Liquid container

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing the possibility that engagement between a supply member and an adapter is unintentionally released in a liquid container in which the supply member and the adapter are engaged by snap-fitting.SOLUTION: A liquid container includes a liquid containing bag including a bag main body that contains a liquid, and a supply member that is attached to the bag main body and supplies the liquid in the bag main body to an outside, an adapter including an adapter engagement portion that engages with the supply member by snap-fitting, and a protection member that is attached to the adapter and includes a restriction wall that restricts movement of the adapter engagement portion at least in an engagement release direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A liquid container having a liquid containing bag and an adapter is known (Patent Document 1). The liquid containing bag has a bag body that contains the liquid and a supply member that supplies the liquid to the outside. The adapter also has a snap fit portion that detachably engages the adapter with the supply member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-35919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, if the liquid container receives an impact due to being dropped, etc., there is a possibility that the engagement of the snap fit portion may be unintentionally released. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can reduce the possibility of unintentional release of the engagement between the supply member and the adapter in a liquid container in which the supply member and the adapter are engaged by a snap fit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container comprising: a liquid storage bag having a bag body for storing liquid, a supply member attached to the bag body and supplying the liquid in the bag body to an outside, an adapter having an adapter engagement portion that engages with the supply member by snap-fitting, and a protective member attached to the adapter, the protective member having a restriction wall that restricts movement of the adapter engagement portion at least in a direction to release the engagement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of a liquid container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the liquid container. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid containing bag of the liquid container and the adapter. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adapter and supply member engaged with each other. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view in which the joint portion of the supply member is removed from the view shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the liquid container with the protection member disassembled therefrom; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of the liquid container with the protection member disassembled therefrom. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a member engaging portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a view of the liquid container from the second surface side of the adapter. [Figure 13] XIII-XIII cross section of Figure 12. [Figure 14] XIV-XIV cross section of Figure 12. [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of XV-XV in Figure 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a liquid container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a protection member according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A. First embodiment: A-1. Configuration of liquid injection device: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid ejection device 11. Fig. 1 is indicated by an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. Note that the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis corresponding to Fig. 1 are also indicated in other figures. The liquid ejection device 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer that forms a printed image by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper, thereby recording dots.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0020] A-2. Overall structure of the liquid container: FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the liquid container 20. FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the liquid container 20. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid containing bag 60 and the adapter 130 of the liquid container 20. In the figures explaining the liquid container 20 from FIG. 3 onwards, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are assigned based on the state in which the liquid container 20 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11 when the liquid ejection device 11 is in normal use. In the liquid container 20, the X-direction is the width, the Y-direction is the length, and the Z-direction is the thickness. The length direction is also referred to as the longitudinal direction. The Y-direction is also referred to as the first direction Y, the Z-direction is also referred to as the second direction Z, and the X-direction is also referred to as the third direction X. The direction toward one of the second directions Z is the +Z direction, and the direction toward the other is the -Z direction. In the following explanation, the liquid container 20 placed in the first case 13S will be used as an example. The liquid container placed in the second case 13M is different from the liquid container 20 in that the width direction dimension of the bag main body 62 is larger, but other configurations are the same as those of the liquid container 20.

[0021] 3 and 4, the liquid container 20 includes a liquid containing bag 60 and a structure 50 attached to the liquid containing bag 60. The liquid containing bag 60 includes a bag main body 62 that contains liquid, and a supply member 120 shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the structure 50 includes an adapter 130 and a protective member 230 that is attached to the adapter 130 by being detachably engaged with the adapter 130.

[0022] The bag body 62 is a pillow-type bag formed by stacking two rectangular films and joining their peripheral edges together. The bag body 62 is flexible. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bag body 62 has a first body surface 62fa and a second body surface 62fb that face each other. As the liquid in the bag body 62 is consumed, the first body surface 62fa and the second body surface 62fb deform to move closer to each other, thereby reducing the volume of the bag body 62.

[0023] The bag body 62 has one end 62a shown in FIG. 5, which is an end on one side in the longitudinal direction, and the other end 62b shown in FIG. 3, which is an end on the other side in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the bag body 62 may be a gusset type. The film constituting the bag body 62 is made of a material that is flexible and has gas barrier properties. Examples of film materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. The film may also be formed using a laminated structure in which multiple films made of these materials are stacked. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be made of PET or nylon, which have excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be made of polyethylene, which has excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a film having a layer on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be used as one of the components of the laminated structure.

[0024] 5, the supply member 120 is attached to one end 62a side of the bag main body 62. The supply member 120 has a supply path 123, a joint portion 128, a liquid supply portion 121, and an engaged portion 149. The supply member 120 supplies the liquid in the bag main body 62 to the outside.

[0025] The supply path 123 is a flow path that supplies the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11. In the supply direction of the liquid from the bag main body 62 toward the liquid ejection device 11, the upstream end of the supply path 123 is located inside the bag main body 62, and the downstream end of the supply path 123 is located outside the bag main body 62.

[0026] The joint portion 128 is a portion that is attached by heat welding to one end portion 62a of the bag body 62. A part of the supply path 123 is formed inside the joint portion 128.

[0027] The liquid supply part 121 is cylindrical, through which the liquid in the bag main body 62 flows. The liquid supply part 121 has a central axis CT extending along the first direction Y. A downstream portion including the downstream end of the supply path 123 is formed within the liquid supply part 121. The tip of the liquid supply part 121 forms an opening through which the liquid flows out. This opening forms the downstream end of the supply path 123. In the initial state before the liquid container 20 is used, a film FM is attached to the tip of the liquid supply part 121 so as to cover the opening. When the liquid container 20 is to be used, the film FM is peeled off by the user, or is broken by the liquid introduction part 32 when the liquid container 20 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11.

[0028] The engaged forming portion 149 is a generally plate-shaped member. The engaged forming portions 149 are located on both sides of the liquid supply portion 121 in the X direction. The engaged forming portion 149 has two positioning holes 122 that penetrate in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction. The two positioning holes 122 position the adapter 130 relative to the supply member 120 when the adapter 130 is attached by engaging with the supply member 120. The engaged forming portion 149 is also a portion that engages with the adapter 130. Details of this engagement with the adapter 130 will be described later.

[0029] 5, the adapter 130 has an adapter first surface 50fa in which a recess 131 is formed to receive the liquid supply portion 121 of the supply member 120, an adapter second surface 50fb located on the opposite side of the adapter first surface 50fa, and an adapter third surface 50fc that forms the front surface. The recess 131 is open in the +Y direction and the +Z direction.

[0030] The adapter second surface 50fb forms the upper surface on the −Z direction side of the structure 50. The protective member 230 shown in FIG.

[0031] 5, the adapter 130 engages with the supply member 120 by moving the adapter 130 relative to the supply member 120 so as to approach the supply member 120 with the adapter first surface 50fa facing the supply member 120. The adapter 130 has a connection element for connecting to the connection mechanism 29 of the liquid ejection device 11.

[0032] 3, the adapter 130 has a circuit board 70, a recess 71, a first guide hole 57, a second guide hole 59, and an identification portion 54. The elements 70, 71, 57, 59, and 54 constitute a connecting element.

[0033] The recess 71 is formed at the corner where the adapter second surface 50fb and the adapter third surface 50fc intersect. The circuit board 70 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 71. A container-side electrode 701 that contacts the device-side electrode 401 is formed on the front surface of the circuit board 70. A memory that stores information about the liquid container 20, such as the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container 20, is disposed on the back surface of the circuit board 70. In the attached state, information is exchanged between the memory of the circuit board 70 and the control device 42 (shown in FIG. 2) of the liquid ejection device 11.

[0034] Both side walls in the X direction that define the recess 71 have container-side positioning portions 77. The container-side positioning portion 77 has a first container-side positioning portion 77a formed on the side wall on the -X direction side and a second container-side positioning portion 77b formed on the side wall on the +X direction side. The first container-side positioning portion 77a and the second container-side positioning portion 77b are each a groove extending along the Y direction. During the process of attaching the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11, the first device-side positioning portion 49a, which is a protrusion, is inserted into the first container-side positioning portion 77a, which is a groove, and the second device-side positioning portion 49b, which is a protrusion, is inserted into the second container-side positioning portion 77b, which is a groove. This restricts movement of the circuit board 70 relative to the device-side electrical connection portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the attachment direction, thereby facilitating the positioning of the container-side electrode 701 and the device-side electrode 401.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are formed in the adapter third surface 50fc. The first guide hole 57 and the second guide hole 59 are located on either side of the liquid supply part 121 in the X direction. During the process of attaching the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejection device 11, the first positioning part 45 shown in Fig. 2 is inserted into the first guide hole 57. During the attachment process, the second positioning part 46 shown in Fig. 2 is inserted into the second guide hole 59. As a result, the liquid container 20 is guided along the attachment direction during the attachment process.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the identifier 54 is provided at the intersection of the adapter first surface 50fa and the adapter third surface 50fc. The identifier 54 has projections and recesses shaped to fit into the corresponding block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. When the liquid container 20 is correctly attached to the liquid ejection device 11, the identifier 54 will fit properly with the block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to attach the liquid container 20 in an incorrect position, the identifier 54 will not fit into the block 44, preventing the liquid container 20 from moving any further inside, thereby preventing incorrect attachment. For convenience, the projections and recesses of the identifier 54 have been omitted from illustrations other than FIG. 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 130 further includes a handle member 30. The handle member 30 rotates around a rotation axis 33, allowing a grip portion 31 to rotate. The grip portion 31 is held by a user. The grip portion 31 is located closer to the bag body 62 than the rotation axis 33 and further from the adapter 130. Note that in other embodiments, the handle member 30 may be omitted.

[0038] The detailed structure, including the engagement mechanism between the supply member 120 and the adapter 130, will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter 130 and the supply member 120 engaged with each other. FIG. 7 is a view in which the joint 128 of the supply member 120 has been removed from the view shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 also shows first protrusion 324A to third protrusion 324C of a first disengagement jig. First protrusion 324A is used to disengage a first adapter engagement portion 134A (described later), second protrusion 324B is used to disengage a second adapter engagement portion 134B (described later), and third protrusion 324C is used to disengage a third adapter engagement portion 134C (described later). When first protrusion 324A to third protrusion 324C are used without distinction, they are referred to as protrusions 324.

[0039] 6, the joint 128 has two introduction parts 223. The introduction parts 223 are located inside the bag main body 62. The introduction parts 223 form the upstream end of the supply path 123. The liquid in the bag main body 62 that has flowed into the introduction parts 223 is supplied from the liquid supply part 121 to the liquid ejection device 11 side.

[0040] 6, two positioning protrusions 133 extending in the Z direction, which is the direction along the attachment direction of the adapter 130 to the supply member 120, are formed on the side of the first adapter surface 50fa of the adapter 130. The two positioning protrusions 133 are inserted into two corresponding positioning holes 122. This restricts movement of the adapter 130 relative to the supply member 120 in a direction intersecting the attachment direction, thereby positioning the adapter 130 in the direction intersecting the attachment direction.

[0041] 7, the adapter 130 further has a plurality of adapter engagement portions 134A, 134B, and 134C that engage with the engagement formation portion 149 of the supply member 120 while facing each other in the Z direction. The plurality of adapter engagement portions 134A, 134B, and 134C are a first adapter engagement portion 134A, a second adapter engagement portion 134B, and a third adapter engagement portion 134C. When the plurality of adapter engagement portions 134A to 134C are used without distinction, they will be simply referred to as adapter engagement portions 134.

[0042] The adapter engaging portion 134 engages with the engaged portion 149 of the supply member 120 by snap-fitting. As shown in Fig. 7, the engaged portion 149 of the supply member 120 has a plurality of engaged portions 124A, 124B, and 124C. The plurality of engaged portions 124A, 124B, and 124C are a first engaged portion 124A, a second engaged portion 124B, and a third engaged portion 124C. When the plurality of engaged portions 124A to 124C are used without distinction, they will be simply referred to as engaged portions 124.

[0043] The first engaged portion 124A engages with the first adapter engaging portion 134A. The second engaged portion 124B engages with the second adapter engaging portion 134B. The third engaged portion 124C engages with the third adapter engaging portion 134C.

[0044] The disengagement direction for each of the multiple adapter engagement portions 134A to 134C is different. This reduces the possibility of unintentional disengagement between the adapter 130 and the supply member 120. The disengagement direction for the first adapter engagement portion 134A is the +Y direction. The disengagement direction for the second adapter engagement portion 134B is the -X direction. The disengagement direction for the third adapter engagement portion 134C is the +X direction.

[0045] The adapter engagement portion 134 has an adapter disengagement portion to which an external force is applied by a protrusion 324 (shown in FIG. 7) of the first disengagement jig for disengagement. The adapter disengagement portion is formed by the tip end of the adapter engagement portion 134. When the protrusion 324 of the first disengagement jig applies an external force in the -Z direction to the adapter disengagement portion of the adapter engagement portion 134, the adapter engagement portion 134 elastically deforms around the base end portion so that the engagement portion of the adapter engagement portion 134 is displaced in the disengagement direction. This disengages the adapter engagement portion 134 from the supply member 120.

[0046] A-3. Detailed configuration of structure 50: Fig. 8 is a first perspective view of the protective member 230 disassembled from the liquid container 20. Fig. 9 is a second perspective view of the protective member 230 disassembled from the liquid container 20. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the protective member 230. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the member engagement portion 234. Fig. 12 is a view of the liquid container 20 as seen from the adapter second surface 50fb side.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the protective member 230 is attached to the adapter 130 by detachably engaging with the adapter 130. The protective member 230 has a member main body 232 and multiple member engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C. The member main body 232 is flat. As shown in FIG. 9, the member main body 232 forms a structure first surface 50fd, which is the bottom surface of the structure 50. The structure first surface 50fd is the surface on the +Z direction side. The structure first surface 50fd faces the adapter second surface 50fb in the Z direction. The adapter second surface 50fb functions as a structure second surface, which is the top surface of the structure 50.

[0048] 9, the protective member 230 is attached to the adapter first surface 50fa side of the adapter 130. The adapter 130 and the protective member 230, more specifically, the main body 232 of the protective member 230, face each other in the second direction Z that is perpendicular to the first direction Y.

[0049] The multiple member engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C are the first member engaging portion 234A, the second member engaging portion 234B, and the third member engaging portion 234C. When the multiple member engaging portions 234A, 234B, and 234C are used without distinction, they are simply referred to as member engaging portions 234. As shown in FIG. 10 , the member engaging portion 234 extends from the member main body 232 in the second direction Z. Specifically, the member engaging portion 234 extends from the member main body 232 in the second direction Z toward the adapter 130, i.e., the -Z direction. The member engaging portion 234 engages with the adapter 130 by snap-fitting. That is, like the adapter engaging portion 134, the member engaging portion 234 engages and disengages by elastic deformation. The member engaging portion 234 engages with the adapter 130 in the second direction Z. That is, by engaging the member engaging portion 234 and the adapter 130, their mutual movements in the second direction Z are restricted.

[0050] 10, the member engaging portion 234 has an engaging main body portion 237 extending from the member main body 232 in the second direction Z, and a tip portion 235 on the -Z direction side of the engaging main body portion 237. The tip portion 235 has a claw shape that engages with the adapter 130.

[0051] 11, the tip portion 235 protrudes in a direction intersecting the second direction Z from the end portion on the -Z direction side of the engagement main body portion 237. The tip portion 235 of the first member engagement portion 234A is also referred to as a first tip portion 235A. The tip portion 235 of the second member engagement portion 234B is also referred to as a second tip portion 235B. The tip portion 235 of the third member engagement portion 234C is also referred to as a third tip portion 235C.

[0052] The tip portion 235 has an engagement release portion 236 and an engagement surface 238. The engagement surface 238 engages with the adapter engaged portion 138 of the adapter 130 facing in the second direction Z. The engagement surface 238 of the first member engaging portion 234A is also referred to as the first engagement surface 238A. The engagement surface 238 of the second member engaging portion 234B is also referred to as the second engagement surface 238B. The engagement surface 238 of the third member engaging portion 234C is also referred to as the third engagement surface 238C. The first engagement surface 238A to the third engagement surface 238C are each a plane whose normal direction is the +Z direction in the second direction Z. The first engagement surface 238A engages with the first adapter engaged portion 138A of the adapter 130. The second engagement surface 238B engages with the second adapter engaged portion 138B of the adapter 130. The third engagement surface 238C engages with the third adapter engaged portion 138C of the adapter 130.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11 , the disengagement portion 236 is a portion to which an external force is applied in the +Z direction by the protrusion 424 of the jig in order to disengage the member engagement portion 234 from the adapter 130. The disengagement portion 236 of the first member engagement portion 234A is also referred to as a first disengagement portion 236A. The disengagement portion 236 of the second member engagement portion 234B is also referred to as a second disengagement portion 236B. The disengagement portion 236 of the third member engagement portion 234C is also referred to as a third disengagement portion 236C. The disengagement portion 236 is a plane that is inclined with respect to the second direction Z. When an external force is applied in the +Z direction by the corresponding protrusions 424A to 424C of the jig, the first disengagement portion 236A to the third disengagement portion 236C elastically deform around the base end portion where the member engagement portion 234 is connected to the member main body 232, so that the tip portion 235 is displaced in the disengagement direction DN. When the tip portion 235 is displaced in the releasing direction DN, the engagement between the member engaging portion 234 and the adapter 130 is released.

[0054] The release directions DN1 to DN3, which are directions in which the engagement of the first to third member engagement portions 234A to 234C is released, are different from one another. The first release direction DN1, which is the release direction DN between the first member engagement portion 234A and the adapter 130, is the -Y direction. The second release direction DN2, which is the release direction DN between the second member engagement portion 234B and the adapter 130, is the +Y direction. The third release direction DN3, which is the release direction DN between the third member engagement portion 234C and the adapter 130, is the -X direction. By having the first release direction DN1 to the third release direction DN3 each be different in this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility of unintentional release of engagement between all of the engagement portions 234A to 234C and the adapter 130, even if an external force is applied to the member engagement portion 234 due to an impact, such as being dropped.

[0055] 12, the tip 235 of the member engaging portion 234 is disposed in a position that is exposed when the liquid container 20 is viewed from the adapter second surface 50fb side. This allows an external force to be easily applied to the tip 235 by the protrusion 424 in order to release the engagement, and therefore the engagement between the protection member 230 and the adapter 130 can be easily released.

[0056] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the protective member 230 has a restriction wall 239 that restricts movement of the adapter engagement portion 134 at least in the disengagement direction DP.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 14, a first disengagement direction DP1 in which the first adapter engagement portion 134A is disengaged is the +Y direction. As shown in Fig. 13, a second disengagement direction DP2 in which the second adapter engagement portion 134B is disengaged is the -X direction. Furthermore, a third disengagement direction DP3 in which the third adapter engagement portion 134C is disengaged is the +X direction.

[0058] The restriction wall 239 is formed on the member body 232 of the protection member 230. The restriction wall 239 has a first restriction wall 239A shown in FIG. 14 and a second restriction wall 239B and a third restriction wall 239C shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 14, the first restriction wall 239A restricts movement of the first adapter engagement portion 134A in at least the first disengagement direction DP1. As shown in FIG. 15, the second restriction wall 239B restricts movement of the second adapter engagement portion 134B in at least the second disengagement direction DP2. The third restriction wall 239C restricts movement of the third adapter engagement portion 134C in at least the third disengagement direction DP3.

[0059] 14, the first restriction wall 239A is located closer to the +Y direction, which is the first disengagement direction DP1, than the first adapter engagement portion 134A. The first restriction wall 239A faces the first adapter engagement portion 134A in the first direction Y. If the first adapter engagement portion 134A is subjected to an external force, such as an impact, and attempts to displace in the first disengagement direction DP1, the first restriction wall 239A comes into contact with the first adapter engagement portion 134A. This makes it possible to restrict further movement of the first adapter engagement portion 134A in the first disengagement direction DP1.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 13 , the second restriction wall 239B defines a recess 600 that accommodates the +Z direction tip portion that forms the engagement portion of the second adapter engagement portion 134B. The second restriction wall 239B has a portion that is located on the -X direction side, which is the second disengagement direction DP2, of the second adapter engagement portion 134B. The second restriction wall 239B has a portion that faces the second adapter engagement portion 134B in the third direction X. If the second adapter engagement portion 134B is displaced in the second disengagement direction DP2 due to an external force such as an impact, the second restriction wall 239B abuts against the second adapter engagement portion 134B. This prevents further movement of the second adapter engagement portion 134B in the second disengagement direction DP2. Note that the second restriction wall 239B, which is a recess, surrounds the second tip portion 235B, and therefore can also prevent movement of the second adapter engagement portion 134B in a direction other than the second disengagement direction DP2, such as the +X direction. This makes it possible to prevent rattling of the second adapter engaging portion 134B, thereby reducing the possibility that the relative positional relationship between the protection member 230 and the adapter 130 will become displaced.

[0061] The third restriction wall 239C defines a recess 602 that accommodates the +Z direction tip portion that forms the engagement portion of the third adapter engagement portion 134C. The third restriction wall 239C has a portion located on the +X direction side, which is the third disengagement direction DP3, of the third adapter engagement portion 134C. The third restriction wall 239C has a portion facing the third adapter engagement portion 134C in the third direction X. If the third adapter engagement portion 134C is subjected to an external force, such as an impact, and attempts to displace in the third disengagement direction DP3, the third restriction wall 239C abuts against the third adapter engagement portion 134C. This prevents further movement of the third adapter engagement portion 134C in the third disengagement direction DP3. Note that the third restriction wall 239C, which is a recess, surrounds the third tip portion 235C, and therefore can also prevent movement of the third adapter engagement portion 134C in directions other than the third disengagement direction DP3, such as the -X direction. This makes it possible to prevent rattling of the third adapter engaging portion 134C, thereby reducing the possibility that the relative positional relationship between the protection member 230 and the adapter 130 will become displaced.

[0062] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of Figure 14. The configuration of adapter 130 will be further described with reference to Figure 15. As shown in Figure 15, adapter 130 further has a deformation limiting portion 139 that limits the deformation of member engaging portion 234 by abutting against member engaging portion 234 within the range of elastic deformation of member engaging portion 234 so that the deformation of member engaging portion 234 falls within the range of elastic deformation. Deformation limiting portion 139 is not positioned within the range where engagement of member engaging portion 234 is released, and deformation due to disengagement of member engaging portion 234 is permitted.

[0063] The deformation limiting portion 139 has a first deformation limiting portion 139 that limits the deformation of the first member engaging portion 234A, a second deformation limiting portion 139B that limits the deformation of the second member engaging portion 234B, and a third deformation limiting portion 139C that limits the deformation of the third member engaging portion 234C.

[0064] The first deformation limiting portion 139A is a wall facing the first tip portion 235A of the first member engaging portion 234A. The first deformation limiting portion 139A is located on the -Y direction side, which is the first release direction DN1 side of the first member engaging portion 234A, relative to the first tip portion 235A. Before the first member engaging portion 234A deforms beyond the range of elastic deformation, the first deformation limiting portion 139A abuts against the first tip portion 235A. This limits further deformation of the first member engaging portion 234A, reducing the possibility of the first member engaging portion 234A being plastically deformed and damaged.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the second deformation limiting portion 139B is a wall facing the second member engaging portion 234B. The second deformation limiting portion 139B is a wall extending in the second direction Z. The second deformation limiting portion 139B is located closer to the +Y direction, which is the second release direction DN2 side of the second member engaging portion 234B, than the second tip portion 235B. Before the second member engaging portion 234B deforms beyond the range of elastic deformation, the second deformation limiting portion 139B abuts against the second tip portion 235B. This limits further deformation of the second member engaging portion 234B, thereby reducing the possibility of the second member engaging portion 234B being plastically deformed and damaged.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 15, the third deformation limiting portion 139C is a wall facing the third tip portion 235C of the third member engaging portion 234C. The third deformation limiting portion 139C is located closer to the -X direction, which is the third release direction DN3 side, of the third member engaging portion 234C than the third tip portion 235C. The third deformation limiting portion 139C abuts against the third tip portion 235C before the third member engaging portion 234C deforms beyond the range of elastic deformation. This limits further deformation of the third member engaging portion 234C, reducing the possibility of the third member engaging portion 234C being plastically deformed and damaged.

[0067] 13 and 14, the restriction wall 239 of the protective member 230 can restrict movement of the adapter engagement portion 134 in the disengagement directions DN1 to DN3. This reduces the possibility of the supply member 120 and the adapter 130 unintentionally disengaging from each other even when the liquid container 20 is subjected to an impact due to being dropped, for example. This prevents the supply member 120 from shifting out of position, thereby preventing poor connection between the liquid supply portion 121 of the supply member 120 and the liquid introduction portion 32 of the liquid ejection device 11. This reduces the possibility of liquid leaking from the liquid supply portion 121 to the outside.

[0068] 11, the member engaging portion 234 has a disengaging portion 236. This allows the member engaging portion 234 to be easily displaced in the disengaging direction by applying an external force to the disengaging portion 236 using the protrusion 424 of the jig. In other words, the engagement of the member engaging portion 234 can be easily released using a jig having the protrusion 424, making it easier to reuse the protective member 230.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the protective member 230 and the adapter 130 can be engaged with each other in the second direction Z by the member engaging portion 234. Furthermore, the multiple member engaging portions 234A to 234C are engaged with each other in the same second direction Z, and as shown in FIG. 12, the tip portions 235A to 235C of the member engaging portions 234 are disposed in positions that are exposed when the liquid container 20 is viewed from the adapter second surface 50fb side. This allows the protrusions 424A to 424C of the jig to be easily pressed against the disengagement portions 236A to 236C by bringing the jig closer to the tip portions 235A to 235C from the adapter first surface 50fa side. This makes it easy to disengage the protective member 230 and the adapter 130 using the jig.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the plurality of member engaging portions 234A to 234C engage with the adapter 130 by snap-fitting, thereby reducing the possibility that all of the member engaging portions 234A to 234C will unintentionally disengage from the adapter 130.

[0071] B. Second embodiment: Fig. 16 is a partial perspective view of a liquid container 20a of the second embodiment. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a protective member 230a of the second embodiment. The liquid container 20a of the second embodiment differs from the liquid container 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9 in the configuration of the protective member 230a of the structure 50a. Since the other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations of the liquid container 20a that are the same as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 17, the protective member 230a has a member main body 232a and a member engaging portion 234. The member main body 232a has a smaller outer shape than the member main body 232 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 16, the protective member 230a does not have a portion that protrudes outward from the adapter 130, and is attached by detachably engaging with the adapter 130. In other words, the protective member 230a is located inside a virtual space VS that is a rectangular parallelepiped and has the minimum volume required to accommodate the adapter 130.

[0073] The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and thus provides the same effects. For example, the restricting wall 239 of the protective member 230a can restrict movement of the adapter engaging portion 134 in the disengagement directions DN1 to DN3. This reduces the possibility of unintentional disengagement between the supply member 120 and the adapter 130 even if the liquid container 20a is subjected to an impact due to being dropped, for example.

[0074] 16, the protective member 230a is attached to the adapter 130 without having a portion that protrudes outward beyond the adapter 130. This reduces the possibility that the protective member 230a will collide with the ground, even if the liquid container 20a is dropped or otherwise struck by the ground. This reduces the possibility that the protective member 230a will be damaged, further reducing the possibility that the supply member 120 and the adapter 130 will unintentionally become disengaged.

[0075] C. Other Embodiments: C-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the above-described embodiments, the protective member 230, 230a is provided with three member engaging portions 234, but this is not limited thereto. As long as the protective member 230, 230a can be attached to the adapter 130, the number of member engaging portions 234 may be one, two, or four or more. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the member engaging portion 234 is attached by engaging with the adapter 130 through a snap fit, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid container 20, 20a may have a fixing mechanism for fixing the protective member 230, 230a and the adapter 130 to each other, instead of the member engaging portion 234. The fixing mechanism may be, for example, a bolt and a nut.

[0076] C-2. Alternative embodiment 2: In each of the above embodiments, the directions DN1 to DN3 in which the engagement of each of the plurality of member engagement portions 234A to 234C is released are different from each other, but at least two of them may be the same direction. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the directions DP1 to DP3 in which the engagement of each of the plurality of adapter engagement portions 134A to 134C is released are different from each other, but at least two of them may be the same direction.

[0077] C-3. Alternative embodiment 3: In each of the above embodiments, the adapter 130 has the deformation limiting portion 139, but this may be omitted.

[0078] C-4. Alternative embodiment 4: In the above-described embodiments, the liquid containers 20 and 20a contain ink, but may contain other liquids. For example, the liquid may be a color material used in manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, or an electrode material used in forming electrodes for an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, a field emission display (FED), or the like.

[0079] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following aspects. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0080] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container. The liquid container includes a liquid storage bag having a bag body that stores liquid, a supply member attached to the bag body and that supplies the liquid from the bag body to an outside, an adapter having an adapter engagement portion that engages with the supply member by snap-fitting, and a protective member attached to the adapter, the protective member having a restriction wall that restricts movement of the adapter engagement portion at least in a disengagement direction. According to this aspect, the restriction wall of the protective member can restrict movement of the adapter engagement portion in the disengagement direction, thereby reducing the possibility of unintentional disengagement between the supply member and the adapter even if the liquid container receives an impact due to being dropped, for example.

[0081] (2) In the above aspect, the supply member may have a central axis along a first direction and a liquid supply portion through which the liquid flows, the adapter and the protective member face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the protective member may have a member engaging portion that engages with the adapter in the second direction and extends in the second direction. According to this aspect, the protective member and the adapter can be engaged in the second direction by the member engaging portion.

[0082] (3) In the above embodiment, the member engaging portion may be provided in plurality, and each of the plurality of member engaging portions may engage with the adapter by snap fitting. According to this embodiment, by engaging the plurality of member engaging portions with the adapter by snap fitting, it is possible to reduce the possibility that all of the member engaging portions will unintentionally disengage from the adapter.

[0083] (4) In the above embodiment, the direction in which the engagement of each of the plurality of member engagement portions is released may be different from each other. This embodiment reduces the possibility that all of the engagement portions and the adapter will be unintentionally released from each other even if an external force is applied to the member engagement portions due to an impact such as a drop.

[0084] (5) In the above embodiment, the adapter may have a deformation limiting portion that limits deformation of each of the plurality of member engaging portions by abutting against the member engaging portion within a range of elastic deformation so that the deformation of the member engaging portion falls within the range of elastic deformation. This embodiment reduces the possibility of damage to the member engaging portion.

[0085] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the protective member may be attached to the adapter without having a portion that protrudes outward beyond the adapter. This embodiment reduces the possibility of the protective member being damaged even if the liquid container is dropped or otherwise hits the ground. This further reduces the possibility of the supply member and the adapter being unintentionally disengaged.

[0086] (7) In the above embodiment, the member engaging portion may have an engaging release portion to which an external force is applied by a protrusion of a jig having a protrusion for disengagement. According to this embodiment, the engagement of the member engaging portion can be easily released using the jig. This makes it easier to reuse the protective member.

[0087] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than those described above, such as a method for manufacturing a liquid container or a liquid container set, or a printing system including a printing device and a liquid container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...housing, 13...case, 13M...second case, 13S...first case, 14...case storage section, 15...front cover, 16...cassette, 17...mounting port, 18...ejection tray, 19...operation panel, 20, 20a...liquid container, 21...liquid ejection section, 22...carriage, 29...connection mechanism, 29F...first connection mechanism, 29S...second connection mechanism, 30...handle member, 31...gripping portion, 32...liquid introduction section, 33...rotating shaft, 41...apparatus side electrical connection section, 42... Control device, 43...electrical circuit, 44...block, 45...first positioning portion, 46...second positioning portion, 49...device side positioning portion, 49a...first device side positioning portion, 49b...second device side positioning portion, 50, 50a...structure, 50fa...first surface of adapter, 50fb...second surface of adapter, 50fc...third surface of adapter, 50fd...first surface of structure, 54...identification portion, 57...first guide hole, 59...second guide hole, 60...liquid containing bag, 62...bag body, 62a...one end portion, 62b...other end portion portion, 62fa...first main body surface, 62fb...second main body surface, 70...circuit board, 71...recess, 77...accommodation body side positioning portion, 77a...first accommodation body side positioning portion, 77b...second accommodation body side positioning portion, 120...supply member, 121...liquid supply portion, 122...positioning hole, 123...supply path, 124...engaged portion, 124A...first engaged portion, 124B...second engaged portion, 124C...third engaged portion, 128...connecting portion, 130...adapter, 131...recess, 133...projection, 134...adapter adapter engaging portion, 134A...first adapter engaging portion, 134B...second adapter engaging portion, 134C...third adapter engaging portion, 138...adapter engaged portion, 138A...first adapter engaged portion, 138B...second adapter engaged portion, 138C...third adapter engaged portion, 139...deformation limiting portion, 139A...first deformation limiting portion, 139B...second deformation limiting portion, 139C...third deformation limiting portion, 149...engagement forming portion, 223...introduction portion, 230, 230a...protective member, 232,232a...member main body, 234...member engaging portion, 234A...first member engaging portion, 234B...second member engaging portion, 234C...third member engaging portion, 235...tip portion, 235A...first tip portion, 235B...second tip portion, 235C...third tip portion, 236...disengagement portion, 236A...first disengagement portion, 236B...second disengagement portion, 236C...third disengagement portion, 237...engagement main body portion, 238...engagement surface, 238A...first engagement surface, 238B...second engagement surface, 238C...third engagement surface, 239...regulating wall, 239A...first regulation wall, 239B...second regulation wall, 239C ...third restriction wall, 324...protrusion, 324A...first protrusion, 324B...second protrusion, 324C...third protrusion, 401...device side electrode, 424, 424A to 424C...protrusion, 600...recess, 602...recess, 701...container side electrode, CT...central axis, DN...release direction, DN1...first release direction, DN2...second release direction, DN3...third release direction, DP...disengagement direction, DP1...first disengagement direction, DP2...second disengagement direction, DP3...third disengagement direction, FM...film, VS...virtual space, X...third direction, Y...first direction, Z...second direction

Claims

1. A liquid container, a liquid containing bag having a bag body that contains a liquid and a supply member attached to the bag body that supplies the liquid in the bag body to the outside; an adapter having an adapter engaging portion that engages with the supply member by snap-fitting; a protection member attached to the adapter, the protection member having a restriction wall that restricts movement of the adapter engagement portion at least in the disengagement direction;

2. The liquid container according to claim 1 , the supply member has a central axis along a first direction and a liquid supply portion through which the liquid flows; the adapter and the protection member face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The protection member has a member engagement portion that engages with the adapter in the second direction and extends in the second direction.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, The member engaging portion is provided in plurality, The liquid container, wherein each of the plurality of member engaging portions engages with the adapter by snap-fitting.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3 , The liquid container, wherein the directions in which the engagement of the plurality of member engagement portions is released are different from each other.

5. The liquid container according to claim 3 , The adapter has a deformation limiting portion that limits the deformation of the member engaging portion by abutting against the member engaging portion within the range of elastic deformation so that the deformation of the member engaging portion in each of the plurality of member engaging portions is within the range of elastic deformation.

6. The liquid container according to claim 1 , The protective member is attached to the adapter without having a portion that protrudes outward beyond the adapter.

7. The liquid container according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The liquid container includes an engagement release portion to which an external force is applied by a protrusion of a jig having a protrusion, in order to release the engagement.

Images