1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to liquid supply systems.
2. Related Art
As a liquid supply system capable of supplying liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus, a mode of supplying ink to a printer, which is an exemplary liquid consuming apparatus, has been known hitherto. In recent years, a large ink capacity has been demanded. For this reason, it has been proposed to house a large-capacity container bag for containing ink in a case on a printer side face and supply, via a tube, the ink to a cartridge having a head on a carriage (e.g., WO97/42035). Since ink contains a precipitating component in some cases, it has also been proposed to house an ink pack that contains ink in a casing and vibrate or rotate the ink pack together with the casing to stir the precipitating component (e.g., JP-A-2012-139852).
In WO97/42035, if the ink contained in a containing bag contains a precipitating component, since the precipitating component is not stirred, there is a possibility that the ink cannot be provided to the printer, which is an exemplary liquid consuming apparatus, in an appropriate concentration condition. If the technique proposed in JP-A-2012-139852 is applied, the concentration condition can be improved by stirring the precipitating component. However, a problem arises in that the apparatus becomes complicated since the ink cartridge, which serves as a casing for containing the ink pack, is vibrated or rotated using a magnetic vibrator and a generator coil.
The invention deals with at least a part of the foregoing problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a system capable of suppressing complication and an increase in size of an apparatus, and efficiently suppressing precipitation of a precipitating component.
The invention has been made in order to solve at least a part of the foregoing problem, and can be achieved in the following modes.
(1) According to a mode of the invention, a liquid supply system capable of supplying liquid is provided. This liquid supply system includes: a liquid containing body including a liquid containing portion that contains liquid containing a precipitating component, and a liquid supply portion that guides the liquid contained in the liquid containing portion from the liquid containing portion to the outside; and a liquid containing body attachment portion to which the liquid containing body is attached in a detachable manner. The liquid containing body attachment portion includes: a support portion that supports a part of the liquid containing body in a state where the liquid containing portion is exposed, when attaching the liquid containing body; and an operating portion that applies a movement to the liquid containing portion of the liquid containing body supported by the support portion. In the liquid supply system in this mode, the liquid containing body is supported by the support portion of the liquid containing body attachment portion without using a casing, and at the time of the supporting, a part of the liquid containing body is supported, rather than the overall liquid containing body. Accordingly, the structure for supporting the liquid containing body can be simplified, and it is also possible, through this simplification of the configuration, to reduce the number of members, suppress an increase in the size of the system, and suppress complication thereof. Furthermore, in the liquid supply system in this mode, the liquid containing body need only be supported and attached to the liquid containing body attachment portion in a state where the liquid containing portion is exposed. Accordingly, it is possible to easily apply the movement to the liquid containing portion, easily and reliably stir the liquid contained in the liquid containing portion, and reduce a load placed on the operating portion, as compared with a liquid containing body in which the liquid containing portion is covered with a case. As a result, a device configuration of the operating portion can be simplified, and simplification and a reduction in the size of the system are also possible. Furthermore, the movement can be easily applied directly to the liquid containing portion as compared with a liquid containing body in which the liquid containing portion is covered with a case. In this regard as well, this mode is advantageous for simplification of the device configuration of the operating portion, and simplification or a reduction in the size of the system.
(2) In the liquid supply system in the above mode, the operating portion may apply a movement to the liquid containing portion along a linear trajectory. With this configuration, the operating portion need only be driven along the linear trajectory, and accordingly the device configuration can be further simplified, and the degree of freedom in a device installation space also increases.
(3) In the liquid supply system in any of the above modes, the support portion may support the liquid containing body such that the liquid supply portion of the liquid containing body is separate from a portion at which a movement is applied to the liquid containing portion by the operating portion. This configuration has the following advantage. If the liquid supply portion is close to a portion at which the movement is applied to the liquid containing portion by the operating portion (this portion will be hereinafter referred to as a movement applying portion, for the sake of convenience), liquid pressure may possibly be immediately and directly applied to this liquid supply portion with the movement applied to the liquid containing portion by the operating portion. In this case, there is a possibility of leakage of the liquid from the liquid supply portion or breakage of the liquid supply portion. In contrast, in the liquid supply system in this mode, the liquid supply portion is separate from the movement applying portion. Accordingly, the liquid pressure generated with the movement applied to the liquid containing portion by the operating portion will be applied to the liquid supply portion after the liquid containing portion is expanded between the movement applying portion and the liquid supply portion. Therefore, the liquid pressure is not easily applied to the liquid supply portion that is separate from the movement applying portion, as compared with a liquid supply portion that is close to the movement applying portion. As a result, with the liquid supply system in this mode, leakage of the liquid from the liquid supply portion and breakage of the liquid supply portion can be suppressed. In this case, if the liquid supply portion is located above the liquid containing portion and separate from the movement applying portion, the weight of the liquid is exerted such that the liquid pressure is not easily applied to the liquid supply portion separate from the movement applying portion. Accordingly, this mode is advantageous in suppressing leakage of the liquid from the liquid supply portion and breakage of the liquid supply portion.
(4) In the liquid supply system in any of the above modes, the operating portion may apply a movement to the liquid containing portion by moving the support portion. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently vibrate the liquid containing portion, and easily and reliably stir the liquid contained in the liquid containing portion.
(5) In the liquid supply system in any of the above modes, the operating portion may include an abutting portion that abuts against a bottom portion of the liquid containing portion to apply an up-and-down movement to the liquid containing portion. With this configuration, since the up-and-down movement is applied to the bottom portion onto which the precipitating component precipitates and accumulates, the precipitating component can also be efficiently dispersed to the upper side of the liquid containing portion. For example, if the bottom portion of the liquid containing portion has a gusset, the abutting portion acts for folding the gusset to the inside along a crease. Accordingly, this mode is also advantageous in reducing the liquid remaining on the side of the bottom portion of the liquid containing portion.
(6) In the liquid supply system in any of the above modes, the operating portion may include a roller that moves along a predetermined trajectory at a flexible portion that the liquid containing portion has. With this configuration, the portion at which the movement is applied to the liquid containing portion is moved along a predetermined trajectory by being driven by the roller, and accordingly the precipitating component can be efficiently stirred and dispersed. In this case, if the roller is configured to move along a predetermined trajectory in the up-down direction, the moving direction of the roller coincides with the precipitating direction of the precipitating component, and accordingly the precipitating component is also reliably dispersed to the upper side.
(7) In the liquid supply system in any of the above modes, the support portion may support the liquid containing portion from a lower side so as to provide underlying support, and the operating portion may include a press member that presses the liquid containing portion from above. With this configuration, the support portion, the liquid containing portion supported thereby, and the press member that is the operating portion and performs pressing overlap one another in a plan view. Accordingly, the device installation space in a plan view direction can be reduced, and an increase in the size of the system can be suppressed.
(8) In the liquid supply system in the above mode, a plurality of the press members may be arranged along the liquid containing portion, and the plurality of press members may operate at different operation timings. With this configuration, the precipitating component can be efficiently stirred and dispersed.
(9) The liquid supply system in any of the above modes may further include: a valve that is provided in the middle of a flow path through which the liquid supply portion guides the liquid from the liquid containing portion to the outside, the valve opening and closing the flow path; and a valve opening/closing portion that closes the valve before the operating portion operates, and opens the valve after an operation of the operating portion is completed. With this configuration, even if the movement is applied to the liquid containing portion by the operating portion, leakage of the liquid to the side of a flow path extending from the valve and of the liquid consuming apparatus that receives a supply of the liquid from this flow path is prevented, and transmission of movement of the liquid in the liquid containing portion to the liquid consuming apparatus is also suppressed. Furthermore, since the liquid containing portion is closed by the valve, the precipitating component is actively stirred and dispersed, and the precipitation of the precipitating component is more effectively suppressed.
Not all of a plurality of constituent components provided in the above-described modes of the invention are essential, and some of the plurality of constituent components may be modified, deleted, or replaced with a new constituent component, or the content of limitation may be partially deleted as appropriate, in order to solve a part of or the entire problem described above, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification. It is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in one of the above-described modes of the invention with some or all of the technical features included in the other of the above-described modes of the invention to make an independent mode of the invention, in order to solve a part of or the entire problem described above, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in the specification.
The invention can be achieved in various modes, and for example, the invention can be achieved in modes such as a liquid consuming apparatus that receives a supply of liquid from a liquid supply system, a system including a liquid supply system and a liquid consuming apparatus, and the like.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
Next, embodiments of the invention will be described in the following order.
A to E. First to Fifth Embodiments:
F. Various modifications:
As shown in
The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a recording mechanism 11, paper feed trays 16, and a discharge tray 17. A plurality of paper feed trays 16 are provided at different height positions in the vertical direction. The paper feed trays 16 are provided in an apparatus first face (apparatus front face) 102 of the printer 10. Recording media (e.g., paper) on which an image such as a character is printed (recorded) by the printer 10 are contained in the paper feed trays 16.
The recording mechanism 11 includes a recording head (not shown) that discharges ink. The recording head is in communication with the liquid supply apparatus 20 via a flow tube. The recording head performs recording (printing) by discharging ink onto the recording media, using the ink supplied from the liquid supply apparatus 20. The recording media onto which the recording has been performed is discharged to the discharge tray 17.
The two liquid supply apparatuses 20 are provided respectively in an apparatus second face (also called an apparatus first side face or an apparatus first side wall) 104 and an apparatus third face (also called as an apparatus second side face or an apparatus second side wall) 106 that intersect the apparatus first face (also called an apparatus front face or an apparatus front wall) 102 of the printer 10. The apparatus first face 102 to the apparatus third face 106 are faces that are substantially vertical to the installation surface when the printer 10 is used. The apparatus second face 104 is opposed to the apparatus third face 106. Here, the liquid supply apparatus 20 provided in the apparatus second face 104 will also be called a first liquid supply apparatus 20A, and the liquid supply apparatus 20 provided in the apparatus third face 106 will also be called a second liquid supply apparatus 20B. Note that the two liquid supply apparatuses 20 will be simply called the liquid supply apparatuses 20 when not distinguishing between the first and second liquid supply apparatuses 20A and 20B.
As shown in
The four liquid containing bodies 50 contain (are filled with) different types of ink. In this embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks are contained in different liquid containing bodies 50. The liquid containing body 50K has a liquid containing portion containing the black ink, the liquid containing body 50C has a liquid containing portion containing the cyan ink, the liquid containing body 50M has a liquid containing portion containing the magenta ink, and the liquid containing body 50Y has a liquid containing portion containing the yellow ink. As shown in
In this embodiment, the aforementioned respective color inks contained in the liquid containing body 50K, the liquid containing body 50C, the liquid containing body 50M, and the liquid containing body 50Y are inks containing pigment, and the pigment contained in the color inks precipitates due to its own weight in the respective containing bodies. That is to say, the liquid containing bodies 50 each contain ink containing the pigment, which is a precipitating component, in the liquid containing portion 52.
The attachment/detachment units 30 shown in
As shown in
The liquid containing body 50 is detachably attached to the attachment/detachment unit 30 by executing the following two operations. The state where the liquid containing body 50 is attached to the attachment/detachment unit 30 will also be called an “attached state (connected state)”. The attached state (connected state) refers to a state where a later-described liquid supply portion 57 in the liquid containing body 50 is connected to a liquid introduction portion (liquid introduction needle) 362 in the attachment/detachment unit 30, and a circuit board 582 in the liquid containing body 50 is electrically connected to an electric connection portion (apparatus-side electric connection portion) 382 in the attachment/detachment unit 30. In the attached state, the ink contained in the liquid containing body 50 is in a state of being able to flow toward the side of the printer 10.
First Operation:
The user brings the attachment/detachment unit 30 into the first state (see
Second Operation:
After the first operation, the user presses the movable member 40 toward the side of the fixed member 35 via the liquid containing body 50, and thereby brings the attachment/detachment unit 30 into the second state (see
In the second state of the attachment/detachment unit 30, movement of the movable member 40 toward the side in a K1-axis direction with respect to the fixed member 35 is restricted by a lock mechanism. Note that, in the second state, the locking by the lock mechanism is cancelled by pressing the movable member 40 against the fixed member 35 in an inward direction (−K1-axis direction). It is thereby possible to switch the state of the attachment/detachment unit 30 from the second state to the first state by moving the movable member 40 so as to project outward (+K1-axis direction) of the fixed member 35.
The fixed members 35 are fixed respectively to the apparatus second face 104 and the apparatus third face 106 (
Each fixed member 35 includes a liquid introduction mechanism 36 and a contact point mechanism 38. The liquid introduction mechanism 36 has a liquid introduction portion 362. A later-described liquid supply portion (specifically, a later-described liquid supply unit 55) provided in each liquid containing body 50 is connected to the liquid introduction portion 362, and as a result, the ink contained in the liquid containing body 50 flows. The liquid introduction portion 362 is in communication with the recording head of the printer 10.
The liquid introduction portion 362 has a needle shape within which the ink can flow. The liquid introduction portion 362 extends along a center axis CL. A direction parallel with this center axis CL (i.e., an extending direction of the liquid introduction portion 362) is assumed to be the K1-axis direction. The K1-axis direction is orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The direction orthogonal to the K1-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is assumed to be a K2-axis direction. A face defined by the K1-axis direction and the K2-axis direction is parallel with a face defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction shown in
The liquid introduction mechanism 36 and the contact point mechanism 38 are arranged side-by-side in the K2-axis direction. Of the K2-axis direction, a direction extending from the liquid introduction mechanism 36 toward the contact point mechanism 38 is a +K2-axis direction, and a direction extending from the contact point mechanism 38 toward the liquid introduction mechanism 36 is a −K2-axis direction. Regarding the attachment/detachment unit 30, the Z-axis direction will also be called a “height direction”, the K1-axis direction will also be called a “width direction”, and the K2-axis direction will also be called a “depth direction”.
As shown in
The movable member 40 is configured to be able to move in the K1-axis direction with respect to the fixed member 35. The movable member 40 includes a base portion 41, a supply portion support portion 42, and a board support portion 48. The supply portion support portion 42 and the board support portion 48 are connected to the base portion 41. The supply portion support portion 42 and the board support portion 48 are members extending from the base portion 41 toward the side (upper side) in the +Z-axis direction.
The supply portion support portion 42 is a member for determining the position of the liquid containing body 50 (specifically, the liquid supply portion) with respect to the liquid introduction portion 362. When the attachment/detachment unit 30 is viewed in the K1-axis direction, the supply portion support portion 42 is provided at a position overlapping the liquid introduction portion 362. The supply portion support portion 42 is provided so as to form a shape denting in the −Z-axis direction. Groove portions 407 are formed on both sides of the supply portion support portion 42 in the K2-axis direction. As a result of later-described positioning portions of the liquid containing body 50 entering the groove portions 407, movement of the liquid supply portion provided in the liquid containing body 50 is restricted. That is to say, movement of the liquid supply portion provided in the liquid containing body 50 is restricted by a plurality of face portions (e.g., a first support face portion 402, a second support face portion 403, and a third support face portion 404) that demarcate and form the supply portion support portion 42, and the liquid containing body 50 is roughly positioned with respect to the attachment/detachment unit 30. In the supply portion support portion 42, a cutout portion 406 is formed in the first support face portion 402 located on the side of the liquid introduction portion 362. The cutout portion 406 has a dent shape opening on the side in the +Z-axis direction. When the attachment/detachment unit 30 is viewed in the K1-axis direction, the cutout portion 406 is provided at a position overlapping the liquid introduction portion 362. In the first state where the movable member 40 has been moved to the maximum in the +K1-axis direction with respect to the fixed member 35, the cutout portion 406 is located further on the side in the +K1-axis direction than the liquid introduction portion 362. As shown in
The board support portion 48 is a member for determining the position of the liquid containing body 50 (specifically, the circuit board) with respect to the contact point mechanism 38. When the attachment/detachment unit 30 is viewed in the K1-axis direction, the board support portion 48 is provided at a position overlapping the contact point mechanism 38. The board support portion 48 is provided so as to form a shape denting in the −Z-axis direction. Movement of the circuit board of the liquid containing body 50 is restricted by a plurality of face portions (e.g., a first board support face portion 482) demarcating and forming the board support portion 48.
As shown in
The liquid containing portion 52 can contain the ink serving as the liquid. The liquid containing portion 52 is attached to the operation member 53 in a state where a bag face (outer surface) is exposed. That is to say, the liquid containing portion 52 is configured not to be housed in a case or the like and to be visible from the outside. The internal volume of the liquid containing portion 52 decreases with a decrease of the contained ink.
The liquid containing portion 52 has a first film 521, a second film 522, a third film 523. The first to third films 521 to 523 demarcate a space portion for containing the ink on the inside thereof. Here, of the liquid containing portion 52, the side to which the operation member 53 is attached is the side of a first end portion (upper end portion) 501, and the side opposed to the first end portion 501 is the side of a second end portion (bottom end portion) 502. Furthermore, of the liquid containing portion 52, the first end portion side (the side in the +K2-axis direction) is the side of the first side end portion 503, and the second end portion side (the side in the −K2-axis direction) is the side of the second side end portion 504. The bottom end portion 502 serves as a gusset that can be folded to the inside at a crease 523m provided as a folding line in the third film 523 such that the first film 521 and the second film 522 overlap each other.
In the attached state of the liquid containing body 50, the first film 521 and the second film 522 constitute side faces of the liquid containing portion 52. Also, in the attached state of the liquid containing body 50, the third film 523 constitutes a bottom face of the liquid containing portion 52. The first film 521 and the second film 522 are arranged so as to face each other. A part of a peripheral region 51W of the first film 521 is adhered to that of the second film 522. Specifically, of the peripheral region 51W, a portion on the side of the first end portion 501, a portion on the side of the first side end portion 503, and a portion on the side of the second side end portion 504 are adhered. In order to facilitate understanding, in
In the third film 523, a peripheral region 51Y of the third film 523 and a part of the peripheral regions 51W of the first film 521 and the second film 522 are adhered to each other. The portion at which the third film 523 is adhered to the first and second films 521 and 522 is single-hatched with alternate long and short dashed lines. Thus, the liquid containing portion 52 in this embodiment is of a type in which the three films 521, 522, and 523 are adhered by adhesion or the like (a so-called pouch type with a bottom face).
The first to third films 521 to 523 are flexible members. As the material of the first to third films 521 to 523, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, or the like is used, for example. The first to third films 521 to 523 may also be formed using a laminate structure in which a plurality of films made of the aforementioned material are laminated. In this laminate structure, for example, a configuration may be employed in which an outer layer is formed by PET or nylon that has excellent shock resistance, and an inner layer is formed by polyethylene that has an excellent anti-ink property. Furthermore, a film having a layer to which aluminum or the like is deposited may be used as a constituent member of the laminate structure. The gas barrier property can thereby be enhanced, and therefore, a concentration change of the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 can be suppressed, for example. Thus, the material of the liquid containing portion 52 can be arbitrarily set.
The shape and the size of the liquid containing portion 52 can be arbitrarily set. For example, the liquid containing portion 52K that contains the black ink may have a larger volume than the volume (size) of the liquid containing portion 52C that contains the other (e.g., cyan) color ink. Furthermore, for example, the liquid containing portion 52 in this embodiment is of a type in which the first to third films 521 to 523 are adhered by adhesion or the like. However, the liquid containing portion 52 may be of a type (so-called pillow type) in which the third film 523 is omitted, and the first and second films 521 and 523 are adhered by adhesion or the like. Here, as mentioned above, the liquid containing portion 52 and the operation member 53 are different members. Accordingly, the type (shape, size, material) of the liquid containing portion 52 can be easily changed while using the same parts for the operation member 53. That is to say, the shape, size, and material of the liquid containing portion 52 can be set in accordance with the characteristics, amount, and the like of the liquid to be contained in the liquid containing portion 52, and accordingly the degree of freedom in design can be improved.
The liquid containing body 50 further has a flow path member 70 for causing the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 to flow into the liquid supply unit 55 (specifically, the later-described liquid supply portion). In this embodiment, the flow path member 70 is a tube. The flow path member 70 is arranged within the liquid containing portion 52.
As shown in
The holding portion 54, the first connection portion 546, the second connection portion 547, and the base portion 548 each have a bar shape. A frame-shaped member is formed by the holding portion 54, the first connection portion 546, the second connection portion 547, and the base portion 548. A receiving space portion 542 having a substantially rectangular shape for receiving a hand of the user is thereby demarcated and formed in the operation member 53.
The holding portion 54 is a portion at which the user holds the liquid containing body 50. The holding portion 54 extends in the K2-axis direction. As shown in
As shown in
The attachment portion 549 is located on the side opposite to the side on which the holding portion 54 is located with the base portion 548 therebetween. The attachment portion 549 is adjacent to the base portion 548. The attachment portion 549 extends in the K2-axis direction. The attachment portion 549 is a portion to which a first end portion 501 (
As shown in
The liquid supply portion 57 has a liquid supply port 572, which is one end, and a supply connection portion 573, which is the other end. The liquid supply port 572 is in communication with the inside of the liquid containing portion 52, and guides the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 to the outside (printer 10). The liquid supply port 572 defines a flat surface (a face defined by the Z-axis direction and the K2-axis direction) vertical to the holding face 541. The supply connection portion 573 is connected to the operation member 53. The liquid supply portion 57 is a tubular member (ring-shaped member) extending in the K1-axis direction (the direction of a center axis CT). The liquid supply unit 57 is provided so as to project outward (in the −K1-axis direction) of the operation member 53.
The liquid supply portion 57 has the center axis CT. The center axis CT is parallel with the K1-axis direction. Here, of the K1-axis direction, the direction extending from the liquid supply port 572 toward the supply connection portion 573 is a +K1-axis direction, and the direction extending from the supply connection portion 573 toward the liquid supply port 572 is a −K1-axis direction. The liquid supply unit 55 having the above-described configuration guides the ink contained in the liquid containing body 50 from the liquid containing body 50 to the outside in cooperation with the flow path member 70.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The valve seat 552 is a substantially ring-shaped member. The valve seat 552 is constituted by an elastic body such as rubber or elastomer, for example. The valve seat 552 is press-fit to the inside of the liquid supply portion 57. The valve body 554 is a member having a substantially circular column shape. The valve body 554 blocks a hole (valve hole) formed in the valve seat 552 in a state before the liquid containing body 50 is attached to the attachment/detachment unit 30. The spring 556 is a compression coil spring. The spring 556 biases the valve body 554 in a direction extending toward the side of the valve seat 552. In the attached state of the liquid containing body 50, the valve body 554 moves toward the side of the supply connection portion 573 by the liquid introduction portion 362 (
As shown in
As shown in
The liquid supply unit 55 has a function of supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 (
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The circuit board holding portion 59 has a dent shape opening on the side in the +Z-axis direction (the side on which the holding portion 54 is located). A bottom portion 594 of the dent shape inclines with respect to the holding face 541 (
The circuit board holding portion 59 has a first side wall portion 592 and a second side wall portion 593 that extend from both sides of the bottom portion 594 in the K2-axis direction toward the side in the +Z-axis direction. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The liquid containing body-side terminal group 580 includes nine terminals 581A to 581I. The storage device 583 stores information (e.g., the amount of remaining ink, ink color) and the like regarding the liquid containing body 50.
As shown in
The liquid containing body-side terminals 581A to 581I each have, at the center thereof, a contact portion cp that comes into contact with the corresponding apparatus-side terminal 381 (
Thus, the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 has the contact portions cp capable of coming into contact with the apparatus-side electric connection portion 382. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The press portion 545 is a portion to be pressed by the user when connecting the liquid containing body 50 to the printer 10. That is to say, the press portion 545 is a portion to be manually pressed. As a result of the press portion 545 being pressed toward the side in the −K1-axis direction, the movable member 40 (
The press portion 545 is provided so as to project from the operation member 53 in the +K1-axis direction. Thereby, the press portion 545 can be easily distinguished from other portions, and it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation of pressing the press portion 545 when connecting the liquid containing body 50 to the printer 10. As shown in
The operation member 53, the circuit board holding portion 59, the positioning portion 56, the liquid supply portion 57, and the press portion 545 may be formed by the same material, or may be formed by different materials in accordance with the usage. The material of the operation member 53 may be a synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or ABS resin, for example.
As shown in
The user sets the liquid containing body 50 to the movable member 40 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 that is in the first state. Specifically, the user holds the holding portion 54 in a state where the operation member 53 is further on the side in the vertically upward direction than the liquid containing portion 52. Then, as shown in
After the liquid containing body 50 is set to the movable member 40, the user presses the press portion 545 in the −K-axis direction toward the movable member 40, as indicated by arrow F in
As shown in
The aforementioned connection of the liquid introduction portion 362 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 to the liquid supply portion 57 of the liquid containing body 50 and the electric connection between the circuit board 582 of the liquid containing body 50 and the electric connection portion 382 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 are simultaneously performed when attaching the liquid containing body 50. When attaching the liquid containing body 50, the attachment/detachment unit 30 supports a part, i.e., an upper end of the liquid containing body 50 in a state where the liquid containing body 50 is exposed, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
If it is determined in step S105 that the stirring timing has come, the control apparatus MC drives the respective feed/discharge valves 210 so as to close (step S110). Next, the control apparatus MC performs drive control of the respective axis direction drive units 200 for a predetermined time, and thereafter performs stop control (step S120). When performing the stirring processing of this routine for each color ink as mentioned above, the control apparatus MC drives the feed/discharge valve 210K corresponding to the ink of the color regarding which the stirring timing has come, e.g., corresponding to the liquid containing body 50K of the black ink so as to open (step S110), performs drive control of the axis direction drive unit 200 corresponding to the liquid containing body 50K for a predetermined time, and thereafter performs stop control (step S120). By this driving of the axis direction drive unit 200, the attachment/detachment units 30 themselves each cause the X-axis reciprocating movement XM, the Y-axis reciprocating movement YM, or the Z-axis reciprocating movement ZM as shown in
Subsequently to the stop control of the axis direction drive units 200, the control apparatus MC performs control for opening the feed/discharge valves 210 (step S130), and ends this routine.
The liquid consuming system 1000 in this embodiment having the above-described configuration includes the liquid supply apparatuses 20 that use the attachment/detachment units 30 for attaching the liquid containing bodies 50. In each liquid supply apparatus 20, the liquid containing body 50 is supported using the fixed member 35 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 without using a casing, and at the time of the supporting, a part of the liquid containing body 50 is supported, rather than the entire liquid containing body 50. More specifically, the liquid containing body 50 is supported at the upper end thereof. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatuses 20 in this embodiment, the structure for supporting the liquid containing body 50 can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which the liquid containing portion is supported using a casing. It is possible, through this simplification of the configuration, to reduce the number of parts, and also suppress an increase in the size and complication of the system.
In each liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, the liquid containing body 50 need only be attached to the attachment/detachment unit 30 so as to be supported by the attachment/detachment unit 30 in a state where the liquid containing portion 52 of the liquid containing body 50 is exposed, and the axis direction drive unit 200 need only be driven so as to reciprocate. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, it is possible to easily apply the reciprocating movement to the liquid containing portion 52 and easily and reliably stir the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52, as compared with a liquid containing body in which the liquid containing portion 52 is covered with a casing. Accordingly, a load placed on the attachment/detachment unit 30, the back board 26BV, and the axis direction drive unit 200 can be reduced. As a result, with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, the device configuration involved in ink stirring in the liquid containing portion 52 can be simplified, and simplification and a reduction in the size of the system are also possible. Furthermore, as compared with a liquid containing body in which the liquid containing portion is covered with a casing, the movement can be easily transmitted directly to the liquid containing portion 52. Therefore, in this regard as well, the simplification of devices constituting the axis direction drive unit 200, and the simplification and the reduction in the size of the system can be promoted with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment.
In the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, when stirring ink in the liquid containing portion 52 in the liquid containing body 50, the attachment/detachment unit 30 need only be caused, using the axis direction drive unit 200, to perform the X-axis reciprocating movement XM along a linear trajectory in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis reciprocating movement YM along a linear trajectory in the Y-axis direction, or the Z-axis reciprocating movement ZM along a linear trajectory in the Z-axis direction. This reciprocating movement along the linear trajectory can be caused with a plain device configuration. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, omission of a device installation space and an improvement of the degree of freedom in device arrangement are possible by making the device configuration plain and simple. Furthermore, with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, the liquid containing portion 52 is efficiently vibrated by causing the aforementioned reciprocating movement of the attachment/detachment unit 30 that supports the liquid containing body 50 at the upper end thereof, and the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 can be easily and reliably stirred. The operation speed of the aforementioned reciprocating movement, i.e., the frequency in the case of assuming the reciprocating movement to be vibration may be determined as appropriate such that ink stirring is caused, in accordance with the maximum ink capacity and the amount of remaining ink in the liquid containing portion 52. Note that, in the liquid supply apparatus 20, the liquid introduction portion 362 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 is caused to enter the liquid supply portion 57 of the liquid containing body 50 after causing the positioning portion 56 of the liquid containing body 50 to enter the supply portion support portion 42 of the attachment/detachment unit 30. Therefore, even if the attachment/detachment unit 30 vibrates, leakage of the ink from the liquid supply portion 57 can be avoided.
In addition, the following advantages can be achieved with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment. The liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment integrally includes the positioning portion 56 and the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 in the operation member 53. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20 in this embodiment, the liquid containing body 50 can be operated while holding the operation member 53 when connecting the liquid containing body 50 to the printer 10. Therefore, the operability is better than a liquid containing body that does not have the operation member 53. Moreover, it is possible to simultaneously achieve insertion of the liquid introduction portion 362 of the attachment/detachment unit 30 into the liquid supply portion 57 of the liquid containing body 50 and electric connection between the terminals of the circuit board 582 of the liquid containing body 50 and the electric connection portion 382 of the contact point mechanism 38 in the attachment/detachment unit 30, which is convenient.
As shown in
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S1 in this embodiment, each assist rib 80 is caused to abut against the third film 523 that forms the bottom portion of the corresponding liquid containing portion 52, and transmits the up-and-down movement of this assist rib 80 to the bottom portion of the liquid containing portion 52. Incidentally, the pigment, which is a precipitating component in the ink, often tends to precipitate due to its own weight and accumulate on the bottom portion. With the liquid supply apparatus 20S1 in this embodiment, the up-and-down movement can be directly applied to the bottom portion on which the pigment tends to accumulate, and therefore the pigment can also be efficiently dispersed to the upper side of the liquid containing portion 52. The third film 523 forms a gusset in the bottom portion of the liquid containing portion 52 with a crease 523m (see
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S1 in this embodiment, the up-and-down movement or the pivoting is transmitted to the bottom portion of the liquid containing portion 52, while the liquid containing body 50 is supported at the upper end side thereof by the attachment/detachment unit 30, as shown in
As shown in the drawings, the liquid supply apparatus 20S2 in this embodiment includes roller mechanisms 220 in the housing space portion 26. These roller mechanisms 220 are prepared for the respective color ink, and are attached to and installed on a cover member 22 (see
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S2 in this embodiment, the roller 220R is directly pressed against and brought into contact with the flexible liquid containing portion 52, this roller 220R is moved up and down along a linear trajectory in the Z-axis direction, which is the vertical direction, and this up-and-down movement is directly transmitted to the liquid containing portion 52. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20S2 in this embodiment, the portion at which the movement of the roller 220R is applied to the liquid containing portion 52 can be moved up and down along a linear trajectory by driving the roller, and therefore the pigment, which is a precipitating component, can be efficiently stirred and dispersed. Moreover, since the trajectory of the roller 220R is an upward and downward linear trajectory in the Z-axis direction, the pigment can also be reliably dispersed to the upper side in the liquid containing portion 52 by causing the moving direction of the roller 220R to coincide with the precipitating direction of the pigment that is the precipitating component.
As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the printer 10A includes a bottom portion casing 10AB having an apparatus first face 102, an apparatus second face 104, and an apparatus third face 106 that are continuous with a paper feed portion 16A, as well as a bottom face (not shown), and an upper casing 12. The upper casing 12 contains the recording mechanism 11, is fixed to the bottom portion casing 10AB by a lock mechanism (not shown), and is removed from the bottom portion casing 10AB by releasing the lock mechanism when replacing the liquid containing bodies 50. A state where the upper casing 12 is removed is schematically shown in
The liquid containing body 50 of each color includes a pillow-type flexible liquid containing portion 52 so as to fix an end thereof to a corresponding holding portion 54. In this embodiment, each holding portion 54 has an elongated bar structure, and includes a liquid supply portion 57 and a board unit 58 that are similar to those in the already-described embodiments, on one end side in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, all of the liquid containing bodies 50 of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are housed in the liquid supply apparatus 20S3, and each holding portion 54 is supported on one end side (in the −Y direction along the Y axis in
The liquid supply apparatus 20S3 in this embodiment also includes a roller mechanism 220 that is similar to that in the above-described liquid supply apparatus 20S2. In
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S3 in this embodiment as well, each roller 220R is directly pressed against and brought into contact with the corresponding flexible liquid containing portion 52, the roller 220R is caused to reciprocate along the above-described linear trajectory, and this reciprocating movement is directly transmitted to the liquid containing portion 52. Accordingly, the same effects as those of the already-described liquid supply apparatus 20S2 can be achieved.
As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the printer 10B includes a paper feed tray 16 and a discharge tray 17 in a vertically stacked manner, and includes a recording mechanism 11 and a scanner portion 13 above the discharge tray 17. The scanner portion 13 is usually blocked by a lid 13F that is operated so as to open and close. A state where the scanner portion 13 is removed is shown in
The printer 10B in this embodiment is configured to perform monochrome printing using only black ink. As shown in
The liquid containing body 50 includes a pillow-type flexible liquid containing portion 52 so as to fix an end thereof to a holding portion 54. In this embodiment, the holding portion 54 has an elongated bar structure, and includes a liquid supply portion 57 and a board unit 58 that are similar to those in the already-described embodiments, on one end side in the longitudinal direction. The attachment/detachment unit 30 includes a liquid introduction mechanism 36 connected to a liquid supply portion 57 provided in the holding portion 54 in the liquid containing body 50, and a contact point mechanism 38 that is electrically connected to the board unit 58.
The liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment includes a one-way clutch 237, a time lag mechanism 238, a drive motor 239, and a feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, in addition to the attachment/detachment unit 30 and stirring drive mechanisms 230. The feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 is driven by receiving driving force of the drive motor 239, and opens and closes an ink flow path spanned from the attachment/detachment unit 30 to the recording mechanism 11. A state where the flow path is opened and closed by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 with the driving of the drive motor 239 will be described later.
As shown in
The stirring drive mechanisms 230 each support the first to fourth gears 233 to 236 around respective axes so as to mesh one another, and support the first cam 232a around the axis thereof coaxially with the first gear 233 so as to rotate in the same manner as the first gear 233. Also, the stirring drive mechanisms 230 each supports the second cam 232b around the axis thereof coaxially with the fourth gear 236 so as to rotate in the same manner as the fourth gear 236. Both the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the second stirring drive mechanism 230B have this configuration, and each drive shaft 237c causes the second drive transmission gears 237b on both sides thereof to mesh with the aforementioned gear group in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. In this case, although the first cam 232a and the second cam 232b are formed while cam profiles thereof are shifted, the first cam 232a in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the first cam 232a in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B have the same cam profile as viewed from the front in the X-axis direction. The same applies to the second cam 232b in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the second cam 232b in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. Note that the shift in the cam profile between the first cams 232a and between the second cams 232b will be described later.
The first drive transmission gear 237a meshes with the first gear 233 and the one-way clutch 237 on the side of the second stirring drive mechanism 230B, and transmits a rotation of the one-way clutch 237 to the first gear 233 in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. The rotation of the first gear 233 that thereby rotates is sequentially transmitted to the second gear 234, the third gear 235, and the fourth gear 236 on the side of the second stirring drive mechanism 230B, and is also transmitted to the second drive transmission gear 237b of the drive shaft 237c on the side of the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. Then, this drive shaft 237c transmits the rotation of the second drive transmission gear 237b on the side of the first stirring drive mechanism 230A to the second gear 234 and the third gear 235 in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A, and accordingly the gears in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A rotate synchronously with the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. Thereby, the first cam 232a in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the first cam 232a in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B also synchronously rotate in terms of the cam profile, and the second cam 232b in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the second cam 232b in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B synchronously rotate in terms of the cam profile.
The first press member 231a is pressed at both ends thereof along the X axis against the first cam 232a in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the first cam 232a in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B by a spring (not shown). The second press member 231b is pressed against the second cam 232b in the first stirring drive mechanism 230A and the second cam 232b in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B by a spring (not shown). Accordingly, the first press member 231a and the second press member 231b repeat the up-and-down movement in the Z-axis direction in
The one-way clutch 237 meshes with the time lag mechanism 238, and transmits only forward rotation of the drive motor 239 transmitted via this time lag mechanism 238, to the first drive transmission gear 237a in the second stirring drive mechanism 230B. The time lag mechanism 238 contains a spring, and rotates upon receiving the rotation of the drive motor 239. If the drive motor 239 rotates in the forward direction, the time lag mechanism 238 transmits the forward rotation of the drive motor 239 to the one-way clutch 237 while delaying by a predetermined time during which the contained spring is wound around a rotation shaft (not shown) from a free state. Accordingly, the second stirring drive mechanism 230B and the first stirring drive mechanism 230A operate after the forward rotation of the drive motor 239 is started, while delaying by the predetermined time defined in the time lag mechanism 238, and move the first press member 231a and the second press member 231b up and down as mentioned above. Backward rotation of the drive motor 239 is also transmitted to the one-way clutch 237 through the time lag mechanism 238, but the backward rotation of the drive motor 239 is not transmitted to the second stirring drive mechanism 230B by the one-way clutch 237.
The feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, upon receiving the forward rotation of the drive motor 239, closes the ink flow path spanned from the attachment/detachment unit 30 to the recording mechanism 11 such that the ink contained in the liquid containing body 50 does not flow toward the side of the recording mechanism 11. Also, the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, upon receiving the backward rotation of the drive motor 239, opens the aforementioned ink flow path that has been closed so far so as to enable ink supply from the liquid containing body 50 to the recording mechanism 11.
Ink stirring in the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment is performed by the already-described forward and backward rotation of the drive motor 239 as follows. First, the control apparatus MC (not shown) in the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 determines whether or not printing is being performed (step S100) and determines whether or not a stirring timing has come (step S105), as in the processing shown in
When the drive motor 239 thus rotates in the forward direction, the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, upon receiving this forward rotation, closes the ink flow path as mentioned above. Also, the time lag mechanism 238 transmits the forward rotation to the one-way clutch 237 after a lapse of a predetermined delay time. Accordingly, the second stirring drive mechanism 230B and the first stirring drive mechanism 230A respectively move the second press member 231b and the first press member 231a up and down with respect to the liquid containing portion 52 of the liquid containing body 50.
Before the driving of the stirring drive mechanism 230, as shown in
If the transmission of the forward rotation of the drive motor 239 to the stirring drive mechanism 230 is continued, the stirring drive mechanism 230 restores the first press member 231a to the home position thereof, and lowers the second press member 231b from the home position thereof to press the liquid containing portion 52 (
The control apparatus MC drives the drive motor 239 so as to rotate in the backward direction upon the first driving time elapsing. The feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, upon receiving this backward rotation, opens the ink flow path as mentioned above. After the opening of the flow path by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 ends, the control apparatus MC controls the drive motor 239 so as to stop. Since the backward rotation of the drive motor 239 is also transmitted to the time lag mechanism 238, this time lag mechanism 238 restores the contained spring to a free state. After the opening of the flow path by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 and the restoration of the spring in the time lag mechanism 238 to the free state are completed, the control apparatus MC controls the drive motor 239 so as to stop, and ends the stirring control. Note that the backward rotation of the drive motor 239 is not transmitted to the stirring drive mechanism 230 by the one-way clutch 237. As described above, in this embodiment, the control apparatus MC, the drive motor 239, the time lag mechanism 238, the stirring drive mechanism 230, the first press member 231a, the second press member 231b, and the like function as an operating portion that applies a movement to the liquid containing portion 52.
As shown in
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, the first press member 231a and the second press member 231b are arranged side-by-side along the liquid containing portion 52 as shown in
In the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, the ink flow path spanned from the attachment/detachment unit 30 is closed by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 with the forward rotation of the drive motor 239, and the first press member 231a and the second press member 231b are moved up and down in the stirring drive mechanism 230, while ensuring the delay time defined in the time lag mechanism 238. Then, in the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, after the up-and-down movement of the above two press members is completed, the ink flow path is opened by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 with the backward rotation of the drive motor 239. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, even if the up-and-down movement of the above two press members is applied to the liquid containing portion 52, it is possible to prevent leakage of the ink to the ink flow path on the downstream side of the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240 and the side of the recording mechanism 11 that receives a supply of the liquid from this flow path. Furthermore, with the avoidance of ink leakage, it is possible with the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment to prevent a movement of the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52 from being transmitted to the recording mechanism 11 through the ink flow path. In addition, with the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, the liquid containing portion 52 is made as an independent region by closing the flow path by the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240. Accordingly, the pigment, which is the precipitating component of the contained ink, is actively stirred and dispersed, and therefore the precipitation of the precipitating component can be effectively suppressed.
The liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment executes, as a series of operations, the closing of the ink flow path, the ink stirring with the up-and-down movement of the first press member 231a and the second press member 231b, and the opening of the ink flow path, using the feed/discharge valve mechanism 240, the time lag mechanism 238, and the one-way clutch 237. Accordingly, with the liquid supply apparatus 20S4 in this embodiment, detection of the stirring timing and the forward and backward rotation control of the drive motor 239 that accompanies the detection need only be performed, which is convenient.
Note that the invention is not limited to the above examples and embodiments, and may be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.
F-1. First Modification:
In the above-described first second embodiments, the overall region of each liquid containing portion 52 is formed by a flexible member. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the liquid containing portion 52 need only be able to function as a liquid containing portion capable of containing liquid inside. For example, the liquid containing portion 52 may be partially formed by a flexible member, or may be formed by a rigid member whose volume does not change regardless of the amount of consumed liquid. In the third and subsequent embodiments, the liquid containing portion 52 may be partially formed by a flexible member.
F-2. Second Modification:
In the above embodiments, the operation member 53 has a frame shape (
F-3. Third Modification:
The invention is applicable not only to an inkjet printer and a liquid containing body 50 thereof, but also to any printer (liquid consuming apparatus) that ejects liquid other than ink, and a liquid containing body for containing this liquid. For example, the invention is applicable to various liquid consuming apparatuses as listed below and liquid containing bodies thereof.
(1) Image recording apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus
(2) Color material ejection apparatuses used to manufacture color filters for image display apparatuses such as a liquid crystal display
(3) Electrode material ejection apparatuses used to form electrodes for organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FED), and the like
(4) Liquid consuming apparatuses that eject liquid containing biological organic matter used to manufacture biochips
(5) Sample ejection apparatuses serving as precision pipettes
(6) Lubricating oil ejection apparatuses
(7) Resin solution ejection apparatuses
(8) Liquid consuming apparatuses that perform pinpoint ejection of lubricating oil to precision machines such as a watch and a camera
(9) Liquid consuming apparatuses that eject transparent resin solution such as UV-cured resin solution onto substrates in order to form micro-hemisphere lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements and the like
(10) Liquid consuming apparatuses that eject acid or alkaline etchant in order to etch substrates and the like
(11) Liquid consuming apparatuses including liquid ejection heads for discharging a very small amount of any other kinds of droplet
Note that the “droplet” refers to a state of the liquid discharged from a liquid consuming apparatus, and includes droplets having a granular shape, a tear-drop shape, and a shape having a thread-like trailing end. Furthermore, the “liquid” mentioned here need only be any kind of material that can be ejected by a liquid consuming apparatus. For example, the “liquid” need only be a material in a state where a substance is in a liquid phase, and a liquid material having a high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, and other liquid materials such as inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, and liquid metal (metallic melt) are also included in the “liquid”. Furthermore, the “liquid” is not limited to being a one-state substance, and also includes particles of a functional material made from solid matter, such as pigment or metal particles, that are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, and the like. Representative examples of the liquid include ink such as that described in the above embodiments, liquid crystal, and the like. Here, the “ink” encompasses general water-based ink and oil-based ink, as well as various types of liquid compositions such as gel ink and hot melt-ink. When UV ink that can be cured by radiating ultraviolet thereto is contained in this liquid containing body and connected to a printer, the liquid containing portion is separate from the installation surface, and accordingly it is less likely that heat on the installation surface is transmitted to the liquid containing portion and cures the UV ink.
F-4. Fourth Modification:
In the above-described third embodiment, the roller mechanism 220 is attached to and installed on the cover member 22 (see
F-5. Fifth Modification:
F-6. Sixth Modification:
In the above embodiments, the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 includes the circuit board 582. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 need only have the contact portion cp that can come into contact with the apparatus-side electric connection portion 382. For example, the circuit board 582 may not include the storage device 583. For example, the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 may include a contact portion of a terminal that is used to detect attachment and detachment of the liquid containing body 50. Furthermore, the containing body-side electric connection portion 58 may include a general circuit board including a flexible cable, such as a flexible print board (FPC). This circuit board has, on one end side, a contact portion that can come into contact with the apparatus-side electric connection portion 382. The other end side is connected to a reset apparatus, for example. The above modification may be employed in place of the circuit board 582, or may be employed together with the circuit board 582.
The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be achieved in various configurations without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in the modes described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve a part of or the entire problem described above, or in order to achieve some or all of the aforementioned effects. A technical feature that is not described as essential in the specification can be deleted as appropriate.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014-181175 | Sep 2014 | JP | national |