Liquid cartridge

Abstract

In a liquid cartridge having a blow-molded body, a means is provided to prevent air from remaining in the area where the two recesses come into contact. [Solution] The ink cartridge 30 comprises a container body 31 having a first cylindrical portion 34, a left wall 42, and a right wall 43. The container body 31 is blow-molded. A portion of the left wall 42 has a first recess 101 that is recessed to the right. A portion of the right wall 43 has a second recess 102 that is recessed to the left. The inner surfaces of the end wall 111 of the first recess 101 and the end wall 121 of the second recess 102 are in contact. The first length L1 along the left-right direction of the outer surfaces of the end walls 111 and 121 is shorter than the second length L2, which is the sum of the left-right length L3 of the left wall 42 and the left-right length L4 of the right wall 43.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge for storing a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink cartridge for storing ink. The ink cartridge includes a container body having a supply port and a storage chamber. The container body has a left wall and a right wall. The left wall has a recess. The right wall has a recess.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ink cartridge of Patent Document 1, the recess on the left wall and the recess on the right wall may be in contact with each other. For example, when the container body is formed by blow molding, there is a possibility that air remains at the contact portion between the recess on the left wall and the recess on the right wall, resulting in the generation of bubbles. If the left wall and the right wall are translucent, the bubbles can be visually recognized from the outside, which is not good for the appearance.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a means in which it is difficult for air to remain at the location where two recesses contact each other in a liquid cartridge provided with a blow-molded body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The liquid cartridge according to the present disclosure comprises a body having a first cylindrical portion opening forward, a left wall, and a right wall. The body is blow-molded. A portion of the left wall has a first recess that is recessed to the right. A portion of the right wall has a second recess that is recessed to the left. The inner surfaces of the first end wall of the first recess and the second end wall of the second recess are in contact. The first length along the left-right direction of the outer surfaces of the first end wall and the outer surfaces of the second end wall is shorter than the second length which is the sum of the left-right length of the left wall and the right wall.

[0007] In blow molding, the first and second end walls are molded by the mold such that the first length is shorter than the second length, making it difficult for air to remain between the first and second end walls.

[0008] (2) The first length may gradually increase from the center of the first and second terminal walls toward the periphery.

[0009] (3) The first length may gradually increase in the vertical direction from the central part of the first and second terminal walls toward the periphery.

[0010] (4) In the first recess, the outer surface of the first side wall continuous with the first end wall and the outer surface of the first end wall may intersect at an obtuse angle.

[0011] The material buildup around the first terminal wall created by blow molding conforms to the inner surface of the first side wall. This prevents the material buildup from bulging out of the first recess within the internal space of the main body.

[0012] (5) In the second recess, the outer surface of the second side wall continuous with the second end wall and the outer surface of the second end wall may intersect at an obtuse angle.

[0013] The material buildup around the second terminal wall created by blow molding conforms to the inner surface of the second side wall. This prevents the material buildup from bulging out of the second recess within the internal space of the main body.

[0014] (6) A portion of the outer surface of one of the first end wall and the second end wall may be a flat surface. The other outer surface of the first end wall and the second end wall may be a curved surface that is concave toward the other outer surface.

[0015] In the blow-molded body, air is less likely to remain between the first and second end walls. Furthermore, the appearance is good when a convex shape is formed on the flat outer surface.

[0016] (7) In the internal space of the main body, the upper, rear, and lower parts of the first end wall and the second end wall may be continuous. The first cylindrical part may be located below the first end wall and the second end wall. The internal space of the first cylindrical part and the internal space of the main body may be continuous. The upper end of the first end wall and the upper end of the second end wall may extend linearly downward as they are directed towards the rear.

[0017] When the liquid stored in the internal space of the main body flows out from the first cylindrical section, the liquid flows backward along the upper ends of the first and second end walls. As a result, it is difficult for liquid to remain above the first and second end walls.

[0018] (8) The internal space of the first cylindrical portion and the internal space of the main body may be discontinuous in front of the first and second end walls.

[0019] (9) The front end of the first terminal wall and the front end of the second terminal wall may constitute a part of the front surface of the main body.

[0020] (10) The main body may further have a second cylindrical portion that opens forward and is located below the first cylindrical portion. The first end wall and the second end wall may be located between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

[0021] (11) The left wall and the right wall may be translucent so that the liquid stored in the internal space can be seen.

[0022] The color and liquid level of the liquid stored in the main body can be visually recognized from the outside.

[0023] (12) The first length may gradually become shorter toward the rear.

[0024] (13) It may further have a valve mechanism located in the internal space of the first cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion may be located below the first end wall and the second end wall. In the internal space of the first cylindrical portion, there may be a space having a length in the left - right direction longer than the second length above the valve mechanism.

[0025] In the internal space of the first cylindrical portion, the remaining part of the parison can flow into the space above the valve mechanism.

[0026] (14) The valve mechanism may have a cylindrical outer shape. In a cross - section along the vertical and horizontal directions, the lower part of the first cylindrical portion may be semi - circular, and the middle part may be linear extending along the vertical direction from both ends of the lower part.

[0027] (15) In the cross - section, the upper part of the first cylindrical portion may be mountain - shaped extending from both ends of the middle part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to the present disclosure, in a liquid cartridge provided with a blow - molded main body, it is difficult for air to remain at the location where the two recesses abut.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross - sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 viewed from the front and above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 viewed from the rear and below. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a right side view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a rear view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a left side view of the ink cartridge 30. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the container body 31, seen from the rear and above. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the container body 31, viewed from the front and below. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container body 31. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the XIII-XIII section of the container body 31. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge case 110. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of how this disclosure is concretized, and the embodiments may be modified as appropriate without altering the gist of this disclosure.

[0031] In the following, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge case 110 in a horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity). In this disclosure, forward and backward directions may be collectively referred to as the front-rear direction, upward and downward directions as the up-down direction, and right and left directions as the left-right direction. The explanation is given on the premise that the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are horizontal directions. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction. The state in which the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110 and used is the state in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the installation position in the cartridge case 110. The installation position is the position in which the supply pipe 104 provided in the cartridge case 110 is inserted into the supply port 34A provided in the ink cartridge 30 and connected to each other. In the following, the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 in the state in which the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110 and used is referred to as the "usage position". Unless otherwise specified, the up / down, left / right, and front / back directions in the following explanation are based on the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 in use.

[0032] Furthermore, in the following explanation, "forward" refers to the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the cartridge case 110 in the front-to-back direction. Forward is an example of a one-way direction. Backward refers to the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the cartridge case 110 in the front-to-back direction. Backward is an example of a reverse direction. When explaining that the elements constituting the ink cartridge 30 face a specific direction, the direction in which the elements face is not limited to that specific direction. For example, when "the front faces forward," the front may face both forward and upward.

[0033] The front of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the front view in Figure 7. The rear of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the rear view in Figure 8. The top of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the top view in Figure 5. The bottom of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the bottom view in Figure 6. The left side of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the left side view in Figure 9. The right side of the ink cartridge 30 is the surface shown in the right side view in Figure 4.

[0034] [Overview of Printer 10] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a cartridge case 110, a sub-tank 120, an ink tube 20, a recording head 21, and an ink cartridge 30. The printer 10 is an inkjet recording device that records images by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 21 onto paper based on an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 is, for example, an inkjet printer.

[0035] The printer 10 includes a cartridge case 110. An ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a liquid cartridge. The cartridge case 110 has an opening 106 at its rear end. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 110 facing forward through the opening 106. The ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge case 110 facing backward through the opening 106. The opening 106 is opened and closed by a cover 126.

[0036] Figure 1 shows the state after the ink cartridge 30 has been installed in the cartridge case 110. In other words, Figure 1 shows that the ink cartridge 30 is installed. The orientation of the installed ink cartridge 30 is the orientation for use.

[0037] The ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. The ink may be a liquid containing a colorant such as a pigment, or it may be a processing liquid containing additives for improving image quality instead of a colorant. When the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected via the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 ejects the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 30 from a plurality of nozzles 29. Specifically, the head control board of the recording head 21 selectively applies a drive voltage to a plurality of piezoelectric elements 29A provided corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 29. As a result, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles 29. In other words, the recording head 21 consumes the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 installed in the cartridge case 110.

[0038] The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a platen 26, an output roller pair 27, and an output tray 16. The paper feed roller 23 feeds the paper on the paper feed tray 15 toward the transport path 24. The paper fed toward the transport path 24 reaches the transport roller pair 25. The transport roller pair 25 transports the paper that has reached the transport roller pair 25 toward the platen 26. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto the paper as it passes over the platen 26. This records an image on the paper. The paper that has passed over the platen 26 reaches the output roller pair 27. The output roller pair 27 ejects the paper that has reached the output roller pair 27 to the output tray 16 located at the downstream end of the transport path 24.

[0039] [Cartridge Case 110] As shown in Figures 1 and 14, the cartridge case 110 comprises a case body 103, a supply pipe 104, a rod 105, a sub-tank 120, a contact 125, and a locking part 139. The case body 103 is box-shaped. The case body 103 has an internal space in which the ink cartridge 30 is installed. The case body 103 has a rear end that defines the front end in the orientation in which the ink cartridge 30 is installed when it is installed in the internal space, a left wall that defines the left end of the internal space, a right wall that defines the right end of the internal space, and a bottom wall. The case body 103 has an opening 106 at its rear end. As shown in Figure 1, when the user opens the cover 126 when using the printer 10, the opening 106 is exposed.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 14, the supply pipe 104 is located below the internal space of the case body 103. The supply pipe 104 is a hollow cylindrical tube. The supply pipe 104 extends in the front-to-back direction from the sub-tank 120 towards the internal space of the case body 103. The tip of the supply pipe 104 is open. The tip of the supply pipe 104 is located in the internal space of the case body 103. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, a valve 104A is located in the internal space of the supply pipe 104. The valve 104A opens and closes the opening 207 of the supply pipe 104. The supply pipe 104 is connected to the supply port 34A of the ink cartridge 30.

[0041] The front end of the supply pipe 104 is connected to the sub-tank 120. The sub-tank 120 has a space for storing ink supplied from the ink cartridge 30 through the supply pipe 104. The internal space of the sub-tank 120 is open to the atmosphere at its top, communicating with the outside. The ink in the sub-tank 120 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

[0042] Rod 105 is located above the supply pipe 104. Rod 105 protrudes rearward from its end surface. Rod 105 is connected to the upper valve mechanism 11 of the ink cartridge 30.

[0043] A contact 125 is located on the upper inner surface of the case body 103. The contact 125 is electrically connected to the IC board 60 of the ink cartridge 30. Through the contact 125, the control unit of the printer 10 reads information stored on the IC board 60 of the ink cartridge 30 and records information on the IC board 60.

[0044] The locking portion 139 is located at the rear end of the upper wall of the cartridge case 110. The locking portion 139 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction. The locking portion 139 contacts the locking surface 87 of the ink cartridge 30 that is installed in the cartridge case 110.

[0045] [Ink Cartridge 30] The ink cartridge 30 is a container in which liquid ink is stored. As shown in Figures 2 to 9, the ink cartridge 30 includes a container body 31, an upper valve mechanism 11, a lower valve mechanism 12, a front cover 32, an upper cover 33, and an IC board 60. The container body 31 is an example of the main body. The lower valve mechanism 12 is an example of a valve mechanism. The front cover 32 is located in front of the container body 31. The upper cover 33 is located above the container body 31. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward with the upper cover 33 facing upward and the front cover 32 facing the cartridge case 110.

[0046] The upper cover 33 engages with the container body 31 at the upper wall 44 and the sub-lower surface 31L of the container body 31. The upper cover 33 has an upper part 81 that covers the upper surface of the container body 31, a left part 82 that covers the front half of the left wall 42, and a right part 83 that covers the front half of the right wall 43.

[0047] A locking mechanism 78 is located on the upper part 81. The locking mechanism 78 protrudes upward from the upper surface 84 of the upper part 81. The locking mechanism 78 is located above the supply port 34A. The upper end of the locking mechanism 78 is located above the upper surface of the electrodes 61 of the IC substrate 60. The locking mechanism 78 is located in front of the operating surface 68.

[0048] The locking portion 78 is plate-shaped. The locking portion 78 has an upper surface 85, an upper end surface 86, and a locking surface 87. The upper end surface 86 is flat. The upper end surface 86 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to face upward and forward. The upper end of the locking surface 87 is continuous with the rear end of the upper end surface 86. The locking surface 87 is a flat surface facing backward. The upper surface 85 is located towards the rear from the lower end of the locking surface 87. When the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110, the locking surface 87 and the upper surface 85 of the upper part 81 come into contact with the locking portion 78 of the cartridge case 110.

[0049] The upper part 81 has an operating surface 68. The operating surface 68 is an inclined surface that slopes upward and backward. The operating surface 68 has a plurality of protrusions 69 that project upward and extend along the left-right direction. The protrusions 69 extend downward from both ends of the operating surface 68 in the left-right direction. The protrusions 69 function as an anti-slip surface when the user operates the operating surface 68. As an anti-slip structure, instead of the protrusions 69, there may be, for example, recesses that are recessed downward from the operating surface 68.

[0050] The left portion 82 has two protrusions 52. The right portion 83 has two protrusions 52. In the left portion 82, the two protrusions 52 are separated vertically. In the right portion 83, the two protrusions 52 are separated vertically. The protrusions 52 are rectangular in side view. The protrusions 52 enter the through holes 76 of the front cover 32.

[0051] The front cover 32 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, shorter in both the vertical and front-to-back directions than the container body 31. The front cover 32 is a box shape with an opening facing the rear. The front cover 32 is attached to the upper cover 33. The front cover 32 generally covers the upper front wall 40U of the container body 31, and a portion of the left side 82 and a portion of the right side 83 of the upper cover 33.

[0052] The front cover 32 has a front wall 53, a left wall 54 extending rearward from the left end of the front wall 53, a right wall 55 facing the left wall 54 in the left-right direction, an upper wall 56 extending rearward from the upper end of the front wall 53, and a lower wall 57 facing the upper wall 56 in the up-down direction. The front wall 53, left wall 54, right wall 55, upper wall 56, and lower wall 57 partition the internal space of the front cover 32. The rear ends of the front wall 53, left wall 54, right wall 55, upper wall 56, and lower wall 57 partition the opening of the front cover 32.

[0053] Note that the front wall 53 is part of the front wall of the ink cartridge 30. The left wall 54 is part of the left wall of the ink cartridge 30. The right wall 55 is part of the right wall of the ink cartridge 30. The top wall 56 is part of the top wall of the ink cartridge 30. The bottom wall 57 is part of the bottom wall of the ink cartridge 30.

[0054] The vertical length of the front cover 32 is smaller than the vertical length of the container body 31. The front-to-back length of the front cover 32 is smaller than the front-to-back length of the container body 31. The left-to-right length of the front cover 32 is slightly larger than the left-to-right distance between the outer surfaces of the left part 82 and the right part 83 of the upper cover 33.

[0055] The left wall 54 has two through holes 76 that are spaced apart vertically. The right wall 55 also has two through holes 76 that are spaced apart vertically. The protrusions 52 of the container body 31 are located in the through holes 76. The through holes 76 are rectangular. Specifically, the vertical length of each through hole 76 is greater than the front-to-back length. The through holes 76 are sufficiently larger than the outer shape of the protrusions 52. That is, the vertical length of each through hole 76 is greater than the vertical length of each protrusion 52. The front-to-back length of the through holes 76 is greater than the front-to-back length of the protrusions 52.

[0056] The container body 31 and the front cover 32 are assembled by the protrusions 52 each entering the through holes 76. Since the through holes 76 are larger than the outer diameter of the protrusions 52, when the container body 31 and the front cover 32 are assembled, the front cover 32 is able to move relative to the container body 31 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Since the through holes 76 are sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the protrusions 52, the relative movement of the front cover 32 to the container body 31 is possible not only in the vertical and horizontal directions, but also in the direction in which the front cover 32 rotates relative to the container body 31.

[0057] When the front cover 32 is attached to the container body 31, it covers the upper front wall 40U of the container body 31. The front wall 53 of the front cover 32 is located in front of the supply port 34A. The supply port 34A is located below the lower wall 57 of the front cover 32.

[0058] An IC substrate 60 is located on the upper wall 56 of the front cover 32. The IC substrate 60 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The IC substrate 60 is located above the supply port 34A. The IC substrate 60 is a substrate made of, for example, silicone or glass epoxy, on which an IC and three electrodes 61 are mounted. Note that the IC is not shown in each figure. The three electrodes 61 are facing upwards. Note that the IC substrate 60 may be a flexible substrate.

[0059] The IC substrate 60 is bonded to the upper wall 56 of the front cover 32, for example, with a photocurable resin. Alternatively, the IC substrate 60 may be bonded to the front cover 32 with an adhesive other than a photocurable resin, or it may be attached to the front cover 32 by means other than bonding, such as fitting.

[0060] The electrodes 61 of the IC board 60 come into contact with the contact 125 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge case 110. Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110, the IC board 60 comes into contact with the contact 125 and becomes electrically conductive.

[0061] The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit. Information about the ink cartridge 30 is stored in the IC in a readable format. This information includes data such as the lot number, manufacturing date, and ink color. Multiple electrodes are arranged on the upper surface of the IC substrate 60, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The electrodes are electrically accessible and exposed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 60.

[0062] The lower surface 70, which is the outer surface of the lower wall 57 of the front cover 32, is located above and in front of the supply port 34A. The lower surface 70 is a plane that extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 53 and is inclined to extend downward as it moves towards the rear.

[0063] The front cover 32 has walls 71 extending downward from both the left and right ends of the lower surface 70. One wall 71 and the other wall 71 are located apart in the left and right direction. The walls 71 are plate-like members that extend in the vertical and front-to-back directions and have thickness in the left-to-right direction. The length of the wall 71 in the front-to-back direction is greater than the length of the wall 71 in the left-to-right direction and the length in the vertical direction. The length of the wall 71 in the vertical direction is greater than the length in the left-to-right direction.

[0064] The rear ends of the two walls 71 extend forward from the sub-front wall 88. The sub-front wall 88 extends downward from the rear end of the bottom surface 70. The sub-front wall 88 is a plate-like member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has thickness in the front-to-back direction. The length of the sub-front wall 88 in the horizontal direction is greater than its length in the vertical direction. The outer surface of the sub-front wall 88 that faces forward is part of the front surface of the front cover 32.

[0065] A groove 74 extending in the front-to-back direction is located on the left wall 54 of the front cover 32, above the wall 71. A groove 74 extending in the front-to-back direction is located on the right wall 55 of the front cover 32, above the wall 71. The groove 74 has its longitudinal direction in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the groove 74 is open in the front wall 53 of the front cover 32. The ribs of the cartridge case 110 enter the groove 74. This positions the front cover 32 in the vertical direction.

[0066] The front wall 53 of the front cover 32 has a through hole 90. The second cylindrical portion 50 of the container body 31 is exposed to the outside through the through hole 90. The front end of the through hole 90 is located in front of the supply port 34A of the first cylindrical portion 34.

[0067] The lower surface 70 of the front cover 32 has a key portion 77. The key portion 77 is located above the supply port 34A and below the upper surface of the electrodes 61 of the IC substrate 60. The front end of the key portion 77 is in front of the front end of the electrodes 61. The key portion 77 is located below the through hole 90. In other words, the atmospheric communication port 50A defined by the front end of the atmospheric communication portion 502 is located between the key portion 77 and the electrodes 61 in the vertical direction. The key portion 77 is located in front of the ink cartridge 30.

[0068] The key section 77 is located between the left-right sides of the pair of walls 71 and extends downward from the bottom surface 70. The rear end of the wall 71 connects to the sub-front wall 88. The key section 77 is assigned to each slot of the cartridge case 110 according to the characteristics of each ink cartridge 30. The mechanical properties of the key section 77, such as its arrangement and shape, differ. The left-right position of the key section 77 differs according to the characteristics of the ink stored in the storage chamber 46. These characteristics include, for example, the color and composition of the ink.

[0069] The front cover 32 has a key portion 79. The key portion 79 is defined by a combination of two or more of four members: a recess in the left wall 54 of the front cover 32, a recess in the right wall 55, a protrusion projecting to the left from the left wall 54, and a protrusion projecting to the right from the right wall 55. In this embodiment, the key portion 79 has a recess in the left wall 54 of the front cover 32 and one protrusion, and a recess in the right wall 55 and two protrusions. The key portion 79 is located above the key portion 77 and below the upper surface of the electrodes 61 of the IC substrate 60. The key portion 79 is located below the through hole 90. The key portion 79 is located at both ends in the left-right direction of the upper front surface 75U. The front end of the key portion 79 opens forward on the upper front surface 75U of the front cover 32.

[0070] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the container body 31 is a thin, flat cube shape in which the length in the left-right direction is smaller than the length in the up-down direction and the length in the front-back direction. The container body 31 has a first cylindrical section 34, a second cylindrical section 50, a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a left wall 42, a right wall 43, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 45, a first recess 101, and a second recess 102. The first cylindrical section 34 is an example of a cylindrical section.

[0071] The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 face each other in the front-to-back direction. The left wall 42 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The right wall 43 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The left wall 42 and the right wall 43 face each other in the left-to-right direction. The upper wall 44 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The lower wall 45 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The upper wall 44 and the lower wall 45 face each other in the up-and-down direction.

[0072] The front wall 40, rear wall 41, left wall 42, right wall 43, upper wall 44, and lower wall 45 partition the storage chamber 46 of the internal space of the container body 31. The front wall 40, rear wall 41, left wall 42, right wall 43, upper wall 44, and lower wall 45 are translucent enough that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 46 can be seen from the outside. The container body 31 is, for example, a one-piece molded product made of synthetic resin. The container body 31 is a molded product made by blow molding.

[0073] The front wall 40 has an upper front wall 40U located above and a lower front wall 40L located below. The upper front wall 40U is located further forward in the front-rear direction than the lower front wall 40L. The space behind the upper front wall 40U in the front-rear direction is also part of the storage chamber 46. The lower front wall 40L is continuous with the first cylindrical section 34. The upper front wall 40U and the lower front wall 40L are connected by a sub-lower surface 31L. The sub-lower surface 31L extends along the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0074] The lower wall 45 of the container body 31 has a first lower wall 45A and a second lower wall 45B. The front end of the first lower wall 45A is continuous with the lower end of the front wall 40. The rear end of the first lower wall 45A is continuous with the second lower wall 45B. The first lower wall 45A includes a portion of the surface of the first cylindrical portion 34.

[0075] The second lower wall 45B is continuous with the lower end of the rear wall 41. The second lower wall 45B is an inclined wall that is tilted in the front-rear direction. The second lower wall 45B is tilted in the front-rear and up-down directions such that its upper end is located behind and above its lower end. The front end of the second lower wall 45B is continuous with the front end of the first lower wall 45A.

[0076] The left wall 42 has a front left wall 42F located forward in the front-rear direction and a rear left wall 42R located backward. The right wall 43 has a front right wall 43F located forward in the front-rear direction and a rear right wall 43R located backward. The front left wall 42F and the front right wall 43F are continuous with the upper front wall 40U. The rear left wall 42R and the rear right wall 43R are continuous with the rear wall 41. The space between the front left wall 42F and the front right wall 43F is part of the storage chamber 46. The lateral distance between the outer surface of the front left wall 42F and the outer surface of the front right wall 43F is smaller than the lateral distance between the outer surface of the rear left wall 42R and the outer surface of the rear right wall 43R.

[0077] The first cylindrical portion 34 is a cylindrical member that extends along the front-rear direction. The first cylindrical portion 34 has an outer peripheral surface that extends rearward from the supply port 34A. The outer peripheral surface is a curved surface that curves in the circumferential direction with the front-rear direction as the axis. The first cylindrical portion 34 is located at the lower end of the container body 31. A part of the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 constitutes the lower surface of the container body 31. The first cylindrical portion 34 has a supply port 34A through which ink flows out. The supply port 34A opens forward in the front-rear direction. The supply port 34A is circular when viewed from the front.

[0078] The first cylindrical section 34 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The first cylindrical section 34 has an internal space. The internal space of the first cylindrical section 34 communicates with the supply port 34A at the front in the front-rear direction. The internal space of the first cylindrical section 34 communicates with the storage chamber 46 at the rear in the front-rear direction.

[0079] As shown in Figure 14, the lower support member 13 is housed in the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 34. The lower support member 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the front-rear direction. At least a portion of the lower valve mechanism 12 is housed in the internal space of the lower support member 13. The lower valve mechanism 12 has a sealing member 35, a valve 36, a coil spring 37, and a cap 39. The outer shape of the lower support member 13 is the outer shape of the valve mechanism. The outer shape of the valve mechanism is cylindrical.

[0080] The sealing member 35 is an annular member made of an elastic material, such as rubber, and has a circular through hole 19 aligned in the front-rear direction. The sealing member 35 is located in the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 34. The sealing member 35 is in close contact with the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 slightly behind the supply port 34A.

[0081] The valve 36 is located in the internal space of the lower support member 13. The valve 36 is movable along the front-rear direction within the internal space of the lower support member 13. The supply port 34A is sealed when the valve 36 comes into contact with the sealing member 35.

[0082] The coil spring 37 biases the valve 36 toward the sealing member 35. The cap 39 is attached to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 around the supply port 34A. The cap 39 is bonded to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 with adhesive. Alternatively, the cap 39 may be fixed to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 by welding.

[0083] The cap 39 is roughly conical in shape. The cap 39 has a through hole that runs through it in the front-to-back direction. The supply tube 104 of the cartridge case 110 enters the through hole in the cap 39. The supply tube 104 pushes the valve 36 backward against the biasing force of the coil spring 37. As a result, the valve 36 moves backward from the closed position to the open position. When the valve 36 is in the open position, the internal space of the lower support member 13 and the internal space of the supply tube 104 are in communication. As a result, the ink in the storage chamber 46 flows into the internal space of the supply tube 104 through the internal space of the lower support member 13. The sealing member 35 is in liquid-tight contact with the outer surface of the supply tube 104.

[0084] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the second cylindrical portion 50 is a cylindrical member extending along the front-rear direction. The second cylindrical portion 50 has an outer peripheral surface extending rearward from the atmospheric communication port 50A. The outer peripheral surface is a curved surface that curves in the circumferential direction with the front-rear direction as the axis. The second cylindrical portion 50 is located at the upper end of the container body 31. A part of the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 50 constitutes the upper surface of the container body 31. The second cylindrical portion 50 has an atmospheric communication port 50A through which air flows. The atmospheric communication port 50A opens forward in the front-rear direction. The atmospheric communication port 50A is circular when viewed from the front.

[0085] The second cylindrical section 50 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The second cylindrical section 50 has an internal space. The internal space of the second cylindrical section 50 communicates with the atmospheric communication port 50A at the front in the front-rear direction. The internal space of the second cylindrical section 50 communicates with the storage chamber 46 at the rear in the front-rear direction.

[0086] As shown in Figure 14, the upper support member 38 is located in the internal space of the second cylindrical portion 50. The upper support member 38 is in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 50. The upper valve mechanism 11 is located in the internal space of the upper support member 38. The upper valve mechanism 11 includes a valve 58 and a coil spring 59.

[0087] The valve 58 is located in the internal space of the upper support member 38. The valve 58 has a cylindrical portion that protrudes forward. The outer shape of the valve 58 other than the cylindrical portion is disc-shaped.

[0088] The coil spring 59 is located in the internal space of the upper support member 38. The coil spring 59 biases the valve 58 forward. The rear end of the coil spring 59 is supported by the inner circumferential surface of the upper support member 38. As a result, the valve 58 is pressed against the rear end of the valve seat 51. Consequently, the atmospheric communication port 50A is sealed. When the rod 105 contacts the cylindrical portion of the valve 58, the valve 58 moves backward against the biasing force of the coil spring 59. This opens the atmospheric communication port 50A, allowing air to flow between the outside and the storage chamber 46.

[0089] The left wall 42 of the container body 31 has a first recess 101 that is partially recessed to the right. The right wall 43 of the container body 31 has a second recess 102 that is partially recessed to the left. The first recess 101 and the second recess 102 are generally symmetrical in shape with respect to the left-right center of the container body 31.

[0090] The first recess 101 is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the vertical direction. The front end of the first recess 101 reaches the front wall 40 of the container body 31. The front end of the first recess 101 forms part of the front surface of the container body 31. The rear end of the first recess 101 is located in front of the rear wall 41. The upper end of the first recess 101 is located below the upper wall 44. The upper end of the first recess 101 is located below the second cylindrical portion 50. The lower end of the first recess 101 is located above the lower wall 45.

[0091] The first recess 101 has a terminal wall 111, a side wall 112, a side wall 113, and a side wall 114. The terminal wall 111 has an outer surface that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions. The terminal wall 111 is located between the first cylindrical portion 34 and the second cylindrical portion 50 in the vertical direction. The first cylindrical portion 34 is located below the terminal wall 111. The terminal wall 111 is an example of a first terminal wall. The side wall 114 is an example of a first side wall.

[0092] The side wall 112 is located above the terminal wall 111. The terminal wall 111 and the side wall 112 are continuous. The side wall 112 partitions the storage chamber 46.

[0093] The side wall 113 is located behind the terminal wall 111. The terminal wall 111 and the side wall 113 are continuous. The side wall 113 is continuous with the side wall 112. The outer surface of the side wall 113 is an inclined surface that slopes to the left as it approaches the rear. The outer surface of the side wall 113 intersects the outer surface of the terminal wall 111 at an obtuse angle. The side wall 113 partitions the storage chamber 46.

[0094] The side wall 114 is located below the end wall 111. The end wall 111 and the side wall 114 are continuous. The side wall 114 is continuous with the side wall 113. The outer surface of the side wall 114 is an inclined surface that slopes to the right as it goes upwards. The outer surface of the side wall 114 intersects the outer surface of the end wall 111 at an obtuse angle. The side wall 114 partitions the storage chamber 46. The side wall 114 partitions the internal space of the first cylindrical section 34.

[0095] The second recess 102 is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the vertical direction. The front end of the second recess 102 reaches the front wall 40 of the container body 31. The front end of the second recess 102 forms part of the front surface of the container body 31. The rear end of the second recess 102 is located in front of the rear wall 41. The upper end of the second recess 102 is located below the upper wall 44. The upper end of the second recess 102 is located below the second cylindrical portion 50. The lower end of the second recess 102 is located above the lower wall 45.

[0096] The second recess 102 has a terminal wall 121, a side wall 122, a side wall 123, and a side wall 124. The terminal wall 121 has an outer surface that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions. The terminal wall 121 is located between the first cylindrical portion 34 and the second cylindrical portion 50 in the vertical direction. The first cylindrical portion 34 is located below the terminal wall 121. The terminal wall 121 is an example of a second terminal wall. The side wall 124 is an example of a second side wall.

[0097] The side wall 122 is located above the terminal wall 121. The terminal wall 121 and the side wall 122 are continuous. The side wall 122 partitions the storage chamber 46.

[0098] The side wall 123 is located behind the terminal wall 121. The terminal wall 121 and the side wall 123 are continuous. The side wall 123 is continuous with the side wall 122. The outer surface of the side wall 123 is an inclined surface that slopes to the right as it extends towards the rear. The outer surface of the side wall 123 intersects the outer surface of the terminal wall 121 at an obtuse angle. The side wall 123 partitions the storage chamber 46.

[0099] The side wall 124 is located below the end wall 121. The end wall 121 and the side wall 124 are continuous. The side wall 124 is continuous with the side wall 123. The outer surface of the side wall 124 is an inclined surface that slopes to the left as it goes upwards. The outer surface of the side wall 124 intersects the outer surface of the end wall 121 at an obtuse angle. The side wall 124 partitions the storage chamber 46. The side wall 124 partitions the internal space of the first cylindrical section 34.

[0100] As shown in Figure 13, the inner surfaces of the end wall 111 of the first recess 101 and the end wall 121 of the second recess 102 are in contact and form a single unit. The outer surface of the end wall 111 is flat. The outer surface of the end wall 121 is a curved surface that is concave toward the outer surface of the end wall 111. The outer surface of the end wall 121 is most concave in the center in the vertical direction, and gradually curves toward the upper and lower ends, moving away from the outer surface of the end wall 111.

[0101] As shown in Figure 12, in the storage chamber 46, which is the internal space of the container body 31, the upper, rear, and lower parts of the end walls 111 and 121 are continuous. The storage chamber 46 is continuous with the internal space of the first cylindrical section 34. The internal space of the first cylindrical section 34 and the storage chamber 46 are discontinuous in front of the end walls 111 and 121. The upper ends 111U of the end wall 111 and 121U of the end wall 121 extend linearly downward as they move towards the rear. In this embodiment, the upper ends 111U and 121U do not extend on a single imaginary straight line, but there is a step in between, although the step may or may not be present.

[0102] As shown in Figure 13, the first cylindrical portion 34 has a lower portion 34L, an intermediate portion 34M, and an upper portion 34U in a cross-section along the vertical and horizontal directions. The lower portion 34L is semicircular in shape. The intermediate portion 34M is a straight line extending vertically from both ends of the lower portion 34L. The upper portion 34U is a V-shape extending from both ends of the intermediate portion 34M. In the upper portion 34U of the internal space of the first cylindrical portion, there is a space 34B above the lower valve mechanism 12.

[0103] The first length L1 along the left-right direction of the outer surfaces of the end wall 111 and the end wall 121 is shorter than the second length L2, which is the sum of the left-right length L3 of the left wall 42 and the left-right length L4 of the right wall 43.

[0104] The first length L1 gradually increases from the central part of the terminal walls 111 and 121 towards the periphery in the vertical direction. The first length L1 gradually decreases towards the rear. In other words, the first length L1 is not constant in the terminal walls 111 and 121. The maximum first length L1 in the terminal walls 111 and 121 is shorter than the second length L2.

[0105] The length L5 in the left-right direction of the space 34B of the first cylindrical portion 34 has a region that is longer than the second length L2.

[0106] [Effects of the Embodiment] In the ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment described above, the first length L1 is shorter than the second length L2. In blow molding, the end walls 111 and 121 are molded by the mold so that the first length L1 is shorter than the second length L2. Specifically, in blow molding, when the parison is sandwiched in the mold, the parison is compressed by the mold so that the portions corresponding to the end walls 111 and 121 become thinner than the thickness of the parison. As a result, it is difficult for air to remain between the end walls 111 and 121.

[0107] In the first recess 101, the outer surface of the side wall 114, which is continuous with the end wall 111, and the outer surface of the end wall 111 intersect at an obtuse angle. As a result, the material buildup generated around the end wall 111 by blow molding follows the inner surface of the side wall 114. This makes it difficult for the material buildup to bulge outward from the side wall 114 of the first recess 101 within the internal space of the container body 31. Consequently, space for the lower valve mechanism 12 to be positioned is secured in the first cylindrical portion 34. Furthermore, the material buildup does not interfere with the installation of the lower valve mechanism 12. Also, in the second recess 102, the outer surface of the side wall 124, which is continuous with the end wall 121, and the outer surface of the end wall 121 intersect at an obtuse angle, thus achieving the same effects as described above.

[0108] Since a portion of the outer surface of the end wall 111 is flat, the appearance is good when a raised shape such as a logo is molded onto it. The outer surface of the end wall 121 is a curved surface that is concave toward the outer surface of the end wall 111, so air is less likely to remain between the end wall 111 and the end wall 121 in the blow-molded container body 31. The same effect is achieved even if the end wall 111 is curved and the end wall 121 is flat.

[0109] The storage chamber 46 of the container body 31 is continuous above, behind, and below the end walls 111 and 121. The storage chamber 46 is also continuous with the internal space of the first cylindrical section 34. The upper ends 111U of the end wall 111 and 121U of the end wall 121 extend linearly downward as they are directed towards the rear. When the liquid stored in the storage chamber 46 of the container body 31 flows out from the first cylindrical section 34, the liquid flows backward along the upper ends 111U of the end wall 111 and 121U of the end wall 121. As a result, it is difficult for liquid to remain in the storage chamber 46 above the end walls 111 and 121.

[0110] The left wall 42 and the right wall 43 of the container body 31 are translucent, allowing the liquid stored in the storage chamber 46 to be seen, so that the user can see the color and level of the liquid stored in the container body 31 from the outside.

[0111] Within the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 34, there is a space 34B above the lower valve mechanism 12, in which the length L5 in the left-right direction is longer than the second length L2. This allows the remaining parison to flow into the space 34B of the first cylindrical portion 34 during blow molding. As a result, space for the lower valve mechanism 12 to be positioned is secured in the first cylindrical portion 34. Furthermore, the material buildup does not interfere with the installation of the lower valve mechanism 12.

[0112] [Differentiation] In the embodiment described above, the first length L1 gradually increases in the vertical direction from the center of the end walls 111 and 121 towards the periphery, but is not limited to this. For example, it may gradually increase in the front-to-back direction rather than the vertical direction, from the center of the end walls 111 and 121 towards the periphery.

[0113] Furthermore, in the first recess 101, the outer surface of the end wall 111 and the outer surface of the side wall 114 intersect at an obtuse angle, but they may also intersect at a right angle. Similarly, in the second recess 102, the outer surface of the end wall 121 and the outer surface of the side wall 124 may intersect at a right angle.

[0114] Furthermore, although the outer surface of the end wall 121 was curved, the outer surface of the end wall 111 may be flat, and the outer surface of the end wall 121 may also be flat. In this case, the first length may be uniform in both the end wall 111 and the end wall 121.

[0115] Furthermore, the upper end 111U of the end wall 111 and the upper end 121U of the end wall 121 may be aligned in the front-to-back direction.

[0116] Furthermore, the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 34 and the storage chamber 46 of the container body 31 may be continuous in front of the end walls 111 and 121. In this case, the front ends of the end wall 111 and 121 do not constitute part of the front surface of the container body 31.

[0117] Furthermore, the end walls 111 and 121 may partially or completely overlap with the first cylindrical portion 34 in the vertical direction. Also, the end walls 111 and 121 may partially or completely overlap with the second cylindrical portion 50 in the vertical direction.

[0118] Furthermore, the container body 31 does not need to be translucent.

[0119] Furthermore, in the first cylindrical portion 34, there may be no space 34B above the lower valve mechanism 12. In this case, the cross-section of the first cylindrical portion 34 may be circular.

[0120] Furthermore, the upper valve mechanism 11 may be omitted. In this case, the atmospheric communication port 50A of the second cylindrical portion 50 may be closed by a semipermeable membrane that blocks the passage of ink but allows the passage of air.

[0121] In the embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 30 included a container body 31, a front cover 32, and an upper cover 33. Alternatively, the front cover 32 or the upper cover 33 may be omitted. Furthermore, both the front cover 32 and the upper cover 33 may be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0122] 12. Lower valve mechanism (valve mechanism) 30... Ink cartridges (liquid cartridges) 31. Container body (main body) 34...First cylinder part 34A...Space 34L...lower part 34M...middle part 34U...Upper part 42...Left wall 43...Right wall 50...Second cylinder part 101...First recess 102...Second recess 111... Final Wall (First Final Wall) 111U...Top end 114... Side wall (first side wall) 121...The Final Wall (Second Final Wall) 121U···Top 124···Side wall (2nd side wall)

Claims

1. It comprises a main body having a first cylindrical section opening forward, a left wall, and a right wall. The above body is made by blow molding, A portion of the left wall mentioned above has a first recess that extends to the right. The right wall mentioned above has a second recess that is recessed to the left, The inner surfaces of the first end wall of the first recess and the second end wall of the second recess are in contact. A liquid cartridge in which the first length along the left-right direction of the outer surface of the first end wall and the outer surface of the second end wall is shorter than the second length which is the sum of the length of the left wall along the left-right direction and the length of the right wall along the left-right direction.

2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first length gradually increases from the center of the first and second terminal walls toward the periphery.

3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first length gradually increases in the vertical direction from the central part of the first end wall and the second end wall toward the periphery.

4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in the first recess, the outer surface of the first side wall continuous with the first end wall and the outer surface of the first end wall intersect at an obtuse angle.

5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in the second recess, the outer surface of the second side wall continuous with the second end wall and the outer surface of the second end wall intersect at an obtuse angle.

6. A portion of the outer surface of one of the first and second end walls is planar. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the other outer surface of the first end wall and the second end wall is a curved surface that is concave toward the other outer surface.

7. In the internal space of the main body described above, the upper, rear, and lower parts of the first and second terminal walls are continuous. The first cylindrical portion is located below the first terminal wall and the second terminal wall. The internal space of the first cylindrical section and the internal space of the main body are continuous. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the first terminal wall and the upper end of the second terminal wall extend linearly downward as they are directed towards the rear.

8. The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the internal space of the first cylindrical portion and the internal space of the main body are discontinuous in front of the first and second terminal walls.

9. The liquid cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the front end of the first terminal wall and the front end of the second terminal wall constitute a part of the front surface of the main body.

10. The above-mentioned main body has a second cylindrical section that opens forward and is located below the first cylindrical section. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal wall and the second terminal wall are located between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

11. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the left wall and the right wall described above are translucent, allowing the liquid stored in the internal space to be seen.

12. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the above-mentioned first length gradually decreases towards the rear.

13. It further has a valve mechanism located in the internal space of the first cylindrical section described above. The first cylindrical portion is located below the first and second terminal walls. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the internal space of the first cylindrical portion has a space above the valve mechanism in which the length in the left-right direction is longer than the second length.

14. The valve mechanism described above has a cylindrical outer shape. The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the first cylindrical portion has a semicircular shape in its cross-section along the vertical and horizontal directions, and the intermediate portion has a linear shape extending vertically from both ends of the lower portion.

15. The liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the first cylindrical portion has a mountain-like shape in the cross-section, with the upper portion extending from both ends of the intermediate portion.

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