Method for filling a liquid into a liquid container, a filling unit for executing the filling method, a liquid container manufactured according to the filling method and a liquid ejection apparatus

A filling unit for performing a liquid filling method for a liquid container, the liquid container including a first chamber incorporating a negative pressure generating member and including a liquid supply portion and an atmospheric-air communicating portion, and a second chamber including a communicating portion communicating with the first chamber and forming a substantially closed space, wherein liquid is filled in the liquid container by prohibiting discharge of air within one of the first chamber and the second chamber, and simultaneously filling a liquid into the other chamber while simultaneously discharging air within the other chamber to atmospheric air outside of the liquid container, in a state of posture in which the communicating portion is placed at a lower position relative to a position in actual use thereof in a direction of gravity, and performing sealing in order to cause the second chamber to be a closed space except the communicating portion,

• said filling unit comprising:
• a refilling station for controlling the discharge of air such that discharge of air is prohibited from one of the first and second chambers, said refilling station comprising a loading portion for mounting said liquid container, a first opening/closing portion which opens and closes said liquid supply portion of said liquid container mounted on the loading portion, and a second opening/closing portion which opens and closes said atmospheric-air communicating portion, wherein said refilling station opens and closes said first and second opening/closing portions to control discharge of air;
• a liquid filling unit for injecting a liquid stored therein into the liquid container, such that liquid is injected in the liquid container simultaneously with prohibiting discharge of air by said refilling station and simultaneously filling a liquid into the other chamber while simultaneously discharging air within the other chamber to atmospheric air outside of the liquid container, in a state of posture in which the communicating portion is placed at a lower position relative to a position in actual use thereof in a direction of gravity;
• and
• a seal member for causing the second chamber to be a closed space except for the communicating portion.

A liquid discharging recording apparatus comprising:

• a liquid container, including a first chamber incorporating a negative pressure generating member and including a liquid supply portion and an atmospheric-air communicating portion, and a second chamber including a communicating portion communicating with the first chamber and forming a substantially closed space, for holding a liquid;
• atmospheric-air-communicating-portion sealing means for sealing the atmospheric-air communicating portion;
• a recording head for performing recording on a recording medium by discharging the liquid supplied from the liquid container;
• and
• a replenishing container for holding a liquid to be replenished into said liquid container,
• wherein said liquid discharging recording apparatus further comprises means for injecting the liquid into said liquid container, and means for discharging air within the liquid container to atmospheric air outside of the liquid container, in a state in which the communicating portion of said liquid container is placed at a lower position relative to a position of actual use thereof in a direction of gravity
• wherein said means for injecting fills liquid in the liquid container by prohibiting discharge of air within one of the first chamber and the second chamber and simultaneously filling a liquid into the other chamber while simultaneously discharging air within the other chamber to atmospheric air outside of said liquid container, in a state in which the communicating portion is placed at a lower position in a direction of gravity.