Patent Publication Number: US-8534812-B2

Title: Liquid cartridge, loading/unloading device of liquid cartridge, recording apparatus, and liquid ejection apparatus

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 11/909,875, filed Sep. 27, 2007, which is the U.S. National Phase application under  35  U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2006/307015, filed Mar. 28, 2006, and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP 2005-091531, filed Mar. 28, 2005 and 2006-084818, filed Mar. 27, 2006, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relate to a liquid cartridge, a loading/unloading device which allows the liquid cartridge to be slid and loaded on a recording apparatus body, a recording apparatus including the loading/unloading device, and a liquid ejection apparatus including the loading/unloading device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Although the liquid consuming apparatus means general apparatuses which consume the liquid supplied from a predetermined part at the time of operation, a liquid ejection apparatus which ejects droplets from an ejection head can be exemplified as a representative example of the liquid consuming apparatus. In addition, the liquid ejection apparatus is not limited to recording apparatuses, such as an ink jet recording apparatus, a copying machine, and a facsimile, which eject ink from a recording head as a liquid ejection head to recording material, such as a recording paper, and performs recording to the recording material, but is meant to include apparatuses which ejects a liquid corresponding to a specific application to a material to be ejected equivalent to the recording material from a liquid ejection head equivalent to the above-mentioned recording head, thereby adhering the liquid to the material to be ejected. 
     Further, in addition to the recording head mentioned above, the liquid ejection head include, for example, a color material ejection head used to manufacture color filters of a liquid crystal display, etc., an electrode material (conductive paste) ejection head used to form electrodes of an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, a field emitting display (FED), etc., a living organic material ejection head used to manufacture biochips, and a sample ejection head as a precision pipette which ejects samples. 
     Hereafter, a description will be made taking an ink jet printer as an example of the ink jet recording apparatus or the liquid ejection apparatus. 
     In a case in which the ink jet printer is loaded with an ink cartridge (liquid cartridge), a relatively large push-in force is needed. In this case, when an ink cartridge is prepared for every color, a push-in force of about 4.9 to 6.9 N is sufficient. However, in a case where an integral single-package-type ink cartridge is prepared for a plurality of colors, for example, the plurality of colors are, for example, six, seven needles are provided in the ink cartridge. Therefore, a very large push-in force of 34.3 to 48.3 N is needed. The loading of an ink cartridge by such a large push-in force is possible somehow or other when the ink cartridge is loaded in the vertical direction. However, when an ink cartridge is allowed to be slid and loaded in the horizontal direction, an excessive force is also applied the ink jet printer and therefore the loading of the ink cartridge is practically impossible. 
     JP-H-11-157094-A discloses a loading/unloading device of an ink cartridge (loading/Unloading device of a liquid cartridge) capable of obtaining a large push-in force using the principle of the lever. That is, the rotational motion of a cartridge loading/unloading lever is transmitted to a link plate, thereby enabling unlocking of a linking lever and loading of the ink cartridge to a holder. 
     However, this loading/unloading device was developed for the purpose of loading of the ink cartridge for every color, and does not has a large push-in force which can respond to an integral single-package-type ink cartridge for a plurality of colors. Further, providing the cartridge loading/unloading lever and the link plate to the ink cartridge for every color leads to an increase in the number of parts which causes an increase in the cost of parts. 
     Further, the ink cartridge receives a force that will put back the ink cartridge from a flow passage member connected therewith during loading and after loading. Accordingly, the ink cartridge has to be loaded with a push-in force exceeding this force and this state has to be maintained, otherwise a gap may be provided between the ink cartridge and the flow passage member. As a result, contacts respectively provided at the ink cartridge and the flow passage member will deviate one from the other, which makes it impossible to detect the residual amount of ink, etc. 
     Further, positional deviation of the contacts is caused by variation in the dimensional tolerances of parts. However, the construction which ensures such a large push-in force and ensures a tight contact state is not disclosed in JP-H11-157094-A. 
     Further, EP-1547785-A discloses a loading/unloading device (cartridge loading/unloading device)  500  for a flat shape ink cartridge  508  as shown in  FIG. 18 , which loads the ink cartridge  508  with both right and left sides of the ink cartridge  508  latched. 
     First, if the ink cartridge  508  is inserted in the direction of the arrow, latch projections  555   a  of the cartridge holding means  555  moves toward the ink cartridge to be engaged with recesses  508   a  formed in the ink cartridge  508 . 
     Next, the ink cartridge  508  is pushed in by the rotational operation of a lever arm (not shown) by a predetermined stroke. With this engagement, ink supply needles  502  formed in a flow passage unit  501  is pushed into needle insertion openings  508   b  of the ink cartridge  508 , thereby completing loading of the ink cartridge  508 . 
     However, in the loading/unloading device  500 , in order to insert the ink cartridge  508  smoothly, an opening (ink cartridge insertion opening) of the loading/unloading device  500  into which the ink cartridge  508  is inserted is required to be slightly larger than the dimension of the ink cartridge  508 . 
     Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink cartridge  508  may be inserted in a skew state, and loaded with only one side thereof latched. In other words, erroneous loading caused by so-called erroneous insertion may be cadged. Accordingly, when an ink needle is not normally stuck into the cartridge, there is a possibility that ink leakage may be caused from that part. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished in view of such situations. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a liquid cartridge capable of being reliably loaded by preventing skew insertion thereof when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge mounting section of a liquid consuming apparatus by sliding operation of a cartridge loading/unloading device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, a recording apparatus including the liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, and a liquid ejection apparatus including the liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, which, even if an integral single-package-type flat liquid cartridge is used for a plurality of colors, can obtain a large push-in force with a very small force, reliably load the liquid cartridge, and simply take out the ink cartridge without causing any positional deviation. 
     The above object of the present invention is achieved by a liquid cartridge including: a container body which is detachably mountable on a cartridge mounting section of a liquid consuming apparatus by a cartridge loading/unloading device, and a liquid supply port which is provided on a leading end surface of the container body in its insertion direction to supply liquid to a liquid supply portion provided on the cartridge mounting section. One of a top surface and a bottom surface of the container body, which is orthogonal to the leading end surface of the container body, is provided with an engaging recess to be engaged with an engaging member of the cartridge loading/unloading device. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of the above construction, the engaging recess which is engaged with the engaging member of the cartridge loading/unloading device is provided in one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the container body. 
     Further, for example, when a plurality of engaging recesses are provided across a central portion of the container body, the spacing between the engaging recesses can be narrowed compared with an ink cartridge which has engaging recesses in both the right and left side surfaces of a container body. 
     Thus, the liquid cartridge of the present invention is hardly inclined at the time of cartridge mounting compared with the ink cartridge having the engaging recesses in both the right and left side surfaces, whereby skew insertion of the ink cartridge is prevented. 
     Accordingly, the cartridge mounting section can be reliably loaded with an ink cartridge, and occurrence of troubles the liquid leakage resulting from the erroneous loading by skew insertion, etc. can be prevented. 
     In addition, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the engaging recess be provided near the leading end surface of the container body in its insertion direction. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, the engaging recess and the liquid supply port provided in the leading end surface of the container body in the insertion direction are brought close to each other. As a result, variation in the positional accuracy of the engaging recess with respect to the ink supply portion provided on the cartridge mounting section can be reduced, and the right and left inclination of the container body can be further prevented. 
     Further, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the engaging recess is provided near positioning means which position the container body with respect to the cartridge mounting section. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, since the engaging recess is formed near the positioning means, the positional accuracy of the engaging recess with respect to the ink supply portion, etc. provided on the cartridge mounting section can be further improved, and inclination prevention of the container body can be further promoted. 
     Further, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the positioning means be a pair of positioning holes provided on both sides in the leading end surface of the container body in its insertion direction, and the engaging recess be disposed between the positioning holes. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, since the inclination (an amount of offset) occurring in the engaging recess is regulated to be smaller than an amount of offset generated between the pair of positioning holes when the container body is inserted, the inclination can be further suppressed. 
     Further, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the container body be moved in a cartridge mounting direction when the engaging member of the cartridge loading/unloading device presses and urges an abutting part provided in a front wall surface of the engaging recess in the insertion direction. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, even if there is an error in the length dimensions, etc. of the container body in the insertion direction, regardless of the dimensional error of the container body, the abutment between the engaging member and the abutting part can be made uniform by allowing the engaging member of the cartridge loading/unloading device to abut against the abutting part of the engaging recess. Thus, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of an ink cartridge at the time of insertion, and to load the ink cartridge more reliably. 
     Moreover, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the position of the abutting part in a height direction be located near a horizontal plane passing through the centers of the positioning holes. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, since the pressing force which acts on the abutting part from the engaging member of the cartridge loading/unloading device acts in the substantially horizontal plane passing through the centers of the positioning holes, and it does not generate the component force which twists the leading end of the cartridge upwardly or downwardly, it can prevent the upward and downward inclination of the container body. 
     Further, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the abutting part includes protrusions or ribs provided near both side walls of the engaging recess in the insertion direction. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, the vicinities of both the side walls of the engaging recess in the insertion direction formed in the shape of a box have a high rigidity near corners. Thus, by constructing the abutting part by protrusions or ribs provided near both the side walls having a high rigidity, for example, the rigidity of the abutting part becomes high and the positioning accuracy at the time of abutment of the engaging member of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device improves, as compared with the case where the abutting part is provided in the center of the leading end surface (inner wall surface) of the engaging recess in the insertion direction. 
     Further, in the liquid cartridge of the above construction, it is preferable that the container body includes a pair of upper and lower cases, and the abutting part be provided near one of the cases which is positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting section. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of such a construction, the positioning means with respect to the cartridge mounting section and the abutting part that is positioning means for the engaging member of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device are disposed on the common case, deterioration of positioning accuracy caused by the assembling error of case parts can be avoided, and the operation by the ink cartridge loading/unloading device can be made smoother by an improvement in positioning accuracy. 
     Further, the above object of the present invention is achieved by a cartridge loading/unloading device which allows a liquid cartridge to be slid and loaded on a recording apparatus body. The device includes a cartridge holding mechanism which holds the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm into a second predetermined stroke of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism. The cartridge holding mechanism has an integral engaging member which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge in its loading direction across the center of the one surface. 
     Here, “insertion of a liquid cartridge” means a state in which the liquid cartridge is inserted into a recording apparatus from outside the recording apparatus, and is held by a cartridge holding mechanism. Further, “loading of a liquid cartridge” means a state in which the liquid cartridge held by the cartridge holding mechanism is pushed in together with the cartridge holding mechanism by rotation of a lever, and is stuck by liquid supply needles. 
     In order to smoothly insert a liquid cartridge into a recording apparatus body, a certain degree of gap, so-called, clearance is required between the liquid cartridge and an insertion opening into which the liquid cartridge is inserted. Therefore, when the liquid cartridge is inserted, there is a possibility that this liquid cartridge may incline. On the other hand, the cartridge holding mechanism is provided so that the ink cartridge may be engaged with a plurality of surfaces, for example, both side surfaces onto which the cartridge is to be loaded normally, that is, without inclining. However, when the liquid cartridge inclines, there is a possibility that the cartridge may be held by only one of the side surfaces and it may not be loaded normally. 
     Further, when a liquid cartridge is loaded, there are many cases that a heavy liquid cartridge may be loaded because of the unused liquid cartridge, i.e., the liquid fully contained in the cartridge. In that case, if the engaging member is engaged with the liquid cartridge at a position away from the center of gravity of the liquid cartridge in a direction vertical to the insertion direction, there is a possibility that the liquid cartridge may be skewed due to generation of a rotational force in loading. 
     Thus, according to the cartridge loading/unloading device of the above construction, since the cartridge holding mechanism includes the integral engaging member which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge in its loading direction across the center of the one surface, even in a case where the integral engaging member is intended to be engaged with an ink cartridge in plural places, there is no possibility that the engaging member may be engage with the ink cartridge only in one place. That is, since the engaging member is integral, the engaging member always is engaged with the ink cartridge in all places or does not engage with the ink cartage at all. 
     Further, since the engaging member is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge in its loading direction across the center thereof, even if the engaging member is engaged with the ink cartridge only in one place, the engaging member can be allowed to be engaged with the portion of the ink cartridge in a position near the center of gravity of the cartridge in a direction vertical to the insertion direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress generation of a rotational force and it is also possible to reliably push in and load the ink cartridge. Moreover, since the engaging member is allowed to be engaged with the front side of an ink cartridge in its loading direction, it is possible to hold the vicinities of the liquid supply ports into which the ink supply needles are inserted, respectively. Accordingly, the vicinities of the liquid supply ports can be held, whereby the ink supply needles can be inserted reliably. 
     Moreover, a relatively large leverage can be obtained by using the lever arm which can take a relatively long distance between a point of action and a fulcrum. Therefore, since a large push-in force can be obtained with a very small force using the principle of the lever, even a single package type ink cartridge can be loaded and taken out easily. 
     In addition, in the cartridge loading/unloading device of the above construction, it is preferable that the power transmission converting mechanism be adapted to move the liquid cartridge by the second predetermined stroke. 
     According to the cartridge loading/unloading device of such a construction, since the power transmission converting mechanism can be adapted to move an ink cartridge by the second predetermined stroke, the power transmission converting mechanism can be made a simple structure. 
     Moreover, in the cartridge loading/unloading device of the above construction, it is preferable that the power transmission converting mechanism be adapted to move a flow passage unit including needles to be inserted into the ink cartridge by the second predetermined stroke. 
     According to the cartridge loading/unloading device of such a construction, since the power transmission converting mechanism of this embodiment can be adapted to move the flow passage unit including the needles to be inserted into the ink cartridge by the second predetermined stroke, it is not necessary to move a heavy ink cartridge. That is, when an ink cartridge is loaded, the ink cartridge in which ink is fully contained is heavy. Therefore, an ink cartridge can be loaded with a smaller force by moving the flow passage unit including the needles. 
     Further, the above object of the present invention is achieved by a recording apparatus including a liquid cartridge loading/unloading device which allows a liquid cartridge to be slid and loaded on a recording apparatus body. The liquid cartridge loading/unloading device is the above-mentioned liquid cartridge loading/unloading device. 
     According to the recording apparatus of the above construction, since the recording apparatus includes the above-mentioned liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, the same effects as those of the liquid cartridge loading/unloading device can be obtained. 
     Further, the above object of the present invention is achieved by a liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid cartridge loading/unloading device which allows a liquid cartridge to be slid and loaded on a liquid ejection apparatus body. The apparatus has a cartridge holding mechanism which holds the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm into a second predetermined stroke of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism. The cartridge holding mechanism includes an integral engaging member which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge in its loading direction across the center of the one surface. 
     According to the liquid ejection apparatus of the above construction, the same effect as that of the liquid cartridge loading/unloading device can be obtained. 
     According to the liquid cartridge of the present invention, for example, when a plurality of engaging recesses or a plurality of abutting parts are provided across a central portion of the container body, the spacing between the engaging recesses or abutting parts can be narrowed compared with the conventional ink cartridge which has the engaging recesses in both the right and left side surfaces of a container body. 
     Thus, the liquid cartridge of the present invention is hardly inclined at the time of cartridge mounting compared with the conventional ink cartridge, whereby skew insertion of the ink cartridge is prevented. 
     Accordingly, an ink cartridge can be reliably loaded by preventing skew insertion thereof when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting section of the liquid consuming apparatus by sliding operation of the cartridge loading/unloading device, and occurrence of troubles the liquid leakage resulting from the erroneous loading by skew insertion, etc. can be prevented. 
     Moreover, according to the liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, recording apparatus, and liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress generation of a rotational force and it is also possible to reliably push in and load the ink cartridge. Moreover, since the engaging member is allowed to be engaged with the front side of an ink cartridge in its loading direction, it is possible to hold the vicinities of the liquid supply ports into which the ink supply needles are inserted, respectively. Accordingly, the vicinities of the liquid supply ports can be held, whereby the ink supply needles can be inserted reliably. 
     Moreover, a relatively large leverage can be obtained by using the lever arm which can take a relatively long distance between a point of action and a fulcrum. Therefore, since a large push-in force can be obtained with a very small force using the principle of the lever, even a single package type ink cartridge can be loaded and taken out easily. 
     The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos. 2005-091531 (filed on Mar. 28, 2005) and 2006.84818 (filed on Mar. 27, 2006), each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view showing the interior of liquid consuming apparatus equipped with liquid cartridge according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top perspective views of a cartridge loading/unloading device in the liquid consuming apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 2A  is a view showing the whole ink cartridge loading/unloading device, and  FIG. 2B  is a view showing a rotary slide portion in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is an overall perspective view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section of  FIG. 2  when it is seen from the leading top side in the insertion direction. 
         FIG. 4  is an overall perspective view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section of  FIG. 2  when it is seen from the leading bottom side in the insertion direction. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are respectively a side view and a top view of the ink cartridge shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrow VII-VII of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrow VII-VIII of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 9A  is a side view of a power transmission portion in the cartridge mounting section, and  FIG. 9B  is a front view of the power transmission portion from the power transmission portion to the first slide member. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a cartridge holding member with which the cartridge mounting section is equipped. 
         FIGS. 11A to 11D  are sectional side views showing the operation at the time of insertion and loading of the cartridge holding member shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view showing a state before cartridge loading after the completion of insertion of a cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device, and  FIG. 12B  is a view showing only a rotary slide portion in  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13A  is a top perspective view showing a state in the course of loading of a cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device, and  FIG. 13B  is a view showing only the rotary slide portion in  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 14A  is a top perspective view showing a state of the completion of loading of the cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device, and  FIG. 14B  is a view showing only the rotary slide portion in  FIG. 14A . 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are sectional side views explaining the operation when the cartridge holding member with which the cartridge mounting section is equipped takes out liquid cartridge. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cartridge loading/unloading device in another embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are enlarged side views of essential parts of the cartridge loading/unloading device shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view showing a state in which a conventional liquid cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting section. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereafter, preferred embodiments of a liquid cartridge, a liquid cartridge loading/unloading device, a recording apparatus, and a liquid ejection apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view showing the interior of an ink jet printer that is an example of the recording apparatus and the liquid ejection apparatus as liquid consuming apparatuses according to the invention. 
     A sheet feed cassette  101  on which sheets as recording material are stacked is detachably provided on the back side of a main body of the ink jet printer  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The sheet stacked at the uppermost position of the sheet feed cassette  101  is taken up by a feeding roller (not shown) driven by a feeding motor  104 , and fed to a conveying roller (not shown) on the downstream side in a conveying direction while it is guided by a sheet guide  103 . 
     The sheet which has been fed to the conveying roller is further conveyed by a conveying roller driven by a conveying motor  105  to a recording section  143  on the downstream side in a conveying direction. 
     The recording section  143  has a platen (not shown) which supports a sheet from below and a carriage  106  disposed so as to face the top side of the platen. 
     The carriage  106  of recording section  143  is driven by a carriage motor  102  while it is guided by a carriage guide shaft (not shown) extending in a main scanning direction. Moreover, a bottom part  131  of the carriage  106  is provided with a recording head  107  which discharges ink toward a sheet. 
     The sheet recorded by the recording section  143  is further conveyed toward the downstream side, and is ejected from the front side of the ink jet printer  100  by a sheet ejection roller (not shown). 
     Further, a cartridge mounting section  108  set below the main body of the ink jet printer  100  is loaded with an ink cartridge  80  that is liquid cartridge according to the invention, and ink is supplied to an ink supply passage  144  via ink supply needles (needles)  109  that are ink supply portions of the cartridge mounting section  108 . 
     Specifically, ink is first supplied to a first ink supply passage module  112 . The first ink supply passage module  112  is provided with a valve unit  115  which can cut off supply of ink. The valve unit  115  is adapted such that a valve (not shown) can be opened and closed via a gear unit  116  by, for example, the power of the conveying motor  105 . 
     Subsequently, the ink which has passed through a valve in the first ink supply passage module  112  is supplied to a second ink supply passage module  114 , and is further supplied to the recording head  107  of the carriage  106  via ink supply tubes  110 . 
     And, at the time of cleaning of the recording head  107 , discharge and suction operations of ink are performed in a capping device  111  provided on one side. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show top perspective views of an ink cartridge loading/unloading device (cartridge loading/unloading device)  200  with which the cartridge mounting section  108  of the ink jet printer  100  according to the invention is equipped.  FIG. 2A  shows the whole ink cartridge loading/unloading device, and  FIG. 2B  shows only a rotary slide portion in  FIG. 2A . 
     A main frame  150  of the ink jet printer  100  is provided with guide ribs  151  which, when an ink cartridge  80  is inserted, support the ink cartridge  80  from below. The main frame is also provided with guides  152   a  and  152   b  which, when an ink cartridge  80  is inserted, abuts against side surfaces  81   a  of a container body  81  of the ink cartridge  80  to regulate the ink cartridge  80  in a right-and-left width direction. 
     Further, the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  according to this embodiment includes a lever arm  160 , a power transmission converting mechanism  153 , and a cartridge holding mechanism  154 . Among them, the power transmission converting mechanism  153  includes a driving transmission member  172 , a first slide member  168 , and a second slide member  169 . Further, the cartridge holding mechanism  154  includes an engaging member  155 . 
     A lever arm  160  operated by a user at the time of loading/unloading of an ink cartridge  80  is provided on the left side of the drawing. This lever arm  160  transmits power to a female threaded portion  167  via the driving transmission member  172  as will be described below to move the first slide member  168  in a main scanning direction X (the same as a longitudinal direction in an ink cartridge insertion surface). At this time, the first slide member  168  is regulated so that it may be moved only in the main scanning direction X by a first slide guide (not illustrated). 
     The first slide member  168  is provided with slide grooves  170  which are engaged with corresponding slide pins  171  provided in the second slide member  169 . The slide pins  171  are adapted to be freely movable within the corresponding slide grooves  170 . 
     The second slide member  169  is formed with cartridge abutting parts  169   a  which, when an ink cartridge  80  has been inserted by a first predetermined stroke, abut against the ink cartridge  80 . 
     Further, the second slide member  169  is rotatably connected with the engaging member  155  by a pivot  173 . The engaging member  155  is formed with claws  156  which are engageable with an ink cartridge  80 . Here, the engaging member  155  and the second slide member  169  are regulated by a second slide guide that is not illustrated so as to be moved only in an insertion direction Y of an ink cartridge  80 . That is, the slide grooves  170  and the slide pins  171  serve to convert the motion of the first slide member  168  in the main scanning direction X into the motion of the second slide member  169  in the ink cartridge insertion direction Y. 
     Hereafter, after the construction of the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 8 , each part of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 3  is an overall perspective view of the ink cartridge adapted to be mounted on the cartridge mounting section of  FIG. 2  when it is seen from the top side and the insertion direction leading end side,  FIG. 4  is an overall perspective view of the ink cartridge adapted to be mounted on the cartridge mounting section of  FIG. 2  when it is seen from the bottom side and the insertion direction leading end side,  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are respectively a side view and a top view of the ink cartridge shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 7  is a sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrow VII-VII of  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 8  is a sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrow VII-VIII of  FIG. 6B . 
     The ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , includes the container body  81  in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped which is detachably mounted to the cartridge mounting section  108  by the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200 , and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) liquid supply ports  82 , provided at the leading end side of the container body  81  in the insertion direction, for supplying liquid to the ink supply passage  144  provided in the cartridge mounting section  108 . 
     The container body  81 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is a container in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped formed by a pair of upper and lower cases  83  and  84 , and each of the cases  83  and  84  is formed by injection molding of resin. 
     The lower case  83  is formed in the shape of a box with its top surface open, and the lower case is formed by a bottom wall  83   a , a front wall  83   b  which is erected vertically at a front end of the bottom wall  83   a  which becomes the leading end of this bottom wall  83   a  in the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting section  108 , a rear wall  83   c  which is erected vertically at a rear end of the bottom wall  83   a , and right and left side walls  83   d  and  83   e  which are erected vertically at the right and left ends of the bottom wall  83   a.    
     The upper case  84  serves as a top cover (lid body) which covers the top open portion in the lower case  83 . 
     The container body  81  of this embodiment accommodates a plurality of (four in this embodiment) ink packs (liquid reservoir packs)  97  which stores the ink liquid to be supplied to the recording head  107  of the ink jet printer  100 . And, the plurality of liquid supply ports  82  mentioned above are arranged corresponding to the accommodated positions of the respective ink packs  97 . 
     The liquid supply ports  82 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , are arranged along the front wall  83   b  of the lower case  83  where its surface becomes the leading end surface of the container body  81  in the insertion direction. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a valve mechanism  86  which opens and closes a flow passage by insertion of each ink supply needle  109  of the cartridge mounting section  108  is provided in each liquid supply port  82 . 
     The ink supply needles  109  as ink supply portions of the cartridge mounting section  108  are connected to the recording head  107  via the ink supply passage  144  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Further, this front wall  83   b  is provided with a pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  that are positioning means which position the container body  81  in a predetermined position when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting section  108 . In this embodiment, if an ink cartridge  80  is inserted into the cartridge mounting section  108  by a predetermined distance, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , positioning pins  87  formed on the cartridge mounting section  108  fit into the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b , whereby the ink cartridge is positioned. 
     The plurality of liquid supply ports  82  mentioned above are located and provided between the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b.    
     Further, the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  is provided in the positions near both ends of the front wall  83   b.    
     And, the leading end of the one side wall  83   d  orthogonal to the front wall  83   b  is equipped with a circuit board  89 . A memory element  90  which stores various kinds of information, such as the residual amount of ink, is mounted on the back side of this circuit board  89  and this circuit board  89  is formed on its opposite, surface side with a connecting terminal  91  used as an input/output terminal to the memory element  90 . 
     This circuit board  89  is disposed so that the surface of the connecting terminal  91  may be approximately flush with the surface of the side wall  83   d . When the cartridge mounting section  108  is appropriately loaded with the ink cartridge  80 , the connecting terminal  91  contacts an electric connector (not shown) provided on the cartridge mounting section  108 , so that information can be read from and written into the memory element  90  by a control circuit of the ink jet printer  100 . 
     A waste liquid collection port  93  for collecting waste into the container body  81  is provided in a position in the vicinity of the end of the front wall  83   b  opposite to the side equipped with the connecting terminal  91  and in proximity to the positioning hole  85   b  outside the positioning hole  85   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , a waste liquid collection chamber  94  which communicates with the waste liquid collection port  93  is partitioned along the inner surface of the upper case  84  within the container body  81 . This waste liquid collection chamber  94  is loaded with an absorbing material which adsorbs waste ink to prevent backflow of the waste ink collected in the waste liquid collection chamber  94 . 
     If an ink cartridge  80  is mounted on the cartridge mounting section  108 , a waste ink supply needle  95  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) of the cartridge mounting section  108  is fitted into the waste liquid collection port  93 , to supply the waste ink generated in a cleaning treatment, etc. of the recording head  107  to the waste liquid collection chamber  94  via the waste ink supply needle  95 . 
     In addition, the waste liquid collection port  93 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , is equipped with a sealing mechanism  96  which seals between itself and the waste ink supply needle  95  inserted into the waste liquid collection port  93 . 
     In the case of the container body  81  of this embodiment, the top surface (outer surface of the upper case  84 ) orthogonal to the front wall  83   b  of the lower case  83  provided with the liquid supply ports  82 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is provided with a pair of engaging recesses  201  which are to be engaged with the pair of claws  156  of the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200 . 
     Each engaging recess  201  is a recess corresponding to the shape of each claw  156 . More specifically, the part of the recess  201  corresponding to a tapered leading end  156   a  of the claw  156  is formed in an inclined plane  201   a . Further, the part of the engaging recess  201  corresponding to an engaging part  156   b  of the claw  156  is formed with an abutting part  203  formed in a front wall surface  201   b  of the engaging recess  201  in the insertion direction. That is, the lower case  83  is a case positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting section  108 , and the front wall  83   b  of this lower case  83  is provided with the abutting parts  203 . 
     As for the abutting part  203 , when an ink cartridge  80  is inserted into the cartridge mounting section  108  by a predetermined distance, as shown in  FIG. 11C , the engaging part  156   b  of the claw  156  faces the surface of the abutting part  203 , and the container body  81  is moved in a cartridge mounting direction by being pressed and urged toward the insertion direction of a cartridge by the claw  156 . 
     In the case of this embodiment, the pair of engaging recesses  201  is provided near the surface of the front wall  83   b  which is the leading end surface of the container body  81  in the insertion direction. 
     Moreover, the pair of engaging recesses  201  are disposed near the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  which positions the container body  81  with respect to the cartridge mounting section  108 , and between the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b.    
     And, in this embodiment, the position of the abutting part  203  in the height direction is disposed near a horizontal plane passing through the centers of the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b.    
     The abutting part  203  may be formed by the front wall surface  201   b  of the engaging recess  201  per se. Alternatively, the abutting part  203  may be formed by a protrusion(s) or rib(s) formed on the front wall surface  201   b  of the engaging recess  201 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the abutting part  203  in this embodiment is formed by a pair of protrusions or ribs  203   r  that are formed on the front wall surface  201   b  of the engaging recess  201  and that are located near both side walls  201   c  of the engaging recess  201 . 
     Next, the construction and operation of the respective parts of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  which are used when detaching and attaching the ink cartridge  80  to the cartridge mounting section  108  are described in detail. 
       FIG. 9A  is a side view of the power transmission portion by the power transmission converting mechanism  153  according to the invention, and  FIG. 9B  is a front view of the power transmission portion from the power transmission portion to the first slide member  168 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , a first gear  161  is formed on a base end of a lever arm  160 , and when the lever arm  160  rotates, power is transmitted to a second gear  163  via the first gear  161 . The power of the second gear  163  is transmitted to a fourth gear  165  via a third gear  164  formed integrally with the second gear. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , a unit gear  162  is constructed by the fourth gear  165  and a worm gear  166 . Accordingly, the power transmitted to the fourth gear  165  is transmitted to a female threaded portion  167  provided in the first slide member  168  via the worm gear  166  formed integrally with the fourth gear. That is, a rotary motion can be converted into a reciprocating motion in the main scanning direction by the worm gear  166  and the female threaded portion  167 . 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view showing the cartridge holding mechanism  154  in a state in which an ink cartridge  80  is inserted and engaged with the engaging member  155 , a state in which the cartridge is held by the cartridge holding mechanism  154 . 
     The claws  156  of the engaging member  155  are engageable with the corresponding engaging recesses  201  provided near the liquid supply ports  82  of the ink cartridge  80 . Further, the cartridge abutting parts  169   a  of the second slide member  169  are provided to abut against the surface of the front wall  83   b  of the lower case  83  when an ink cartridge  80  is inserted. 
     Since the engaging member  155  extends in the shape of the letter “U” in the longitudinal direction X of the ink cartridge  80 , there is no possibility that only one claw  156  may be engage with the engaging recess  201  of the ink cartridge  80 . That is, both the claws engage with the engaging recesses in two places simultaneously, or neither claws engage with the engaging recesses. 
     Moreover, the cartridge abutting parts  169   a  of the second slide member  169  are formed in the shape of the letter “U” in the longitudinal direction X of the ink cartridge  80 , and are provided so as to abut against the ink cartridge  80  outside the engaging member  155 . Accordingly, when an ink cartridge  80  is inserted in a skew state, the front wall  83   b  abuts against any one of the cartridge abutting parts  169   a  and stops without engaging with the engaging member  155 , or is further inserted and abuts against the other cartridge abutting parts  169   a . That is, the front wall abuts against both the cartridge abutting parts  169   a  and is engaged with both the claws  156  of the engaging member  155 , or does not engage with any one of the claws. 
       FIGS. 11A to 11D  are sectional side views showing operation aspects of the cartridge holding mechanism  154  according to the invention. Among them,  FIG. 11A  is a sectional side view showing a state in the course of insertion of an ink cartridge,  FIG. 11B  is a sectional side view showing the completion of the insertion,  FIG. 11C  is a sectional side view showing a state in the course of loading of an ink cartridge, and  FIG. 11D  is a sectional side view showing a state of the completion of the loading. 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 11A , if an ink cartridge  80  is inserted in the direction of the arrow, the lower end of the front wall  83   b  abuts against the claws  156  of the engaging member  155  and pushes them down. That is, as the engaging member  155  inclines, the claws  156  can retreat slightly downwardly. 
     Subsequently, since the engaging recesses  201  pass by the claws  156  if the ink cartridge  80  is further inserted in the direction of the arrow as shown in  FIG. 11B , the claws  156  moves upwards slightly, and the claws  156  engage with the engaging recesses  201  shallowly with a click. This state is a state in which the ink cartridge  80  is held by the cartridge holding mechanism  154 , i.e., a state of completion of insertion of the ink cartridge  80  which has been inserted by a first predetermined stroke. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 11C , if a user rotates the lever arm  160 , as mentioned above, the first slide member  168  makes a motion in the main scanning direction, while the second slide member  169  makes a motion in the ink cartridge insertion direction Y. Here, if the second slide member  169  begins to move in the direction of the arrow, the connected engaging member  155  abuts against the top surface of the first slide member  168  so as to be pushed up, whereby the claws  156  engage with the engaging recesses  201  more deeply. Moreover, along with this deep engagement, the ink cartridge  80  is pressed and moved in the insertion direction Y of the ink cartridge  80 . 
     And,  FIG. 11D  shows a state in which movement of the second slide member  169  has finished by a second predetermined stroke S along with an ink cartridge  80 , i.e., a completion state of ink cartridge loading. 
     The operation of  FIGS. 11A to 11D  will be described below along with  FIGS. 12 to 14  showing the whole operation. 
       FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view showing a state before cartridge loading after the completion of insertion of a cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device  200 , and  FIG. 12B  is a view showing only a rotary slide portion in  FIG. 12A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , an ink cartridge  80  is inserted into the cartridge mounting section  108 , and as shown in  FIG. 11B , is engaged with and held by the engaging member  155 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a top perspective view showing a state in the course of loading of a cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device  200 , and  FIG. 13B  is a view showing only the rotary slide portion in  FIG. 13A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , if a user rotates the lever arm  160  in the direction of the arrow, the rotary motion of the lever arm  160  is converted into a reciprocating motion in the main scanning direction of the first slide member  168  by the aforementioned driving transmission member  172 . 
     Since the slide pins  171  are regulated by the slide grooves  170  if the first slide member  168  moves in the direction of the arrow, the second slide member  169  is moved in the direction of the arrow. At this time, since the claws  156  of the engaging member  155  are engaging with the engaging recesses  201 , as shown in  FIG. 11C , the ink cartridge  80  can be moved in the insertion direction Y (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the ink supply needles  109  can be inserted into the liquid supply ports  82 . 
       FIG. 14A  is a top perspective view showing a state of the completion of loading of the cartridge in the cartridge loading/unloading device  200 , and  FIG. 14B  is a view showing only the rotary slide portion in  FIG. 14A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14A , if a user rotates the lever arm  160  further than the state of  FIG. 13A , the first slide member  168  further moves in the main scanning direction, whereby the second slide member  169  further moves in the ink cartridge insertion direction Y. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 11D , loading of the ink cartridge  80  is completed. That is, the ink supply needles  109  will be in a state in which they are fully inserted into the liquid supply ports  82 . 
     Then, the operation when the ink cartridge  80  is taken out will be described. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are sectional side views explaining the operation when the cartridge holding mechanism  154  takes out liquid cartridge  80 . Of them,  FIG. 15A  shows a state in which the claws  156  of the engaging member  155  and the ink cartridge  80  engage with each other, and  FIG. 15B  shows a state in which the engagement is released. 
     If the lever arm  160  is rotated from the loading completion state in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is rotated at the time of loading of an ink cartridge, it will be in an insertion completion state of an ink cartridge shown in  FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 12 , and a state before loading of the ink cartridge. 
     Specifically, the first slide member  168  and the second slide member  169  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  move respectively in the directions opposite to the directions of the arrows by reverse rotation of the lever arm  160 . At this time, since the cartridge abutting parts  169   a  shown in  FIGS. 11C and 11D  abut against the front wall  83   b  of the container body  81  to press it, the ink cartridge  80  moves to the insertion completion state of an ink cartridge shown in  FIGS. 15A and 12 , that is, moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow to the position before loading of the ink cartridge. 
     Subsequently, if the lever arm  160  is rotated in the reverse rotation direction further than the position shown in  FIG. 12 , as shown in  FIG. 15B , the second slide member  169  moves nearer to the ink cartridge than the position shown in  FIG. 11A . Accordingly, the engaging member  155  can retreat downwardly while it is regulated by the top surface of the second slide member  169 , and can release the engagement between the claws  156  and the engaging recesses  201 . 
     That is, since an ink cartridge  80  is released from the cartridge holding mechanism  154 , this ink cartridge  80  can be taken out. 
     In addition, in order to facilitate take-out of an ink cartridge  80 , it is natural that a spring can be provided so that the ink cartridge  80  may jump out by the force of the spring. 
     Further, it is natural that engagement and disengagement of the claws  156  and the engaging recesses  201  can be made smooth by changing the shape of the slide grooves  170 , thereby moving the second slide member in the insertion direction Y of the ink cartridge  80  at the time of ink cartridge insertion and take-out. Moreover, it is needless to say that it is also possible to provide the pivot  173  with a torsion coil spring to cause the engaging member  155  to be urged downwardly, thereby releasing engagement from the engaging recesses  201 . 
     The ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  according to this embodiment is arranged to allow an ink cartridge  80  to be slid and loaded into the body of a recording apparatus. This ink cartridge loading/unloading device includes the cartridge holding mechanism  154  which holds the ink cartridge  80  by inserting the ink cartridge  80  by a first predetermined stroke, and the power transmission converting mechanism  153  which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge  80  using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of the lever arm  160 , and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm  160  into the second predetermined stroke of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge  80  in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism  154 . The cartridge holding mechanism  154  includes the integral engaging member  155  which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge  80  in its loading direction across the center of the one surface. 
     As a result, even in a case where the integral engaging member  155  is intended to be engaged with an ink cartridge  80  in plural places, there is no possibility that the engaging member may be engage with the ink cartridge only in one place. That is, since the engaging member is integral, the engaging member is always engaged with the ink cartridge in all places or is not engaged with the ink cartage at all. 
     Further, since the engaging member  155  is engaged with the front side of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge  80  in its loading direction across the center thereof, even if the engaging member is engaged with the ink cartridge  80  only in one place, the engaging member can be allowed to be engaged with the portion of the ink cartridge  80  in a position near the center of gravity of the cartridge in a direction (main scanning direction X) vertical to the insertion direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress generation of a rotational force and it is also possible to reliably push in and load the ink cartridge  80 . 
     Moreover, since the engaging member is allowed to be engaged with the front side of an ink cartridge in its loading direction, it is possible to hold the vicinities of the liquid supply ports  82  into which the ink supply needles  109  are inserted, respectively. Accordingly, the vicinities of the liquid supply ports  82  can be held, whereby the ink supply needles  109  can be inserted reliably. 
     Moreover, a relatively large leverage can be obtained by using the lever arm  160  which can take a relatively long distance between a point of action and a fulcrum. Therefore, since a large push-in force can be obtained with a very small force using the principle of the lever, even a single package type ink cartridge  80  can be loaded and taken out easily. 
     The power transmission converting mechanism  153  of this embodiment is adapted to move an ink cartridge  80  by the second predetermined stroke S. As a result, the power transmission converting mechanism can be made a simple structure. 
     Further, the engaging member  155  of this embodiment extends vertically to the insertion direction Y of an ink cartridge  80  and in the longitudinal direction X of this ink cartridge  80 . 
     As a result, in a case in which the ink cartridge  80  has been inserted in a skew state, the ink cartridge is not engaged with the engaging member. However, only in a case in which the ink cartridge is not inclined in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the ink cartridge inserted in a normal state, the ink cartridge can be engaged with the engaging member  155 . That is, the loading of an ink cartridge  80  in a skew state into the cartridge mounting section  108  can be prevented. 
     Moreover, since the engaging member  155  extends in a direction (main scanning direction X) vertical to the insertion direction Y of an ink cartridge  80 , when an ink cartridge  80  is loaded, the engaging member  155  can apply a force required for loading in the same direction as the insertion direction Y to the ink cartridge  80 . 
     Here, it is preferable that the length of the engaging member  155  in the main scanning direction be ⅓ or more of the length of the engagement surface of the ink cartridge  80 . 
     And, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment loaded into and unloaded from the cartridge mounting section  108  by the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200 , the top surface (bottom surface in a mounting state) of the container body  81  at its leading end is provided with the pair of engaging recesses  201  across a central portion of the container body  81  in its width direction. Therefore, the spacing between the engaging recesses  201  can be narrowed compared with the ink cartridge  508  which has the recesses (engaging recesses)  508   a  in both the right and left side surfaces of a container body. 
     Thus, when the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment is inserted into the cartridge mounting section  108  of the ink jet printer  100 , the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  can be allowed to be engaged with the engaging recesses  201  on the side of the leading end of the container body  81  in its insertion direction, the container body  81  is hardly inclined at the time of cartridge mounting compared with the ink cartridge  508 , whereby skew insertion of the ink cartridge  80  is prevented. Accordingly, the cartridge mounting section  108  can be reliably loaded with an ink cartridge  80 , and occurrence of troubles the liquid leakage resulting from the erroneous loading by skew insertion, etc. can be prevented. 
     Further, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, since the engaging recesses  201  are provided near the front wall  83   b  which is the leading end surface of the container body  81  in the insertion direction, the engaging recesses  201  and the liquid supply ports  82  provided in the leading end surface of the container body  81  in the insertion direction are brought close to each other. As a result, variation in the positional accuracy of the engaging recesses  201  with respect to the ink supply needles  109  serving as an ink supply portion provided on the cartridge mounting section  108  side can be reduced, and the right and left inclination of the container body  81  can be further prevented. 
     Further, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, since the engaging recesses  201  are formed near the positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  which position the container body  81  with respect to the cartridge mounting section  108 , the positional accuracy of the engaging recesses  201  with respect to the ink supply needles  109 , etc. provided on the cartridge mounting section  108  side can be further improved, and inclination prevention of the container body  81  can be further promoted. 
     Moreover, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, the engaging recesses  201  are disposed between the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  provided in both sides in the leading end surface of the container body  81  in the insertion direction. Therefore, since the inclination (amount of offset) occurring between the engaging recesses  201  is regulated to be smaller than the amount of offset between the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  when the container body  81  is inserted, the inclination can be further suppressed. 
     Moreover, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, as the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  presses and urges the abutting parts  203  provided in the front wall surfaces of the engaging recesses  201  in the insertion direction, the container body  81  is moved in the cartridge mounting direction. 
     Thus, even if there is an error in the length dimensions, etc. of the container body  81  in the insertion direction, regardless of the dimensional error of the container body  81 , the abutment between the claws  156  and the abutting parts  203  can be made uniform by allowing the claws  156  of the engaging member  155  to abut against the abutting parts  203  of the engaging recesses  201 . Thus, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of an ink cartridge  80  at the time of insertion, and to load the ink cartridge more reliably. 
     Further, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, since the position of the abutting parts  203  in its height direction is disposed near the horizontal plane passing through the centers of the pair of positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b , the pressing force which acts on the abutting parts  203  from the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  acts in the substantially horizontal plane passing through the centers of the positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b , and the component force which twists the leading end of the cartridge upwardly or downwardly is not generated. Therefore, the upward and downward inclination of the container body  81  can be prevented. 
     Further, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, the ribs  203   r  of the abutting part  203  are formed near both the side walls  20   k  in the insertion direction in the front wall surface  201   b  of the engaging recess  201  in the insertion direction. The vicinities of both the side walls  201   c  of the engaging recess  201  in the insertion direction formed in the shape of a box are located near corners and thus have a high rigidity. Thus, by constructing the abutting part  203  by means of the ribs  203   r  located near both the side walls  201   c  having a high rigidity, for example, the rigidity of the abutting part  203  becomes high and the positioning accuracy at the time of abutment of the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  improves, as compared with a case where the abutting part is provided in the center of the front wall surface  201   b  in the insertion direction. 
     Further, in the ink cartridge  80  of this embodiment, the container body  81  includes the pair of upper and lower cases  83  and  84 , and the abutting parts  203  are provided to one of the cases, i.e. the case  83 , which is positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting section  108 . 
     Thus, since the positioning holes  85   a  and  85   b  with respect to the cartridge mounting section  108  and the abutting parts  203  that are positioning means for the engaging member  155  of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  are disposed on the common case  83 , deterioration of positioning accuracy caused by the assembling error of case parts can be avoided, and the operation by the ink cartridge loading/unloading device  200  can be made smoother by an improvement in positioning accuracy. 
     In addition, the specific construction etc. of each configuration of the liquid cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, but can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is needless to say that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, in the liquid cartridge according to the present invention, the position where the engaging recesses which engage the engaging member of a cartridge loading/unloading device are provide may be any of the top surface and the bottom surface orthogonal to the leading end surface of a container body of the insertion direction, and the position may be determined in consideration of the moldability, etc. of each of the upper and lower cases. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The ink cartridge loading/unloading device described hitherto loads an ink cartridge by inserting the ink cartridge by a first predetermined stroke to be held by the cartridge holding mechanism  154  and then moving the ink cartridge. That is, the ink supply needles are always fixed, and the ink cartridge always moves from insertion to loading. 
     On the other hand, in an ink cartridge loading/unloading device according to another embodiment, an ink cartridge is first inserted and held by the cartridge holding mechanism, and thereafter, the ink supply needles are moved toward the ink cartridge to complete loading. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an ink cartridge loading/unloading device (cartridge loading/unloading device)  410  in another embodiment according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  are enlarged side views of essential parts of the ink cartridge loading/unloading device shown  410  in the other embodiment according to of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 17A  shows a state of insertion completion of an ink cartridge before loading thereof, and  FIG. 17B  shows a state of insertion completion and loading completion of an ink cartridge. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , a main frame  350  of an ink jet printer (recording apparatus)  400  is provided with guide ribs  351  which, when an ink cartridge  308  is inserted, supports the ink cartridge  308  from below. The main frame is also provided with guides  352   a  and  352   b  which, when the ink cartridge  308  is inserted, abuts against side surfaces  308   d  of the ink cartridge  308  to regulate the ink cartridge  308  in a right-and-left width direction. 
     Further, an ink cartridge loading/unloading device  410  includes a lever arm  360 , a power transmission converting mechanism  353 , and a cartridge holding mechanism  354 . Among them, the power transmission converting mechanism  353  includes a fifth gear  361 , a sixth gear  362 , the cam shaft  363 , cam parts  364 , and a flow passage unit  365 . Further, the cartridge holding mechanism  354  includes an engaging member  355 . 
     The lever arm  360  operated by the user at the time of loading/unloading of the ink cartridge  308  is provided on the back side of the drawing. The lever arm  360  is provided with the fifth gear  361 . The power of the fifth gear  361  is transmitted to the sixth gear  362  to rotate the cam shaft  363  integrally with the sixth gear and extending in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction X) of the inserted surface of the ink cartridge  308 . As the cam shaft is rotated, the plurality of cam parts  364  using the cam shaft as a fulcrum moves the flow passage unit  365  in the ink cartridge insertion direction Y via. In this case, the flow passage unit  365  is provided with a plurality of ink supply needles (needles)  309 . Each cam part  364  is provided between the adjacent ink supply needles  309  in the main scanning direction X to abut against and urge a first wall part  865   a  provided in the flow passage unit  365 , or a second wall part  365   b  to reciprocate the flow passage unit. 
     Further, the engaging member  355  which is engageable with the ink cartridge  308  is provided in the main frame  350  close to the ink supply needles  309  so as to extend in the longitudinal direction X of the ink cartridge  308 . The engaging member  355  is urged upwards by an engaging spring  366  (refer to  FIG. 17 ) and rotates about a pivot  373  as a fulcrum. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17A , a single continuous engaging recess  308   b  is provided in the bottom surface of the ink cartridge  308  to extend in the longitudinal direction X of the ink cartridge  308  across the center of the ink cartridge  308  in the longitudinal direction X, in contrast to the first embodiment in which plural separate engaging recesses  201  are provided. Similarly to the first embodiment, the engaging recess  308   b  may be divided into two or more separate engaging recesses. Cartridge engaging parts (abutting parts)  308   a  are provided in the bottom surface of the ink cartridge  308  within the engaging recess  308   b . At least two engaging parts (abutting parts)  308   a  are provided to be opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction X of the ink cartridge  308  with respect to the center of the ink cartridge  308  in the longitudinal direction X. If the ink cartridge  308  is inserted in the direction of the arrow, the engaging member  355  abuts against the edge of the front wall of the ink cartridge  308  and retreats downwardly once. After the cartridge engaging parts  308   a  pass over the engaging member  355 , the engaging member  355  moves toward the recess  308   b  again by the spring force of the engaging spring  366  upwardly. At this time, the engaging member  355  and the cartridge engaging parts  308   a  are engaged with each other with a click so to be in an insertion completion state of the ink cartridge  308  which has been inserted by a first predetermined stroke. That is, the ink cartridge  308  is in a state where it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism  354 . 
     Subsequently, the ink cartridge is loaded by rotating the lever arm  360  shown in  FIG. 16  in the direction of the arrow from the insertion completion state of the ink cartridge. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17B , when the fifth gear  361  rotates clockwise by the rotation of the lever arm  360 , the sixth gear  362  rotates 180° counterclockwise. Since the cam shaft  363  rotates in synchronization with the sixth gear  362 , the cam parts  364  rotate 180°. The cam parts  364  abuts against and urges the first wall part  365   a  in the flow passage unit  365  to move the flow passage unit  365  to the right in the drawing. At this time, the ink supply needles  309  formed in the flow passage unit  365  are inserted into the needle insertion openings  308   c  formed in the ink cartridge  308 , so as to be in a loading completion state of the ink cartridge. 
     Further, when the ink cartridge  308  is taken out, and if the lever arm  360  is rotated counterclockwise opposite to the direction in which it is rotated in  FIG. 17  at the time of loading of the ink cartridge, the sixth gear  362  rotates 180° clockwise. Accordingly, the cam parts  364  rotate 180° about the cam shaft  363  as a fulcrum clockwise from the position of  FIG. 17B , and are separated from the first wall part  365   a  to abut against and urge the second wall part  365   b  formed in a position which faces the first wall part  365   a  to move the flow passage unit  365  to the left in the drawing. At this time, the ink supply needles  309  formed in the flow passage unit  365  will be in a state, as shown in  FIG. 17A , in which they are drawn out of the needle insertion openings  308   c  formed in the ink cartridge  308 . 
     And, if the lever arm  360  is further rotated counterclockwise a disengaging member (not shown) pushes down the engaging member  355  against the urging force of the engaging spring  366 . Accordingly, the engagement of the cartridge engaging parts  308   a  and the engaging member  355  is released, whereby the ink cartridge  308  can be taken out. 
     In addition, in order to facilitate take-out of the ink cartridge  308 , it is natural that a spring can be provided so that the ink cartridge  308  may jump out by the force of the spring. 
     The ink cartridge loading/unloading device  410  according to this embodiment is arranged to allow the ink cartridge  308  to be slid and loaded into the body of a recording apparatus. This ink cartridge loading/unloading device includes the cartridge holding mechanism  354  which holds the ink cartridge  308  by inserting the ink cartridge  308  by a first predetermined stroke, and the power transmission converting mechanism  353  which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge  308  using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of the lever arm  360 , and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm  360  into the second predetermined stroke of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge  308  in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism  354 . The cartridge holding mechanism  354  includes the integral engaging member  355  which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge  308  in its loading direction across the center of the one surface. 
     As a result, since the engaging member  355  is engaged with the front side of the one surface of the ink cartridge  308  in its loading direction across the center thereof, even if the engaging member is engaged with the ink cartridge  308  only in one place, the engaging member can be allowed to be engaged with the portion of the ink cartridge  308  in a position near the center of gravity of the cartridge in a direction (main scanning direction X) vertical to the insertion direction. That is, it is possible to suppress generation of a rotational force of the ink cartridge  308  and it is also possible to reliably push in and load the ink cartridge  308 . Therefore, there is no possibility that the ink cartridge  308  may be skewed at the time of loading thereof. 
     Moreover, since the engaging member is allowed to be engaged with the front side of an ink cartridge in its loading direction, it is possible to hold the vicinities of the liquid supply ports  308   c  into which the ink supply needles  309  are inserted, respectively. Accordingly, the vicinities of the liquid supply ports  308   c  can be held, whereby the ink supply needles  309  can be inserted reliably. 
     The power transmission converting mechanism  353  of this embodiment is adapted to move the flow passage unit  365  including the needles  309  to be inserted into the ink cartridge  308  by the second predetermined stroke S. 
     As a result, it is not necessary to move a heavy ink cartridge  308 . That is, when an ink cartridge  308  is loaded, the ink cartridge  308  in which ink is fully contained is heavy, and therefore an ink cartridge  308  can be loaded with a smaller force by moving the flow passage unit  365  including the needles  309 . 
     Further, the engaging member  355  of this embodiment extends vertically to the insertion direction Y of an ink cartridge  308  and in the longitudinal direction X of this ink cartridge  308 . 
     As a result, in a case in which the ink cartridge  308  has been inserted in a skew state, there is no possibility that the ink cartridge  308  may be engaged with the engaging member  355 . That is, only in a case in which the ink cartridge is normally inserted without being inclined with respect to the recoding apparatus body, the ink cartridge is engaged with the engaging member. As a result, there is no possibility that an ink cartridge  308  is loaded in a skew state. 
     Moreover, when an ink cartridge  308  is loaded, the engaging member  355  can apply a force required for loading in the same direction as the insertion direction Y to the ink cartridge  308 . That is, it is possible to oppose a force required when the ink supply needles  309  are inserted (loaded) into the ink cartridge  308 . 
     Here, it is preferable that the length of the engaging member  355  in the main scanning direction be ⅓ or more of the length of the engagement surface of the ink cartridge  308 . 
     In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope thereof as defined in the claims. It is needless to say that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the liquid consuming apparatus to be equipped with the liquid cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printer shown in the embodiments. 
     The terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, etc. are relative, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, when the liquid cartridge is placed upside down, the “bottom” wall  83   a  becomes a “top” wall, and when the liquid cartridge is placed such that the “side” walls  83   d ,  83   e  are opposed to each other in a direction of gravity, the “top” wall and the “bottom” wall become “side” walls. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention is applicable to a liquid cartridge, a loading/unloading device which allows the liquid cartridge to be slid and loaded on a recording apparatus body, a recording apparatus including the loading/unloading device, and a liquid ejection apparatus including the loading/unloading device.