阅读说明：本技术 液体容纳体及其制造方法 (Liquid container and method for manufacturing same ) 是由 香月清辉 于 2020-03-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种在液体容纳体中能够抑制异物或者气泡流入液体喷射装置的技术。液体容纳体具备：袋,其具有挠性,且在内部容纳液体；液体导出部件,其安装于袋的一端部,具备用于向液体喷射装置导出袋内的液体的液体导出部；间隔部件,其配置于袋内；以及过滤器单元,其在袋内配置于液体导出部件与间隔部件之间,经由过滤器向液体导出部件供给液体。在液体容纳体的使用状态下,液体导出部件、过滤器单元以及间隔部件沿着水平方向排列。(The invention provides a technology capable of inhibiting foreign matters or bubbles from flowing into a liquid ejecting device in a liquid accommodating body. The liquid container includes: a bag which is flexible and contains a liquid therein; a liquid lead-out member attached to one end of the bag and including a liquid lead-out portion for leading out the liquid in the bag to the liquid ejecting apparatus; a spacer member disposed within the bag; and a filter unit disposed between the liquid lead-out member and the partition member in the bag, and configured to supply the liquid to the liquid lead-out member through the filter. In the use state of the liquid container, the liquid lead-out member, the filter unit, and the spacer member are arranged in the horizontal direction.)

1. A liquid container includes:

a bag which is flexible and contains a liquid therein;

a liquid lead-out member attached to one end of the bag and including a liquid lead-out portion for leading out the liquid in the bag to a liquid ejecting apparatus;

a spacer member disposed within the pocket; and

a filter unit disposed between the liquid lead-out member and the partition member in the bag and configured to supply the liquid to the liquid lead-out member through a filter,

in a use state of the liquid container, the liquid lead-out member, the filter unit, and the spacer member are arranged in a horizontal direction.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1,

the filter unit includes:

a filter chamber which communicates with the liquid lead-out portion and has the filter;

and a decompression chamber which is disposed adjacent to the filter chamber and has a decompressed interior.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2,

the decompression chamber has a decompression chamber film welded to an opening of the decompression chamber in a decompression atmosphere.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3,

the liquid container includes a coupling member for coupling the spacer member and the filter unit,

the decompression chamber film is welded to at least a part of the joining member.

5. The liquid container according to claim 2 or 3,

the filter chamber has a filter chamber membrane welded to an opening of the filter chamber,

the liquid container includes a coupling member for coupling the spacer member and the filter unit,

the filter chamber membrane is welded to at least a portion of the joining component.

6. The liquid container according to claim 4,

the filter chamber has a filter chamber membrane welded to an opening of the filter chamber,

the filter chamber membrane is welded to at least a portion of the joining component.

7. A liquid containing body according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion faces upward and the partition member faces downward, a wall defining the filter chamber on the side of the liquid lead-out member is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

8. A liquid containing body according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the filter unit is attached to the liquid lead-out member by a convex portion formed on the liquid lead-out member being press-fitted into a concave portion formed on the filter unit,

at least a portion of the liquid lead-out member and at least a portion of the filter unit are welded to the bag.

9. A liquid containing body according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion faces upward and the partition member faces downward, a rib inclined with respect to the horizontal is provided on an outer surface of the filter unit.

10. A liquid containing body according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

a gap is provided at a boundary between the liquid lead-out member and the filter unit.

11. A liquid containing body according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the spacer member has an inlet for introducing the liquid in the bag,

the liquid container includes a liquid outlet pipe that communicates the inlet port and the filter unit.

12. A method for manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

preparing the bag;

a step of attaching the partition member and the liquid lead-out member to the filter unit;

a step of sealing the filter unit, the spacer member, and the liquid lead-out member in the bag;

injecting the liquid into the bag through the liquid lead-out portion in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion is directed upward and the partition member is directed downward; and

and a step of sucking a part of the liquid injected into the bag from the liquid lead-out portion in the standing state.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid container.

Background

As for the liquid container, for example, patent document 1 discloses the following: in order to stabilize the printing density, a spacer is disposed in an ink pack containing ink, and a liquid having a high density and containing a large amount of precipitated components is left in the spacer.

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-65373

In addition to the requirement for stabilizing the print density, the liquid container is also required to prevent foreign substances or air bubbles generated in or mixed in the ink pack from flowing into a liquid ejecting apparatus such as a printer. However, in the technique described in patent document 1, suppression of inflow of foreign matter or air bubbles has not been sufficiently studied.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container is characterized by comprising: a bag which is flexible and contains a liquid therein; a liquid lead-out member attached to one end of the bag and including a liquid lead-out portion for leading out the liquid in the bag to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a spacer member disposed within the pocket; and a filter unit disposed between the liquid lead-out member and the spacer member in the bag, the filter unit supplying the liquid to the liquid lead-out member via a filter, the liquid lead-out member, the filter unit, and the spacer member being arranged in a horizontal direction in a use state of the liquid container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting portion.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connection mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting body mounted to the mounting portion.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid container and the container constituting the mounting body.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the internal structure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the internal structure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure.

FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the internal structure.

FIG. 11 is a second perspective view of the internal structure.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a frame member constituting the filter unit.

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the frame member.

Fig. 14 is a first side view of the frame member.

Fig. 15 is a second side view of the frame member.

Fig. 16 is a view showing an end surface of the frame member on the-D direction side.

Fig. 17 is a view showing an end surface of the frame member on the + D direction side.

Fig. 18 is a first perspective view of the frame member.

Fig. 19 is a second perspective view of the frame member.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view at a section XX-XX in fig. 7.

Fig. 21 is a process diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing the liquid container.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus.

[ description of reference numerals ]

11. 11A: a liquid ejecting device; 12: an exterior body; 13: a container; 13 a: an opening; 14. 14A: an installation part; 15: a front cover; 16: a cartridge; 17: an installation port; 18: a discharge tray; 19: an operation panel; 20: a liquid containing body; 21: a liquid ejecting section; 22: a bracket; 24: a frame body; 25: an insertion opening; 26: a guide rail; 29: a connecting mechanism; 29F: a first connecting mechanism; 29S: a second connecting mechanism; 30. 30A: a supply flow path; 31: a supply mechanism; 32: an ink introduction needle; 33: a supply pipe; 34: a voltage transformation mechanism; 35: a drive source; 36: a variable pressure flow path; 38: an arm; 39: a locking portion; 40: a terminal portion; 40 a: a guide projection; 41: an electric wire; 42: a control device; 44: a block; 45: a protrusion; 47: a push-out mechanism; 47 a: a frame member; 47 b: a pressing part; 47 c: a force application part; 48: a liquid receiving portion; 50: an installation body; 51: a connection structure; 51F: a first connecting structure; 51S: a second connection configuration; 52: a liquid lead-out section; 53: a connection terminal; 53 a: a recess; 53 g: a guide recess; 54: an identification unit; 55: a first positioning hole; 55 a: a first hole; 55 b: a first hole; 56: a second positioning hole; 56 a: a second hole; 56 b: a second hole; 57: a force application receiving part; 58: an insertion portion; 60: bagging; 60 a: an end portion; 60 b: the other end; 60 c: a liquid containing section; 60 d: an opening part; 61: an adapter; 61 a: a cover member; 61 b: a bottom member; 61 c: a first protrusion; 61 d: a second protrusion; 62: a handle portion; 62 a: a grip portion; 62 b: a shaft portion; 63: a rotating shaft; 65: a snap-fit receiving portion; 66: a liquid lead-out member; 66 a: a fusion part; 66 c: a first through hole; 66 d: a second through hole; 66 s: a fixed part; 67: a base plate; 68: a side plate; 69: a front plate; 70: an end plate; 72: a guided portion; 72 a: a restricting section; 72 b: a curved surface portion; 73: a guide section; 73 a: a restricting section; 73 b: a curved surface portion; 75: a protrusion portion; 76: a clamping hole; 78: a clamping groove; 80: a liquid delivery pipe; 81: a first channel section; 82: a second channel section; 85: a connecting member; 86: a locking portion; 90: a spacer member; 91: an inclined surface; 92: a first introduction port; 93: a second introduction port; 100: a filter unit; 101: a frame member; 104: a fusion part; 110: a filter chamber; 110 a: an opening part; 111: a filter; 111 a: an opening part; 112: a first film; 113: a second film; 115: an intermediate wall; 119: an inclined wall; 120: a decompression chamber; 120 a: an opening part; 131: a second convex portion; 141: a recess; 146: an opening; 150: an outer rib; 151: an inner rib; 152: a space; 200: an internal structure; 661: a first convex portion; 665: a liquid injection port; 667: a gap; CX: a central axis; s1: an upper space; s2: a lower space.

Detailed Description

A. The first embodiment:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is, for example, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink as an example of liquid onto a medium such as paper. The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer casing 12. At the front portion of the exterior body 12, disposed in order from the bottom side upward are: a front cover 15 which is rotatable and covers a mounting portion 14 to which the container 13 is detachably mounted; and a mounting port 17 to which the cartridge 16 capable of accommodating the medium is mounted. A discharge tray 18 from which the medium is discharged and an operation panel 19 for operating the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 are disposed above the mounting port 17. The front surface of the outer package 12 is a side surface having a height and a width and mainly performing an operation with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11.

The plurality of containers 13 can be attached to the attachment portion 14 of the present embodiment in a state of being arranged in the width direction. For example, three or more containers 13 including the first container 13S and the second container 13M having a width dimension longer than that of the first container 13S can be attached to the attachment portion 14 as the plurality of containers 13. The liquid container 20 is detachably mounted on the containers 13. That is, the liquid container 20 is placed on the container 13 detachably attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The container 13 may be detachably attached to the mounting portion 14 without holding the liquid container 20 alone, and is a component provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Hereinafter, a state in which the liquid container 20 is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 and used is referred to as a "mounted state" or a "used state".

The exterior body 12 is provided with: a liquid ejecting section 21 that ejects liquid from nozzles; and a carriage 22 that reciprocates in a scanning direction that coincides with the width direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid ejecting unit 21 moves together with the carriage 22, and ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid container 20 placed on the container 13 toward the medium, thereby printing on the medium. In another embodiment, the liquid ejecting section 21 may be a line head whose position is fixed without reciprocating.

In the present embodiment, a direction intersecting, preferably orthogonal to, a movement path when the container 13 is attached to the attachment portion 14 is a width direction, and a direction in which the movement path extends is a depth direction. The width direction and the depth direction are substantially along a horizontal plane. In the drawings, the outer package 12 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the direction of gravity is shown on the Z-axis, and the moving direction of the container 13 when it is attached to the attachment portion 14 is shown on the Y-axis. The moving direction may be a mounting direction to the mounting portion 14 or an insertion direction to the housing space, and the opposite direction to the moving direction may be a removal direction. The width direction is indicated by an X axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the Y axis. That is, the width direction, the gravity direction, and the mounting direction intersect with each other, preferably intersect orthogonally, and are directions in the case of the mark width, height, and depth, respectively.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 14. The mounting portion 14 has a frame 24 forming a housing space capable of housing one or more, in this embodiment, four containers 13. The frame 24 is formed with an insertion opening 25 communicating with the housing space from the near side on the front cover 15 side. Preferably, the frame 24 has a plurality of sets of linear guide rails 26 each having one or more convex or concave shapes extending in the depth direction so as to guide the movement of the container 13 during the attachment and detachment.

The container 13 is inserted into the accommodating space through the insertion opening 25, moved along a movement path extending inward, and attached to the attachment portion 14. In fig. 2, only the vicinity of the front plate where insertion port 25 is formed is shown in solid lines with respect to frame 24. At least one, in the present embodiment, four connecting mechanisms 29 are provided on the back side of the storage space so as to correspond to the containers 13, respectively.

The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes: a supply flow path 30 for supplying the liquid from the liquid container 20 attached to the attachment portion 14 together with the container 13 toward the liquid ejecting portion 21; and a supply mechanism 31 configured to deliver the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 to the supply channel 30.

The supply channel 30 is provided for each color or type of liquid, and includes: an ink introduction needle 32 to which the liquid container 20 is connected; and a supply pipe 33 having flexibility. A pump chamber, not shown, is provided between the ink introduction needle 32 and the supply tube 33. The downstream end of the ink introduction needle 32 and the upstream end of the supply tube 33 communicate with the pump chamber. The pump chamber is partitioned from a pressure changing chamber not shown by a flexible film.

The supply mechanism 31 includes a pressure changing mechanism 34, a drive source 35 of the pressure changing mechanism 34, and a pressure changing flow path 36 connecting the pressure changing mechanism 34 and the pressure changing chamber. When the pressure reducing mechanism 34 reduces the pressure in the pressure reducing chamber through the pressure reducing flow path 36 by driving of the driving source 35 such as a motor, the flexible film changes in the deflection position toward the pressure reducing chamber, and the pressure in the pump chamber decreases. As the pressure of the pump chamber decreases, the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 is sucked into the pump chamber through the ink introduction needle 32. This is called suction driving. When the pressure reduction mechanism 34 releases the pressure reduction in the pressure reduction chamber through the pressure reduction flow path 36, the flexible membrane changes to the pump chamber side deflection position, and the pressure in the pump chamber rises. Then, as the pressure of the pump chamber increases, the liquid in the pump chamber flows out to the supply pipe 33 in a pressurized state. This is referred to as discharge driving. The supply mechanism 31 alternately repeats suction driving and discharge driving, thereby supplying the liquid from the liquid container 20 to the liquid ejecting section 21.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connection mechanism 29. The connection mechanism 29 has a first connection mechanism 29F and a second connection mechanism 29S at positions across the ink introduction needle 32 in the width direction, respectively. The first connection mechanism 29F includes an arm 38, and the arm 38 is disposed vertically below the ink introduction needle 32 and projects in the removal direction. A lock portion 39 is provided at the front end of the arm 38. The arm 38 is configured such that the distal end side can rotate about the proximal end side. The locking portion 39 is disposed on a moving path of the container 13 when attached to the attachment portion 14, for example, protruding vertically upward from the arm 38. When the container 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 14, the locking portion 39 is fitted into an engagement groove 78 provided on the rear surface of the container 13, thereby restricting the container 13 from easily coming off the mounting portion 14.

The first connecting mechanism 29F includes a terminal portion 40, and the terminal portion 40 is disposed vertically above the ink introducing needle 32 and protrudes in the removing direction. The terminal 40 is connected to a control device 42 via a flat cable or the like 41. The terminal portion 40 is preferably arranged such that the upper end thereof protrudes in the removal direction with respect to the lower end thereof and is directed obliquely downward. Further, it is preferable that a pair of guide convex portions 40a are arranged on both sides of the terminal portion 40 in the width direction, and the pair of guide convex portions 40a protrude in the width direction and extend along the mounting direction.

The second connection mechanism 29S preferably includes a block 44 for preventing erroneous insertion, and the block 44 is disposed vertically above the ink introduction needle 32 and projects in the removal direction. The block 44 has a concave-convex shape disposed downward. The concave-convex shape differs among the connection mechanisms 29.

The connection mechanism 29 includes: a pair of positioning projections 45, 46; an ejection mechanism 47 disposed so as to surround the ink introduction needle 32; and a liquid receiving portion 48 that protrudes in the extraction direction below the ink introduction needle 32. The pair of positioning projections 45 and 46 are arranged in the width direction with the ink introduction needle 32 interposed therebetween so as to be included in the first connection mechanism 29F and the second connection mechanism 29S, respectively. The positioning projections 45 and 46 may be rod-shaped projections that project in the removal direction in parallel with each other, for example. The protruding length of the positioning projections 45 and 46 in the extracting direction is preferably longer than the protruding length of the ink introducing needle 32 in the extracting direction.

The push-out mechanism 47 includes: a frame member 47a surrounding a base end portion of the ink introduction needle 32; a pressing portion 47b projecting from the frame member 47a in the removal direction; and a biasing portion 47c that biases the container 13 in the removal direction via the pressing portion 47 b. The biasing portion 47c can be, for example, a coil spring interposed between the frame member 47a and the pressing portion 47 b.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of mounting body 50 mounted to mounting portion 14. In the present embodiment, the mounting body 50 is constituted by the container 13 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and the liquid container 20 placed on the container 13. A perspective view of a second container 13M, which is referred to as container 13, is shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5 discussed later. The first container 13S and the second container 13M, and the liquid container 20 placed in the first container 13S and the second container 13M are different only in the width direction, and have the same structure.

The liquid container 20 is used to supply the liquid having the precipitated component to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid container 20 includes a bag 60 and an adapter 61. The bag 60 has flexibility. The shape of the bag 60 may be either pillow or gusset type. The bag 60 of the present embodiment is a pillow-shaped bag formed by overlapping two rectangular films and joining the peripheral edges thereof. The film constituting the bag 60 is formed of a raw material having flexibility and gas barrier properties. Examples of the material of the film include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and polyethylene. Further, a film may be formed using a laminated structure in which a plurality of films made of these materials are laminated. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed of PET or nylon having excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of polyethylene having excellent ink resistance. Further, a film having a layer formed by vapor deposition of aluminum or the like may be used as one component of the laminated structure.

A liquid storage portion 60c for storing liquid is provided inside the bag 60. The liquid containing portion 60c contains ink in which a pigment as a precipitating component is dispersed in a solvent as a liquid. The bag 60 has one end 60a and the other end 60b opposite to the one end 60 a. The adapter 61 is attached to one end 60a of the bag 60. The adapter 61 includes a liquid lead-out portion 52 for leading out the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid lead-out portion 52 may also be referred to as a "supply port".

In fig. 4, there are shown a D direction, a T direction, and a W direction as three directions orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the direction D is a direction along the direction Y shown in fig. 1, and is a direction in which the bag 60 extends. In the following description, the direction from the liquid lead-out portion 52 toward the other end portion 60b side of the bag 60 in the direction D is referred to as the + D direction, and the direction opposite to the + D direction is referred to as the-D direction. In addition, the direction in which the size is smallest in the outer shape of the liquid container 20 is the T direction. The direction orthogonal to the D direction and the T direction is defined as the W direction. In the present embodiment, the T direction is a direction along the Z direction, and the + T direction corresponds to the-Z direction. In addition, the W direction is a direction along the X direction, and the + W direction corresponds to the + X direction. In the present embodiment, the T direction is the thickness direction of the bag 60. Hereinafter, the direction will be referred to as the + T direction in the mounted state when abbreviated as the up direction, and the direction will be referred to as the-T direction in the mounted state when abbreviated as the down direction.

When mounting body 50 is mounted to mounting portion 14 shown in fig. 2, its end that enters first is referred to as the leading end, and its end opposite to the leading end is referred to as the base end, a connection structure 51 is provided at the leading end portion. The connection structure 51 has a first connection structure 51F and a second connection structure 51S on both sides across the liquid lead-out portion 52 in the width direction.

The first connection structure 51F includes a connection terminal 53 disposed vertically above the liquid lead-out portion 52. The connection terminal 53 is provided on, for example, the surface of a circuit board including a storage portion for storing various information about the liquid container 20. The information on the liquid container 20 includes, for example, information indicating the type of the liquid container 20, the amount of liquid contained, and the like.

The connection terminal 53 is preferably disposed in a recess 53a provided so as to be opened upward and in the mounting direction so as to face obliquely upward. Further, it is preferable that guide concave portions 53g extending in the mounting direction are disposed on both sides of the connection terminal 53 in the width direction.

The second connection structure 51S preferably includes a recognition unit 54 for preventing erroneous insertion disposed vertically above the liquid lead-out unit 52. The recognition portion 54 has a concave-convex shape that fits into the block 44 of the corresponding connection mechanism 29 shown in fig. 3.

The connection structure 51 includes: a pair of positioning holes 55, 56; an urging force receiving portion 57 that receives the urging force of the urging portion 47c shown in fig. 3; and an insertion portion 58 extending below the liquid lead-out portion 52. The positioning holes 55 and 56 are arranged in the width direction with the liquid lead-out portion 52 interposed therebetween so as to be included in the first connection structure 51F and the second connection structure 51S, respectively. Preferably, the first positioning hole 55 included in the first connecting structure 51F is a circular hole, and the second positioning hole 56 included in the second connecting structure 51S is a long hole having a substantially elliptical shape and being long in the width direction.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid container 20 and the container 13 constituting the mounting body 50. A notch 65a that engages with the insertion portion 58 of the adapter 61 provided in the liquid container 20 is formed at the distal end of the container 13. A first hole 55a and a second hole 56a are formed on both sides of the notch 65a in the width direction, and a first hole 55b and a second hole 56b are formed on the tip of the adapter 61. When the liquid container 20 is placed on the container 13, the first holes 55a and 55b and the second holes 56a and 56b are arranged in the depth direction, respectively, the first positioning hole 55 is formed by the first holes 55a and 55b, and the second positioning hole 56 is formed by the second holes 56a and 56 b.

The adaptor 61 includes a handle portion 62. The grip portion 62 is formed of a member different from the adaptor 61, and is movable relative to the adaptor 61. Specifically, the handle 62 is movable by rotating about a rotating shaft 63 provided in the adapter 61. The rotary shaft 63 is formed to be open on both sides in the width direction, and a bottomed semi-cylindrical portion protrudes from the top surface of the adaptor 61.

The grip 62 includes a grip 62a to be gripped by a user. The grip portion 62a is located farther from the adaptor 61 toward the bag 60 side in the depth direction than the shaft portion 62b supported by the rotary shaft 63. The handle 62 is rotatable between a first posture in which the grip 62a and the rotation shaft 63 are located at the same height or the grip 62a is located at a position lower than the rotation shaft 63, and a second posture in which the grip 62a is located at a position higher than the rotation shaft 63.

The container 13 has an engagement receiving portion 65 at a distal end portion thereof, with which the adapter 61 of the liquid container 20 can be engaged. The adaptor 61 includes the connection terminal 53, the recess 53a, a guide recess 53g, the identification portion 54, a first hole 55b, and a second hole 56 b. The engagement receiving portion 65 of the container 13 includes the biasing receiving portion 57, the first hole 55a, and the second hole 56 a. The adapter 61 is positioned at the distal end of the container 13 when engaged with the engagement receiving portion 65.

The container 13 includes: a bottom plate 67 constituting a bottom surface; side plates 68 that are vertically provided upright from both ends in the width direction of the bottom plate 67; a front plate 69 vertically standing upward from the base end of the bottom plate 67; and an end plate 70 that is vertically erected upward from the front end of the bottom plate 67.

In the container 13, the bottom plate 67, the side plate 68, the front plate 69, and the end plate 70 constitute a main body portion that forms a storage space for storing the liquid container 20. The container 13 has an opening 13a for allowing the liquid container 20 to enter and exit the storage space. In the present embodiment, the opening 13a of the container 13 opens upward in a vertical direction that is a direction different from the mounting direction in which the container 13 advances when mounted to the mounting portion 14.

The adapter 61 is provided with a plurality of guided portions 72 formed in a substantially circular hole shape penetrating in the guiding direction. In the present embodiment, the two guided portions 72 are formed so as to be aligned in the width direction.

Further, the engagement receiving portion 65 of the container 13 is provided with a plurality of substantially cylindrical guide portions 73 projecting from the bottom plate 67 in the guide direction. In the present embodiment, the two guide portions 73 are formed so as to be aligned in the width direction. The guide direction is a direction intersecting, preferably orthogonal, to the bottom plate 67 or the opening 13a and along the side plate 68. In the present embodiment, the guide direction is along the T direction.

The guide portion 73 provided in the container 13 guides the guided portion 72 provided in the adaptor 61 in the guiding direction. On the other hand, the guided portion 72 provided in the adapter 61 is guided in the guiding direction by the guide portion 73 provided in the container 13.

In the present embodiment, the guide portion 73 has a convex shape having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the side surface of the guide portion 73 along the guide direction includes a planar regulating portion 73a located on the distal end side and a curved surface portion 73b located on the proximal end side of the regulating portion 73 a.

The guided portion 72 is formed in a shape having a restricting portion 72a and a curved portion 72b so as to conform to the shape of the guide portion 73. The restricting portions 72a and 73a restrict the escape and rotation of the liquid container 20 placed in the container 13.

Further, a dome-shaped protrusion 75, for example, in which at least a corner in the guiding direction is chamfered, is formed on the distal end surface of the adapter 61. In addition, an engagement hole 76 that engages with the protrusion 75 is formed in the end plate 70 of the container 13. With this arrangement, when the liquid container 20 is placed on the container 13, the user can feel a click feeling that the engagement between the container 13 and the liquid container 20 is completed. The protrusion 75 and the engagement hole 76 of the present embodiment are formed so as to be aligned in pairs on both sides in the width direction with the liquid lead-out portion 52 and the notch 65a of the container 13 interposed therebetween.

Here, the connection of the connection structure 51 of the mounting body 50 to the connection mechanism 29 will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4. When the mounting body 50 is inserted into the accommodation space and the distal end approaches the connection mechanism 29, first, the distal ends of the positioning projections 45 and 46, which have a long protruding length in the removal direction, engage with each other so as to enter the positioning holes 55 and 56 of the mounting body 50, thereby restricting the movement of the mounting body 50 in the width direction. Since the second positioning hole 56 is an oblong hole having an elliptical shape extending in the width direction, the positioning protrusion 45 inserted into the first positioning hole 55 having a circular shape serves as a reference for positioning.

After the positioning projections 45 and 46 are engaged with the positioning holes 55 and 56, when the mounting body 50 is further moved backward, the biasing force receiving portion 57 comes into contact with the pressing portion 47b and receives the biasing force of the biasing portion 47c, and the liquid lead-out portion 52 of the liquid containing body 20 is connected to the ink introduction needle 32. When the liquid container 20 is new, a film is welded to the tip of the liquid lead-out portion 52, and the film is pierced by the ink introduction needle 32. The positioning projections 45 and 46 preferably position the mounting body 50 before the ink introduction needle 32 is connected to the liquid lead-out portion 52.

When the attachment body 50 is inserted into the correct position, the recognition portion 54 is appropriately fitted to the block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. On the other hand, when the mounting body 50 is to be mounted at an incorrect position, the recognition portion 54 does not fit into the block 44, and therefore, the mounting body 50 cannot be further moved backward, thereby preventing erroneous mounting.

When the mounting body 50 moves forward in the mounting direction, the terminal portion 40 enters the concave portion 53a of the mounting body 50, and the guide concave portion 53g is guided by the guide convex portion 40a, so that the position is adjusted to be in contact with the connection terminal 53. Thereby, the connection terminal 53 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 40, and information is transferred between the circuit board and the control device 42. In this manner, the first connection structure 51F including the connection terminal 53 of the first connection structure 51F and the second connection structure 51S is preferably provided with the first positioning hole 55 serving as a reference for positioning.

When the liquid lead-out portion 52 of the liquid container 20 is connected in a state in which the liquid can be supplied to the ink introduction needle 32 and the connection terminal 53 is electrically connected by being in contact with the terminal portion 40, the connection of the connection structure 51 to the connection mechanism 29 is completed.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter 61. The adaptor 61 is dividable in the direction T, and includes a cover member 61a and a bottom member 61 b. The lid member 61a is mainly formed with the identification portion 54. The bottom piece 61b is mainly formed with the insertion portion 58 and the recess 53 a. The internal structure 200 is disposed inside the bag 60. A part of the liquid lead-out member 66 constituting a part of the internal structure 200 is exposed from the end of the bag 60 in the-D direction. The liquid lead-out member 66 is provided with a liquid lead-out portion 52 and a fixing portion 66s at an exposed portion.

In the present embodiment, the base member 61b is provided with a first protrusion 61c and a second protrusion 61d in the + T direction. The first projection 61c and the second projection 61d are provided at positions across the insertion portion 58 in the W direction. The fixing portion 66s is provided with a first through hole 66c and a second through hole 66d at positions across the liquid lead-out portion 52 from the width direction. The first protrusion 61c can be inserted into the first through hole 66c, and the second protrusion 61d can be inserted into the second through hole 66 d. The fixing portion 66s is sandwiched between the + T direction side and the-T direction side by the cover member 61a and the bottom member 61b, and a part of the end portion on the-D direction side of the bag 60 is sandwiched between the cover member 61a and the bottom member 61b together with the fixing portion 66s, whereby the bag 60 is fixed to the adaptor 61.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the internal structure 200. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the internal structure 200. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure 200. Fig. 10 is a first perspective view of the internal structure 200. Fig. 11 is a second perspective view of the internal structure 200.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the internal structure 200 includes the liquid lead-out member 66, the spacer member 90, and the filter unit 100. In the use state of the liquid container 20, the liquid lead-out member 66, the filter unit 100, and the spacer member 90 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

The liquid lead-out member 66 is attached to the one end portion 60a of the bag 60, and includes the liquid lead-out portion 52 for leading out the liquid in the bag 60 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid lead-out member 66 includes a welding portion 66a to which the opening portion 60d of the bag 60 is welded. The welded portion 66a includes a portion of the liquid lead-out member 66 having the largest outer circumference.

As shown in fig. 8, the liquid lead-out member 66 is provided with a liquid inlet 665 that is opened only when the liquid is injected. The liquid inlet 665 communicates with a flow path in the liquid lead-out portion 52. The liquid injection port 665 is used for injecting a liquid into the bag 60 in the manufacturing process of the liquid container 20. The liquid injection port 665 is closed by the bag 60 being completely welded to the welding portion 66a after the liquid is injected. The liquid injection port 665 is also referred to as a "bypass flow path".

As shown in fig. 9, two first cylindrical projections 661, 662 are provided at the end of the liquid lead-out member 66 on the + D direction side. The inner spaces of the first convex portions 661, 662 communicate with the inner space of the liquid lead-out portion 52. These first convex portions 661, 662 are press-fitted into the concave portions 141, 142, and the concave portions 141, 142 are provided near the end portions on the-D direction side of the filter unit 100.

The spacer 90 is a structure for defining a region of a predetermined volume inside the bag 60. The spacer member 90 restricts the shrinkage of the bag 60 in the thickness direction. The spacer member 90 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The spacer member 90 is provided in the liquid storage portion 60c at a position intersecting the TD plane passing through the center axis CX of the liquid lead-out portion 52. The TD plane is a plane including the T direction and the D direction.

The spacer member 90 has a surface 91 inclined so that the dimension along the T direction increases from the + D direction side toward the-D direction side. Hereinafter, the surface 91 is referred to as "inclined surface 91". In the present embodiment, the spacer member 90 has inclined surfaces 91 at positions on the + T direction side and the-T direction side with respect to the center axis CX. Therefore, the spacer member 90 has a shape tapered toward the + D direction side when viewed from the W direction. In the present embodiment, the inclined surface 91 is formed with a groove along the D direction and a groove along the W direction. In the present embodiment, the "surface" includes not only a surface consisting of only a plane but also a surface having grooves, recesses, and the like formed on the surface thereof, a surface having projections, and the like formed on the surface thereof, and a virtual surface surrounded by a frame. That is, if the "face" can be understood as a whole, even if there are irregularities and through holes in a certain region occupied by the face.

As shown in fig. 7 to 11, the spacer member 90 is provided with a first introduction port 92 on the + T direction side of the central axis CX, and a second introduction port 93 on the-T direction side of the central axis CX. The first introduction port 92 and the second introduction port 93 are formed so as to enter the groove formed in the inclined surface 91. The first inlet 92 and the second inlet 93 are inlets for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c to the outside. The first introduction port 92 is disposed on the + T direction side of the second introduction port 93. Therefore, the liquid on the relatively upper side in the liquid containing section 60c flows in from the first introduction port 92, and the liquid on the relatively lower side in the liquid containing section 60c flows in from the second introduction port 93.

The spacer member 90 is coupled to the end of the filter unit 100 on the + D direction side by a rod-shaped coupling member 85. As shown in fig. 9, the end portion on the-D direction side of the coupling member 85 is locked by a locking portion 86 provided on the surface on the + D direction side of the filter unit 100.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a frame member 101 constituting the filter unit 100. Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the frame member 101. Fig. 14 is a first side view of the frame member 101. Fig. 15 is a second side view of the frame member 101. Fig. 16 is a view showing an end surface of the frame member 101 on the-D direction side. Fig. 17 is a view showing an end surface of the frame member 101 on the + D direction side. Fig. 18 is a first perspective view of the frame member 101. Fig. 19 is a second perspective view of the frame member 101. Fig. 20 is a sectional view at a section XX-XX in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 9, the filter unit 100 includes a frame member 101 made of a resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. As shown in fig. 12 to 17, the frame member 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the frame member 101, a recess for forming a filter chamber 110 to be discussed later is formed on the top surface, and a recess for forming a decompression chamber 120 is formed on the lower surface. In the present embodiment, a plurality of outer ribs 150 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the frame member 101. These outer ribs 150 are inclined with respect to the W direction.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, in the present embodiment, the fusion-bonded portions 104 are provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the end portions of the filter unit 100 in the-D direction. The fusion-bonded portion 104 is fused to the opening portion 60d of the bag 60 together with the fusion-bonded portion 66a of the liquid lead-out member 66 at the time of manufacturing the liquid container 20.

As shown in fig. 9, the filter unit 100 is formed by welding the filter 111, the first film 112, and the second film 113 to the frame member 101. The first membrane 112 is also referred to as a "filter chamber membrane", and the second membrane 113 is also referred to as a "decompression chamber membrane".

As shown in fig. 7, 8, and 20, the filter unit 100 is provided with a filter chamber 110 on the + T direction side and a decompression chamber 120 on the-T direction side. As shown in fig. 20, the filter chamber 110 and the decompression chamber 120 are disposed adjacent to each other in the direction T with an intermediate wall 115 interposed therebetween. In the mounted state, the intermediate wall 115 is inclined downward from the + D direction side toward the-D direction side of the filter unit 100. Therefore, the liquid is easily flowed from the + D direction side to the-D direction side in the filter chamber 110.

As shown in fig. 20, the filter chamber 110 is divided into an upper space S1 and a lower space S2 by the filter 111. In the present embodiment, the filter 111 is formed of a metal mesh made of SUS. The filter 111 may be formed of a metal nonwoven fabric. As shown in fig. 7, the filter 111 is welded to the opening 111a between the upper space S1 and the lower space S2 in the direction T. The filter 111 is used to remove foreign substances mixed in the bag 60 or foreign substances generated in the bag 60. The upper space S1 is sealed by the first film 112 being welded to the opening 110a on the + T direction side of the filter chamber 110.

As shown in fig. 9 and 12, two cylindrical second convex portions 131 and 132 are arranged in the W direction at the end portion of the filter unit 100 in the + D direction. The internal spaces of the second protrusions 131 and 132 communicate with the upper space S1 of the filter chamber 110 via two flow paths formed in the filter unit 100. Two concave portions 141, 142 into which the first convex portions 661, 662 of the liquid lead-out member 66 are press-fitted are formed in the W direction in the vicinity of the end portions of the filter unit 100 in the-D direction. The two recesses 141, 142 communicate with two flow paths formed in the filter unit 100, these flow paths communicate with the lower space S2 of the filter chamber 110 via two openings 146, and the two openings 146 are formed in the wall 119 so as to sandwich the center axis CX. The wall 119 is a wall that partitions a part of the filter chamber 110, and is located on the liquid lead-out member 66 side. The wall 119 is inclined with respect to the W direction in the present embodiment. The wall 119 is also referred to as "inclined wall 119". In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined wall 119 is substantially equal to the inclination angle of the outer rib 150.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, in a state where the first convex portions 661 and 662 are press-fitted into the concave portions 141 and 142, a gap 667 is formed in a part of the boundary between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100.

As shown in fig. 9, the liquid delivery pipe 80 can be connected to the second protrusions 131, 132. The liquid delivery pipe 80 has a first channel portion 81 and a second channel portion 82. As shown in fig. 10, the first channel 81 is connected to a first introduction port 92 provided in the spacer member 90. As shown in fig. 11, the second channel 82 is connected to a second introduction port 93 provided in the spacer member 90. The liquid flowing in from the first and second introduction ports 92 and 93 of the partition member 90 flows into the filter unit 100 from the second protrusions 131 and 132 of the filter unit 100 via the first and second flow path portions 81 and 82. Then, the liquid passes through the flow path in the filter unit 100 and flows into the upper space S1 of the filter chamber 110. The liquid flowing into the upper space S1 flows into the lower space S2 after being filtered by the filter 111, flows through the flow path in the filter unit 100 to the first convex portions 661, 662 of the liquid lead-out member 66 connected to the concave portions 141, 142, and is led out from the liquid lead-out portion 52 to the outside.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the decompression chamber 120 is sealed by welding the second film 113 to the opening 120a on the-T direction side of the decompression chamber 120. In the present embodiment, the second film 113 is welded to the opening 120a of the decompression chamber 120 in a reduced-pressure atmosphere. Therefore, the air sealed in the decompression chamber 120 is in a state of being lower than the atmospheric pressure. In the present embodiment, the decompression chamber 120 does not communicate with other portions such as the liquid containing section 60c and the filter chamber 110. That is, the decompression chamber 120 becomes an independent space. As is well known, a resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene forming the filter unit 100 has gas permeability to some extent or more. Therefore, when air bubbles exist in the filter chamber 110, the air bubbles pass through the intermediate wall 115, enter the decompression chamber 120 having a low pressure, and are trapped.

As shown in fig. 13 and 19, a plurality of inner ribs 151 are formed around the decompression chamber 120. The second film 113 that partitions the decompression chamber 120 may be welded to the inner ribs 151. In the case where the second film 113 is also welded to the inner ribs 151, the spaces 152 divided by these inner ribs 151 each have a function as a small decompression chamber. If slits or the like are provided in a part of the inner rib 151 that divides the spaces 152 and the spaces 152 are communicated with the decompression chamber 120, the pressure in the decompression chamber 120 and the spaces 152 can be made uniform.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the dimension in the D direction of the first membrane 112 sealing the filter chamber 110 and the second membrane 113 sealing the decompression chamber 120 is larger than the dimension in the D direction of these spaces, and is elongated in the + D direction. These extensions of the first and second films 112 and 113 are also welded to the end portions in the-D direction of the joining member 85 at the time when the first and second films 112 and 113 are welded and fixed to the filter unit 100.

Fig. 21 is a process diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing the liquid container 20. In the production of the liquid container 20, first, the bag 60 is prepared in step P10.

In step P20, the spacer member 90 and the liquid lead-out member 66 are attached to the filter unit 100, and the internal structure 200 is assembled. More specifically, first, the spacer member 90 is attached to the frame member 101 using the coupling member 85. Then, the filter 111 is welded to the frame member 101. Further, the first film 112 is welded to the frame member 101 and the connecting member 85, and the second film 113 is welded to the frame member 101 and the connecting member 85 in a reduced pressure atmosphere. Further, the liquid lead-out tube 80 is attached to the filter unit 100 and the spacer member 90, and the liquid lead-out member 66 is press-fitted and fixed to the filter unit 100.

In step P30, the internal structure 200 is sealed in the bag 60. In this step P30, after the internal structure 200 is sealed in the bag 60, the opening 60d of the bag 60 is temporarily welded to the welded portion 66a of the liquid lead-out member 66 and the welded portion 104 of the frame member 101 to such an extent that the liquid injection port 665 is not closed.

In step P40, in the standing state in which the liquid lead-out portion 52 faces upward and the spacer member 90 faces downward, the liquid is injected into the bag 60 through the liquid lead-out portion 52. At this time, the liquid injected from the liquid lead-out portion 52 is injected into the bag 60 not only through the first convex portions 661 and 662 and the filter chamber 110 but also through the liquid injection port 665 provided in the liquid lead-out member 66. When the liquid is filled into the bag 60, the atmosphere inside the bag 60 moves upward along the outer rib 150 provided on the outer surface of the filter unit 100. Further, the atmosphere in the filter chamber 110 moves upward along the inclined wall 119 inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in the upright state.

In step P50, in the standing state, a part of the liquid in the inlet bag 60 is sucked from the liquid outlet 52. Due to this suction, air bubbles in each portion of the bag 60 are discharged to the outside of the bag 60. For example, the air bubbles accumulated in the upper portion of the bag 60 move on the front and back sides of the internal structure 200 through the gap 667 between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100, and are discharged to the outside together with the liquid through the liquid injection port 665 and the liquid lead-out portion 52. Further, the bubbles in the filter unit 100 pass through the flow path formed in the filter unit 100 and the flow path in the first projection 661, and are discharged to the outside together with the liquid through the liquid lead-out portion 52.

In step P60, the opening 60d of the bag 60 is completely welded to the welded portion 66a of the liquid lead-out member 66 and the welded portion 104 of the frame member 101. Through the above steps, the liquid injection port 665 is closed, and the liquid container 20 is completed.

According to the liquid container 20 of the present embodiment described above, the filter unit 100 is provided in the bag 60, and the liquid is guided from the liquid guide 52 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 through the filter 111 provided in the filter unit 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress foreign matter in the liquid container 20 from flowing into the liquid ejecting apparatus 11.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the filter unit 100 is provided with the filter chamber 110 and the decompression chamber 120, and the filter chamber 110 and the decompression chamber 120 are disposed adjacent to each other with the intermediate wall 115 interposed therebetween. Therefore, even when bubbles remain in the filter chamber 110 after the liquid container 20 is manufactured, the bubbles can be trapped by the decompression chamber 120 by passing through the intermediate wall 115.

In the present embodiment, the liquid flowing into the filter unit 100 through the liquid delivery pipe 80 flows from the upper space S1 of the filter chamber 110 to the lower space S2 through the filter 111. Therefore, even if the air bubbles flow into the filter chamber 110 from within the bag 60, the air bubbles are likely to stay in the upper space S1. Therefore, the discharge of bubbles to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the vacuum chamber 120 is configured by welding the film to the opening 120a of the vacuum chamber 120 in a reduced pressure atmosphere. Therefore, the decompression chamber 120 can be easily formed with a simple configuration. As a result, it is not necessary to dispose a complicated mechanism such as a pump in the liquid container 20, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid container 20 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the first film 112 and the second film 113 welded to the filter chamber 110 and the decompression chamber 120 are welded not only to the filter chamber 110 and the decompression chamber 120 but also to a part of the connecting member 85. Therefore, the spacer member 90 can be stably disposed in the bag 60, and the spacer member 90 can be prevented from falling off the filter unit 100 due to an impact such as dropping.

In the present embodiment, the first convex portions 661 and 662 formed in the liquid lead-out member 66 are press-fitted into the concave portions 141 and 142 formed in the filter unit 100, so that the filter unit 100 is fixed to the liquid lead-out member 66, and the welding portion 104 of the liquid lead-out member 66 and the welding portion 66a of the filter unit 100 are welded to the bag 60. Therefore, leakage of liquid from the fitting portion between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100 can be suppressed, and the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100 are both welded to the bag 60, so that the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100 can be suppressed from coming off due to impact or the like.

In the present embodiment, in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion 52 is directed upward and the partition member 90 is directed downward, an inclined wall 119 inclined with respect to the horizontal is provided in the filter chamber 110. Therefore, bubbles are likely to move upward in the filter chamber 110 during the production of the liquid container 20, and are likely to be discharged to the outside. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the two openings 146 communicating with the liquid lead-out portion 52 are formed in the inclined wall 119 at positions across the center axis CX, one opening 146 is positioned above the other opening 146 in the vertical direction in the upright state. Therefore, the air bubbles in the filter chamber 110 are easily discharged to the outside through the upper opening 146.

In the present embodiment, the outer rib 150 inclined with respect to the horizontal is provided on the outer surface of the filter unit 100 in the upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion 52 faces upward and the partition member 90 faces downward. Therefore, bubbles in the bag 60 easily move upward, and bubbles are easily discharged from the liquid injection port 665 during the production of the liquid container 20.

In the present embodiment, since the gap 667 is formed in a part of the boundary between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100, the bubbles in the bag 60 are easily moved through the gap. Therefore, bubbles are easily discharged to the outside at the time of manufacturing the liquid container 20.

In the present embodiment, the partition member 90 has the first inlet 92 and the second inlet 93 for introducing the liquid in the bag 60, and the first inlet 92 and the second inlet 93 are connected to the filter chamber 110 of the filter unit 100 via the liquid delivery pipe 80. Therefore, the liquid around the spacer member 90 can be efficiently led out from the liquid lead-out portion 52 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Particularly in the present embodiment, the first introduction port 92 and the second introduction port 93 provided in the partition member 90 are vertically aligned in the attached state, and the liquid flowing in through the first introduction port 92 and the second introduction port 93 is converted into a state of flowing in a horizontal direction by the first flow path portion 81 and the second flow path portion 82 constituting the liquid discharge tube 80, and then mixed in the filter chamber 110 or the liquid lead-out member 66. Therefore, the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 can be stabilized.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the spacer member 90 is disposed in the bag 60, a liquid having a high concentration containing a large amount of precipitated components can be left in the spacer member 90 and the periphery thereof. Therefore, the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 can be stabilized. In particular, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the spacer member 90 in the thickness direction is larger than the thickness of the filter unit 100. Therefore, the contraction of the bag 60 in the vicinity of the spacer member 90 is more restricted than the contraction of the other portions, and the liquid having a high concentration can be efficiently left in the inside and the periphery of the spacer member 90.

B. Other embodiments are as follows:

FIG. 22 (B-1) is a view showing another embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. In the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the liquid container 20 and the container 13 are accommodated in the mounting portion 14 disposed at the lower portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. However, the mode of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is not limited to this mode. For example, as shown in fig. 22, the main body of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11A may be separated from the mounting portion 14A in which the container 13 and the liquid container 20 are housed. In this case, the mounting portion 14A and the main body of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11A are connected by a supply passage 30A formed of a pipe or the like, and the liquid flows through the supply passage 30A.

(B-2) in the above embodiment, the filter unit 100 is fixed to the liquid lead-out member 66 by pressing the first convex portions 661, 662 of the liquid lead-out member 66 into the concave portions 141, 142 of the filter unit 100. In contrast, the filter unit 100 and the liquid lead-out member 66 may not be fixed. For example, the filter unit 100 and the liquid lead-out member 66 may be connected by a pipe.

(B-3) in the above embodiment, the liquid container 20 includes the decompression chamber 120. In contrast, the liquid container 20 may not include the decompression chamber 120. In this case as well, since the liquid container 20 includes the filter chamber 110, it is possible to suppress foreign matter in the liquid container 20 from flowing into the liquid ejecting apparatus 11.

(B-4) in the above embodiment, the decompression chamber 120 is formed by welding the second film 113 to the opening 120a of the decompression chamber 120 in a reduced pressure atmosphere. However, the decompression chamber 120 may be formed by other means than this method. For example, a check valve may be provided in the second film 113, and after the second film 113 is welded to the opening 120a of the decompression chamber 120, the inside of the decompression chamber 120 may be decompressed via the check valve.

(B-5) in the above embodiment, both the first film 112 and the second film 113 are welded to the joining member 85. In contrast, either one of the first film 112 and the second film 113 may be welded to the connecting member 85. The first film 112 and the second film 113 may not be welded to the connecting member 85.

(B-6) in the above embodiment, both the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100 are welded to the opening 60d of the bag 60. In contrast, the filter unit 100 may not be welded to the bag 60.

(B-7) in the above embodiment, the wall 119 that partitions the filter chamber 110 in the standing state is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, but the wall 119 may not be inclined.

(B-8) in the above embodiment, the outer rib 150 provided to the filter unit 100 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in the standing state. In contrast, the outer rib 150 may not be inclined. The filter unit 100 may not include the outer rib 150.

(B-9) in the above embodiment, a gap 667 is formed in a part of the boundary between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100. In contrast, the gap 667 may not be provided at the boundary between the liquid lead-out member 66 and the filter unit 100.

(B-10) in the above embodiment, the spacer member 90 includes the inlet ports 92 and 93 for introducing the liquid in the bag 60, and the inlet ports 92 and 93 and the filter unit 100 are connected by the liquid outlet pipe 80. However, the spacer member 90 may not include the introduction ports 92 and 93. In this case, the liquid may directly flow into the filter chamber 110 from the second protrusions 131 and 132 of the filter unit 100. Further, the liquid may be introduced from the end of the liquid delivery pipe 80 without connecting the liquid delivery pipe 80 to the spacer member 90.

(B-11) the present disclosure is not limited to the inkjet printer and the liquid container for supplying ink to the inkjet printer, and can be applied to any liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid other than ink and the liquid container used for these liquid ejecting apparatuses. For example, the present invention can be applied to various liquid ejecting apparatuses and liquid containers thereof as described below.

(1) Image recording apparatuses such as facsimile apparatuses.

(2) A color material ejecting apparatus used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

(3) An electrode material ejecting apparatus used for forming electrodes of an organic el (electro luminescence) display, a Field Emission Display (FED), and the like.

(4) A liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid containing a biological organic material used for manufacturing a biochip.

(5) A sample injection device as a precision pipette.

(6) And a lubricating oil injection device.

(7) An ejection device for resin liquid.

(8) A liquid ejecting apparatus which accurately ejects lubricating oil to a precision machine such as a timepiece, a camera, or the like.

(9) A liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curing resin liquid onto a substrate in order to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used for an optical communication element or the like.

(10) A liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting an acidic or alkaline etching liquid for etching a substrate or the like.

(11) A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid consuming head for ejecting any other small amount of liquid droplets.

The term "liquid droplet" refers to a state of a liquid discharged from a liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes a granular state, a tear-like state, and a state in which a tail is formed into a thread-like shape. The term "liquid" as used herein may be any material that can be consumed by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the "liquid" may be a material in a state where a substance is in a liquid phase, and a material in a liquid state such as a sol, a gel, another inorganic solvent, an organic solvent, a solution, a liquid resin, or a liquid metal (molten metal) and having a relatively high or low viscosity are also included in the "liquid". In addition, not only a liquid as one state of a substance, but also a substance in which particles of a functional material composed of a solid material such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, or the like is included in the "liquid". Further, as a representative example of the liquid, ink, liquid crystal, or the like as described in the above embodiment can be given. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general aqueous ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

C. Other modes are as follows:

the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, the technical features of the embodiments described below, which correspond to the technical features of the respective embodiments, may be appropriately replaced or combined. Note that, if this feature is not described as an essential feature in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container is characterized by comprising: a bag which is flexible and contains a liquid therein; a liquid lead-out member attached to one end of the bag and including a liquid lead-out portion for leading out the liquid in the bag to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a spacer member disposed within the pocket; and a filter unit disposed between the liquid lead-out member and the spacer member in the bag, the filter unit supplying the liquid to the liquid lead-out member via a filter, the liquid lead-out member, the filter unit, and the spacer member being arranged in a horizontal direction in a use state of the liquid container.

According to this aspect, since the filter unit is provided in the bag and the liquid is led out from the liquid lead-out portion to the liquid ejecting apparatus via the filter provided in the filter unit, it is possible to suppress inflow of foreign matter from the liquid container into the liquid ejecting apparatus.

(2) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter unit may include: a filter chamber which communicates with the liquid lead-out portion and has the filter; and a decompression chamber which is disposed adjacent to the filter chamber and has a decompressed interior. According to this aspect, even when bubbles exist in the filter chamber, the bubbles can be captured by the decompression chamber.

(3) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the decompression chamber may have a decompression chamber film welded to an opening of the decompression chamber in a decompressed atmosphere. In this manner, the decompression chamber can be easily formed.

(4) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the liquid container may include a connecting member that connects the partition member and the filter unit, and the decompression chamber film may be welded to at least a part of the connecting member. In this manner, the spacer member can be stably arranged in the bag.

(5) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter chamber may have a filter chamber membrane welded to an opening of the filter chamber, the liquid container may include a connecting member that connects the partition member and the filter unit, and the filter chamber membrane may be welded to at least a part of the connecting member. In this manner, the spacer member can be stably arranged in the bag.

(6) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, a wall defining the filter chamber on the side of the liquid lead-out member may be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion faces upward and the partition member faces downward. In this manner, the bubbles in the filter chamber are easily moved upward in the upright state. Therefore, bubbles are easily discharged at the time of manufacturing the liquid container.

(7) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the filter unit may be attached to the liquid lead-out member by pressing a convex portion formed on the liquid lead-out member into a concave portion formed on the filter unit, and at least a part of the liquid lead-out member and at least a part of the filter unit may be welded to the bag. In this manner, the filter unit can be stably arranged in the bag.

(8) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the liquid lead-out portion may be provided with a rib inclined with respect to a horizontal direction on an outer surface of the filter unit in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion faces upward and the partition member faces downward. In this manner, the bubbles in the bag can easily move upward. Therefore, bubbles are easily discharged at the time of manufacturing the liquid container.

(9) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, a gap may be provided between the liquid lead-out member and the filter unit. In this manner, the bubbles in the bag are easily moved through the gap. Therefore, bubbles are easily discharged at the time of manufacturing the liquid container.

(10) In the liquid container according to the above aspect, the partition member may have an inlet port for introducing the liquid in the bag, and the liquid container may include a liquid outlet pipe for communicating the inlet port with the filter unit. In this manner, the liquid around the spacer member can be efficiently guided from the liquid guide portion to the liquid ejecting apparatus.

(11) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing the liquid container according to the above aspect. The manufacturing method is characterized by comprising the following steps: preparing the bag; a step of attaching the partition member and the liquid lead-out member to the filter unit; a step of sealing the filter unit, the spacer member, and the liquid lead-out member in the bag; injecting the liquid into the bag through the liquid lead-out portion in an upright state in which the liquid lead-out portion is directed upward and the partition member is directed downward; and sucking a part of the liquid injected into the bag from the liquid lead-out portion in the standing state. According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the air bubbles from remaining in the liquid container.

The present disclosure is not limited to the liquid container and the method of manufacturing the same described above, and can be implemented in various forms such as a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid ejecting system.