Patent Description:
A printer is an indispensable equipment for production and life. A consumable container is a consumable part of a printer. When the consumable container is used up, it needs to be replaced with a new consumable container. In the market, consumable containers are sold together with outer packaging portions, which are called consumable package assemblies. A chip is a device that stores information on the consumable container and transmits data with the printer. In certain cases, if the electronic system of the printer needs to be upgraded, consumables need to be overhauled, and verification information stored on the chip (the serial number information stored on the chip) needs to be replaced, etc., when the information stored in the chip needs to be reset, rewritten, or detected, enterprises manufacturing consumables need to remove the outer packaging portion of the packaged consumable package assemblies, take out the consumable container, and then operate the chip of the consumable container. After completing operation, the consumable container needs to be assembled with a new outer packaging portion to form a new consumable package assembly.

This technical solution will cause the scrapping of the outer packaging portion and the increment of the procedures, resulting in increased costs and low production efficiency.

It is known from document <CIT>a method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container detachably mounted on a liquid consuming apparatus, the liquid container including a liquid containing portion (<NUM>), a liquid supply portion (<NUM>) connectable to a liquid ejecting portion of the liquid consuming apparatus, a liquid guide passage for guiding the liquid stored in the liquid containing portion to the liquid supply portion, an air communicating passage (<NUM>) communicating the liquid containing chamber with air, a liquid detection unit (<NUM>) provided in the liquid guide passage and for outputting different signals between in a case where the liquid guide passage is filled with the liquid and in a case where the liquid guide passage includes air entered thereinto, and a bubble trapping passage (<NUM>) provided in the liquid guide passage between a detection position of the liquid detection unit (<NUM>) and the liquid containing portion (<NUM>) to trap bubbles in the liquid, the method includes: forming an injection port (<NUM>) communicating with the liquid containing portion in the air communicating passage; injecting a predetermined amount of the liquid through the injection port; and sealing the injection port after injecting the liquid. Document <CIT>. depicts an ink replenishment container includes: a container main body portion capable of containing the ink; and an ink outlet forming portion that is to be attached to an end portion of the container main body portion and at which an ink outlet through which the ink flows out is formed. In a region located outside of the ink outlet, the ink replenishment container includes an erroneous insertion prevention portion that protrudes relative to the ink outlet in a direction opposite to the container main body portion in an axial direction as an axial center, and is configured to be inserted into a recessed portion and to prevent erroneous insertion into the ink tank. The erroneous insertion prevention portion includes protrusions that can be attached and detached, the protrusions are attached and detached in accordance with the shape of the recessed portion.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose further consumable package assemblies.

The present disclosure provides a consumable package assembly according to claim <NUM>, aiming at improving the usage rate of outer packaging portion.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a consumable package assembly a consumable container and an outer packaging portion, wherein the consumable container includes a chip, and the outer packaging portion includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the consumable container.

The outer packaging portion includes a first through hole configured to expose at least a part of the chip, and a second through hole configured to expose at least part of the accommodating portion, so as to position the consumable container. The second through hole is configured such that at least a part of the chip device for operating the chip is capable of being inserted into the accommodating portion to position the consumable container.

In an embodiment, the outer packaging portion includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface along a width direction of the consumable package assembly. The chip is provided corresponding to the first surface and is parallel to the first surface, and the chip is arranged closer to the first surface than to the second surface, and the first through hole is provided in the first surface.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided with the second through hole along the width direction of the consumable package assembly.

In an embodiment, the outer packaging portion further includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface along a length direction of the consumable package assembly. At least one of the third surface and the fourth surface is provided with the second through hole.

In an embodiment, the outer packaging portion further includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface along a length direction of the consumable package assembly. At least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided with the second through hole, and at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface is provided with the second through hole.

In an embodiment, the outer packaging portion includes a plurality of second through holes.

In an embodiment, the consumable package assembly further includes a holding member provided at the accommodating portion and configured to load the consumable container.

In an embodiment, the second through hole exposes a part of the holding member to position an assembly of the consumable container and the holding member.

In an embodiment, the holding member includes a positioning hole aligned with the second through hole in a width direction or a length direction.

In an embodiment, the consumable package assembly further includes a protection component covering at least a part of the first through hole and configured to block communication between the accommodating portion and the outside. The protection component is capable of shielding or opening the first through hole.

In an embodiment, the protection component includes an upper cover and a lower cover, the upper cover is rotatably connected to the lower cover, the lower cover is connected to the outer packaging portion and covers the first through hole. The lower cover includes a third through hole in communication with the first through hole. The upper cover is connected to the outer packaging portion and is capable of moving relative to the outer packaging portion. During movement of the upper cover, the upper cover is capable of shielding or opening the first through hole.

In an embodiment, one of the upper cover and the lower cover is provided with a first clamping portion and the other one of the upper cover and the lower cover is provided with a first engagement portion. The first clamping portion is capable of being clamped to or unlocked from the first engagement portion. When the first clamping portion is clamped to the first engagement portion, the upper cover blocks the third through hole.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer packaging portion includes a first through hole configured to expose at least a part of the chip, and a second through hole configured to expose at least a part of the accommodating portion, so as to position the consumable container. Operation to the chip on the consumable container can be performed without removing the outer packaging portion so as to avoid scrapping of the outer packaging portion, thereby reducing the procedures of the production or the reprocessing and resulting in lower cost and higher efficiency. The second through hole is configured such that at least a part of the chip device for operating the chip is capable of being inserted into the accommodating portion to position the consumable container, thereby preventing the unfixed position of the consumable container in the outer packaging portion from resulting inaccurate operation to the chip.

It should be understood that the above general descriptions and the following detailed descriptions are only exemplary and do not limit the present disclosure.

The drawings herein are incorporated into the description and form a part of the description, showing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and are used together with the description for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

In order to better understand the technical scheme of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings.

It should be explicit that the described embodiments are only partial embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure.

The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "said" used in the embodiments of the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" used herein is only an association relationship describing the association object, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can represent that there are three situations: A alone, A and B at the same time, and B alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally means that the former and latter associated objects have an "or" relationship.

It should be noted that the location words "up", "down", "left", "right" and so on described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are described from the perspective shown in the attached drawings and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected "above" or "below" another element, it can be directly connected "above" or "below" another element, and can be indirectly connected "above" or "below" another element through an intermediate element.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable container in a first embodiment. <FIG> shows a plurality of consumable containers. The plurality of consumable containers has a same structure. As is shown in <FIG>, the consumable container <NUM> has a substantial cuboid shape with six surfaces, which are a bottom surface 30f, a top surface 30e, a first side surface 30a, a second side surface 30b, a third side surface 30c, and a fourth side surface 30d, respectively. The consumable container <NUM> can provide raw printing material for a printer after being assembled on the printer.

The consumable container <NUM> is provided with a main body <NUM>, a fixing portion <NUM>, a chip <NUM> and a supply port <NUM>.

The consumable container <NUM> can be an ink cartridge, a toner cartridge, or an ink ribbon. Printing raw materials can be ink, toner, etc. The main body <NUM> stores printing raw materials, and provides the printing raw materials to the printer through the supply port <NUM> when necessary. The fixing portion <NUM> is configured to fix the consumable container <NUM> to the printer. The fixing portion <NUM> has a second clamping part <NUM> which matches a second engagement portion on the printer to fix the consumable container <NUM> to the printer. When the consumable container <NUM> is installed on the printer, an electrical signal is transmitted between the chip <NUM> and the printer. The chip <NUM> stores the type information of the printing raw materials, the storage amount information of the printing raw materials in the consumable container <NUM>, the consumable model information, etc. The chip <NUM> has a terminal 331abutting with the printer, so that the electrical signal can be transmitted therebetween.

As shown in <FIG>, the supply port <NUM> is provided on the bottom surface 30f of the consumable container <NUM>, and the chip <NUM> and the fixing portion <NUM> are provided on the first side surface 30a. The fixing portion <NUM> can be a handle that rotates around a fulcrum, a pair of snap-fit members that move in parallel, or an elastic member having elastic effect.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic diagrams of outer packaging portions of the first embodiment. The outer packaging portion <NUM> has an accommodating portion in its interior, which can accommodate the consumable container <NUM>. The outer packaging portion <NUM> can clamp one consumable container <NUM> or multiple (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. ) consumable containers <NUM>. The outer packaging portion <NUM> has a substantial cube or cuboid shape. The outer packaging portion <NUM> has a first surface 20a, a second surface 20b, a third surface 20c, a fourth surface 20d, a fifth surface 20e, and a sixth surface 20f. The outer packaging portion <NUM> has a first through hole <NUM> and a second through hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer packaging portion <NUM> has an accommodating portion in its interior, and the accommodating portion can accommodate four consumable containers <NUM>. The four consumable containers <NUM> can be consumable containers with four different colors suitable for a same printer (for example: black, red, yellow and blue), and can also be four identical products (for example: T1812C). A three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system XYZ is established. The first surface 20a and the second surface 20b are arranged opposite to each other in the Y-axis direction, and the direction in which the first surface 20a points to the second surface 20b is defined as a +Y-axis direction. The Y-axis is the width direction. The third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d are arranged opposite to each other in the X-axis direction, and the direction in which the third surface 20c points to the fourth surface 20d is defined as the +X-axis direction. The X-axis is the length direction. The fifth and the six surface 20e, 20f are arranged opposite to each other in the Z-axis direction, and the direction in which the fifth surface 20e points to the sixth surface 20f is defined as the +Z-axis direction. The Z-axis is the height direction. The third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d are intersected with the first and the second surfaces 20a, 20b. The fifth and the sixth surfaces 20e, 20f are intersected with the first, the second, the third, and the fourth surfaces 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. The first through hole <NUM> are provided in the first surface 20a, and the second through holes <NUM> are provided in the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d.

Furthermore, the first through hole <NUM> is a through hole that penetrates through the first surface 20a of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The second through holes <NUM> include one or more first holes <NUM> penetrating through the third surface 20c, and one or more second holes <NUM> penetrating through the fourth surface 20d. The first holes <NUM> and the second holes <NUM> are positioned opposite to each other. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there are three first holes <NUM> and three second holes <NUM>. The second through holes <NUM> can expose part of the accommodating portion to locate the consumable container <NUM>.

Furthermore, the second through holes <NUM> are provided in at least one of the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d. For example, the second through holes <NUM> are provided on the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d. The first holes <NUM> are provided on the third surface 20c, and the second holes <NUM> are provided on the fourth surface 20d.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable package assembly of the first embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable package assembly and the chip device of the first embodiment. The consumable package assembly <NUM> is matched with the chip device <NUM> that operates the chip <NUM>. The consumable container <NUM> includes the chip <NUM>. The outer packaging portion <NUM> includes the accommodating portion which accommodates the consumable container <NUM>. The accommodating portion can accommodate one or more consumable container <NUM>. The chip device <NUM> has an operation head <NUM> and positioning posts <NUM>. The positioning posts <NUM> include first positioning posts <NUM> and second positioning posts <NUM>.

The second through hole <NUM> is capable of inserting at least part of the chip device <NUM> into the accommodating portion to position the consumable container <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment the accommodating portion of the outer packaging portion <NUM> accommodates four consumable containers <NUM>. The outer packaging portion <NUM> is provided with the first through hole <NUM> and the second through holes <NUM>. After one or more consumable containers <NUM> are put in the outer packaging portion <NUM>, the first through hole <NUM> exposes at least part of the chip <NUM> and the second through holes <NUM> allow at least part of the chip device <NUM> to be inserted into the accommodating portion to position the consumable container <NUM>. After the consumable container <NUM> is put in the outer packaging portion <NUM>, the position of the first side surface 30a of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to the first surface 20a of the outer packaging portion <NUM> and the chip <NUM> corresponds to the first surface 20a. That is, the first side surface 30a of the consumable container <NUM> is closest to the first surface 20a of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the first side surface 30a of the consumable container <NUM> is parallel to and closest to the first surface 20a of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The chip <NUM> is parallel to the first surface 20a and is closer to the first surface 20a than to the second surface 20b. The position of the second side surface 30b of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to the second surface 20b of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The position of the bottom surface 30f of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to the sixth surface 20f of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The position of the top surface 30e of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to fifth surface 20e of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The position of the third side surface 30c of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to the third surface 20c of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The position of the fourth side surface 30d of the consumable container <NUM> corresponds to the fourth surface 20d of the outer packaging portion <NUM>. At least part of the chip <NUM> on the first side surface 30a can be exposed from the first through hole <NUM> in the first surface 20a. Furthermore, the first through hole <NUM> can expose the entire of the chip <NUM>. The operation head <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> can be electrically connected to the chip <NUM> via the first though hole <NUM> so as to operate the chip <NUM>. Hence, operation to the chips on the consumable container <NUM> can be performed without removing the outer packaging portion <NUM> so as to reduce the scrapping of the outer packaging portion, thereby reducing the reworking procedures of the production of the outer packaging portions or the reprocessing of the outer packaging portion and resulting in lower costs and higher efficiency.

Furthermore, the form of electrical connection may be direct contact of two conductors or connection of two conductors via a third component.

However, the consumable container <NUM> is movable in the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The consumable container <NUM> has certain movement space, resulting in that the chip device <NUM> cannot be electrically connected to the chip accurately during the operation and thus the chip <NUM> cannot be operated accurately. If the position of the consumable container <NUM> is offset, the contact between the operation head <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> and the chip <NUM> will be misplaced, resulting in that the chip device <NUM> cannot operate the chip <NUM>.

The second through hole <NUM> can expose part of the third side surface 30c of one of the consumable containers <NUM> so that part of the chip device <NUM> (the positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM>) extends into the accommodating portion to contact and thereby fix the consumable container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the positioning posts <NUM> include first positioning posts <NUM> and second positioning posts <NUM>. The second through holes <NUM> include one or more first holes <NUM> penetrating through the third surface 20c, and one or more second holes <NUM> penetrating through the fourth surface 20d. The first holes <NUM> and the second holes <NUM> are positioned opposite to each other. The first positioning posts <NUM> are inserted into the accommodating portion through the first holes <NUM> to contact the third side surface 30c of the consumable container <NUM>, and the second positioning posts <NUM> are inserted into the accommodating portion through the second holes <NUM> to contact the fourth side surface 30d of the consumable container <NUM>, so as to position the consumable container <NUM>, so that the position of the consumable container <NUM> relative to the chip device is uniquely fixed. Then the operation head <NUM> penetrates through the first through hole <NUM> to operate the chip <NUM>.

The numbers and the positions of the first positioning posts <NUM> and the second positioning posts <NUM> correspond to the numbers and the positions of the first holes <NUM> and the second holes <NUM>, respectively. The number of the first holes <NUM> is three, the number of the second holes <NUM> is three, the number of the first positioning posts <NUM> is three, and the number of the second positioning posts <NUM> is three.

The chip device <NUM> can position the consumable container <NUM> by the second through holes <NUM> so as to prevent the unfixed position of the consumable container <NUM> in the outer packaging portion <NUM> from resulting inaccurate operation to the chip.

The numbers and the positions of the first holes <NUM> corresponds to the numbers and the positions of the second holes <NUM>, respectively, and the numbers and the positions of the first positioning posts <NUM> and the second positioning posts <NUM> corresponds to the numbers and the positions of the first holes <NUM> and the second holes <NUM>, respectively. As a result, the first positioning posts <NUM> and the second positioning posts <NUM> can stably fix the consumable container <NUM> during positioning, so as to prevent the non-corresponding position from resulting deviation and skew of the consumable container <NUM>.

Furthermore, two contacting components (the positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> and the consumable container <NUM> herein) may directly contact, or may indirectly contact by a third component between them. For example, four consumable containers <NUM> are wrapped by plastic film and then put into the outer packaging portion <NUM>. When the chip device <NUM> is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> directly abut against the plastic film which wraps the consumable containers <NUM> through the second through holes <NUM>, and further position the consumable containers <NUM>. In addition, four consumable containers <NUM> can be put into the plastic bags so that the third side surface 30c and the fourth side surface 30d are both covered by the plastic bag. The combination of the plastic bag and the consumable containers are put into the outer packaging portion <NUM> together. When the chip device <NUM> is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> directly abut against the plastic bag through the second through holes <NUM>, and further position the consumable containers <NUM>. Moreover, the plastic bag has an opening position corresponding to the chip <NUM> so that the electrical connection of the chip <NUM> to the operation head <NUM> is ensured. Moreover, the consumable containers <NUM> may be wrapped or covered by other wrapper materials and then put into the outer packaging portion <NUM>.

The outer packaging portion <NUM> is made of materials of copper plate cardboard, white cardboard or white board paper, or the like. Furthermore, the outer packaging portion <NUM> can be folded by a piece of cardboard having a plate shape.

Furthermore, the first through hole <NUM> and the second through holes <NUM> may have a round, square, elliptic or irregular shape.

<FIG> are schematic diagram corresponding to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the holding member cardboard of the second embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the holding member of the second embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the holding member and the consumable container of the second embodiment.

The holding member <NUM> is formed by folding the holding member cardboard <NUM>'. The holding member cardboard <NUM>' has a body <NUM>, a first wing <NUM>, a second wing <NUM>, and a third wing <NUM>. The first wing <NUM> has a first gluing position <NUM>, the second wing <NUM> has a second gluing position <NUM> and the third wing <NUM> has a third gluing position <NUM>. The first gluing position <NUM>, the second gluing position <NUM> and the third gluing position <NUM> may be coated by glue or covered by double sided tape, and then be folded along the dashed lines in <FIG>. The first gluing position <NUM>, the second gluing position <NUM> and the third gluing position <NUM> will be fixed onto the body <NUM>. After being folded, the first wing <NUM> will form a first fixing position <NUM>, the second wing <NUM> will form a second fixing position <NUM> and the third wing <NUM> will form a third fixing position <NUM>. The first fixing position <NUM>, the second fixing position <NUM> and the third fixing position <NUM> protrude relative to the body <NUM>, forming a space <NUM> which can accommodate at least a part of the consumable container <NUM>. The first fixing position <NUM>, the second fixing position <NUM> and the third fixing position <NUM> carry the consumable containers <NUM> and may further fix the consumable containers <NUM>. After the consumable containers <NUM> being disposed on the holding member <NUM>, the first fixing position <NUM>, the second fixing position <NUM> and the third fixing position <NUM> will abut against the consumable containers <NUM> so as to fix the consumable containers <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of consumable containers <NUM> are fixedly disposed on the holding member <NUM>. During the manufacturing process, the holding member <NUM> is configured to carry and transport a plurality of semi-finished products or finished products of the consumable containers <NUM>, that is, the holding member <NUM> is stored, transferred and transported together with the consumable containers <NUM>, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency, making it easier to dispose the plurality of consumable containers <NUM> in a specified manner, improving the convenience during the manufacturing process, facilitating automatic manufacturing and, at the same time, preventing the chip <NUM> from being stained due to the fact that the consumable containers <NUM> cannot be disposed uniformly in a specified pose during the manufacturing process. The procedures of removing or assembling the consumable containers <NUM> from or onto the chip device back and forth are optimized and the manufacturing efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, the entire set of the consumable containers <NUM> is fixedly assembled onto the holding member <NUM> during the manufacturing process, and the entire set of the consumable containers is repaired, modified and detected at the same time during repairing, modifying and detecting, thereby saving time and improving efficiency.

The holding member <NUM> is made of materials of copper plate cardboard, white cardboard or white board paper, or the like. In addition, the holding member <NUM> may be injection molded or blowing molded by materials of rubber, PP, PS, ABS, or the like. The holding member <NUM> may be further made of materials of metal or the like by punching, die-casting or other techniques. The holding member <NUM> can be further made of materials of rubber or the like, in this case the consumable containers <NUM> are interference fitted with the holding member <NUM>, buffering the consumable package assembly <NUM> during the processes of transporting and storage.

The consumable containers <NUM> is assembled on the holding member <NUM> and then put into the outer packaging portion <NUM>, thereby forming the consumable package assembly.

Furthermore, the holding member <NUM> will not shield the chip <NUM>. After being put into the outer packaging portion <NUM>, at least part of the chip <NUM> will be exposed, realizing the beneficial effects described in the first embodiment as well.

For rest of the details, please refer to the first embodiment.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the outer packaging portion <NUM> of the third embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable package assembly of the third embodiment.

The second through holes <NUM> can be provided on at least one of the first and the second surfaces 20a, 20b. In this embodiment, the second through holes <NUM> are provided on both the first and the second surfaces 20a, 20b. The consumable container <NUM> is put in the outer packaging portion <NUM>, forming the consumable package assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second through holes <NUM> are formed on the first surface 20a and distributed at the position near the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d on the first surface 20a. When the chip device <NUM> is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the positioning portion of the chip device <NUM> clamp the third and the fourth sides 30c, 30d of the consumable containers <NUM> through the second through holes <NUM> to fix the consumable containers <NUM>. Furthermore, at least part of the third and the fourth sides 30c, 30d of the consumable containers <NUM> will be exposed for an operator to identify the positions of the third and the fourth sides 30c, 30d accurately.

In addition, the second through holes <NUM> are provided on at least one of the first and the second surfaces 20a, 20b and at least one of the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d.

The second through holes <NUM> may be further provided on the fifth and the sixth surfaces 20e, 20f. When the chip device <NUM> is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the positioning portion of the chip device <NUM> clamp the third and the fourth sides 30c, 30d of the consumable containers <NUM> through the second through holes <NUM> to fix the consumable containers <NUM>.

Furthermore, the second through holes <NUM> may be further provided on at least one of the third and the fourth surfaces 20c, 20d and at least one of the fifth and the sixth surfaces 20e, 20f.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable container and the holding member of the fourth embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the outer packaging portion of the fourth embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the consumable package assembly of the fourth embodiment.

The consumable package assembly <NUM> further includes a holding member <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> loads the consumable container <NUM> during the manufacturing process. The holding member <NUM> is injection molded by materials of PP, PS, ABS or the like. The holding member <NUM> has a positioning frame, a window <NUM>, a first positioning hole <NUM> and a second positioning hole <NUM>. The positioning frame can position the consumable containers <NUM>. The window <NUM> can expose, instead of covering, the chip <NUM>. The first and the second positioning holes <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged with the positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM>, and the second through holes <NUM> exposes part of the holding member <NUM> so as to position the assembly of the consumable containers <NUM> and the holding member <NUM>. The positioning posts <NUM> of the chip device <NUM> will be inserted into the first and the second positioning holes <NUM>, <NUM> to position the holding member <NUM> and the consumable containers <NUM>. Furthermore, the holding member <NUM> also has partitioning walls which fix the consumable containers <NUM>, respectively. The positions of the second through holes <NUM> corresponds to the positions of the positioning holes on the holding member <NUM>.

The second through holes <NUM> includes two holes provided on a same surface of the outer packaging portion <NUM>, which are a first sub-hole <NUM> and a second sub-hole <NUM>, respectively. The first sub-hole <NUM> is a round hole and the second sub-hole <NUM> is a elliptic hole. The first positioning hole <NUM> is a round hole and a second positioning hole <NUM> is a elliptic hole. The first sub-hole <NUM> as a round hole, the second sub-hole <NUM> as a elliptic hole. The first positioning hole <NUM> as a round hole and the second positioning hole <NUM> as a elliptic hole. Such an arrangement can provide a certain adjustment space when the positioning posts <NUM> are inserted into the second through holes <NUM>. If the first and the second sub-holes are both round holes, interference may occur when inserting the positioning posts <NUM> into the second through holes <NUM> as well as the first and the second positioning holes <NUM>, <NUM>, resulting in that the positioning posts <NUM> cannot be inserted into the first and the second positioning holes <NUM>, <NUM> smoothly.

By positioning the holding member <NUM>, indentation and stain caused by the manufacturing devices squeezing and clamping the consumable containers <NUM> can be avoided during the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, the second through holes <NUM> includes a plurality of holes, at least one of which is a elliptic hole. The number and the position of the second through holes <NUM> corresponds to the positioning holes on the holding member <NUM>, thereby providing a certain adjustment space when the positioning posts <NUM> are inserted into the second through holes <NUM>.

In another aspect, if there is no positioning hole on the holding member <NUM>, the position of the second through holes <NUM> corresponds to the wall of the holding member <NUM>. When the chip device <NUM> is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the positioning portion (which may be the positioning posts <NUM>) of the chip device <NUM> position (may clamp or squeeze by two sides) the holding member <NUM> through the second through holes <NUM>. Furthermore, the positioning portion of the chip device <NUM> can be positioned with the positioning holes on the holding member <NUM> and the wall of the holding member <NUM> together. By positioning the holding member <NUM>, indentation and stain caused by the manufacturing devices squeezing and clamping the consumable containers <NUM> can be avoided during the manufacturing process.

In addition, at least two surfaces of the outer side of the outer packaging portion <NUM> can be covered by packaging film.

A buffer member <NUM> is provided around an vulnerable part of the consumable container <NUM> in order to avoid damage to the vulnerable part. As shown in <FIG>, the vulnerable part of the consumable container <NUM> is the fixing portion <NUM>, which is an movable element and tends to be damaged due to collision from the outside. A buffer member <NUM> provided around the fixing portion <NUM> is configured to prevent the fixing portion <NUM> from being damaged.

On the basis of the first to the fourth embodiments, the consumable package assembly <NUM> in each embodiment may further include a protection component <NUM>. The provided protection component <NUM> may be provided on the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The protection component <NUM> covers at least part of the first through hole <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM> for blocking the communication between the accommodating portion and the outside. Furthermore, the protection component <NUM> covers the first through hole <NUM> or at least part of the second through holes <NUM>, and completely blocks the communication between the accommodating portion and the outside.

In an embodiment, for the provided protection component <NUM>, in order to block the communication between the inside and the outside, the provided protection component <NUM> may be a protective film structure, which can be detachably connected to the outer packaging portion <NUM> and/or the consumable container <NUM>. The protective film can be waterproof, dustproof and air-circulation-proof, so as to seal the corresponding first through holes <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM>. In order to ensure the sealing effect of the protective film, and to facilitate the user's operation and facilitate the opening and sealing of the corresponding opening, the protective film can be connected by glue. The glued material can be disposable or recyclable. The protection component <NUM> can shield or open the first through hole <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM>. When the chip needs to be reset or rewritten, the protective film is torn off, and then the chip is operated through the first through hole <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM>. After completing the operation, the first through hole <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM> are covered by adhesive materials. The protection component may be self-adhesive paper, adhesive-type plastic film, or the like. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the protection component of the fifth embodiment.

A printing device includes a consumer package assembly <NUM> and a protection component <NUM>. The consumer package assembly <NUM> includes an outer packaging portion <NUM>. The outer packaging portion <NUM> is provided with a first through hole <NUM> for exposing at least part of the chip <NUM> contained in the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The second through hole <NUM> is configured to expose at least part of the consumable container <NUM>/the holding member <NUM>. The protection component <NUM> is assembled on the outer packaging portion <NUM>. The protection component <NUM> can shield the first through hole <NUM> or the second through holes <NUM> to shield the exposed part of the chip <NUM>, or the protection component <NUM> can open the first through hole <NUM> to connect the chip <NUM> to the chip device <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least part of the chip <NUM> is exposed to the outer packaging portion <NUM> through the first through hole <NUM>, so that the user can operate the chip <NUM> to reset, rewrite or detect the information stored in the chip <NUM>. However, since the exposed part of the chip <NUM> is always in contact with the external soldering environment through the first through hole <NUM>, dust will enter the chip <NUM>, thereby adversely affecting the service life of the chip <NUM>. In order to solve the above mentioned technical problems, in this embodiment, a protection component <NUM> is assembled at the first through hole <NUM>. When it is not required to operate the chip <NUM>, the first through hole <NUM> is shielded by the protection component <NUM> to shield the exposed the part of the chip <NUM> along the first through hole <NUM>, so as to reduce the risk of dust entering the chip <NUM>. The protection component <NUM> protects the chip <NUM> to increase the service life of the chip <NUM>, thereby increasing the service life of the printing device, reducing maintenance and replacement of the printing device, and saving cost.

Moreover, when it is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the protection component <NUM> can open the first through hole <NUM> to operate the chip <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the protection component <NUM> includes an upper cover <NUM> which is connected to the outer packaging portion <NUM> and can move relative to the outer packaging portion <NUM>. During the movement of the upper cover <NUM>, the first through hole <NUM> can be blocked or opened. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the upper cover <NUM> blocks the first through hole <NUM>, the exposed part of the chip <NUM> is shielded. By using the cover structure to cover the first through hole <NUM>, the protection of the chip <NUM> can be improved and the risk of damaging the chip <NUM> can be reduced due to accidental touch by external components. The upper cover <NUM> and the outer packaging portion <NUM> can be rotatably connected. When the upper cover <NUM> rotates relative to the outer packaging portion <NUM>, the first through hole <NUM> can be blocked or opened.

Furthermore, the protection component <NUM> further includes a lower cover <NUM>, which is connected to the outer packaging portion <NUM> and covers the first through hole <NUM>. The lower cover <NUM> is provided with a third through hole <NUM> which is connected to the first through hole <NUM>. The upper cover <NUM> can move relative to the lower cover <NUM> to block or open the third through hole <NUM>. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the upper cover <NUM> opens the third through hole <NUM>, at least part of the chip <NUM> can be exposed along the first through hole <NUM> and the third through hole <NUM> so as to operate the chip <NUM>. The upper cover <NUM> can be fastened to the lower cover <NUM> to block the third through hole <NUM> and further the first through hole <NUM> to cover the exposed part of the chip <NUM> so as to improve the sealing performance of shielding the exposed part of the chip <NUM>.

Wherein the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may be rotatably connected. When it is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> is rotated to open the third through hole <NUM>, and when it is not required to operate the chip <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> is reversely rotated to block the third through hole <NUM>. Alternatively, the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> can also be detachable connected, that is, when it is not required to operate the chip <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> is fastened on the lower cover <NUM> to block the third through hole <NUM>. When it is required to operate the chip <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> is detached from the lower cover <NUM> to open the third through hole <NUM>.

In an embodiment, one of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> is provided with a first clamping portion <NUM> and the other one is provided with a first engagement portion <NUM>. The first clamping portion <NUM> can be clamped to or unlocked from the first engagement portion <NUM>. When the first clamping portion <NUM> is clamped to the first engagement portion <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM> blocks the third through hole <NUM>. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the upper cover <NUM> is fastened to the lower cover <NUM>, the first clamping portion <NUM> can be clamped with the first engagement portion <NUM> to lock the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>, improving the reliability of the connection between the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>, reducing the risk of accidental opening of the upper cover <NUM>. When the upper cover <NUM> is opened, the clamping portion can be unlocked from the first engagement portion <NUM> to unlock the upper cover <NUM> from the lower cover <NUM>. The first clamping portion <NUM> is a convex portion, and the first engagement portion <NUM> is a concave portion.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the outer packaging portion <NUM> of the sixth embodiment.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of second through holes <NUM> on the third surface 20c or the fourth surface 20d of the outer packaging portion <NUM> may be provided, and the plurality of second through holes <NUM> on a same surface can be joined together to form a special shape, such as, a shape of a smiley face. The eyes and mouth of the smiley face are the second through holes <NUM>, thereby making the outer packaging portion cute and improving the frequency of use of the outer packaging portion.

In the same way, the first through hole <NUM> can also be designed in some special shapes.

Furthermore, the outer packaging portion <NUM> further includes a decorative portion <NUM>, which is provided on the first, the second, the third, or the fourth surface 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, making the image of the outer packaging portion <NUM> more vivid.

The second through holes <NUM> may also be uniformly distributed on the third surface 20c or/and the fourth surface 20d, or unevenly distributed on the third surface 20c or/and the fourth surface 20d.

Claim 1:
A consumable package assembly (<NUM>), comprising a consumable container (<NUM>) and an outer packaging portion (<NUM>), wherein the consumable container (<NUM>) comprises a chip (<NUM>), and the outer packaging portion (<NUM>) comprises an accommodating portion for accommodating the consumable container (<NUM>), wherein
the outer packaging portion (<NUM>) comprises a first through hole (<NUM>) configured to expose at least a part of the chip (<NUM>), characterised in that the outer packaging portion (<NUM>) comprises a second through hole (<NUM>) configured to expose at least part of the accommodating portion, so as to position the consumable container (<NUM>), and the second through hole (<NUM>) is configured such that at least a part of the chip device (<NUM>) for operating the chip (<NUM>) is capable of being inserted into the accommodating portion to position the consumable container (<NUM>).