Patent Publication Number: US-11396185-B2

Title: Liquid container

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-233823, filed Dec. 25, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to liquid containers. 
     2. Related Art 
     Ink jet printers that perform printing by consuming ink as a liquid are known as one form of liquid consuming apparatuses. The ink consumed by an ink jet printer is supplied from an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge has a supply port for supplying ink to the ink jet printer. As an ink supply needle provided on the ink jet printer is inserted into the supply port of the ink cartridge, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the ink jet printer. JP-A-2004-237746 discloses a configuration in which a seal member is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the supply port to thereby achieve sealing between the supply port and the ink supply needle. 
     Although sealing between the supply port and the ink supply needle can be ensured by providing the above seal member on the inner peripheral surface of the supply port, there have been cases where sealing between the ink cartridge and the ink supply needle becomes insufficient due to aging degradation of the seal member when the ink cartridge is not mounted on the ink jet printer and stocked for a long period of time. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure can be implemented in the following forms. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container includes: a liquid containing section that stores liquid; a supply port joined to the liquid containing section, the supply port having an opening for supplying the liquid to an outside; a seal member disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the opening of the supply port; a cap configured to be attached to a position where it covers the supply port, the cap having a tubular protruding portion extending from a cap opening formed at a center of the cap, the protruding portion having a length sufficient to be inserted into the opening of the supply port; and a fixation portion that fixes the cap to the supply port, wherein the tubular protruding portion has a shape that abuts the seal member disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the opening when the cap is fixed to the supply port by the fixation portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a configuration of a liquid container. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a liquid container. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a IV region of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a structure of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an inside and an outside of a cap. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an inside and an outside of a cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a state of a cap before it is attached to a supply port. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A. Configuration of Liquid Container  20   
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a configuration of a liquid container  20  used as an ink cartridge. In the following description, a direction extending in a longitudinal direction of the liquid container  20  is referred to as a front-back direction (Y axis direction). Specifically, a direction in which the Y axis arrow in the figure is oriented is a rear side, and the opposite direction is a front side. Further, a width direction of the liquid container  20 , which is perpendicular to the Y axis direction as the front-back direction is referred to as an X axis direction. The X axis direction is also referred to as a left-right direction. Specifically, a direction in which the X axis arrow is oriented is a left side, and the opposite direction is a right side. In addition, a direction perpendicular to both the Y axis direction and the X axis direction is referred to as a Z axis direction. The Z axis direction is a direction parallel to the gravitational direction in use of the liquid container  20 . The Z axis direction is also referred to as an up-down direction. Specifically, a direction in which the Z axis arrow is oriented is an upper side, and the opposite direction is a lower side. The same applies to the figures and the description thereafter. The X, Y, and Z axis directions indicated in the subsequent drawings correspond to the X, Y, and Z axis directions indicated in  FIG. 1 , respectively. An axis CA in  FIG. 1  indicates a center axis of the supply unit  60  of the liquid container  20 . The axis CA is parallel to the Y axis direction. A supply unit  60  will be described later. 
     The liquid container  20  is mounted on a liquid consuming apparatus. In the present embodiment, the liquid consuming apparatus is a printer. The printer is not shown in the drawings. The liquid container  20  contains ink as liquid to be supplied to the printer. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the liquid container  20  has a substantially cuboid outer shape. The liquid container  20  includes an outer casing  21 . The outer casing  21  is formed by combining left and right cases, a case  30  and a case  40 , which are two separable cases. In manufacturing of the liquid container  20 , a film member (not shown) is adhered to an opening of the left case  30  of the outer casing  21  to form a liquid containing section  22  for storing ink between the case  40  and the film member. Then, the right case  40  is fitted to the case  30 . In the present embodiment, the case  30  and the case  40  are fitted to each other by a claw and a groove formed on an end thereof. However, the case  30  and the case  40  can also be fixed and adhered to each other by using an adhesive. 
     The outer casing  21  is a hexahedron having a front end face of the liquid container  20  as a first surface  51 , a right side face continuous from the first surface  51  as a second surface  52 , a left side face continuous from the first surface  51  as a third surface  53 , and a top face as a fourth surface  54 . The second surface  52  and the third surface  53  are positioned to sandwich the first surface  51  and the fourth surface  54 . In this specification, the “surface” may not necessarily be a flat surface, but also be a curved surface, and may also have asperities, shoulders, grooves, bent portions, inclined surfaces, apertures, slits and the like. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the liquid container  20 . The first surface  51 , which is a side inserted when mounted on the printer, has a connecting section  51   a  that performs electrical connection to the printer, an ink pool  51   b  for preventing stains due to leaked ink, a supply unit  60  that supplies ink to the printer, a positioning portion  51   c  for positioning the liquid container  20  relative to the printer when attached to the printer, and an ink pool  51   d  for collecting leaked ink, which are arranged in descending order in the Z axis direction. The supply unit  60  will be detailed later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a rectangular first opening  52   a  is disposed on the second surface  52 . The first opening  52   a  is a through hole penetrating the second surface  52 . The first opening  52   a , when viewed from the right, is disposed at a position continuous to a recess  70 , which will be described later. Further, a second opening  53   a  is disposed on the third surface  53 . The second opening  53   a  is shown in  FIG. 3 , which will be described later. The second opening  53   a  is a through hole penetrating the third surface  53 . The second opening  53   a , when viewed from the left, is disposed at a position continuous to the recess  70  and the first opening  52   a . The functions of the first opening  52   a  and the second opening  53   a  will be described later. 
     A rail  54   a  is provided on the fourth surface  54 . The rail  54   a  is formed as a raised portion having a straight shape extending in a direction in which the liquid container  20  is inserted into the printer. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction into the printer is a direction parallel to the Y axis. The rail  54   a  has a function of guiding the movement direction of the liquid container  20  in attachment and detachment of the liquid container  20  to and from the printer. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 . For convenience of understanding, the second surface  52  is partially shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a IV region of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a structure of the supply unit  60 . As shown in the appearance view of  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 2 , the recess  70  is formed on the first surface  51  such that the supply unit  60  is formed therein. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a supply port forming portion  80  extends from a bottom  71  of the recess  70  in a direction of the axis CA. The supply port forming portion  80 , the recess  70 , and the opening  84  have a circular cross-section taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis CA. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a space sufficient for attachment of a cap  90 , which will be described later, is provided between the outer periphery of the supply port forming portion  80  and the inner wall of the recess  70 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the supply port forming portion  80  is formed as a hollow cylinder having an inner flow path  85 , and is provided with a supply port  82  on a distal end in the axis CA direction, that is, on the printer side end. The supply port  82  has an outer diameter d 1 , which is larger than an outer diameter d 2  of a proximal end of the supply port forming portion  80 . Accordingly, a shoulder  81  is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the supply port forming portion  80  at a position adjoining to the supply port  82 . The shoulder  81  functions as a fixation portion for fixing the cap  90  to the supply port  82 . Further, the supply port  82  has an inner diameter f 1 , which is larger than an inner diameter f 2  of the flow path  85 , and an inner shoulder  81   b  is formed. 
     The flow path  85  in the supply port forming portion  80  includes a valve mechanism  86  configured to open and close a path between the opening  84  that communicates with the liquid containing section  22  and allows ink to be supplied to the outside and the flow path  85 . The valve mechanism  86  includes a valve body  88  with a seal member  87  described later as a valve seat, and a spring  89  that biases the valve body  88  in a direction toward the opening  84 . 
     The seal member  87  made of a silicone rubber, which serves as a valve seat for receiving the valve body  88 , is inserted through the opening  84  of the supply port forming portion  80  and fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the supply port  82 . The seal member  87  has an outer diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the opening  84 , and is inserted to a position where it abuts the inner shoulder  81   b  of the opening  84 . Accordingly, a rear end of the seal member  87 , that is, an end facing the flow path  85 , abuts the valve body  88  biased by the spring  89 . 
     The seal member  87  is formed in an annular shape such that an ink supply needle  32  can pass therethrough, and has an engagement projection  87   a  protruding outward from the outer periphery. The inner diameter of the seal member  87  decreases toward the rear end, forming a funnel shape. Accordingly, the seal member  87  has a thickness which increases toward the rear end where the valve body  88  abuts. Further, an inner diameter g 1 , which is the smallest inner diameter of the seal member  87  is smaller than an outer diameter g 2  of the ink supply needle  32 . 
     The engagement projection  87   a  on the outer periphery of the seal member  87  is fitted in a groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the supply port  82  so that the seal member  87  fitted inside the supply port  82  is not detached from the supply port  82 . Furthermore, the cap  90  is fitted into the supply port  82  to hold the seal member  87 . 
     The valve body  88  is a substantially cylindrical member. The valve body  88  closes a seal member aperture  87   b  formed in the seal member  87  before the liquid container  20  is mounted on the printer. The spring  89  is a compression coil spring. The spring  89  biases the valve body  88  toward the seal member  87 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the cap  90  is attached to the supply port  82  at a position where it covers the supply port  82 . In the following description, with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the detailed structure of the cap  90  will be described.  FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of an inside and an outside of the cap  90 .  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a state of the cap  90  before it is attached to the supply port  82 . In  FIG. 7 , the cap  90  is shown by the cross-section taken along an axis CB of  FIG. 5  in the Y-Z plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the cap  90  has a tubular shape having an outer peripheral wall fitted onto the supply port  82  as a whole. In the following description, a direction extending along the axis CB of the tubular cap  90  is referred to as an axis direction. The front side of the tubular cap  90  in  FIG. 5  is referred to as a front end in the axis direction, and the other side is referred to as a rear end in the axis direction. In  FIGS. 4 and 7 , since the axis CB coincides with the axis CA, the axis CB is omitted and only the CA is shown. 
     The front end of the tubular body is a front end face  91 , and a circular cap opening  94  is formed at the center thereof. The cap opening  94  is continuous to an inner wall of a tubular protruding portion  92 , which extends toward the rear end. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the protruding portion  92  has a length h 1  sufficient to be inserted into the opening  84 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , four through holes  93   a  to  93   d  surrounding the cap opening  94  are formed in the front end face  91 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , an outer peripheral wall  95 , which extends from the outer periphery of the front end face  91  toward the rear end in parallel to the protruding portion  92 , is divided into four arms  95   a  to  95   d  by four notches  97   a  to  97   d . The notches  97   a  to  97   d  are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective intermediate positions between the four through holes  93   a  to  93   d  formed in the front end face  91 . On the inner wall of the end of the arms  95   a  to  95   d , four engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d , respectively, are formed. The engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d , together with the shoulder  81 , function as fixation portions for fixing the cap  90  described later to the supply port  82 . 
     In attachment of the cap  90  to the opening  84 , the cap  90  in the state shown in  FIG. 7  is inserted onto the supply port forming portion  80  along the axis CA. As the cap  90  is fitted on the supply port forming portion  80 , the inclined portion on the end of the engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d  rides on the outer periphery of the supply port  82 , causing the arms  95   a  to  95   d  to be slightly elastically deformed outward. 
     As the cap  90  is further pushed inside, the engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d  reach the shoulder  81 . When the engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d  pass by the shoulder  81 , the arms  95   a  to  95   d  return to the original shape, causing the engagement claws  96   a  to  96   d  to engage with the shoulder  81 . Thus, the cap  90  is fixed to the supply port  82 . 
     When the protruding portion  92  formed inside the cap  90  is thus inserted into the opening  84  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the seal member  87  is held between the inner wall of the supply port  82  and the protruding portion  92 . While the cap  90  is attached to the supply port  82 , the protruding portion  92  is closely fit on the inner periphery of the end of the seal member  87 . In this case, in order to prevent the cap  90  from interfering with an end of the seal member  87  to damage the seal member  87  when attached to the supply port  82 , the outer wall of the end of the protruding portion  92  is slightly tapered. 
     Accordingly, since the cap  90  fixes the seal member  87 , which is held between the protruding portion  92  and the inner wall of the supply port  82 , the seal member  87  can be prevented from falling down toward the inside of the opening  84  even if the shape of the seal member  87  becomes unstable due to aging degradation. As a result, deterioration of sealing between the seal member  87  and the supply port  82  can be prevented. Further, since the inside of the seal member  87  has a funnel shape, the end of the protruding portion  92  naturally abuts a thickened wall of the seal member  87  when the cap  90  is attached. Accordingly, the seal member  87  is regulated so as not to be displaced outside the opening  84 , that is, in the −Y axis direction. As a result, deterioration of sealing between the seal member  87  and the valve body  88  can be prevented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a mechanism of supplying ink from the liquid container  20  to the printer when the liquid container  20  is mounted on the printer will be described. As the liquid container  20  is mounted on the printer, the ink supply needle  32  is inserted into the opening  84  of the supply port  82 . The ink supply needle  32  enters the seal member aperture  87   b  inside the seal member  87 , and the tip of the ink supply needle  32  abuts the end of the valve body  88  on a side facing the seal member  87 . As the liquid container  20  is further pushed, the tip of the ink supply needle  32  pushes the valve body  88  against the biasing force of the spring  89 . Accordingly, the valve body  88  separates from the rear end of the seal member  87  to thereby open the valve mechanism  86 . As a result, ink can flow into an ink flow path formed inside the ink supply needle  32  via an ink opening formed on the tip end surface of the ink supply needle  32 . In the drawing, the ink flow path is not illustrated. Since the outer diameter g 2  of the ink supply needle  32  is larger than the inner diameter g 1  of the seal member aperture  87   b  of the seal member  87  as previously described, the outer periphery of the ink supply needle  32  is sealed by the seal member  87  to prevent ink from leaking outside. 
     As described above, the opening  84 , the supply port forming portion  80 , and the recess  70  have a circular cross-section taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis CA, and the cap  90  is attached to the supply port  82  when the arm  95   a  engages with the shoulder  81 . Accordingly, in attachment of the cap  90  to the supply port  82 , the cap  90  can be attached at any position relative to the supply port  82 . That is, a rotation position about the axis is not limited as long as the axes are aligned with each other. Accordingly, the cap  90  can be easily attached to the supply port  82 . Further, since the supply port forming portion  80  can be used for attachment of the cap  90 , the cap  90  can be reliably fixed with a simple shape. 
     In this embodiment, as described above, the first opening  52   a , when viewed from the right, is disposed at a position continuous to the recess  70 , described later, such that the shoulder  81  can be straightly reached from the first opening  52   a  on the second surface  52 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the liquid container  20  is viewed from the left, the shoulder  81  can be straightly reached from the second opening  53   a  on the third surface  53 . Therefore, when the first surface  51 , the second surface  52 , and the third surface  53  are integrally formed by using a mold, the mold can be removed via the first opening  52   a  and the second opening  53   a . Accordingly, the shoulder  81  can be easily formed. 
     B. Other Embodiments 
     (B1) In the present embodiment, the seal member  87  is held between the protruding portion  92  of the cap  90  and the inner wall of the supply port  82  so that the seal member  87  is prevented from falling down inward, and the end of the protruding portion  92  abuts a thickened wall of the funnel-shape of the seal member  87  to thereby regulate displacement of the seal member  87  toward outside. Alternatively, the length of the protruding portion of the cap in the axis direction may be shortened to the degree that the protruding portion does not abut the thickened portion. Further, the protruding portion may also be formed to abut the thickened portion of the seal member but does not hold the seal member between the seal member and the inner wall of the supply port. 
     (B2) In the present embodiment, the protruding portion  92  has a tubular shape. However, the protruding portion may not necessarily have the entire circumference, and may be any shape as long as it abuts the seal member to thereby prevent the seal member from falling down inward or being disposed toward outside. When the arms are formed, the lengths and widths may not necessarily be uniform. 
     (B3) The arms of the cap may not necessarily be four, and may be one or five or more. The arm may not be provided. For example, the supply port and the cap may be fixed to each other by engaging a male thread formed on the outer periphery of the supply port with a female thread formed on the inner periphery of the cap. An engagement portion corresponding to the engagement claw may also be provided on the front end face. The engagement claw may not be provided, and an inner surface of the front end face may be adhered to the end face of the supply port forming portion. 
     In this case, a shoulder is not formed on the supply port forming portion, and, when the supply port forming portion is formed by using a mold, it is not necessary to remove the mold via the first opening and the second opening. Accordingly, the first opening and the second opening are not required. Further, even when a shoulder is provided, the first opening and the second opening are not required if the outer casing of the liquid container is formed by using a 3D printer. 
     (B4) The supply port forming portion is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be an elliptical cylindrical shape, a rectangular prism shape, or a pillar shape having a polygonal cross section. In such a case, the cap may be formed according to the shape of the end of the supply port forming portion. The cap may have a shape that abuts the seal member, and the shape may not necessarily be a similar figure to the supply port forming portion as long as it can be attached to the supply port forming portion. 
     (B5) The supply port forming portion may not be formed in the recess, and the supply port may be formed in the first surface. In this case, the cap can be fixed to the first surface. The cap can be fixed by using an adhesive or a tape, or by inserting the cap into a hole formed in the first surface. 
     (B6) In the present embodiment, liquid supplied to the printer is ink. However, liquid other than ink, such as chemical solution, oil, or drinking water, can also be used. 
     (B7) In the present embodiment, the liquid consuming apparatus is a printer, but it can also be applied to apparatuses other than printers, for example, facsimile machines, and color material ejection apparatuses used for manufacturing of color filters for image display apparatuses such as liquid crystal displays. 
     (B8) In the present embodiment, the liquid container  20  includes the ink pool  51   b , the positioning portion  51   c , and the ink pool  51   d . However, other configurations can also be adopted, in which these components are not be provided in the liquid container  20 , for example. 
     (B9) In the present embodiment, the rail  54   a  is provided on the fourth surface as a raised portion having a straight shape. However, other configurations can also be adopted, in which no rail is provided on the fourth surface, for example. 
     (B10) In the present embodiment, the seal member  87  is made of a silicone rubber. However, the seal member may also be made of other materials such as butyl rubber or fluorine rubber. 
     (B11) In the present embodiment, the inside of the seal member  87  has a funnel shape with the inner diameter f 1  decreasing toward the rear end. However, the inside of the seal member may have other shapes such as one having a constant inner diameter from the front end to the rear end. 
     (B12) In the present embodiment, the spring  89  is a compression coil spring, but the spring may be formed of other elastic members such as a rubber spring. 
     C. Other Forms 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can be implemented in the following forms. Technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the respective forms described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve all or part of the problems of the present disclosure, or achieve all or part of the effects of the techniques of the present disclosure. Further, technical features can be appropriately deleted as long as they are not described in the specification as indispensable features. 
     (1) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container includes: a liquid containing section that stores liquid; a supply port joined to the liquid containing section, the supply port having an opening for supplying the liquid to an outside; a seal member disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the opening of the supply port; a cap configured to be attached to a position where it covers the supply port, the cap having a tubular protruding portion extending from a cap opening formed at a center of the cap, the protruding portion having a length sufficient to be inserted into the opening of the supply port; and a fixation portion that fixes the cap to the supply port, wherein the tubular protruding portion has a shape that abuts the seal member disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the opening when the cap is fixed to the supply port by the fixation portion. In this form, the cap fixes the seal member to the inner peripheral surface of the opening at a position where it abuts the seal member. As a result, deterioration of sealing properties of the seal member can be reduced. 
     (2) In the liquid container of the above form, the liquid container may be composed of a plurality of surfaces, a recess may be formed on a first surface, which is one of the plurality of surfaces, a supply port forming portion that forms the supply port may be disposed on a bottom of the recess, the supply port forming portion may have a shoulder formed on a distal end, the shoulder having an outer dimension larger than that of a proximal end, the cap may have a plurality of engagement claws, and the fixation portion may be formed of the shoulder configured to engage with the engagement claws when the cap is attached to a position where it covers the supply port. In this form, the supply port forming portion can be used in attachment of the cap. Accordingly, the cap can be reliably fixed with a simple shape. 
     (3) In the liquid container of the above form, the opening, the supply port forming portion, and the recess, having an axis direction in a direction in which the supply port forming portion extends, may have a circular cross-section taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction, and the cap may include a plurality of arms extending from an outer periphery of the cap in a direction parallel to a protruding direction of the protruding portion, the plurality of engagement claws being provided on an inner wall of an end of the arms. In this form, in attachment of the cap to the supply port, the cap can be attached at any position relative to the supply port. That is, a rotation position about the axis is not limited as long as the axes are aligned with each other. Accordingly, the cap can be easily attached to the supply port. 
     (4) In the liquid container of the above form, the protruding portion of the cap may have an outer dimension that abuts an inside of the seal member when the cap is fixed to the supply port. In this form, the seal member can be prevented from falling down toward the inside of the opening even if the shape of the seal member becomes unstable due to aging degradation. As a result, deterioration of sealing between the seal member and the supply port can be prevented. 
     (5) In the liquid container of the above form, the protruding portion of the cap may have a shape that abuts a surface of the seal member which is oriented to the opening of the supply port when the cap is fixed to the supply port. In this form, the cap regulates displacement of the seal member toward outside the opening. As a result, deterioration of sealing properties of the seal member can be reduced. 
     (6) In the liquid container of the above form, a second surface and a third surface sandwiching the first surface may have an opening which is continuous to the recess such that the shoulder is straightly reached from the opening on the second surface and the third surface. In this form, when the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are integrally formed by using a mold, the mold can be removed via the opening. Accordingly, the shoulder can be easily formed.