Liquid container and recording device

Abstract

To provide a technique which can suppress leakage of liquid when replacing a container regardless of residual quantity of liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container can be attached / detached to / from a recording device which discharges liquid to a recording material and performs recording. The liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage bag which has a supply port 304 for supplying liquid to a port to be supplied of the recording device, stores liquid, and is composed of a flexible film; an opening / closing body 302 which can be moved to an open position where liquid can be supplied from the supply port 304 to the port to be supplied and a closed position for closing the supply port 304; a handle 202 for moving the opening / closing body 302 between the open position and the closed position; and a lock mechanism which locks the opening / closing body 302 at the closed position so that the opening / closing body 302 is allowed to move to the open position only when the liquid storage container is in a mounted state that the liquid storage container is mounted in the recording device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a liquid container. [Background Art]

[0002] A so-called inkjet printer is known as a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording material by discharging and adhering recording liquid onto the recording material. Some inkjet printers adopt a configuration including an ink tank, which is a liquid container detachably mounted on the apparatus main body, as a supply source of ink, which is the recording liquid supplied to a recording head serving as a recording unit. This configuration allows a user to easily replenish ink, which is a consumable.

[0003] As one form of such liquid containers, a form in which liquid is contained in a bag-shaped container formed of a flexible film such as aluminum laminate is known. Such a bag-shaped container configuration is excellent in handleability, allows easy increase of container capacity, and can reduce the frequency of replacement. However, when the container is replaced, a small amount of liquid remaining in the container or near the supply port may leak and contaminate the surrounding area. To solve this problem, for example, there is a recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1. The recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 suppresses leakage of liquid during replacement or removal of the container by using a lid for a liquid communication portion constituted by an upper plate that displaces in the height direction according to the remaining amount of liquid in the container and a lower plate having a claw that holds the upper plate when the remaining amount of liquid becomes low. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-214361 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a lid closes on the liquid communication part when the liquid level becomes low, making it difficult to prevent liquid leakage when removing the liquid container when the liquid level is not low. Furthermore, when the liquid level becomes low and the lid closes on the liquid communication part, the movement of the upper and lower plates is restricted by claws, making it difficult to reuse a container that has been closed once. Since the replacement and removal of liquid containers are performed not only when the liquid level is low, it is desirable to prevent liquid leakage regardless of the liquid level and to allow repeated attachment and detachment to the recording device.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables the suppression of liquid leakage during container replacement, regardless of the remaining amount of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the liquid container of the present invention is A liquid container that can be attached to and detached from a recording device that performs recording by dispensing liquid onto a recording material, A liquid storage bag made of flexible film has a supply port for supplying liquid to the supply port of the recording device and contains the liquid, An opening / closing body that can move between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the supply port, and a closed position that closes the supply port. A handle for moving the opening / closing body between the open position and the closed position, A locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing body in the closed position, such that the opening / closing body moves to the open position only when the liquid container is mounted on the recording device, Equipped with 、 The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The aforementioned engaging member is When the liquid container is attached to the recording device, it is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by a release mechanism provided on the recording device, When the liquid container is in the attached state, it is configured to be locked in the disengaged position by the disengagement part. characterized by the above. To achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: an apparatus main body provided with a recording unit that performs recording by discharging liquid onto a recording material; a liquid container detachably attachable to said apparatus main body; a recording apparatus comprising: said apparatus main body has a supplied port for receiving supply of liquid from said liquid container, said liquid container comprises: a liquid storage bag configured of a flexible film, the liquid storage bag having a supply port for supplying liquid to said supplied port and storing liquid therein; an opening / closing member movable between an open position that enables supply of liquid from said supply port to said supplied port, and a closed position that closes said supply port; a handle for moving said opening / closing member between said open position and said closed position; a locking mechanism that locks said opening / closing member at said closed position so as to permit movement of said opening / closing member to said open position only when the liquid container is in an attached state where the liquid container is attached to the recording apparatus; comprising 、 The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The device body has a release mechanism that moves the engaging member from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the liquid container is attached to the device body, and locks the engaging member in the disengaged position when the liquid container is attached. characterized by the above. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, liquid leakage during container replacement can be suppressed regardless of the remaining amount of liquid. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1]Perspective view showing the internal configuration of the main part of the recording device in Example 1 [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ink storage section 105. [Figure 3] Side view showing the main components of the ink container of Example 1. [Figure 4] View from arrow A in Figure 3 [Figure 5] Diagram illustrating the configuration of the connecting member. [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating the structure of the opening / closing mechanism. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the configuration of the handle [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the configuration of the engaging member. [Figure 9] Viewpoint of arrow BB in Figure 3 [Figure 10] Top view of the ink container from Example 1 when it is mounted on the tray. [Figure 11] View from arrow C in Figure 10 [Figure 12] Diagram showing the handlebars lifted. [Figure 13] Diagram showing the ink container being lifted. [Figure 14] Diagram showing the ink container completely detached from the tray. [Figure 15] This image shows what happens when you lift the handle without inserting the ink cartridge into the tray. [Figure 16] Diagram showing the ink container of Example 2 mounted on the tray. [Figure 17] Diagram showing the handlebars lifted. [Figure 18] Diagram showing the ink container being lifted. [Figure 19] Diagram showing the ink container completely detached from the tray. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, based on examples. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in this embodiment are essential to the solution of the present invention. The components described in the embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to them alone.

[0011] (Example 1) Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the general configuration of a recording device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The recording device shown in Figure 1 repeatedly performs the reciprocating movement of the recording head 101 (main scan) and the transport of the recording sheet 108, which is the recording medium (recording material), at predetermined pitch intervals (sub-scan). Synchronized with these movements, the recording device selectively ejects ink, which is a recording liquid of multiple colors, from the recording head 101 and deposits it onto the recording sheet 108, thereby forming characters, symbols, images, etc. Any recording medium that can deposit ink droplets to form an image may be used. For example, various materials and forms such as paper, cloth, optical disc label surfaces, plastic sheets, OHP sheets, and envelopes can be used as recording media.

[0012] In Figure 1, the recording head 101, which is the recording unit, is supported via a carriage 102 so as to be able to slide along two guide rails that extend parallel to each other along the width direction of the recording sheet 108, which is perpendicular to the transport direction A of the recording sheet 108. That is, the recording head 101 reciprocates in the main scanning direction as described above, by the carriage 102 reciprocating along the guide rails in a straight line by a driving means such as a motor (not shown). The recording head 101 is detachably mounted on the carriage 102. The recording head 101 has a plurality of nozzles (discharge ports) in the ink discharge section, which is a liquid discharge section that discharges ink, which is the recording liquid, toward the recording surface of the recording sheet 108. The recording sheet 108 is transported by a transport roller 103, which is a transport means, in the transport direction A that intersects the movement direction of the carriage 102, with respect to the region of the ink discharge surface of the ink discharge section of the recording head 101 where the nozzles are provided. The recording head 101 has multiple nozzle rows, each serving as a separate ink ejection unit for ejecting ink of a different color.

[0013] Multiple independent liquid storage units, each having an ink supply port 109 (see Figure 2), are detachably attached to an ink supply unit 106, which acts as a liquid supply unit. Each ink storage unit 105 has an ink supply port 109 corresponding to the color of ink ejected from the recording head 101. The ink supply unit 106 and the recording head 101 are connected by multiple ink supply tubes 107, each corresponding to the color of ink. By attaching the ink storage units 105 to the ink supply unit 106, it becomes possible to independently supply the ink of each color stored in the ink storage units 105 to each nozzle row of the recording head 101.

[0014] In the non-recording area, which is within the reciprocating movement range of the recording head 101 but outside the passage range of the recording sheet 108, a recovery unit 104 is positioned facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head 101. The recovery unit 104 includes a cap for capping the ink ejection surface of the recording head 101, a suction mechanism for forcibly sucking up ink while the nozzles of the ink ejection surface are capped, and a cleaning blade for wiping away dirt from the ink ejection surface. The aforementioned suction operation is performed by the recovery unit 104 prior to the recording operation of this recording device. As a result, even if this recording device is operated after being left unused for a long period of time, the recovery process performed by the recovery unit 104 removes residual air bubbles in the ejection section of the recording head 101 and viscous liquid near the ejection port. This restores and maintains the ejection characteristics of the recording head 101.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink storage unit 105 installed within the ink supply unit 106 of the recording device shown in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) is a schematic perspective view of the ink storage container 111, and Figure 2(b) is a schematic perspective view of the tray 110 that houses the ink storage container 111. Figure 2(c) is a schematic perspective view showing the ink storage container 111 of Figure 2(a) housed in the tray 110 of Figure 2(b). Note that in Figure 2(a), the ink supply unit 201 in the ink storage container 111 is shown schematically without illustrating its detailed structure. The detailed structure of the ink supply unit 201 is shown in Figure 3 and subsequent figures. It is.

[0016] The ink storage unit 105 consists of a tray 110 having an ink supply port 109 and an ink storage container 111 as a liquid storage container for storing ink. The ink storage container 111 generally consists of an ink storage bag 200 as a liquid storage bag and an ink supply unit 201 as a liquid supply unit. The ink storage bag 200 is a bag-shaped liquid storage unit made of a flexible film such as aluminum laminate. The ink supply unit 201 has an ink supply port (ink flow holes 303, 304) that communicates with the ink supply port 109 of the tray 110 to supply ink to the main body of the recording device. When installing the ink storage unit 105 into the ink supply unit 106 of the recording device, first, the ink storage container 111 is inserted from above into the storage unit which opens to the top (Z direction) of the tray 110. Then, the ink container 111 is placed on the bottom surface of the storage section of the tray 110 so that the ink supply port 109 of the tray and the ink supply port of the ink container 111 are at approximately the same height. By installing the ink storage section 105, in which the ink container 111 is housed and installed in the tray 110, into the ink supply unit 106, the ink in the ink container 111 can be supplied to the recording head 101 via the ink supply tube 107 provided in the recording device.

[0017] Figure 3 is a side view showing the main components of the ink container 111 in Example 1, where (a) shows the closed state with the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201 closed, and (b) shows the open state with the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201 open. Figure 4 is a view taken along arrow B in Figure 3, and is a front view of the ink supply unit 201.

[0018] In this embodiment, the recording device is provided with an ink storage container 111 independently for each ink color, but each ink storage container 111 has the same configuration as the others. That is, as described above, the ink storage container 111 in this embodiment is generally composed of an ink storage bag 200 as a bag-shaped liquid storage section made of a flexible film, and an ink supply section 201 as a liquid supply section. The ink supply section 201 is generally composed of a handle 202, an opening / closing body 203, a spring 204 as a biasing member, an opening / closing body restraint lock (hereinafter simply referred to as "lock") 206 as a locking member, a connecting member 207, and a spring 208 as an elastic member. The handle 202, opening / closing body 203, spring 204, lock 206, and spring 208 are integrally assembled to the connecting member 207, and the connecting member 207 is integrally attached to the ink storage bag 200. In other words, the handle 202, the opening / closing body 203, the spring 204, the lock 206, and the spring 208 are all integrally assembled to the ink storage bag 200 via the connecting member 207.

[0019] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the connecting member 207, where (a) is a view taken along arrow D in (b) (top view), (b) is a front view of the connecting member 207, and (c) is a view taken along arrow E in (b) (side view).

[0020] The connecting member 207 is a roughly plate-shaped member and is provided with an ink flow hole 304, which is a through hole. The connecting member 207 is attached to the ink storage bag 200 so that the ink inside the ink storage bag 200 does not leak out from any location other than the ink flow hole 304. In other words, the connecting member 207 is a member that connects the ink storage bag 200 to the handle 202, the opening / closing body 203, the spring 204, the lock 206, and the spring 208, and also forms the ink supply port in the ink storage bag 200.

[0021] The connecting member 207 has a roughly plate-shaped body 270 through which the ink flow hole 304 passes. The connecting member 207 also has gripping guide portions 217 for supporting the opening / closing body 203 so that the opening / closing body 203 can slide relative to the body 270 in a predetermined direction. The gripping guide portions 217 are provided in pairs so as to sandwich the opening / closing body 203 in the X direction, and protrude in the -Y direction from the side of the body 270 on which the opening / closing body 203 is positioned, and each The tips of the gripping guides have a hook-like shape, which bends toward opposing directions (±X directions). Due to this hook-like shape, each gripping guide portion 217 clamps the opening / closing body 203 between itself and the main body 270 in the Y direction. In other words, the gripping guide portions 217 hold the opening / closing body 203 such that it restricts its movement in the X and Y directions relative to the main body 270, while allowing it to move in the Z direction.

[0022] The connecting member 207 has a spring receiving portion 227 that supports one end of a spring 208 which is assembled between it and the lock 206. The spring receiving portions 227 are provided in pairs on both sides of the main body 270 in the X direction, and each protrudes in the -Y direction, which is the side to which the opening / closing body 203 is assembled relative to the main body 270, and is positioned so that the lock 206 and spring 208 are interposed between them and the opening / closing body 203 in the X direction.

[0023] The connecting member 207 has a pair of bearing holes 237 that pivotally support the handle 202. Each of the pair of bearing holes 237 is provided so as to be recessed in the X direction on the X-direction side end face of the main body 270.

[0024] The connecting member 207 holds the lock 206 relative to the main body 270 and has a guide groove 247 that guides the movement of the lock 206 between an unengaged position and an engaged position. The guide groove 247 is recessed from the side of the main body 270 to which the opening / closing body 203 and the lock 206 are assembled, and extends in the X direction, which is the direction of movement of the lock 206. The lock 206 is provided with a screw 226 as a guided projection that is guided by the guide groove 247. The guide groove 247 has a groove shape in which the width on the opening side is narrower than the width on the groove bottom side, corresponding to the shape of the screw 226 (a shape having a threaded portion and a head that expands in diameter relative to the threaded portion), and the narrowed edge on the opening side functions as a retainer for the screw 226. The guide groove 247 is open in the X direction on the X-direction side end face of the main body 270 as an insertion opening when assembling the lock 206 to the connecting member 207.

[0025] Multiple guide grooves 247 are provided for one of the paired locks 206. Typically, two guide grooves 247 are provided for one lock 206, and the two guide grooves 247 function as anti-rotation devices that restrict the rotation of the lock 206 relative to the body 270.

[0026] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the opening / closing body 203, where (a) is a view from arrow F in (b), (b) is a front view of the opening / closing body 203, and (c) is a view from arrow G in (b).

[0027] The opening / closing body 203 is a roughly plate-shaped member and is provided with an ink flow hole 303 which is a through hole. The opening / closing body 203 is assembled to the connecting member 207 so as to be able to slide a predetermined distance, and is a member that opens and closes the ink flow hole 304 of the connecting member 207, that is, a member that opens and closes the ink supply port in the ink storage container 111.

[0028] The opening / closing body 203 has a roughly plate-shaped body 230 through which the ink flow hole 303 passes. The opening / closing body 203 is gripped at both ends of the body 230 in the X direction by the body 270 and gripping guide portion 217 of the connecting member 207 described above, respectively, so as to restrict its movement in the X and Y directions. Guided by the gripping guide portion 217, the opening / closing body 203 can slide in the Z direction relative to the connecting member 207. This sliding movement causes the opening / closing body 203 to move between an open position where the ink flow hole 303 of the opening / closing body 203 and the ink flow hole 304 of the connecting member 207 overlap and communicate with each other in the Y direction, and a closed position where they do not overlap and communicate with each other in the Y direction.

[0029] In other words, in this embodiment, the ink supply port (ink flow passage) of the ink container 111 The opening / closing body 203 is composed of an ink flow hole 303 in the opening / closing body 203 and an ink flow hole 304 in the connecting member 207. The ink flow hole 303 in the opening / closing body 203 is a communication hole that connects the ink flow hole 304 in the connecting member 207, which is the supply port of the ink storage bag 200, with the ink supply port 109 in the tray 110, which is the supply port on the device body side. When the opening / closing body 203 is in the open position, it becomes possible to supply ink from the ink flow hole 304 to the ink supply port 109 via the ink flow hole 303.

[0030] The opening / closing body 203 has a spring receiving portion 213 that receives the operating force from the handle 202 via a spring 208 in the Z direction, which is the sliding direction of the opening / closing body 203 relative to the connecting member 207. The spring receiving portions 213 are provided in pairs and protrude in the X direction from both ends of the main body 230 in the X direction.

[0031] The opening / closing body 203 has a recess 223 on the X-direction side of the main body 230 as an engaging portion for forming a state in which it is locked in the closed position by the lock 206. The recess 223 is provided in the main body 230 so as to be recessed in the X-direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the spring 208 connecting the handle 202 and the opening / closing body 203 exerts a biasing force on the opening / closing body 203. The recess 223 is provided on both sides of the main body 230 in the X-direction, corresponding to the pair of locks 206 provided.

[0032] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the handle 202, where (a) is a front view of the handle 202, (b) is a view taken along arrow H in (a), and (c) is a view taken along arrow I in (a).

[0033] The handle 202 has a roughly U-shaped gripping portion 212, which is the part that the user primarily grasps when operating the opening and closing mechanism 203, and a shaft portion 222, which is the pivot point of the handle 202. The gripping portion 212 has a pair of arms that extend parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a connecting portion that extends in the X direction at one end of the pair of arms and connects the pair of arms. The shaft portion 222 is provided in pairs on the other end of each of the pair of arms of the gripping portion 212 and protrudes inward in the X direction concentrically with each other. The gripping portion 212 may also be grasped when the user attaches and detaches the ink container 111 to and from the tray 110. The pair of shaft portions 222 are respectively inserted into the pair of bearing holes 237 of the connecting member 207 and are configured to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 222 relative to the bearing holes 237. In other words, the handle 202 is pivotally supported in the bearing hole 237 of the connecting member 207 so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 222, with the axis of the shaft portion 222 as the axis of rotation.

[0034] The handle 202 has a spring receiving portion 232 on the opposite side of the gripping portion 212, with the shaft portion 222 in between. The spring receiving portions 232 are provided in pairs, corresponding to the pair of shaft portions 222. The spring receiving portion 232 is the part that applies the operating force of the handle 202 by the user to the opening / closing body 203 via a spring 204, and is connected to the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 via the spring 204. As the handle 202 rotates, the relative distance between the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 and the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 changes, causing the spring 204 to undergo expansion and contraction deformation, and a biasing force corresponding to the amount of operation of the handle 202 acts on the opening / closing body 203.

[0035] In this embodiment, a spring 204 is used as the expandable and contractible elastic member connecting the handle 202 and the opening / closing body 203. However, other members or mechanisms, such as leaf springs, may be used as long as they can perform a similar function.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the gripping portion 212 of the handle 202 is configured to extend in a direction toward the side of the ink storage bag 200 that is positioned relative to the connecting member 207, as it moves away from the shaft portion 222. By rotating around the shaft portion 222, the gripping portion 212 changes its angular orientation relative to the ink storage bag 200, and the ink storage bag 2 The protrusion height from 00 changes.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the handle 202 takes the closed position (closed operation position) in which the opening / closing body 203 is positioned to close the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201, the grip portion 212 is at the angle furthest from the ink storage bag 200. In this position, the height of the grip portion 212 from the ink storage bag 200 is at its highest. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), when the handle 202 takes the open position (open operation position) in which the opening / closing body 203 is positioned to open the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201, the grip portion 212 is at the angle closest to the ink storage bag 200. In this position, the height of the grip portion 212 from the ink storage bag 200 is at its lowest. This position forms the storage state of the ink storage container 111 when the ink storage unit 105, which is mounted on the tray 100, is installed into the ink supply unit 106.

[0038] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the lock 206 as an engaging member, where (a) is a view from arrow J in (b), (b) is a front view of the lock 206, and (c) is a view from arrow K in (b).

[0039] The lock 206 is a substantially L-shaped member having a portion extending in the Z direction and a portion extending in the X direction. The portion extending in the X direction of the lock 206 has a projection 216 which is an engaging portion for locking the opening / closing body 203 in the closed position. In the lock 206, the X direction is perpendicular to the Z direction, which is the sliding direction of the opening / closing body 203, and is perpendicular to the direction in which the handle 202 applies an operating force to the opening / closing body 203 via the spring 208. The projection 216 can be fitted into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203 in the X direction. When the projection 216 is fitted into the recess 223, it is configured to engage with the recess 223 in the Z direction, i.e., in the sliding direction of the opening / closing body 203 relative to the connecting member 207, and to restrict the sliding movement of the opening / closing body 203 relative to the connecting member 207. In other words, the opening / closing body 203 is locked in the closed position relative to the connecting member 207 by the protrusion 216 of the lock 206 fitting into the recess 223.

[0040] As described above, the lock 206 has multiple screws 226, two in this embodiment, which are guided projections that are guided by the guide groove 247 of the connecting member 207. In this embodiment, a configuration with screws 226 as guided projections is illustrated, but other configurations may be adopted as long as they have a structure that has a similar function.

[0041] A spring 208 is attached to the lock 206 between it and the connecting member 207 on the side opposite to the side where the protrusion 216 is provided in the X direction. One end of the spring 208 is attached to the spring receiving portion 227 of the connecting member 207, and the other end is attached to the lock 206. The spring 208 is assembled so as to be compressed in the X direction between the spring receiving portion 227 and the lock 206, biasing the lock 206 toward the opening / closing body 203 in the X direction. In other words, when the opening / closing body 203 moves to the closed position, the lock 206 is configured to automatically move from a non-engaged position where the protrusion 216 is not fitted into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203 to an engaged position where the protrusion 216 is fitted into the recess 223, under the biasing force of the spring 208.

[0042] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism, consisting of the lock 206 and the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203, is provided in pairs on both sides in the X direction, which is the width direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the opening / closing body 203. For stable sliding operation, it is preferable to provide them in pairs in the width direction, but they may also be provided on only one side.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a spring 208 is used as the biasing member that biases the lock 206 to the engagement position that locks the opening / closing body 203 in the closed position. However, other members or mechanisms such as leaf springs may be used as long as they can perform a similar function.

[0044] In the ink storage container 111 configured as described above, when it is removed from the tray 110 and is in an unattached state, that is, when it is handled by the user on its own, the aforementioned locking mechanism restricts the movement of the opening / closing body 203 to the open position, keeping it in the closed position. In this state, even if the handle 202 is operated, the engagement between the lock 206 and the opening / closing body 203 is maintained. That is, even if the biasing force of the spring 204 acting on the opening / closing body 203 changes due to a change in the posture of the handle 202, the engagement of the lock 206 restricts the movement of the opening / closing body 203 between the closed and open positions, and the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201 does not open.

[0045] Furthermore, when the ink container 111 is mounted in the recording device, the lock 206 is released by a release mechanism provided on the tray 110 (described later), allowing the opening / closing body 203 to move to the open position. In other words, the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201 can be opened and closed by operating the handle 202.

[0046] Figure 9 is a view of the ink container 111 in this embodiment, taken from the perspective of arrow B in Figure 3(a), with the opening / closing body 203 removed (omitted from illustration). Figure 10 is a schematic plan view showing the ink container 111 stored in the tray 110 of the recording device, showing the storage state with the handle 202 in the open position (corresponding to Figure 3(b)). Figure 11 is a view of the ink container 111 in Figure 10 taken from the perspective of arrow C, taken from the ink supply port.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11, the bottom surface of the tray 110 of the recording device is provided with a release part 302 that assists in the release operation of the lock 206. The release part 302 is configured to come into contact with the lock 206 during the process in which the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110, thereby releasing the locking state of the opening / closing body 203 by the lock 206. In other words, the release part 302 is configured to apply a force to the lock 206 that moves it from an engaged position in which the protrusion 216 of the lock 206 is fitted into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203 to an unengaged position in which the protrusion 216 is disengaged from the recess 223.

[0048] In this embodiment, the specific configuration of the disengagement section 302 is a cam plate structure having inclined surfaces that are tilted with respect to the X and Z directions, as shown in Figure 11, etc. That is, it is configured to contact the lock 206 such that a component force in the X direction acts on the lock 206, moving it from the engaged position to the disengaged position. Note that a different structure or configuration may be used as long as it can perform a similar function.

[0049] The release mechanism 302 is also configured to lock the lock 206 in the disengaged position while the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110. That is, while the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110, the operation of the handle 202 allows the opening / closing mechanism 203 to be opened and closed. In other words, the opening / closing mechanism 203 is only allowed to move to the open position when the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110. At this time, the spring 208 is fixed in a more contracted and deformed state than when the lock 206 is in the engaged position.

[0050] The handle 202 is configured to maintain the closed position once it is in the closed position, unless any particular external force is applied, and to maintain the open position once it is in the open position and the opening / closing body 203 moves to the open position. That is, the distance between the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 and the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 is approximately the same for the first distance when the handle 202 is in the closed position and the opening / closing body 203 is in the closed position, and for the second distance when the handle 202 is in the open position and the opening / closing body 203 is in the open position. The spring 204 is assembled to have a natural length that does not generate a biasing force in either the contraction direction or the extension direction, in both the case when the handle 202 is in the closed position and the opening / closing body 203 is in the closed position, and when the handle 202 is in the open position and the opening / closing body 203 is in the open position. Therefore, when the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110, the handle 202 is tilted to the open position, and the opening / closing body 203 moves to the open position, the spring 204 becomes capable of biasing the handle 202 to maintain the closed position and the opening / closing body 203 to maintain the open position.

[0051] When the handle 202 is tilted from the closed position to the open position (Figure 3(a) → Figure 3(b)), the gap between the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 and the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 narrows. As a result, the spring 204 deforms by contracting between the spring receiving portion 232 and the spring receiving portion 213, and the elastic restoring force from this contraction deformation acts to move the opening / closing body 203 from the closed position to the open position. Then, as the opening / closing body 203 is lifted to the open position, the gap between the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 and the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 returns to the gap corresponding to the natural length of the spring 204.

[0052] When the handle 202 is lifted from the open position to the closed position (Figure 3(b) → Figure 3(a)), the gap between the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 and the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 widens. As a result, the spring 204 undergoes stretch deformation between the spring receiving portion 232 and the spring receiving portion 213, and the elastic restoring force from this stretch deformation acts to move the opening / closing body 203 from the open position to the closed position. Then, as the opening / closing body 203 is pulled down to the closed position, the gap between the spring receiving portion 232 of the handle 202 and the spring receiving portion 213 of the opening / closing body 203 returns to the gap corresponding to the natural length of the spring 204.

[0053] Referring to Figures 12 to 14, the movement of each key part when removing the ink container 111 for replacement will be explained. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram (view of arrow C in Figure 10) of the situation when the handle 202 is lifted for replacement of the ink container 111, as seen from the ink supply port side.

[0054] As shown in Figure 12, when replacing the ink container 111, the handle 202 is lifted to create a grip for removing the ink container 111 from the tray 110. Hereinafter, this position of the handle 202 (closed position) will be referred to as the removal position. The opening / closing body 203 attached to the ink supply unit 201 of the ink container 111 is connected to the handle 202 via a spring 204, and moves vertically downward in conjunction with the handle 202 being in the removal position, shielding the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201.

[0055] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram (view of arrow C in Figure 10) of the state when the ink container 111 has separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110 and the lock 206 has begun to restrain the opening / closing body 203, as viewed from the ink supply port side. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram (view of arrow C in Figure 10) of the state when the ink container 111 has completely separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110 (the state when the release part 302 no longer acts on the lock 206), as viewed from the ink supply port side.

[0056] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the ink container 111 is further lifted from the tray 110 by holding the handle 202, and the ink container 111 is separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110, the position of the release part 302 on the lock 206 changes in a direction that weakens the restraining force. As a result, the lock 206 gradually moves to the engaged position due to the biasing force of the spring 208. Then, when the release part 302 separates from the lock 206 and the restraining force on the lock 206 is removed, the lock 206 moves to the engaged position where the protrusion 216 fits into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203, restraining the opening / closing body 203. In this way, by restraining the opening / closing body 203, which is shielding the ink supply port, with the lock 206, it is possible to prevent ink leakage from the ink container 111 and contamination caused by ink leakage when it is removed for replacement.

[0057] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the amount of ink remaining in the ink storage container 111 is used again. The movement of each key part when reattaching the device to the recording device, assuming the quantity is sufficient for use, will be explained.

[0058] When the handle 202 is extended and the ink container 111 is placed on the bottom surface of the tray 110, as shown in Figure 12, the release mechanism 302 provided on the bottom surface of the tray 110 moves the lock 206 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. That is, the release mechanism 302 compresses the spring 208 to fix the lock 206 in the disengaged position and releases the constraint on the opening / closing body 203. When the handle 202 is put back in this state, as shown in Figure 11, the handle 202 pushes up the spring 204 and simultaneously moves the opening / closing body 203 vertically upward, opening the ink supply port (ink flow holes 303, 304) of the ink supply unit 201.

[0059] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the handle 202 when the ink container 111 is not mounted on the tray 110.

[0060] Even when the ink container 111 is not mounted on the tray 110, and the handle 202 is in the retracted position, the opening / closing body 203 will not move to the open position because the lock 206 restrains the opening / closing body 203 with the extension biasing force of the spring 208. In other words, the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203 is a recess that recesses in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the spring 204 exerts on the opening / closing body 203 when the handle 202 is operated. Similarly, the protrusion 216 of the lock 206 also protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the above direction of action and fits into the recess 223 in the same direction. However, the direction of action of the biasing force of the spring 208 acting on the lock 206 is perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the spring 204 exerts on the opening / closing body 203. With this locking configuration, no matter how the biasing force from the spring 204 changes, the engagement of the lock 206 with the opening / closing body 203 is maintained, and the opening / closing body 203 is restrained in the closed position. Therefore, when the ink container 111 is not mounted on the tray 110, no matter how the handle 202 is operated, the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201 will not open.

[0061] As described above, the operation of the ink supply unit 201 eliminates ink leakage and contamination when removing the ink container 111 for replacement. Furthermore, while allowing repeated opening and closing of the ink supply port, restricting the opening of the ink supply port when not installed in the recording device prevents ink leakage and contamination when the device is not installed.

[0062] Here, when the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110 and the handle 202 is lowered, the ink supply port (ink flow holes 303, 304) of the ink supply unit 201 and the ink supply port 109 of the tray 110 come into communication. The ink supply port 109 of the tray 110 may be sealed by, for example, an opening and closing mechanism (not shown) to prevent ink leakage. In other words, this configuration prevents ink leakage from the ink supply port 109 from the time the ink container 111 is mounted on the tray 110 until the ink storage unit 105 is installed on the ink supply unit 106 and connected to the ink supply tube 107.

[0063] Furthermore, the handle 202 may be configured so that, for example, when the opening / closing body 203 is in the closed position, it does not exceed the height (Z direction) of the wall of the storage area of ​​the tray 110. The ink storage area 105 may be configured so that it can be installed in the ink supply unit 106 when the handle 202 is in the closed position, that is, when the handle 202 is not protruding from the storage area of ​​the tray 110. In other words, when installing the ink storage area 105 in the ink supply unit 106, a configuration may be provided to ensure that the handle 202 is in the closed position, that is, that the ink supply passage (ink flow holes 304, 303, ink supply port 109) is in communication. For example, the opening edge of the storage area of ​​the ink storage area 105 in the ink supply unit 106 may be such that when the ink storage area 105 is installed, the handle The configuration may be such that when it comes into contact with the lever 202, the handle 202 is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferable to set the dimensions of each part so that there is as little gap as possible between the ink container 111 and the tray 110. In other words, when attaching or detaching the ink container 111 to or from the tray 110, the user is not given any handholds other than the handle 202, and the device is configured to require the operation and gripping of the handle 202. This prevents the user from removing the ink container 111 from the tray 110 without operating the handle 202 (i.e., with the ink supply port open), for example, by gripping the ink storage bag 200.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening operation of the handle 202 causes contraction deformation in the spring 204, generating a biasing force that moves the opening / closing body 203 from the closed position to the open position. Conversely, the closing operation of the handle 202 causes extension deformation in the spring 204, generating a biasing force that moves the opening / closing body 203 from the open position to the closed position. For example, depending on how the spring 204 is connected between the handle 202 and the opening / closing body 203, an interlocking configuration can be achieved in which extension deformation occurs in the spring 204 when the handle 202 is opened, and contraction deformation occurs in the spring 204 when the handle 202 is closed. In other words, the specific configuration of the opening / closing mechanism described here is merely an example, and other known configurations that can achieve the effects of the present invention may be appropriately adopted.

[0066] (Example 2) With reference to Figures 16 to 19, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Here, only the differences between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 will be described. Matters in Embodiment 2 that are not specifically described here are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0067] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing the ink container 111 according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from the ink supply port side. Embodiment 2 has a different configuration of the lock 406 that restricts the operation of the opening / closing body 203 compared to the lock 206 of Embodiment 1. Specifically, the lock 406 of Embodiment 2 is rotatably supported at one point on the connecting member 207 and is configured to restrict and open the opening / closing body 203 by arc motion. The lock 406 is assembled to the connecting member 207 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 426 along the Y direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the opening / closing body 203.

[0068] The release portion 402, like the release portion 302 in Embodiment 1, is configured to contact the lock 406 during the process of the ink container 111 being mounted on the tray 110, thereby releasing the locking state of the opening / closing body 203 by the lock 406. In other words, the release portion 402 is configured to apply a force to the lock 406 that moves the lock 406 from an engaged position where the protrusion 416, which is the engaging portion of the lock 406, is fitted into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203, to an unengaged position where the protrusion 416 is disengaged from the recess 223.

[0069] The specific configuration of the release mechanism 402 is a cam plate structure having inclined surfaces that are tilted with respect to the X and Z directions, as shown in Figure 16, etc. Here, the release mechanism 402 pushes the side of the lock 406 opposite to the convex part 416, which is the engaging part, across the pivot center (rotation axis 426) of the lock 406, thereby rotating the lock 406 in a direction that disengages the convex part 416 from the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203.

[0070] The pivot point of the lock 406, which serves as the rotation center, is preferably located vertically above the apex of the release portion 402 when the lock is housed in the tray 110. Furthermore, the release portion 402 provided on the tray 110 is configured such that the slanted edge that defines the orientation of the lock 406 when the ink container 111 is housed in the tray 110 is oriented differently from the slanted edge of the release portion 302 in Embodiment 1.

[0071] As shown in Figure 16, in this embodiment, with the ink container 111 stored in the tray 110, the lock 406 is fixed in an oblique position along the hypotenuse of the release portion 402, and the opening / closing body 203 can open the ink supply port.

[0072] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the view from the ink supply port side when the handle 202 is lifted to replace the ink container 111 in Example 2.

[0073] As shown in Figure 17, in this embodiment as well, when replacing the ink container 111, the handle 202 is lifted to create a grip for removing the ink container 111 from the tray 110, similar to Embodiment 1. The opening / closing body 203 attached to the ink supply unit 201 of the ink container 111 is connected to the handle 202 via a spring 204, and moves vertically downward in conjunction with the handle 202 being moved to the removal position, thereby shielding the ink supply port of the ink supply unit 201.

[0074] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the state in Example 2, as seen from the ink supply port side, when the ink container 111 has separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110 and the lock 406 has begun to restrain the opening / closing body 203. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the state in Example 2, as seen from the ink supply port side, when the ink container 111 has completely separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110 (when the release part 402 no longer acts on the lock 406).

[0075] As shown in Figures 18-19, when the ink container 111 is further lifted from the tray 110 using the handle 202, and the ink container 111 is separated from the bottom surface of the tray 110, the position of the release part 402 on the lock 406 changes in a direction that weakens the restraining force. As a result, the lock 406 moves gradually to the engaged position by the biasing force of the spring 408 in an arc trajectory with a pivot point on the connecting member 207 as the pivot point. Then, when the release part 402 separates from the lock 406 and the restraining force on the lock 406 is eliminated, the lock 406 rotates to the engaged position where the protrusion 416 fits into the recess 223 of the opening / closing body 203, restraining the opening / closing body 203 and restricting its operation.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment as well, the operation of the ink supply unit 201 prevents ink leakage and contamination when removing the ink container 111 for replacement. Furthermore, while allowing repeated opening and closing of the ink supply port, restricting the opening of the ink supply port when not installed in the recording device prevents ink leakage and contamination when the device is not installed.

[0077] The disclosure of embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Composition 1) A liquid container that can be attached to and detached from a recording device that performs recording by dispensing liquid onto a recording material, A liquid storage bag made of flexible film has a supply port for supplying liquid to the supply port of the recording device and contains the liquid, An opening / closing body that can move between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the supply port, and a closed position that closes the supply port. A handle for moving the opening / closing body between the open position and the closed position, A locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing body in the closed position, such that the opening / closing body moves to the open position only when the liquid container is mounted on the recording device, A liquid storage container characterized by having the following features. (Configuration 2) The opening and closing body is When the liquid container is in the mounted state, it becomes possible to move it between the open position and the closed position by operating the handle. The liquid container according to configuration 1, characterized in that when the liquid container is in an unattached state and not attached to the recording device, the locking mechanism restricts its movement from the closed position to the open position even if the handle is operated. (Composition 3) The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The aforementioned engaging member is When the liquid container is attached to the recording device, it is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by a release mechanism provided on the recording device, A liquid container according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when the liquid container is in the attached state, it is configured to be locked in the non-engaged position by the release part. (Composition 4) The liquid container according to configuration 3, characterized in that the elastic member generates a biasing force to move the opening / closing body by undergoing contraction or expansion deformation when the handle is operated, and is connected between the opening / closing body and the handle such that the biasing force is not generated when the opening / closing body is in the closed position and the handle is in the closed position, and when the opening / closing body is in the open position and the handle is in the open position. (Composition 5) The engaged portion is a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening and closing body, The liquid container according to configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the engaging member has a protrusion that protrudes in the orthogonal direction and fits into the recess at the engaging position. (Composition 6) A liquid container according to any one of configurations 3 to 5, characterized in that the direction of the biasing force that the biasing member exerts on the engaging member is perpendicular to the direction of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening / closing body. (Composition 7) The liquid storage bag is provided with a connecting member that is integrally attached to it and forms the supply port, The opening / closing body is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the open position and the closed position. The handle is rotatably mounted to the connecting member, The engaging member is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The liquid container according to any one of configurations 3 to 6, characterized in that the biasing member is assembled between the connecting member and the engaging member. (Composition 8) The opening / closing body has a communication hole for connecting the supply port and the supply port, A liquid container according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the communication hole communicates with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the open position, and does not communicate with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the closed position. (Composition 9) The device body includes a recording unit that performs recording by discharging liquid onto a recording material, A liquid container that can be attached to the main body of the device, A recording device comprising, The main body of the apparatus has a supply port for receiving liquid from the liquid container, The aforementioned liquid container is A liquid storage bag made of a flexible film has a supply port for supplying liquid to the aforementioned supply port and contains liquid, An opening / closing body that can move between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the supply port, and a closed position that closes the supply port. A handle for moving the opening / closing body between the open position and the closed position, A locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing body in the closed position, such that the opening / closing body moves to the open position only when the liquid container is mounted on the recording device, A recording device characterized by comprising the following features. (Composition 10) The opening and closing body is When the liquid container is in the mounted state, it becomes possible to move it between the open position and the closed position by operating the handle. The recording device according to configuration 9, characterized in that when the liquid container is not attached to the recording device, the locking mechanism restricts its movement from the closed position to the open position even if the handle is operated. (Composition 11) The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The recording device according to configuration 9 or 10, characterized in that the device body has a release mechanism that moves the engaging member from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the liquid container is attached to the device body, and locks the engaging member in the disengaged position when the liquid container is in the attached state. (Composition 12) The recording device according to configuration 11, characterized in that the elastic member generates a biasing force to move the opening / closing body by undergoing contraction or expansion deformation when the handle is operated, and is connected between the opening / closing body and the handle such that the elastic member becomes a natural length in which no biasing force is generated when the opening / closing body is in the closed position and the handle is in the closed position, and when the opening / closing body is in the open position and the handle is in the open position. (Composition 13) The engaged portion is a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening and closing body, The recording device according to configuration 11 or 12, characterized in that the engaging member has a protrusion that protrudes in the orthogonal direction and fits into the recess at the engaging position. (Composition 14) The recording device according to any one of the configurations 11 to 13, characterized in that the direction of the biasing force that the biasing member exerts on the engaging member is perpendicular to the direction of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening / closing body. (Composition 15) The liquid storage bag is provided with a connecting member that is integrally attached to it and forms the supply port, The opening / closing body is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the open position and the closed position. The handle is rotatably mounted to the connecting member, The engaging member is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The recording device according to any one of the configurations 11 to 14, characterized in that the biasing member is assembled between the connecting member and the engaging member. (Composition 16) The main body of the apparatus has a tray having a storage section in which the liquid storage container is housed, The recording device according to any one of the configurations 11 to 15, characterized in that the release mechanism is provided on the bottom surface of the storage portion of the tray. (Composition 17) The opening / closing body has a communication hole for connecting the supply port and the supply port, The recording device according to any one of configurations 9 to 16, characterized in that the communication hole communicates with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the open position, and does not communicate with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the closed position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 110: Tray, 111: Ink container, 200: Ink bag, 201: Ink supply unit, 202: Handle, 203: Opening / closing mechanism, 204: Spring, 206: Lock, 207: Connecting member, 208: Spring, 302: Release mechanism

Claims

1. A liquid container that can be attached to and detached from a recording device that performs recording by dispensing liquid onto a recording material, A liquid storage bag made of flexible film has a supply port for supplying liquid to the supply port of the recording device and contains the liquid, An opening / closing body that can move between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the supply port, and a closed position that closes the supply port. A handle for moving the opening / closing body between the open position and the closed position, A locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing body in the closed position, such that the opening / closing body moves to the open position only when the liquid container is mounted on the recording device, Equipped with, The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The aforementioned engaging member is When the liquid container is attached to the recording device, it is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by a release mechanism provided on the recording device, A liquid container characterized in that, when the liquid container is in the attached state, it is configured to be locked in the disengaged position by the disengagement part.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic member generates a biasing force to move the opening / closing body by undergoing contraction or expansion deformation when the handle is operated, and is connected between the opening / closing body and the handle such that the biasing force is not generated when the opening / closing body is in the closed position and the handle is in the closed position, and when the opening / closing body is in the open position and the handle is in the open position.

3. The engaged portion is a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening and closing body, The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that the engaging member has a protrusion that protrudes in the orthogonal direction and fits into the recess at the engaging position.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that the direction of the biasing force that the biasing member exerts on the engaging member is perpendicular to the direction of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening / closing body.

5. The liquid storage bag is provided with a connecting member that is integrally attached to it and forms the supply port, The opening / closing body is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the open position and the closed position. The handle is rotatably mounted to the connecting member, The engaging member is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing member is assembled between the connecting member and the engaging member.

6. The opening / closing body has a communication hole for connecting the supply port and the supply port, The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication hole communicates with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the open position, and does not communicate with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the closed position.

7. The device body includes a recording unit that performs recording by discharging liquid onto a recording material, A liquid container that can be attached to the main body of the device, A recording device comprising, The main body of the apparatus has a supply port for receiving liquid from the liquid container, The aforementioned liquid container is A liquid storage bag made of a flexible film has a supply port for supplying liquid to the aforementioned supply port and contains liquid, An opening / closing body that can move between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the supply port, and a closed position that closes the supply port. A handle for moving the opening / closing body between the open position and the closed position, A locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing body in the closed position, such that the opening / closing body moves to the open position only when the liquid container is mounted on the recording device, Equipped with, The opening / closing body and the handle are connected via an expandable and deformable elastic member. The opening and closing body has an engaged portion, The locking mechanism is An engaging member is movable between an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged portion and an unengaged position in which it does not engage, so as to restrict the opening / closing body from moving from the closed position to the open position. A biasing member that biases the engaging member so that it is positioned at the engagement position, Equipped with, The recording device is characterized in that the device body has an engagement release unit that moves the engagement member from the engagement position to the disengagement position when the liquid container is attached to the device body, and locks the engagement member in the disengagement position when the liquid container is in the attached state.

8. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the elastic member generates a biasing force to move the opening / closing body by undergoing contraction or expansion deformation by the operation of the handle, and is connected between the opening / closing body and the handle such that the elastic member becomes a natural length in which no biasing force is generated when the opening / closing body is in the closed position and the handle is in the closed position, and when the opening / closing body is in the open position and the handle is in the open position.

9. The engaged portion is a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening and closing body, The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the engaging member has a protrusion that protrudes in the orthogonal direction and fits into the recess at the engaging position.

10. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the direction of the biasing force that the biasing member exerts on the engaging member is perpendicular to the direction of the biasing force that the elastic member exerts on the opening / closing body.

11. The liquid storage bag is provided with a connecting member that is integrally attached to it and forms the supply port, The opening / closing body is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the open position and the closed position. The handle is rotatably mounted to the connecting member, The engaging member is assembled to the connecting member so as to be movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the biasing member is assembled between the connecting member and the engaging member.

12. The main body of the apparatus has a tray having a storage section in which the liquid storage container is housed, The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the release mechanism is provided on the bottom surface of the storage portion of the tray.

13. The opening / closing body has a communication hole for connecting the supply port and the supply port, The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication hole communicates with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the open position, and does not communicate with the supply port when the opening / closing body is in the closed position.

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