Liquid storage container
The liquid storage container addresses leakage issues by employing a movable support and seal members with a biasing mechanism to maintain a sealed state, preventing leakage during removal and internal pressure changes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021169410
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid cartridges suffer from liquid leakage issues due to the lever remaining in the open position after removal from the printer body and potential separation of the valve element from the communication port, leading to internal pressure-induced leakage.
A liquid storage container with a movable support, first and second seal members, and a biasing mechanism that ensures the seal members block the communication passage when not in use, and open only when attached to a recording device, using a torsion coil spring or coil spring to maintain a sealed state.
Prevents liquid leakage during removal and internal pressure changes by maintaining a sealed state through the use of seal members that block the communication passage, ensuring the liquid remains contained within the container.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container that can be detachably attached to a recording device. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a liquid cartridge that can be detachably attached to a printer body. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the liquid cartridge has an atmosphere communication section 130 with an atmosphere communication port 134 and a liquid storage section 132 that stores liquid. A valve 500 is provided in a communication port 131 that communicates between the atmosphere communication section 130 and the liquid storage section 132. The valve 500 includes a lever 510, a valve body 520, a coil spring 530, and a seal member 540. Before installation, the seal member 540 closes the communication port 131 due to the bias of the coil spring 530. When the liquid cartridge is installed in the printer body, a pressing section 320 pushes down the lever 510, and the valve body 520 moves in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the coil spring 530. As a result, the seal member 540 moves away from the communication port 131, and the liquid storage portion 132 switches to an open state in which it communicates with the atmosphere communication port . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-161876 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the liquid cartridge described in Patent Document 1, even when the liquid cartridge is removed from the printer body, lever 510 remains in the open position with the lever 510 in the down position, which may result in liquid leakage from the liquid cartridge. Also, valve element 520 is disposed outside liquid storage section 132 and is configured to block communication port 131 from the outside, so if the internal pressure of liquid storage section 132 increases, valve element 520 may separate from communication port 131, which may result in liquid leakage from the liquid cartridge.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage container that can prevent liquid leakage. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A liquid storage container according to one aspect of the present invention includes a liquid storage section for storing liquid, an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage section to the atmosphere, a partition wall that separates the inside and outside of the liquid storage section, a through hole that penetrates the partition wall in a first direction, a movable support that is movable through the through hole in the first direction, a first seal member that is disposed inside the liquid storage section and fixed to the movable support, and a biasing member that biases the movable support so that the first seal member is positioned in a blocking position that blocks the atmosphere communication passage. a second seal member disposed outside the liquid reservoir and fixed to the movable support; The movable support has a receiving portion for receiving an external force, and the external force moves the first seal member from the closed position so that the inside of the liquid storage portion communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion via the atmosphere communication passage. When the movable support body moves in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member, the second seal member closes the gap between the movable support body and the through hole. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, even when the liquid container is removed from the recording device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section increases, it is possible to prevent liquid from leaking from the liquid container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a recording apparatus to which a liquid storage container of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 2 is not attached. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 2 is attached. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an unattached state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a liquid storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a liquid storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state immediately before the liquid cartridge is mounted. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state after the liquid cartridge is mounted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0010] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a recording device to which a liquid storage container of the present invention is applied. The recording device is an inkjet recording device that ejects liquid such as ink. The recording device has a holder 3 that holds a liquid storage container 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a recording head 1 to which liquid is supplied from the liquid storage container 100 held in the holder 3 via a tube 2. The liquid storage container 100 is detachably attached to the holder 3. The recording head 1 is mounted on, for example, a carriage, and ejects liquid toward a recording medium such as paper. An amount of liquid consumed by ejection is supplied from the liquid storage container 100 to the recording head 1. An internal flow path 31 that connects a joint needle 310 (described later) and the tube 2 is formed inside the holder 3.
[0011] Next, the configuration of the liquid storage container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the liquid storage container 100. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a cross section cut vertically along the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage container 100. In Fig. 2, the z-axis indicates the vertical direction, and the x-axis and y-axis both indicate the horizontal direction, with each axis being perpendicular to each other. 2, the liquid storage container 100 has a liquid storage section 110, a liquid supply section 120, and a valve unit 140. The liquid storage section 110 and the liquid supply section 120 are integrally formed. The liquid storage section 110 stores a liquid such as ink. The liquid supply section 120 supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 110 to the recording head 1. A lid 136 is provided on top of the liquid storage section 110. The lid 136 is configured to be able to house a pressing section 320, which will be described later, when the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3. The liquid storage container 100 is provided with an atmosphere communication passage 147 that connects the liquid storage portion 110 to the atmosphere. When liquid is supplied to the recording head 1, the inside of the liquid storage portion 110 becomes negative pressure, but the internal pressure of the liquid storage portion 110 is kept constant because external air is taken into the liquid storage portion 110 via the atmosphere communication passage 147. The valve unit 140 switches between a closed state in which the atmosphere communication passage 147 is closed, and an open state in which the atmosphere communication passage 147 is open.
[0012] The configuration of each part of the liquid storage container 100 will be described in detail below. (liquid storage section) The liquid storage container 100 has a partition wall 144 that separates the inside and outside of the liquid storage section 110. The partition wall 144 is located at the top of the liquid storage section 110. Here, the partition wall 144 constitutes a lid member for the liquid storage section 110. A liquid supply section 120 is provided at the bottom 111 of the liquid storage section 110. The bottom 111 is formed so as to slope downward toward the liquid supply section 120, so that the liquid can be supplied to the recording head 1 without being left behind at the bottom 111.
[0013] (Liquid supply section) Next, the configuration of the liquid supply unit 120 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. Figure 3 shows the state immediately before the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3. Figure 4 shows the state after the liquid storage container 100 has been completely attached to the holder 3. Both Figures 3 and 4 show cross sections at the same position as Figure 2. In Figures 3 and 4, arrow 51 indicates the insertion direction when attaching the liquid storage container 100 to the holder 3. Arrow 52 indicates the removal direction when removing the liquid storage container 100 from the holder 3.
[0014] The liquid supply unit 120 has a liquid supply port 124, a valve element 121, a valve spring 122, and an annular joint seal 123. The valve element 121 is made of a resin material. The valve spring 122 is made of a metal material. The joint seal 123 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is attached to the liquid supply port 124. The valve spring 122 biases the valve element 121 toward the joint seal 123. The biasing force of the valve spring 122 causes the valve element 121 to close the liquid supply port 124 to which the joint seal 123 is attached.
[0015] When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3, as shown in FIG. 4, the joint needle 310 is inserted into the liquid supply port 124. The joint needle 310 is made of a hollow member and is connected to the tube 2 via the internal flow path 31. The joint needle 310 constitutes the end of the liquid supply system on the recording device side. When the liquid storage container 100 moves in the direction 51, the joint needle 310 moves relatively inside the liquid supply port 124 toward the valve element 121 while maintaining tight contact with the joint seal 123 and maintaining a tight seal. The joint needle 310 presses the valve element 121 in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the valve spring 122. The pressing force of the joint needle 310 moves the valve element 121 in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the valve spring 122 and away from the liquid supply port 124. This opens the liquid supply port 124, allowing liquid to be supplied from the liquid storage container 100 to the recording head 1.
[0016] When the liquid storage container 100 is to be removed from the holder 3, the liquid storage container 100 is moved in direction 52. The joint needle 310 moves relatively inside the liquid supply port 124 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (the same direction as the biasing direction of the valve spring 122) while maintaining the airtightness provided by the joint seal 123. When the joint needle 310 is removed from the liquid supply port 124, the biasing force of the valve spring 122 causes the valve body 121 to close the liquid supply port 124.
[0017] (Valve unit and atmosphere communication passage) Next, the valve unit 140 and the atmosphere communication passage 147 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. The valve unit 140 includes a movable support 141, a torsion coil spring 142, a first seal member 146, and a second seal member 143. The first seal member 146 and the second seal member 143 are made of an elastic material such as rubber. The partition wall 144 has a through-hole 144c that penetrates the partition wall 144 in a first direction B (z-axis direction). Specifically, the through-hole 144c penetrates from a first surface 144a of the partition wall 144 that faces the liquid storage section 110 to a second surface 144b that is the surface on the back side of the first surface 144a. The movable support member 141 is inserted into the through-hole 144c and is movable through the through-hole 144c in the first direction B.
[0018] One end of the movable support 141 is located on the liquid storage portion 110 side, and the other end is located outside the liquid storage portion 110. The first seal member 146 is located inside the liquid storage portion 110 and is fixed to the one end of the movable support 141. The second seal member 143 is located outside the liquid storage portion 110 and is fixed to the movable support 141. In other words, the first seal member 146 is located on the first surface 144a side of the partition wall 114, and the second seal member 143 is located on the second surface 144b side of the partition wall 114. The gap between the first seal member 146 and the second seal member 143 is larger than the thickness of the partition wall 114. The second seal member 143 is annular, and its inner circumferential surface is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the movable support 141. The first seal member 146 and the second seal member 143 may be fixed to the movable support 141 using, for example, an adhesive.
[0019] The torsion coil spring 142 is an example of a biasing member that biases the movable support 141 so that the first seal member 146 is positioned at the closed position P1 where the first seal member 146 blocks the atmosphere-communicating passage 147. At the closed position P1, the first seal member 146 can block the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c. When the movable support 141 moves in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member, the first seal member 146 moves away from the closed position P1, and the second seal member 143 blocks the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c. When the first seal member 146 moves away from the closed position P1, the liquid storage portion 110 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere-communicating passage 147.
[0020] The atmosphere communication passage 147 is provided in the movable support 141. The atmosphere communication passage 147 has a first opening 147a that communicates with the interior of the liquid storage portion 110 and a second opening 147b that communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion 110. Here, the atmosphere communication passage 147 is provided so as to penetrate from one end of the movable support 141 to the other end. The first opening 147a is formed in a side surface of one end of the movable support 141, and the second opening 147b is formed in an end surface of the other end of the movable support 141. The second opening 147b may be formed in a side surface of the movable support 141. The first opening 147a is located on the inside side of the liquid storage portion 110, and the second opening 147b is located on the outside side of the liquid storage portion 110. In a closed state where the first seal member 146 is placed at the closed position P1, the first opening 147a is accommodated in the through-hole 144c. A gas-liquid separation membrane 145 that separates gas and liquid is provided at the first opening 147a of the atmosphere communication passage 147. The gas-liquid separation membrane 145 prevents the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 110 from leaking toward the atmosphere communication passage 147 even when the recording device is tilted slightly. The gas-liquid separation membrane 145 preferably has low flow resistance and low liquid permeability. For example, a water-repellent filter can be used for the gas-liquid separation membrane 145.
[0021] The biasing mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows the state of the biasing mechanism including the valve unit 140 immediately before the liquid container 100 is attached to the holder 3, with (a) being a top view and (b) being a cross-sectional view. FIG. 6 shows the state of the biasing mechanism including the valve unit 140 when the liquid container 100 is completely attached to the holder 3, with (a) being a top view and (b) being a cross-sectional view. That is, FIG. 5 shows the state in which the first seal member 146 is positioned at the closed position P1, and FIG. 6 shows the state in which the first seal member 146 is moved away from the closed position P1. Both FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b) show cross sections at the same position as FIG. 2. For convenience, only the pressing portion 320 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 as a component of the holder 3. The pressing portion 320 is configured to apply an external force to a receiving portion of a movable support 141 (described later) when the liquid container 100 is attached to the holder 3.
[0022] A male thread 148a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable support 141, and a female thread 148b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 144c. The movable support 141 is rotatable with the male thread 148a and the female thread 148b engaged with each other. When rotated in a first rotation direction (arrow A1), the movable support 141 moves toward the inside of the liquid storage section 110, i.e., in the direction of arrow 54. When rotated in a second rotation direction (arrow A2) opposite to the first rotation direction, the movable support 141 moves toward the outside of the liquid storage section 110, i.e., in the direction of arrow 53. The movable support 141 has a receiving portion for an external force. This external force moves the first seal member 146 from the closed position P1 so that the inside of the liquid storage portion 110 communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion 110 via the atmosphere communication passage 147. Here, the pressing force of the pressing portion 320 is used as this external force. The movable support 141 has, as a receiving portion for the external force, a pressing force receiving portion 141a that is disposed outside the liquid storage portion 110 and extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the movable support 141. When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3, the pressing portion 320 presses the pressing force receiving portion 141a, causing the movable support 141 to rotate in a first rotation direction.
[0023] Torsion coil spring 142 is configured to receive a torsional moment (arrow A) around the central axis of the coil. In torsion coil spring 142, a coil portion is attached to the outer peripheral surface of movable support 141, with the upper end of the coil fixed to movable support 141 and the lower end of the coil fixed to spring support portion 149. Spring support portion 149 is provided on second surface 144b of partition wall 144. Torsion coil spring 142 biases movable support 141 in a second rotational direction (arrow A2) so as to maintain the closed state in which first seal member 146 is disposed at closed position P1.
[0024] When the liquid storage container 100 is attached to the holder 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressing portion 320 presses the pressure receiving portion 141a of the movable support 141, causing the movable support 141 to rotate in a first rotation direction (arrow A1) by an angle θ1. Rotation in the first rotation direction causes the movable support 141 to move in a direction 54. As a result, the first seal member 146 moves away from the closed position P1, and the second seal member 143 comes into close contact with the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144, closing the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100 switches to an open state in which the liquid storage portion 110 is connected to the atmosphere. When switching to this open state, the torsion coil spring 142 receives a torsion moment corresponding to the amount of rotation of the angle θ1. This torsion moment acts to rotate the movable support 141 in a second rotation direction (arrow A2).
[0025] When the liquid storage container 100 is removed from the holder 3, the pressing portion 320 moves away from the pressure receiving portion 141a, and the pressing of the pressing portion 320 against the pressure receiving portion 141a is released. When the pressing portion 320 moves away from the pressure receiving portion 141a, the torsional moment acts to rotate the movable support 141 by angle θ1 in the second rotation direction. When the movable support 141 rotates in the second rotation direction, the movable support 141 moves in direction 53. As a result, the second seal member 143 moves away from the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144, and the first seal member 146 moves to the closed position P1 to close the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100 switches to a closed state in which the liquid storage portion 110 is hermetically sealed. In the above-described biasing mechanism, the distance D1 between the second seal member 143 and the first surface 144a of the partition wall 144 corresponds to the amount of movement of the movable support 141 according to the amount of rotation of the angle θ1, and can be defined by the pitch of the screw and the angle θ1. The rotatable angle range of the movable support 141 (the range of the angle θ1) is preferably, for example, 30° to 150°. Within this angle range, the action of the torsional moment can satisfactorily achieve the open state and the closed state.
[0026] According to the liquid storage container 100 of this embodiment described above, when the container is not attached, the first sealing member 146 closes the atmosphere communication passage 147, so that the liquid storage portion 110 remains sealed. Therefore, even when the liquid storage container 100 is transported or when a user picks up the liquid storage container 100 and tilts it, the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 110 will not leak out of the liquid storage container 100. Furthermore, first sealing member 146 is configured to come into close contact with first surface 144a of partition wall 144 from the inside of liquid storage portion 110, thereby blocking atmosphere-communicating passage 147. Therefore, even if the internal pressure of liquid storage portion 110 increases during transportation or the like, first sealing member 146 will not separate from first surface 144a, and the blocked state can be maintained. Furthermore, in the open state, the second sealing member 143 blocks the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c, thereby preventing the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c.
[0027] (Second embodiment) Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of a liquid storage container 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows the state immediately before the liquid storage container 100A is attached to the holder 3. Figure 8 shows the state after the liquid storage container 100A has been completely attached to the holder 3. Figures 7 and 8 show the configuration of a cross section taken vertically along the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage container 100A. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the state of the biasing mechanism including the valve unit 140 just before the liquid storage container 100A is attached to the holder 3. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the state of the biasing mechanism including the valve unit 140 when the liquid storage container 100A is completely attached to the holder 3. That is, Figs. 7 and 9 show the state when the first seal member 146 is located in the closed position P1, and Figs. 8 and 10 show the state when the first seal member 146 is away from the closed position P1. Both Figs. 9 and 10 show cross sections at the same positions as Figs. 7 and 8. For convenience, Figs. 9 and 10 only show the pressing portion 320 as a component of the holder 3.
[0028] The liquid storage container 100A of this embodiment differs from the liquid storage container 100 of the first embodiment in that it has an atmosphere-communicating passage 247 instead of the atmosphere-communicating passage 147. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and to avoid duplication of explanation, the description of these components will be omitted here. The atmosphere communication passage 247 is provided in the partition wall 144. The atmosphere communication passage 247 has a first opening 247a that communicates with the interior of the liquid storage portion 110 and a second opening 247b that communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion. Here, the atmosphere communication passage 247 is provided so as to penetrate from the first surface 144a to the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144. The first opening 247a is adjacent to the through-hole 144c. When the movable support 141 is disposed in the closed position P1, the first seal member 146 closes the first opening 247a. The gas-liquid separation membrane 145 is provided in the first opening 247a.
[0029] 7 and 9, in the non-attached state, the first seal member 146 is in the closed position P1. The first seal member 146 closes the gap between the movable support member 141 and the through-hole 144c, and also closes the first opening 247a of the atmosphere communication passage 247. In this way, the liquid storage container 100A is in a closed state in which the atmosphere communication passage 247 is closed. 8 and 10, when liquid storage container 100A is attached to holder 3, pressing portion 320 presses pressure-receiving portion 141a of movable support 141. Movable support 141 rotates in the first rotation direction and moves in direction 54. As a result, first seal member 146 moves away from closed position P1, and second seal member 143 closes the gap between movable support 141 and through-hole 144c. In this way, liquid storage portion 110 communicates with the atmosphere via atmosphere-communicating passage 247, and liquid storage container 100A switches to an open state.
[0030] In the liquid storage container 100A of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, leakage of liquid can be prevented when the liquid storage container 100A is removed from the recording device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 increases. In addition, in the closed state, the first sealing member 146 blocks the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c, thereby preventing the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c. Furthermore, in the open state, the second sealing member 143 blocks the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c, thereby preventing the liquid inside the liquid storage section 110 from leaking to the outside through the gap between the movable support 141 and the through-hole 144c.
[0031] (Third embodiment) Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the biasing mechanism of a liquid storage container 100B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 shows the cross-sectional structure at the same position as in Figure 5. For convenience, in Figure 11, only the pressing portion 320 is shown as a component of the holder 3.
[0032] The liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment differs from the liquid storage container 100 of the first embodiment in that it does not have a male thread 148a or a female thread 148b, and uses a coil spring 142A instead of the torsion coil spring 142. A portion of the movable support 241 is inserted into a through-hole 144c of a partition wall 144. The outer peripheral surface of the movable support 241 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 144c, and the movable support 241 is slidable in the penetration direction (z-axis direction). The outer peripheral surface of the movable support 241 and the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 144c form concentric circular shapes in the xy plane. A spring support portion 150 that supports the upper end of the coil spring 142A is provided on the outer side of the movable support 241. The spring support portion 150 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the movable support 241. The spring support portion 150 is parallel to the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144 and is disposed on the outer side (opposite the partition wall 144) of the second seal member 143. In other words, the second seal member 143 is disposed between the spring support portion 150 and the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144.
[0033] A lower end of the coil spring 142A contacts the second surface 144b of the partition wall 144. The coil spring 142A biases the movable support 241 so as to maintain a closed state in which the first seal member 146 is disposed at the closed position P1 that blocks the atmosphere communication passage 147. Specifically, the coil spring 142A biases the movable support 241 in a direction (arrow 53) toward the outside. The movable support 241 is provided with the atmosphere communication passage 147 described in the first embodiment. The pressing portion 320 has a leaf spring 320a that biases the movable support 241 in the direction (arrow 54) opposite to the biasing direction of the coil spring 142A. In this embodiment, the end of the movable support 241 that abuts against the leaf spring 320a serves as a receiving portion for the external force. Note that instead of the leaf spring 320a, a slope that acts to move the movable support 241 in the direction of the arrow 54 may be provided on the pressing portion 320.
[0034] In the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment, in the non-attached state, the first seal member 146 is disposed in the closed position P1, and the first opening 147a of the atmosphere-communicating passage 147 is accommodated in the through-hole 144c. In the closed position P1, the first seal member 146 closes the gap between the movable support 241 and the through-hole 144c. In this way, the liquid storage container 100B is in a closed state in which the atmosphere-communicating passage 147 is closed. When liquid storage container 100B is attached to holder 3, leaf spring 320a of pressing portion 320 urges movable support 241 in the direction of arrow 54. When movable support 241 moves in the direction of arrow 54, first seal member 146 moves away from closed position P1, and second seal member 143 closes the gap between movable support 241 and through-hole 144c. In this way, liquid storage container 100B switches to an open state in which liquid storage portion 110 communicates with the atmosphere via atmosphere-communicating passage 147.
[0035] In the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, leakage of liquid can be prevented when the liquid storage container 100B is removed from the recording device or when the internal pressure of the liquid storage section 110 increases. Furthermore, the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment does not have a screw structure, unlike the first embodiment, and therefore the structure of the container can be simplified.
[0036] The biasing mechanism of the liquid storage container 100B of this embodiment can also be applied to the liquid storage container 100A of the second embodiment. In this case, in the non-attached state, the first sealing member 146 is in the closed position P1 to close the gap between the movable support 241 and the through-hole 144c and also to close the opening 247a of the atmosphere-communicating passage 247. This puts the liquid storage container 100A in a closed state in which the atmosphere-communicating passage 247 is closed. On the other hand, when liquid storage container 100B is attached to holder 3, leaf spring 320a of pressing portion 320 urges movable support 241 in direction 54. When movable support 241 moves in direction 54, first seal member 146 moves away from closed position P1, and second seal member 143 closes the gap between movable support 241 and through-hole 144c. This switches liquid storage container 100B to an open state in which liquid storage portion 110 is in communication with the atmosphere via atmosphere-communicating passage 247. The above application example also provides the same effects as those of the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]
[0037] 100 Liquid storage container 110 Liquid storage section 141 Movable support 142 Torsion coil spring 143 Second sealing member 144 Bulkhead 146 first seal member 147 Atmospheric communication passage
Claims
1. a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage portion to the atmosphere; a partition wall that separates the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion; a through hole penetrating the partition wall in a first direction; a movable support member that is movable in the first direction through the through hole; a first seal member disposed within the liquid storage portion and fixed to the movable support; a biasing member that biases the movable support member so that the first seal member is positioned at a closing position where the first seal member closes the atmosphere communication passage; a second seal member disposed outside the liquid reservoir and fixed to the movable support; the movable support has a receiving portion for receiving an external force, and the external force moves the first seal member from the closed position so that the inside of the liquid storage portion communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion via the atmosphere communication passage; A liquid storage container characterized in that, when the movable support body moves in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member, the second sealing member closes the gap between the movable support body and the through hole.
2. 2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the movable support is inserted into the through hole, and the first seal member closes a gap between the movable support and the through hole when in the closed position.
3. 3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the atmosphere communication passage is provided in the movable support body.
4. 4. The liquid storage container according to claim 3, wherein the atmosphere communication passage has a first opening communicating with the inside of the liquid storage portion and a second opening communicating with the outside of the liquid storage portion, and the first opening is accommodated in the through hole when the first seal member is placed in the closed position.
5. 3. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere communication passage is provided in the partition wall.
6. 6. The liquid storage container according to claim 5, wherein the atmosphere communication passage has a first opening communicating with the inside of the liquid storage portion and a second opening communicating with the outside of the liquid storage portion, and the first seal member closes the first opening when the first seal member is placed in the closed position.
7. 7. The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein a gas-liquid separating membrane for separating gas from liquid is provided in the first opening.
8. a male screw provided on an outer peripheral surface of the movable support; a female screw provided on an inner peripheral surface of the through hole, the movable support is rotatable with the male screw and the female screw threadedly engaged, and is configured to move toward the inner side when rotated in a first rotation direction, and to move toward the outer side when rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, 8. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases the movable support body in the second rotation direction.
9. 9. The liquid storage container according to claim 8, wherein the receiving portion is a pressure receiving portion that is arranged outside the liquid storage portion and extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the movable support, and the movable support rotates by pressing the pressure receiving portion.
10. 10. The liquid storage container according to claim 8, wherein the movable support can rotate within an angular range of 30° to 150°.
11. 11. The liquid container according to claim 8, wherein the biasing member is a torsion coil spring.
12. 8. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases the movable support body in the first direction from the inside of the liquid storage portion toward the outside of the liquid storage portion.
13. 13. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.
14. 14. The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to an outside.
15. 15. A liquid storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid storage container is detachably attachable to a recording device that ejects liquid, and when attached to the recording device, the recording device applies the external force to the receiving portion, and the movable support moves in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member.
16. 12. The liquid storage container according to claim 8, wherein the liquid storage container is detachably attachable to a recording device that ejects liquid, and when the liquid storage container is attached to the recording device, the recording device applies the external force to the receiving portion, causing the movable support to rotate in the first rotation direction.
17. 14. The liquid storage container according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the liquid storage container is detachably attachable to a recording device that ejects liquid, and when attached to the recording device, the recording device applies the external force to the receiving portion, and the movable support moves in the first direction, from the outside of the liquid storage portion toward the inside of the liquid storage portion.
18. a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage portion to the atmosphere; a partition wall that separates the inside and outside of the liquid storage portion; a through hole penetrating the partition wall in a first direction; a movable support member that is movable in the first direction through the through hole; a first seal member disposed within the liquid storage portion and fixed to the movable support; a biasing member that biases the movable support member so that the first seal member is positioned at a closing position where the first seal member closes the atmosphere communication passage, the movable support has a receiving portion for receiving an external force, and the external force moves the first seal member from the closed position so that the inside of the liquid storage portion communicates with the outside of the liquid storage portion via the atmosphere communication passage; the movable support member has a male screw provided on an outer peripheral surface and a female screw provided on an inner peripheral surface of the through hole, is rotatable in a state in which the male screw and the female screw are threadedly engaged, and is configured to move toward the inner side when rotated in a first rotation direction, and to move toward the outer side when rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases the movable support member in the second rotation direction.
19. 19. The liquid storage container according to claim 18, wherein the receiving portion is a pressure receiving portion that is arranged outside the liquid storage portion and extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the movable support, and the movable support rotates by pressing the pressure receiving portion.
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