JP4556580B2 - Storage container for liquid container and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage container for a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, as one of liquid ejecting apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink as a liquid from a recording head as a liquid ejecting head and forming dots on a recording medium is widely known.

  Among such ink jet recording apparatuses, there is a so-called off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus. In an off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus, an ink pack storing ink is stored in an ink cartridge as a liquid container. Then, pressurized air generated by a pressurizing pump as pressurizing means is introduced into the ink cartridge to pressurize the ink pack, thereby supplying the ink to the recording head by pressure.

Various ink jet recording apparatuses having a cartridge holder for placing such an ink cartridge have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
In the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the cartridge holder is provided with a cover member that is opened when the ink cartridge is attached or detached. An operation lever is attached to the cover member. The operation lever is rotatably supported by a support member, and is rotated by opening and closing the cover member, so that the ink cartridge is loaded into or removed from the cartridge holder.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200749

  However, in the above-described ink jet recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the ink cartridge itself expands when pressurized air is introduced into the ink cartridge. As described above, when the ink cartridge expands, the expanded portion abuts against the inner wall of the cartridge holder, and there is a possibility that the cartridge holder is loaded and deformed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a storage container for a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can reduce a load received from the stored liquid container.

Container of the liquid container of the present invention, by being inserted into the liquid storage bag tappings for storing housed in a substantially rectangular shape liquid container in the liquid, to derive the same liquid from the liquid storing bag A pressure-reducing member; and a pressure- introducing member that introduces pressurized air into the liquid container so as to pressurize the liquid storage bag in the liquid container and lead out the liquid from the lead-out member. the storage container liquid container bulges is removably accommodating the liquid container comprising a substantially rectangular front and back surfaces of the case of expansion by the introduction of air, to one by one housing the prior SL liquid container The holder case has a front side surface in which an insertion port for inserting the liquid container is formed and a rear side surface facing the front side surface and stores the liquid container. Liquid yield Formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box having an open side on the front side which is the front side of the body, and the wall on the back side opposite to the front side has the pressurized air As a permitting means for allowing the expansion portion of the liquid container to expand in a non-contact manner when the liquid container is introduced, a substantially rectangular open opening is directed from the front side to the rear side. The one side surface that is formed to the middle of the wall portion and that is open on the near side is sealed by the wall portion in which the opening in the other holder case disposed on the near side of the holder case is formed. When the liquid container is inserted into the holder case from the insertion port, the inner surface of the back wall of the holder case is in sliding contact with the back surface of the liquid container. Along with the liquid A configuration in which the liquid container is guided along the insertion direction by the outer surface of the wall portion on the back side in the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case being in sliding contact with the surface of the container. It was .

According to this, the storage container of the liquid container allows the expansion location of the liquid container through the opening of the holder case . Therefore, the storage container can reduce the load received when the liquid container expands and contacts, and can suppress the deformation of the storage container due to the load. Accordingly, the storage container can reduce a change in the mounting posture of the liquid container due to the deformation of the storage container, so that the liquid can be accurately led out from the liquid container by the takeout member. Moreover, the weight reduction of a storage container is realizable by penetrating and forming an open port in a storage container in this way.

Storage container of the liquid container, one side of an opening of the front side of the holder case in which the other of the holder case in front is not arranged with a sealable, the liquid container from the insertion port When inserted, the holder includes a holder cover that slides on the surface of the liquid container and guides the liquid container in the insertion direction, and the holder cover receives the liquid when the pressurized air is introduced. A concave portion having a substantially rectangular shape is provided as a permitting means for allowing the surface of the container to expand without contact .
According to this, a storage container opens the expansion | swelling location of a liquid container via the recessed part of a holder cover . Therefore, the storage container can reduce the load received when the liquid container expands and contacts, and can suppress the deformation of the storage container due to the load.

The insertion opening of the container of the liquid container, upon accommodating the liquid container into the storage container, no gap between the liquid container.

According to this, the insertion port does not have a gap with the liquid container accommodated in the storage container. That is, it is possible to reduce the possibility that foreign matter or the like enters from the insertion port into the storage container to which the liquid container is attached. Therefore, since the liquid container does not interfere with foreign matter or the like, it can be positioned more accurately with respect to the lead-out member. As a result, the storage container can cause the outlet member to accurately extract the liquid from the liquid container.

The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid, a storage container that detachably stores a liquid storage body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that stores a liquid storage bag that stores the liquid, and the storage container. A lead-out member that is inserted into the lead-out port of the liquid container, and an air introduction member that introduces pressurized air into the liquid container. In the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the liquid storage bag in the liquid container is pressurized, the liquid is guided to the outlet member and supplied to the liquid ejecting head, the storage container is for storing the liquid containers one by one. A holder case, the holder case having a front side surface in which an insertion port for inserting the liquid container is formed, and a rear side surface facing the front side, and storing the liquid container The liquid container is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box that is open on the front side that is the front side of the liquid container, and the back wall that is opposite to the front side has a As a permitting means for allowing the expansion portion of the liquid container to expand in a non-contact manner when pressurized air is introduced, a substantially rectangular penetrating opening is provided from the front side to the rear side. The wall is formed up to the middle of the wall portion, and the open side surface on the near side is formed through the opening in the other holder case disposed on the near side of the holder case. When the liquid container is inserted into the holder case from the insertion port, the inner surface of the back wall portion of the holder case is placed on the back surface of the liquid container. As the sliding contact The outer surface of the wall portion on the back side in the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case is in sliding contact with the surface of the liquid container, so that the liquid container is moved along the insertion direction. It was set as the structure to guide .

According to this, the storage container provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus can allow the expansion location of the liquid container by the opening of the holder case . Therefore, the storage container can reduce the load received when the liquid container expands and contacts, and can suppress the deformation of the storage container due to the load. Accordingly, the storage container can reduce a change in the mounting posture of the liquid container due to the deformation of the storage container, so that the liquid can be accurately derived from the liquid container and supplied to the liquid ejecting head. . As a result, the liquid ejecting apparatus can eject liquid accurately from the liquid ejecting head. Moreover, the some storage container integrally formed comprises one side surface of another storage container. Therefore, when each storage container is configured with side surfaces having the maximum area, space saving can be realized as compared with the case where each storage container is provided individually. Furthermore, weight reduction can be realized by integrating a plurality of storage containers.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a substantially rectangular frame 2. A paper feed tray 3 is provided on the back surface of the frame 2, and a paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the front surface of the frame 2. Further, a printer cover 5 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 2. The paper discharge tray 4 and the printer cover 5 can be folded and accommodated with respect to the frame 2 by a hinge structure (not shown).

  A platen 6 is disposed in the center of the frame 2 in the longitudinal direction. On the platen 6, a recording sheet (recording medium (recording medium) inserted into the frame 2 from the sheet feeding tray 3 by a paper feeding mechanism). Neither of them is shown). The fed recording sheet is discharged from the discharge tray 4 to the outside of the frame 2.

  A guide member 7 is installed in the frame 2 so as to be parallel to the platen 6. A carriage 8 that is movable along the guide member 7 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 7 so as to face the platen 6. A carriage motor is mounted in the frame 2, and a carriage 8 is drivingly connected to the carriage motor via a timing belt (none of which is shown) hung on a pair of pulleys. The carriage 8 is guided by the guide member 7 and reciprocates in parallel with the platen 6 (main scanning direction) by driving the carriage motor.

  A recording head 9 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 8 (the surface facing the platen 7). The recording head 9 has a nozzle forming surface (not shown) facing the recording paper fed on the platen 6. On the nozzle forming surface, six nozzle rows (none of which are shown) each including n (n is a natural number) nozzles are formed per row.

  On the other hand, in the frame 2, a pair of left and right flow path forming members 10 are disposed on the front side (sheet discharge tray 4 side) of the platen 6 and are attached to and supported by the frame 2. The flow path forming member 10 includes an attachment portion 10a formed on a substantially rectangular flat plate, and an extension portion 10b extending from the upper end portion of the attachment portion 10a to the center position in the frame 2.

  On the surface of each flow path forming member 10, three flow paths (not shown) are formed and communicated with the attachment portion 10a and the extension portion 10b, respectively. Further, the proximal end portion of the ink supply tube 11 is connected to the distal end portion of each extending portion 10b. In the ink supply tube 11, six flow paths (not shown) are formed, and the leading end portion is connected to the carriage 8. Each flow path of the ink supply tube 11 communicates with each flow path of each flow path forming member 10. Thereby, each flow path of each flow path forming member 10 is connected to each corresponding nozzle of the recording head 9 via each flow path of the ink supply tube.

  Below the attachment portion 10a of each flow path forming member 10, a tray 12 formed in a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, an absorber 13 made of a non-swelling member such as a nonwoven fabric is laid in the receiving tray 12 in the receiving portion 12 a. A pair of left and right ink supply units 14 is provided above each tray 12, and a pressure pump P such as a bellows pump is provided above each ink supply unit 14. Each ink supply unit 14 is connected to each flow path forming member 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, each ink supply unit 14 includes three ink cartridges 20 as liquid containers. As shown in FIG. 3, each ink cartridge 20 includes a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped cartridge case 21, and the cartridge case 21 includes a main body portion 22 and a lid portion 23. The cartridge case 21 accommodates an ink pack 24 as a liquid storage bag in an accommodation space (not shown) of the main body 22. The ink pack 24 is provided with a takeout member 26 on one side of a bag portion 25 made of a gas barrier member such as an aluminum laminate film, and stores ink as a liquid in the bag portion 25. Then, the ink pack 24 has a take-out port 26a of the take-out member 26 communicating with the inside of the bag portion 25, and is taken out through the connection surface 20a of the cartridge case 21 (the side surface on the front side of the main body portion 22 shown in FIG. 3). It is exposed through the hole 27. Further, an air introduction hole 28 for introducing air into the cartridge case 21 is formed through the connection surface 20a of the cartridge case 21 to the right of the attachment hole 27 shown in FIG. Furthermore, a pair of left and right insertion holes 29 are recessed in the connection surface 20 a of the cartridge case 21 so as to sandwich the attachment hole 27 and the air introduction hole 28. The insertion hole 29 is not in communication with the cartridge case 21.

  In each of the ink cartridges 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta ink are respectively stored in the corresponding ink packs 24.

  Each ink supply unit 14 provided with each of these ink cartridges 20 adds each ink pack 24 by introducing the pressurized air supplied from the pressure pump P into each air introduction hole 28 of each ink cartridge 20. It comes to press. The ink is pressure-fed into each flow path of the flow path forming member 10 from the take-out port 26a of each take-out member 26 of each pressurized ink pack 24. Accordingly, each ink cartridge 20 of the ink supply unit 14 supplies ink to each nozzle of the corresponding recording head 9 via each flow path of the flow path forming member 10 and the ink supply tube 11.

  The printer 1 discharges the supplied ink from each nozzle of the recording head 9 and moves the carriage 8 along the guide member 7 to perform recording on the recording paper.

  That is, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called off-carriage type, and black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks are ejected from the corresponding nozzles of the recording head 9.

  In each ink cartridge 20 described above, the front surface 20b and the back surface 20c are larger in area than the connection surface 20a, the upper side surface 20d, the lower side surface 20e, and the front side surface 20f. That is, the front surface 20b and the back surface 20c take the maximum area of the ink cartridge 20. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 20 is expanded by the pressurized air introduced through the air introduction hole 28, the expanded portions are the front surface 20b and the back surface 20c.

And when ink leaks from each ink cartridge of the ink supply part 14, it is received by the absorber 13 of the receiving tray 12, and is absorbed and held.
Next, the configuration of the ink supply unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each ink supply unit 14 includes first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 as storage containers for liquid containers. Each of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 includes a holder case 34 for storing the ink cartridge 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 3, each holder case 34 is formed in a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and one side surface on the front side is open.

As shown in FIG. 4, each holder case 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 is provided with columnar locking portions 35 provided at the four corners on the right outer side surface 34 a of each holder case 34. By being fitted in a fitting groove (not shown), they are locked together and attached integrally. Accordingly, the right outer surface 34a of the holder case 34 of the first cartridge holder 31 has a second
The right inner side surface 34b as a wall portion of the holder case 34 of the cartridge holder 32 opposes each other. A right inner side surface 34 b as a wall portion of the holder case 34 of the third cartridge holder 33 is opposed to the right outer side surface 34 a of the holder case 34 of the second cartridge holder 32. As a result, the opened one side surface of the second and third cartridge holders 32 and 33 is sealed. That is, the right outer surface 34 a of the first cartridge holder 31 constitutes one side surface of the second cartridge holder 32, and the right outer surface 34 a of the second cartridge holder 32 constitutes one side surface of the third cartridge holder 33.

  Further, a holder cover 36 as a wall portion is attached to the holder case 34 of the first cartridge holder 31 via a locking portion 35, and one side surface that is open on the front side is sealed. The holder cover 36 is provided with a substantially rectangular open wall 37 at the center position of the holder cover 36 so as to protrude downward as shown in FIG. The holder cover 36 is provided with an opening wall 37 so that an opening 38 as a recess and a recess is provided so as to face the right inner surface 34 b as a wall of the first cartridge holder 31.

  The holder cases 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 that are integrally attached in this way are attached to the above-described flow path forming member 10 via the fixing hooks 39 provided on the rear side surface 34c. 10a. At this time, each holder case 34 has a lower surface 34e opposed to the absorber 13 of the tray 12 and takes a so-called vertical position. Then, the pair of left and right ink supply units 14 causes the holder covers 36 to face each other on the center position side in the frame 2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each holder case 34 is formed with a rectangular insertion opening 40 as an opening on the front side surface 34 d. In the holder case 34, rails 41 that constitute a pair of upper and lower guide means extend from the insertion port 40 (front side 34 d side) toward the rear side 34 c of the holder case 34 to the middle in the holder case 34. Has been. The insertion port 40 is for inserting the ink cartridge 20 described above into the holder case 34. The ink cartridge 20 inserted from the insertion port 40 is stored in the holder case 34 with the upper side surface 20d and the lower side surface 20e guided by both rails 41 and the front surface 20b facing the holder cover 36. . That is, each ink cartridge 20 is inserted in a so-called vertical direction with respect to each holder case 34.

  In the right inner side surface 34b opposite to the opened one side surface of each holder case 34, an opening 42 as a substantially rectangular allowing means is formed so as to be positioned between both rails 41. The opening 42 is formed from the front side 34d side to the rear side 34c side of the holder case 34 up to the middle of the holder case 34, and opens in the holder case 34 from the right outer side 34a side. . Therefore, the opening 42 of each holder case 34 of the 1st-3rd cartridge holders 31-33 attached integrally is mutually opposed. The opening 42 of the first cartridge holder 31 is opposed to the opening 38 of the holder cover 36.

  A lead-out needle 43 as a lead-out member is attached to the right inner side surface 34b of each holder case 34 on the rear side surface 34c side. The lead-out needle 43 includes a support portion 43a fixed to the right inner side surface 34b and a needle portion 43b penetrating the support portion 43a. The needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43 is inserted into the take-out port 26 a of the take-out member 26 when the ink cartridge 20 is inserted into the holder case 34.

Although not shown, the rear end of the needle portion 43b of the lead-out needle 43 provided in each holder case 34 is connected to each flow path of the flow path forming member 10 described above. That is, the rear end portions of the needle portions 43b of the corresponding first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are connected to the respective flow paths of the flow path forming members 10 disposed in the left and right pairs in the frame 2. . Accordingly, as described above, ink is supplied to each flow path of each flow path forming member 10 via the needle portion 43b of each lead-out needle 43.

An air introduction member 44 is provided on the right inner side surface 34b of the holder case 34 and below the lead-out needle 43 shown in FIG.
The rear end portion of the air introduction member 44 is connected to the above-described pressurizing pump P through a tube, and pressurized air is pumped to the communication hole (none of which is shown). The air introduction member 44 contacts the air introduction hole 28 of the ink cartridge 20 when the ink cartridge 20 is inserted into the holder case 34, and supplies pressurized air into the cartridge case 21 through a communication hole (not shown). It is supposed to be. Accordingly, as described above, the ink pack 24 of the ink cartridge 20 is pressurized and pressure-feeds the ink to the nozzles of the recording head 9.

  A positioning member 45 is provided on the right inner side surface 34b of the holder case 34 and in the vicinity of the rear side surface 34c. The positioning member 45 includes a rotary plate 45a formed in a substantially disk shape and a flat plate-like rotating portion 45b formed extending from the rotary plate 45a. A locking portion 45c is provided at the tip of the rotating portion 45b. The positioning member 45 positions the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the holder case 34 in the holder case 34 by engaging with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the back surface 20 c of the ink cartridge 20. Yes.

  A pair of upper and lower hooks 46 are provided in the holder case 34 on the rear side surface 34 c side with respect to the opening 42. The hooks 46 are formed with protruding portions 46a so as to face each other. The distance between the hooks 46 is larger than the distance between the rails 41 described above.

As shown in FIG. 6, a slider 47 is disposed between each hook 46 in each holder case 34.
The slider 47 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of upper and lower upper and lower arms 48 and 49 are extended toward the insertion port 40 shown in FIG. The upper and lower arms 48 and 49 are provided with spring hooks 48a and 49a at their distal ends. The spring hooks 48 a and 49 a are connected via the spring hook 50 of the holder case 34 and the spring member 51 when the slider 47 is attached to the holder case 34. Although not shown, the slider 47 has first and second guide holes formed therethrough, and the first and second guide holes are respectively led out when the slider 47 is attached to the holder case 34. The needle portion 43b 43 and the air introduction member 44 are inserted and guided.

  As a result, the slider 47 disposed in the holder case 34 is urged and moved toward the insertion port 40 in the holder case 34 by the urging force of the spring member 51. The movement of the slider 47 is regulated by the engagement between a pair of upper and lower engaging portions 52 provided on the slider 47 and the engaging portions 46 a of both hooks 46 of the holder case 34. That is, the slider 47 can reciprocate between the middle of the holder case 34 and the side of the rear side surface 34c. In a normal state, the slider 47 engages with both the hooks 46 and is restricted from moving toward the insertion port 40. .

As shown in FIG. 6, when each ink cartridge 20 is inserted into each holder case 34 configured as described above, the upper side surface 20 d and the lower surface 20 d of each ink cartridge 20 are placed on both rails 41 of each holder case 34. The side surface 20e contacts. Further, the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the first cartridge holder 31 has a front surface 20 b in sliding contact with the holder cover 36 and a back surface 20 c in sliding contact with the right inner surface 34 b of the first cartridge holder 31. The ink cartridge 20 inserted into the second cartridge holder 32 has a front surface 20 b that is in sliding contact with the right outer surface 34 a of the first cartridge holder 31, and a rear surface 20 c that is in contact with the right inner surface 34 b of the second cartridge holder 32. The ink cartridge 20 inserted into the third cartridge holder 33 has a surface 20 b that is in sliding contact with the right outer surface 24 a of the second cartridge holder 32, and a back surface 20 c that is in sliding contact with the right inner surface 34 b of the third cartridge holder 33. As a result, each ink cartridge 20 is guided along the front surface 20b, the back surface 20c, the upper side surface 20d, and the lower side surface 20e.

  An attachment portion 53 provided on the slider 47 is inserted into the insertion hole 29 of the ink cartridge 20, and the ink cartridge 20 is connected to the slider 47. Then, as the ink cartridge 20 is inserted, the slider 47 is supported by the connection surface 20 a of the ink cartridge 20 and moves to the middle in the holder case 34. When the ink cartridge 20 is positioned by engagement with the positioning member 45, the slider 47 is positioned by being supported by the connection surface 20a of the ink cartridge 20. At this time, the needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43 is inserted into the take-out port 26 a of the take-out member 26 of the ink cartridge 20, and the air introduction member 44 comes into contact with the air introduction hole 28. Here, in each ink cartridge 20, the front surface 20 b and the back surface 20 c are opposed to each open port 42 of each holder case 34 or the holder cover 36.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the first cartridge holder 31 has the front surface 20 b opposed to the opening portion 38 of the holder cover 36 and the back surface 20 c is opened to the first cartridge holder 31. 42 to face each other. The ink cartridge 20 inserted into the second cartridge holder 32 has the front surface 20 b opposed to the opening 42 of the first cartridge holder 31 and the back surface 20 c opposed to the opening 42 of the second cartridge holder 32. Further, the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the third cartridge holder 33 has the front surface 20 b opposed to the opening 42 of the second cartridge holder 32 and the back surface 20 c opposed to the opening 42 of the third cartridge holder 33. The insertion ports 40 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are close to the surfaces 20b to 20e of the ink cartridges 20 inserted into the insertion ports 40 so as not to interfere with the movement of the ink cartridges 20, respectively. It has become. That is, each ink cartridge 20 is attached to the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 in a state where there is no gap with respect to each insertion port 40 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33.

  When pressurized air generated by the pressure pump P from this state is introduced into the ink cartridge 20 via each air introduction member 44, the ink pack 24 of the ink cartridge 20 is pressurized, and the above-mentioned As described above, each ink corresponding to each nozzle of the recording head 9 is supplied.

  The engagement between the ink cartridge 20 and the positioning member 45 is released when the ink cartridge 20 is pushed into the holder case 34. When the engagement between the ink cartridge 20 and the positioning member 45 is released, the slider 47 urges the connection surface 20 a of the ink cartridge 20 by the urging force of the spring member 51, and pushes out the ink cartridge 20 from the insertion port 40. It has become. At this time, as described above, each ink cartridge 20 is guided and moved on the front surface 20b, the back surface 20c, the upper side surface 20d, and the lower side surface 20e by the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33, respectively.

As the ink cartridge 20 moves, the air introduction member 44 is separated from the air introduction hole 28 of the ink cartridge 20, and then the needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43 is pulled out from the extraction port 26 a of the extraction member 26. ing. Accordingly, each ink cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33.

Next, the operation of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the corresponding ink cartridges 20 are attached to the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33. The first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are arranged such that when each attached ink cartridge 20 is expanded by introduction of pressurized air from the pressure pump P, the front surface 20b and the rear surface 20c are opened to the opening 42 and the opening portion. Through 38.

  Specifically, the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the first cartridge holder 31 has the front surface 20 b opened from the opening 38 of the holder cover 36 and the back surface 20 c opened from the opening 42 of the first cartridge holder 31. The ink cartridge 20 inserted into the second cartridge holder 32 has the front surface 20 b opened from the opening 42 of the first cartridge holder 31 and the back surface 20 c opened from the opening 42 of the second cartridge holder 32. Further, the ink cartridge 20 inserted into the third cartridge holder 33 has the front surface 20 b opened from the opening 42 of the second cartridge holder 32 and the back surface 20 c opened from the opening 42 of the third cartridge holder 33.

  Therefore, the inner wall of the holder case 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can avoid contact with a portion expanded by introduction of pressurized air, and the load caused by the contact can be reduced. . Further, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are configured to reduce the contact with the inner wall of the cartridge holders 31 to 33 due to the expansion of the ink cartridge 20 and the change in the mounting posture to the lead-out needle 43. Can do. Thus, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can accurately position the ink cartridge 20 to be attached with respect to the needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43.

As mentioned above, according to this embodiment mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
(1) In the present embodiment, each holder case 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 is provided with an opening 42, and the holder cover 36 is provided with an opening 38. Then, the front surface 20b and the back surface 20c of each ink cartridge 20 are configured to be opened through the respective open ports 42 and the open portions 38. That is, since the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 do not come into contact with the respective ink cartridges 20 when the respective ink cartridges 20 are expanded by the introduction of pressurized air, the loads applied to the inner walls of the respective holder cases 34 Can be reduced. Therefore, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can suppress the deformation of each holder case 34 and can reduce the change in the mounting posture of the ink cartridge 20 to each holder case 34 due to the deformation. As a result, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can accurately position each ink cartridge 20 with respect to the needle portion 43b of the lead-out needle 43, so that the recording head 9 can accurately supply ink. be able to. As a result, the printer 1 can appropriately perform printing by ejecting ink accurately from the recording head 9.

  In addition, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 accurately position the ink cartridge 20 to prevent ink from leaking from the connection portion between the lead-out needle 43 and the outlet 26a of the ink cartridge 20. Can do. As a result, contamination in the frame 2 of the printer 1 due to leaked ink can be prevented.

Furthermore, by providing the opening 42 in each holder case 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 in this way, the weight of each holder case 34 can be realized. As a result, the weight of the printer 1 including the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can be reduced, so that the portability of the printer 1 can be improved.
(2) In the above embodiment, the front surface 20b, the back surface 20c, the upper side surface 20d, and the lower side surface 20e of each ink cartridge 20 are guided to the holder cases 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33, respectively. Then, the front surface 20 b and the back surface 20 c of each ink cartridge 20 were opened through the respective opening openings 42 of the respective holder cases 34 and the opening portions 38 of the holder cover 36. That is, each holder case 34 was guided other than the expansion location where the ink cartridge 20 expands. As a result, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 smoothly move the ink cartridge 20 and separate the air introduction member 44 without being affected by expansion when the ink cartridges 20 are removed. Can do. As a result, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can open the interior of each ink cartridge 20 to the atmosphere, and can smoothly remove the ink cartridge 20.
(3) In the present embodiment, the holder cases 34 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are integrally attached via the locking portions 35, and one side surface of the holder case 34 that is opened is sealed. As a result, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can reduce the number of parts compared to the case where each of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 is formed separately, and can realize lighter weight. As a result, the printer 1 including the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can achieve weight reduction, and thus can improve portability. Further, since the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are integrally attached, space saving of the ink supply unit 14 can be realized, so that the degree of freedom of layout in the frame 2 in which the ink supply unit 14 is disposed is improved. Can be made.
(4) In the present embodiment, the insertion ports 40 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 have no gap with respect to the attached ink cartridges 20. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that foreign matter or the like enters from the insertion ports 40 of the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33. Further, each insertion port 40 can reliably abut against each surface 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e of the ink cartridge 20 and be guided into the holder case 34. Therefore, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can position the ink cartridge 20 to be attached more accurately with respect to the needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43 and supply the ink accurately by the recording head 9. . As a result, the printer 1 provided with the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 can eject ink accurately from the recording head 9 and perform printing more suitably.
(5) In the present embodiment, the holder cover 36 is provided on the first cartridge holder 31 of both the ink supply units 14 so as to face each other on the center position side in the frame 2. This prevents the user from touching the surface 20b of the ink cartridge 20 accommodated in the first cartridge holder 31 with a finger or the like when the printer cover 5 of the frame 2 is open. it can. As a result, the first cartridge holder 31 can position the ink cartridge 20 to be attached more accurately with respect to the needle portion 43 b of the lead-out needle 43, and can supply ink accurately by the recording head 9.

In addition, embodiment of invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change as follows.
In the above embodiment, the opening 42 and the opening 38 are used as the opening means in the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 from which the ink cartridge 20 is taken out by the reciprocating movement of the slider 47. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a cartridge holder that is attached or detached by hand or the like.
In the above embodiment, the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33 are provided in the two ink supply units 14, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink supply unit 14 corresponds to the type or number of ink supplied to the nozzles of the recording head 9. The number of cartridge holders may be changed as appropriate.
In the above embodiment, the opening portion 38 is provided in the holder cover 36 as the opening means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening portion may be recessed in the inner wall of the cartridge holder formed in a simple box.
In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is a printer 1 that ejects ink from the recording head 9.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface-emitting displays, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacturing, and as precision pipettes The sample injection device may be used. At this time, it is desirable to appropriately change the configurations of the printer 1 and the first to third cartridge holders 31 to 33.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink supply unit of the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge of the printer. FIG. 3 is a main part cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the ink supply unit. The front view explaining the structure of the cartridge holder. The front view explaining operation | movement of the cartridge holder. The front view explaining operation | movement of the cartridge holder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 9 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 20 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 20b, 20c ... Front and back surfaces as expansion locations, 24 ... Ink pack as a liquid storage bag , 26a ... take-out port, 31-33 ... first to third cartridge holders as storage containers for the liquid container, 34b ... right inner surface as a wall part of the storage container, 36 ... holder cover as a wall part of the storage container , 38... Opening portion as a recess, 40... Inserting port as an opening, 42... Opening port as allowing means, 43.

Claims (4)

By being inserted was housed in a substantially rectangular shape liquid container in the liquid outlet of the liquid storage bag for storing and delivering member to derive the liquid from the liquid storing bags,
An air introduction member that introduces pressurized air into the liquid container so as to pressurize the liquid storage bag in the liquid container and lead out the liquid from the lead-out member, and by introducing the pressurized air In the storage container of the liquid container that detachably stores the liquid container in which the expansion location when expanding is the front and back surfaces of a substantially rectangular shape ,
Comprising a holder case for one by one housing the prior SL liquid container,
The holder case is
A front side surface in which an insertion port for inserting the liquid container is formed and a rear side surface facing the front side surface, and when the liquid container is housed, the front side of the liquid container body While being formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box with one side opening,
As a permitting means for allowing the expansion portion of the liquid container to expand in a non-contact manner when the pressurized air is introduced, a wall portion on the back side opposite to the front side is substantially used. A rectangular open opening is formed from the front side to the rear side to the middle of the wall,
Furthermore, the one side surface opened on the front side is configured to be sealed by the wall portion through which the opening in the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case is formed,
When the liquid container is inserted into the holder case from the insertion port, the inner surface of the back wall of the holder case is in sliding contact with the back surface of the liquid container, and the liquid container The liquid container is guided along the insertion direction by the outer surface of the back wall portion of the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case in sliding contact with the surface. A storage container for a liquid container. In the storage container of the liquid container according to claim 1 ,
The side surface of the holder case where the other holder case is not disposed on the front side can be sealed, and when the liquid container is inserted from the insertion port, A holder cover that slides on the surface and guides the liquid container in the insertion direction;
The holder cover is provided with a substantially rectangular recess as a permitting means for allowing the surface of the liquid container to expand without contact when the pressurized air is introduced. A container for the liquid container. In the storage container of the liquid container according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The storage container for a liquid container, wherein the insertion port is configured not to have a gap with the liquid container when the liquid container is stored in the storage container. A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid;
A storage container for detachably storing a substantially rectangular parallelepiped liquid storage body storing a liquid storage bag for storing the liquid;
A lead-out member provided in the storage container and inserted into a lead-out port of the liquid container;
An air introduction member for introducing pressurized air into the liquid container;
In the liquid ejecting apparatus that pressurizes the liquid storage bag in the liquid container by introducing pressurized air into the liquid container, and leads the liquid to the lead-out member and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head.
The storage container is
A holder case for storing the liquid containers one by one;
The holder case is
A front side surface in which an insertion port for inserting the liquid container is formed and a rear side surface facing the front side surface, and when the liquid container is housed, the front side of the liquid container body While being formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box with one side opening,
As a permitting means for allowing the expansion portion of the liquid container to expand in a non-contact manner when the pressurized air is introduced, a wall portion on the back side opposite to the front side is substantially used. A rectangular open opening is formed from the front side to the rear side to the middle of the wall,
Furthermore, the one side surface opened on the front side is configured to be sealed by the wall portion through which the opening in the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case is formed,
When the liquid container is inserted into the holder case from the insertion port, the inner surface of the back wall of the holder case is in sliding contact with the back surface of the liquid container, and the liquid container The liquid container is guided along the insertion direction by the outer surface of the back wall portion of the other holder case disposed on the front side of the holder case in sliding contact with the surface. A liquid ejecting apparatus.

Images