Liquid storage container and liquid consumption device

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage container that can be refilled with ink under the state of being attached to a device and that can suppress evaporation of a liquid.SOLUTION: A sealed liquid chamber 104 of a liquid storage container 100 is provided with an openable / closable atmospheric air communication port 202 communicating with atmospheric air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid storage container that is attached to a liquid consumption device that consumes liquid to supply liquid to the liquid consumption device, and to a liquid consumption device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an ink cartridge that is attached to a device and supplies ink to the device, the ink cartridge having ink chamber A and ink chamber B connected internally via an ink communication port, with ink chamber B provided with an air communication port. With the configuration of Patent Document 1, the ink level in ink chamber A does not drop until the ink level in ink chamber B, which has an air communication port, reaches the same height as the ink communication port. This makes it possible to reduce the time and area that the ink is in contact with the air, and suppress evaporation of the ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-101078 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] After using the ink in the ink cartridge, it is necessary to refill the ink with the ink cartridge still attached to the device. However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to refill the ink with the ink cartridge still attached to the device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage container and a liquid consuming device that can be refilled with ink while still attached to the device and that can prevent evaporation of the liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the liquid storage container of the present invention is a liquid storage container that can be attached to an apparatus, the liquid storage container comprising: a plurality of liquid chambers that are separated by a separation wall and are capable of storing liquid; and a liquid delivery path that is provided below the separation wall in an orientation during use and that communicates with the plurality of liquid chambers, the plurality of liquid chambers being: Equipped with an air vent that communicates with the atmosphere One open liquid chamber and multiple closed liquid chambers; Includes The release liquid chamber is characterized by having a supply port capable of supplying liquid to the release liquid chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid storage container and a liquid consuming device that can be refilled with ink while still attached to the device and that can suppress evaporation of the liquid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a liquid storage container. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing how liquid in a liquid storage container is consumed in sequence. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a liquid container being refilled with liquid after the liquid has been consumed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing how liquid in a liquid storage container is consumed in sequence. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a liquid storage container 100 to which the present invention can be applied. The liquid storage container 100 is a storage container that can be attached to a liquid consuming device, and has a separation wall 107 therein, which separates the liquid storage container 100 into a release liquid chamber 104 and a sealed liquid chamber 105. The release liquid chamber 104 and the sealed liquid chamber 105 are each provided so as to be able to store liquid, and the release liquid chamber 104 and the sealed liquid chamber 105 are not completely separated, and are connected by a liquid feed path 106 provided below the separation wall 107 in an orientation during use. Liquid and air can be transferred between the release liquid chamber 104 and the sealed liquid chamber 105 via the liquid feed path 106.

[0011] The release liquid chamber 105 has an atmosphere communication port 102 through which air can be taken into the release liquid chamber 105. The release liquid chamber 105 further has a supply port 201 capable of supplying liquid to the release liquid chamber 105, and a supply port cap 101 for capping the supply port 201. The sealed liquid chamber 104 has an atmosphere communication port 202 through which air can be taken into the sealed liquid chamber 104. The atmosphere communication port 202 can be opened and closed by an atmosphere communication port cap 103. The sealed liquid chamber 104 further has a discharge port 108 through which liquid is supplied to the liquid consuming device. The liquid storage container 100 is used while attached to the liquid consuming device, and is not detached arbitrarily.

[0012] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid storage container 100. As shown in FIG.

[0013] 3(a) to (c) are diagrams sequentially showing how liquid in a liquid storage container 100 is consumed. As shown in FIG. 3(a), immediately after filling the sealed liquid chamber 104 and the open liquid chamber 105 with liquid, both liquid chambers are filled with liquid and the liquid level is at the upper surface of the liquid chamber. Because the liquid storage container 100 has an atmosphere communication port 102, liquid will leak out from the outlet port 108 when the liquid storage container 100 is in a standalone state. However, the liquid storage container 100 is attached to a liquid consuming device, and the supply of liquid from the liquid storage container 100 is regulated by a valve or the like provided on the liquid consuming device. Therefore, liquid will not leak out of the liquid storage container 100.

[0014] When both liquid chambers are filled with liquid and liquid is supplied to the liquid consuming device via the discharge port 108 and consumed, as shown in Figure 3(b), air enters the open liquid chamber 105 through the atmosphere communication port 102, liquid moves from the open liquid chamber 105 to the sealed liquid chamber 104, and the liquid level in the open liquid chamber 105 drops. At this time, in the sealed liquid chamber 104, the atmosphere communication port 202 is closed by the atmosphere communication port cap 103, so no air flows in from the atmosphere communication port 202 and the liquid level in the sealed liquid chamber 104 does not drop.

[0015] After that, as more liquid is consumed by the liquid consuming device and the liquid level in the open side liquid chamber 105 drops to the height of the liquid feed path 106 as shown in FIG. 3(c), the air in the open side liquid chamber 105 enters the sealed liquid chamber 104 via the liquid feed path 106. In this way, the air in the open liquid chamber 105 is supplied to the sealed liquid chamber 104, causing the liquid level in the sealed liquid chamber 104 to drop. At this time, the liquid level in the sealed liquid chamber 104 comes into contact with the air, but the amount of water vapor in the air above the liquid level is limited by the sealed structure of the sealed liquid chamber 104, so evaporation of the liquid is also limited. As a result, the concentration of the liquid in the sealed liquid chamber 104 does not change significantly.

[0016] Furthermore, by dividing the interior of the liquid storage container 100 into the open liquid chamber 104 and the sealed liquid chamber 105 by the separation wall 107, the time during which the liquid comes into contact with air during the liquid consumption process can be shortened.

[0017] 4 is a diagram showing liquid storage container 100 being filled with liquid after the liquid inside liquid storage container 100 has been consumed. When filling liquid storage container 100 with liquid after the liquid has been consumed, supply port cap 101 from supply port 201 and atmosphere communication port cap 103 from atmosphere communication port 202 are removed, and liquid is filled through supply port 201. This makes it possible to fill both open liquid chamber 104 and sealed liquid chamber 105 with liquid while removing air from the liquid chambers through atmosphere communication port 102 and atmosphere communication port 202.

[0018] In this embodiment, the atmosphere communication port cap 103 is used to close the sealed liquid chamber 105, but this is not limited to this. The atmosphere communication port 202 may be opened and closed by a valve or the like connected to the atmosphere communication port 202.

[0019] In this way, an openable and closable atmosphere vent is provided in the sealed liquid chamber, which allows the liquid container to be refilled with ink while still attached to the device, and can suppress evaporation of the liquid.

[0020] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, only the characteristic configuration will be described below.

[0021] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container 300 of this embodiment. The liquid storage container 300 includes a first separation wall 301 and a second separation wall 302, and further includes a first liquid chamber 305 and a second liquid chamber 306 separated by the first separation wall 301, and a second liquid chamber 306 and a third liquid chamber 307 separated by the second separation wall 302. The first liquid chamber 305 and the second liquid chamber 306 are not completely separated, and are connected by a liquid feed path 303 provided at the bottom of the first separation wall 301. Liquid and air can be transferred between the first liquid chamber 305 and the second liquid chamber 306 via this liquid feed path 303. The second liquid chamber 306 and the third liquid chamber 307 are not completely separated, and are connected by a liquid feed path 304 provided at the bottom of the second separation wall 302. Liquid and air can be transferred between the second liquid chamber 306 and the third liquid chamber 307 via this liquid transfer path 304 .

[0022] The length of the first separation wall 301 in the x direction is shorter than the length of the second separation wall 302 in the x direction, and the first separation wall 301 and the second separation wall 302 are attached to the same ceiling wall 308. Therefore, the opening height of the liquid sending path 303 is set higher than the opening height of the liquid sending path 304.

[0023] The first liquid chamber 305 includes an atmosphere communication port 102, and air can be taken into the first liquid chamber 305 through the atmosphere communication port 102. The first liquid chamber 305 further includes a supply port 201 capable of supplying liquid to the first liquid chamber 305, and a supply port cap 101 that caps the supply port 201. The second liquid chamber 306 includes an atmosphere communication port 202, and air can be taken into the second liquid chamber 306 through the atmosphere communication port 202. The atmosphere communication port 202 can be opened and closed by an atmosphere communication port cap 103. The third liquid chamber 307 includes an atmosphere communication port 202, and air can be taken into the third liquid chamber 307 through the atmosphere communication port 202. The atmosphere communication port 202 can be opened and closed by an atmosphere communication port cap 103. The third liquid chamber 307 further includes an outlet port 108 that supplies liquid to the liquid consuming device.

[0024] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams sequentially showing how the liquid in the liquid storage container 300 is consumed. When the liquid in the liquid storage container 300 is consumed via the outlet 108, air enters the first liquid chamber 305 from the atmosphere communication port 102, and the liquid moves from the first liquid chamber 305 to the third liquid chamber 307 via the second liquid chamber 306, causing the liquid level in the first liquid chamber 305 to drop (see FIG. 6(a)). At this time, the liquid levels do not drop in the second liquid chamber 306 and the third liquid chamber 307 because the atmosphere communication port 202 is closed by the atmosphere communication port cap 103.

[0025] Thereafter, as more liquid is consumed by the liquid consuming device and the liquid level in the first liquid chamber 305 drops to the height of the liquid feed path 303 as shown in Figure 6(b), the air in the first liquid chamber 305 enters the second liquid chamber 306 via the liquid feed path 303. In this way, the air in the first liquid chamber 305 enters the second liquid chamber 306, causing the liquid level in the second liquid chamber 306 to drop.

[0026] Thereafter, as more liquid is consumed by the liquid consuming device and the liquid level in second liquid chamber 306 drops to the height of liquid feed path 304 as shown in Figure 6(c), air within second liquid chamber 306 enters third liquid chamber 307 via liquid feed path 304. In this way, the air within second liquid chamber 306 enters third liquid chamber 307, lowering the liquid level within third liquid chamber 307. As more liquid is consumed by the liquid consuming device, all of the liquid within third liquid chamber 307 is consumed, and all of the liquid within liquid storage container 300 is consumed.

[0027] When filling the liquid storage container 300 with liquid after the liquid has been consumed, the supply port cap 101 of the supply port 201 and the atmosphere communication port cap 103 of the atmosphere communication port 202 between the second liquid chamber 306 and the third liquid chamber 307 are removed, and the liquid is filled through the supply port 201. This makes it possible to fill each of the first liquid chamber 305, the second liquid chamber 306, and the third liquid chamber 307 with liquid while removing air from the liquid chambers through the atmosphere communication port 102 and the atmosphere communication port 202.

[0028] As described above, in this embodiment, the length in the x direction of the first separation wall 301 is shorter than the length in the x direction of the second separation wall 302. As a result, the opening height (height of the upper end) of the liquid feed path 303 is set higher than the opening height (height of the upper end) of the liquid feed path 304. By setting the opening height of the liquid feed path 303 higher than the height of the liquid feed path 304 in this manner, it is possible to reliably consume the liquid in the liquid chambers in the order of the first liquid chamber 305 followed by the second liquid chamber 306, and the second liquid chamber 306 followed by the third liquid chamber 307.

[0029] Furthermore, by making the length of the second separation wall 302 in the x direction as long as possible and lowering the height of the liquid transport path 304, the time during which the liquid in the liquid chamber is in contact with the air is shortened.

[0030] In this embodiment, the length of the separation wall and the positions of the exhaust port and the atmosphere communication port are set so that the liquid is consumed in order starting from the first liquid chamber, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the liquid in the liquid chambers may be consumed in any order starting from any liquid chamber depending on the application, and the length of the separation wall, the position of the exhaust port, and the position of the atmosphere communication port (of the liquid chamber that is consumed first) may be appropriately set according to the order in which the liquid is consumed.

[0031] In this embodiment, the interior of the liquid storage container is divided into three chambers, the first liquid chamber 305, the second liquid chamber 306, and the third liquid chamber 307, by separation walls, but this is not limited to this and it is sufficient if the container is divided into a plurality of chambers.

[0032] (Third embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, only the characteristic configuration will be described below.

[0033] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container 400 of this embodiment. The liquid storage container 400 has a configuration in which the upper portions of the second liquid chamber 406 and the third liquid chamber 407 are narrower than the lower portions of the liquid chambers. By configuring the liquid storage container 400 in this way, the area where the liquid in the liquid chamber comes into contact with the air can be made smaller.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second liquid chamber 406 and the third liquid chamber 407 are configured so that their upper portions are narrower than their lower portions, but this is not limiting. Only the third liquid chamber 407 may be configured so that its upper portion is narrower than its lower portion, or the first liquid chamber 405 may also be configured so that its upper portion is narrower than its lower portion while ensuring the air communication port 102. By configuring the upper portion of the liquid chamber to be narrower than the lower portion, the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid storage container 400 decreases, so it is desirable to apply the configuration of this embodiment as appropriate while taking into consideration the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid storage container 400.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, the upper part of the liquid chamber is narrower than the lower part of the liquid chamber over the entire height of the liquid storage container 400, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the upper part of the liquid chamber may be partially narrower than the lower part.

[0036] The above-described embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100 Liquid storage container 102 Atmospheric vent 103 Air vent cap 201 Supply port 202 Atmospheric vent 300 Liquid storage container 301 1st separation wall 302 Second separation wall 303 Liquid delivery path 304 Liquid delivery path 305 1st liquid chamber 306 2nd liquid chamber 307 Third liquid chamber 400 Liquid storage container

Claims

1. A plurality of liquid chambers separated by a separation wall and capable of storing liquid; a liquid supply path that is provided under the separation wall in a usage posture and that connects the plurality of liquid chambers; and The plurality of liquid chambers include an open liquid chamber having an air vent port communicating with the atmosphere, and a plurality of sealed liquid chambers, A liquid storage container, wherein the release liquid chamber is provided with a supply port capable of supplying liquid to the release liquid chamber.

2. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the sealed liquid chamber is provided with an atmosphere communication port that opens and closes communication between the inside of the liquid chamber and the atmosphere.

3. 3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the atmosphere communication port of the sealed liquid chamber can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching a cap.

4. A plurality of liquid chambers separated by a separation wall and capable of storing liquid; a liquid supply path that is provided under the separation wall in a usage posture and that connects the plurality of liquid chambers; and The plurality of liquid chambers include an open liquid chamber having an atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere, and a first sealed liquid chamber and a second sealed liquid chamber which are sealed liquid chambers; The plurality of separation walls include a first separation wall separating the open liquid chamber and the first sealed liquid chamber; a second separation wall separating the first sealed liquid chamber and the second sealed liquid chamber; A liquid storage container characterized in that, in a posture during use, an upper end of a first liquid delivery path provided in the lower part of the first separating wall is positioned higher than an upper end of a second liquid delivery path provided in the lower part of the second separating wall.

5. 5. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the sealed liquid chamber is narrower than a lower portion when the container is in an in-use position.

6. 6. The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge port for discharging the liquid.

7. A liquid consuming device to which the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 can be attached.

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