Tray

Abstract

To suppress warpage of a liquid storage body.SOLUTION: A tray 11 capable of storing a liquid storage body 10 includes an eaves-shaped regulation part 17 in an edge part on the other end side of an end where a liquid supply port included in the liquid storage body 10 is positioned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tray, a liquid container, a method for manufacturing a tray, and a method for manufacturing a liquid container. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink cartridge including an ink pack having a bag for storing ink, and a cartridge case for storing the ink pack.

[0003] The printing device of Patent Document 1 is formed with a drawer-type ink cartridge replacement opening, and by opening and closing the ink cartridge replacement opening, an ink cartridge can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-13663 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in recent years, there are cases where an ink pack (also called a liquid container) is attached to a tray having an open top, and the tray is then inserted into a printing device.

[0006] It is also known that if the printing device continues to suck ink even though the remaining amount of ink contained in the liquid container is decreasing, the liquid container may become deformed.

[0007] When attempting to pull out the above-mentioned tray from the printing device, if the liquid container is deformed and warped, the liquid container may get caught on the printing device.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress upward warping of a liquid container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The tray of the present disclosure includes a liquid container having a liquid supply port. Interchangeable The tray has an open top, a bottom on which the liquid container is placed, one side on which the liquid supply port is located, another side opposite to the one side, and a second side on which the liquid container is placed. End of and the other aspects End of Connect with No. 1 and a second side surface connecting the other end of the one side surface and the other end of the other side surface; The liquid container is accommodated in a space defined by the upper edge of the other side surface. from To the space side Towards Overhanging 、 eaves Condition The restricting portion, the bottom surface and the No. 1 Aspects and of Concatenation and is inclined with respect to the bottom surface and the first side surface. Inclined surface Yes do 1. Ribs and a second rib connecting the bottom surface and the second side surface and having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the bottom surface and the second side surface; Equipped with A plurality of the first ribs and a plurality of the second ribs are scattered on the other side surface side from the vicinity of the center of the space. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress upward warping of the liquid container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view along line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tray in which ink packs are stored. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the ink pack in a warped state. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a state in which warping of the ink pack is suppressed. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tray in which ink packs are stored. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a state in which bending of the ink pack is suppressed. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view along line XI-XI. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view along line XII-XII. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] XIV-XIV line cross section [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a state in which warping of the ink pack is suppressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Embodiment 1> [Liquid ejection device 100] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device 100. The liquid ejection device 100 of this embodiment prints an image on a print medium such as roll paper using an inkjet method based on print data transmitted from an information processing device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal. The liquid ejection device 100 includes a tray 11 as a container for accommodating ink packs 10, which will be described later.

[0013] Ink packs 10 are contained in the tray 11 as liquid containers. For convenience, a structure consisting of the tray 11 and the ink packs 10 is referred to as a liquid mounting body 1. The ink packs 10 are detachable from the tray 11. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a recording head (not shown), a recording medium container (not shown), a recording medium transport mechanism (not shown), and the like.

[0014] [About dimensions] Regarding the dimensions in the figure, the Y direction, the X direction, and the Z direction are mutually orthogonal. First, the Y direction will be described. The Y direction in the figure indicates the movement direction of the tray 11 constituting the liquid mounting body 1. In the following description, the tray 11 will be described as a moving object from the viewpoint of including the movement when the ink pack 10 is not stored in the tray 11. When the tray 11 is removed from the liquid ejection device 100, the tray 11 is pulled out in the -Y direction. On the other hand, when the tray 11 is attached to the liquid ejection device 100, the tray 11 is inserted in the +Y direction. The Y direction indicates the length direction of the ink pack 10 and the tray 11. In this embodiment, the direction in which the above-mentioned tray 11 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 is called the base end side of the tray 11. In other words, the +Y direction side in the figure is the base end side of the tray 11. On the other hand, the -Y direction side is called the tip side of the tray 11.

[0015] Next, the X direction in the figure will be described. In this embodiment, the X direction indicates the width direction of the ink pack 10 and the tray 11. In this embodiment, the left direction based on the direction in which the tray 11 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 (i.e., the +Y direction) is called the -X direction. On the other hand, the right direction based on the direction in which the tray 11 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100 (i.e., the +Y direction) is called the +X direction.

[0016] Next, the Z direction in the figure will be described. In this embodiment, the Z direction indicates the height direction of the ink pack 10 and the tray 11. In this embodiment, the direction of gravity is used as a reference, and the direction of gravity is called the -Z direction. On the other hand, the antigravity direction is called the +Z direction.

[0017] [About Ink Pack 10] The ink pack 10 contains liquid therein. An example of the liquid is ink ejected from the recording head of the liquid ejection device 100. Note that, in this embodiment, the liquid is described as being ink, but the example of the liquid is not limited to ink.

[0018] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 100 includes four trays 11. One ink pack 10 is stored in each tray 11. Examples of the above-mentioned ink colors include cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In this embodiment, the four ink packs 10 are assumed to be the same size, and the following description will be given.

[0019] The ink pack 10 is housed in a tray 11 (described later) so as to contact the bottom surface of the tray 11.

[0020] [About Tray 11] 2, 3, 4, and 6 show the configuration of the tray 11 without the regulating portion 17 described below. To make it easier to understand the contents of the tray 11 with the regulating portion 17, a comparative example (tray 11 without the regulating portion 17) will be described first.

[0021] 2 is a plan view of the tray 11. As described above, the tray 11 is a component included in the liquid ejection device 100, and functions as a container capable of accommodating the ink packs 10. In this embodiment, the top surface (the surface on the +Z direction side) of the tray 11 is open, and the ink packs 10 can be detachably accommodated from the +Z direction (see FIG. 1).

[0022] Furthermore, the tray 11 can be detachably attached to the mounting portion of the liquid ejection device 100 even in a state where the ink packs 10 are not stored. The tray 11 is attached to the mounting portion by being inserted toward the +Y direction of the liquid ejection device 100. On the other hand, when removing the tray 11 from the liquid ejection device 100, it is pulled out in the -Y direction. At that time, a user generally grasps one side of the tray 11 located furthest in the -Y direction and pulls the tray 11 out of the liquid ejection device 100 in the -Y direction.

[0023] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III. As shown in Fig. 3, the tray 11 has a bottom surface and side surfaces that rise from the left and right sides (-X direction and +X direction) of the bottom surface toward the antigravity direction (+Z direction).

[0024] [About the storage of ink pack 10] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the tray 11 in which the ink pack 10 is stored. As shown in Fig. 4, the ink pack 10 can be stored in the tray 11. The ink pack 10 also includes a film portion 12 serving as a liquid containing bag, an adapter 19, and an ink supplying part 20 serving as a liquid supplying part. The ink supplying part 20 is contained in the area of ​​the film portion 12 indicated by the dashed line in the figure.

[0025] The ink supply part 20 includes a spout that supplies the ink in the film part 12 to the liquid ejection device 100, a spacer that prevents the opposing inner surface 13 described below from coming into close contact, and a suction port that sucks the ink in the film part 12. The ink supply part 20 further includes a tube that conveys the ink sucked by the suction port toward the spout, and a shaft that connects the spacer and the spout. In other words, the ink supply part 20 means a part to which all parts for supplying the ink in the film part 12 to the liquid ejection device 100 are assembled. In other words, when the tray 11 containing the ink packs 10 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100, the film part 12 and the liquid ejection device 100 are connected via the adapter 19. As a result, the ink in the film part 12 is supplied to the liquid ejection device 100 via the spout.

[0026] [About Film Section 12] The film portion 12 is formed by welding the peripheral portions of the first film 14 and the second film 15. Details of the first film 14 and the second film 15 will be described later. The film portion 12 is formed into a bag shape by heat welding or the like of a flexible film. The shape of the film portion 12 is preferably a pillow type or a three-sided type that approaches flattening when all the ink is consumed. However, it is not necessarily limited to the pillow type or the three-sided type, and may be a gusset type or other type.

[0027] A two-layer film can be used as the flexible film. For example, a polyethylene layer, which has ink wettability and excellent heat-welding properties, can be provided on the inside of the film portion 12. Here, having ink wettability means that the member is not affected (hardened, embrittled, or corroded) even when it comes into contact with ink, and the components contained in the member are not dissolved by the ink.

[0028] Furthermore, a film having low gas permeability, such as an aluminum vapor deposition film or an aluminum laminate film having an aluminum layer formed thereon, can be used on the outside of the film portion 12. Note that the film does not necessarily have to be a two-layer type film, and a single-layer type film may also be used.

[0029] [About Adapter 19] The adapter 19 connects the base end side of the ink pack 10 to the base end side of the tray 11. For example, when the ink pack 10 is stored in the tray 11 and the tray 11 is inserted into the liquid ejection device 100, the adapter 19 is connected to the liquid ejection device 100. This makes it possible to supply the ink in the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 to the liquid ejection device 100.

[0030] The adapter 19 has a liquid outlet portion (not shown) for leading the ink in the film portion 12 to the liquid ejection device 100. The above-mentioned spout is attached to the liquid outlet portion. In other words, the ink in the film portion 12 is led from the liquid outlet portion to the liquid ejection device 100. The adapter 19 may have a liquid mixing chamber therein for making the ink concentration uniform.

[0031] [About the ink supply part 20] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the ink pack 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the ink pack 10 includes the film portion 12, the adapter 19, and the ink supply part 20 described above.

[0032] [About warping of ink pack 10] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a warped state of the ink pack 10. When the ink in the film portion 12 is consumed while the ink pack 10 is housed in the tray 11 inside the liquid ejection device 100, the film portion 12 starts to deform as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, the area of ​​the film portion 12 other than the area in which the ink supply part 20 is housed gradually deforms.

[0033] As the ink in film portion 12 continues to be consumed by liquid ejection device 100, first film 14 and second film 15 come into close contact with each other. Furthermore, as the ink in film portion 12 continues to be consumed while first film 14 and second film 15 are in close contact with each other, the close contact portion warps. In other words, unless this warping is suppressed in some way, ink pack 10 may protrude from tray 11 in the +Z direction.

[0034] Furthermore, when a user replaces the ink pack 10, if the ink pack 10 is warped inside the liquid ejection device 100, the ink pack 10 may get caught inside the liquid ejection device 100. If the user tries to forcefully pull out the tray 11 despite this, the film portion 12 may break, causing ink to leak. A configuration for preventing such an occurrence will be described below.

[0035] [Regarding Regulation Section 17] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which warping of the ink pack 10 is suppressed. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to or corresponding to those in the above-mentioned comparative example, and a description will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0036] 7, the tray 11 according to this embodiment has side portions that face each other across an end portion where the liquid supply port of the ink pack 10 is located. The tray 11 has a three-dimensional shape with at least the top surface open, and has a restricting portion 17. Specifically, the tray 11 has a visor-shaped restricting portion 17 on the edge portion of the other end side (-Y direction side) of the end portion (+Y direction side) where the liquid supply port of the ink pack 10 is located.

[0037] The restricting portion 17 protrudes from a ceiling portion of the edge of the other end side (-Y direction side) to the end side (+Y direction side) where the liquid supply port is located. A hollow space is formed between the protruding portion and the bottom surface of the tray 11.

[0038] As shown in the figure, the regulating portion 17 regulates warping of the ink pack 10. In other words, the regulating portion 17 suppresses the ink pack 10 from warping upward in the anti-gravity direction (+Z direction), thereby suppressing further warping of the ink pack 10. Hereinafter, the length of the regulating portion 17 extending in the Y direction will be referred to as the "eaves length."

[0039] If the "eaves length" is too long, the film portion 12 will interfere with the restricting portion 17 when the ink pack 10 is stored in the tray 11, making it difficult to store the ink pack 10. Conversely, if the "eaves length" is too short, it will be impossible to hold back the warped film portion 12. Therefore, it is desirable for the "eaves length" to extend from the edge portion in the direction in which the liquid supply port is located by a length that is 0.6 to 1.5 times the height from the bottom surface of the tray 11 to the top surface.

[0040] A more preferable range for the "eaves length" is one that extends at least 0.8 times the height of the tray 11 from the standpoint of ensuring reliability in suppressing warping. Also, from the standpoint of ensuring reliability in suppressing warping and operability when storing the ink pack 10, the "eaves length" should be approximately 1.2 times the height of the tray 11. Of course, the above-mentioned "eaves length" is merely one example.

[0041] Regarding the warping of the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10, the warping state shown in Figures 6 and 7 tends to occur most frequently. Specifically, the film portion 12 warps upward with a gradually increasing curvature from near the center to the tip end (-Y direction side) of the film portion 12.

[0042] 8, it is desirable that the restricting portion 17 is formed from the left side surface portion (the side surface portion located on the -X direction side) to the right side surface portion (the side surface portion located on the +X direction side) of the tray 11. In addition, in manufacturing the tray 11 according to this embodiment, the restricting portion 17 provided on the tray 11 is integrally molded with the tray 11.

[0043] As a result, with the tray 11 according to this embodiment, the warping of the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 is stopped by the restricting portion 17, thereby suppressing the warping of the ink pack 10. In other words, when the tray 11 is pulled out from the liquid ejection device 100, the ink pack 10 is prevented from getting caught inside the liquid ejection device 100, so the tray 11 can be pulled out smoothly.

[0044] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which warping of the ink pack 10 is suppressed in this embodiment. The difference between the tray 11 according to the first embodiment and the tray 11 according to this embodiment is the presence or absence of ribs 18. The direction in which the ink pack 10 bends is also different. In the following description, configurations similar to or corresponding to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description is omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0045] In the first embodiment, a case where the ink pack 10 warps upward has been described, but the ink pack 10 does not necessarily warp upward. Since various factors are involved in the bending of the film portion 12 in the ink pack 10, the film portion 12 can bend in various directions. For example, the film portion 12 can be warped in a valley fold or a mountain fold with respect to the length direction (Y direction).

[0046] Therefore, in a situation where it is unknown whether the film portion 12 will bend upward or downward, it may be better to actively guide the ink pack 10 in the bending direction to assist the bending of the ink pack 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, a tray 11 and ink pack 10 having a configuration that assists the ink pack 10 in bending in a valley fold will be described.

[0047] [About the storage of the ink pack 10 in this embodiment] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the tray 11 that contains the ink packs 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, in this embodiment, the tray 11 is provided with six ribs 18 in total, three on each side. The size of the ribs 18 is, for example, 14 mm in width and 10 mm in height. Of course, the number and size of the ribs 18 are merely an example. The installation positions and number of the ribs 18 provided on the tray 11 may be changed as appropriate, taking into consideration the dimensions of the film portion 12 and / or the amount of ink contained in the film portion 12.

[0048] As described above, the recesses 16 are formed on the surface of the first film 14 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the recesses 16 are formed in two straight lines on the surface of the first film 14 from the base end side to the tip end side of the film part 12. Furthermore, the recesses 16 are formed at positions that do not interfere with the ink supply part 20 contained in the film part 12. Specifically, the recesses 16 are formed outside the area in which the ink supply part 20 is contained, and on the inside of each of the two side ends of the film part 12, one on each side. In other words, it is desirable that the recesses 16 are formed at positions that do not interfere with the ink supply part 20.

[0049] [Regarding the bending of the ink pack 10 in this embodiment] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which bending of the ink pack 10 according to this embodiment is suppressed. As shown in Fig. 9, the tray 11 according to this embodiment has a rib 18. And, the restricting portion 17 is formed across both side portions of the tray 11, similar to the first embodiment.

[0050] Furthermore, a recess 16 is formed on the surface of the first film 14 of the ink pack 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 according to this embodiment is folded in a valley shape (towards the +Z direction) starting from the recess 16, and this folding is restricted by restricting portions 17 provided on both side portions of the tray 11. In other words, the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 is restricted so as not to fold upward beyond the height of the side portions (so as not to fold in the anti-gravity direction).

[0051] [Regarding the rib 18 in this embodiment] 10 is a plan view of the tray 11 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the example shown in this drawing shows a total of six ribs 18 as described above. The ribs 18 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0052] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI. As shown in Fig. 11, rib 18 has a slope formed from the side surface to the bottom surface of tray 11. By providing tray 11 with rib 18 having the slope, when ink pack 10 is stored in tray 11 and ink is consumed, the valley fold of ink pack 10 can be guided along the inclination of the slope. In other words, the slope formed on rib 18 assists film portion 12 described above to fold upward in the antigravity direction.

[0053] By folding the ink pack 10 in a valley shape, the ink remaining inside the film portion 12 is gathered in the direction of the ink supply part 20 of the film portion 12. This makes it easier for the suction port of the ink supply part 20 to suck up the ink, and also improves the ease of using up the ink.

[0054] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII. As described above, the tray 11 has a total of six ribs 18. In this drawing, three ribs 18 provided on the right side (+X direction side) of the tray 11 are shown.

[0055] [Ink pack 10 in this embodiment] 13 is a plan view of the ink pack 10 in this embodiment. As described above, the two recesses 16 are shown in this drawing. The recesses 16 will be described below.

[0056] [Regarding recess 16] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV. First, the configuration of the film portion 12 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the film portion 12 includes a first film 14 and a second film 15.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the first film 14 has a surface formed with recesses 16. The recesses 16 are formed by embossing. Therefore, the surface of the embossed portion of the first film 14 becomes the recesses 16, while the inner surface of the embossed portion becomes the protrusions. As an example of the configuration of the first film 14, a thickness of 0.1 mm is given. On the other hand, the second film 15 is not embossed as shown in the figure. The first film 14 and the second film 15 have inner surfaces facing each other, and the inner surfaces facing each other are called the facing inner surfaces 13.

[0058] Next, a method of folding the film portion 12 according to this embodiment will be described. As described above, the recesses 16 are continuously formed on the surface of the first film 14 from the base end to the tip end of the first film 14. As a result, when the film portion 12 deforms as ink is consumed, the film portion 12 folds (folds up) in a valley fold starting from the recesses 16.

[0059] As a result, with the tray 11 and ink pack 10 according to this embodiment, both left and right sides of the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 can be folded in a valley fold direction starting from the recess 16. Then, the valley fold (folding up) can be suppressed by the regulating portion 17. That is, in this embodiment as well, when the tray 11 is pulled out from the liquid ejection device 100, the ink pack 10 is prevented from getting caught inside the liquid ejection device 100, so the tray 11 can be pulled out smoothly.

[0060] <Embodiment 3> Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the tray 11 in this embodiment. The difference between the tray 11 in the first embodiment and the tray 11 in this embodiment is the position where the regulating portion 17 is formed. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to or corresponding to those in the first embodiment, and description is omitted, and differences are mainly described. In the first embodiment, the regulating portion 17 is formed across both side portions of the tray 11. In contrast, in this embodiment, the regulating portion 17 is formed at a corner between the end portion (+Y direction side) where the liquid supply port of the ink pack 10 is located and the other end portion (-Y direction side).

[0061] This makes it easier for a user to hook their finger on the wall portion having the restricting portion 17 when pulling out the tray 11 from the liquid ejection device 100. Also, compared to the first embodiment, the restricting portion 17 can be formed with less material. And, when the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10 is valley-folded as in the second embodiment, only the left and right ends of the film portion 12 that are folded up by the valley fold can be held down, so no material is wasted. As a result, the tray 11 according to this embodiment can prevent the ink pack 10 from warping up with less material.

[0062] <Embodiment 4> Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which warping of the ink pack 10 is suppressed in this embodiment. The difference between the tray 11 according to the first embodiment and the tray 11 according to this embodiment is the height at which the regulating portion 17 is formed. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to or corresponding to those in the first embodiment, and description is omitted, and differences are mainly described. In the first embodiment, the regulating portion 17 extends from the top of the wall surface located at the most tip side (-Y direction side) of the tray 11 (i.e., the highest position in the Z direction) to the base end side (+ direction side).

[0063] In contrast, in this embodiment, the restricting portion 17 extends from the middle of the wall surface located at the most tip side (-Y direction side) of the tray 11 to the base end side (+ direction side). This makes it easier for the user to hook their finger on the wall surface portion having the restricting portion 17 when pulling the tray 11 out of the liquid ejection device 100. In other words, the tray 11 according to this embodiment can be pulled out more smoothly while suppressing the ink pack 10 from warping up.

[0064] <Other embodiments> In the above example, the recesses 16 are described assuming that all the ink packs 10 are the same size, but the size of the ink packs 10 that contain a specific color may be changed. For example, the ink pack 10 of black (K), which is consumed frequently, may be made larger, with the size that can be accommodated in the tray 11 being the limit. In this case, it is desirable to form one recess 16 on each side of the left and right side of the black (K) ink pack 10, 15 to 20 mm inward from each of the left and right end portions.

[0065] Regarding the regulating portion 17, in the above example, an example was shown in which the regulating portion 17 contacts a corner located on the -Y direction side of the tray 11, but the regulating portion 17 does not necessarily need to contact a corner of the tray 11. For example, even if the regulating portion 17 does not reach the corner of the tray 11, it is sufficient that the regulating portion 17 has a sufficient width in the X direction and has a width that can substantially suppress the warping of the film portion 12 of the ink pack 10.

[0066] Regarding the molding of the regulating portion 17, in the above example, the regulating portion 17 is molded integrally with the tray 11, but the regulating portion 17 and the tray 11 may be molded separately. For example, if it is difficult to mold the regulating portion 17 and the tray 11 at the same time, the regulating portion 17 may be molded separately and then bonded to the tray 11. The bonding method may be welding (thermal welding, etc.) or adhesion with an adhesive.

[0067] Regarding the ribs 18, in the above example, the tray 11 is provided with the ribs 18, but the inside of the side portion of the tray 11 may be inclined to guide the valley folds of the film portion 12 in the ink pack 10 to the extent that the valley folds of the film portion 12 can be guided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10: Ink pack 11: Tray 12: Film section 17: Regulation Department

Claims

1. A tray for exchangeably housing a liquid container having a liquid supply port, the tray has an open top surface and a three-dimensional shape that defines a space for accommodating the liquid container, the space being defined by a bottom surface on which the liquid container is placed, one side surface on which the liquid supply port is located, another side surface positioned opposite the one side surface, a first side surface connecting an end portion of the one side surface to an end portion of the other side surface, and a second side surface connecting the other end portion of the one side surface to the other end portion of the other side surface; a visor-shaped restricting portion extending from an upper edge portion of the other side surface toward the space; a first rib connecting the bottom surface and the first side surface and having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the bottom surface and the first side surface; a second rib connecting the bottom surface and the second side surface and having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the bottom surface and the second side surface; Equipped with A plurality of the first ribs and a plurality of the second ribs are scattered on the other side surface side from the vicinity of the center of the space. A tray characterized by:

2. The regulating portion extends from the upper edge portion in a direction covering the space with a length of 0.6 to 1.5 times the height from the bottom surface to the top surface of the tray.

2. The tray of claim 1.

3. The restricting portion is formed continuously across the first side surface and the second side surface.

2. The tray of claim 1.

4. The restricting portion is formed at a corner portion connecting the other side surface and the first side surface and a corner portion connecting the other side surface and the second side surface.

3. A tray according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the first rib and the second rib assist deformation of the liquid container; 2. The tray of claim 1.

Images