Cap and cartridge unit

Abstract

To provide a technique that can reduce the possibility of a cap coming off a cartridge.SOLUTION: When a direction along a liquid supply part is represented by Z direction, a longer direction of a cap crossing the Z direction is represented by Y direction, and a shorter direction of the cap crossing the Y direction and the Z direction is represented by X direction, a cartridge comprises a first guide rib and a second guide rib which extend in the Y direction and project outward along the X direction, and the cap comprises: an encapsulation wall with a liquid holding part facing the liquid supply part; a first convex rib projecting in a direction opposite to a projection direction of the first guide rib; a second convex rib projecting in a direction opposite to a projection direction of the second guide rib; a first recess which is formed between the encapsulation wall and the first convex rib, and accommodates the first guide rib; and a second recess which is formed between the encapsulation wall and the second convex rib, and accommodates the second guide rib, in a fitting state that the cap is fitted to the cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technology of caps and cartridge units.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology related to a detachable cap for a liquid supply part of a cartridge has been known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, when the cartridge receives an external impact due to dropping or the like, there is a possibility that the cap comes off from the cartridge. Therefore, a technology that can reduce the possibility that the cap attached to the cartridge comes off from the cartridge is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cap is provided. A cap that is detachably attached to a cartridge having a liquid supply section, wherein when the direction along the liquid supply section is defined as the Z direction, the longitudinal direction of the cap intersecting the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, and the short direction of the cap intersecting the Y direction and the Z direction is defined as the X direction, the cartridge includes a first guide rib and a second guide rib extending in the Y direction and projecting outward along the X direction, and the cap, in an attached state with the cap attached to the cartridge, includes a sealing wall having a liquid holding section facing the liquid supply section, a first convex rib projecting in the opposite direction to the projection direction of the first guide rib, a second convex rib projecting in the opposite direction to the projection direction of the second guide rib, a first recess formed between the sealing wall and the first convex rib, which accommodates the first guide rib, and a second recess formed between the sealing wall and the second convex rib, which accommodates the second guide rib.

[0006] (2) According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a cartridge unit is provided. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge having a liquid supply section and a cap as described above, fitted to the cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the printing system. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the cartridge mounting area. [Figure 3] A view of the cartridge mounting area from the +Z direction. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating the process of inserting a cartridge into the cartridge mounting section. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view showing the cartridge and cartridge mounting area in the fully inserted state. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view showing the cartridge and cartridge mounting area in the completed installation state. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the cartridge unit in its non-installed state. [Figure 8] Figure 1 shows a magnified view of the area around the liquid supply section. [Figure 9] Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the area around the liquid supply section. [Figure 10] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of line 10-10. [Figure 11] First perspective view of the cap. [Figure 12] Second perspective view of the cap. [Figure 13] The underside of the cap. [Figure 14] A perspective view of the cartridge unit in its installed state. [Figure 15] External view of the cartridge unit in its installed state. [Figure 16] Sectional view of 16-16 in Figure 14. [Figure 17] A diagram illustrating the details of the cap-side placement determination section and the cap-side regulating section. [Figure 18] A diagram illustrating the configuration of the cartridge unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] A diagram illustrating the configuration of the cartridge unit in the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] A. First Embodiment: A-1. Printing device configuration: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of printing system 1. Figure 1 depicts three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, the X, Y, and Z axes. The arrows on the X, Y, and Z axes point in the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. These positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the +X, +Y, and +Z directions, respectively. The directions opposite to those pointed to by the X, Y, and Z axes are the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. These negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the -X, -Y, and -Z directions, respectively. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of their positive or negative sign, are called the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively.

[0009] In this embodiment, in the usage state of the printing system 1, the X-axis and the Y-axis are axes along the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is an axis along the direction of gravity. In the following, the direction of gravity is taken as the -Z direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is taken as the +Z direction. The direction from the front side to the rear side of the printing system 1 is taken as the -Y direction, and the direction from the rear side to the front side of the printing system 1 is taken as the +Y direction. Also, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is taken as the +X direction, and the direction from the left side to the right side is taken as the -X direction. Note that the "usage state of the printing system 1" refers to the state in which the printing system 1 is installed on the horizontal plane. The same shall apply to the figures and descriptions shown hereinafter.

[0010] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10, a cartridge 4 that supplies ink as a liquid to the printing device 10, and a cap 7 shown in FIG. 7 described later that is detachably attached to the cartridge 4.

[0011] In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is an inkjet printer that discharges ink as a liquid from a discharge head 22. The printing device 10 includes a cartridge mounting portion 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, a discharge head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. Also, the printing device 10 includes an operation button 15 for a user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0012] The cartridge mounting portion 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has an insertion and removal opening 674 that is an entrance and exit to the accommodation chamber 61 of the cartridge 4. The cartridge 4 is accommodated in or removed from the accommodation chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6 through the insertion and removal opening 674. In this embodiment, the insertion direction D1 in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting is the -Y direction. Also, the removal direction D4 in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, among the cartridge mounting portion 6, the -Y direction side is also called the back side, and the +Y direction side is also called the front side.

[0013] One or more cartridges 4 are detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4, one of each corresponding to the four ink colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, i.e., a total of four cartridges 4, are mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. The cartridge 4 containing black ink is also called the first cartridge 4K, and the cartridge 4 containing cyan ink is also called the second cartridge 4C. The cartridge 4 containing magenta ink is also called the third cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 containing yellow ink is also called the fourth cartridge 4Y. In this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the multiple cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, and 4Y is the X direction. Note that the types and number of cartridges 4 that can be accommodated in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6 are not limited to these.

[0014] The printing device 10 has a replaceable cover 13 on the front side in the +Y direction. The replaceable cover 13 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening the replaceable cover 13, the opening of the cartridge mounting section 6 is revealed, allowing the cartridge 4 to be attached and detached. When the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting section 6, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 provided on the carriage 20 via a tube 24 which acts as a liquid flow pipe for circulating ink. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by the difference in water head between the ink level in the cartridge mounting section 6 and the ejection head 22. In other embodiments, the ink may be supplied to the ejection head 22 by sucking the ink from the cartridge 4 using a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10.

[0015] The ejection head 22 is equipped with nozzles 220 for each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink from the nozzles 220 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. In contrast, the technology of this disclosure can also be applied to a so-called "on-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0016] The control unit 31 controls each part of the printing device 10 and exchanges signals with the cartridge 4. The carriage 20 moves the ejection head 22 relative to the printing paper 2.

[0017] The drive mechanism 30 moves the carriage 20 back and forth based on a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. By transmitting power from the drive motor 34 to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, the carriage 20 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, which is along the X direction. The printing device 10 also includes a transport mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction. When printing is performed, the transport mechanism moves the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction, and the printed paper 2 after printing is output onto the front cover 11.

[0018] A-2. Detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting section: Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 6. Figure 3 is a view of the cartridge mounting section 6 from the +Z direction. In Figures 2 and 3, some of the components of the cartridge mounting section 6 are omitted for ease of understanding. The X direction of the cartridge mounting section 6 is also referred to as the width direction, the Y direction as the depth direction, and the Z direction as the height direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, each component of the cartridge mounting section 6 will be described assuming the initial configuration in which the cartridge 4 is not mounted.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the cartridge mounting section 6 has a housing chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is housed. In this embodiment, the housing chamber 61 is approximately rectangular in shape. The shapes of the slots 61K, 61C, 61M, and 61Y within the housing chamber 61, which house each of the cartridges 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, generally correspond to the external shapes of each of the cartridges 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C shown in Figure 1.

[0020] The cartridge mounting section 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form a housing chamber 61. In this disclosure, “wall” is a concept that includes not only a single wall but also a wall composed of multiple walls. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion / removal opening 674 through which the cartridge 4 passes when being inserted into or removed from the housing chamber 61. The second device wall 62 faces the first device wall 67 in the Y direction and forms the wall on the -Y side of the housing chamber 61. The second device wall 62 is a wall that is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane along the Z direction when the printing device 10 is in use.

[0021] The upper wall 63 of the device forms the wall on the +Z direction side of the housing chamber 61. The lower wall 64 of the device faces the upper wall 63 in the Z direction and forms the wall on the -Z direction side of the housing chamber 61. The lower wall 64 of the device is formed by a support member 610. The lower wall 64 of the device has device openings 614 formed for each slot 61K, 61C, 61M, 61Y. In this embodiment, four device openings 614 are formed according to the slots 61K, 61C, 61M, 61Y. The upper wall 63 and the lower wall 64 of the device intersect with the second device wall 62 and the first device wall 67. In this disclosure, “intersect” means any of the following states (i) to (iii). (i) A state in which two components intersect and actually intersect with each other. (ii) A state in which extending one component intersects with the other component. (iii) When each of the constituent elements is extended, the constituent elements intersect.

[0022] The first device side wall 65 forms the wall of the housing chamber 61 on the +X direction side. The second device side wall 66 faces the first device side wall 65 in the X direction and forms the wall of the housing chamber 61 on the -X direction side. 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 upper wall 63, and the device bottom wall 64, respectively.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a support member 610, a liquid storage section 699, a liquid introduction section 642, a device-side supply section positioning section 644, a device-side terminal section 670, and an engagement forming body 677.

[0024] Multiple support members 610 are provided depending on the number of cartridges 4 to be installed. In this embodiment, the support members 610 support the cartridges 4 from the -Z direction, which is the direction of gravity. The support members 610 are concave-shaped members that extend along the Y direction.

[0025] The support member 610 has a main wall 613 that forms the bottom wall 64 of the device, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612. The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom located on the side facing gravity. An opening 614 of the device is formed at the end of the main wall 613 on the side facing the first device wall 67, which is located on the +Y side. The opening 614 penetrates the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613, which is along the Z direction. The first support side wall 611 rises from the +X side of the main wall 613 in the +Z direction, which is opposite to the direction of gravity. The second support side wall 612 rises from the -X side of the main wall 613 in the +Z direction, which is opposite to the direction of gravity. The first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

[0026] The liquid storage section 699 receives the liquid from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction section 642 has an introduction-side central axis CA1.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the device-side supply unit positioning unit 644 is received by the cartridge-side supply unit positioning unit 448, shown in Figure 5 (described later), thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 of the cartridge 4 relative to the liquid introduction unit 642. The device-side supply unit positioning unit 644 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped projection.

[0028] The device-side terminal section 670 is a mechanism provided for electrically connecting the cartridge 4 and the printing device 10 when the cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 6. The device-side terminal section 670 has a device-side terminal 671 that contacts the cartridge-side terminal 89 of the cartridge 4.

[0029] The engagement-forming body 677 is formed on the first device wall 67 side, which is located on the +Y side of the support member 610. The engagement-forming body 677 is also located on the -Z side of the insertion / removal opening 674. The engagement-forming body 677 has four elastic mounting engagement portions (not shown) which correspond to each of the slots 61K, 61C, 61M, and 61Y.

[0030] A-3. Explanation of the cartridge mounting process for the cartridge mounting section: Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the process of mounting cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6. In Figure 4, of the four types of cartridges 4K, 4C, 4M, and 4Y, the first cartridge 4K, the third cartridge 4M, and the fourth cartridge 4Y are shown in the "mounting complete state," meaning they have been mounted to the cartridge mounting section 6. The mounting complete state means that cartridge 4 is mounted to the cartridge mounting section 6 and liquid ink can be supplied to the printing device 10. Also in Figure 4, the second cartridge 4C is shown in the "insertion complete state," meaning it has been inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6. The insertion complete state means that cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6, but the liquid supply section 442 of cartridge 4 and the liquid introduction section 642 of cartridge mounting section 6 are not connected.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge 4 and cartridge mounting section 6 in the completed insertion state. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge 4 and cartridge mounting section 6 in the completed mounting state. Both Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate the cross-section when the YZ plane passing through the central axis CA1 on the introduction side is used as the cutting plane.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6 to a predetermined position by moving in the insertion direction D1 along the horizontal direction. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the cartridge 4 is rotated in the rotational mounting direction D2, which has a -Z component, with the inner side of the cartridge mounting section 6 in the insertion direction D1 as the pivot point 698, thereby completing the mounting to the cartridge mounting section 6. Specifically, when mounting the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6, a mounting process is performed. The mounting process includes a terminal connection process and a supply section connection process which is performed after the terminal connection process.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal connection process involves moving the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 (-Y direction) through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67 and inserting it into the housing chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, thereby inserting the cartridge 4 to a predetermined position. The predetermined position is the position where contact is completed between the cartridge-side terminal 89 of the cartridge 4 and the device-side terminal 671 of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the supply unit connection process involves connecting the liquid introduction section 642 of the cartridge mounting section 6 to the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 while maintaining contact between the device-side terminal 671 and the cartridge-side terminal 89. The detailed configuration of the cartridge 4, including the liquid supply section 442, will be described later. During the supply unit connection process, the liquid introduction section 642 and the liquid supply section 442 are connected by rotating the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4 around the pivot point 698 of the cartridge mounting section 6 in the rotational mounting direction D2 indicated by the arrow. As shown in Figure 4, the cartridge 4 is engaged by an engagement forming body 677 provided on the first device wall 67 side of the cartridge mounting section 6, thereby maintaining the completed mounting state.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when removing the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting section 6, the user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4. This causes the user to rotate the front wall 42 side of the main body, which is located on the opposite side of the rear wall 47 side in the Y direction, in the disconnection direction D3, which is the opposite direction of the rotation mounting direction D2, starting from the pivot point 698. During this rotation, the engagement by the engagement forming body 677 shown in Figure 4 is released. After rotating the cartridge 4 in the disconnection direction D3 and the cartridge 4 is in the insertion completed state shown in Figure 5, the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting section 6 by moving the cartridge 4 in the removal direction D4, which is the +Y direction.

[0036] A-4. Detailed configuration of the cartridge: Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge unit 470 in an unattached state. The cartridge unit 470 comprises a cartridge 4 having a liquid supply section 442 and a cap 7 that is detachably attached to the cartridge 4. Here, "unattached state" refers to the state in which the cap 7 is not attached to the cartridge 4. In contrast, in this disclosure, "attached state" refers to the state in which the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4. When attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, the cap 7 is brought close to the cartridge 4 (step S1), and then the cap 7 is slid in the attachment direction DW so as to conform to the outer shape of the cartridge 4 (step S2).

[0037] The external shape of cartridge 4 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped. For cartridge 4, the X direction is the width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the following figures, the XYZ directions indicated in each figure for cartridge 4 are based on the inserted state shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the external dimensions of cartridge 4 are largest in the Y direction, followed by the Z direction and then the X direction. In this embodiment, the X direction is the short side of cartridge 4, and the Y direction is the long side of cartridge 4.

[0038] Cartridge 4 comprises a liquid container 401 and an adapter 402. The adapter 402 is attached to the liquid container 401 by fitting.

[0039] The liquid container 401 comprises a main body portion 41 forming an outer shell, a liquid container portion 450, and a liquid supply portion 442. The main body portion 41 has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45, and a second side wall 46. The front wall 42 forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the -Y direction side. The rear wall 47 faces the front wall 42 in the Y direction and forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the +Y direction side. The upper wall 43 forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the +Z direction side. The bottom wall 44 faces the upper wall 43 in the Z direction and forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the -Z direction side. In other words, the bottom wall 44 is the wall on the side where the liquid introduction portion 642 is located in the insertion completed state shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7, the upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 of the main body intersect with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 of the main body. The first main body side wall 45 forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the -X direction side. The second main body side wall 46 faces the first main body side wall 45 in the X direction and forms the wall of the main body portion 41 on the +X direction side. The first main body side wall 45 and the second main body side wall 46 intersect with the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the upper wall 43, and the bottom wall 44 of the main body, respectively.

[0040] The liquid storage section 450 is a liquid container for storing ink as a liquid. The liquid storage section 450 is formed in the internal space of the liquid storage body 401.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the liquid supply unit 442 discharges the liquid contained inside to the outside. Specifically, the liquid supply unit 442 is a component for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit 450 to the liquid introduction unit 642 of the cartridge mounting unit 6. The liquid supply unit 442 has an outlet opening 432 for discharging the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit 450 to the outside. The liquid supply unit 442 communicates with the liquid storage unit 450 through the outlet opening 432. The liquid supply unit 442 has a supply unit side central axis CA2. The liquid supply unit 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the main body bottom wall 44 toward the adapter 402 and extends along the supply unit side central axis CA2. In this embodiment, the supply unit side central axis CA2 is an axis along the Z axis. That is, in this embodiment, the Z direction is the direction along the liquid supply unit 442.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, the adapter 402 comprises an outer shell portion 41a that forms the outer shell, a supply unit placement chamber 461, and a cartridge-side supply unit positioning portion 448 that positions the cartridge 4 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0043] The outer shell portion 41a has an adapter front wall 42a, an adapter rear wall 47a, an adapter bottom wall 44a, an adapter first side wall 45a, and an adapter second side wall 46a. The adapter front wall 42a forms the wall of the outer shell portion 41a on the -Y direction side. The adapter rear wall 47a faces the adapter front wall 42a in the Y direction and forms the wall of the outer shell portion 41a on the +Y direction side. The adapter bottom wall 44a faces the main body bottom wall 44 in the Z direction when the adapter 402 is attached to the liquid container 401 and forms the wall of the outer shell portion 41a on the -Z direction side. The adapter bottom wall 44a intersects with the adapter front wall 42a and the adapter rear wall 47a. The adapter first side wall 45a forms the wall of the outer shell portion 41a on the -X direction side. The adapter's second side wall 46a faces the adapter's first side wall 45a in the X direction and forms the wall of the outer shell portion 41a on the +X direction side. The adapter's first side wall 45a and the adapter's second side wall 46a intersect with the adapter's front wall 42a, adapter's rear wall 47a, and adapter's bottom wall 44a, respectively.

[0044] The supply unit placement chamber 461 is a space provided for housing the liquid supply unit 442 in the installed state in which the adapter 402 is attached to the liquid container 401. The supply unit placement chamber 461 is formed in the part of the adapter 402 that is on the +Y direction side, which is the insertion direction D1, and is surrounded by the adapter bottom wall 44a, the adapter first side wall 45a, and the adapter second side wall 46a.

[0045] Figure 8 is a first enlarged view of the area around the liquid supply unit 442. Figure 8 shows the area around the liquid supply unit 442 as seen from the adapter's first side wall 45a side. Figure 9 is a second enlarged view of the area around the liquid supply unit 442. Figure 9 shows the area around the liquid supply unit 442 as seen from the adapter's second side wall 46a side. The adapter bottom wall 44a has a bottom wall body 440 that forms the bottom wall of the cartridge 4 and a bottom wall opening 446.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom wall opening 446 exposes the outflow opening 432. The bottom wall opening 446 is a hole formed to penetrate the inner and outer surfaces of the adapter bottom wall 44a. The bottom wall opening 446 is formed in the portion of the bottom wall body 440 where the supply unit placement chamber 461 is located. In this embodiment, the bottom wall opening 446 is formed on the +Y direction side of the bottom wall body 440, closer to the adapter rear wall 47a. The other end 442a of the liquid supply unit 442 is positioned inside the bottom wall opening 446 in the mounting state where the adapter 402 is attached to the liquid container 401. The liquid supply unit 442 is positioned such that the supply unit side central axis CA2 passes through the bottom wall opening 446.

[0047] The cartridge-side supply unit positioning section 448 receives the device-side supply unit positioning section 644 and positions the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction section 642. The cartridge-side supply unit positioning section 448 is a recessed area indented from the outer surface of the adapter bottom wall 44a. With respect to the insertion direction D1, the cartridge-side supply unit positioning section 448 is located on the opposite side from the cartridge-side terminal 89, with the liquid supply unit 442 and the bottom wall opening 446 in between. In this embodiment, the cartridge-side supply unit positioning section 448 is formed between the adapter bottom wall 44a and the adapter rear wall 47a and the bottom wall opening 446.

[0048] The adapter 402 further includes a cartridge-side positioning member 57, a pair of guide ribs 48, 49, a pair of recesses 58, 59, a pair of square holes 55, 56, and a pair of cartridge-side restricting members 52, 53, which serve as positioning members for the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4. The shape and configuration of the adapter 402 are plane-symmetric with respect to the YZ plane.

[0049] The cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 restricts the movement of the cap 7 in the mounting direction DW relative to the cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the mounting direction DW is the +Y direction. The cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 is a positioning member that is paired with the cap-side positioning determination part 770 of the cap 7, which will be described later. The cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 is provided on the +Y direction side of the cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 is provided in the center in the X direction at the first intersection 418 where the adapter bottom wall 44a and the adapter rear wall 47a intersect. The cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 also protrudes outward from the bottom wall body 440 along the Z direction. In other words, the cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 protrudes from the bottom wall body 440 in the -Z direction. The cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 has a cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s that forms the surface on the -Y direction side.

[0050] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 7. Figure 10 schematically illustrates a cross-section of the cartridge 4 when it is cut along the YZ plane passing through the central axis CA2 on the supply side. The pair of guide ribs 48 and 49 are the first guide rib 48 and the second guide rib 49. The first guide rib 48 and the second guide rib 49 restrict the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -Z direction when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4. Furthermore, the first guide rib 48 restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the +X direction when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and when the cap 7 is attached. The first guide rib 48 is a positioning member that is paired with the first recess 708 of the cap 7, which will be described later. The second guide rib 49 restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -X direction when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and when the cap 7 is attached. The second guide rib 49 is a positioning member that is paired with the second recess 709 of the cap 7, which will be described later.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the first guide rib 48 and the second guide rib 49 each extend in the Y direction along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 4 on the +Y direction side where the outflow opening 432 is located. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, one end 48s of the first guide rib 48 is located on the side of the first corner 458 where the adapter bottom wall 44a, the adapter first side wall 45a, and the adapter rear wall 47a intersect. The other end 48t of the first guide rib 48 is located closer to the bottom wall opening 446 than the central part C shown in Figure 7 in the Y direction of the cartridge 4. As shown in Figure 9, one end 49s of the second guide rib 49 is located on the side of the second corner 468 where the adapter bottom wall 44a, the adapter second side wall 46a, and the adapter rear wall 47a intersect. The other end 49t of the second guide rib 49 is formed closer to the bottom wall opening 446 than the central part C shown in Figure 7 in the Y direction of the cartridge 4.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the first guide rib 48 and the second guide rib 49 each protrude outward along the X direction, which is the short direction of the cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the first guide rib 48 protrudes from the adapter's first side wall 45a in the -X direction at the second intersection 428 where the adapter's bottom wall 44a and the adapter's first side wall 45a intersect. The second guide rib 49 protrudes from the adapter's second side wall 46a in the +X direction at the third intersection 438 where the adapter's bottom wall 44a and the adapter's second side wall 46a intersect. Therefore, the protrusion direction of the first guide rib 48 and the protrusion direction of the second guide rib 49 are opposite to each other.

[0053] As shown in Figure 10, the first guide rib 48 has a first top surface 48c connected to the bottom wall body 440, a first outer surface 48d connected to the first top surface 48c, and a first restricting surface 48e connected to the first outer surface 48d. The first top surface 48c is a surface parallel to the bottom wall body 440 and includes components in the X and Y directions. The first outer surface 48d is a surface of the first guide rib 48 that includes the portion protruding to the outermost -X direction side. The first outer surface 48d is a surface parallel to the adapter first side wall 45a and includes components in the Y and Z directions. The first restricting surface 48e is a surface of the first guide rib 48 that extends from the outer -X direction side to the inward +X direction side and is a surface parallel to the bottom wall body 440.

[0054] The second guide rib 49 has a second top surface 49c connected to the bottom wall body 440, a second outer surface 49d connected to the second top surface 49c, and a second restricting surface 49e connected to the second outer surface 49d. The second top surface 49c is a surface parallel to the bottom wall body 440 and includes components in the X and Y directions. The second outer surface 49d is a surface of the second guide rib 49 that includes the portion projecting outward in the +X direction. The second outer surface 49d is a surface parallel to the adapter second side wall 46a and includes components in the Y and Z directions. The second restricting surface 49e is a surface of the second guide rib 49 that extends from the outward +X direction to the inward -X direction and is parallel to the bottom wall body 440. Furthermore, the connection portion between the first top surface 48c and the first outer surface 48d, and the connection portion between the second top surface 49c and the second outer surface 49d, may have curvature, as shown in the example in Figure 10. This reduces the possibility of interference between the cap 7 and the cartridge 4 when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4. In addition, the connection portion between the first outer surface 48d and the first restricting surface 48e, and the connection portion between the second outer surface 49d and the second restricting surface 49e, may also have curvature.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, the pair of recesses 58 and 59 are the first recess 58 and the second recess 59. The first recess 58 and the second recess 59 restrict the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -Z direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. The first recess 58 further restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the +X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. The first recess 58 is a positioning member that pairs with the first convex rib 78 of the cap 7, which will be described later. The second recess 59 further restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. The second recess 59 is a positioning member that pairs with the second convex rib 79 of the cap 7, which will be described later.

[0056] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first recess 58 and the second recess 59 each extend in the Y direction along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 4 on the +Y direction side where the outflow opening 432 is located. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, one end 58s of the first recess 58 is located on the side of the first corner 458. The other end 58t of the first recess 58 is located closer to the bottom wall opening 446 than the central part C shown in Figure 7 in the Y direction of the cartridge 4. As shown in Figure 9, one end 59s of the second recess 59 is located on the side of the second corner 468. The other end 59t of the second recess 59 is located closer to the bottom wall opening 446 than the central part C shown in Figure 7 in the Y direction of the cartridge 4.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the first recess 58 and the second recess 59 are recessed inward along the X direction, which is the short direction of the cartridge 4. Specifically, the first recess 58 is recessed toward the +X direction, which is the side of the second side wall 46a of the adapter. In other words, the first recess 58 is recessed toward the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the first guide rib 48. The second recess 59 is recessed toward the -X direction, which is the side of the first side wall 45a of the adapter. In other words, the second recess 59 is recessed toward the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the second guide rib 49. Thus, the recess direction of the first recess 58 and the recess direction of the second recess 59 are opposite to each other.

[0058] The first recess 58 is connected to the first guide rib 48 on the -Z direction side. More specifically, one side of the first recess 58 is formed by the first restricting surface 48e. The other side of the first recess 58 is formed by the first opposing surface 48g, which is spaced apart from the first restricting surface 48e. The first opposing surface 48g is connected to the adapter's first side wall 45a on the +Z direction side. The first opposing surface 48g is a surface parallel to the first restricting surface 48e and includes components in the X and Y directions. The first bottom surface 48f, which is the bottom of the first recess 58, is connected to the first restricting surface 48e and the first opposing surface 48g. The first bottom surface 48f is a surface parallel to the adapter's first side wall 45a and includes components in the Y and Z directions.

[0059] The second recess 59 is connected to the second guide rib 49 on the -Z direction side. More specifically, one side of the second recess 59 is formed by the second restricting surface 49e. The other side of the second recess 59 is formed by the second opposing surface 49g, which is spaced apart from the second restricting surface 49e. The second opposing surface 49g is connected to the adapter's second side wall 46a on the +Z direction side. The second opposing surface 49g is a surface parallel to the second restricting surface 49e and includes components in the X and Y directions. The second bottom surface 49f, which is the bottom of the second recess 59, is connected to the second restricting surface 49e and the second opposing surface 49g. The second bottom surface 49f is a surface parallel to the adapter's second side wall 46a and includes components in the Y and Z directions.

[0060] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pair of rectangular holes 55 and 56 are the first rectangular hole 55 and the second rectangular hole 56. The first rectangular hole 55 is a recess for receiving the cap-side first restricting portion 751, which will be described later. The first rectangular hole 55 has a first facing portion 55s that faces the cap-side first restricting portion 751. The second rectangular hole 56 is a recess for receiving the cap-side second restricting portion 761, which will be described later. The second rectangular hole 56 has a second facing portion 56s that faces the cap-side second restricting portion 761. The first facing portion 55s and the second facing portion 56s are surfaces parallel to the rear wall 47a of the adapter and include components in the X and Z directions.

[0061] The pair of cartridge-side restricting portions 52 and 53 each restrict the movement of the cap 7 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction DW relative to the cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the direction opposite to the mounting direction DW is the -Y direction. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pair of cartridge-side restricting portions 52 and 53 are the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 and the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53. The cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 is a positioning member that is paired with the cap-side first restricting portion 751 of the cap 7, which will be described later. The cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 is a positioning member that is paired with the cap-side second restricting portion 761 of the cap 7, which will be described later.

[0062] As shown in Figure 8, the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 is a partition wall separating the first recessed portion 58 and the first rectangular hole portion 55. The cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 is formed by one end 58s of the first recessed portion 58 located on the +Y direction side and the first facing portion 55s of the first rectangular hole portion 55. As shown in Figure 9, the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 is a partition wall separating the second recessed portion 59 and the second rectangular hole portion 56. The cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 is formed by one end 59s of the second recessed portion 59 located on the +Y direction side and the second facing portion 56s of the second rectangular hole portion 56. In other words, the pair of cartridge-side restricting portions 52 and 53 are each provided on the +Y direction side of the cartridge 4.

[0063] A-5. Cap details: Figure 11 is a first perspective view of the cap 7. In Figure 11, the cap 7 is shown as viewed from the front surface 7p side, which is opposite to the back surface 7q side, which is the side facing the outflow opening 432. Figure 12 is a second perspective view of the cap 7. In Figure 12, the cap 7 is shown as viewed from the back surface 7q side. Figure 13 is a back view of the cap 7. In Figure 13, the cap 7 is shown as viewed from the -Z direction side. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the cartridge unit 470 in its installed state. Figure 15 is an external view of the cartridge unit 470 in its installed state. In Figure 15, the cartridge 4 and cap 7 are shown as viewed from the -Z direction side in their installed state. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of line 16-16 in Figure 14. In Figure 16, a schematic cross-section of the cartridge unit 470 in its installed state is shown, cut by the XZ plane passing through the central axis CA2 on the supply side. As shown in Figure 11, for the cap 7, the X direction is the short side, the Y direction is the long side, and the Z direction is the thickness direction. In the following figures, the XYZ directions indicated for cap 7 in each figure are based on the installed state, as shown in Figure 14.

[0064] In the pre-insertion state, before the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6 shown in Figure 4, the cap 7 covers the bottom wall opening 446 and the outlet opening 432, and at least a portion of their surroundings. This allows the cap 7 to protect the liquid supply section 442 and prevent liquid from leaking outside the cartridge 4 and cap 7 if the liquid contained in the liquid storage section 450 leaks from the liquid supply section 442. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cap 7 includes a cap body 71 that forms an outer shell. The cap body 71 has a sealing wall 74, a first engaging wall 75, and a second engaging wall 76.

[0065] As shown in Figure 12, the sealing wall 74 forms a wall that extends along the X and Y directions. As shown in Figure 16, in the installed state, the sealing wall 74 is a wall parallel to the adapter bottom wall 44a, which is the bottom wall of the cartridge 4. The sealing wall 74 has one end face 77 that forms one end along the installation direction DW, and another end face 72 that forms the other end opposite to the one end. The one end face 77 is the -Y direction side. The other end face 72 is the +Y direction side. The sealing wall 74 further has a liquid holding portion 745 on its back surface 7q that faces the outflow opening 432 of the liquid supply portion 442 in the installed state. The liquid holding portion 745 is a member that holds liquid when ink, as a liquid contained in the liquid storage portion 450, leaks out from the outflow opening 432 of the liquid supply portion 442. In this embodiment, the liquid holding portion 745 is formed integrally with the sealing wall 74. The liquid-holding portion 745 may be, for example, a structure that holds liquid by capillary force, or it may be a liquid-absorbing member formed from a material that has the property of absorbing liquid, such as a porous body formed from a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol.

[0066] As shown in Figure 13, the first engagement wall 75 and the second engagement wall 76 each intersect with the sealing wall 74. Furthermore, the first engagement wall 75 and the second engagement wall 76 face each other along the X direction. The first engagement wall 75 forms the wall on the -X direction side. As shown in Figure 16, the first engagement wall 75 is the wall facing the adapter first side wall 45a, which is the first side wall of the cartridge 4, in the installed state, and includes components in the Y direction and the Z direction. The second engagement wall 76 forms the wall on the +X direction side, as shown in Figure 13. As shown in Figure 16, the second engagement wall 76 is the wall facing the adapter second side wall 46a, which is the second side wall of the cartridge 4, in the installed state, and includes components in the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0067] The cap 7 further includes a cap-side positioning determination portion 770, a pair of convex ribs 78, 79, a pair of recesses 708, 709, and a pair of cap-side restricting portions 751, 761 as positioning members for the cartridge 4.

[0068] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating the details of the cap-side arrangement determination section 770 and the cap-side regulating section 751. Figure 17 shows the area around the first intersection 418 in the mounted state as viewed from the adapter bottom wall 44a side. In addition, dot hatching is applied to the components on the cap 7 side in Figure 17 to improve visibility.

[0069] As shown in Figures 15 and 17, the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 faces the cartridge-side positioning determination portion 57 along the mounting direction DW, thereby restricting movement in the mounting direction DW. In other words, the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 is a positioning member that is paired with the cartridge-side positioning determination portion 57. The cap-side positioning determination portion 770 is provided on the +Y direction side of the cap 7. In this embodiment, the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 is a notch cut out from the +Y direction side to the -Y direction side in one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74. In the mounted state, the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 has a cap-side positioning determination surface 770s that faces the cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s along the mounting direction DW. In this embodiment, the cap-side positioning determination surface 770s is a surface of the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 as a notch that is parallel to one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74, and is a surface that includes an X direction component and a Z direction component.

[0070] As shown in Figure 16, the pair of convex ribs 78 and 79 are the first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79. The first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79 restrict the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -Z direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. The first convex rib 78 further restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the +X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. When the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4, the first convex rib 78 is guided by the first guide rib 48 of the cartridge 4 and, in this embodiment, is housed in the first recess 58 in a slidable state. The second convex rib 79 further restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the -X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. The second convex rib 79 is guided by the second guide rib 49 of the cartridge 4 when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4, and in this embodiment, it is housed in the second recess 59 in a slidable state.

[0071] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79 each extend in the Y direction along the longitudinal direction of the cap 7. Specifically, one end 78s of the first convex rib 78 is located on the +Y direction side, which is the side of one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74. The other end 78t of the first convex rib 78 is located on the -Y direction side, which is the side of the other end face 72 of the sealing wall 74. One end 79s of the second guide rib 49 is located on the +Y direction side, which is the side of one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74. The other end 79t of the second convex rib 79 is located on the -Y direction side, which is the side of the other end face 72 of the sealing wall 74.

[0072] Furthermore, the first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79 each protrude inward along the X direction, which is the short side direction of the cap 7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the first convex rib 78 protrudes in the +X direction, which is opposite to the -X direction, which is the protruding direction of the first guide rib 48. In other words, the first convex rib 78 protrudes in the +X direction toward the second engagement wall 76 from the first inner surface 75i, which forms the inner surface of the first engagement wall 75. Similarly, the second convex rib 79 protrudes in the -X direction, which is opposite to the +X direction, which is the protruding direction of the second guide rib 49. In other words, the second convex rib 79 protrudes in the -X direction toward the first engagement wall 75 from the second inner surface 76i, which forms the inner surface of the second engagement wall 76. Thus, the protruding direction of the first convex rib 78 and the protruding direction of the second convex rib 79 are opposite to each other.

[0073] As shown in Figure 16, the first convex rib 78 has a first locking surface 78e connected to the first engagement wall 75 and a first top surface 78f connected to the first locking surface 78e. The first locking surface 78e restricts movement in the -Z direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state, by facing the first restricting surface 48e of the cartridge 4. The first locking surface 78e is a surface parallel to the sealing wall 74 and its normal direction is the -Z direction. The first top surface 78f faces the first bottom surface 48f, which is the bottom of the first recessed portion 58 that is recessed toward the +X direction, the same as the protruding direction of the first convex rib 78, when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state. As a result, the first top surface 78f restricts movement in the +X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state. The first top surface 78f is the surface of the first convex rib 78 that includes the portion projecting inward in the +X direction. The first top surface 78f is a surface parallel to the first engagement wall 75 and includes components in the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0074] The second protruding rib 79 has a second locking surface 79e connected to the second engaging wall 76 and a second top surface 79f connected to the second locking surface 79e. The second locking surface 79e restricts movement in the -Z direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state, by facing the second restricting surface 49e of the cartridge 4. The second locking surface 79e is a surface parallel to the sealing wall 74 and its normal direction is the -Z direction. The second top surface 79f faces the second bottom surface 49f, which is the bottom of the second recessed portion 59 that is recessed toward the -X direction, the same direction as the protrusion of the second protruding rib 79, when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state. As a result, the second top surface 79f restricts movement in the -X direction when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and in the attached state. The second top surface 79f is the surface of the second convex rib 79 that includes the portion projecting inward in the -X direction. The second top surface 79f is a surface parallel to the second engagement wall 76 and includes components in the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, a first space 789 is provided between the first engaging wall 75 and the first top surface 78f, and a second space 799 is provided between the second engaging wall 76 and the second top surface 79f, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79 do not necessarily have spaces 789 and 799, respectively. Also, in this embodiment, the connection portion between the first locking surface 78e and the first top surface 78f, and the connection portion between the second locking surface 79e and the second top surface 79f do not have curvature, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the connection portion between the first locking surface 78e and the first top surface 78f, and the connection portion between the second locking surface 79e and the second top surface 79f may have curvature, for example, the connection portion between the first top surface 48c and the first outer surface 48d.

[0076] As shown in Figures 12 and 16, the pair of recesses 708 and 709 are the first recess 708 and the second recess 709. As shown in Figure 16, the first recess 708 is a positioning member that pairs with the first guide rib 48 of the cartridge 4. The first recess 708 is a recess formed between the sealing wall 74 and the first convex rib 78. Therefore, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first recess 708 extends in the Y direction along the longitudinal direction of the cap 7. The second recess 709 is a positioning member that pairs with the second guide rib 49 of the cartridge 4. The second recess 709 is a recess formed between the sealing wall 74 and the second convex rib 79. Therefore, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the second recess 709 extends in the Y direction along the longitudinal direction of the cap 7.

[0077] As shown in Figure 16, the first recess 708 accommodates the first guide rib 48. That is, the first locking surface 78e of the first convex rib 78 is located on the opposite side of the sealing wall 74, with the first guide rib 48 in between, when the cap is mounted. The second recess 709 accommodates the second guide rib 49. That is, the second locking surface 79e of the second convex rib 79 is located on the opposite side of the sealing wall 74, with the second guide rib 49 in between, when the cap is mounted. As a result, the first recess 708 and the second recess 709 restrict the movement of the cap 7 in the -Z direction relative to the cartridge 4 when mounting the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, and while the cap is mounted. Furthermore, the first recess 708 restricts the movement of the cap 7 in the +X direction relative to the cartridge 4 when mounting the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, and while the cap is mounted. In other words, the first recess 708 functions as a rail member that guides the first guide rib 48 when mounting the cap 7 to the cartridge 4. The second recess 709 further restricts the movement of the cap 7 in the -X direction relative to the cartridge 4 when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. In other words, the second recess 709 functions as a rail member that guides the second guide rib 49 when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4.

[0078] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the pair of cap-side restricting portions 751 and 761 are the cap-side first restricting portion 751 and the cap-side second restricting portion 761. The cap-side first restricting portion 751 is a positioning member that pairs with the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52, as shown in Figure 17. The cap-side first restricting portion 751 is a projection that protrudes in the +X direction from the first inner surface 75i of the first engaging wall 75 toward the second engaging wall 76. In this embodiment, since the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 is formed on the +Y direction side of the cartridge 4, the cap-side first restricting portion 751 is formed on the +Y direction side, which is the side where one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74 is located. When the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4, and in the attached state, the cap-side first restricting portion 751 faces the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 along the attachment direction DW, thereby restricting movement in the -Y direction, which is the opposite direction to the attachment direction DW. The first restricting portion 751 on the cap side is housed in the first rectangular hole portion 55 when the cap is attached.

[0079] As shown in Figure 15, the cap-side second restricting portion 761 is a positioning member that is paired with the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53. The cap-side second restricting portion 761 is a projection that protrudes in the -X direction from the second inner surface 76i of the second engaging wall 76 toward the first engaging wall 75. In this embodiment, since the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 is formed on the +Y direction side of the cartridge 4, the cap-side second restricting portion 761 is formed on the +Y direction side, which is the side where one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74 is located. When the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4, and in the attached state, the cap-side second restricting portion 761 faces the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 along the attachment direction DW, thereby restricting movement in the -Y direction, which is opposite to the attachment direction DW. The cap-side second restricting portion 761 is then housed in the second corner hole 56 in the attached state.

[0080] The first restricting portion 751 on the cap side and the second restricting portion 761 on the cap side are both flexible. The first restricting portion 751 on the cap side and the second restricting portion 761 on the cap side are, for example, double-supported springs made of synthetic resin.

[0081] A-6. Instructions on how to attach and detach the cap to the cartridge: As shown in Figure 7, when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, first, the cap 7 is positioned in the central part C of the cartridge 4 so that the adapter bottom wall 44a of the cartridge 4 and the sealing wall 74 of the cap 7 are roughly parallel. Here, "central part C" refers to the area that does not include the other end 48t of the first guide rib 48 and the other end 49t of the second guide rib 49. Next, in this state, the cap 7 is moved in the +Z direction so that it is closer to the adapter bottom wall 44a (step S1). As a result, the cap 7 is positioned in the central part C of the adapter bottom wall 44a.

[0082] Next, with the first guide rib 48 of the cartridge 4 housed in the first recess 708 of the cap 7 and the second guide rib 49 of the cartridge 4 housed in the second recess 709 of the cap 7, the cap 7 is slid in the +Y direction, which is the mounting direction DW (step S2). Specifically, in step S2, the cap 7 is slid from the central part C side of the cartridge 4 toward the outlet opening 432 side so that the first regulating surface 48e and the first locking surface 78e face each other or are in contact, and the second regulating surface 49e and the second locking surface 79e face each other or are in contact. As a result, as shown in Figure 16, the first convex rib 78 engages with the first recess 58, and the second convex rib 79 engages with the second recess 59. The cap-side first restricting portion 751 shown in Figure 13 slides within the first recess 58 until it reaches the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 shown in Figure 8, that is, one end 58s of the first recess 58. Similarly, the cap-side second restricting portion 761 shown in Figure 13 slides within the second recess 59 until it reaches the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 shown in Figure 9, that is, one end 59s of the second recess 59.

[0083] As the cap 7 is slid from the central part C side of the cartridge 4 toward the outlet opening 432 side, the cap-side first restricting portion 751 reaches the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52, and the cap-side second restricting portion 761 reaches the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53. At this time, the cap-side first restricting portion 751 and the cap-side second restricting portion 761 are flexible. Therefore, with the cap-side first restricting portion 751 in contact with one end 58s of the first recess 58, the cap 7 is further pushed in the mounting direction DW, which is +Y direction, causing the cap-side first restricting portion 751 to flex and deform, overcome the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52, and be accommodated in the first corner hole 55. Similarly, when the cap 7 is pushed further in the mounting direction DW, which is +Y, with the cap-side second restricting portion 761 in contact with one end 59s of the second recess portion 59, the cap-side second restricting portion 761 flexes and deforms, overcoming the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 and being accommodated in the second corner hole portion 56. As a result, the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 and the cap-side first restricting portion 751 face each other along the mounting direction DW. Then, the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 and the cap-side second restricting portion 761 face each other along the mounting direction DW. This restricts movement in the +Y direction, which is opposite to the mounting direction DW.

[0084] Furthermore, with the cap-side first restricting portion 751 housed in the first corner hole portion 55 and the cap-side second restricting portion 761 housed in the second corner hole portion 56, the cap-side positioning determination surface 770s of the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 contacts the cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s of the cartridge-side positioning determination portion 57. As a result, the cartridge-side positioning determination portion 57 and the cap-side positioning determination portion 770 face each other along the mounting direction DW, allowing the cap 7 to be mounted on the cartridge 4 while restricting the movement in the mounting direction DW.

[0085] In contrast, as shown in Figure 14, when removing the cap 7 from the cartridge 4, the cap 7 is slid in the -Y direction, which is opposite to the mounting direction DW (step S3). At this time, with the cap-side first restricting portion 751 in contact with the first facing portion 55s of the first corner hole portion 55, the cap 7 is further pushed in the -Y direction, which is opposite to the mounting direction DW, causing the cap-side first restricting portion 751 to flex and deform as it overcomes the cartridge-side first restricting portion 52 and is accommodated in the first recess portion 58. Similarly, with the cap-side second restricting portion 761 in contact with the second facing portion 56s of the second corner hole portion 56, the cap 7 is further pushed in the -Y direction, which is opposite to the mounting direction DW, causing the cap-side second restricting portion 761 to flex and deform as it overcomes the cartridge-side second restricting portion 53 and is accommodated in the second recess portion 59. Then, with the first restricting portion 751 on the cap side housed in the first recess 58 and the second restricting portion 761 on the cap side housed in the second recess 59, the cap 7 is further slid in the -Y direction, which is opposite to the mounting direction DW. This moves the cap 7 to the central part C of the cartridge 4, releasing the engagement between the first recess 708 and the first guide rib 48, and releasing the engagement between the second recess 709 and the second guide rib 49.

[0086] Next, with the engagement between the first recess 708 and the first guide rib 48 released, and the engagement between the second recess 709 and the second guide rib 49 released, the cap 7 is moved in the -Z direction away from the adapter bottom wall 44a (step S4). This allows the cap 7 to be removed from the cartridge 4.

[0087] According to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 16, when the cap 7 is attached to the cartridge 4, and while it is attached, the first guide rib 48 is housed in the first recess 708, and the second guide rib 49 is housed in the second recess 709. This restricts the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in two directions: the X direction along the short side of the cap 7, and the Z direction intersecting the X direction and along the liquid supply section 442. Therefore, even if the cartridge 4 is subjected to an external impact such as being dropped, the possibility of the cap 7 attached to the cartridge 4 coming off the cartridge 4 can be reduced.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 16, the first convex rib 78 has a first locking surface 78e that faces the first restricting surface 48e of the cartridge 4. The second convex rib 79 has a second locking surface 79e that faces the second restricting surface 49e of the cartridge 4. In this way, when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, and while it is attached, the movement of the cap 7 in the -Z direction relative to the cartridge 4 can be restricted.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 16, the first convex rib 78 has a first top surface 78f that faces the first bottom surface 48f, which is the bottom of the first recess 58 formed in the first side wall 45a of the adapter. In this way, when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached, the movement of the cap 7 in the +X direction relative to the cartridge 4 can be restricted. Also, the second convex rib 79 has a second top surface 79f that faces the second bottom surface 49f, which is the bottom of the second recess 59 formed in the second side wall 46a of the adapter. In this way, the movement of the cap 7 in the -X direction relative to the cartridge 4 can be restricted.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 16, the cap 7 can be attached to the cartridge 4 while accommodating at least a portion of the first convex rib 78 in the first recess 58 and at least a portion of the second convex rib 79 in the second recess 59. Therefore, the cap 7 can be attached to the cartridge 4 more smoothly.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 17, when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached, the movement of the cap 7 in the Y direction can be restricted by the cap-side restricting parts 751, 761 and the cap-side positioning determination part 770. In other words, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 can be restricted in the three-dimensional directions of the X, Y, and Z directions when attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4 and while it is attached. This further reduces the possibility that the cap 7 attached to the cartridge 4 may come off the cartridge 4 even if the cartridge 4 is subjected to an external impact such as being dropped.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 can be restricted in the three-dimensional directions of the X, Y, and Z directions. As a result, the outflow opening 432 of the cartridge 4 and the liquid holding portion 745 of the cap 7 can be more reliably positioned opposite each other. In other words, the engagement restriction of the cap 7 with respect to the cartridge 4 fixes and maintains the positional relationship between the outflow opening 432 and the liquid holding portion 745. Therefore, even if the liquid contained in the liquid storage portion 450 leaks out from the liquid supply portion 442, the possibility of the ink as a liquid leaking out of the cap 7 can be reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 14, the printing system 1 includes a cartridge unit 470 comprising a cartridge 4 and a cap 7 attached to the cartridge 4. When attaching the cap 7 to the cartridge 4, and while the cap 7 is attached, the cartridge unit 470 can restrict the movement of the cap 7 relative to the cartridge 4 in the three-dimensional directions of the X, Y, and Z. This reduces the possibility that the cap 7 attached to the cartridge 4 may detach from the cartridge 4 even if the cartridge 4 is subjected to an external impact such as being dropped.

[0094] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cartridge unit 470j in the second embodiment. Figure 18 schematically shows a cross-section of the cartridge 4j and cap 7 in the mounted state in this embodiment, when cut by the XZ plane passing through the central axis CA2 on the supply side. In this embodiment as well, the XYZ directions attached to the cartridge 4j and cap 7 are the same as in the first embodiment and are based on the mounted state. In this embodiment, some of the configurations of the cartridge 4j and cap 7j differ from those of the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0095] In this embodiment, the cartridge 4j does not have the first recess 58 and the second recess 59 shown in Figure 16. That is, as shown in Figure 18, when mounted, the first bottom surface 48f of the cartridge 4j facing the first top surface 78f of the cap 7j is formed by the first side wall 45a of the adapter. Also, the second bottom surface 49f facing the second top surface 79f is formed by the second side wall 46a of the adapter. Even in this configuration, when mounting the cap 7j to the cartridge 4j, and in the mounted state, the cap 7j can accommodate the first guide rib 48 of the cartridge 4j in the first recess 708 and the second guide rib 49 in the second recess 709. Therefore, even if the cap 7j does not have the first recess 58 and the second recess 59, its movement relative to the cartridge 4j can be restricted at least in the X and Z directions.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first convex rib 78 does not have a first space 789, and the second convex rib 79 does not have a second space 799. As a result, the first engaging wall 75 and the first top surface 78f are connected by a first connecting surface 78g parallel to the first locking surface 78e, which includes components in the X and Y directions. The second engaging wall 76 and the second top surface 79f are connected by a 79g parallel to the second locking surface 79e, which includes components in the X and Y directions. Even in this configuration, when attaching the cap 7j to the cartridge 4j, and in the attached state, the cap 7j can accommodate the first guide rib 48 of the cartridge 4j in the first recess 708 and the second guide rib 49 in the second recess 709.

[0097] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cartridge unit 470k in the third embodiment. Figure 19 schematically shows a cross-section of the cartridge 4k and cap 7k in the mounted state in this embodiment, when cut by the XZ plane passing through the central axis CA2 on the supply side. In this embodiment as well, the XYZ directions attached to the cartridge 4k and cap 7k are the same as in the second embodiment, and are based on the mounted state. In this embodiment, the formation positions of the first guide rib 48 and the second guide rib 49 in the cartridge 4k are different from those in the second embodiment shown in Figure 18. Consequently, the formation positions of the first convex rib 78 and the second convex rib 79 in the cap 7 are different from those in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4k does not have a first recess 58 and a second recess 59, and the pair of convex ribs 78k and 79k of the cap 7 do not have spaces 789 and 799, which is the same as in the second embodiment. Other configurations are also the same as in the second embodiment. Components identical to those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0098] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 18, the first guide rib 48 protruded from the adapter's first side wall 45a in the -X direction at the second intersection 428 where the adapter's bottom wall 44a and the adapter's first side wall 45a intersected. In contrast, the first guide rib 48k of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 19, protrudes from the adapter's first side wall 45a in the -X direction at a point on the +Z direction side of the second intersection 428. Also, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 18, the second guide rib 49 protruded from the adapter's second side wall 46a in the +X direction at the third intersection 438 where the adapter's bottom wall 44a and the adapter's second side wall 46a intersected. In contrast, the second guide rib 49k of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 19, protrudes from the adapter's second side wall 46a in the +X direction at a point on the +Z direction side of the third intersection 438.

[0099] The first convex rib 78k is formed in a position that allows the first guide rib 48k to be accommodated in the first recess 708k when the cap 7k is attached to the cartridge 4k and in the attached state. In other words, if the dimensions in the Z direction are the same for the first guide rib 48k of this embodiment and the second guide rib 49 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 18, the dimensions in the Z direction of the first recess 708k of this embodiment are larger than the dimensions in the Z direction of the first recess 708 of the second embodiment. Also, the second convex rib 79k is formed in a position that allows the second guide rib 49k to be accommodated in the second recess 709k when the cap 7k is attached to the cartridge 4k and in the attached state. In other words, if the dimensions in the Z direction are the same for the second guide rib 49k of this embodiment shown in Figure 19 and the second guide rib 49 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 18, the dimensions in the Z direction of the second recess 709k of this embodiment are larger than the dimensions in the Z direction of the second recess 709 of the second embodiment. Even in this configuration, when attaching the cap 7k to the cartridge 4k, and while it is attached, the cap 7j can accommodate the first guide rib 48k of the cartridge 4j in the first recess 708k and the second guide rib 49k in the second recess 709k.

[0100] D. Other embodiments: D-1: Other Embodiments 1: In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, the cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s was located on the -Y direction side, opposite to the mounting direction DW, from the first intersection 418 where the adapter bottom wall 44a and the adapter rear wall 47a intersect. The cap-side positioning determination surface 770 was a notch cut out from the +Y direction side to the -Y direction side in one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s may be located in the first intersection 418. If the cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s is located in the first intersection 418, for example, one end face 77 of the sealing wall 74 may be used as the cap-side positioning determination surface 770s. This allows the one end face 77 as the cap-side positioning determination surface 770s to face the cartridge-side positioning determination surface 57s, thereby restricting the movement of the cap 7 in the +Y direction relative to the cartridge 4.

[0101] D-2. Other Embodiments 2: In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the cap 7 was mounted on the cartridge 4 by sliding it toward the first intersection 418 side along the Y direction with the cap 7 positioned in the central part C of the cartridge 4. In other words, the +Y direction was the mounting direction DW of the cap 7 toward the cartridge 4. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The cap 7 may also be mounted on the cartridge 4 by sliding it toward the central part C side along the Y direction. In other words, the -Y direction may be the mounting direction DW of the cap 7 toward the cartridge 4. When the -Y direction is the mounting direction DW of the cap 7 toward the cartridge 4, the cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 is formed, for example, toward the central part C side of the cartridge 4. In this case, the cap-side positioning determination part 770 is formed toward the -Y direction side so as to face the cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 when mounted. Also, when the cartridge-side positioning determination part 57 is formed toward the central part C side of the cartridge 4, the cartridge-side first restricting part 52 and the cartridge-side second restricting part 53 are each formed toward the central part C side of the cartridge 4. In this configuration, the first restricting portion 751 on the cap side is formed on the -Y direction side so as to face the first restricting portion 52 on the cartridge side when installed. Also, the second restricting portion 761 on the cap side is formed on the -Y direction side so as to face the second restricting portion 53 on the cartridge side when installed. In this configuration as well, when installed, the cartridge side positioning determination portion 57 and the cap side positioning determination portion 770 face each other, the cartridge side restricting portion 52 and the first restricting portion 751 on the cap side face each other, and the cartridge side second restricting portion 53 and the second restricting portion 761 on the cap side face each other. This makes it possible to restrict the movement of the cap 7 in the Y direction along the installation direction DW relative to the cartridge 4.

[0102] E. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0103] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cap is provided. A cap that is detachably attached to a cartridge having a liquid supply section, wherein when the direction along the liquid supply section is defined as the Z direction, the longitudinal direction of the cap intersecting the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, and the short direction of the cap intersecting the Y direction and the Z direction is defined as the X direction, the cartridge includes a first guide rib and a second guide rib extending in the Y direction and projecting outward along the X direction, and the cap, in an attached state with the cap attached to the cartridge, includes a sealing wall having a liquid holding section facing the liquid supply section, a first convex rib projecting in the opposite direction to the projection direction of the first guide rib, a second convex rib projecting in the opposite direction to the projection direction of the second guide rib, a first recess formed between the sealing wall and the first convex rib, which accommodates the first guide rib, and a second recess formed between the sealing wall and the second convex rib, which accommodates the second guide rib. In this configuration, when attaching the cap to the cartridge, and while the cap is attached to the cartridge, the first guide rib can be accommodated in the first recess, and the second guide rib can be accommodated in the second recess. This restricts the movement of the cap relative to the cartridge in two directions: the X direction along the short side of the cap, and the Z direction intersecting the X direction and along the liquid supply section. Therefore, even if the cartridge is subjected to an external impact such as being dropped, the possibility of the cap attached to the cartridge coming off the cartridge can be reduced.

[0104] (2) In the above embodiment, the first convex rib may have a first locking surface facing a first restricting surface of the cartridge that restricts movement in the -Z direction, and a first top surface facing a first side wall that forms the wall on the -X direction side of the cartridge, and the second convex rib may have a second locking surface facing a second restricting surface of the cartridge that restricts movement in the -Z direction, and a second top surface facing a second side wall that forms the wall on the +X direction side of the cartridge. According to this embodiment, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the attached state, the first restricting surface and the first locking surface face each other, and the second restricting surface and the second locking surface face each other, thereby restricting the movement of the cap in the -Z direction relative to the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of a gap forming between the liquid holding part of the cap and the liquid supply part of the cartridge. Therefore, even if leakage occurs from the liquid supply part, the possibility of liquid leaking to the outside of the cap can be more reliably reduced.

[0105] (3) In the above embodiment, when the +Y direction is the mounting direction of the cap to the cartridge, the cap may have a cartridge-side restricting portion that is provided on the +Y side of the cartridge and a cap-side restricting portion that faces the cartridge-side restricting portion along the mounting direction, thereby restricting movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction. With this embodiment, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the attached state, the cartridge-side restricting portion and the cap-side restricting portion face each other, thereby restricting movement of the cap in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. This improves the positioning accuracy of the cap to the cartridge. Therefore, in the attached state, the liquid holding portion of the cap and the liquid supply portion of the cartridge can be more reliably brought into contact with each other, so that even if liquid leaks from the liquid supply portion, the possibility of liquid leaking to the outside of the cap can be more reliably reduced.

[0106] (4) In the above embodiment, the cartridge may have a cartridge-side positioning determination portion provided on the +Y direction side of the cartridge and projecting outward along the Z direction, and a cap-side positioning determination portion that faces the cap in the mounting direction and restricts movement in the mounting direction. In this embodiment, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the attached state, the cartridge-side positioning determination portion and the cap-side positioning determination portion face each other, thereby restricting the movement of the cap in the mounting direction relative to the cartridge. This further improves the positioning accuracy of the cap relative to the cartridge. Therefore, in the attached state, the liquid holding portion of the cap and the liquid supply portion of the cartridge can be more reliably brought into contact with each other, so that even if liquid leaks from the liquid supply portion, the possibility of liquid leaking to the outside of the cap can be reduced even more reliably.

[0107] (5) In the above embodiment, the first top surface may face the first bottom surface, which is the bottom of the first recess of the first side wall that is recessed toward the +X direction, which is the same as the protruding direction of the first convex rib, and the second top surface may face the second bottom surface, which is the bottom of the second recess of the second side wall that is recessed toward the -X direction, which is the same as the protruding direction of the second convex rib. According to this embodiment, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the attached state, at least a part of the first convex rib is housed in the first recess, so that the first top surface of the first convex rib and the first bottom surface of the first recess can be brought into contact. Also, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the attached state, at least a part of the second convex rib is housed in the second recess, so that the second top surface of the second convex rib and the second bottom surface of the second recess can be brought into contact. Furthermore, this configuration allows the cap to be attached to the cartridge while at least a portion of the first convex rib is accommodated in the first recess and at least a portion of the second convex rib is accommodated in the second recess. As a result, the cap can be attached to the cartridge more smoothly.

[0108] (6) According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a cartridge unit is provided. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge having a liquid supply section and a cap as described above, attached to the cartridge. According to this embodiment, when attaching the cap to the cartridge and in the state in which the cap is attached to the cartridge, the first guide rib can be accommodated in the first recess and the second guide rib can be accommodated in the second recess. This restricts the movement of the cap relative to the cartridge in two directions: the X direction along the short side of the cap and the Z direction intersecting the X direction and along the liquid supply section. Therefore, even if the cartridge is subjected to an external impact such as being dropped, the possibility of the cap attached to the cartridge coming off the cartridge can be reduced.

[0109] Not all of the components of each form of the present disclosure described above are essential, and it is possible to modify, delete, replace with other new components, or delete some of the limitations of some of the components as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described herein. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in one form of the present disclosure described above with some or all of the technical features included in another form of the present disclosure described above to form an independent form of the present disclosure in order to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described herein.

[0110] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than caps and cartridge units. For example, it can be implemented in forms such as a method for manufacturing a cap or a method for manufacturing a cartridge unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 1…Printing system, 2…Printing paper, 4,4j,4k…Cartridge, 4K…First cartridge, 4C…Second cartridge, 4M…Third cartridge, 4Y…Fourth cartridge, 6…Cartridge mounting section, 7,7j,7k…Cap, 7q…Back side, 10…Printing device, 11…Front cover, 13…Replacement cover, 15…Operation buttons, 20…Carriage, 22…Ejection head, 24…Tube, 30…Drive mechanism, 31…Control unit, 32…Timing belt, 34…Drive motor, 41…Main body, 41a…Outer shell, 42…Front wall of main body, 42 a...Adapter front wall, 43...Main body top wall, 44...Main body bottom wall, 44a...Adapter bottom wall, 45...First main body side wall, 45a...Adapter first side wall, 46...Second main body side wall, 46a...Adapter second side wall, 47...Main body rear wall, 47a...Adapter rear wall, 48,48k...First guide rib, 48c...First top surface, 48d...First outer surface, 48e...First regulating surface, 48f...First bottom surface, 48g...First opposing surface, 48s...One end of the first guide rib, 48t...Other end of the first guide rib, 49,49k...Second guide rib, 49c...Second top surface, 49d...Second outer surface, 49e...Second regulating surface, 49f...Second bottom surface, 49g...Second opposing surface, 49s...One end of the second guide rib, 49t...Other end of the second guide rib, 52...First regulating part on the cartridge side, 53...Second regulating part on the cartridge side, 55...First corner hole, 55s...First opposing part, 56...Second corner hole, 56s...Second opposing part, 57...Cartridge side placement determination part, 57s...Cartridge side placement determination surface, 58...First recess, 58s...One end of the first recess, 58t...Other end of the first recess, 59...Second recess, 59s...One end of the second recess, 59t...Second recess Other end, 61...accommodation chamber, 61C, 61M, 61K, 61Y...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, 71...cap body, 72...other end face of sealing wall, 74...sealing wall, 75...first engagement wall, 75i...first inner surface, 76...second engagement wall, 76i...second inner surface, 77...one end face of sealing wall, 78, 78k...first convex rib, 78e...first locking surface, 78f...first top surface, 78g...first connecting surface, 78s...one end of first convex rib, 78t...other end of first convex rib, 79,79k...Second convex rib, 79e...Second locking surface, 79f...Second top surface, 79s...One end of the second convex rib, 79t...Other end of the second convex rib, 89...Cartridge side terminal, 220...Nozzle, 401...Liquid container, 402...Adapter, 418...First intersection, 428...Second intersection, 432...Outlet opening, 438...Third intersection, 440...Bottom wall body, 442...Liquid supply section, 442a...Other end of the liquid supply section, 446...Bottom wall opening, 448...Cartridge side supply section positioning section, 450...Liquid container, 458...First corner, 461...Supply section placement chamber, 468...Second corner, 470, 470j, 470k...Cartridge unit, 610...Support member, 611...First support side wall, 612...Second support side wall, 613...Main wall, 614...Device opening, 642...Liquid introduction section, 644...Device-side supply section positioning section, 670...Device-side terminal section, 671...Device-side terminal, 674...Insertion / removal opening, 677...Engagement forming body, 698...Rotation pivot point, 699...Liquid storage section, 708, 708k...First recess, 709, 709k...Second recess, 745...Liquid holding section, 751...Cap-side first regulating section, 761...Cap-side second regulating section, 770...Cap-side placement determination section, 770s...Cap-side placement determination surface, 789...First space section, 799...Second space section, C...Central section, CA1...Introduction section side central axis, CA2...Supply section side central axis, D1...Insertion direction, D2...Rotation mounting direction, D3...Disconnection direction, D4...Removal direction, DW...Mounting direction

Claims

1. A cap that is detachably attached to a cartridge having a liquid supply section, When the direction along the liquid supply section is defined as the Z direction, the longitudinal direction of the cap intersecting the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, and the short direction of the cap intersecting the Y direction and the Z direction is defined as the X direction, The aforementioned cartridge is It comprises a first guide rib and a second guide rib that extend in the Y direction and project outward along the X direction, The aforementioned cap is In the state in which the cap is attached to the cartridge, A sealing wall having a liquid holding portion facing the liquid supply portion, A first convex rib protruding in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first guide rib, A second convex rib protruding in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the second guide rib, A first recess formed between the sealing wall and the first convex rib, the first recess having a first guide rib, A cap comprising a second recess formed between the sealing wall and the second convex rib, the second recess accommodating the second guide rib.

2. The cap according to claim 1, The first convex rib is, - A first locking surface facing the first restricting surface of the cartridge that restricts movement in the Z direction, The cartridge has a first side wall that forms the wall on the -X side and a first top surface that faces it, The aforementioned second convex rib is - A second locking surface facing the second restricting surface of the cartridge that restricts movement in the Z direction, A cap having a second side wall that forms the wall on the +X direction side of the cartridge and a second top surface that faces the side wall.

3. The cap according to claim 2, further, When the +Y direction is defined as the mounting direction of the cap to the cartridge, A cap having a cartridge-side restricting portion provided on the +Y direction side of the cartridge and a cap-side restricting portion that faces the mounting direction and restricts movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction.

4. The cap according to claim 3, A cap having a cartridge-side positioning determination portion provided on the +Y direction side of the cartridge and protruding outward along the Z direction, and a cap-side positioning determination portion facing along the mounting direction, thereby restricting movement in the mounting direction.

5. The cap according to claim 2, The first top surface faces the first bottom surface, which is the bottom of the first recess of the first side wall that is recessed toward the +X direction, which is the same as the protruding direction of the first convex rib. The second top surface is a cap that faces the second bottom surface, which is the bottom of the second recess of the second side wall that is recessed toward the -X direction, which is the same direction as the protrusion of the second convex rib.

6. It is a cartridge unit, A cartridge having a liquid supply section, A cartridge unit comprising a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is attached to the cartridge.

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