cartridge

Abstract

To provide a technique that can suppress forgetting to remove a film covering an opening with respect to a cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a liquid storage part for accommodating a liquid; a liquid supply part; an arrangement part having a bottom wall in which an opening, in which a liquid introduction part is inserted, is formed; and a film which is peelably attached to the arrangement part in the state of covering the opening. The arrangement part further has an attachment element cooperating with a printer, and the film is located at a position interposed between the printer and the attachment element when attachment process is performed in the state that the film is attached to the arrangement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cartridge technology. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a cartridge is known that includes a liquid supply portion and a peelable film that covers the liquid supply portion (Patent Document 1). This film prevents the liquid from splashing out of the liquid supply portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-26259 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, when the cartridge is used, the film is peeled off from the liquid supply unit along the peeling guide. However, in the conventional technology, the cartridge may be mounted on the printing device without peeling off the film from the liquid supply unit. In this case, the following various problems may occur. For example, when the cartridge is mounted on the printing device with the film attached, the part of the film covering the liquid supply unit may collide with the liquid introduction unit of the printing device, causing the liquid in the liquid introduction unit to adhere to the film. If the liquid adheres to the film, the liquid may drip from the film and stain the surrounding area with the liquid. In addition, for example, when the cartridge is mounted on the printing device with the film attached, the film may not be able to normally connect the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit, and the liquid may not flow smoothly from the liquid supply unit to the liquid introduction unit. In addition, the film may damage components on the printing device side. Therefore, a technology that can suppress forgetting to peel off the film has been desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a printing device that includes a liquid introduction section, the cartridge including a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section that is connected to the liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid to the printing device, an arrangement section that arranges the liquid supply section inside, the arrangement section having a bottom wall with an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted, and a film that is peelably attached to the arrangement section while covering the opening, the arrangement section further including an attachment element that cooperates with the printing device during at least one of an attachment process in which the cartridge is attached to the printing device and an attachment state in which the cartridge is attached to the printing device, and the film is disposed at a position interposed between the printing device and the attachment element when the attachment process is performed while the film is attached to the arrangement section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the process of mounting a cartridge into a cartridge mounting portion. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating the mounting process. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a mounted state in which the mounting of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion is completed. [Diagram 5] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z side. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along line 6-6. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the area of ​​FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z side. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the first type cartridge with a film attached. [Figure 13] Bottom view of the first type cartridge with film installed. [Figure 14] 14-14 partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. Embodiment: A-1. Printing system configuration: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes, which are three spatial axes perpendicular to each other, are depicted. The directions in which the arrows of the X, Y, and Z axes point indicate the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are respectively the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction. The directions opposite to the directions in which the arrows of the X, Y, and Z axes point are respectively the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes. The negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are respectively the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are respectively called the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown below.

[0008] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 that supplies liquid ink to the printing device 10 .

[0009] The printing device 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid from an ejection head 22. The printing device 10 is a large printer that prints on large-sized paper (A2 to A0, etc.) such as posters. The printing device 10 includes a cartridge mounting unit 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, an ejection head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. The printing device 10 also includes an operation button 15 that allows the user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0010] The cartridge mounting section 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has an insertion / removal opening 674 which is an entrance to the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge 4. The cartridge 4 is stored in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6 and removed from the storage chamber 61 through this insertion / removal opening 674. A plurality of cartridges 4 are detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6, one for each of the four colors of ink, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, that is, a total of four cartridges 4. The cartridge 4 that stores black ink is also called cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 that stores yellow ink is also called cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 that stores magenta ink is also called cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 that stores cyan ink is also called cartridge 4C. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K is configured to store more liquid than the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, the cartridge 4K is also called a first type cartridge 4A, and the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also called a second type cartridge 4B.

[0011] The printing device 10 has a replacement cover 13 on the front side in the +Y direction. When the +Z direction side of the replacement cover 13 is tilted toward the front side in the +Y direction, an opening of the cartridge mounting section 6 appears, and the cartridge 4 can be attached and detached. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided on the carriage 20 through a tube 24 as a liquid circulation pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 by utilizing a head difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by a head difference between the ink liquid level in the cartridge mounting section 6 and the ejection head 22. In another embodiment, ink may be supplied to the ejection head 22 by sucking ink in the cartridge 4 using a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10. The tube 24 is provided for each type of ink. Here, a state in which the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6 and ink as a liquid can be supplied to the printing device 10 is also called an "attached state".

[0012] The ejection head 22 is provided with a nozzle for each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink from the nozzles toward the printing paper 2 to print data such as characters and images. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "off-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to so-called "on-carriage type" printers in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0013] The control unit 31 controls each part of the printing device 10 and sends and receives signals to and from the cartridge 4. The carriage 20 moves the ejection head 22 relative to the printing paper 2.

[0014] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. The power of the drive motor 34 is transmitted to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, causing the carriage 20 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction, which is the direction along the X direction. The printing device 10 also includes a transport mechanism for moving the print paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction. When printing is performed, the print paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the transport mechanism, and the print paper 2 after printing is completed is output onto the front cover 11.

[0015] Furthermore, an area called a home position is provided outside the printing area when the carriage 20 is moved in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance mechanism is mounted in the home position to perform maintenance to ensure normal printing. The maintenance mechanism is made up of a cap member 8 that is pressed against the surface on the bottom side of the ejection head 22 on which the nozzles are formed to form a closed space surrounding the nozzles, an elevation mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers the cap member 8 to press it against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22, and a suction pump (not shown) that introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed by pressing the cap member 8 against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22.

[0016] In this embodiment, in the use state of the printing system 1, the axis along the sub-scanning direction in which the print paper 2 is transported is the Y axis, the axis along the gravity direction is the Z axis, and the axis along the movement direction of the carriage 20 is the X axis. Here, the "use state of the printing system 1" refers to a state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is the +Y direction, the opposite direction is the -Y direction, the gravity direction is the -Z direction, and the antigravity direction is the +Z direction. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction. In addition, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is the +X direction, and the opposite direction is the -X direction. In this embodiment, the insertion direction in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting is the -Y direction, and the direction in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y direction side of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is also called the back side, and the +Y direction side is also called the front side. In this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the multiple cartridges 4 is the X direction.

[0017] A-2. Cartridge installation process and installation status: Fig. 2 is a first diagram for explaining the process of mounting the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6. Fig. 3 is a second diagram for explaining the mounting process. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a mounting state in which the mounting of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed.

[0018] The mounting process is composed of a terminal connection process and a supply unit connection process executed after the terminal connection process. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal connection process is a process in which the cartridge 4 is moved in the insertion direction D1, which is the -Y direction, through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67 and inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting unit 6, thereby contacting and electrically connecting the device side terminal of the cartridge mounting unit 6 to the cartridge side terminal of the cartridge 4 to be described later. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the supply unit connection process is a process in which a liquid introduction part of the cartridge mounting unit 6 to be described later and a liquid supply part of the cartridge 4 to be described later are connected while maintaining the electrical connection between the device side terminal and the cartridge side terminal. Specifically, in the supply unit connection process, the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4 is rotated around the rotation fulcrum 698 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow, thereby connecting the liquid introduction part and the liquid supply part. In the mounted state shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 4 is engaged with an engagement formation body 677 provided on the first device wall 67 side of the cartridge mounting portion 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, when removing the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting portion 6, the user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4, thereby rotating the rear end 47 side about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection release direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction D2. During this rotational movement, the engagement by the engagement formation body 677 is released. After the cartridge 4 is rotated in the connection release direction D3 to reach the state shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 by moving the cartridge 4 in the removal direction +Y.

[0020] A-3. Detailed description of cartridge installation status: Fig. 5 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as seen from the +Z direction side. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region R7 in Fig. 6. In Fig. 5, the cartridge 4K is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6. The mounting state of the cartridge 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. The mounting states of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K are the same.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge mounting section 6 has a support member 610 that forms the bottom wall of the storage chamber 61. The support member 610 supports the cartridge 4 from below. When the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, the support member 610 supports the cartridge 4 from the -Z direction side. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 and the liquid introduction section 642 of the cartridge mounting section 6 are connected. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid storage section 450 of the cartridge 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction section 642 via the liquid supply section 442. In this embodiment, while the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply section 442 to the liquid introduction section 642, the air contained in the liquid storage section 699 of the cartridge mounting section 6 becomes air bubbles, which flow through the liquid introduction section 642 and the liquid supply section 442 to the liquid storage section 450. As a result, gas-liquid exchange is performed in the liquid storage section 450. In another embodiment, the cartridge 4 may have an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage portion 450 with the outside, and gas-liquid exchange may be performed via this atmosphere communication passage. The atmosphere communication passage is disposed at a position different from the liquid supply portion 442, and is formed in a wall that forms the liquid storage portion 450, for example.

[0022] The liquid introduction section 642 receives the liquid supplied from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction section 642 is a cylindrical member, and has an internal flow path that distributes the liquid inside. The liquid introduction section 642 has a base end 642a and a tip end 642b. An opening that communicates with the introduction section flow path, which is an internal flow path, is formed in the tip end 642b, and the ink of the liquid supply section 442 flows to the introduction section flow path through this opening. The base end 642a is connected to the liquid storage section 699, and causes the ink that has flowed through the introduction section flow path to flow to the liquid storage section 699. The liquid storage section 699 is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The liquid storage section 699 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the tube 24 shown in FIG. 1. As described above, the liquid introduction section 642 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the liquid storage section 699 and the tube 24. The central axis CA1 of the liquid introduction part 642 is parallel to the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 in the attached state, and is inclined with respect to the Z direction. In other words, the direction along the central axis CA1 in which the liquid introduction part 642 extends intersects with the insertion direction of the cartridge 4. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is the direction along which the liquid supply part 442 extends.

[0023] 7, when the cartridge 4 is attached, the circuit board 50 of the cartridge 4 and the device-side terminal section 70 of the cartridge attachment section 6 come into contact with each other and are thereby electrically connected. The device-side terminal section 70 is held by a holding mechanism 73. The device-side terminal section 70 has a plurality of device-side terminals 721, a terminal holding section 750, and a connector 739.

[0024] In this embodiment, nine device-side terminals 721 are provided. Each of the device-side terminals 721 is a metal plate member having electrical conductivity. The device-side terminal 721 has a terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, and a portion of the device-side terminal 721 that contacts the cartridge-side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50, which is an end of the device-side terminal 721, can be elastically deformed with the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp as a fulcrum. The direction of elastic deformation is along the Y direction and the Z direction. The terminal holding unit 750 holds the device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is electrically connected to the device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is also electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 by wiring (not shown). This enables data communication between the circuit board 50 and the control unit 31.

[0025] The holding mechanism 73 has a biasing member 780 and an attachment member 782. The biasing member 780 is configured by a coil spring. The attachment member 782 has the biasing member 780 disposed inside. The device-side terminal portion 70 is attached to the attachment member 782. The biasing member 780 is compressed when the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is complete. As a result, the biasing member 780 applies an external force Fa to the device-side terminal portion 70 via the attachment member 782 in a direction toward the removal direction of the cartridge 4, which is the first device wall 67 side. The device-side terminal portion 70 is pressed against the circuit board 50 by the external force Fa, so that good contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the cartridge-side terminal 521 is maintained.

[0026] As described above, the holding mechanism 73 holds the device-side terminal portion 70 so as to be displaceable in the direction along the insertion direction of the cartridge 4. Furthermore, one end of the urging member 780 on the device-side terminal portion 70 side is configured to be slightly movable in the X direction and Z direction intersecting the insertion direction. As a result, the device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73 so as to be slightly movable in the X direction and Z direction intersecting the insertion direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, in the supply unit connection process, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644, which is a protrusion of the cartridge mounting portion 6, fits into the concave supply unit positioning portion 448 of the cartridge 4, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 intersecting the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442. This positions the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. In detail, before the liquid introduction portion 642 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 442 of the cartridge 4, that is, before the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction portion 642 is started, the insertion of the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 into the supply unit positioning portion 448 is started. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 has one end 644a and the other end 644b. The one end 644a is located on the liquid storage portion 699 side. One end 644a is located closer to the storage chamber 61 than the other end 644b.

[0028] When the cartridge 4 is attached, a main wall 613 forming the bottom of the support member 610 is inclined with respect to the Y direction. Specifically, the main wall 613 of the support member 610 is inclined so as to be positioned lower on the -Z direction side as it approaches the +Y axis direction. This main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction in the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6 where the cartridge 4 is not attached.

[0029] The cartridge mounting section 6 has a biasing member 625 that applies an external force Ft1 to the support member 610 in order to return the support member 610 to the position of the initial arrangement state when the cartridge 4 is mounted. The biasing member 625 is a coil spring provided between the support member 610 and the liquid storage section 699, and is in a compressed state when mounted. In the compressed state, an external force Ft1 having a +Z direction component is applied to the support member 610. On the other hand, when the cartridge 4 is mounted, the cartridge engaging section 497 of the cartridge 4 engages with the mounting engaging section 697 of the cartridge mounting section 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state. The mounting engaging section 697 is formed on an engagement forming body 677 located on the first device wall 67 side of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0030] 6, when the support member 610 is pushed down in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698, the liquid supply portion 442 is pushed down and connected to the liquid introduction portion 642. When the support member 610 is pushed up in the connection release direction D3 around the rotation fulcrum 698, the liquid supply portion 442 is pushed up and separated from the liquid introduction portion 642, and the connection between the liquid supply portion 442 and the liquid introduction portion 642 is released.

[0031] A-4. Detailed configuration of cartridge mounting section 6: FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 9 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Z direction side. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, for ease of understanding, some components of the cartridge mounting portion 6 are omitted. With respect to the cartridge mounting portion 6, the X direction is also referred to as the width direction, the Y direction is also referred to as the depth direction, and the Z direction is also referred to as the height direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, each element will be described assuming that the cartridge mounting portion 6 is in an initial arrangement state in which the cartridge 4 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge mounting portion 6 forms a storage chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is stored. The storage chamber 61 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the storage chamber 61, the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K, which are portions for storing the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K, generally correspond to the external shapes of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K has a larger dimension in the X direction than the other cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y in order to store a larger amount of liquid. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the slot 61K is larger than the widths of the other slots 61C, 61M, and 61Y.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge mounting section 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form the storage chamber 61. In this disclosure, the term "wall" is a concept that includes not only a single wall, but also a wall formed of multiple walls. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion / removal opening 674 through which the cartridge 4 passes when it is inserted into or removed from the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 faces the first device wall 67 in the Y direction. The second device wall 62 is a generally vertical wall when the printing device 10 is in use.

[0034] The upper wall 63 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 faces the upper wall 63 in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 is formed by a support member 610. The bottom wall 64 has a plurality of openings 614. In this embodiment, four openings 614 are formed according to the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K. The upper wall 63 and the bottom wall 64 intersect with the second wall 62 and the first wall 67. In this disclosure, "intersect" and "intersect" mean any one of the following states: (i) two elements intersect with each other and actually intersect with each other, (ii) one element intersects with the other element when extended, and (iii) each element intersects with each other when extended.

[0035] The first device side wall 65 forms a wall on the +X direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device side wall 66 faces the first device side wall 65 in the X direction and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the storage chamber 61. The first device side wall 65 and the second device side wall 66 intersect with the second device wall 62, the first device wall 67, the device top wall 63, and the device bottom wall 64.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a support member 610, a liquid introduction section 642, a supply section positioning section 644, a device guide section 602, and an engagement formation body 677. A plurality of support members 610 are provided according to the number of cartridges 4 to be mounted. In this embodiment, four support members 610 are provided. The support members 610 form the device bottom wall 64 on the gravity direction side of the storage chamber 61. The support members 610 support the cartridges 4 from the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side. The support members 610 are members extending along the Y direction. The support members 610 have a concave shape. The support members 610 include a main wall 613 forming the device bottom wall 64, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612.

[0037] The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom located on the gravity direction side. An apparatus opening 614 is formed in the end of the main wall 613 on the first apparatus wall 67 side. The apparatus opening 614 penetrates the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613.

[0038] 8, the first supporting side wall 611 rises in the +Z direction, which is the antigravity direction, from the +X direction end of the main wall 613. The second supporting side wall 612 rises in the +Z direction from the -X axis direction end of the main wall 613. The first supporting side wall 611 and the second supporting side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

[0039] The device guide 602 guides the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction and removal direction. The device guide 602 is provided for each support member 610. The device guide 602 is provided on each of the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. The device guide 602 is a protrusion provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. As shown in FIG. 9, the first device guide 602a provided on the first support side wall 611 is a protrusion protruding from the first support side wall 611 toward the second support side wall 612. The first device guide 602a extends along the Y direction. A plurality of the first device guides 602a are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The second device guide 602b provided on the second support side wall 612 is a protrusion protruding from the second support side wall 612 toward the first support side wall 611. The second device guide portion 602b extends along the Y direction. A plurality of second device guide portions 602b are disposed at intervals in the Y direction.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the liquid introduction part 642 receives the liquid of the cartridge 4. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting part 6, the liquid introduction part 642 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. That is, the liquid introduction part 642 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 with respect to the support member 610. This makes it possible to prevent the cartridge 4 from colliding with the liquid introduction part 642 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting part 6. As described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip part 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 is disposed in the storage chamber 61 by rotating and moving the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 about the rotation fulcrum 698 to push down the device opening 614. That is, the rotation fulcrum 698 as a displacement mechanism rotates and moves the support member 610 to displace the device opening 614 toward the gravity direction side, thereby disposing the tip part 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 in the storage chamber 61 via the device opening 614.

[0041] The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 shown in FIG. 8 is received by the supply unit positioning portion 448 to restrict the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. This allows the liquid supply unit 442 to be positioned. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. In other words, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 with respect to the support member 610. This makes it possible to prevent the cartridge 4 from colliding with the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The other end 644b of the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is positioned in the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698 to push down the device opening 614. In other words, the rotation fulcrum 698 rotates the support member 610 to displace the device opening 614 , thereby disposing the other end 644 b of the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 within the accommodation chamber 61 via the device opening 614 .

[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes the above-mentioned device-side terminal section 70 and a device-side identification member 630. The device-side identification member 630 is used to identify whether or not the correct type of cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K is inserted into each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K of the storage chamber 61. The device-side identification member 630 forms different pattern shapes depending on the color of the liquid contained in the cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. In FIG. 8, the device-side identification member 630 is shown to have the same pattern shape in each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K for convenience, but in reality, the pattern shapes are different. The device-side identification member 630 is provided on the main wall 613 of the support member 610.

[0043] The device-side identification member 630 is formed by at least one or more ribs. The pattern shape is determined by the number and positions of the ribs. The cartridge 4 is also provided with a cartridge-side identification member formed by ribs. The cartridge-side identification member forms a different pattern shape according to the type of cartridge 4, that is, the color of the liquid contained therein. When a correct type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the corresponding slot 61C to 61K, the device-side identification member 630 and the cartridge-side identification member do not collide. On the other hand, when an incorrect type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the slot 61C to 61K, the device-side identification member 630 and the cartridge-side identification member collide with each other, preventing further insertion of the cartridge 4. This reduces the possibility that an incorrect type of cartridge 4 is mounted in each of the slots 61C to 61K of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0044] 8, the engagement formation body 677 is formed on the +Y direction side of the support member 610. Moreover, the engagement formation body 677 is located on the -Z direction side of the insertion / removal opening 674. The engagement formation body 677 has four mounting engagement portions 697 shown in FIG. 3 arranged corresponding to the slots 61C to 61K.

[0045] A-5. Detailed configuration of Cartridge 4: FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 12 is a second perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A to which the film 200 is attached. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the first type cartridge 4A to which the film 200 is attached. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13. The film 200 is omitted from the illustrations in FIGS. 10 and 11. The difference between the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B shown in FIG. 1 is the volume of the liquid storage section 450. Specifically, the width of the liquid storage body 401 of the first type cartridge 4A, which will be described later, is larger than the width of the liquid storage body 401 of the second type cartridge 4B, so that the volumes of the liquid storage sections 450 are different. Other configurations, such as the adapter 402 and the film 200 as the arrangement section, are the same in the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B, so that the detailed configuration of the cartridge 4 will be described below using the first type cartridge 4A. In the following, the first type cartridge 4A will also be simply referred to as the cartridge 4. In the drawings showing the cartridge 4, the X, Y, and Z directions are based on the state in which the terminal connecting process shown in Fig. 3 is completed, in which the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed. In other words, in the drawings showing the cartridge 4, the X, Y, and Z directions are based on the state prior to the supply unit connecting process in which the support member 610 is rotationally moved.

[0046] 11, the cartridge 4 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. In the cartridge 4, the direction along the -Y direction which is the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the longitudinal direction, the X direction is the short side direction as the width direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the cartridge 4, the longitudinal dimension is the largest and the short side dimension is the smallest.

[0047] The cartridge 4 includes a cartridge body 41 and a circuit board 50 shown in Fig. 13 attached to the cartridge body 41. In this embodiment, the cartridge body 41 is configured of two members as shown in Fig. 10. In detail, the cartridge body 41 includes a liquid container 401 and an adapter 402 as a placement part attached to the liquid container 401 by fitting. Note that in other embodiments, the cartridge body 41 may be integrated.

[0048] The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are each molded by, for example, injection molding a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge body 41 has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45 as a side wall, a second side wall 46 as a side wall, and a corner portion 89. The walls 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are also called the faces 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 face each other in the Y direction along the insertion direction. The upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 face each other in the Z direction. The Z direction is parallel to the central axis CA2 along the extension direction of the liquid supply part 442. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 face each other in the X direction.

[0050] The front wall 42 is located on the insertion direction D1 side in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the mounting portion 6. That is, the front wall 42 forms an insertion tip surface on the -Y direction side, which is the insertion direction D1 side. The rear wall 47 forms a surface on the +Y direction side, which is the removal direction. The upper wall 43 is located on the +Z direction side and intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. The bottom wall 44 is located on the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, in the mounted state, and forms a connection tip surface in the connection direction D2 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the bottom wall 44 is located on the connection direction D2 side. The bottom wall 44 intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. The bottom wall 44 has an opening 446 through which the liquid introduction part 642 is inserted. When the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side, the opening 446 and the liquid supply part 442 are in a positional relationship in which they overlap. In this embodiment, the liquid supply part 442 is disposed so that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 passes through the opening 446. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the bottom wall 44 faces the supply portion tip portion 442a of the liquid supply portion 442 in the Z direction.

[0051] The first side wall 45 is located on the -X direction side, and the second side wall 46 is located on the +X direction side. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 intersect with the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the top wall 43, and the bottom wall 44, respectively. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 each extend along the insertion direction D1. The corner portion 89 is provided at a corner portion where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a terminal arrangement portion 90 that is recessed inward. As shown in FIG. 13, the circuit board 50 is attached to this terminal arrangement portion 90.

[0052] 10, the liquid container 401 has a liquid container section 450 that contains liquid, and a liquid supply section 442. The liquid supply section 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the container bottom wall 431 of the liquid container 401 that faces the upper wall 43. In the attached state, the liquid supply section 442 is connected to the liquid introduction section 642, and supplies the liquid in the liquid container section 450 to the ejection head 22 of the printing device 10 via the liquid introduction section 642. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the liquid supply section 442 has a supply section tip section 442a as a tip section that forms an opening through which the liquid is led out to the outside.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 10, the adapter 402 as the placement section includes an adapter front wall 82 as the placement section front wall, an adapter rear wall 87 as the placement section rear wall, an adapter bottom wall 84 as the placement section bottom wall, a first adapter side wall 85 as the first placement section side wall, and a second adapter side wall 86 as the second placement section side wall. The adapter front wall 82 constitutes a part of the front wall 42 and forms an insertion tip surface on the -Y direction side which is the insertion direction. The adapter rear wall 87 constitutes a part of the rear wall 47 and faces the adapter front wall 82 in the Y direction. The adapter bottom wall 84 constitutes the bottom wall 44. The adapter bottom wall 84 intersects with the adapter front wall 82 and the adapter rear wall 87.

[0054] The first adapter side wall 85 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. The first adapter side wall 85 is a plate-like wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid container 401. The second adapter side wall 86 faces the first adapter side wall 85 in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter side wall 86 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter side wall 86 is a plate-like wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid container 401.

[0055] The adaptor 402 has a concave shape with the adaptor bottom wall 84 as its bottom. The side of the adaptor 402 facing the adaptor bottom wall 84 is open, and the liquid supply part 442 is disposed inside the adaptor 402 through this opening. The part of the adaptor 402 where the liquid supply part 442 is disposed is also referred to as a supply part mounting part 831. As shown in FIG. 11 , the adaptor bottom wall 84 has an opening 446 through which the liquid introduction part 642 is inserted at a position opposite to the supply part tip part 442a.

[0056] 11, the adapter 402 as the arrangement unit further has an attachment element 700 that cooperates with the cartridge mounting unit 6 during at least one of an attachment process in which the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting unit 6 of the printing device 10 and an attachment state in which the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting unit 6. The attachment element 700 mechanically cooperates with the cartridge mounting unit 6 by, for example, contacting, engaging with, or being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6. The attachment element 700 has a cartridge side identification member 430, a cartridge guide portion 447, a supply unit positioning portion 448, a cartridge engaging portion 497, and a circuit board 50 shown in FIG.

[0057] The cartridge-side identification member 430 shown in FIG. 11 is provided at the end of the bottom wall 44 on the front wall 42 side. The cartridge-side identification member 430 is composed of ribs. The pattern shape of the cartridge-side identification member 430 is determined by the number and positions of the ribs. The pattern shape differs depending on the type of cartridge 4, i.e., the color of the liquid contained therein. In the process of mounting the cartridge 4, if a correct type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the corresponding slot 61C to 61K, the cartridge-side identification member 430 can pass between the device-side identification members 630 without colliding with them.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, the cartridge guide portion 447 extends along the insertion direction D1. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the cartridge guide portion 447 is single-hatched for ease of understanding. The cartridge guide portion 447 extends along the insertion direction D1 from a portion where the corner portion 89 is located to a portion where the opening portion 446 is located. That is, in the width direction of the cartridge 4, the first cartridge guide portion 447a is located on one side of the opening portion 446, and the second cartridge guide portion 447b is located on the other side of the opening portion 446. The cartridge guide portion 447 is guided in the insertion direction D1 by the device guide portion 602 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. As shown in FIG. 13, the cartridge guide portion 447 is formed on the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46, specifically, on the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86.

[0059] The cartridge guide portion 447 is formed by a step on each of the first adaptor side wall 85 and the second adaptor side wall 86. That is, the width of the cartridge 4 is smaller at a portion including the bottom wall 44 than at another portion that is farther away from the bottom wall 44 than the one portion. This forms a step that forms the cartridge guide portion 447. The cartridge guide portion 447 is a surface that faces the -Z direction. The cartridge guide portion 447 formed on the first adaptor side wall 85 is also referred to as a first cartridge guide portion 447a, and the cartridge guide portion 447 formed on the second adaptor side wall 86 is also referred to as a second cartridge guide portion 447b.

[0060] When the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6, the +Z direction surface of the device guide portion 602 comes into contact with the cartridge guide portion 447, thereby guiding the movement of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 while maintaining the attitude of the cartridge 4. In the process of inserting the cartridge 4 into the storage chamber 61, the +Z direction surface of the first device guide portion 602a comes into contact with the first cartridge guide portion 447a, and the +Z direction surface of the second device guide portion 602b comes into contact with the second cartridge guide portion 447b.

[0061] In the mounting process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and positions the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. Specifically, in the supply unit connection process of the mounting process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and restricts the movement of the supply unit positioning portion 448 in a direction intersecting the connection direction D2, thereby positioning the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is a recess formed in the bottom wall 44 and recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall 44. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is located in the bottom wall 44 between the opening 446 and the end portion to which the adapter front wall 82 is connected. In another embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 may be a hole penetrating the bottom wall 44.

[0062] The cartridge engaging portion 497 is provided on the rear wall 47, more specifically, on the adapter rear wall 87. The cartridge engaging portion 497 is a recess recessed from the outer surface of the adapter rear wall 87. The cartridge engaging portion 497 is formed in the adapter rear wall 87 near the end portion that intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84. As shown in FIG. 6, in the mounted state, the cartridge engaging portion 497 engages with the mounting engaging portion 697 as the mounting engaging portion 697 fits into the cartridge engaging portion 497. This engagement maintains the mounted state of the cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0063] 13, the circuit board 50 is placed in a terminal placement section 90 provided in the adaptor 402. The circuit board 50 has cartridge-side terminals 521 that come into contact with device-side terminals 721 in the attached state.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cartridge 4 further includes a first attachment portion 54, a second attachment portion 55, and a film 200. The first attachment portion 54 and the second attachment portion 55 are portions that removably attach the film 200 to the adapter bottom wall 84 by heat welding, adhesive, or the like. The first attachment portion 54 and the second attachment portion 55 are each a protrusion provided on the adapter bottom wall 84. The first attachment portion 54 is formed so as to surround the opening 446. The second attachment portion 55 is formed so as to surround the supply portion positioning portion 448 except for the opening 446 side.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, the film 200 is attached to the adapter 402 as a placement section in a peelable manner while covering the opening 446. In detail, the film 200 is attached to the first attachment section 54 and the second attachment section 55 of the bottom wall 44. Before the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge attachment section 6, the user peels the film 200 from the cartridge 4. The film 200 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. As shown in FIG. 12, the film 200 has a fold 202 along the width direction of the cartridge 4 in a part thereof, but is not limited thereto. The film 200 may have a planar shape without the fold 202. In this embodiment, the film 200 has a planar shape when attached to the bottom wall 44. On the other hand, the cartridge 4 is sealed in a decompressed bag at the time of shipment. In this sealed state, the film 200 is folded into a shape that conforms to the shape of the cartridge body 41. Therefore, when the cartridge 4 is removed from the bag, the crease 202 formed when in a sealed state may be maintained.

[0066] Here, liquid supply part 442 is provided with a valve mechanism that opens when liquid introduction part 642 is inserted and closes when liquid introduction part 642 is not inserted. However, if cartridge 4 is subjected to an impact, for example when cartridge 4 is dropped, the valve mechanism may temporarily open, causing liquid to leak from liquid supply part 442. Film 200 covers opening 446, thereby preventing liquid from splashing outside cartridge 4, even if liquid leaks from liquid supply part 442 to the outside.

[0067] The film 200 is rectangular in a state where the fold 202 is not formed. The film 200 includes a first film side 205, a second film side 206, a first film end 208, and a second film end 209 that define a rectangular outer shape. The first film side 205 forms one end in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the cartridge 4. The second film side 206 forms the other end in the X direction. The first film end 208 forms one end in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the cartridge 4. In other words, the first film end 208 is located at the end of the film 200 on the removal direction side of the cartridge 4. The second film end 209 forms the other end in the Y direction. In other words, the second film end 209 forms the end of the film 200 on the insertion direction D1 side of the cartridge 4.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 14, a liquid absorbent 302 that absorbs liquid is disposed on the inner surface 200fa of the film 200. In detail, the liquid absorbent 302 is disposed on a portion of the inner surface 200fa that faces the supply portion tip 442a, which is the tip of the liquid supply portion 442. The liquid absorbent 302 is, for example, sheet-shaped. The outer shape of the liquid absorbent 302 can be various shapes such as a circle or a rectangle. The liquid absorbent 302 is a member for holding liquid by a predetermined capillary force, and may be, for example, a foamed member such as urethane foam, a porous body formed of polyvinyl alcohol, or a member formed of nonwoven fabric. By having the liquid absorbent 302 on the film 200, even if the liquid leaks from the liquid supply portion 442 due to an impact caused by the cartridge 4 being dropped or colliding with another object, the leaked liquid can be absorbed by the liquid absorbent 302. Therefore, when the film 200 is peeled off from the cartridge, it is possible to suppress the liquid from scattering to the outside.

[0069] Furthermore, when the cartridge 4 is mounted on the adapter 402 without being peeled off, the film 200 is disposed at a position between the printing device 10 and the mounting element 700 before the mounting is completed. In other words, when the cartridge 4 is mounted on the adapter 402 without being peeled off, the film 200 comes into contact with an element of the printing device 100 that cooperates with the mounting element 700. The positional relationship between the film 200 and the mounting element 700 will be described in detail below.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 13, in a first case when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side in the direction along the central axis CA2, the cartridge 4 has the following first positional relationship. That is, in the first case, the film 200 is attached to the adapter 402 in a state in which it protrudes outward from the cartridge guide portion 447 so as to overlap with a part of the cartridge guide portion 447. That is, in the X direction which is the short side direction of the cartridge 4, the first film side portion 205 is positioned outward from the first cartridge guide portion 447a so as to overlap with a part of the first cartridge guide portion 447a. In addition, in the X direction, the second film side portion 206 is positioned outward from the second cartridge guide portion 447b so as to overlap with the second cartridge guide portion 447b. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned first positional relationship is achieved by the dimension of the film 200 in the short side direction of the cartridge 4 being larger than the distance between the first cartridge guide portion 447a and the second cartridge guide portion 447b in the short side direction. Since the cartridge 4 has the first positional relationship, when the mounting process, specifically, the terminal connection process in which the cartridge 4 is moved along the insertion direction D1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is performed, the film 200 is interposed between the device guide portion 602 and the cartridge guide portion 447 shown in FIG. 8. This prevents the cartridge 4 from moving smoothly in the insertion direction D1. Therefore, in the terminal connection process, which is a stage before the film 200 collides with the liquid introducing portion 642, the user can notice that the film 200 has been left unpeeled. This can prevent the film 200 from colliding with the liquid introducing portion 642 and causing liquid to adhere to the outer surface of the film 200.

[0071] 12, the film 200 is attached to the bottom wall 44 in a state of covering the supply unit positioning portion 448. When the mounting process, specifically, the supply unit connection process in which the state shown in FIG. 3 is transitioned to the state shown in FIG. 4, is performed, the film 200 is interposed between the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and the supply unit positioning portion 448 at a stage before the connection between the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 is started. As a result, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 collides with the film 200, and the cartridge 4 cannot move smoothly in the connection direction D2. Therefore, at a stage before the film 200 collides with the liquid introduction portion 642, the user can notice that the film 200 has been left unpeeled. This can prevent the film 200 from colliding with the liquid introduction portion 642 and attaching liquid to the outer surface of the film 200.

[0072] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, in the first case when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side in the direction along the central axis CA2, the cartridge 4 has the following second positional relationship. That is, in the first case, the film 200 is attached to the adapter 402 in a state in which it protrudes outward from the rear wall 47, specifically the adapter rear wall 87 as the rear wall of the placement section. That is, in the Y direction which is the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 4, the first film end 208 is located outward from the adapter rear wall 87. By the cartridge 4 having the second positional relationship, when the mounting process, specifically the supply section connection process in which the state shown in FIG. 3 is transitioned to the state shown in FIG. 4, is performed, the film 200 is interposed between the mounting engagement portion 697 and the cartridge engagement portion 497 shown in FIG. 6 in the stage before the mounting is completed. As a result, the mounting engagement portion 697 collides with the film 200, and the cartridge 4 cannot move smoothly in the connection direction D2. This allows the user to notice that the film 200 has been left unpeeled before the mounting of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6 is completed. In addition, in this embodiment, when the first film end 208 side of the film 200 is folded so as to contact the adapter rear wall 87, the first film end 208 protrudes outward from the adapter rear wall 87 to such an extent that the film 200 covers at least a part of the cartridge engagement portion 497. That is, the length L200 shown in FIG. 12 of the part of the film 200 protruding outward from the adapter rear wall 87 is longer than the length L497 shown in FIG. 11 from the bottom wall 44 to the cartridge engagement portion 497. As a result, during the mounting process, the part of the film 200 protruding outward from the adapter rear wall 87 is pushed by the mounting engagement portion 697 and bent to be positioned so as to cover a part of the cartridge engagement portion 497. Therefore, the film 200 can be more reliably interposed between the mounting engagement portion 697 and the cartridge engagement portion 497.

[0073] According to the above embodiment, in the mounting process, the film 200 is disposed at a position interposed between the cartridge mounting section 6 and the cartridge guide section 447, the supply section positioning section 448, and the cartridge engagement section 497 that constitute the mounting element 700. As a result, the film 200 prevents the mounting operation of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6 from being performed smoothly. As a result, the user can notice that the film 200 has been left on the cartridge 4 before the mounting of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6 is completed. This can prevent the user from forgetting to peel off the film 200. As a result, the film 200 is peeled off from the cartridge 4 before the mounting of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting section is completed, so that the liquid supply section 442 and the liquid introduction section 642 can be normally connected. In addition, the film can prevent damage to components of the printing device 10, such as the liquid introduction section 642.

[0074] B. Other embodiments: B-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, the film 200 is located outside the first cartridge guide portion 447a and the second cartridge guide portion 447b in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the cartridge 4. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the film 200 may be located outside either the first cartridge guide portion 447a or the second cartridge guide portion 447b in the X direction, which is the short side direction of the cartridge 4. Even in this case, since the film 200 is located at a position interposed between the device guide portion 602 and the cartridge guide portion 447 during the mounting process, the film 200 does not smoothly mount the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6. This allows the user to notice that the film 200 has been left unpeeled before the mounting of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed.

[0075] B-2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, during the mounting process, the film 200 is disposed at a position interposed between the cartridge mounting section 6 and the cartridge guide section 447, the supply section positioning section 448, and the cartridge engaging section 497 constituting the mounting element 700, but this is not limited thereto. For example, during the mounting process, the film 200 may be disposed at a position interposed between at least one of the mounting elements 700, i.e., the cartridge guide section 447, the supply section positioning section 448, and the cartridge engaging section 497 constituting the mounting element 700, and the cartridge mounting section 6. Even in this manner, since the film is interposed between the mounting element 700 and the cartridge mounting section 6 during the mounting process, the user can notice that the film 200 has been left unpeeled during the mounting process.

[0076] B-3. ​​Alternative embodiment 3: The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink cartridges, but can also be applied to cartridges mounted on any printing device that ejects liquid other than ink. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to various printing devices and their cartridges, such as the following: (1) Image recording devices such as facsimile machines (2) A printing device that sprays color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) A printing device that sprays electrode materials used to form electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), etc. (4) A printing device that sprays liquid containing biological organic matter used in biochip production. (5) Sample printing device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricant printing device (7) Resin liquid printing device (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras with pinpoint accuracy. (9) A printing device that sprays transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet-curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A printing device that sprays acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch substrates, etc. (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects any other minute amount of liquid droplets.

[0077] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, and includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The term "liquid" here refers to any material that can be ejected by a printing 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. 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, ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks.

[0078] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the 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 above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0079] (1) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is detachably mounted on a printing device that includes a liquid introduction section. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section that is connected to the liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid to the printing device, an arrangement section that arranges the liquid supply section inside, the arrangement section having a bottom wall with an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted, and a film that is peelably attached to the arrangement section while covering the opening, and the arrangement section further includes an attachment element that cooperates with the printing device during at least one of an attachment process in which the cartridge is attached to the printing device and an attachment state in which the cartridge is attached to the printing device, and the film is arranged at a position interposed between the printing device and the attachment element when the attachment process is performed while attached to the arrangement section. According to this embodiment, in the attachment process, the film is arranged at a position interposed between the printing device and the attachment element, so that the installation operation of the cartridge to the printing device cannot be performed smoothly due to the film. This allows the user to notice that the film has been left unpeeled before the installation of the cartridge to the printing device is completed. This can prevent the user from forgetting to remove the film.

[0080] (2) In the above embodiment, the arrangement portion may have a side wall that intersects with the bottom wall and extends along an insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the printing device, the side wall may extend along the insertion direction and have a cartridge guide portion that is guided in the insertion direction by the printing device as one of the mounting elements, and the film may be attached to the arrangement portion in a state in which it protrudes outward beyond the cartridge guide portion when the cartridge is viewed from the bottom wall side. According to this embodiment, when the mounting process is performed, the film is interposed between the device guide portion and the cartridge guide portion. This prevents the cartridge from moving smoothly in the insertion direction due to the film. This allows the user to notice that the film has been left unpeeled before the cartridge is completely mounted in the printing device.

[0081] (3) In the above embodiment, the arrangement section may further have, as one of the mounting elements, a supply section positioning section having a concave shape formed on the bottom wall, which receives the device-side supply section positioning section of the printing device and restricts the movement of the liquid supply section relative to the liquid introduction section, and the film may be attached to the arrangement section in a state of covering the supply section positioning section. According to this embodiment, the film is interposed between the device-side supply section positioning section and the supply section positioning section during the mounting process. As a result, the device-side supply section positioning section collides with the film during the mounting process, preventing smooth movement of the cartridge for mounting. This allows the user to notice that the film has been left unpeeled.

[0082] (4) In the above embodiment, the arrangement section may further have a rear wall intersecting the bottom wall, the rear wall having a cartridge engaging portion as one of the mounting elements, which engages with an installation engaging portion of the printing device to maintain the cartridge mounted to the printing device, and the film may be attached to the arrangement section in a state where it protrudes outward from the rear wall. According to this embodiment, when the installation process is performed, the film is interposed between the installation engaging portion and the cartridge engaging portion before the installation of the cartridge to the printing device is completed. As a result, the installation engaging portion collides with the film, preventing smooth movement of the cartridge for installation. This allows the user to notice that the film has been left unpeeled.

[0083] (5) In the above embodiment, the length of the portion of the film that extends outward beyond the rear wall may be longer than the length from the bottom wall to the cartridge engaging portion. According to this embodiment, the film can be more reliably interposed between the mounting engaging portion and the cartridge engaging portion during the mounting process.

[0084] (6) In the above embodiment, a liquid absorbent material may be disposed on the inner surface of the film in a portion facing the supply portion tip, which is the tip of the liquid supply portion. According to this embodiment, even if the cartridge is dropped or hits another object and liquid leaks from the liquid supply portion, the leaked liquid can be absorbed by the liquid absorbent material. Therefore, when the film is peeled off from the cartridge, the liquid can be prevented from scattering to the outside.

[0085] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in the form of a cartridge manufacturing method, a printing system including a cartridge and a printing device, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...printing system, 2...printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K...cartridge, 4A...first type cartridge, 4B...second type cartridge, 6...cartridge mounting section, 8...cap member, 10...printing device, 13...replacement cover, 15...operation button, 20...carriage, 22...ejection head, 24...tube, 30...driving mechanism, 31...control section, 32...timing belt, 34...driving motor, 41...cartridge body, 42...front wall, 43...upper wall, 44...bottom wall, 45...first side wall, 46...second side wall, 47...rear wall, 50...circuit board, 54...first mounting section, 55...second mounting section, 61...accommodating chamber, 61C, 61M, 61Y,61K...slot, 62...second device wall, 63...device top wall, 64...device bottom wall, 65...first device side wall, 66...second device side wall, 67...first device wall, 70...device side terminal portion, 73...retaining mechanism, 82...adapter front wall, 84...adapter bottom wall, 85...first adapter side wall, 86...second adapter side wall, 87...adapter rear wall, 89...corner portion, 90...terminal arrangement portion, 100...printing device, 200...film, 200fa...inner surface, 202...fold, 2 05...first film side portion, 206...second film side portion, 208...first film end portion, 209...second film end portion, 302...liquid absorbent material, 401...liquid container, 402...adapter, 430...cartridge side identification member, 431...container bottom wall, 442...liquid supply portion, 442a...supply portion tip portion, 446...opening portion, 447...cartridge guide portion, 447a...first cartridge guide portion, 447b...second cartridge guide portion, 448...supply portion positioning portion 3A to 3C are plan views of a cartridge-side identification member, 610, a support member, 611, a first support side wall, 612, a second support side wall, 613, a main wall, 614, an opening of the device, 625, a biasing member, 630, a device-side identification member, 642, a liquid introduction portion, 642a, a base end portion, 642b, a tip end portion, 644, a device-side supply portion positioning portion, 644a, a device-side identification member, 642, a liquid introduction portion, 642a, a base end portion, 642b, a tip end portion, 644, a device-side supply portion positioning portion, 644b, a device-side identification member, 642, a liquid introduction portion, 642 ...b, a device-side identification member, 642, a liquid introduction portion, 642b, a device-side identification member, 642, a liquid introduction portion, 642b, a device- One end, 644b...other end, 674...insertion opening, 677...engagement formation body, 697...mounting engagement portion, 698...rotation fulcrum, 699...liquid storage portion, 700...mounting element, 721...device side terminal, 739...connector, 750...terminal holding portion, 780...urging member, 782...mounting member, 831...supply portion arrangement portion, CA1...center axis, CA2...center axis, D1...insertion direction, D2...connection direction, D3...disconnection direction, Fa...external force, Ft1...external force, Rp...terminal rotation fulcrum,

Claims

1. A cartridge that is detachably mounted to a printing device that has a liquid introduction section, A liquid container, A liquid storage section that stores liquid; a liquid container having a liquid supply section connected to the liquid introduction section and supplying the liquid to the printing device; an arrangement part having the liquid supply part disposed therein and attached to the liquid container by fitting, the arrangement part having a bottom wall with an opening through which the liquid introduction part is inserted; a film releasably attached to the placement portion while covering the opening, the arrangement section further includes a mounting element that cooperates with the printing device during at least one of a mounting process in which the cartridge is mounted to the printing device and a mounted state in which the cartridge is mounted to the printing device; The cartridge, wherein the film is disposed at a position interposed between the printing device and the mounting element when the mounting process is performed in a state where the film is attached to the mounting portion.

2. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, the arrangement portion has a side wall that intersects with the bottom wall and extends along an insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the printing device, the side wall extends along the insertion direction and has a cartridge guide portion as one of the mounting elements that is guided in the insertion direction by the printing device; A cartridge, wherein when the cartridge is viewed from the bottom wall side, the film is attached to the placement portion in a state where it protrudes outward beyond the cartridge guide portion.

3. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, the arrangement section further includes a supply section positioning section having a concave shape formed on the bottom wall, the supply section positioning section being one of the mounting elements and adapted to receive an apparatus-side supply section positioning section of the printing device and regulate movement of the liquid supply section relative to the liquid introducing section; A cartridge, wherein the film is attached to the placement portion in a state where the film covers the supply portion positioning portion.

4. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the arrangement portion further includes a rear wall intersecting the bottom wall, the rear wall having a cartridge engaging portion as one of the mounting elements, the cartridge engaging portion being adapted to engage with a mounting engaging portion of the printing device to maintain the cartridge mounted to the printing device; The film is attached to the placement portion in a state where it protrudes outward beyond the rear wall.

5. 5. The cartridge of claim 4, A cartridge, wherein a length of a portion of the film extending outward beyond the rear wall is longer than a length from the bottom wall to the cartridge engaging portion.

6. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A cartridge, wherein a liquid absorbent material is disposed on an inner surface of the film in a portion facing a supply portion tip portion, which is the tip portion of the liquid supply portion.

7. A cartridge removably mounted on a printing device having a liquid introduction section, A liquid storage section that stores liquid; a liquid supply section connected to the liquid introduction section and supplying the liquid to the printing device; a placement section for placing the liquid supply section therein, the placement section having a bottom wall with an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted; a film releasably attached to the placement portion while covering the opening, the arrangement section further includes a mounting element that cooperates with the printing device during at least one of a mounting process in which the cartridge is mounted to the printing device and a mounted state in which the cartridge is mounted to the printing device; the film is disposed at a position between the printing device and the mounting element when the mounting step is performed in a state where the film is attached to the mounting section, the arrangement portion further includes a rear wall intersecting the bottom wall, the rear wall having a cartridge engaging portion as one of the mounting elements, the cartridge engaging portion being adapted to engage with a mounting engaging portion of the printing device to maintain the cartridge mounted to the printing device; The film is attached to the placement portion in a state where it protrudes outward beyond the rear wall.

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