Abstract:
An adapter is mountable to a liquid consumption apparatus to connect an external source of liquid to the liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid consumption apparatus includes a liquid intake portion for taking liquid into the liquid consumption apparatus and a liquid catcher for catching inadvertently spilled or sprayed liquid, the liquid catcher being provided below the liquid intake portion. The adapter includes a liquid supply portion and an accommodation portion. The liquid supply portion is configured to connect to the liquid intake portion to supply the liquid from the external source to the liquid intake portion. The accommodation portion is located below the liquid supply portion. In a state where the adapter is attached to the liquid consumption apparatus, the accommodation portion accommodates at least a part of the liquid catcher.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/736,433 filed on Jan. 8, 2013. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-022822 filed on Feb. 6, 2012, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-005347 filed on Jan. 13, 2012, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-013238 filed on Jan. 25, 2012. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/736,433 and Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2012-022822, 2012-005347 and 2012-013238 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a liquid consumption apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, a print apparatus that uses ink as a print material has mounted therein a cartridge in the interior of which the ink is accommodated. In such a print apparatus, in a case where the cartridge is removed from the print apparatus, there have conventionally been some cases where the ink may leak from a connecting portion that connects the print apparatus and the cartridge together. In order to cope with such ink leakage, for example, the ink tank unit set forth in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-178544 has a re-absorption member for absorbing ink that has leaked out, the re-absorption member being provided to a joint mouth adapted for ink to be supplied to a recording head of the print apparatus. The ink cartridge set forth in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-158906 has an ink collection space for preventing ink dripping, the ink collection space being provided to a supply cap of an ink supply mechanism for supplying ink to a print apparatus. In the printer set forth in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-82292, ink that leaks out from a removal port of an ink cartridge is absorbed by an exposed section of an absorber body provided to a print apparatus side so as to be in contact with the removal port. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    However, the technologies set forth in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-178544 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-158906 are technologies for preventing ink dripping on the cartridge side, and thus fail to take into account ink dripping from the print apparatus side. Also, in the technology set forth in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-82292, there is a possibility that a case where ink has already been absorbed by the exposed section of the absorber body will result in the ink sticking around the vicinity of the removal port of the ink cartridge. For this reason, there has been a need for a technique that makes it possible to more favorably cope with ink dripping during removal of the cartridge. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an adapter is mountable to a liquid consumption apparatus to connect an external source of liquid to the liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid consumption apparatus includes a liquid intake portion for taking liquid into the liquid consumption apparatus and a liquid catcher for catching inadvertently spilled or sprayed liquid, the liquid catcher being provided below the liquid intake portion. The adapter includes a liquid supply portion and an accommodation portion. The liquid supply portion is configured to connect to the liquid intake portion to supply the liquid from the external source to the liquid intake portion. The accommodation portion is located below the liquid supply portion. In a state where the adapter is attached to the liquid consumption apparatus, the accommodation portion accommodates at least a part of the liquid catcher. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet-type print apparatus serving as one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a detailed external perspective view of a cartridge holder; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an external perspective view of a cartridge; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure of a cartridge holder; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of an ink delivery mechanism; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a state where a cartridge has been brought into contact with an ink delivery mechanism; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an ink accepting member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a ZY cross-sectional view at a connecting portion connecting an ink delivery mechanism and a cartridge when the cartridge has been mounted to a cartridge holder; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a ZY cross-sectional view at a connecting portion connecting an ink delivery mechanism and a cartridge when the cartridge is removed from a cartridge holder; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a ZY cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a collecting pan when a cartridge is removed from a cartridge holder; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of an ink supply system serving as a modification example of a cartridge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet-type print apparatus serving as one embodiment of the present invention. X-, Y- and Z-axes, which are orthogonal to each other, are drawn in  FIG. 1 . The X-, Y-, and Z-axes in  FIG. 1  correspond to the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the other drawings. Drawings illustrated hereinbelow have also been labeled with X-, Y-, and Z-axes as needed. In the present embodiment, in a posture of use of a print apparatus  10 , the Z-axis is the vertical direction (the direction of gravity), the Y-axis is the direction of attachment/removal of a cartridge  40  with respect to a cartridge holder  60 , and the X-axis is a direction in which a plurality of the cartridges  40  are arranged side by side. More specifically, the +Z-axis direction is the vertically upward direction, the −Z-axis direction is the vertically downward direction, the +Y-axis direction is the direction in which the cartridge  40  is pulled out, the −Y-axis direction is the direction in which the cartridge  40  is inserted, the +X-axis direction is the direction of the side where a predetermined label LB (see  FIG. 4 ) is pasted onto the cartridge  40 , and the −X-axis direction is the direction of the back surface thereof. Hereinbelow, in some cases, the +Z-axis direction is called “up”/“above”, the −Z-axis direction is called “down”/“below”, the +Y-axis direction is called “front”/“forward”, and the −Y-axis direction is called “back”/“rear”. The Z-axis direction is also a direction in which an ink delivery needle  730  and a terminal  712  which are illustrated in  FIG. 6  are arranged side by side. The +Z-axis direction is a direction toward the terminal  712  from the ink delivery needle  730 , and the −Z-axis direction is the direction opposite thereto. 
         [0022]    The print apparatus  10 , serving as a liquid consumption apparatus, is shaped to have a substantially box-shaped external appearance. A front surface cover  11  is provided to substantially the middle of the front of the printer  10 , and a plurality of operation buttons  15  are provided on a +X-axis direction side thereof. The front surface cover  11  is pivotally supported at the lower end side, and when the upper end side is brought down forward, a paper discharge port  12  from which print paper is discharged appears. A paper feed tray (not shown) is also provided to a rear surface side of the print apparatus  10 . When the print paper is set up in the paper feed tray and the operation buttons  15  are operated, the print paper is fed from the paper feed tray, an image or the like is printed onto the surface in the interior, and thereafter the print paper is discharged from the paper discharge port  12 . 
         [0023]    An upper surface cover  14  is provided to the upper surface side of the print apparatus  10 . The upper surface cover  14  is pivotally supported at the back; when the front side is lifted upward to open the upper surface cover  14 , it is possible either to check the state of the interior of the print apparatus  10  or to make repairs and the like for the print apparatus  10 . 
         [0024]    A spray head  20  for forming an ink jet onto the print paper while moving reciprocatingly in a main scanning direction is built into the interior of the print apparatus  10 , as is a drive mechanism  30  for reciprocatingly moving the spray head  20 . A plurality of spray nozzles are provided to a bottom surface side of the spray head  20  (a side facing the print paper), and ink is sprayed from the spray nozzles toward the print paper. 
         [0025]    The ink sprayed from the spray nozzles is accommodated in the cartridges  40 . The cartridges  40  are loaded into a cartridge holder  60  provided to a position separate from the spray head  20 . The ink inside the cartridges  40  is supplied to the spray head  20  via ink tubes  24 . In the print apparatus  10  of the present embodiment, a cover  13  for cartridge replacement is provided to the right of the front surface cover  11 , the cover for cartridge replacement being pivotally supported at the lower end side. By bringing the upper end side of the cover  13  for cartridge replacement down forward, it is possible to mount the cartridges  40  into the cartridge holder  40  or detach same therefrom. The cartridges  40  are equivalent to the “liquid supply member” of the present application. 
         [0026]    The print apparatus  10  is able to use four types of ink, namely, cyan-colored, magenta-colored, yellow-colored, and black-colored ink, to print a color image. Spray nozzles are provided to the spray head  20  for every type of ink. Ink inside a corresponding cartridge  40  is supplied to the respective spray nozzle via an ink tube  24  provided for every type of ink. In the present embodiment, the print apparatus  10  uses four types of ink to carry out printing, but five or more types or three or fewer types of ink may also be used to carry out printing. 
         [0027]    A drive mechanism  30  for reciprocatingly moving the spray head  20  is provided with a timing belt  32  on the inside of which a plurality of tooth marks are formed, a drive motor  34  for driving the timing belt  32 , and the like. A part of the timing belt  32  is fixed to the spray head  20 . When the timing belt  32  is driven, the spray head  20  is reciprocatingly moved in the main scanning direction while being guided by a guide rail (not shown) provided so as to extend in the main scanning direction. 
         [0028]    A region called the “home position” is provided to a position outside a print region where the spray head  20  is moved in the main scanning direction. A maintenance mechanism is loaded in at the home position. The maintenance mechanism is provided with: a cap  80  which is pressed up against a surface (a nozzle surface) on the base surface side of the spray head  20  where the spray nozzles are formed, thus forming an enclosed space so as to surround the spray nozzles; a vertical motion mechanism (not shown) for vertically moving the cap  80  in order to press same up against the nozzle surface of the spray head  20 ; a suction pump (not shown) for delivering a negative pressure to the enclosed space formed by the cap  80  being pressed up against the nozzle surface of the spray head  20 ; and the like. 
         [0029]    Also loaded into the interior of the print apparatus  10  are a paper issuing mechanism (not shown) for issuing forth the print paper, and a control unit  16  for controlling the operation of the entirety of the print apparatus  10 . The control unit  16  is provided with a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The operation for reciprocatingly driving the spray head  20 , the operation for issuing forth the print paper, the operation for spraying the ink from the spray nozzles, the operation for implementing maintenance so as to enable normal printing, and the like are all controlled by the control unit  16 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a detailed external perspective view of the cartridge holder  60 . Slots  61  into which the cartridges  40  are inserted from the +Y-axis direction toward the −Y-axis direction are provided to the cartridge holder  60 . A guide groove  62  is provided to the slot  61  for every cartridge  40 , on the surface of the +Z-axis direction side (the upper surface) and the surface of the −Z-axis direction side (the base surface), along the Y-axis direction. Rail sections  413 ,  414  ( FIG. 3 ) provided to the surface of the +Z-axis direction side (the upper surface) and the surface of the −Z-axis direction side (the base surface) of the cartridges  40 , respectively, slide while fitted into each of the guide grooves  62  during the loading of the cartridges  40 . 
         [0031]    Fixing levers  63  for fixing the cartridges  40  are provided for every cartridge  40  to an upper part of the entrance of the slot  61 . The fixing levers  63 , when slid in the −Z-axis direction, fit into a handle  47  ( FIG. 3 ) of the cartridges  40 , thus regulating the movement of the cartridges  40  in the +Y-axis direction. 
         [0032]    Pump units  7  for sucking the ink from the cartridges  40  are provided for every cartridge  40  to a −Y-axis direction end part of the cartridge holder  60 . A pump drive motor  8  for driving the pump units  7  is connected to each of the pump units  7 . The ink sucked in by the pump units  7  is supplied to the spray head  20  through the ink tubes  24 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is an external perspective view of a cartridge  40 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge  40 . The cartridge  40  is provided with a case member  41 , a covering member  42 , a flexible ink pack  43 , and a liquid flow passage member  44 . 
         [0034]    The case member  41  is provided with a right case  411  and a left case  412 . A handle or grip  415  is provided to an end part of the case member  41  in the +Y-axis direction. A label LB is pasted onto the surface of the right case  411  on the +X-axis direction side. The rail sections  413 ,  414  are formed on the case member  41 , on the surface in the +Z-axis direction and the surface in the −Z-axis direction, along the Y-axis direction. The rail sections  413 ,  414  are fitted into the guide groove  62  of the cartridge holder  60  illustrated in  FIG. 2  when the cartridge  40  is being mounted into the cartridge holder  60 . 
         [0035]    The liquid flow passage member  44  is a member for supplying ink with which the ink pack  43  is filled to the print apparatus  10 . The liquid flow passage member  44  is fixed to an opening section in the −Y-axis direction of the ink pack  43 , which is formed in a pouch shape. The liquid flow passage member  44  is accommodated in the interior of the covering member  42  when the covering member  42  has been attached to the opening section of the −Y-axis direction end part of the case member  41 . The ink pack  43  is accommodated between the right case  411  and the left case  412 , which constitute the case member  41 . 
         [0036]    An ink filling port  441 , an ink supply pipe  443 , and an ink detection chamber  442  are arranged in the stated order toward the −Z-axis direction from the end part in the +Z-axis direction on the surface of the −Y-axis direction side of the liquid flow passage member  44  (the surface opposite to the ink pack  43 ). The ink supply pipe  443  is equivalent to the “liquid supply unit” of the present application. The ink filling port  441 , which is in communication with the interior of the ink pack  43 , is provided in order for the inside of the ink pack  43  to be filled with ink. After the inside of the ink pack  43  is filled with ink that has passed through the ink filling port  441 , the ink filling port  441  is sealed. 
         [0037]    The ink detection chamber  442 , which communicates with the interior of the ink pack  43 , is used in order to detect the state of ink remaining inside the ink pack  43 . A flexible film member  491  is provided to the surface on the −Y-axis direction side of the ink detection chamber  442 . A spring  493  is disposed between the film member  491  and a base surface of the ink detection chamber  442  (the inside of the +Y-axis direction side), with a pressure-accepting member  494  interposed therebetween. Ink flows into the ink detection chamber from inside the ink pack  43  by passing through a check valve  492 . A plate-shaped sensor lever  495  is disposed on the −Y-axis direction side of the film member  491 . An end part of the sensor lever  495  in the -Z-axis direction is rotatably fixed to the liquid film passage member  44 . A contact section  496  is provided to the front surface on the −Y-axis direction side of the end part of the sensor lever  495  in the +Z-axis direction. An end part in the +Y-axis direction of a rod member  720  ( FIG. 6 ) provided on the print apparatus  10  side abuts against the contact section  496  by passing through a sensor hole  423  provided to the covering member  42 . In a case where, for example, a predetermined amount of ink or more is present in the ink pack  43 , then the combined sum of the pressure of the ink inside the ink detection chamber  44  (the pressure inside the ink pack) and the force of the spring  493  is greater than the pressing force of the rod member  720  in the +Y-axis direction. For this reason, the film member  491 , the sensor lever  495 , and the rod member  720  are displaced in the −Y-axis direction. On the other hand, in a case where there is less than the predetermined amount of ink (a case of the end of the ink), the combined sum of the pressure of the ink inside the ink detection chamber  44  (the pressure inside the ink pack) and the force of the spring  493  is less than the pressing force of the rod member  720  in the +Y-axis direction. For this reason, the film member  491 , the sensor lever  495 , and the rod member  720  are displaced in the +Y-axis direction. 
         [0038]    The ink supply pipe  443  is used in order to supply the ink to the print apparatus  10 . The ink supply pipe  443  is in communication with the ink detection chamber  442  by a flow passage formed in the interior of the liquid flow passage member  44 . For this reason, ink passes through the ink detection chamber  442  from inside the ink pack  43  and into the ink supply pipe  443 . In the present embodiment, the cartridge  40  is provided with the ink detection chamber  442 , but the configuration need not be provided with the ink detection chamber  442 . In such a case, the ink supply pipe  443  would be in direct communication with the inside of the ink pack  43 . 
         [0039]    A base plate  50 , a supply pipe hole  421 , and the sensor hole  423  are arranged on the covering member  42  in the stated order toward the −Z-axis direction from the end part in the +Z-axis direction, on an abutting surface  425  on the −Y-axis direction side that abuts against the print apparatus  10  side. The supply pipe hole  421  is equivalent to the “indent” of the present application. 
         [0040]    The base plate  50  is attached to a recess  424  provided to the end part of the covering member  42  in the +Z-axis direction, so as to face upward at an incline. A memory device (not shown) is installed on the back surface of the base plate  50  (the surface on the +Y-axis direction side). A plurality of terminals  51  ( FIG. 3 ) electrically connected to the memory device are provided to the front surface of the base plate  50  (the surface on the −Y-axis direction side). When the cartridge  40  is mounted onto the cartridge holder  60 , a terminal  712  ( FIG. 6 ) on the print apparatus  10  side provided to the cartridge holder  60  comes into contact with the terminals  51  of the front surface of the base plate  50 . In so doing, the control unit  16  of the print apparatus  10  is then able to access the memory device provided to the cartridge  40 . 
         [0041]    The ink supply pipe  443  provided to the liquid flow passage member  44  is exposed to the inside of the supply pipe hole  421 . The supply pipe hole  421  is indented toward the +Y-axis direction, and has a predetermined depth. An inner wall below (in the −Z-axis direction of) the supply pipe hole  421  is inclined so as to rise in the +Z-axis direction while proceeding in the +Y-axis direction from the −Y-axis direction. To offer a different description, the inner wall below (in the −Z-axis direction of) the supply pipe hole  421  is inclined so as to go down in the −Z-axis direction while proceeding in the −Y-axis direction from the +Y-axis direction. The supply pipe hole  421  is positioned vertically above the contact section  496  of the sensor lever  495 . 
         [0042]    The rod member  720  ( FIG. 6 ) provided to the print apparatus  10  is inserted into the sensor hole  423 . As described above, the end part of the rod member  720  in the +Y-axis direction abuts against the contact section  406  of the sensor lever  495  provided to the liquid flow passage member  44  by passing through the sensor hole  423  when the cartridge  40  is mounted onto the cartridge holder  60 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the cartridge holder  60 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the condition when an upper covering  64  and side plates  65 ,  66  of the cartridge holder  60  have been removed, as seen from the perspective view illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an ink delivery mechanism  70  is erected for every cartridge  40  in the interior of the cartridge holder  60 , so as to be adjacent to the end part in the −Y-axis direction of the guide groove  62  provided on a bottom plate  67 . The pump units  7  are connected to each of the ink delivery mechanisms  70 . An ink absorption member  69  is disposed at a bottom part of the ink delivery mechanisms  70 . The ink absorption member  69  is equivalent to the “first absorbent material” of the present application. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a detailed view of the ink delivery mechanism  70 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a state where the cartridge  40  has been connected to the ink delivery mechanism  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the ink delivery mechanism  70  is provided with a base plate contact section  710 , the rod member  720 , the ink delivery needle  730 , and an ink accepting member  740 . The ink delivery needle  730  is equivalent to the “liquid delivery unit” of the present application. 
         [0045]    The base plate contact section  710  is provided to the end part of the ink delivery mechanism  70  in the +Z-axis direction. The base plate contact section  710  has the terminal  712 , which is in electrical contact with the terminal  51  on the base plate  50  provided to the cartridge  40  when the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60  (see  FIG. 7 ). A connector  714  is provided to the back surface side of the terminal  712 . The connector  714  is connected to the control unit  16  through a predetermined cable. 
         [0046]    The rod member  720  is provided to substantially the middle part of the ink delivery mechanism  70  in the Z-axis direction. The end part of the rod member  720  in the +Y-axis direction is inserted into the sensor hole  423  and comes into contact with the sensor lever  495 , which is provided to an ink supply member  480 , when the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60 . The end part of the rod member  720  on the −Y-axis direction side is positioned on the inside of the ink delivery mechanism  70 , and the position thereof is detected by a photo sensor  760  ( FIGS. 9 ,  10 ) provided to the inside of the ink delivery mechanism  70 . The control unit  16  detects the state of ink remaining inside the cartridge  40  in accordance with a change in the position of the end part of the rod member  720  in the −Y-axis direction, as detected by the photo sensor  760 . 
         [0047]    The ink delivery needle  730  is provided between the base plate contact section  710  and the rod member  720 , in the Z-axis direction. The ink delivery needle  730  is inserted into (connected to) the ink supply pipe  443  provided to the cartridge  40  when the cartridge  40  is mounted into the cartridge holder  60 . An ink delivery port  731  is provided to a lower part of a distal end of the ink delivery needle  730  (the end part in the +Y-axis direction) ( FIG. 11 ). The ink inside the cartridge  40  is delivered to the print apparatus  10  by passing through the ink delivery port  731 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the ink accepting member  740 .  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  8 E, and  8 F illustrate the surface of the +Y-axis direction side, the surface of the −Y-axis direction side, the surface of the +X-axis direction side, the surface of the −X-axis direction side, the surface of the +Z-axis direction side, and the surface of the −Z-axis direction side, respectively, of the ink accepting member  740 . 
         [0049]    The ink accepting member  740  has a substantially circular abutting section  741 , a collecting pan  742 , and a gutter member  743 , which are integrally formed together to thereby constitute the ink accepting member. An opening  744  spanning a position of (the end part in the −Y-axis direction) of a proximal end of the accepting pan  742 , from the center of the abutting section  741  toward the −Z-axis direction, is provided to the abutting section  741 . The ink delivery needle  730  protrudes out from the opening  744  ( FIG. 6 ). The accepting pan  742  is provided to a bottom part of the opening  744  on the +Y-axis direction side of the abutting section  741 . The gutter member  743 , which extends downward from the abutting section  741 , is provided to the bottom part of the abutting section  741 . The gutter member  743  is bent toward the −X-axis direction side, in order to avoid the rod member  720  which is positioned below the ink delivery needle  730 . The surface of the −Y-axis direction side of the gutter member  743  is opened, and the XY cross-section thereof has the shape of the letter “U”. In the present embodiment the back surfaces of the abutting section  741  and the gutter member  743  (the surfaces of the −Y-axis direction sides) are opened, but may also be closed off by a covering or the like so that the interior becomes a hollow. The accepting pan  742  is equivalent to the “liquid accepting unit” of the present application. 
         [0050]    A flat, substantially circular ink absorbent material is disposed on the surface of the −Y-axis direction side of the abutting section  741 . The ink absorbent material  745  is equivalent to the “second absorbent material” of the present application. 
         [0051]    An opening  746  is provided to the middle of the ink absorbent material  745 , and a tongue-shaped wiping part  747  is formed on a bottom part of the opening  746 . The wiping part  747  is in contact with the bottom part of the ink delivery needle  730  and wipes off ink sticking to the bottom part of the ink delivery needle  730 . The wiping part  747  is positioned closer to the −Y-axis direction side than the ink delivery port  731  of the ink delivery needle  730 , so as not to come into contact with the ink delivery port  731 . The bottom part of the ink absorbent material  745  is in contact with the inner wall of the proximal end (the end part of the −Y-axis direction) of the accepting pan  742 . The ink that is wiped off by the wiping part  747  follows the gutter member  743  and is absorbed by the ink absorbent material  69  disposed on the bottom part of the ink delivery mechanism  70 . 
         [0052]    The width of the accepting pan  742  in the X-axis direction gradually increases going toward the −Y-axis direction side from the +Y-axis direction side when seen from the upper surface (+Z-axis direction) side, as is illustrated in  FIG. 8E . As is illustrated in  FIGS. 8C and 8D , the inner wall of the bottom section of the accepting pan  742  is configured so as to descend vertically downward (in the −Z-axis direction) going toward the −Y-axis direction from the +Y-axis direction. The accepting pan  742  is entered into the supply pipe hole  421  provided to the covering member  42  of the cartridge  40  ( FIG. 11 ) when the cartridge  40  is being mounted into the cartridge holder  60 . For this reason, the incline of the bottom part of the supply pipe hole  421  and the incline of the bottom part of the accepting pan  742  are shaped so as to be substantially analogous. When the accepting pan  742  is inserted into the supply pipe hole  421 , the accepting pan  742  is disposed below the end surface of the ink supply pipe  443  in the −Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the width of the accepting pan  742  in the X-axis direction gradually increases going toward the −Y-axis direction side from the +Y-axis direction side when seen from the upper surface (+Z-axis direction) side, as is illustrated in  FIG. 8E , but the width in the X-direction may also be uniform across the Y-axis direction.  100511  The ink accepting member  740  is attached to the ink delivery mechanism  70  with a spring  750  interposed therebetween. The spring  750  is equivalent to the “urging member” of the present application. The ink accepting member  740  is urged in the +Y-axis direction by the spring  750  when in a state where the cartridge  40  has been attached to the cartridge holder  60 . The position of attachment of the ink accepting member  740  in the Y-axis direction in the state where the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60  is positioned by a hook  749  of the distal end of an arm part  748  ( FIG. 8 ) provided to the surface of the −Y-axis direction side of the ink accepting member  740  so as to face the −Y-axis direction, the hook locking into a predetermined engagement part of the ink delivery mechanism  70 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is a ZY cross-sectional view at a connecting portion connecting the ink delivery mechanism  70  and the cartridge  40  when the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60 .  FIG. 10  is a ZY cross-sectional view at the connecting portion connecting the ink delivery mechanism  70  and the cartridge  40  when the cartridge  40  is removed from the cartridge holder  60 .  FIG. 11  is a ZY cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the accepting pan  742  when the cartridge  40  is removed from the cartridge holder  60 . 
         [0054]    In a case where, as is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60 , then the abutting section  741  of the ink accepting member  740  abuts against the abutting surface  425  of the covering member  42  of the cartridge  40 , and the entirety of the ink accepting member  740  is urged toward the −Y-axis direction side (the ink delivery mechanism  70  side) by the cartridge  40 . In this state, the ink delivery needle  730  protrudes relatively outward in the +Y-axis direction from the abutting section  741 , and is inserted deep into the ink supply pipe  443  of the cartridge  40 . 
         [0055]    When, as is illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the cartridge  40  is removed from the cartridge holder  60 , the abutting section  741  of the ink accepting member  740  is urged in the +Y-axis direction by the spring  750  simultaneously with the ink delivery needle  730  being pulled out from the ink supply tube  443 . For this reason, the accepting pan  742  moves in the +Y-axis direction so as to follow the movement of the cartridge  40 . The position of the ink delivery needle  730  is fixed to the ink delivery mechanism  70 , and therefore the distal end (the end part in the +Y-axis direction) of the accepting pan  742  will move so as to draw apart toward the +Y-axis direction side from the ink delivery port  731 . 
         [0056]    When, as is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the distal end of the accepting pan  742  moves so as to draw apart toward the +Y-axis direction side from the ink delivery port  731 , then it is possible for the accepting pan  742  to easily catch ink dripping vertically downward from the ink delivery port  731  or ink sprayed vertically downward due to the residual pressure inside the ink delivery needle  730 . When the ink is caught by the accepting pan  742 , the ink passes through the inside of the opening  744  of the ink accepting member  740  ( FIG. 8 ) and the inside of the ink absorbent material and moves to the back surface (the surface in the −Y-axis direction) of the abutting section  741 , follows the gutter member  743 , and flows downward (in the −Z-axis direction). The ink that has flowed through the gutter member  743  drips down from the end part below (in the −Z-axis direction of) the gutter member  743  into the ink absorbent material  69  ( FIG. 5 ) disposed within the bottom plate  67  of the cartridge holder  60 , and is absorbed by the ink absorbent material  69 . 
         [0057]    Thus, in the present embodiment, when the cartridge  40  has been mounted into the cartridge holder  60 , because the accepting pan  742  of the ink accepting member  740  is disposed vertically below the ink supply pipe  443  of the cartridge  40 , even in a case where ink dripping takes place when the cartridge  40  is removed, the dripping ink can be favorably caught and handled. Also, because the gutter member  743  is formed on the ink accepting member  740 , it is possible to reliably cause the ink absorbent material  69  to absorb the ink that has been caught by the accepting pan  74 . As a result, it is possible to curb sullying around the contact section between the ink delivery needle  730  and the ink supply pipe  443 . 
         [0058]    In the present embodiment, the accepting pan  742  is configured so that the inner wall of the bottom section descends vertically downward with respect to the mounting direction (−Y-axis direction) in which the cartridge  40  is mounted into the print apparatus  10 . For this reason, the ink that has been caught by the accepting pan  742  can be made to flow toward the print apparatus  10  side, i.e., toward the proximal end side of the accepting pan  742 , and thus it is possible to curb the leakage of ink from the distal end of the accepting pan  742 . Also, the accepting pan  742  is configured so that the width thereof in the X-axis direction widens going toward the −Y-axis direction, and can thus easily be entered into the supply pipe hole  421  provided to the abutting surface  425  of the cartridge  40 . 
         [0059]    In the present embodiment, during the removal of the cartridge  40 , the urging of the spring  750  causes the ink accepting member  740  to move toward the +Y-axis direction. For this reason, in association with this movement, the wiping part  747  of the ink absorbent material  745  attached to the ink accepting member  740  slides on the lower part of the ink delivery needle  730 , and wipes away ink that has stuck to the lower part of the ink delivery needle  730 . It is accordingly possible to curb sullying around the ink delivery needle  730  caused by the ink. 
         [0060]    In the present embodiment, because the accepting pan  742  is disposed vertically above the rod member  720 , it is possible to curb sticking of the ink to the rod member  720 , which moves along the Y-axis direction. It is accordingly possible to prevent the rod member  720  from sticking fast due to the sticking of the ink. 
         [0061]    Further, in the present embodiment, the wiping part  747  for wiping on the ink delivery needle  730  is disposed so as to be positioned closer to the −Y-axis direction side than the ink delivery port  731 , which is provided to the lower part of the ink delivery needle  730 , even in a case where the abutting section  741  has moved as far as possible in the +Y-axis direction. For this reason, even though waste may be generated from the wiping part  747 , blocking off of the ink delivery port  731  by the waste is curbed. It is accordingly possible to prevent impurities from flowing into the print apparatus  10  during suction of the ink from the cartridge  40 . 
         [0062]    One embodiment of the present invention has been described above; however, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment of such description, and can be implemented in a variety of modes within a scope not departing from the spirit thereof. For example, modifications such as the following are possible. 
       First Modification Example 
       [0063]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of an ink supply system  400  serving as a modification example of the cartridge  40 . In the embodiment described above, the cartridge  40  was used to supply the ink to the print apparatus  10 . By contrast, in the present modification example, the ink is supplied to the print apparatus  10  from a large-capacity ink tank  410 . The ink supply system  400  is provided with the covering member  42 , the liquid flow passage member  44 , and the ink tank  410  which serves as a liquid storage unit. The covering member  42  and the liquid flow passage member  44  are identical to those in the embodiment described above. The ink tank  410  and the liquid flow passage member  44  are connected together via a tube  430 . The ink tank  410  is filled with the ink, and the ink passes through the tube  430  and flows into the ink detection chamber  442  of the liquid flow passage member  44 . In the present modification example, the ink detection chamber  442  is not essential; rather, the tube  430  may be connected directly to the ink supply tube  443 . 
         [0064]    In the present modification example, the covering member  42  and the liquid flow passage member  44  function as an adapter  420  for supplying ink to the print apparatus  10  from the ink tank  410 . For this reason, when the adapter  420  is mounted into the cartridge holder  60  of the print apparatus  10 , it is possible for a large amount of ink to be supplied to the print apparatus  10  from the high-capacity ink tank  410 . Further, in the present modification example, because the liquid flow passage member  44  and the ink tank  410  are connected together by the tube  430 , the print apparatus  10  and the ink tank  410  can be disposed as separate locations. 
         [0065]    In the present modification example, the covering member  42  was understood to be identical to that in the embodiment described above, but in order to facilitate mounting onto the slot  61 , a box-shaped member may also be connected to the end part of the covering member  42  in the +Y-axis direction. Also, the covering member  42  itself may be extended in the +Y-axis direction. 
       Second Modification Example 
       [0066]    In the embodiment described above, the ink accepting member  740  was moved toward the +Y-axis direction by the urging of the spring  750  during the removal of the cartridge  40 . By contrast, the spring  750  may be omitted, the ink accept member  740  then being fixed to the ink delivery mechanism  70  so as not to move. The rod member  720  and/or the ink detection chamber  442  may also be omitted. In addition, the gutter member  743  may be formed of, for example, a tube. 
       Third Modification Example 
       [0067]    The present invention is not limited to a print apparatus or cartridge, and can also be applied to any desired liquid spray apparatus for spraying a liquid other thank ink, as well as to a liquid accommodation container therefor. For example, the present invention can be applied to a variety of liquid spray apparatuses and liquid accommodation containers therefor as follows. 
         [0068]    (1) An image recording apparatus, such as a facsimile 
         [0069]    (2) A color material spray apparatus used to produce a color filter for an image display device, such as a liquid crystal display 
         [0070]    (3) An electrode material spray apparatus used to form an electrode such as for an organic electroluminescence (EL) display or a field emission display (FED) 
         [0071]    (4) A liquid spray apparatus for spraying a liquid including a bio-organic material used to produce a bio-chip 
         [0072]    (5) A sample spray apparatus that serves as a precision pipette 
         [0073]    (6) An apparatus for spraying lubricating oil 
         [0074]    (7) An apparatus for spraying a resin solution 
         [0075]    (8) A liquid spray apparatus for spraying lubricating oil at pinpoints onto precision machinery of a timepiece, camera, or the like 
         [0076]    (9) A liquid spray apparatus for spraying a substrate with a transparent resin solution, such as an ultraviolet-ray-curable resin solution, in order to form a hemispherical microlens (an optical lens) or the like to be used in an optical communication element or the like 
         [0077]    (10) A liquid spray apparatus for spraying an acidic or alkaline etching solution in order to etch a substrate or the like 
         [0078]    (11) A liquid spray apparatus provided with a liquid spray head for ejecting small amounts of liquid droplets of any desired liquid 
         [0079]    The phrase “liquid droplets” refers to the state of a liquid that is ejected from a liquid spray apparatus, and is understood to also include a liquid that leaves a particulate, tear-shaped, or filamentous trail. The phrase “liquid” as stated herein should be such a material that the liquid spray apparatus is able to spray the material. 
         [0080]    For example, the “liquid” should be a material that is in a state when a substance is a liquid phase, and the phrase “liquid” also includes highly- or poorly-viscous liquid-state materials, as well as sols, gel waters, and other such liquid-state materials as inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid-state resins, and liquid-state metals (metallic melts). The phrase “liquid” also includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance, but also particles of functional materials made from solids, such as pigments or metal particles, that have been dissolved, dispersed, or mixed into a solution, and the like. Representative examples of liquids include ink, as was described in the embodiment above, as well as liquid crystal and the like. Herein, the term “ink” comprises a variety of compositions in the form of a liquid, such as general water-soluble ink and oil-soluble ink as well as gel ink, hot melt ink, and the like 
         [0081]    According to the embodiment, a liquid consumption apparatus, onto which a liquid supply member is mounted, includes a liquid delivery unit, a liquid accepting unit and an abutting section. The liquid delivery unit is configured to deliver a liquid from the liquid supply member. The liquid accepting unit is provided below the liquid delivery unit. The abutting section abuts against the liquid supply member. The liquid accepting unit is provided to the abutting section. In a state where the abutting section and the liquid supply member abut against each other, the liquid accepting unit protrudes out closer toward the liquid supply member than a surface where the liquid supply member and the abutting section abut against each other. 
         [0082]    According to the configuration of such description, even though liquid may leak out from a connecting portion connecting the liquid supply member and the liquid delivery unit, it is possible for the liquid to be caught by the liquid accepting unit, which is provided vertically below the liquid delivery unit, and to be guided to the first absorbent material. It is accordingly possible to more favorably cope with ink dripping during removal of the liquid supply member. 
         [0083]    The liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment is preferably further provided with a gutter member configured to guide the liquid from the liquid accepting unit toward the first absorbent material. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible for the liquid to be reliably guided toward the first absorbent material by the gutter member. 
         [0084]    In the liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid accepting unit is preferably configured such that an inner wall of a bottom section descends vertically downward with respect to a mounting direction in which the liquid supply member is mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. According to the configuration of such description, the liquid that has been caught by the liquid accepting unit can be made to flow toward the liquid consumption apparatus side. 
         [0085]    In the liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid accepting unit is preferably configured so that the width thereof becomes wider going in the mounting direction in which the liquid supply member is mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. According to the configuration of such description, the liquid accepting unit can be easily entered into the liquid supply member side. 
         [0086]    In the liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid consumption apparatus is preferably further provided with a rod member, one end of which abuts against a predetermined contact point provided to the liquid supply member and the other end of which is detected in the interior of the liquid consumption apparatus when the liquid supply member has been mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus; the liquid accepting unit being provided vertically above the rod member. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible to prevent the liquid from dripping onto the rod member and hindering movement of the rod member. 
         [0087]    In the liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid consumption apparatus is preferably further provided with an urging member configured to urge the liquid accepting unit in a direction opposite to the mounting direction in which the liquid supply member is mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus, when the liquid supply member is removed from the liquid delivery unit. 
         [0088]    In the liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, a second absorbent material configured to absorb the liquid is preferably provided so as to be in contact with the liquid delivery unit, closer than the delivery port in the mounting direction in which the liquid supply member is mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. 
         [0089]    According to the configuration of such description, it is possible to cause the liquid, which follows along the liquid delivery unit, to be absorbed by the second absorbent material. 
         [0090]    The liquid consumption apparatus as set forth in the above described embodiment, the second absorbent material is preferably in contact with the inner wall of the liquid accepting unit. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible for the liquid that has been caught by the liquid accepting unit to be temporarily absorbed by the second absorbent material. 
         [0091]    A liquid supply member according to the embodiment is mounted onto a liquid consumption apparatus, and the liquid supply member includes a liquid supply unit and a surface. The liquid supply unit is configured to supply a liquid to a liquid delivery unit provided to the liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid supply unit is connected to the liquid delivery unit. An indent is formed on the surface, in which at least a part of a liquid accepting unit provided vertically below the liquid delivery unit is accommodated when the liquid supply member has been mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. According to the configuration of such description, even though liquid may leak out from a connecting portion connecting the liquid supply unit and the liquid delivery unit, it is possible for the liquid to be caught by the liquid accepting unit, which is provided vertically below the liquid delivery unit. It is accordingly possible to more favorably cope with ink dripping during removal of the liquid supply member. 
         [0092]    In the liquid supply member as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid supply member is preferably further provided with a contact section against which abuts one end of a rod member provided to the liquid consumption apparatus, the position of the other end of the rod member being detected in the interior of the liquid consumption apparatus, when the liquid supply member has been mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. The indent is preferably provided so as to be positioned vertically above the contact section when the liquid supply member has been mounted onto the liquid consumption apparatus. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible to prevent the liquid from dripping onto the rod member and hindering displacement of the rod member. 
         [0093]    A liquid supply system according to the embodiment includes the liquid supply member as set forth in the above described embodiment, and a liquid storage unit configured to store the liquid being supplied to the liquid supply member. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible to increase the capacity of the liquid storage unit and thereby supply a large amount of the liquid to the liquid consumption apparatus. 
         [0094]    The liquid supply system as set forth in the above described embodiment, the liquid supply system is preferably further provided with a tube through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid supply member from the liquid storage unit. According to the configuration of such description, it is possible for the liquid supply unit to be disposed at a separate location from the liquid supply member. 
         [0095]    The present invention is not limited to being in the mode of the above-described liquid consumption apparatus, liquid supply member, and liquid supply system described above, but rather can also be implemented by a variety of other modes, such as, for example, a method for producing a liquid consumption apparatus or liquid supply member, methods for using same, or the like. 
       General Interpretation of Terms 
       [0096]    In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
         [0097]    While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.