Patent Abstract:
A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid container; a fluid ejection unit; a delivery needle; a guard cover; and a guide. The fluid container includes a container portion and a withdrawal portion. The container portion contains a fluid for ejection, and the withdrawal portion allows withdrawal of the fluid contained in the container portion. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The delivery needle provides a flow passage which communicates with the fluid ejection unit. The guard cover projects over the delivery needle. The guide mates with the fluid container, and then slidably guides the withdrawal portion toward a locking position where the delivery needle sticks through the withdrawal portion.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2007-162216 filed on Jun. 20, 2007 and No. 2008-133804 filed on May 22, 2008, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a fluid ejection device for ejecting a fluid, and particularly to a structure by which fluid-containing packs containing fluid for ejection are positioned within the fluid ejection device. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Printers of ink jet format, which eject drops of ink onto thin sheets of a recording medium such as paper or plastic in order to record text or images thereon, are a representative type of fluid ejection device. Other types of fluid ejection devices include those adapted for use in display production systems employed in the production of liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FED), and the like, and used for ejecting various types of liquid materials to form coloring material, electrodes, etc. in the pixel regions or electrode regions. 
         [0006]    A typical fluid ejection device is equipped with a carriage on which rides an ejection head for ejecting fluid onto an ejection target; the location for fluid ejection onto the ejection target is adjusted by moving either the carriage or the recording medium, or both. Where a fluid ejection device employs a system in which a container portion containing fluid for ejection is positioned apart from the carriage (known as an off-carriage system) it will be possible to reduce the load associated with driving the carriage. Patent Citation JP 2005-47258 A discloses such a printer of off-carriage type in which an ink cartridge containing ink packs is inserted into the printer unit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    However, in the past, sufficient consideration was not given to a design able to accommodate fluid containers of larger capacity. For example, there were problems such as the difficulty of ensuring sufficient space within the unit between the fluid containers and other structures; and damage to other structures inside the unit due to operator error when installing the fluid container within the unit. 
         [0008]    In view of the issues discussed above, it is an object of the invention to provide a fluid ejection device able to accommodate larger capacity fluid containers. 
         [0009]    An advantage of some aspects of the invention is intended to address this issue at least in part, and can be reduced to practice as described below. 
         [0010]    A fluid ejection device according to an aspect of the invention is a fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid container; a fluid ejection unit; a delivery needle; a guard cover; and a guide. The fluid container includes a container portion and a withdrawal portion. The container portion contains a fluid for ejection, and the withdrawal portion allows withdrawal of the fluid contained in the container portion. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The delivery needle provides a flow passage which communicates with the fluid ejection unit. The guard cover projects over the delivery needle. The guide mates with the fluid container, and then slidably guides the withdrawal portion toward a locking position where the delivery needle sticks through the withdrawal portion. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, since the guard cover is disposed projecting out so as to cover the delivery needle, it is possible to prevent accidental damage to the delivery needle during securing of the fluid container to the container case. 
         [0011]    A method of manufacturing according to an aspect of the invention is a method of manufacturing a fluid ejection device including a fluid ejection unit that ejects a fluid onto an ejection target, a delivery needle that provides a flow passage which communicates with the fluid ejection unit, and a guard cover that projects over the delivery needle, the method comprising: providing a fluid container that includes a container portion and a withdrawal portion, wherein the container portion contains a fluid for ejection, and the withdrawal portion allows withdrawal of the fluid contained in the container portion; mating the fluid container with a guide that extends approximately aligned with a center axis of the delivery needle; and sliding the fluid container mated with the guide toward a locking position where the delivery needle sticks through the withdrawal portion away from the guard cover. According to the above-mentioned method, since the fluid container is mated with the guide at a location away from the guard cover disposed projecting so as to cover the delivery needle, and the fluid container can then be subsequently slid into the locking position and secured, it is possible to prevent damage to the delivery needle during securing of the fluid container to the container case. 
         [0012]    The invention is not limited to being embodied as a fluid ejection device, and may be reduced to practice as a method for manufacture thereof, or other mode having a structure for accommodating fluid-containing packs. The invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth hereinabove, and naturally various modifications such as the following may be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0013]    These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an illustration depicting in simplified form a configuration of a printer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view depicting in simplified form the configuration of the printer with the upper chassis unit closed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view depicting in simplified form the configuration of the printer with the upper chassis unit open; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view showing the interior of the upper chassis unit; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an illustration depicting fastening of holders carrying ink packs within the upper chassis unit; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an illustration depicting an ink pack prior to connection with the ink delivery section, viewed in A-A cross section in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an illustration depicting an ink pack connected with the ink delivery section, viewed in A-A cross section in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an illustration depicting a configuration of a printing mechanism section of a printer; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing the printer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top view showing the interior of the upper chassis unit; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view depicting in simplified form the configuration of a printer, shown with the upper chassis unit closed; 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    A better understanding of the constitution and advantages of the invention set forth above will be provided through the following description of the invention embodied in a fluid ejection device. In the embodiment, a printer of ink-jet type will be described as an example representative of a picture recording device, as one embodiment of a fluid ejection device. 
       A. Embodiment 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is an illustration depicting in simplified form the design of a printer  10 . The printer  10  is a printer of ink-jet type which records text and images by ejecting ink drops onto a recording medium, namely, printer paper  900 . The printer  10  includes a main chassis unit  20  which houses a printing mechanism section  50  constituting the fluid ejecting portion for ejecting ink drops onto the printer paper  900 ; the main chassis unit  20  houses a paper feed tray  12  for loading into the interior of the main chassis unit  20  the printer paper  900  which is to be supplied to the printing mechanism section  50 , as well as a paper output tray  14  for guiding out from the main chassis unit  20  the printer paper  90  which has been discharged from the printing mechanism section  50 . The specifics of the design of the printing mechanism section  50  will be discussed later. 
         [0028]    Also housed in the main chassis unit  20  is a controller section  40  for controlling the various parts of the printer  10 . In the embodiment, the controller section  40  includes ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) furnished with hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), read only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM). Software for accomplishing the various functions of the printer  10  is installed in the controller section  40 . 
         [0029]    On the upper face of the main chassis unit  20  is installed an upper chassis unit  30  which constitutes the container case for accommodating a plurality of ink packs  310  which constitute the container portions respectively containing liquid inks of different colors. The upper chassis unit  30  is pivotably attached to the main chassis unit  20  so as to open and close about a rotation shaft  350 . 
         [0030]    In the embodiment, the ink packs  310  take the form of flat bag portions of generally rectangular shape made of pliable sheeting and having generally elliptical cross section; a pack aperture  60  serving as the withdrawal opening from which ink may be withdrawn is provided on one of the short sides. The specific design of the pack aperture  60  will be discussed later. In the embodiment, the plurality of ink packs  310  are held stacked on an incline with one long side thereof upraised. In the embodiment, the upper chassis unit  30  accommodates four ink packs  310  for individual inks of the four colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. In an alternative embodiment, in a printer adapted to carry out printing with light cyan and light magenta in addition to these four colors for a total of six colors, the upper chassis unit  30  could be designed to accommodate six ink packs  310  for individual inks of six colors including the additional light cyan and light magenta. 
         [0031]    The upper chassis unit  30  which constitutes the ink delivery unit for the printing mechanism section  50  has an ink delivery section  330  which connects to the ink packs  310  so as to enable ink to be dispensed from them. A delivery tube  340  which defines a fluid passage allowing the ink dispensed from the ink packs  310  to flow down to the printing mechanism section  50  connects with the ink delivery section  330 . The delivery tube  340  can be fabricated of material having gas barrier properties, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer such as an olefin or styrene. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view depicting in simplified form the configuration of the printer  10  with the upper chassis unit  30  closed.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view depicting in simplified form the configuration of the printer  10  with the upper chassis unit  30  open.  FIG. 4  is a top view showing the interior of the upper chassis unit  30 . The upper chassis unit  30  has a lower housing  360  which constitutes the inside lower face of the upper chassis unit  30 ; and an upper housing  370  which constitutes the inside top wall of the upper chassis unit  30 . Inside the lower housing  360  are disposed a plurality of holder guides  362  constituted in sections of the inside lower face defined by the lower housing  360 , and extending approximately parallel to the rotation shaft  350  and spaced at approximately equal intervals apart from one another. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the embodiment, the upper part of the printing mechanism section  50  housed within the main chassis unit  20  will lie exposed by opening the upper chassis unit  30 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of holders  380  on which the ink packs  310  rest are provided as liquid containers within the upper chassis unit  30 . The holders  380  have inclined panels  381  which are inclined with respect to the holder guides  362 . The ink packs  310  are arranged resting against the upper faces of the inclined panels  381  of the holders  380 , with one side face of the flat bag which makes up the ink pack  310  in contact therewith. In the embodiment, the ink packs  310  are attached with double-sided tape on at least a portion of the face thereof contacting the inclined panel  381  of the holder  380 . In the lower section of the inclined panel  381  of the holder  380  there is formed a base section  382  which is fittable within the holder guide  362 . After the base section  382  has been fitted into the holder guide  362 , the holder  380  will be secured fastened to the lower housing  360  by fastening screws  388 ,  389  which constitute the fastening components. The plurality of holders  380  are positioned in a row staggered along the inside lower face of the lower housing  360 , with the inclined panel  381  of one holder  380  overlapping the top of the ink pack  310  which rests on another holder situated adjacently in the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inclined panels  381  of the holders  380  are inclined with respect to the holder guides  362  of the lower housing  360 , by an angle of incline Oh enabling them to remain in contact with the ink packs  310  from below in the direction of gravity as the upper chassis unit  30  moves from the closed position to the open position. In the embodiment, the allowable rotation angle θc for opening and closing of the upper chassis unit  30  about the rotation shaft  350  is approximately 45 degrees, whereas the angle of incline θh of the inclined panels  381  with respect to the holder guides  362  is approximately 40 degrees. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , on the back face of the inclined panel  381  of each holder  380  is pendently disposed a back face reinforcing rib  384  having a tabular contour which extends along the ink pack  310  resting on the adjacent holder  380 . On the inside lower face of the lower housing  360  is disposed a holder reinforcing rib  364  of tabular contours which rises up to meet the bottom of the inclined panel  381  of the holder  380  situated at the end in the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381  in the row of holders  380 . In the embodiment, the upper part of the holder reinforcing rib  364  abuts the back face of the inclined panel  381  of this holder  380 . On the inside top wall of the upper chassis unit  30  is pendently disposed an end portion reinforcing rib  374  having a tabular contour which extends towards the upside of the ink pack  310  resting on the holder  380  situated at the end opposite from the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381  in the row of holders  380 . On the inside top wall of the upper chassis unit  30  is also pendently disposed a medial reinforcing rib of tabular contours which extends along the upside of the ink pack  310  resting on the holder  380 , along a zone sandwiched between two of the holders  380 . Also disposed on the inside top wall of the upper chassis unit  30  is a mating portion  373  which mates with the upper edge portion  383  of the inclined panel  381  of a holder  380 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ink delivery section  330  has a guard cover  332  disposed covering the upside of the connector portions with the pack apertures  60  of the ink packs  310 . The guard cover  332  has openings  333  to permit insertion of a tool for tightening fastening screws  388  which fasten the holders  380  to the lower housing  360 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is an illustration depicting fastening of holders  380  carrying ink packs  310  within the upper chassis unit  30 . In each of the holders  380 , a through hole  386  adapted for passage and engagement of a fastening screw  388  is formed at a location adjacent to the pack aperture  60  of the ink pack  310 , and a through hole  387  adapted for passage and engagement of a fastening screw  388  is formed at a location adjacent to the opposite end from the pack aperture  60  of the ink pack  310 . In the lower housing of the upper chassis unit  30 , at fastening locations where the holders  380  carrying the ink packs  310  are to be fastened, there are formed screw holes  368  for threadably engaging the fastening screws  388  passed through the through holes  386  of the holders  380 , as well as screw holes  369  for threadably engaging the fastening screws  389  passed through the through holes  387  of the holders  380 . 
         [0037]    During the process of fastening the holders  380  carrying the ink packs  310  in the interior of the upper chassis unit  30 , first, the base portion  382  of the holder  360  carrying the ink pack  310  is fitted from above into one of the holder guides  362  of the lower housing  360 . Then, the holder  380  is slid along the holder guide towards a delivery needle  321  until the delivery needle  321  is threaded through the aperture of the ink pack  310 . The holder  380  is then fastened to the lower housing  360  with the fastening screws  388 ,  389 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is an illustration depicting an ink pack  310  prior to connection with the ink delivery section  330 , viewed in A-A cross section in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  is an illustration depicting an ink pack  310  connected with the ink delivery section  330 , viewed in A-A cross section in  FIG. 4 . The delivery needles  320 , each of which has a hollow flow passage  322  communicating with the delivery tube  340 , are provided to the ink delivery section  330 . A first end of the delivery needle  320  has a tip  324  of tapered shape. A delivery channel  326  which communicates with the hollow flow passage  322  is formed in the tip  324  of the delivery needle  320 . The delivery channel  326  is formed from the tip of the delivery needle  320  to a side wall  321  which extends generally along the center axis of the delivery needle  320 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the delivery channel  326  of the delivery needle  320  is defined by a vertical face  326   a  which extends generally along the center axis of the delivery needle  320 , and a lateral face  326   b  which intersects the center axis of the delivery needle  320 . In the embodiment, the delivery channel  326  of the delivery needle  320  is formed with a cross shape (“+(plus)” shape) having its intersection point at the center axis of the delivery needle  320 . In the embodiment, the delivery needle  320  is a resin component which has been integrally molded with the ink delivery section  330  using a mold. 
         [0039]    The pack aperture  60  provided to each of the ink packs  310  is provided with a delivery aperture portion  610  having formed therein a delivery aperture  612  which communicates with the interior of the ink pack  310 . A cylindrical gasket  640  having a through hole  642  which mates intimately with the delivery needle  320  threaded through the delivery aperture  612  is disposed at the inlet of the delivery aperture  612 . The gasket  640  installed in the delivery aperture  612  is forced into the delivery aperture  612  by a cap  620  which fits onto the delivery aperture portion  610 . 
         [0040]    A valve body  630  having a sealing face  634  that intimately attaches to the gasket  640  is housed within the delivery aperture  612 . The valve body  630  housed within the delivery aperture  612  is urged towards the gasket  640  from the interior of the delivery aperture  612  by a coil spring  650  which constitutes a resilient member, and seals off the through hole  642  of the gasket  640 . The valve body  630  is provided with a plurality of guides  638  disposed contacting the inside wall of the delivery aperture  612  generally along the center axis of the delivery aperture  612 ; between the plurality of guides  638  are defined offset faces  636  which are offset from the inside face of the delivery aperture  612 . A mating face  632  adapted to mate with the tip  324  of the delivery needle  320  is formed on the valve body  630  on the side thereof which abuts the gasket  640 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the delivery needle  320  is threaded through the through-hole  642  of the gasket  640 , with the tip  324  of the delivery needle  320  mated with the mating face  632  of the valve body  630 , the valve body  630  will be pushed inward towards the ink pack  310  within the delivery aperture  612 . During this process, since the delivery channel  326  of the delivery needle  320  has been formed so as to extend from the tip  324  to the side wall  321  and beyond the mating face  632  of the valve body  630 , the channel will now communicate with the delivery aperture  612 . The interior of the ink pack  310  will thereby be placed in communication with the hollow flow passage  322  of the delivery needle  320 , via the offset faces  636  of the valve body  630  and the delivery channel  326  of the delivery needle  320 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is an illustration depicting a configuration of the printing mechanism section  50  of the printer  10 . The printing mechanism section  50  has a platen  530  of rectangular shape disposed in a printing area where ejection of ink drops onto the printer paper  900  will be carried out. The printer paper  900  is transported over the platen  530  by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). The printing mechanism section  50  also has a carriage  80  which is connected to the delivery tube  340  and which carries an ejection head  810 . The carriage  80  is moveably supported in the lengthwise direction of the platen  530  along a guide rod  520 , and is driven via a timing belt  512  by a carriage motor  510  which constitutes the carriage driving section. The carriage  80  thereby undergoes reciprocating motion in the lengthwise direction over the platen  530 . In the interior of the main chassis unit  20 , a home position where the carriage  80  waits in standby is provided in a nonprinting area away to one side of the printing area where the platen  530  is located. A maintenance mechanism section  70  for maintenance of the carriage  80  is disposed at this home position. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing the printer  10 . When installing the ink packs  310  in the printer  10 , first, the ink-filled ink packs  310  are positioned on the inclined panels  381  of the holders  380  (Step S 110 ). The holders  380  carrying the ink packs  310  are then fitted into the holder guides  362  of the lower housing  360 , and the holders  380  are fastened to the lower housing  360  with the fastening screws  388 ,  389  so that the plurality of holders  380  are arranged on the lower housing  360  (Step S 120 ). Subsequently, the lower housing in which the plurality of holders  380  have been arranged is sealed with the upper housing  370 , whereby the plurality of ink packs  310  are housed in the interior of the main chassis unit  30  (Step S 130 ). 
         [0044]    According to the printer  10  of the embodiment described above, since the guard cover  332  is disposed projecting out over the delivery needle  321 , it is possible to prevent accidental damage to the delivery needle  321  when the holder  380  carrying the ink pack  310  is secured to the lower housing  360 . Additionally, by working through the openings  333  provided in the guard cover  332  the fastening screws  388  can be passed through the through holes  386  of the holders  380  and fastened into the screw holes  386  of the lower housing  360 , and thus while preventing accidental damage to the delivery needle  321  when the holder  380  carrying the ink pack  310  is secured to the lower housing  360 , the holder  380  can be secured to the lower housing  360  in the vicinity of connection between the delivery needle  321  and the pack aperture  60 . 
         [0045]    Moreover, because by opening the upper chassis unit  30  it is possible to access parts of the main chassis unit  20  which are normally covered by the upper chassis unit  30 , the degree of freedom in positioning of the ink packs  310  can be improved. Moreover, because the upper chassis unit  30  is pivotably attached to the main chassis unit  20  allowing the top part of the printing mechanism section  50  to be opened or closed, the upper chassis unit  30  which houses the ink packs  310  can be utilized as the cover for the printing mechanism section  60 ; and by opening the upper chassis unit  30  it will be possible to easily perform maintenance on the printing mechanism section  50  housed within the main chassis unit  20 . 
         [0046]    Moreover, because the individual ink packs  310  respectively rest on the inclined panels  381  of the holders  380 , the plurality of ink packs  310  can be stacked and accommodated efficiently, while preventing the weight of ink packs  310  from bearing on neighboring ink packs  310 . Additionally, because the ink packs  310  are retained from below as the upper chassis unit  30  moves from the closed state to the open state, the ink packs  310  can be prevented from pushing with excessive force against neighboring holders  380  due to gravity. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, by disposing the holder reinforcing rib  364  on the lower housing  360 , the holder  380  can be reinforced with respect to force acting in the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381 . Moreover, by disposing the end portion reinforcing rib  374  on the upper housing  370 , it will be possible to avoid excessive deformation of the ink pack  310  carried on the holder  380  which is situated at the end opposite the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381 . Additionally, by disposing the medial reinforcing rib  376  on the upper housing  370 , it will be possible to avoid excessive deformation at the upside of an ink pack  310  unsupported by the back face of the inclined panel  381  of the adjacent holder. Furthermore, because the upper edge portion  383  of the inclined panel  381  of the holder  380  mates with the mating portion  373  disposed on the upper housing  370 , it is possible to prevent the holder  380  from experiencing excessive deformation. 
       B. Alternative Embodiments 
       [0048]    The foregoing description of the invention based on certain preferred embodiments should not be construed as limiting of the invention, and various modifications will of course be possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the upper chassis unit  30  need not be pivotably attached to the main chassis unit  20 , and the upper chassis unit  30  may instead by slidably attached to the main chassis unit  20 . With this design, the ink packs  310  can be housed in a more stable condition within the upper chassis unit  30 . 
         [0049]    Another possible orientation of the holders  380  on the lower housing  360  is that depicted in  FIG. 10  wherein the holders  380  are arranged generally along the direction of the axis of the rotation shaft  350 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , because the individual ink packs  310  held in the upper chassis unit  30  are maintained at generally identical height as the upper chassis unit  30  moves from the closed state to the open state, generally identical pressure head can be maintained in the inks contained in the individual ink packs  310 . The ejection quality of the ink ejected from the ejection head  810  can be improved thereby. Alternatively, the holders  380  may be positioned with the direction of incline of the inclined panels  381  oriented towards the rotation shaft  350  as depicted in  FIG. 11 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , with the upper chassis unit  30  in the opened state the ink packs  310  rest in a more stable condition on the inclined panels  381  of the holders  380 , as compared with the arrangement of the holders  380  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  in which the inclined panels  381  incline in the direction opposite from the rotation shaft  350 . 
         [0050]    The fluid targeted by the fluid ejection device of the invention is not limited to liquids such as the ink mentioned above, and various fluids such as metal pastes, powders, or liquid crystals may be targeted as well. The ink-jet recording device equipped with an ink-jet recording head for picture recording purposes like that described above is but one representative example of an fluid ejection device; the invention is not limited to recording devices of ink-jet type, and has potential implementation in printers or other picture recording devices; in coloring matter ejection devices employed in manufacture of color filters for liquid crystal displays and the like; in electrode material devices employed in formation of electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays or FED (Field Emission Displays); in liquid ejection devices for ejection of liquids containing bioorganic substances used in biochip manufacture; or in specimen ejection devices for precision pipette applications. 
         [0051]    According to the aspect of the invention, the fluid ejection device may further comprise: a container case that houses the fluid-containing pack; and a fastening member that fastens the fluid container at the locking position to the container case, wherein: the fluid container includes a mating portion that mates with the fastening member in proximity to the withdrawal portion; and the guard cover includes a through-hole portion that locates corresponding to the mating portion of the fluid container at the locking position. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, since the guard cover is disposed projecting so as to cover the delivery needle, while preventing accidental damage to the delivery needle during securing of the fluid container to the container case, the fluid container can be secured to the container case in the vicinity of connection between the delivery needle and the withdrawal opening. 
         [0052]    According to the aspect of the invention, the fluid container may be a plurality of fluid containers; the fluid container may include a holder that inclines and holds the container portion; and the plurality of fluid containers may be arranged spaced apart with a part of one fluid container overlapping a holder of another fluid container. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, the individual fluid containers are positioned at an incline, thereby allowing a plurality of fluid containers to be stacked and accommodated efficiently. 
         [0053]    According to the aspect of the invention, the fluid ejection device may further comprise: a container case that houses the fluid-containing pack; and a main chassis case that houses the fluid ejection unit, wherein the container case is pivotably attached to the main chassis case and openable by rotation about a rotation shaft. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, by opening the container case it will be possible to access the parts of the main chassis unit which are normally covered by the container case, thereby improving the degree of freedom in positioning of the fluid containers. 
         [0054]    According to the aspect of the invention, the fluid container may incline by an angle which affords hold against the container portion from below in a direction of gravity as the container case moves from a closed position to a open position. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, because the container portions of the fluid containers are retained from below as the container case moves from the closed state to the open state, the fluid container portions can be prevented from pushing with excessive force against other adjacent structures. 
         [0055]    According to the aspect of the invention, the fluid container may be a plurality of fluid containers; and each of the withdrawal portions of the plurality of fluid containers may be arranged approximately along an axis of the rotation shaft. According to the above-mentioned fluid ejection device, as the container case moves from the closed state to the open state the individual fluid containers retained in the container case will be positioned at approximately identical height, thereby maintaining approximately identical pressure head of the fluid contained in the individual fluid containers. The fluid ejection quality can be improved thereby. 
         [0056]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1