Liquid storage container

Abstract

To solve a problem that flexibility of installation of a liquid storage container may be reduced.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container is detachably attached to a liquid consuming device and supplies a liquid to the liquid consuming device. The liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage part having a flexible storage body in which the liquid is stored and a connection body attached to the storage body and having a supply part which supplies the liquid in the storage body to the liquid consuming device; and a liquid housing box which houses the liquid storage part. The liquid storage box has two or more opening formation parts formed at different positions to expose the supply part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a liquid storage container for supplying liquid to a printer, there is a liquid storage container in the form of a flexible liquid storage bag that contains liquid and is housed in a cardboard box (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2011-519795 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the liquid storage container disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spout of the liquid storage bag is fixed to a predetermined position on one surface of the cardboard box, which may reduce the degree of freedom in installing the liquid storage container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container that is detachably attached to a liquid consumption device and supplies liquid to the liquid consumption device, the liquid storage container comprising a liquid storage section having a flexible storage body for storing liquid and a connector attached to the storage body and having a supply section for supplying the liquid in the storage body to the liquid consumption device, and a liquid storage box for storing the liquid storage section, the liquid storage box having two or more opening forming sections formed at different positions for exposing the supply section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid consumption system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container placed vertically. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container before an opening is formed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a liquid consumption system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a liquid storage portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container in a vertical position according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A: First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid consumption system 1 as a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, three spatial axes, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, are drawn, which are orthogonal to each other. The direction along the X axis is defined as the X axis direction, the direction along the Y axis is defined as the Y axis direction, and the direction along the Z axis is defined as the Z axis direction. In a mounted state in which a liquid storage container 30, which will be described later, is mounted on the mounting portion 20, the gravity direction is defined as the -Z axis direction, and the antigravity direction is defined as the +Z axis direction. In addition, in the mounted state, one direction in the X axis direction is defined as the +X axis direction, and the other direction in the X axis direction is defined as the -X axis direction. In the mounted state, the liquid consumption system 1 is installed on an XY plane parallel to the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In other figures described below, the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis in the mounted state are also added as necessary.

[0008] The liquid consuming system 1 includes a liquid consuming device 10, eight liquid storage containers 30, a main shelf 19, and a sub shelf 18. The liquid consuming device 10 is an inkjet textile printing machine that performs printing by spraying ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as fabric. Note that in another embodiment, the liquid consuming device 10 may be a printer that performs printing by spraying ink onto paper.

[0009] The liquid storage containers 30 are detachably attached to the liquid consumption device 10 and supply ink to the liquid consumption device 10. The eight liquid storage containers 30 each store a different color of ink. The stored ink colors are, for example, eight colors: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), red (R), blue (B), orange (O), and gray (LK). Note that in other embodiments, the number of liquid storage containers 30 may be less than eight or more than eight. The ink may be dye ink or pigment ink.

[0010] The main shelf 19 is disposed outside the liquid consumption apparatus 10, and holds eight liquid storage containers 30. The main shelf 19 has a two-tier configuration, with four liquid storage containers 30 held on each of the upper and lower tiers. The sub shelf 18 holds eight sub-tanks 18a. The eight sub-tanks 18a are provided corresponding to the eight liquid storage containers 30.

[0011] The liquid consuming device 10 has an outer shell 12, a liquid consuming section 14, a control section 16, eight first tubes 98, eight mounting sections 20, eight suction sections 18b, and eight second tubes 99. The outer shape of the outer shell 12 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The outer shell 12 forms the outer surface of the liquid consuming device 10. The liquid consuming section 14 and the control section 16 are housed inside the outer shell 12.

[0012] The first tube 98 is flexible. One end of the first tube 98 is connected to the mounting portion 20, and the other end is connected to the sub-tank 18a via the suction portion 18b. The suction portion 18b includes, for example, a pump. The ink contained in the liquid storage container 30 is supplied to the corresponding sub-tank 18a through the first tube 98 by the suction portion 18b.

[0013] The liquid consumption unit 14 communicates with the subtank 18a through a flexible second tube 99 provided for each subtank 18a. The liquid consumption unit 14 is supplied with ink through the second tube 99. In this embodiment, the liquid in the subtank 18a is supplied to the liquid consumption unit 14 through the second tube 99 by a pump (not shown) provided in the liquid consumption device 10. The liquid consumption unit 14 has an ejection head that ejects ink onto a medium such as a fabric. The liquid consumption unit 14 reciprocates along the Y-axis direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided in the liquid consumption device 10. The liquid consumption unit 14 reciprocates along the Y-axis direction while ejecting ink, and the medium moves inside the outer shell 12 from the +X-axis side to the -X-axis side by a conveying mechanism (not shown) of the liquid consumption device 10. As a result, a print image is formed on the medium. The medium into which the liquid has been ejected is discharged to the outside of the outer shell 12 from an outlet 17 provided on the surface of the outer shell 12 on the -X-axis side. In other embodiments, the liquid consumption unit 14 may be a line head that does not reciprocate and is fixed in position.

[0014] The control unit 16 controls the operation of the liquid consumption device 10. For example, the control unit 16 controls the operation of the drive mechanism and the transport mechanism described above. The control unit 16 is also electrically connected to the liquid storage container 30 and can exchange various information with the liquid storage container 30. Examples of the various information include color information of the ink stored in the liquid storage container 30 and information indicating whether the liquid storage container 30 is attached to the liquid consumption device 10.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid storage container 30. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid storage portion 50. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid storage container 30 placed vertically. As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid storage container 30 has a liquid storage box 40 and a liquid storage portion 50. The liquid storage box 40 stores the liquid storage portion 50. The liquid storage portion 50 stores ink as the liquid to be supplied to the mounting portion 20.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid storage unit 50 is a bag body, and includes a flexible storage body 60 for storing ink, and a connecting body 70 attached to the storage body 60. The storage body 60 is formed of a material mainly composed of cellulose, for example. In other embodiments, the storage body 60 may be formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The connecting body 70 is detachably connected to the mounting part 20 shown in FIG. 1. The connecting body 70 includes a connecting body housing 71, a supply part 72, a circuit board 73, an injection part 75, and a base end member 74.

[0017] The connection body housing 71 forms the main body of the connection body 70 in which the supply part 72, the circuit board 73, and the injection part 75 are formed. The supply part 72 is a cylindrical member and forms a supply flow path 81. A valve mechanism (not shown) for opening and closing the supply flow path 81 is disposed inside the supply part 72. When the mounting part 20 is mounted on the supply part 72, the valve mechanism opens and the ink stored in the storage body 60 is supplied to the liquid consumption device 10. The supply flow path 81 formed by the supply part 72 is connected to the first mounting part flow path 22 (shown in FIG. 2) of the mounting part 20. The base end member 74 is a tubular member and is connected to the storage body 60. The internal space of the storage body 60 is in communication with the supply flow path 81 formed by the supply part 72 and the base end member 74. The circuit board 73 has a main body side terminal and a storage device (not shown). The storage device of the circuit board 73 stores information about the liquid storage container 30 and the like. Examples of the information related to the liquid storage container 30 include information about the color of the ink, information about the amount of ink remaining, etc. Signals are exchanged between the control unit 16 and a storage device of the connector 70 via the main body side terminal.

[0018] The injection section 75 is a cylindrical member extending along the Y-axis direction. The injection section 75 forms a part of an injection flow path 82 that merges with the supply flow path 81. The injection flow path 82 is a flow path that distributes ink from the outside toward the liquid storage section 50. By injecting ink using the injection section 75, ink can be injected into the liquid storage section 50 through the injection flow path 82. After the ink is injected into the liquid storage section 50, the injection section 75 is closed by the film FM2 to prevent the liquid from leaking out. In addition, a valve mechanism for preventing the liquid from leaking out may be disposed in the injection section 75. This valve mechanism opens, for example, when a liquid injection needle for injecting ink is inserted into the injection section 75.

[0019] 2, the mounting portion 20 has a shape that covers a part of the connector 70. When the connector 70 and the mounting portion 20 are connected, the supply flow path 81 and the first mounting portion flow path 22 are connected. As a result, the ink contained in the accommodating main body 60 flows through the supply flow path 81, the first mounting portion flow path 22, and the first tube 98, and is supplied to the liquid consuming portion 14 via the subtank 18a.

[0020] The liquid storage box 40 has an opening / closing lid 41 and an opening 42. The opening 42 is a portion where the base end member 74 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed. The connection body 70 and the attachment part 20 are connected with the connection body housing 71 shown in FIG. 3 being outside the opening 42, that is, exposed from the liquid storage box 40. The opening / closing lid 41 is configured to be openable and closable, and is opened when the connection body housing 71 is taken out of the liquid storage box 40 or is accommodated inside the liquid storage box 40. The opening / closing lid 41 is closed after the connection body housing 71, which is a part of the connection body 70, is taken out. When the liquid in the storage main body 60 is consumed and the remaining amount is zero or almost gone, the liquid storage part 50 is replaced with a new one. The entire liquid storage container 30 may be replaced with a new one.

[0021] The liquid storage box 40 of the liquid storage container 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a first surface 411, a second surface 412, a third surface 413, a first opposing surface 414, a second opposing surface 415, and a third opposing surface 416. The first opposing surface 414 is a surface that faces the first surface 411. The second opposing surface 415 is a surface that faces the second surface 412. The third opposing surface 416 is a surface that faces the third surface 413. In this embodiment, the second opposing surface 415 forms the upper surface, and the second surface 412 forms the bottom surface. In this embodiment, the first surface 411 forms the front surface that faces the mounting portion 20, and the first opposing surface 414 forms the back surface. The liquid storage box 40 further has an intersection side 421 formed by the intersection of the first surface 411 and the second surface 412. That is, the intersecting side 421 is a corner where the first surface 411 and the second surface 412 intersect. The liquid containing box 40 further has a first opposing side 441 and a second opposing side 442. The first opposing side 441 is provided on the first surface 411 and is an edge opposite to the intersecting side 421. The second opposing side 442 is provided on the second surface 412 and is an edge opposite to the intersecting side 421. In addition to the intersecting side 421 and the first opposing side 441, the first surface 411 has a first long side 422 that connects the first surface 411 and the third surface 413. The second surface 412 is a surface that intersects with the first surface 411 and is a surface that has the intersecting side 421 as one side. The second surface 412 is substantially rectangular, and has a second long side 423 as a long side in addition to an intersecting side 421 shared with the first surface 411 and a second opposing side 442. The length of the second long side 423 is longer than the length of the first long side 422. The third surface 413 is a surface having each of the first long side 422 and the second long side 423 as one side. When the liquid storage container 30 is placed on the main arrangement shelf 19 of the liquid consumption device 10, the intersecting side 421 is oriented along the X direction, which is the arrangement direction of the liquid storage containers 30. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is attached to the connector 70 placed in the opening 42 of the first surface 411.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the liquid storage container 30 before the opening / closing lid 41 and the opening 42 are formed. In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the liquid storage container 30 has two opening forming parts 430 for exposing the supply part 72. The opening forming parts 430 are formed by a cut formed in the liquid storage box 40 along the shape of the opening / closing lid 41 and the opening 42. The user cuts off the opening 42 along the cut of the opening forming parts 430 to form the opening / closing lid 41. The two opening forming parts 430 are formed at different positions from each other. Specifically, the two opening forming parts 430 are formed on the first surface 411 and the second surface 412. The opening forming part 430 formed on the first surface 411 is also called the first opening forming part 431, and the opening forming part 430 formed on the second surface 412 is also called the second opening forming part 432. The first opening forming portion 431 is provided on the first surface 411 at a position closer to the crossing side 421 than the first opposing side 441. That is, the straight-line distance between the center position 431a of the first opening forming portion 431 and the crossing side 421 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the center position 431a of the first opening forming portion 431 and the first opposing side 441. The second opening forming portion 432 is provided on the second surface 412 at a position closer to the crossing side 421 than the second opposing side 442. That is, the straight-line distance between the center position 432a of the second opening forming portion 432 and the crossing side 421 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the center position 432a of the second opening forming portion 432 and the second opposing side 442.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting portion 20 is attached to the connecting body 70 taken out from the first surface 411, and the liquid storage container 30 is arranged so that the second surface 412 is in contact with the main arrangement shelf 19 shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid storage container 30 is arranged so that the first surface 411 is the bottom surface, and the mounting portion 20 is attached to the connecting body 70 taken out from the second surface 412. In either case, the direction in which the intersecting side 421 extends is along the X direction, which is the arrangement direction of the liquid storage containers 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the state in which the liquid storage container 30 is arranged so that the second surface 412, which has a longer side length than the first surface 411, is in contact with the bottom surface, i.e., the main arrangement shelf 19, is referred to as horizontal placement. And, as shown in FIG. 4, the state in which the liquid storage container 30 is arranged so that the first surface 411 is in contact with the bottom surface, i.e., the main arrangement shelf 19, is referred to as vertical placement. The surface in contact with the main shelf 19 is also referred to as the installation surface. For example, in the horizontal placement shown in FIG.

[0024] In the present embodiment, when the liquid storage container 30 is installed horizontally, the opening 42 and the opening / closing lid 41 are formed along the first opening forming portion 431. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 4, when the liquid storage container 30 is installed vertically, the opening 42 and the opening / closing lid 41 are formed along the second opening forming portion 432. The user can freely form the opening / closing lid 41 and the opening 42 using the first opening forming portion 431 or the second opening forming portion 432 depending on whether the liquid storage container 30 is installed horizontally or vertically. Then, the user exposes the supply portion 72 from the formed opening 42. In this way, the first opening forming portion 431 and the second opening forming portion 432 are formed in the liquid storage box 40, thereby improving the degree of freedom of the liquid storage container 30. In addition, the first opening forming portion 431 is formed on the first surface 411, and the second opening forming portion 432 is formed on the second surface 412, respectively, so that the liquid storage container 30 can be used in both horizontal and vertical installations. Moreover, the first opening forming portion 431 and the second opening forming portion 432 are each provided at a position close to the intersecting side 421. This allows the connector 70, one of which is provided in the liquid storage portion 50, to be easily pulled out.

[0025] According to the first embodiment described above, the liquid storage box 40 has at least two opening forming parts 430 formed at different positions, which improves the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid storage container 30. In addition, the liquid storage box 40 has a first opening forming part 431 on the first surface 411, and a second opening forming part 432 on a second surface 412 different from the first surface 411. As a result, when the liquid storage container 30 is placed horizontally, the opening 42 and the opening / closing lid 41 can be formed along the first opening forming part 431 formed on the first surface 411, and when the liquid storage container 30 is placed vertically, the opening 42 and the opening / closing lid 41 can be formed along the second opening forming part 432 formed on the second surface 412. Therefore, regardless of whether the liquid storage container 30 is placed horizontally or vertically, a common liquid storage container 30 can be used. Furthermore, the first opening forming portion 431 is disposed at a position on the first surface 411 closer to the intersecting side 421 than the first opposing side 441, and the second opening forming portion 432 is disposed at a position on the second surface 412 closer to the intersecting side 421 than the second opposing side 442. This allows the first opening forming portion 431 and the second opening forming portion 432 to be formed closer to each other, so that the supply portion 72 can be easily exposed regardless of whether the opening / closing lid 41 and the opening 42 are formed in the first opening forming portion 431 or the second opening forming portion 432.

[0026] B: Second embodiment: FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a liquid consumption system 101 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container 130 according to the second embodiment when placed horizontally. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a liquid storage section 150 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a liquid storage container 130 according to the second embodiment when placed vertically. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid storage container 130 according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has two connectors 70. Regarding the liquid storage container 130, the same components as those of the liquid storage container 30 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid consumption system 101 according to the second embodiment has eight liquid storage containers 130 and eight sub-tanks 18a, similar to the first embodiment. Each liquid storage container 130 and each sub-tank 18a are in communication with each other via three first tubes 98. A suction unit 118b is attached to each of the three first tubes 98. The suction unit 118b includes three pumps (not shown) that are provided for each of the three first tubes 98. The ink stored in each sub-tank 18a is supplied to the liquid consumption unit 14 through the second tube 99.

[0028] 7, the liquid storage container 130 has a liquid storage box 140 and a liquid storage portion 150. The liquid storage portion 150 is stored in the liquid storage box 140. The mounting portion 120 according to this embodiment has a second mounting portion flow path 23 that is connected to the injection flow path 82 formed by the injection portion 75.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid storage section 150 has a storage main body 160 and two connectors 70. Two mounting sections 120 shown in FIG. 7 are attached to the two connectors 70 of the liquid storage container 130 according to this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the liquid storage box 140 has a first surface 411, a second surface 412, a third surface 413, a first opposing surface 414, a second opposing surface 415, and a third opposing surface 416, as shown in FIG. 7. The liquid storage box 140 further has an intersecting side 421, a first opposing side 441 opposing the intersecting side 421, and a second opposing side 442. An opening forming section 430 is provided on the first surface 411 and the second surface 412. The first opening forming portion 431, which is the opening forming portion 430 provided on the first surface 411, is provided at a position closer to the first opposing side 441 than the crossing side 421 on the first surface 411. In other words, the straight-line distance between the center position of the first opening forming portion 431 and the first opposing side 441 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the center position of the first opening forming portion 431 and the crossing side 421. The second opening forming portion 432, which is the opening forming portion 430 provided on the second surface 412, is provided at a position closer to the second opposing side 442 than the crossing side 421 on the second surface 412. In other words, the straight-line distance between the center position of the second opening forming portion 432 and the second opposing side 442 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the center position of the second opening forming portion 432 and the crossing side 421. The supply portion 72 that can be exposed from the first opening forming portion 431 is also referred to as a first supply portion 721, and the supply portion 72 that can be exposed from the second opening forming portion 432 is also referred to as a second supply portion 722. Moreover, the connection body 70 having the first supply portion 721 is also referred to as a first connection body 701, and the connection body 70 having the second supply portion 722 is also referred to as a second connection body 702. Moreover, the injection portion 75 that can be exposed from the first opening forming portion 431 is also referred to as a first injection portion 751, and the injection portion 75 that can be exposed from the second opening forming portion 432 is also referred to as a second injection portion 752.

[0030] The first supply unit 721 and the second supply unit 722 are disposed at different height positions in a usage posture in which the liquid storage container 130 supplies ink to the liquid consumption device 110. Specifically, in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction in the usage posture, the first supply unit 721 is disposed below the center of the liquid storage box 140, and the second supply unit 722 is disposed above the center. Fig. 7 shows a central plane CS indicating the center of the liquid storage box 140 in the Z direction. Here, the usage posture refers to a state in which the liquid storage container 130 is disposed on the main arrangement shelf 19, and in this embodiment, refers to a state in which the liquid storage container 130 is laid horizontally.

[0031] In this embodiment, regardless of whether the device is placed horizontally or vertically, the user separates the openings 42 from each of the two opening forming portions 430 to form the opening / closing lids 41. When the device is placed horizontally, the second opposing surface 415 serves as the installation surface, as shown in FIG. 7. When the device is placed vertically, the first opposing surface 414 serves as the installation surface, as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, since the opening forming portions 430 are formed on the first surface 411 and the second surface 412, a common liquid storage container 130 can be used regardless of whether the device is placed horizontally or vertically.

[0032] 6, the three first tubes 98 are attached so as to communicate with the first supply unit 721, the first injecting unit 751, and the second supply unit 722, respectively. The pump of the suction unit 118b attached to the first tube 98 communicating with the first supply unit 721 sends ink from the liquid storage container 130 to the subtank 18a. The pump of the suction unit 118b attached to the first tube 98 communicating with the second supply unit 722 sends ink from the liquid storage container 130 to the subtank 18a. The pump of the suction unit 118b attached to the first tube 98 communicating with the first injecting unit 751 sends ink from the subtank 18a to the liquid storage container 130.

[0033] The liquid consumption system 101 has a print mode and a circulation mode. The flow of ink through the first tube 98 between the liquid storage container 130 and the subtank 18a is different between the print mode and the circulation mode. In FIG. 6, the flow of ink through the first tube 98 in the print mode is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of ink through the first tube 98 in the circulation mode is indicated by a dashed arrow. In the print mode, the first tube 98 communicating with the first injection part 751 does not send ink. In addition, ink is sent from the liquid storage container 130 to the subtank 18a through both the first tube 98 communicating with the first supply part 721 and the first tube 98 communicating with the second supply part 722. In contrast, in the circulation mode, the first tube 98 communicating with the first supply unit 721 does not send out ink, and the first tube 98 communicating with the first injection unit 751 sends out ink from the sub tank 18a to the liquid storage container 130. Then, the first tube 98 communicating with the second supply unit 722 sends out ink from the liquid storage container 130 to the sub tank 18a. This causes the ink stored in the liquid storage container 130 to circulate.

[0034] In the print mode in which printing is performed, ink can be delivered at a higher speed than in the first embodiment in which ink is delivered through one first tube 98. However, when the liquid contained in the liquid container 130 has a sedimentation component, for example, when the liquid in the liquid container 130 is left unused for a long time, the sedimentation component settles, causing the concentration of the liquid to become non-uniform in the Z direction, which is the height direction. In the present embodiment, the liquid is a pigment ink, and the sedimentation component is a pigment. Here, the first supply unit 721 and the second supply unit 722 are located at different positions, the first supply unit 721 is located below the central plane CS, and the second supply unit 722 is located above the central plane CS. Therefore, in the print mode, ink is supplied through the first tube 98 communicating with the first supply unit 721 and the first tube 98 communicating with the second supply unit 722, thereby reducing non-uniformity in the concentration of the supplied ink. Furthermore, the first opening forming portion 431 is disposed at a position on the first surface 411 closer to the first opposing side 441 than the intersecting side 421, and the second opening forming portion 432 is disposed at a position on the second surface 412 closer to the second opposing side 442 than the intersecting side 421. This increases the distance between the first opening forming portion 431 and the second opening forming portion 432. Therefore, the first supply portion 721 and the second supply portion 722 are separated from each other, which further enhances the effect of reducing unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consuming portion 14.

[0035] In the circulation mode, the ink contained in the liquid storage container 130 can be circulated. As described above, when the ink contained in the liquid storage container 130 is a pigment ink, the pigment contained in the pigment ink may precipitate. By circulating the ink contained in the liquid storage container 130 in the circulation mode, the precipitation can be eliminated. In addition, the first opening forming portion 431 is disposed at a position closer to the first opposing side 441 than the crossing side 421 on the first surface 411, and the second opening forming portion 432 is disposed at a position closer to the second opposing side 442 than the crossing side 421 on the second surface 412. As a result, the first injection portion 751 and the second supply portion 722 are separated from each other, so that in the circulation mode, the ink contained in the liquid storage container 130 can be efficiently circulated.

[0036] According to the second embodiment described above, the liquid storage box 140 has at least two opening forming parts 430 formed at different positions, so that the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid storage container 30 can be improved. The liquid storage container 130 has two connectors 70. This allows two mounting parts 20 to be connected to one liquid storage container 130. Each of the two connectors 70 has a supply part 72. This allows ink to be sent from two paths. The liquid storage box 40 has a first supply part 721 that can be exposed from the first opening forming part 431 on the first surface 411, and a second supply part 722 that can be exposed from the second opening forming part 432 on the second surface 412. In addition, in a usage position in which ink is supplied to the liquid consumption device 110, the first supply part 721 and the second supply part 722 are disposed at different height positions. This allows the unevenness of the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consumption part 14 to be reduced in the printing mode. In addition, in the use posture, the first supply section 721 is located below the center, and the second supply section 722 is located above the center. This can further enhance the effect of reducing unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consumption section 14. In addition, the first opening forming section 431 is disposed at a position closer to the first opposing side 441 than the crossing side 421 on the first surface 411, and the second opening forming section 432 is disposed at a position closer to the second opposing side 442 than the crossing side 421 on the second surface 412. This increases the distance between the first opening forming section 431 and the second opening forming section 432. Therefore, the distance between the first supply section 721 and the second supply section 722 is increased, and the effect of reducing unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consumption section 14 can further be enhanced. In addition, the distance between the first injection section 751 and the second supply section 722 is increased, and therefore the ink contained in the liquid storage container 130 can be efficiently circulated in the circulation mode.

[0037] C. Other embodiments: C1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the first embodiment, the opening forming portion 430 is formed on the first surface 411 and the second surface 412. In the liquid storage box 40, the positions where the opening forming portion 430 is formed are not limited to the first surface 411 and the second surface 412. For example, two opening forming portions 430 may be formed on the first surface 411 and the first opposing surface 414. Alternatively, two opening forming portions 430 may be formed at different positions on the same surface. In addition, the number of opening forming portions 430 is not limited to two. By forming a plurality of opening forming portions 430 at different positions, the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid storage container 30 can be improved.

[0038] C2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the first embodiment, the storage body 60 has one connection body 70. The number of connection bodies 70 that the storage body 60 has is not limited to one, and may have, for example, two connection bodies 70 corresponding to the positions of the first opening forming portion 431 and the second opening forming portion 432. In this configuration, only one of the two connection bodies 70 is exposed from the liquid storage box 40. The storage body 60 may also have three or more connection bodies 70. Regardless of the number of connection bodies 70 that the storage body 60 has, the liquid storage box 40 has a plurality of opening forming portions 430 at different positions, thereby improving the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid storage containers 30.

[0039] C3. Alternative embodiment 3: In the second embodiment, the first tube 98 is connected to each of the first supply unit 721 and the first injection unit 751. This is not limiting, and the first supply unit 721 may also function as the first injection unit 751. Specifically, the first tube 98 may be connected only to the first supply unit 721, and ink may be sent through the first tube 98 that communicates with the first supply unit 721. In the print mode, ink may be sent from the liquid storage container 130 to the sub tank 18a through the first tube 98 that communicates with the first supply unit 721, and in the circulation mode, ink may be sent from the sub tank 18a to the liquid storage container 130. Even with this configuration, the ink stored in the liquid storage container 130 can be efficiently circulated in the circulation mode.

[0040] C4: Alternative embodiment 4: In the second embodiment, the first tube 98 communicating with the first injecting portion 751 is attached to the mounting portion 120 attached to the first surface 411. In the circulation mode, the first tube 98 communicating with the first injecting portion 751 sends ink from the sub tank 18a to the liquid storage container 130. Here, in the circulation mode, the surface of the liquid storage box 140 to which the first tube 98 for sending ink from the sub tank 18a to the liquid storage container 130 is attached is not limited to the first surface 411, and may be the second surface 412. In other words, the flow of ink in the liquid storage container 130 in the circulation mode may be a flow that flows out from the second supply portion 722 and flows in from the first injecting portion 751, as shown in the second embodiment, or a flow that flows out from the first supply portion 721 and flows in from the second injecting portion 752. The same applies to the case of vertical placement.

[0041] C5: Alternative embodiment 5: In the second embodiment described above, the liquid consumption device 110 includes the sub-tank 18a, but the liquid consumption device 110 may also be configured not to include the sub-tank 18a, and the ink contained in the liquid storage container 30 may be directly supplied to the liquid consumption unit 14. Even in this configuration, as in the second embodiment, the pump included in the liquid consumption device 110 can achieve circulation of the ink contained in the liquid storage container 30 in the circulation mode.

[0042] C6. Alternative Embodiment 6: The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their cartridges, but can also be applied to printing devices that detachably mount cartridges that contain liquids other than ink. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to the following printing devices and ejection devices as printing devices: (1) Image printing devices such as facsimile machines (2) A color printing device used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) Electrode material printing equipment used to form electrodes for organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), etc. (4) An injection device for injecting a liquid containing a biological organic substance used in the manufacture of biochips. (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricating oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) A liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras with pinpoint accuracy. (9) A liquid injection device that injects transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A liquid injection device that injects an acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch a substrate, etc. (11) A liquid ejection device having a liquid ejection head that ejects any other minute amount of liquid droplets.

[0043] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a liquid ejection device, and includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The term "liquid" here refers to any material that can be ejected by a liquid ejection device. For example, the term "liquid" refers to any material in a liquid phase, and includes materials in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, and materials in a liquid state such as sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (metal melts). In addition to liquids as one state of matter, particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent are also included in the term "liquid." Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the term "ink" refers to various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks.

[0044] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order 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 the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0045] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid storage container. This liquid storage container is detachably attached to a liquid consumption device and supplies liquid to the liquid consumption device, and includes a liquid storage section having a flexible storage body for storing liquid, a connector attached to the storage body and having a supply section for supplying the liquid in the storage body to the liquid consumption device, and a liquid storage box for storing the liquid storage section, the liquid storage box having two or more opening formation sections formed at different positions for exposing the supply section. According to this aspect, by having at least two opening formation sections formed at different positions, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid storage container.

[0046] (2) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the liquid storage unit may have two or more of the connectors. According to this aspect, two mounting units can be connected to one liquid storage container.

[0047] (3) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the two or more connectors may each have an injection part for injecting the liquid into the storage body. According to this aspect, ink can be delivered from two paths.

[0048] (4) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the liquid storage box may have a first surface and a second surface intersecting the first surface, and the two or more opening formation portions may have a first opening formation portion as the opening formation portion formed on the first surface, and a second opening formation portion as the opening formation portion formed on the second surface. According to this aspect, when the liquid storage container is disposed so that the second surface or a surface opposite to the second surface is in contact with the placement location, the supply portion can be exposed from the first opening formation portion, and when the liquid storage container is disposed so that the first surface or a surface opposite to the first surface is in contact with the placement location, the supply portion can be exposed from the second opening formation portion.

[0049] (5) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the liquid storage box may further have an intersecting side where the first surface and the second surface intersect, a first opposing side provided on the first surface and opposing the intersecting side, and a second opposing side provided on the second surface and opposing the intersecting side, the first opening forming portion may be provided at a position on the first surface closer to the intersecting side than the first opposing side, and the second opening forming portion may be provided at a position on the second surface closer to the intersecting side than the second opposing side. This makes it possible to easily expose the supply portion from either the first opening forming portion or the second opening forming portion.

[0050] (6) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the two or more opening formation portions include a first opening formation portion and a second opening formation portion, the two or more connectors include a first connector having a first supply portion as the supply portion and exposable from the first opening formation portion, and a second connector having a second supply portion as the supply portion and exposable from the second opening formation portion, the first supply portion and the second supply portion may be disposed at different height positions in a usage attitude in which the liquid storage container supplies the liquid to the liquid consumption device. According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consumption device.

[0051] (7) In the liquid container of the above aspect, in the usage attitude, in a vertical direction, one of the first supply unit and the second supply unit may be located below a center of the liquid container box, and the other of the first supply unit and the second supply unit may be located above the center. According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce the effect of reducing unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consuming device.

[0052] (8) In the liquid storage container of the above aspect, the liquid storage box may have a first surface, a second surface intersecting with the first surface, an intersecting side where the first surface and the second surface intersect, a first opposing side provided on the first surface and opposing the intersecting side, and a second opposing side provided on the second surface and opposing the intersecting side, the first opening forming portion may be provided at a position on the first surface closer to the first opposing side than the intersecting side, and the second opening forming portion may be provided at a position on the second surface closer to the second opposing side than the intersecting side. According to this aspect, the distance between the first supply portion and the second supply portion is increased, thereby further enhancing the effect of reducing unevenness in the concentration of ink supplied to the liquid consuming portion.

[0053] Not all of the multiple components of each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are essential, and in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the multiple components may be modified, deleted, replaced with new other components, or some of the limitations may be deleted as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the above problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in the other embodiments of the present disclosure described above to form an independent embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1,101...liquid consumption system, 10,110...liquid consumption device, 12...outer shell, 14...liquid consumption section, 16...control section, 17...discharge port, 18...sub-arrangement shelf, 18a...sub-tank, 18b,118b...suction section, 19...main arrangement shelf, 20,120...mounting section, 22...first mounting section flow path, 23...second mounting section flow path, 30,130...liquid storage container, 40,140...liquid storage box, 41...opening / closing lid, 42...opening, 50,150...liquid storage section, 60,160...accommodation body, 70...connection body, 71...connection body housing, 72...supply section, 73...circuit board, 74...base end member, 75...injection section, 81...supply flow path, 82...injection flow path, 98...first tube, 99...second tube, 411...first surface, 412...second surface, 413...third surface, 414...first opposing surface, 415...second opposing surface, 416...third opposing surface, 421...intersecting side, 422...first long side, 423...second long side, 430...opening forming portion, 431...first opening forming portion, 432...second opening forming portion, 441...first opposing side, 442...second opposing side, 701...first connector, 702...second connector, 721...first supply portion, 722...second supply portion, 751...first injection portion, 752...second injection portion, CS...center surface, FM2...film

Claims

1. A liquid container that is detachably attached to a liquid consuming device and supplies liquid to the liquid consuming device. And, A flexible container body for containing a liquid and a connector attached to the container body. a connecting body having a supply portion for supplying the liquid in the storage body to the liquid consuming device; A liquid storage portion having a a liquid storage box that stores the liquid storage portion, The liquid container is formed at different positions, and has two or more openings for exposing the supply portion. An opening forming portion is provided, the liquid containing box has a first surface and a second surface intersecting the first surface, The two or more opening forming portions are a first opening forming portion as the opening forming portion formed on the first surface; a second opening forming portion formed on the second surface as the opening forming portion, Containment container.

2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1 , The liquid containing box further includes an intersection side where the first surface and the second surface intersect, and a first opposing side provided on the second surface and facing the intersecting side; and a second opposing side, The first opening forming portion is located on the first surface closer to the intersecting side than to the first opposing side. It is provided, The second opening forming portion is located on the second surface closer to the intersecting side than the second opposing side. A liquid storage container provided in the position.

3. A liquid storage container that is detachably attached to a liquid consumption device and supplies liquid to the liquid consumption device. And, A flexible container body for containing a liquid and a connector attached to the container body. a connecting body having a supply portion for supplying the liquid in the storage body to the liquid consuming device; A liquid storage portion having a a liquid storage box that stores the liquid storage portion, The liquid container is formed at different positions, and has two or more openings for exposing the supply portion. An opening forming portion is provided, the liquid storage portion has two or more connectors, the two or more opening forming portions include a first opening forming portion and a second opening forming portion, The two or more connectors include a first connector as the supply portion that can be exposed from the first opening forming portion. a first connector having a supply portion; and a second connector as the supply portion that can be exposed from the second opening forming portion. and a second connector having a second supply portion, The first supply unit and the second supply unit are configured to supply the liquid from the liquid storage container to the liquid consumption apparatus. A liquid storage container arranged at different heights in a use position for supplying liquid to the body.

4. The liquid storage container according to claim 3, In the vertical direction in the use posture, either the first supply unit or the second supply unit One of the first and second supply units is located below the center of the liquid container, the other of the supplying parts being located above the center.

5. The liquid storage container according to claim 3 or 4, The liquid container has a first surface, a second surface intersecting the first surface, and a liquid container having a first surface and a second surface intersecting the first surface and the second surface. a first opposing side that is provided on the first surface and that is opposed to the first opposing side; a second opposing side provided on the second surface and opposing the intersecting side; The first opening forming portion is located on the first surface closer to the first opposing side than to the intersecting side. It is provided, The second opening forming portion is located on the second surface closer to the second opposing side than to the intersecting side. A liquid storage container provided in the position.

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