cartridge

Abstract

To solve at least one of defects of a cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a liquid storage body that can store liquid; an adaptor having an insertion-opening part into which a liquid introduction part of a cartridge attachment part is inserted, which can store liquid, and whose dimension along a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge attachment part is smaller than a dimension of the liquid storage body; and a liquid supply part. The adaptor has a liquid-remaining region where the adaptor is brought into a state in which the adaptor is not communicated with the liquid supply part, in an attachment state where the adaptor is attached to the cartridge attachment part. Liquid in the liquid-remaining region flows into the liquid supply part when the cartridge changes in attitude, in a course of a connection-releasing operation of releasing the connection of the liquid supply part to the liquid introduction part, by moving the cartridge in a direction opposite to a rotating / attaching direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cartridge technology.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cartridge having a liquid container for storing a liquid and an adapter attached to the liquid container by fitting is known (Patent Document 1). The conventional cartridge is attached by being inserted in the insertion direction, which is the horizontal direction, into the cartridge mounting portion of the printing apparatus and then being moved in the rotational mounting direction having a component in the gravitational direction with the back side in the insertion direction as a fulcrum.

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, since only the liquid container of the cartridge stores the liquid, in order to store more liquid in the cartridge, it is necessary to increase the size of the liquid container. Further, even when a larger amount of liquid is stored in the cartridge, the amount of liquid remaining without being supplied to the printing apparatus side may increase. The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the above problems of the cartridge.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first embodiment of this disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section of a printing device. The cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting section by, after insertion is completed in the insertion direction which is horizontal to the cartridge mounting section, moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction which has a component in the direction of gravity, with the rear side in the insertion direction as the pivot point. The cartridge comprises a liquid container capable of holding liquid, an adapter capable of holding the liquid having an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting section is inserted, the adapter having a dimension of the cartridge in the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting section that is smaller than the liquid container, and a liquid supply unit connected to the liquid introduction portion inserted into the insertion opening, which supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction portion. The adapter has a liquid retention region that holds liquid and is not in communication with the liquid supply unit when mounted to the cartridge mounting section. The liquid in the liquid retention region flows into the liquid supply unit due to a change in the orientation of the cartridge during a disconnection operation in which the cartridge is moved in the opposite direction to the rotational mounting direction to disconnect the connection between the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction portion.

[0006] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided that is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section of a printing apparatus. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting section by, after insertion is completed in the insertion direction which is horizontal to the cartridge mounting section, moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction having a component in the direction of gravity, with the rear side in the insertion direction as the pivot point, the cartridge comprises a liquid storage section for storing liquid, a bottom surface having an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section is inserted, an upper inclined surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface with respect to the liquid storage section, the upper inclined surface having a second end in the direction opposite to the insertion direction closer to the bottom surface than the first end on the insertion direction side, and a rear surface located on the front side in the insertion direction. The device includes a connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge, the connection hole communicating with the liquid storage section, and the connection hole is formed on at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the configuration of a printing system as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] First perspective view of the cartridge mounting section. [Figure 3] Second perspective view of the cartridge mounting section. [Figure 4] Perspective view of a Type 1 cartridge. [Figure 5] Disassembled perspective view of a Type 1 cartridge. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of a Type 1 cartridge. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the cartridge in its installed state. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the liquid storage section of the liquid supply unit. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating the consumption of liquid in the liquid-residual region. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] A diagram showing a cartridge in an attached state with a separate container connected. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating another embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] A. First Embodiment: A-1. Printing system configuration: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printing system 1 as a first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 shows 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 direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to those pointed out by the arrows on 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 direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. Regardless of whether the directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are positive or negative, they are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown hereafter.

[0009] The printing system 1 comprises a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 that supplies liquid ink to the printing device 10.

[0010] The printing device 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects liquid ink from an ejection head 22. This printing device 10 is a large-format printer that prints on large-format paper such as posters. The printing device 10 comprises a cartridge mounting unit 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, an ejection head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. The printing device 10 also includes operation buttons 15 for the user to control the operation of the printing device 10.

[0011] The cartridge mounting section 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has an insertion / removal opening 674, which is an entrance / exit to the cartridge 4 storage chamber 61. Through this insertion / removal opening 674, the cartridge 4 is placed in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, and the cartridge 4 is removed from the storage chamber 61. Multiple cartridges 4 are each detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4, one of each corresponding to the four colors of ink—black, yellow, magenta, and cyan—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 cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 containing yellow ink is also called cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 containing magenta ink is also called cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 containing cyan ink is also called cartridge 4C. In this embodiment, cartridge 4K is configured to contain more liquid than cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, cartridge 4K is also called type 1 cartridge 4A, and cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also called type 2 cartridge 4B.

[0012] 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 can be supplied to the discharge head 22 provided on the carriage 20 via the tube 24, which acts as a liquid flow pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the discharge head 22 using the difference in water head. Specifically, ink is supplied to the discharge head 22 by the difference in water head between the liquid level of the ink in the cartridge mounting section 6 and the discharge head 22. In other embodiments, the ink may be supplied to the discharge head 22 by sucking the ink from the cartridge 4 using a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10. Note that the tube 24 is provided for each type of ink.

[0013] The ejection head 22 is provided with nozzles for each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink toward the printing paper 2 from the nozzles to print data such as characters and images. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 is a printer called a "non-on-carriage type" in which the cartridge mounting portion 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The present disclosure can also be applied to a printer called an "on-carriage type" in which the cartridge mounting portion 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and the cartridge mounting portion 6 moves together with the carriage 20.

[0014] The control unit 31 controls each part of the printing apparatus 10 and exchanges signals with the cartridge 4. The carriage 20 relatively moves the ejection head 22 with respect to the printing paper 2.

[0015] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. By transmitting the power of the drive motor 34 to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, the carriage 20 reciprocates in the main scanning direction which is the direction along the X direction. Further, the printing apparatus 10 includes a conveyance mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction which is the +Y direction. When printing is performed, the printing paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the conveyance mechanism, and the printed paper 2 after printing is output onto the front cover 11.

[0016] Also, a region called a home position is provided at a position outside the printing area where the carriage 20 is moved in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance mechanism for performing maintenance for normally executing printing is mounted in the home position. The maintenance mechanism includes a cap member 8 that is pressed against the surface on the bottom side of the ejection head 22 where the nozzles are formed to form a closed space so as to surround the nozzles, a lifting mechanism (not shown) for lifting and lowering the cap member 8 to press it against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22, and a suction pump (not shown) for introducing negative pressure into the closed space formed when the cap member 8 is pressed against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22, etc.

[0017] In this embodiment, in the usage state of the printing system 1, the axis along the sub-scanning direction in which the printing paper 2 is conveyed is defined as the Y-axis, the axis along the gravitational direction is defined as the Z-axis, and the axis along the moving direction of the carriage 20 is defined as the X-axis. Here, the "usage state of the printing system 1" refers to the state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal plane. Also, in this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is the +Y direction, the opposite direction is the -Y direction, the gravitational direction is the -Z direction, and the anti-gravitational direction is the +Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction. Also, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is the -X direction. Also, 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, and the removal direction D4 in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the -Y direction side is also referred to as the back side, and the +Y direction side is also referred to as the front side. Also, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 4 is the X direction. The constituent members of the cartridge 4 are a liquid container and an adapter, which will be described later.

[0018] A-2. Detailed Configuration of Cartridge Mounting Port: Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 6. Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 6. Figure 2 shows the cartridge mounting section 6 with multiple cartridges 4 inserted or mounted. Figure 3 is a diagram of the state in Figure 2 with the cartridges 4 omitted. In Figure 2, cartridges 4K, 4C, and 4Y are mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. Mounting means that the cartridge terminals of the cartridge 4 (described later) are in contact with the device terminals of the cartridge mounting section 6 (described later), and the liquid supply portion of the cartridge 4 is connected to the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting section 6 (described later). Insertion complete state means that the cartridge 4 has been inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6 in the insertion direction D1, which is horizontal. In the insertion complete state, the cartridge terminals of the cartridge 4 (described later) are in contact with the device terminals of the cartridge mounting section 6 (described later), but the liquid supply portion of the cartridge 4 is not connected to the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting section 6. From the insertion complete state, the front portion of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 is rotated in the rotational mounting direction D2, which has a gravity component, to achieve the mounted state. As described above, after the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6 in the horizontal insertion direction D1, the front portion of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 is moved in the rotational mounting direction D2 to mount it in the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0019] In the cartridge mounting section 6, the X direction is also called the width direction, the Y direction is also called the depth direction, and the Z direction is also called the height direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, each element will be explained assuming the cartridge mounting section 6 is in the insertion complete state. In the cartridge mounting section 6, the insertion complete state is the same as the initial state in which the cartridge 4 and the adapter for cartridge 4 are not installed.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 forms a housing chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is housed. The housing chamber 61 is approximately rectangular in shape. The housing chamber 61 has slots for housing each of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. Each slot generally corresponds to the external shape of each of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, 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 forms the wall on the -Y direction side of the housing chamber 61. The second device wall 62 faces the first device wall 67 in the Y direction. The second device wall 62 is a generally vertical wall when the printing device 10 is in use.

[0022] The upper wall 63 of the device forms the wall on the +Z 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 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 a plurality of first device openings 614. In this embodiment, four first device openings 614 are formed, depending on the number of adapters 402 to be installed. 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) two elements intersect each other and actually intersect; (ii) one element intersects the other element when extended; and (iii) the elements intersect each other when extended.

[0023] 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.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a device-side terminal section 70, a device guide section 602, a support member 610, a liquid introduction section 642, a device-side positioning section 644, a fixed forming body 677, and a protruding member 628.

[0025] Multiple support members 610 are provided depending on the number of cartridges 4 to be installed. In this embodiment, four support members 610 are provided. They form the bottom wall 64 of the device on the gravity-direction side of the housing chamber 61. The support members 610 support the cartridges 4 from the gravity-direction side, which is the -Z direction. The support members 610 are members that extend along the Y direction. The support members 610 have a concave shape. 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 support member 610 can rotate around a pivot point 698 located on the far side of the insertion direction D1 and on the gravity-direction side of the cartridge mounting section 6, in a rotation mounting direction D2 having a component in the gravity direction and a release direction D3 having a component in the anti-gravity direction. The release direction D3 is the opposite direction to the rotation mounting direction D2.

[0026] The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom located on the side facing gravity. The main wall 613 has a first device opening 614 and a second device opening 626. The first device opening 614 and the second device opening 626 each penetrate the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the first support side wall 611 rises from the +X side end of the main wall 613 in the +Z direction, which is the anti-gravity direction. The second support side wall 612 rises from the -X axis side end of the main wall 613 in the +Z direction. The first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

[0028] The device guide section 602 guides the cartridge 4 or the adapter of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction D1 and the removal direction D4. A device guide section 602 is provided for each support member 610. The device guide section 602 is provided on both the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. The device guide section 602 is a projection provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. Multiple projections are arranged at intervals along the insertion direction D1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the liquid introduction section 642 receives the liquid from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction section 642 has a central axis CA1. In this embodiment, the central axis CA1 is tilted 4° in the +Y direction with respect to the Z direction. When insertion is complete, the liquid introduction section 642 is not located inside the containment chamber 61, but is located on the -Z side of the containment chamber 61. In other words, the liquid introduction section 642 is located on the opposite side of the containment chamber 61 from the support member 610. The tip of the liquid introduction section 642 is positioned inside the containment chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the rotational mounting direction D2 around the pivot point 698, which pushes down the first device opening 614.

[0030] The device-side positioning section 644 is received by the cartridge positioning section of the cartridge 4, which will be described later, thereby restricting the movement of the adapter of the cartridge 4 relative to the liquid introduction section 642. When insertion is complete, the device-side positioning section 644 is not located inside the housing chamber 61, but is located on the -Z side of the housing chamber 61. In other words, the device-side positioning section 644 is located on the opposite side of the housing chamber 61 from the support member 610. The tip of the device-side positioning section 644 is positioned inside the housing chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the rotational mounting direction D2 around the pivot point 698, which pushes down the first device opening 614.

[0031] The device-side terminal section 70 has a plurality of device terminals 721 that contact the cartridge terminals of the cartridge 4. The device-side terminal section 70 is provided on the -Y direction side of the support member 610, which is the inner side in the insertion direction D1.

[0032] The fixing body 677 is formed on the +Y side of the support member 610. Furthermore, the fixing body 677 is located on the -Z side of the insertion / removal opening 674. The fixing body 677 has four device fixing parts, which will be described later, corresponding to each slot in the housing chamber 61. The mounting fixing parts are projections that engage with the adapter of the cartridge 4 to fix the movement of the cartridge 4 and maintain the mounted state. As shown in Figure 3, the fixing body 677 has release parts 666 that displace the mounting fixing part to release the engagement with the adapter of the cartridge 4, corresponding to each mounting fixing part. The release part 666 is a plate-shaped member and is connected to the device fixing part. When the release part 666 is pushed down in the direction of gravity, the device fixing part is displaced in the release direction.

[0033] The protruding member 628 is located between the liquid introduction section 642 and the device-side terminal section 70 in the direction along the insertion direction D1. The protruding member 628 is a component of an external force mechanism that applies an external force to the support member 610 in the anti-gravity direction when it is installed. When the insertion is complete, the protruding member 628 is not located inside the housing chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the housing chamber 61. In other words, the protruding member 628 is located on the opposite side of the housing chamber 61 from the support member 610. The +Z direction portion of the protruding member 628 is placed inside the housing chamber 61 when the support member 610 is rotated in the rotational installation direction D2 around the pivot point 698, which pushes down the second device opening 626.

[0034] A-3. Detailed configuration of the cartridge: Figure 4 is a perspective view of the Type 1 cartridge 4A. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the Type 1 cartridge 4A. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the Type 1 cartridge 4A. The XYZ axes shown in Figures 4 to 6 are based on the state in which cartridge 4 is fully inserted into the cartridge mounting section 6. The difference between the Type 1 cartridge 4A and the Type 2 cartridge 4B is the width of the liquid container 401. The liquid container 401 of the Type 1 cartridge 4A is wider than the liquid container 401 of the Type 2 cartridge 4B. As a result, the volume of the Type 1 cartridge 4A is larger than that of the Type 2 cartridge 4B. The other configurations are the same for both the Type 1 cartridge 4A and the Type 2 cartridge 4B, so the configuration of cartridge 4 will be explained below using the Type 1 cartridge 4A as an illustration.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the external shape of the cartridge 4 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped. In the cartridge 4, the direction along the -Y direction, which is the insertion direction D1 into the cartridge mounting section 6, is the longitudinal direction, the X direction is the transverse direction as the width, and the Z direction is the direction along the direction of gravity, i.e., the height direction. In the cartridge 4, the longitudinal dimension is the largest and the transverse dimension as the transverse direction is the smallest. In the insertion position, the width direction is perpendicular to the insertion direction D1 and the -Z direction, which is the direction of gravity.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the cartridge 4 comprises a liquid container 401 capable of holding liquid, an adapter 402 formed on the bottom surface 44 side of the liquid container 401 and capable of holding liquid, and a liquid supply unit 442 that supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge 4 to the liquid introduction unit 642.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the dimension L402 of the adapter 402 along the insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6 is smaller than the dimension L401 of the liquid container 401 along the insertion direction D1. In the cartridge 4 of this embodiment, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are integrally molded. For example, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are integrally molded by blow molding. By integrally molding the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 by blow molding or the like, the cartridge 4 can be easily formed. In other embodiments, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be formed separately and attached to each other by fitting or the like.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the cartridge 4 has a front surface 42, a rear surface 47, a top surface 43, a bottom surface 44, a first side surface 45, a second side surface 46, and a corner portion 89. Each surface 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 is also called each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the front surface 42 and the rear surface 47 face each other in the Y direction along the insertion direction D1 when the insertion is complete. The front surface 42 forms the front end surface on the -Y direction side, which is the far side of the insertion direction D1 in the insertion position. The rear surface 47 forms the surface located on the near side of the insertion direction D1 in the insertion position, which is the +Y direction side, which is the removal direction D4 for removing the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting part 6.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the top surface 43 and the bottom surface 44 face each other in the Z direction, which is the axis direction of the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442. The bottom surface 44 is a surface that constitutes the adapter 402. The bottom surface 44 has an insertion opening 446 into which the liquid introduction part 642 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 is inserted. In other words, the adapter 402 has an insertion opening 446. The bottom surface 44 is the surface located on the far side of the cartridge mounting unit 6 in the rotational mounting direction D2, that is, the tip side in the rotational mounting direction D2, with the far side in the insertion direction D1 as the pivot point 698.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the upper surface 43 faces the bottom surface 44 in the Z direction, which is the central axis direction. In other words, the upper surface 43, including the upper inclined surface 433 which will be described later, is located on the opposite side of the liquid storage section 450 from the bottom surface 44. The upper surface 43 connects the front surface 42 and the rear surface 47. The upper surface 43 has a main surface 432, an upper inclined surface 433, and a connecting surface 435 connected to the rear surface 47.

[0042] The main surface 432 is the largest of the three surfaces 432, 433, and 435. The main surface 432 extends from the front surface 42 along the removal direction D4, which is opposite to the insertion direction D1. The main surface 432 is parallel to the insertion direction D1. The upper inclined surface 433 extends from the main surface 432 toward the removal direction D4. The upper inclined surface 433 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction D1 such that the second end 433t in the removal direction D4, which is opposite to the insertion direction D1, is closer to the bottom surface 44 than the first end 433p on the insertion direction D1 side. The connecting surface 435 connects the upper inclined surface 433 and the rear surface 47. The connecting surface 435 functions as the front portion that is pushed toward the direction of gravity by the user in order to rotate the cartridge 4 in the rotational mounting direction D2.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46 face each other in the width direction, which is the X direction. The first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46 are parallel to the Y direction and Z direction, respectively, in the insertion position. The first side surface 45 is the surface located on the -X direction side. The second side surface 46 is the surface located on the +X direction side. The corner portion 89 is provided at the corner where the front surface 42 and the bottom surface 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a concave shape that is recessed inward. The corner portion 89 is formed on the adapter 402. A circuit board 50 having a plurality of cartridge terminals 521 is arranged on the corner portion 89.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the liquid supply unit 442 is a cylindrical member. As shown in Figure 4, the tip opening 447 of the liquid supply unit 442 is positioned to overlap with the insertion opening 446 when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom 44 side. The liquid supply unit 442 is connected to the liquid introduction unit 642 when the liquid introduction unit 642, which is inserted into the insertion opening 446, is inserted into the liquid introduction unit 642. As shown in Figure 5, a notch 449 is formed in the side wall of the liquid supply unit 442 to allow liquid to flow into the internal flow path.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the liquid supply unit 442 has a supply unit valve mechanism 481 that opens and closes the internal flow path. The supply unit valve mechanism 481 comprises a seal portion 487, a valve body 485, and a biasing member 483. The seal portion 487 is an annular elastic member positioned on the inner circumferential surface of the supply flow path. The seal portion 487 functions as a valve seat upon which the valve body 485 abuts or separates. The valve body 485 is located on the opposite side of the seal portion 487 from the tip opening 447. The biasing member 483 biases the valve body 485 toward the seal portion 487. The biasing member 483 is a compression coil spring. When the liquid introduction portion 642 is not inserted into the liquid supply unit 442, the valve body 485 abuts against the seal portion 487, blocking the opening of the seal portion 487, and the internal flow path becomes non-communicated. On the other hand, when the liquid introduction section 642 is inserted into the liquid supply section 442, the valve body 485 is pushed away from the seal section 487 by the liquid introduction section 642 against the biasing force of the biasing member 483. As a result, the valve body 485 separates from the seal section 487, causing the internal flow path to communicate, i.e., the supply section valve mechanism 481 to open.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the cartridge 4 further comprises a supply unit positioning unit 448, a recess 582, a cartridge guide unit 462, and a cartridge fixing unit 497 as shown in Figure 6. The supply unit positioning unit 448 is a recess formed in the bottom surface 44. The supply unit positioning unit 448 is formed on the bottom surface 44 at a position adjacent to the insertion opening 446. The insertion opening 446 receives the device-side positioning unit 644 during the cartridge 4 installation process. This restricts the movement of the supply unit positioning unit 448 in a direction intersecting the rotational installation direction D2, thereby positioning the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction unit 642.

[0047] The recess 582 is formed on the insertion direction D1 side of the insertion opening 446. When the cartridge 4 is installed, the recess 582 receives the protruding member 628 shown in Figure 3, which is a component of the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0048] The cartridge fixing portion 497 shown in Figure 6 is a recess provided on the rear surface 47 in the portion formed by the adapter 402. The cartridge fixing portion 497 detachably fixes the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6 and maintains the mounted state. Specifically, when the cartridge 4 is mounted, the device fixing portion fits into and engages with the cartridge fixing portion 497, thereby fixing the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the cartridge guide portion 462 is formed on the first side surface 45 and the second side surface 46, respectively. The cartridge guide portion 462 is a step provided on the portion of the first side surface 45 or the second side surface 46 that forms the adapter 402. The cartridge guide portion 462 extends along the insertion direction D1. As the cartridge 4 moves within the cartridge mounting portion 6 while the cartridge guide portion 462 is in contact with the surface of the device guide portion 602 shown in Figure 3 on the +Z direction side, the cartridge guide portion 462 guides the movement of the adapter 402 in the horizontal direction, which is the insertion direction D1 and the removal direction D4.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, a liquid storage section 450 for storing liquid is formed inside the cartridge 4. Of the liquid storage section 450, the area within the liquid container 401 is also called the first liquid storage section 451, and the area within the adapter 402 is also called the second liquid storage section 452.

[0051] The liquid storage section 450 is located on the bottom surface 44 side and has a storage section bottom surface 456 which is the bottom surface of the liquid storage section 450. The storage section bottom surface 456 is formed in the adapter 402. The storage section bottom surface 456 has a first bottom surface 457 located between the liquid supply section 442 and the front surface 42 in the direction along the insertion direction D1, and a second bottom surface 458 located between the liquid supply section 442 and the rear surface 47. The liquid supply section 442 is inserted through the storage section bottom surface 456, and the liquid in the storage section bottom surface 456 can flow into the internal flow path from the notch 449 of the liquid supply section 442 shown in Figure 5.

[0052] Figure 7 shows the cartridge 4 in its installed state. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the liquid storage section 450 near the liquid supply section 442 of the installed cartridge 4. After the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting section 6 is complete, as shown in Figure 7, the cartridge 4 moves in the rotational mounting direction D2, causing the upper surface 43 to form a spatial region SP between itself and the upper wall 63 of the device.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, when installed, the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 to the liquid introduction section 642 is stored in the liquid storage section 699 of the cartridge installation section 6. The liquid storage section 699 is maintained at a predetermined pressure. In this embodiment, the predetermined pressure is a negative pressure. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 using the head difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by the head difference between the liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage section 699 and the ejection head 22. As the liquid level in the liquid storage section 699 decreases, the liquid in the liquid containment section 450 is replenished via the liquid introduction section 642. This maintains a constant liquid level in the liquid storage section 699.

[0054] A valve mechanism is located inside the liquid inlet 642 to open and close the flow path within the liquid inlet 642. The valve mechanism is closed when the liquid inlet 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 are not connected. When the liquid inlet 642 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 442, the valve body 485 of the liquid supply unit 442 pushes down the valve body of the valve mechanism, causing it to separate from the valve seat of the valve mechanism. As a result, the valve mechanism opens.

[0055] When cartridge 4 is installed, the support member 610 shown in Figure 3 is biased in the anti-gravity direction by the mounting biasing member 629 of the cartridge mounting part 6, causing cartridge 4 to attempt to move in the release direction D3, which is opposite to the rotational mounting direction D2. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, when cartridge 4 is installed, the cartridge fixing part 497 and the device fixing part 697 engage with each other, restricting the movement of cartridge 4 in the release direction D3 and maintaining the installed state. Also, when cartridge 4 is installed, the rear surface 47 side of cartridge 4 is pushed down compared to the insertion position.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the second bottom surface 458 has a first adapter bottom surface 458a, a stepped surface 458c, and a second adapter bottom surface 458b. The first adapter bottom surface 458a is a plane that extends from the portion of the housing bottom surface 456 where the liquid supply unit 442 is located toward the rear surface 47. The stepped surface 458c is a plane that extends from the end of the first adapter bottom surface 458a opposite to the side where the liquid supply unit 442 is located toward the anti-gravity direction, i.e., toward the top surface 43. The second adapter bottom surface 458b is a plane that extends from the upper end of the stepped surface 458c toward the rear surface 47.

[0057] When cartridge 4 is installed, the first bottom surface 457, the first adapter bottom surface 458a, and the second adapter bottom surface 458b are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that they are positioned towards the direction of gravity as they move toward the rear surface 47 side, i.e., toward the removal direction D4 side.

[0058] When cartridge 4 is installed, the liquid in the liquid storage section 450 is consumed and the liquid level drops. On the other hand, the bottom surface 458a of the first adapter and the bottom surface 458b of the second adapter are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction as described above. Therefore, when the liquid level in the liquid storage section 450 drops, a liquid retention region 454 is created in the adapter 402, as shown by the single hatching in Figure 8 indicating the liquid. In other words, the adapter 402 has a liquid retention region 454. The liquid retention region 454 is a region that holds liquid when the liquid level in the liquid storage section 450 drops, and is a region that is not in communication with the liquid supply section 442 because air exists between it and the liquid supply section 442 and it is not continuously filled with liquid. In other words, the liquid retention region 454 is a region where liquid remains without being consumed when installed. Of the liquid residue region 454, the region on the bottom surface 458a of the first adapter is also called the first liquid residue region 454a, and the region on the bottom surface 458b of the second adapter is also called the second liquid residue region 454b.

[0059] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the consumption of liquid in the liquid residue region 454. In the process of disconnecting the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642 by moving the cartridge 4 in the release direction D3, which is opposite to the rotational mounting direction D2, from the mounted state of the cartridge 4 shown in Figure 8, the remaining liquid flows into the liquid supply unit 442 as follows. That is, as the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 moves in a direction that includes an anti-gravity component, the posture of the cartridge 4 changes so that the bottom surface 458a of the first adapter and the bottom surface 458b of the second adapter return from a state inclined with respect to the horizontal to a state parallel to the horizontal. Due to the external force generated by this change in the posture of the cartridge 4, the liquid in the liquid residue region 454 flows into the liquid supply unit 442 as indicated by the direction of arrow YR during the period from the start of the disconnection operation to the end of the disconnection operation when the liquid introduction unit 642 is detached from the liquid supply unit 442. In other words, the liquid in the residual liquid area 454 flows into the liquid supply unit 442 as the cartridge 4, which is in the installed state, is moved in the release direction D3 to release the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642. The liquid that flows into the liquid supply unit 442 then flows into the liquid introduction unit 642 and the liquid storage unit 699 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 in that order.

[0060] According to the first embodiment described above, since the adapter 402 can also contain liquid in addition to the liquid container 401, a larger amount of liquid can be contained in the cartridge 4. Furthermore, during the disconnection operation, the liquid in the liquid residue area 454 flows into the liquid supply unit 442, allowing the liquid in the liquid residue area 454 to be introduced into the liquid introduction unit 642 via the liquid supply unit 442. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge 4.

[0061] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of cartridge 4a of the second embodiment. The difference from cartridge 4 of the first embodiment is that the upper inclined surface 433a has a connection hole 439 for connecting a separate container 7, which will be described later. The other components are the same for cartridge 4a and cartridge 4, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0062] The connection hole 439 communicates with the liquid storage section 450. A stopper member 438 is placed inside the connection hole 439 to maintain airtightness inside the liquid storage section 450. The stopper member 438 is, for example, an elastic material and has a slit formed therein. In other embodiments, the connection hole 439 may be formed on the rear surface 47, or on both the rear surface 47 and the upper inclined surface 433. Since the connection hole 439 is formed on at least one of the upper inclined surface 433a and the rear surface 47, a separate container 7 can be easily connected to the connection hole 439 even when a cartridge 4a is inserted into or mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0063] Figure 11 shows the cartridge 4a in an installed state with a separate container 7 connected. The separate container 7 has a main chamber 750 for containing liquid and a cylindrical injection section 72 that communicates with the main chamber 750. The area around the injection section 72 has a surface that is sloped, corresponding to the upper inclined surface 433. The injection section 72 is inserted into the connection hole 439. This pushes open the slit in the stopper member 438, and the tip opening of the injection section 72 is positioned inside the liquid storage section 450. The liquid in the main chamber 750 is supplied to the liquid storage section 450 via the injection section 72.

[0064] The spatial region SP accommodates a portion of the separate container 7. This allows the separate container 7 to be positioned by effectively utilizing the spatial region SP.

[0065] When cartridge 4a is inserted into cartridge mounting section 6, the separate container 7 is moved in the insertion direction D1 to connect its injection section 72 to the connection hole 439 of cartridge 4a. This connection operation causes the upper inclined surface 433 to receive an external force with a component in the direction of gravity from the separate container 7. Due to the external force with a component in the direction of gravity generated by the connection operation, cartridge 4 moves in the rotational mounting direction D2, thereby becoming mounted. The external force with a component in the direction of gravity is, for example, the force that pushes down the upper inclined surface 433 of cartridge 4 as the separate container 7 hits the upper wall 63 of the device as the connection operation of the separate container 7 progresses. In this way, the upper inclined surface 433a receives an external force with a component in the direction of gravity due to the connection operation of the separate container 7, which moves cartridge 4a in the rotational mounting direction D2, thereby completing the mounting to cartridge mounting section 6.

[0066] C. Other embodiments: C-1. Other Embodiments 1: Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment 1. The difference from the second embodiment described above is that the separate container 7a has a liquid inlet 738. The liquid inlet 738 allows liquid to be injected into the main chamber 750. An elastic member, such as a rubber member, is placed inside the liquid inlet 738. A needle member can be inserted into the liquid inlet 738, and liquid can be injected into the main chamber 750 from the tip of the needle member. The liquid inlet 738 is formed in a location closer to the front than the back in the insertion direction D1. In the other embodiment 1, the liquid inlet 738 is formed on the upper surface 752 of the separate container 7a, in a portion exposed on the side of the upper wall 63 of the cartridge mounting portion 6 that is closer to the removal direction D4. According to this other embodiment 1, since the liquid inlet 738 is formed in a portion closer to the front than the back in the insertion direction D1, the separate container 7a can be easily refilled with liquid, and therefore a sufficient amount of liquid can be refilled into the cartridge 4a.

[0067] C-2. Other Embodiments 2: In the second embodiment described above, cartridge 4a, like cartridge 4 in the first embodiment, was capable of containing liquid in the adapter 402, but is not limited to this. The adapter 402 of cartridge 4a may be configured not to contain liquid.

[0068] C-3. Other Embodiments 3: In the embodiments described above, cartridges 4 and 4a contained ink, but they may contain other liquids. Examples of liquids include colorants used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays, and electrode materials used in the formation of electrodes for organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) displays and field emission displays (FEDs).

[0069] D. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms (aspects). The technical features in the embodiments described above that correspond to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of this disclosure. Furthermore, if such technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

[0070] (1) According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided which is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section of a printing apparatus. The cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting section by, after insertion is completed in the insertion direction which is horizontal to the cartridge mounting section, moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction which has a component in the direction of gravity, with the rear side in the insertion direction as the pivot point. The cartridge comprises a liquid container capable of holding liquid, an adapter capable of holding the liquid having an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting section is inserted, the adapter having a dimension of the cartridge in the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting section that is smaller than the liquid container, and a liquid supply unit connected to the liquid introduction portion inserted into the insertion opening, which supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction portion. The adapter has a liquid retention region that holds liquid and is not in communication with the liquid supply unit when mounted to the cartridge mounting section. The liquid in the liquid retention region flows into the liquid supply unit due to a change in the orientation of the cartridge during a disconnection operation in which the cartridge is moved in the opposite direction to the rotational mounting direction to disconnect the connection between the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction portion. In this configuration, since the adapter can also contain liquid in addition to the liquid container, a larger amount of liquid can be stored in the cartridge. Furthermore, during the disconnection process, the liquid from the residual liquid area flows into the liquid supply section, allowing the liquid from the residual liquid area to be introduced into the liquid inlet section via the liquid supply section. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge.

[0071] (2) In the above embodiment, the liquid container and the adapter may be integrally molded. This embodiment makes it easy to form a cartridge having the liquid container and the adapter.

[0072] (3) In the above embodiment, the liquid container and the adapter may be integrally molded by blow molding. According to this embodiment, a cartridge having the liquid container and the adapter can be easily integrally molded by blow molding.

[0073] (4) According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a cartridge is provided which is detachably mounted in a cartridge mounting section of a printing apparatus. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting section by, after insertion is completed in an insertion direction which is horizontal to the cartridge mounting section, moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction having a component in the direction of gravity, with the rear side in the insertion direction as the pivot point. The cartridge comprises a liquid storage section for storing liquid, a bottom surface having an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction section of the cartridge mounting section is inserted, an upper inclined surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface with respect to the liquid storage section, the upper inclined surface having a second end in the direction opposite to the insertion direction closer to the bottom surface than the first end on the insertion direction side, a rear surface located on the front side in the insertion direction, and a connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge, the connection hole communicating with the liquid storage section, the connection hole being formed in at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface. In this configuration, since the connection hole is formed on at least one of the upper inclined surface and the front surface, a separate container can be easily connected to the connection hole even when a cartridge is inserted into or mounted in the cartridge mounting section.

[0074] (5) In the above embodiment, after insertion is complete, the cartridge moves in the rotational mounting direction, forming a space between the cartridge mounting part and the upper wall of the device, and the upper surface has a space that accommodates at least a part of the separate container, and the upper surface may include the inclined upper surface. According to this embodiment, the space formed between the upper surface of the cartridge and the upper wall of the cartridge mounting part by movement in the rotational mounting direction can be effectively utilized to position the separate container.

[0075] (6) In the above configuration, the connection hole is formed on the upper inclined surface, The inclined upper surface may, in the completed insertion state, be subjected to an external force having a component in the direction of gravity by the connection operation that moves the separate container in the insertion direction to connect it to the connection hole. In this configuration, the inclined upper surface is subjected to an external force having a component in the direction of gravity by the connection operation of the separate container, thereby moving the cartridge in the rotational mounting direction by the connection operation and completing the mounting to the cartridge mounting section.

[0076] (7) In the above embodiment, the separate container connected to the connection hole may have a liquid inlet for injecting liquid at a portion closer to the front than to the back in the insertion direction. In this embodiment, since the liquid inlet is formed at a portion closer to the front than to the back in the insertion direction, the separate container can be easily refilled with liquid, and thus a sufficient amount of liquid can be refilled into the cartridge.

[0077] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than those described above. For example, this disclosure can be implemented in the form of a cartridge manufacturing method, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1…Printing system, 2…Printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K, 4a…Cartridge, 4A…Type 1 cartridge, 4B…Type 2 cartridge, 6…Cartridge mounting section, 7, 7a…Container, 8…Cap component, 10…Printing device, 13…Replacement cover, 15…Operation button, 20…Carriage, 22…Discharge head, 24…Tube, 30…Drive mechanism, 31…Control unit, 32…Timing belt, 34…Drive motor, 42…Front view, 43…Top view, 44…Bottom view, 45…First side view, 46…Second side view, 47…Rear view, 50…Circuit board, 61…Storage chamber 62...Second device wall, 63...Upper device wall, 64...Bottom device wall, 65...First device side wall, 66...Second device side wall, 67...First device wall, 70...Device side terminal section, 72...Injection section, 89...Corner section, 401...Liquid container, 402...Adapter, 432...Main surface, 433,433a...Upper inclined surface, 433p...First end, 433t...Second end, 435...Connecting surface, 438...Plug member, 439...Connecting hole, 442...Liquid supply section, 446...Insertion opening, 447...Tip opening, 448...Supply section positioning section, 449...Notch section, 450...Liquid container section, 451...First liquid container section, 452...Second liquid storage section, 454...Liquid residue area, 454a...First liquid residue area, 454b...Second liquid residue area, 456...Bottom surface of storage section, 457...First bottom surface, 458...Second bottom surface, 458a...Bottom surface of first adapter, 458b...Bottom surface of second adapter, 458c...Stepped surface, 462...Cartridge guide section, 481...Supply valve mechanism, 483...Biasing member, 485...Valve body, 487...Seal section, 497...Cartridge fixing section, 521...Cartridge terminal, 582...Recess, 602...Device guide section, 610...Support member, 611...First support side wall, 612...Second support Side wall, 613... Main wall, 614... First device opening, 626... Second device opening, 628... Protruding member, 629... Mounting biasing member, 642... Liquid introduction section, 644... Device side positioning section, 666... ​​Release section, 674... Insertion / removal opening, 677... Fixed forming body, 697... Device fixing section, 698... Rotation pivot point, 699... Liquid storage section, 721... Device terminal, 738... Liquid inlet, 750... Main chamber, 752... Top surface, CA1, CA2... Central axis, D1... Insertion direction, D2... Rotation mounting direction, D3... Release direction, D4... Removal direction, L401... Dimension, L402... Dimension, SP... Spatial area

Claims

1. A cartridge that is detachably attached to the cartridge mounting section of a printing device, After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting section in the insertion direction, which is horizontal, the cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting section by moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction with a gravity component, using the rear side in the insertion direction as a pivot point. The aforementioned cartridge is A liquid container capable of holding liquid, An adapter having an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting portion is inserted, and capable of containing the liquid, wherein the dimension of the adapter along the insertion direction of the cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion is smaller than that of the liquid container, The system comprises a liquid supply unit connected to the liquid introduction unit inserted into the insertion opening, which supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge to the liquid introduction unit, The adapter, when mounted on the cartridge mounting section, has a liquid retention region that holds liquid, which, when the liquid level in the cartridge drops, creates an air gap between it and the liquid supply section, preventing it from being continuously filled with liquid and thus resulting in a state of non-communication with the liquid supply section. The liquid in the liquid residue area flows into the liquid supply unit due to a change in the cartridge's orientation during a disconnection operation, in which the cartridge is moved in the opposite direction to the rotational mounting direction to disconnect the connection between the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, A cartridge in which the liquid container and the adapter are integrally molded.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, A cartridge in which the liquid container and the adapter are integrally molded by blow molding.

4. A cartridge that is detachably attached to the cartridge mounting section of a printing device, After the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge mounting section in the insertion direction, which is horizontal, the cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting section by moving the front portion of the cartridge in the insertion direction in a rotational mounting direction with a gravity component, using the rear side in the insertion direction as a pivot point. The aforementioned cartridge is A liquid storage section for storing liquid, The bottom surface has an insertion opening into which the liquid introduction portion of the cartridge mounting section is inserted, An upper inclined surface located on the opposite side of the bottom surface, with respect to the liquid storage portion, wherein the second end in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is located closer to the bottom surface than the first end on the insertion direction side, The rear surface located on the front side in the insertion direction, A connection hole for connecting a container separate from the cartridge, comprising a connection hole that communicates with the liquid storage section, The connection hole is formed in at least one of the upper inclined surface and the rear surface of the cartridge.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, further, After the insertion is complete, the cartridge moves in the rotational mounting direction, forming a space between the cartridge mounting portion and the upper wall of the device, and having an upper surface that forms a space for accommodating at least a portion of the separate container. The upper surface includes the inclined upper surface of the cartridge.

6. A cartridge according to claim 4 or claim 5, The aforementioned connection hole is formed in the upper inclined surface, The aforementioned upper inclined surface of the cartridge is subjected to an external force having a component in the direction of gravity by a connecting operation that moves the separate container in the insertion direction to connect it to the connection hole when the insertion is complete.

7. A cartridge according to claim 4 or claim 5, The separate container connected to the connection hole is a cartridge having a liquid inlet that injects liquid into a portion closer to the front than to the back in the insertion direction.

Images