridge accommodating chamber 61 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that, within the cartridge accommodating chamber 61, each portion that accommodates one of the four cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K is also referred to as a slot. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion that accommodates cartridge 4K is referred to as slot 61K, the portion that accommodates cartridge 4C is referred to as slot 61C, the portion that accommodates cartridge 4M is referred to as slot 61M, and the portion that accommodates cartridge 4Y is referred to as slot 61Y.

[0027] The cartridge mounting section 6 includes an apparatus-side front wall 62, a first apparatus-side side wall 63, and a second apparatus-side side wall 64. The cartridge mounting section 6 also includes a third apparatus-side side wall 65, a fourth apparatus-side side wall 66, and an opening wall 61A. The cartridge accommodating chamber 61 is defined by the respective walls of the apparatus-side front wall 62, the first apparatus-side side wall 63, the second apparatus-side side wall 64, the third apparatus-side side wall 65, the fourth apparatus-side side wall 66, and the opening wall 61A. Each of these walls has a substantially rectangular outer shape.

[0028] 2 and 3, the apparatus-side front wall 62 is located on the −Y direction side of the cartridge accommodating chamber 61. The apparatus-side front wall 62 is a vertical wall when the printer 20 is in use.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cartridge mounting section 6 includes an apparatus-side terminal section 69, a receiving section 640, a liquid supply pressure section 67, a first apparatus-side positioning section 82, a second apparatus-side positioning section 84, and an apparatus-side fixing structure 75. The apparatus-side terminal section 69, the receiving section 640, the liquid supply pressure section 67, the first apparatus-side positioning section 82, the second apparatus-side positioning section 84, and the apparatus-side fixing structure 75 are provided on the apparatus-side front wall section 62. These sections are also provided in the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K corresponding to the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K, respectively. The cartridge mounting section 6 also includes a first agitation pressure section 70 and a second agitation pressure section 72 corresponding to the cartridge 4K. The first agitation pressure section 70 and the second agitation pressure section 72 are provided on the apparatus-side front wall section 62.

[0030] The device-side terminal portion 69 is located vertically above the receiving portion 640. The device-side terminal portion 69 has a device-side terminal 692. In this embodiment, the device-side terminal portion 69 has multiple device-side terminals 692. Specifically, the number of device-side terminals 692 is nine. The device-side terminals 692 are formed of an elastically deformable member. In this embodiment, the device-side terminals 692 are formed of leaf springs. The device-side terminals 692 in this embodiment are configured to be elastically deformable along a plane defined by the Y direction and the Z direction. The device-side terminals 692 come into contact with the cartridge-side terminals of the cartridge 4 (described below), thereby electrically connecting to the cartridge-side terminals. The device-side terminal portion 69 is electrically connected to the control unit 230 of the printer 20 via wiring (not shown). This enables various signals, such as signals related to the remaining ink level, to be exchanged between the cartridge 4 and the control unit 230 when the cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge installation portion 6.

[0031] The receiving portion 640 is configured to be able to receive the supply port member and cap of the cartridge 4, which will be described later. The receiving portion 640 includes a surrounding cover 650 and a liquid supply portion 643. The liquid supply portion 643 is used to distribute the ink inside the cartridge 4 to the printer 20 side. The liquid supply portion 643 is tubular with a central axis CT extending along the Y direction. The liquid supply portion 643 is connected to the cartridge 4. The liquid supply portion 643 is also called a liquid receiving pipe.

[0032] The surrounding cover 650 surrounds the liquid supply unit 643 in the XZ directions. The surrounding cover 650 is a member for reducing the possibility of ink scattering to the outside when the cartridge 4 is attached or detached. The surrounding cover 650 is biased in the +Y direction by a biasing member (not shown) provided in the receiving unit 640. In this embodiment, the biasing member is configured by a coil spring. The surrounding cover 650 is configured to be movable along the Y direction. When the cartridge 4 is attached, the surrounding cover 650 moves in the -Y direction against the biasing force of the biasing member as the cartridge 4 abuts against it. As a result, the +Y direction end of the liquid supply unit 643 protrudes further in the +Y direction than the surrounding cover 650 and connects to the cartridge 4.

[0033] The liquid supply pressurizing section 67 is a cylindrical member through which pressurized air flows as a pressurized fluid for supplying ink in the cartridge 4 to the recording head 225. More specifically, the cartridge mounting section 6 is provided with four liquid supply pressurizing sections 67 corresponding to the fluid flow paths 227K1, 227C, 227M, and 227Y shown in FIG. 1. Each liquid supply pressurizing section 67 is connected to the downstream end of the corresponding fluid flow path 227K1, 227C, 227M, and 227Y. When the cartridge 4 is mounted, the liquid supply pressurizing section 67 is connected to the cartridge 4. A cylindrical seal member is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the liquid supply pressurizing section 67. This seal member is formed of, for example, rubber.

[0034] 3, the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 is a member that protrudes from the apparatus-side front wall portion 62 in the +Y direction. The first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member. The first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 is located vertically between the apparatus-side terminal portion 69 and the receiving portion 640. The tip of the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 on the +Y direction side is located further to the +Y direction side than the apparatus-side terminal 692, the liquid supply portion 643, the liquid supply pressure portion 67, the first agitation pressure portion 70, and the second agitation pressure portion 72.

[0035] The second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 has the same shape as the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82. In other words, the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is a member that protrudes from the apparatus-side front wall portion 62 in the +Y direction. The second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member. The second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is located vertically downward from the receiving portion 640 and the liquid supply pressurizing portion 67. The second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is also located vertically downward from the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82. The tip of the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 on the +Y direction side is located further toward the +Y direction than the apparatus-side terminal 692 and the liquid supply portion 643.

[0036] The first device-side positioning section 82 and the second device-side positioning section 84 position the cartridge 4 when the cartridge 4 is mounted. In detail, the first device-side positioning section 82 and the second device-side positioning section 84 position the cartridge 4 in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the cartridge 4.

[0037] The apparatus-side fixing structure 75 fixes the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the mounted state. The apparatus-side fixing structure 75 has a locking pin 737 that engages with the cartridge 4 in the mounted state. Through this engagement, the apparatus-side fixing structure 75 fixes the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6. Here, in the mounted state, the cartridge 4 receives a pressing force in the +Y direction from the surrounding cover 650. The apparatus-side fixing structure 75 engages with the cartridge 4 to restrict movement of the cartridge 4 in the +Y direction due to this pressing force. In other words, the apparatus-side fixing structure 75 restricts movement of the cartridge 4 in the +Y direction in the mounted state. The apparatus-side fixing structure 75 has a portion located on the +Y direction side of the apparatus-side front wall portion 62. At least a portion of the apparatus-side fixing structure 75 and at least a portion of the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 are located at the same height.

[0038] The first agitation pressurizing section 70 is a cylindrical member through which pressurized air flows for agitating the liquid storage section of the cartridge 4K. The first agitation pressurizing section 70 is connected to the downstream end of the second fluid flow passage 227K2 shown in FIG. 1. The first agitation pressurizing section 70 is connected to the cartridge 4K when the cartridge 4K is in an attached state. A cylindrical sealing member is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the first agitation pressurizing section 70. This sealing member is formed of, for example, rubber.

[0039] The second agitation pressurizing section 72 shown in Fig. 3 is a cylindrical member through which pressurized air flows for agitating the liquid storage section of the cartridge 4K. The second agitation pressurizing section 72 is connected to the downstream end of the third fluid flow passage 227K3 shown in Fig. 1. When the cartridge 4K is in an attached state, the second agitation pressurizing section 72 is connected to the cartridge 4. A cylindrical sealing member is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the second agitation pressurizing section 72. This sealing member is formed of, for example, rubber.

[0040] Fig. 4 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 4K. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 4K. Fig. 6 is a view of the cartridge 4K with the second case 7 removed. Figs. 4 to 6 show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis when the cartridge 4K is installed. In subsequent figures, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis when the cartridge 4K is installed are also shown as necessary.

[0041] The cartridge 4K has an outer shape that is roughly a rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in Fig. 4. The dimensions of the cartridge 4K decrease in the order of Y, Z, and X. The cartridge 4K includes a case member 8 that forms an outer shell. The case member 8 is a housing formed by molding synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polystyrene.

[0042] The cartridge 4 has a front surface 42, a rear surface 47, a first side surface 43, a second side surface 44, a third side surface 45, and a fourth side surface 46. The cartridge 4 also has a second surface 41 located on the +Y direction side of the front surface 42. The second surface 41 and the front surface 42 are surfaces facing the -Y direction, which is the mounting direction.

[0043] Here, the first side surface 43 is also referred to as the top surface 43, the second side surface 44 is also referred to as the bottom surface 44, the third side surface 45 is also referred to as the right side surface 45, and the fourth side surface 46 is also referred to as the left side surface 46. The front surface 42 and the rear surface 47 are opposite each other in the Y direction, with the front surface 42 located on the -Y direction side and the rear surface 47 located on the +Y direction side. The first side surface 43 and the second side surface 44 intersect with the front surface 42 and the rear surface 47 and are opposite each other in the Z direction. The first side surface 43 is located on the +Z direction side and the second side surface 44 is located on the -Z direction side. The third side surface 45 and the fourth side surface 46 intersect with the front surface 42, the rear surface 47, the first side surface 43, and the second side surface 44 and are opposite each other in the X direction. The third side surface 45 is located on the +X direction side and the fourth side surface 46 is located on the -X direction side. In this specification, when two elements "intersect," it means that the two elements actually intersect with each other, that an extension of one element intersects with the other element, or that their mutual extensions intersect.

[0044] The X direction is also called the width direction of the cartridge 4K, the Y direction is also called the length direction of the cartridge 4K, and the Z direction is also called the height direction of the cartridge 4K.

[0045] The front surface 42 can also be said to be formed by a protrusion 48 that protrudes in the -Y direction from the second surface 41. The shape of the front surface 42 is a substantially rectangular shape with the dimension in the Z direction greater than the dimension in the X direction. In the attached state, the front surface 42 faces the device-side front wall portion 62 shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] 5, the cartridge 4K includes a first case 5, a second case 7, a liquid container 410, a sheet member 430, a first agitating member 402, and a second agitating member 404. The first case 5 and the second case 7 are formed by molding synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the case member 8 is formed by the first case 5 and the second case 7.

[0047] The first case 5 has a concave shape that is open on the +X direction side. The first case 5 mainly forms a front surface 42, a first side surface 43, a second side surface 44, a fourth side surface 46, a rear surface 47, a second surface 41, and a protrusion 48.

[0048] The sheet member 430 is a thin-film member. The sheet member 430 is airtightly joined to an end surface 59 that defines the opening of the first case 5 so as to seal the opening. For ease of understanding, the end surface 59 is single-hatched in FIG. 6 . By airtightly joining the sheet member 430 to the end surface 59, an internal chamber 440 is defined that houses stirring units 403, 407, and a liquid storage unit 412, which will be described later. This internal chamber 440 is supplied with pressurized air that flows through the first fluid flow passage 227K1. The supplied pressurized air pressurizes the liquid storage unit 412, which pressurizes the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 412. In the attached state, the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 412 is pressurized, and the ink in the liquid storage unit 412 is supplied to the printer 20. In other words, the internal chamber 440 also functions as a pressure chamber for pressurizing the ink in the liquid storage portion 412 in order to supply the ink in the liquid storage portion 412 to the printer 20.

[0049] The second case 7 is attached to the first case 5 so as to cover the sheet member 430. The second case 7 mainly forms the right side surface 45. The first case 5 and the second case 7 protect the first agitating member 402, the second agitating member 404, the liquid container 410, and the sheet member 430, preventing them from being damaged. That is, the case member 8 accommodates the first agitating member 402, the second agitating member 404, the liquid container 410, and the sheet member 430.

[0050] The liquid container 410 includes a liquid storage portion 412 and a liquid lead-out portion 413. The liquid storage portion 412 stores ink. The liquid storage portion 412 is formed from a flexible material. The liquid storage portion 412 is a bag. As the filled ink is consumed, the volume of the liquid storage portion 412 decreases. Note that the entire liquid storage portion 412 does not have to be made of a flexible material, and at least a portion of the liquid storage portion 412 may be made of a flexible material.

[0051] The liquid outlet 413 distributes ink contained in the liquid storage unit 412, which serves as a liquid supply source, toward the printer 20. The liquid outlet 413 has a supply port member 414. The supply port member 414 is a cylindrical member through which ink can flow. The supply port member 414 has a central axis CL that extends parallel to the installation direction, i.e., in the Y direction. The supply port member 414 is connected to the end of the liquid storage unit 412 on the +Y direction side. The supply port member 414 has a supply port 415 that supplies ink, as liquid, from the liquid storage unit 412 to the outside of the liquid storage unit 412. The supply port 415 communicates with the liquid storage unit 412. When the cartridge 4K is installed, the tubular liquid supply unit 643 shown in FIG. 3 is inserted into the supply port member 414, more specifically, into the supply port 415, thereby connecting the supply port member 414 and the liquid supply unit 643. During the installation process, connection between the supply port member 414 and the liquid supply unit 643 begins after the start of positioning engagement. A valve mechanism is disposed within the supply port member 414. This valve mechanism opens when the liquid supply unit 643 is connected to the supply port member 414. Ink from the liquid storage unit 412 flows through the supply port member 414 and the liquid supply unit 643 and is supplied to the recording head 225 of the printer 20.

[0052] The first agitating member 402 shown in FIG. 5 has a first agitating section 403 and a first fluid circulating section 406. The first agitating section 403 is a flexible bag. One end of the first fluid circulating section 406 is connected to the first agitating section 403, and the other end 406A is connected to a first agitating fluid receiver, which will be described later. The first fluid circulating section 406 circulates pressurized air supplied from the first agitating pressurizing section 70 shown in FIG. 3 to the first agitating section 403.

[0053] The first agitation unit 403 receives pressurized fluid supplied by the pressure pump 226 of the printer 20 shown in FIG. 1. The supplied pressurized fluid causes the outer shape of the first agitation unit 403 to expand, causing the first agitation unit 403 to pressurize the liquid storage unit 412 and agitate the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 412. This causes the pigment particles that have settled in the -Z direction portion of the liquid storage unit 412 to flow. This flow of the pigment particles reduces variation in the concentration distribution of the pigment particles in the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 412. The first agitation unit 403 is disposed opposite the main surface of the liquid storage unit 412. In this embodiment, the main surface of the liquid storage unit 412 is the surface of the liquid storage unit 412 on the -X direction side. When pressurized air is supplied to the first agitation unit 403, the volume increases and the outer shape expands. When the supply of pressurized air is stopped, the volume of the first agitation unit 403 decreases and the outer shape shrinks. That is, the outer shape of first agitation part 403 repeatedly expands and contracts as the supply and stop of pressurized air is repeated. As the outer shape of first agitation part 403 expands, first agitation part 403 presses against liquid storage part 412.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the second agitation member 404 has a second agitation section 407 disposed closer to the +Y direction than the first agitation section 403. The second agitation member 404 includes a second agitation section 407 and a second fluid circulation section 408. The second agitation section 407 has the same configuration as the first agitation section 403. One end of the second fluid circulation section 408 is connected to the second agitation section 407, and the other end 408A is connected to a second agitation fluid receiver (described later). The second fluid circulation section 408 distributes pressurized air supplied from the second agitation pressure section 72 shown in FIG. 3 to the second agitation section 407. Similar to the first agitation section 403, the second agitation section 407 presses the liquid storage section 412 to agitate the ink stored in the liquid storage section 412. Similar to the first agitation section 403, the outer shape of the second agitation section 407 repeatedly expands and contracts as the supply and stop of pressurized air is repeated. As the outer shape of the second agitating part 407 expands, the second agitating part 407 presses against the liquid storage part 412.

[0055] Pressurized air is alternately supplied to first stirring section 403 and second stirring section 407. That is, when pressurized air is being supplied to first stirring section 403, the supply of pressurized air to second stirring section 407 is stopped. Also, when pressurized air is being supplied to second stirring section 407, the supply of pressurized air to first stirring section 403 is stopped.

[0056] In the above embodiment, there are provided the first agitation member 402 and the second agitation member 404 for agitating the ink in the liquid storage portion 412, but the number of agitation members is not limited to this. For example, there may be only the first agitation member 402, or there may be three or more agitation members.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge 4K from the front surface 42 side. Fig. 8 is a front view of the cartridge 4K.

[0058] The cartridge 4K has a first positioning portion 422, a second positioning portion 424, and a fixing structure 49. The first positioning portion 422 and the second positioning portion 424 are provided on the front surface .

[0059] The first positioning portion 422 is a portion for engaging with the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 shown in Fig. 3. The first positioning portion 422 is a through-hole formed in the front surface 42. During the process of mounting the cartridge 4K in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the rod-shaped first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 is inserted into the first positioning portion 422 which is a through-hole, thereby engaging the first positioning portion 422 with the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82.

[0060] The second positioning portion 424 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a portion for engaging with the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 shown in Figure 3. The second positioning portion 424 is a through-hole formed in the front surface 42. When the cartridge 4K is in an attached state, the second positioning portion 424 is located vertically downward from the first positioning portion 422. When the cartridge 4K is in an attached state, the first positioning portion 422 and the second positioning portion 424 are located at an interval along the Z direction. During the attachment process, the rod-shaped second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is inserted into the second positioning portion 424, which is a through-hole, and the second positioning portion 424 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 engage with each other.

[0061] During the installation process of the cartridge 4K, the +Y direction side ends of the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 are inserted into the corresponding first positioning portion 422 and second positioning portion 424, respectively. The point in time when the +Y direction side ends of the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 start to be inserted is referred to as the positioning engagement start point. By further pushing the cartridge 4K in the -Y direction, which is the installation direction, the movement of the cartridge 4K in a direction intersecting the installation direction is restricted by the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84. That is, the cartridge 4K moves in the installation direction based on the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84.

[0062] 8, the first positioning portion 422 is a round hole, and the second positioning portion 424 is a long, narrow hole that is elongated in the Z direction. The first positioning portion 422 has a circular cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis CL of the supply port member 414. In the cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis CL, the first positioning portion 422 and the first apparatus-side positioning portion 82 have substantially corresponding outer shapes.

[0063] The second positioning portion 424 has a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis CL of the supply port member 414 (the mounting direction of the cartridge 4K) that is shaped like an elongated hole that is long in the Z direction.

[0064] By forming the second positioning portion 424 as an elongated hole, it is possible to maintain positioning accuracy while easily allowing for dimensional tolerances, etc. Specifically, in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis CL, the outer shape of the second positioning portion 424 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer shape of the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84. As a result, when the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 is inserted into the second positioning portion 424, a slight gap is created between the inner circumferential surface of the second positioning portion 424 and the outer circumferential surface of the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84. In other words, during the installation process, the positioning accuracy of the cartridge 4K is ensured by the first positioning portion 422, and any relative positional deviation between the second positioning portion 424 and the second apparatus-side positioning portion 84 due to dimensional tolerances, etc. is absorbed by the second positioning portion 424.

[0065] The fixing structure 49 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a portion for engaging with the device-side fixing structure 75. The fixing structure 49 is a groove formed in the second side surface 44. When the cartridge 4K is attached to or detached from the cartridge mounting portion 6, the locking pin 737 shown in Figure 3 moves within the groove-shaped fixing structure 49. Furthermore, when the cartridge 4K is in the attached state, the locking pin 737 engages with the groove-shaped fixing structure 49. When the cartridge 4K is in the attached state, the engagement between the locking pin 737 and the fixing structure 49 is released by pushing the cartridge 4K in the -Y direction, and the cartridge 4K can be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0066] 7 and 8, the cartridge 4K further includes a recess 90, a liquid-discharging fluid receiver 957, a first agitation fluid receiver 958, a second agitation fluid receiver 959, a circuit board 50, and a flow port arrangement hole 445. Of the second surface 41, the surface connected to the first side surface 43 is also referred to as a second upper surface 41A, and the surface connected to the second side surface 44 is also referred to as a second lower surface 41B. The second lower surface 41B forms the bottom surface of the recess 90, which will be described later. The second lower surface 41B is also referred to as a recess bottom surface 99.

[0067] The circuit board 50 is disposed on a terminal arrangement portion 80, which is a surface connecting the front surface 42 and the second upper surface 41A. The terminal arrangement portion 80 has an inclined surface 484 inclined with respect to the mounting direction and a connection surface 482 connecting the inclined surface 484 and the second upper surface 41A. The inclined surface 484 is inclined so as to face a direction including a +Z direction component and a -Y direction component. The connection surface 482 is horizontal in the mounted state. The circuit board 50 is disposed on the inclined surface 484. The circuit board 50 is disposed vertically above the first positioning portion 422. Cartridge-side terminals 52 that contact the device-side terminals 692 of the device-side terminal portion 69 shown in FIG. 3 are disposed on a surface 50fa of the circuit board 50. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, cartridge-side terminals 52 are provided on the surface 50fa corresponding to the multiple device-side terminals 692. In this embodiment, the number of cartridge-side terminals 52 is nine. In the mounting process, contact between the device-side terminals 692 and the cartridge-side terminals 52 begins after the start of positioning engagement.

[0068] A memory device is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 50. The memory device stores various information, such as information about the ink in the cartridge 4K. The information about the ink is, for example, information indicating the remaining ink amount and ink color. When the cartridge-side terminals 52 come into contact with the device-side terminals 692 of the printer 20, for example, data signals are exchanged between the memory device and the control unit 230 of the printer 20.

[0069] The flow port arrangement hole 445 is formed in the front surface 42. Specifically, when the cartridge 4K is attached, the flow port arrangement hole 445 is positioned between the first positioning portion 422 and the second positioning portion 424 in the vertical direction. The flow port arrangement hole 445 receives the supply port member 414. At least the tip of the liquid outlet portion 413 is disposed in the flow port arrangement hole 445. More specifically, at least the opening surface 415s of the supply port 415 and a cap 460, which will be described later, are disposed in the flow port arrangement hole 445.

[0070] The recess 90 is formed in the front surface 42. When the cartridge 4K is in an attached state, the recess 90 is located between the first positioning portion 422 and the second positioning portion 424. The recess 90 is open in the -Y direction, which is the attachment direction. The recess 90 has a recess bottom surface 99, an opening 91, a first recess side surface 93, a second recess side surface 94, a third recess side surface 95, and a fourth recess side surface 96. The recess 90 is defined by the recess bottom surface 99, the opening 91, the first recess side surface 93, the second recess side surface 94, the third recess side surface 95, and the fourth recess side surface 96.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, the recess bottom surface 99 and the opening 91 face each other in the Y direction. The recess bottom surface 99 is located on the +Y direction side, which is the removal direction, and the opening 91 is located on the -Y direction side, which is the installation direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the first recess side surface 93 and the second recess side surface 94 face each other in the Z direction. The first recess side surface 93 is located on the +Z direction side, and the second recess side surface 94 is located on the -Z direction side. As shown in FIG. 8, the third recess side surface 95 and the fourth recess side surface 96 face each other in the X direction, which is the width direction of the cartridge 4K. The third recess side surface 95 is located on the +X direction side, and the fourth recess side surface 96 is located on the -X direction side.

[0072] The outer shape of the recess bottom surface 99 is approximately rectangular. The opening 91 is located on the front surface 42, and during the installation process, the liquid supply pressure unit 67, the first agitation pressure unit 70, and the second agitation pressure unit 72, which are part of the pressurizing mechanism 280 shown in FIG. 3, pass through. The first recess side surface 93, the second recess side surface 94, the third recess side surface 95, and the fourth recess side surface 96 stand upright from each side that forms the outer shape of the recess bottom surface 99 toward the installation direction.

[0073] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the recess 90 is formed by the first case 5 and the second case 7. Specifically, the recess bottom surface 99, the fourth recess side surface 96, and the first recess side surface 93 are formed by the first case 5. The second recess side surface 94 and the opening 91 are formed by the first case 5 and the second case 7. The third recess side surface 95 is formed by the second case 7.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid leading-out fluid receiver 957, the first agitation fluid receiver 958, and the second agitation fluid receiver 959 are disposed inside the recess 90.

[0075] The liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957 shown in FIG. 7 is a cylindrical member. The liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957 has a central axis C1 parallel to the central axis CL. The liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957 protrudes from the bottom surface 99 of the recess toward the mounting direction. A base end portion, which is the +Y direction side portion of the liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957, is connected to the bottom surface 99 of the recess. A flow path formed inside the liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957 connects the outside of the cartridge 4K to the internal chamber 440 shown in FIG. 5. In the mounted state, a tip end 957F of the liquid-outlet fluid receiver 957 on the −Y direction side is inserted into the liquid-supply pressurizer 67 and thereby connected to the liquid-supply pressurizer 67. More specifically, the tip end 957F is inserted into a cylindrical seal member provided on the liquid-supply pressurizer 67, thereby airtightly connecting to the liquid-supply pressurizer 67. The tip 957F receives pressurized fluid supplied through the liquid supply pressurizing unit 67. That is, the pressurized fluid supplied from the printer 20 reaches the tip 957F. The tip 957F is open, and the pressurized fluid that passes through the opening flows into the internal chamber 440 through the internal flow path of the liquid outlet fluid receiver 957.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 7, the first agitation fluid receiver 958 is a cylindrical member. The first agitation fluid receiver 958 has a central axis C2 parallel to the central axis CL. The first agitation fluid receiver 958 protrudes from the bottom surface 99 of the recess toward the mounting direction. A base end portion of the first agitation fluid receiver 958, which is the portion on the +Y direction side, is connected to the bottom surface 99 of the recess. A flow path formed inside the first agitation fluid receiver 958 connects the outside of the cartridge 4K to the first fluid circulation portion 406. In the mounted state, a tip end 958F of the first agitation fluid receiver 958 on the -Y direction side is inserted into the first agitation pressurizer 70 shown in FIG. 3 and connected to the first agitation pressurizer 70. More specifically, the tip end 958F is inserted into a cylindrical seal member provided in the first agitation fluid receiver 958, thereby airtightly connecting to the first agitation fluid receiver 958. The tip 958F receives pressurized fluid supplied through the first agitation pressurizer 70. That is, the pressurized fluid supplied from the printer 20 reaches the tip 958F. The tip 958F has an opening, and the pressurized fluid that passes through the opening passes through an internal flow path of the first agitation pressurizer 70 and flows to the first fluid circulation section 406. Pressurized air is introduced into the first agitation section 403 through the first fluid circulation section 406.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the second agitation fluid receiver 959 is a cylindrical member. The second agitation fluid receiver 959 has a central axis C3 parallel to the central axis CL. The second agitation fluid receiver 959 protrudes from the recess bottom surface 99 toward the mounting direction. A base end portion, which is the +Y direction side portion of the second agitation fluid receiver 959, is connected to the recess bottom surface 99. A flow path formed inside the second agitation fluid receiver 959 connects the outside of the cartridge 4K to the second fluid circulation portion 408. In the mounted state, a tip end 959F on the -Y direction side of the second agitation fluid receiver 959 is inserted into the second agitation pressurizer 72 shown in FIG. 3 and connected to the second agitation pressurizer 72. More specifically, the tip end 959F is inserted into the inside of a cylindrical seal member provided in the second agitation fluid receiver 959, thereby airtightly connecting the tip end 959F to the second agitation fluid receiver 959. The tip 959F receives pressurized fluid supplied through the second agitation pressurizing unit 72. That is, the pressurized fluid supplied from the printer 20 reaches the tip 959F. The tip 959F has an opening, and the pressurized fluid that passes through the opening passes through the internal flow path of the second agitation pressurizing unit 72 and flows to the second fluid circulation unit 408. Pressurized air is introduced into the second agitation unit 407 through the second fluid circulation unit 408.

[0078] The cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y differ from the cartridge 4K in that they do not have the first agitation fluid receiver 958 and the second agitation fluid receiver 959 shown in FIG. 7, they do not have the first agitation member 402 and the second agitation member 404 shown in FIG. 5, and they each contain a smaller amount of ink in the liquid storage portion 412. Other configurations of the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are identical to those of the cartridge 4K. For example, the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y each have a recess 90 on the front surface 42. The recess 90 is open toward the installation direction. A liquid-leaving fluid receiver 957 is disposed inside the recess 90.

[0079] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid outlet portion 413 shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the cartridge 4, specifically the cartridge 4K, in a state where the liquid supply portion 643 is not inserted into the supply port 415. Figure 10 shows the cartridge 4, specifically the cartridge 4K, in a state where the liquid supply portion 643 is inserted into the supply port 415. That is, Figure 10 shows the cartridge 4K in an installed state. Figure 10 also shows a portion of the receiving portion 640 of the printer 20.

[0080] 10, the liquid outlet portion 413 includes, in addition to the supply port member 414, a seal member 451 and a cap 460. The liquid outlet portion 413 further includes a pressurized fluid seal portion 485.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , in this embodiment, the supply port member 414 has a small diameter portion 418 and a large diameter portion 419. As shown in FIG. 9 , the small diameter portion 418 and the large diameter portion 419 are disposed on the −Y direction side of the liquid storage portion 412. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the small diameter portion 418 is disposed on the −Y direction side of the large diameter portion 419. That is, the large diameter portion 419 is disposed between the small diameter portion 418 and the liquid storage portion 412 in the Y direction. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 418 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 419. The small diameter portion 418 includes an outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414. The outer end portion 416 is the end of the supply port member 414 opposite the liquid storage portion 412. In this embodiment, the outer end portion 416 is the end of the supply port member 414 on the −Y direction side.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 10 , the seal member 451 is provided on the inner circumferential surface 415p of the supply port 415. The seal member 451 has an annular shape. In this embodiment, the seal member 451 has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape. The seal member 451 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. The seal member 451 is used to liquid-tightly connect the liquid lead-out portion 413 and the liquid supply portion 643. More specifically, the seal member 451 seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the liquid supply portion 643 inserted into the supply port 415 and the inner circumferential surface 415p of the supply port 415.

[0083] In this embodiment, the seal member 451 has a thin portion 452 and a thick portion 453. The radial thickness of the thin portion 452 is smaller than the radial thickness of the thick portion 453. The inner diameter of the thin portion 452 is larger than the inner diameter of the thick portion 453. As will be described later, the thin portion 452 is held by the cap 460 between the cap 460 and an inner circumferential surface 415p of the supply port 415. The inner circumferential surface of the thick portion 453 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the liquid supply unit 643 inserted into the supply port 415. As a result, the seal member 451 seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the liquid supply unit 643 and the inner circumferential surface 415p of the supply port 415.

[0084] The cap 460 covers a portion of the opening surface 415s of the supply port 415 from the outside of the supply port 415. The cap 460 is made of, for example, a resin material. The cap 460 has a second engagement portion 469. The second engagement portion 469 engages with a first engagement portion 417 provided on the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414 in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface 415s. The perpendicular direction is a direction perpendicular to the opening surface 415s. In this embodiment, the planar direction of the opening surface 415s is the XZ direction, and the perpendicular direction is the Y direction. The cap 460 is fixed to the supply port member 414 by engagement between the first engagement portion 417 and the second engagement portion 469. In this embodiment, the second engagement portion 469 engages with the first engagement portion 417 by a snap fit utilizing the elasticity of the second engagement portion 469.

[0085] More specifically, the cap 460 has a bottom 461, an inner wall 464, and an outer wall 467. The bottom 461 has a substantially annular shape. The bottom 461 is disposed on the −Y direction side of the outer end 416. A surface of the bottom 461 on the +Y direction side faces an outer end surface 416p on the −Y direction side of the outer end 416 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the bottom 461 is disposed spaced apart in the Y direction from the outer end surface 416p. When viewed in the Y direction, the bottom 461 has an inner portion 462 that overlaps with the opening surface 415s and an outer portion 463 that is positioned outward from the opening surface 415s. More specifically, the outer portion 463 is a portion that is positioned outward from the outer end surface 416p when viewed in the Y direction.

[0086] The inner wall portion 464 stands in the +Y direction from the inner portion 462. The inner wall portion 464 is disposed within the supply port 415. The inner wall portion 464 is disposed spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 415p in the radial direction of the supply port 415. The thin-walled portion 452 of the seal member 451 is disposed between the inner wall portion 464 and the inner circumferential surface 415p so as to be in contact with the inner wall portion 464 and the inner circumferential surface 415p. More specifically, at least a portion of the thin-walled portion 452 is elastically deformed by the inner wall portion 464 and is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 415p from the outside toward the inside in the radial direction of the supply port 415.

[0087] The outer wall portion 467 stands in the +Y direction from the outer portion 463. The outer wall portion 467 has a substantially annular shape. In the radial direction of the supply port 415, the outer wall portion 467 is located outside the inner wall portion 464. The above-mentioned second engagement portion 469 is provided at the end of the outer wall portion 467 on the +Y direction side. The first engagement portion 417 of the supply port member 414 is configured as a flange-shaped portion of the outer end portion 416 that has a larger outer shape than other portions of the outer end portion 416. The first engagement portion 417 and the second engagement portion 469 engage with each other when the surface of the first engagement portion 417 on the +Y direction side engages with the surface of the second engagement portion 469 on the -Y direction side.

[0088] The cap 460 is provided with a welded portion 470. The welded portion 470 is a portion where the cap 460 and the welding target member are welded. The welded portion 470 is located between the cap 460 and the welding target member. The welded portion 470 seals the gap between the cap 460 and the welding target member. The welding target member is at least one of the supply port member 414, the seal member 451, and the case member 8. In FIG. 10, the welded portion 470 is indicated by a thick line. In this embodiment, the welded portion 470 is a portion where the cap 460 and the welding target member are welded by at least one of laser welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, and spin welding.

[0089] In this embodiment, the welding target member is the supply port member 414. That is, in this embodiment, the welded portion 470 is a portion where the cap 460 and the supply port member 414 are welded together. More specifically, the welded portion 470 is a portion where the surface of the bottom portion 461 of the cap 460 on the +Y direction side and the outer end surface 416p of the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414 are welded together. As a result, the welded portion 470 is located between the outer end portion 416 and the cap 460, more specifically, between the outer end surface 416p and the surface of the bottom portion 461 on the +Y direction side. The welded portion 470 seals the area between the outer end portion 416 and the cap 460, more specifically, between the outer end surface 416p and the surface of the bottom portion 461 on the +Y direction side.

[0090] 9, the pressurized fluid seal part 485 is disposed between the supply port member 414 and the case member 8. The pressurized fluid seal part 485 is provided to suppress leakage of the pressurized air supplied to the internal chamber 440. The pressurized fluid seal part 485 airtightly seals the gap between the supply port member 414 and the case member 8.

[0091] In this embodiment, the pressurized fluid seal portion 485 has a substantially annular shape. The pressurized fluid seal portion 485 is disposed such that its axial direction is along the Y direction. In this embodiment, the pressurized fluid seal portion 485 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the opening surface 415s. The pressurized fluid seal portion 485 is disposed so as to surround the small diameter portion 418 in the radial direction of the supply port member 414. The pressurized fluid seal portion 485 has a front end portion 486 and a rear end portion 487. The rear end portion 487 has a flange-shaped portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the front end portion 486. The flange-shaped portion of the rear end portion 487 is disposed in a gap in the Y direction formed between the case member 8 and the large diameter portion 419. The front end portion 486 is disposed so as to extend in the Y direction through the gap between the case member 8 and the small diameter portion 418. The tip portion 486 is pressed against the case member 8 from the inside to the outside in the radial direction by a pressing portion 420 provided on the small diameter portion 418. The pressing portion 420 is a portion of the small diameter portion 418 that protrudes radially outward more than the other portions.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 10 , a configuration including the cartridge 4 and the cartridge mounting unit 6 is also referred to as a liquid supply system 100. The liquid supply system 100 supplies liquid to the print head 225 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 10 , a receiving-side seal member 602 is provided in the receiving unit 640 of the cartridge mounting unit 6. That is, the liquid supply system 100 in this embodiment is equipped with the receiving-side seal member 602. In the mounted state, the receiving-side seal member 602 seals the gap between the receiving unit 640 and the cap 460. More specifically, in this embodiment, the receiving-side seal member 602 is provided on the outer periphery of a tubular liquid supply unit 643. The receiving-side seal member 602 seals the gap between the outer periphery of the liquid supply unit 643 and the cap 460.

[0093] According to the cartridge 4 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the seal member 451 being provided on the inner circumferential surface 415p of the supply port 415, the cap 460 and the supply port member 414 are welded and sealed. Therefore, even if liquid leaks from the inside to the outside of the supply port 415 through a gap between the seal member 451 and the inner circumferential surface 415p, the welded portion 470 can prevent the liquid from leaking out of the cartridge 4 through the gap between the cap 460 and the supply port member 414. In this way, according to the present embodiment, leakage of liquid to the outside of the cartridge 4 can be more reliably prevented.

[0094] In this embodiment, welded portion 470 is a portion where cap 460 and supply port member 414 are welded together. Therefore, even if liquid leaks from between seal member 451 and inner circumferential surface 415p, the liquid can be contained at a position relatively close to opening surface 415s of supply port 415.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the welded portion 470 is disposed between the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414 and the cap 460 in the Y direction, which is the orthogonal direction. More specifically, the welded portion 470 is disposed between the outer end surface 416p of the outer end portion 416 and the bottom portion 461 of the cap 460. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the welded portion 470 is disposed between the inner wall portion 464 of the cap 460 and the outer peripheral surface of the supply port member 414, for example, the liquid leaking from between the seal member 451 and the inner peripheral surface 415p can be contained at a position even closer to the opening surface 415s of the supply port 415.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the receiving part 640 of the liquid supply system 100 is provided with a receiving-side seal member 602. According to this form of liquid supply system 100, even if liquid leaks from the supply port 415, the receiving-side seal member 602 can contain the liquid between the receiving part 640 and the cap 460, so that leakage of the liquid to the outside of the cartridge 4 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0097] B. Second embodiment: 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid leading-out portion 413b in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the welded portion 470b is a portion where the cap 460b and the case member 8 are welded together. In other words, the welded portion 470b seals the gap between the cap 460b and the case member 8. In FIG. 11, similarly to FIG. 10, the welded portion 470b is indicated by a thick line. The liquid ejection system 1, the cartridge 4, and the liquid supply system 100 in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment in respect of points that are not particularly described.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the cap 460b has a front cover 471. The front cover 471 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the bottom 461. The front cover 471 is substantially annular. The front cover 471 is disposed such that its axial direction is along the Y direction. The front cover 471 has an extension 472 and a flange-shaped portion 473. The extension 472 is an annular portion that stands in the -Y direction from the bottom 461. The flange-shaped portion 473 is located on the -Y direction side of the extension 472. The flange-shaped portion 473 has a flange shape with an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the extension 472. The flange-shaped portion 473 is located on the -Y direction side of the front surface 42. The flange-shaped portion 473 is configured to cover the gap 491 in the flow port arrangement hole 445 from the -Y direction side. The gap 491 is a gap between the inner wall portion 464, the bottom portion 461, and the extending portion 472 and the case member 8. As a result, the back surface 474 of the outer periphery 475 of the flange-shaped portion 473 faces the front surface 42 in the Y direction. The outer periphery 475 is a portion that includes the edge of the outer periphery of the flange-shaped portion 473. The back surface 474 is the surface of the flange-shaped portion 473 on the +Y direction side.

[0099] Specifically, the welded portion 470b in this embodiment is a portion where the back surface 474 of the outer periphery 475 of the flange-shaped portion 473 is welded to the front surface 42 of the case member 8. In other words, the welded portion 470b seals the gap between the front surface 42 and the back surface 474 of the outer periphery 475.

[0100] In the cartridge 4 of the second embodiment described above, the welded portion 470b can also more reliably prevent the liquid from leaking out of the cartridge 4. More specifically, in this embodiment, the cap 460b and the case member 8 are welded and sealed, so that the liquid can be prevented from leaking out of the cartridge 4 through the gap between the cap 460b and the case member 8.

[0101] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid supply system 100 may also include a receiving-side seal member 602. In this case, the receiving-side seal member 602 may be configured to seal between the inner wall portion 464 of the cap 460 and the receiving portion 640, or may be configured to seal between the extension portion 472 and the receiving portion 640, or may be configured to seal between the flange portion 473 and the receiving portion 640, for example.

[0102] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid leading-out portion 413c in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the welded portion 470c is a portion where the cap 460 and the seal member 451 are welded together. That is, the welded portion 470c seals the gap between the cap 460 and the seal member 451. In FIG. 12, similar to FIG. 10, the welded portion 470c is indicated by a thick line. More specifically, the welded portion 470c is a portion where the surface on the +Y direction side of the inner portion 462 of the bottom portion 461 and the end on the -Y direction side of the thin-walled portion 452 of the seal member 451 are welded together. The liquid ejection system 1, the cartridge 4, and the liquid supply system 100 in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment in points that are not particularly described.

[0103] In the cartridge 4 of the third embodiment described above, the welded portion 470c can also more reliably prevent the liquid from leaking out of the cartridge 4. More specifically, in this embodiment, the cap 460 and the seal member 451 are welded and sealed, so that the liquid can be prevented from leaking out of the cartridge 4 through the gap between the cap 460 and the seal member 451.

[0104] In other embodiments, welded portion 470c may include another portion where cap 460 and seal member 451 are welded together, instead of or in addition to the portion where the +Y direction surface of inner portion 462 and the −Y direction end of thin-walled portion 452 are welded together. For example, welded portion 470c may include a portion where the outer circumferential surface of inner wall portion 464 and the inner circumferential surface of thin-walled portion 452 are welded together.

[0105] D. Other Embodiments: (D-1) In each of the above embodiments, the welding target member may include any two or more of supply port member 414, seal member 451, and case member 8. That is, welded portion 470 may include any two or more of a portion where cap 460 and supply port member 414 are welded, a portion where cap 460 and seal member 451 are welded, and a portion where cap 460 and case member 8 are welded.

[0106] (D-2) In the first embodiment described above, the welded portion 470 is disposed between the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414 and the cap 460 in the orthogonal direction, but it does not have to be disposed in this manner. For example, the welded portion 470 may be disposed between the outer wall portion 467 of the cap 460 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414, and may seal the gap between the outer wall portion 467 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion 416 of the supply port member 414.

[0107] (D-3) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid supply system 100 does not have to include the receiving-side seal member 602.

[0108] (D-4) The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink cartridges, but can also be applied to any printing device that ejects liquid other than ink and its cartridge. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to various printing devices and their cartridges, such as the following: (1) Image recording devices such as facsimile machines (2) A printing device that sprays color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) A printing device that sprays electrode materials used to form electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), etc. (4) A printing device that sprays liquid containing bioorganic substances used in biochip manufacturing. (5) Sample printing device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricant printing device (7) Resin liquid printing device (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras. (9) A printing device that sprays transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A printing device that sprays acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch substrates, etc. (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects any other minute amount of liquid droplets

[0109] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, including droplets, tears, and string-like droplets. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected by a printing device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in its liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. The term "liquid" also includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0110] E. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form 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.

[0111] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge comprising: a liquid storage portion that stores a liquid; a supply port member having a supply port that communicates with the liquid storage portion and that supplies the liquid to the outside of the liquid storage portion; a seal member provided on an inner circumferential surface of the supply port; a case member that houses the supply port member; and a cap that covers a portion of an opening surface of the supply port from the outside of the supply port. The cap is welded to at least one of the supply port member, the seal member, and the case member, and a welded portion, which is a portion where the cap and the at least one member are welded, seals the gap between the cap and the at least one member. According to this embodiment, in addition to a sealing member being provided inside the supply port, the cap is welded and sealed to the supply port member, the sealing member, or the case member, so that leakage of liquid outside the cartridge can be more reliably prevented.

[0112] (2) In the above embodiment, the welded portion may be a portion where the cap and the supply port member are welded together. According to this embodiment, even if liquid leaks from between the seal member and the inner circumferential surface, the liquid can be contained at a position relatively close to the opening surface of the supply port.

[0113] (3) In the above embodiment, the welded portion may be disposed between the cap and the end of the supply port member opposite the liquid storage portion in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface. According to this embodiment, liquid leaking from between the seal member and the inner circumferential surface can be contained at a position closer to the opening surface of the supply port.

[0114] (4) In the above embodiment, the welded portion may be a portion welded by any one of laser welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, and spin welding.

[0115] (5) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid supply system including the cartridge of the above aspect, a mounting portion configured to be mountable with the cartridge and having a receiving portion configured to receive the supply port member and the cap, and a receiving-side seal member for sealing between the receiving portion and the supply port member. According to this configuration, even if liquid leaks from the supply port, the receiving side sealing member can keep the liquid between the receiving portion and the cap, thereby more reliably preventing the liquid from leaking outside the cartridge.

[0116] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in the form of a liquid ejection device, a liquid ejection system, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1...liquid ejection system, 4, 4C, 4K, 4M, 4Y...cartridge, 5...first case, 6...cartridge mounting portion, 7...second case, 8...case member, 20...printer, 41...second surface, 41A...second upper surface, 41B...second lower surface, 42...front surface, 43...first side surface, 44...second side surface, 45...third side surface, 46...fourth side surface, 47...rear surface, 48...protrusion, 49...fixing structure, 50...circuit board, 50fa...surface, 52...cartridge side terminal, 59...end surface, 61...cartridge Storage chamber, 61A...opening wall portion, 61C, 61K, 61M, 61Y...slot, 62...apparatus side front wall portion, 63...first apparatus side side wall portion, 64...second apparatus side side wall portion, 65...third apparatus side side wall portion, 66...fourth apparatus side side wall portion, 67...liquid supply pressure portion, 69...apparatus side terminal portion, 70...first agitation pressure portion, 72...second agitation pressure portion, 75...apparatus side fixing structure, 80...terminal arrangement portion, 82...first apparatus side positioning portion, 84...second apparatus side positioning portion, 90...recess, 91...opening , 93...first recess side surface, 94...second recess side surface, 95...third recess side surface, 96...fourth recess side surface, 99...recess bottom surface, 100...liquid supply system, 212...main body case, 213...platen, 214...guide shaft, 215...carriage, 216...drive pulley, 217...follower pulley, 218...carriage motor, 219...timing belt, 223...liquid flow path, 224...valve unit, 225...recording head, 226...pressurizing pump, 227, 227C, 227K, 227M, 227Y... fluid flow passage, 227K1... first fluid flow passage, 227K2... second fluid flow passage, 227K3... third fluid flow passage, 228... distributor, 230... control unit, 280... pressure mechanism, 402... first stirring member, 403... first stirring member, 404... second stirring member, 406... first fluid circulation section, 406A... other end, 407... second stirring member, 408... second fluid circulation section, 408A... other end, 410... liquid container, 412... liquid container, 413, 413b,413c...liquid outlet portion, 414...supply port member, 415...supply port, 415p...inner peripheral surface, 415s...opening surface, 416...outer end portion, 416p...outer end surface, 417...first engaging portion, 418...small diameter portion, 419...large diameter portion, 420...pressing portion, 422...first positioning portion, 424...second positioning portion, 430...sheet member, 440...internal chamber, 445...flow port arrangement hole, 451...sealing member, 452...thin portion, 453...thick portion, 460, 460b...cap, 461...bottom portion, 462...inner portion, 463...outer portion, 464...inner wall portion, 467...outer wall portion, 469...second engaging portion, 470 , 470b, 470c... welding portion, 471... front cover, 472... extension portion, 473... flange-shaped portion, 474... back surface, 475... outer peripheral portion, 482... connection surface, 484... inclined surface, 485... pressurized fluid seal portion, 486... tip portion, 487... rear end portion, 491... gap, 492... second gap, 602... receiving side seal member, 640... receiving portion, 643... liquid supply portion, 650... surrounding cover, 692... device side terminal, 737... locking pin, 957... liquid outlet fluid receiver, 957F... tip portion, 958... first agitation fluid receiver, 958F... tip portion, 959... second agitation fluid receiver, 959F... tip portion,

Claims

1. A cartridge, a liquid storage section that stores liquid; a supply port member having a supply port communicating with the liquid storage portion for supplying the liquid to the outside of the liquid storage portion; a seal member provided on an inner circumferential surface of the supply port; a case member that houses the supply port member; a cap that covers a part of an opening surface of the supply port from the outside of the supply port, the cap is welded to at least one of the supply port member, the seal member, and the case member; A cartridge, wherein a welded portion, which is a portion where the cap and the at least one member are welded, seals the gap between the cap and the at least one member.

2. 10. The cartridge of claim 1, The cartridge, wherein the welded portion is a portion where the cap and the supply port member are welded together.

3. 3. The cartridge of claim 2, The cartridge, wherein the welded portion is disposed between the cap and an end of the supply port member opposite the liquid storage portion in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface.

4. 10. The cartridge of claim 1, A cartridge, wherein the welded portion is a portion welded by any one of laser welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, and spin welding.

5. 1. A liquid supply system comprising: A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a mounting portion configured to be able to mount the cartridge, the mounting portion having a receiving portion configured to be able to receive the supply port member and the cap; a receiving-side seal member for sealing between the receiving portion and the supply port member.

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