JP2018070162A - Ink replenishment method, ink replenishment container and ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink replenishment method, an ink replenishment container and an ink tank capable of stabilizing ejecting state of ink and replenishing the ink smoothly when supplying (replenishing) the ink into the ink tank.SOLUTION: An ink replenishment method for supplying an ink into an ink tank 9A having an upward mouth 112 uses a self-supporting ink replenishment container having an obliquely cut discharge nozzle, the discharge nozzle is inserted into the mouth 112, and a replenishment container body 141 is self-supported on an ink tank body 9A in an inverted state. In addition, the ink replenishment container has a projection for forming a discharge nozzle at a top portion thereof, in which a tip end portion of a cylindrical body 144 is closed by an easy opening portion. The easy opening portion includes an annular breaking portion formed in the cylindrical body 144 so that the tip end portion is obliquely cut, and a ring-shaped finger rest portion connected to a side of the tip end portion of the cylindrical body 144 rather than the annular breaking portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply method, an ink supply container, and an ink tank.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of an ink ejecting apparatus, an ink jet printer that can perform printing on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a recording head toward a recording medium such as recording paper is known. In such an ink jet printer, there is a replenishment bottle (ink replenishment container) that allows a user to replenish ink in an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to a recording head.

As the ink supply container, for example, a thin bottle by pouch or blow molding is used. When refilling ink, hold the ink replenishment container so that the spout of the ink replenishment container is positioned above the mouth of the ink tank, and gradually increase the inclination of the ink replenishment container, so that the ink is transferred to the ink tank. It is done.
As a method for stabilizing the discharge of the contents from the replenishing container, Patent Document 1 discloses that an air replacement path is provided at the spout of the replenishing container.

  On the other hand, there is a case where after the ejection port of the ink supply container is opened and an appropriate amount of ink is ejected from the ink supply container to the ink tank, the ink remains in the ink supply container and the ejection port of the ink supply container needs to be closed again. Therefore, in Patent Document 2, in order to reseal the discharge port of the replenishing container, a cylindrical nozzle with a closed tip is provided on the pouch, and the tip of the cylindrical nozzle is broken and separated to separate the cylindrical nozzle. It is disclosed that the contents can be discharged by opening and the separated tip is used as a plug for a cylindrical nozzle.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, as a replenishment container for replenishing contents to a replenished container that does not have a dispensing part such as a dispensing nozzle or the like, a mounting cylinder that is mounted at the mouth of the replenishing container and has a spout formed And an operation member supported by the mounting cylinder so as to be slidable, and a pressing body disposed in the mounting cylinder, and the pressing body is slid by the mouth of the container to be replenished. A replenishment container is disclosed in which a sealing body of a sealing portion of a spout is pressed to open a spout.

  Further, as a bottle (ink supply container) suitable for injecting ink into an ink tank, a bottle shown in Patent Document 4 is disclosed. In addition, the bottle of patent document 4 has aimed at diversification of a bottle by providing the cap which has a common shape with respect to the bottle from which the accommodation capacity of ink differs.

JP 2005-88929 A Japanese Patent No. 4462475 JP 2012-012061 A JP 2014-88207 A

When the ink supply container is a pouch, the ink supply container itself is not stretched and its outer shape changes as the ink is ejected, so that the ink ejected from the pouch does not come off the mouth of the ink tank. Considerable attention is required for gripping the pouch, which is complicated. There is also a problem that the spout is closed carelessly due to the overlap of the films constituting the pouch. The bottle is easier to grip the container during replenishment than the pouch, but since air replacement is not performed smoothly, ink may be ejected in a pulsating manner, thereby causing problems such as unnecessary foaming of the ink Is caused.
As a result, when ink is supplied from the ink supply container to the ink tank, it has been desired to stabilize the ink ejection state and to make the supply operation extremely simple.

Also in the cylindrical nozzle shown in Patent Document 2, the problem of the ejection state in which ink is ejected in a pulsating manner is not solved.
As a result, when ink is supplied from the ink supply container to the ink tank, it is desired to prevent or suppress ink from pulsating from the discharge port and to enable resealing of the discharge port of the ink supply container. It was.

The standing pouch is formed of a soft wrapping material that is rich in flexibility and flexibility, and the container is likely to be deformed and unstable in a replenishment operation. In general, standing pouches have a part of the seal part cut out by hand or scissors to open the spout, and it requires time and effort to discard the cut piece separately from the empty supply container. . A pull ring type unsealed container similarly causes a problem of disposal of the pull ring.
On the other hand, in the replenishing container of Patent Document 3, since the liquid flowing from the replenishing container toward the replenished container flows in the mounting cylinder when the spout is opened, the liquid flowing into the replenished container The internal air is not released sufficiently due to the inflow, and it takes time for replenishment, or the liquid adhering to the vicinity of the mouth of the replenished container is pushed back to the air discharged from the replenished container, and the gap between the containers There is a risk of inconvenience such as leakage.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an ink replenishing container that does not require time and effort for disposal after replenishment, and that can be easily and smoothly replenished with ink simply by pressing it against the mouth of the replenished container (ink tank). It was. In addition, when ink is supplied from the ink supply container to the ink tank, the internal air is efficiently released as the ink flows into the ink tank, and the ink is smoothly supplied while preventing the ink from overflowing. There was a desire for an ink supply container that could be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When ink is supplied (supplied) to an ink tank, the ink ejection state can be stabilized and ink can be supplied smoothly. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply method, an ink supply container, and an ink tank. In order to achieve this object, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] An ink replenishing method according to this application example is provided in an ink tank including an ink tank main body that has an opening upward and contains ink, and a lid that can be opened and closed. A replenishing method for dispensing ink contained in an ink replenishing container, wherein the ink replenishing container uses a self-supporting ink replenishing container having a dispensing nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely at the top of the replenishing container body. The dispensing nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ink tank main body, and the supply container main body is turned upside down on the ink tank main body.

  According to the ink replenishing method of this application example, ink is replenished from the ink replenishing container main body to the ink tank main body through the dispensing nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely. , Can be stabilized in a smooth discharge state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress bubbling of ink during replenishment. Also, the ink supply container dispensing nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ink tank main body, and the ink supply container main body is turned upside down on the ink tank main body. The replenishment work can be completed even if it is not. Therefore, the replenishment work becomes extremely simple.

  Application Example 2 An ink supply container according to this application example is an ink supply container used in the above-described ink supply method, and the tip of the cylindrical body is an easy-opening portion at the top of the self-supporting supply container body. The projecting portion for forming the dispensing nozzle is closed, and the easy-opening portion includes an annular break portion formed in the tubular body so that the tip portion is obliquely cut, and the distal end of the tubular body rather than the annular break portion And a ring-shaped finger hook portion connected to the portion side.

  Application Example 3 In the ink supply container according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the finger hook portion is provided on the side surface side of the cylindrical body.

  Application Example 4 In the ink supply container according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the cylindrical body rises from the cap of the supply container main body, and the lower end portion of the finger hook portion is connected to the cap so as to be detachable.

  Application Example 5 In the ink supply container according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the cylindrical body rises from the cap of the supply container main body, and the finger-hanging portion is detachably connected to the side surface of the cylindrical body.

  Application Example 6 An ink supply container according to this application example is an ink supply container used in the above-described ink supply method. The tip of the cylindrical body is closed by an easy-opening portion on a self-supporting supply container body. The easy-opening portion has an annular break portion formed on the tubular body wall so that the tip portion is obliquely cut, and a tubular body surrounded by the annular break portion. And a knob formed with a plate-like member standing on the end face on the tip end side.

  Application Example 7 In the ink supply container according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the cross section of the tabular member of the knob has an S shape.

  Application Example 8 An ink supply container according to this application example is an ink supply container used in the above-described ink supply method, and the top of the self-supporting supply container body has an easily openable portion at the tip of the cylindrical body. The projecting portion for forming the dispensing nozzle is closed, and the easy-opening portion is a tubular shape surrounded by an annular fracture portion formed on the cylindrical body wall so that the tip portion is obliquely cut, and the annular fracture portion And an unsealing tab extending from the end face on the tip side of the body.

  According to the ink supply container of the above-described application example, the easy-opening portion can be easily opened, and thereby the ink supply container having the dispensing nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely can be obtained. This is useful as an ink supply container for performing the ink supply method.

  Application Example 9 An ink tank according to this application example is an ink tank used in the above-described ink replenishing method, and has an ink tank body that has a mouth portion upward and stores ink therein, and opens and closes the mouth portion. A lid portion that can be freely closed, and the lid portion is detachably screwed into the mouth portion of the ink tank body to cover the mouth portion, and is screwed into the mouth portion of the ink tank body from the outside of the inner lid. And an outer lid.

  [Application Example 10] An ink tank according to this application example is an ink tank used in the above-described ink replenishing method, and has an ink tank body that has a mouth portion upward and stores ink therein, and opens and closes the mouth portion. A lid portion that is freely closed, and the lid portion is an annular member that is attached to the mouth portion of the ink tank body, and an inner lid that is connected to the annular member by a hinge and covers the mouth portion of the ink tank body so as to be freely opened and closed. And an outer lid screwed into the mouth portion of the ink tank main body from the outside of the inner lid in a state where the inner lid covers the mouth portion of the ink tank main body.

  According to the ink tank of this application example described above, the inner lid can be easily detached from the mouth of the ink tank. Therefore, when refilling, the inner lid can be quickly removed from the mouth of the ink tank to make the mouth larger. It can be opened and used for the replenishment method of the present invention. After the replenishment, the inner lid can be quickly returned to the mouth and the ink tank can be used as an ink supply device for a recording head, for example. Become.

  [Application Example 11] An ink supply container according to this application example includes an outlet nozzle with a stopper having a cylindrical outlet nozzle and a stopper that is detachably attached to the outlet nozzle. The tip opening surface is an inclined pouring nozzle inclined with respect to the central axis of the pouring nozzle, and the stopper has a columnar portion inserted into the cylindrical portion of the inclined pouring nozzle, and the surface of the columnar portion is And it has the annular convex part which forms a liquid seal part with the inner surface of the cylindrical part of an inclination pouring nozzle, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to the ink supply container of this application example, since the discharge nozzle is an inclined discharge nozzle whose front end opening surface is inclined with respect to the central axis of the discharge nozzle, the ink is discharged in a pulsating manner during replenishment. It is possible to suppress and obtain a smooth discharge state. In addition, a plug that is detachably attached to the inclined dispensing nozzle is provided, and the columnar portion of the plug is inserted into the tubular portion of the inclined dispensing nozzle, and the inner surface of the tubular portion of the inclined dispensing nozzle and the liquid seal Since the portion is formed, it is possible to reseal well even if the dispensing nozzle is an inclined dispensing nozzle.
Therefore, according to the ink supply container equipped with the spout nozzle with a stopper, it is possible to transfer the ink to the ink tank in a smooth discharge state, and to store the ink that could not be transferred to the ink tank as it is in the ink supply container. It becomes.

  Application Example 12 An ink supply container according to this application example includes a plug member fixed to a supply container that stores ink to be supplied, and the plug member has a spout on a fixing portion and a peripheral wall fixed to the supply container. A fixed member having a celestial cylinder-shaped pouring tube, and a movable member attached to the pouring tube and closing the pouring port, the movable member having a pouring port closing portion for closing the pouring port, A pressing portion pressed against the mouth portion of the replenishing container, a connecting portion that connects the spout closing portion and the pressing portion, and a positioning engagement portion that engages with the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion. Provided with a vent hole in the connecting portion, and by pressing the movable member against the mouth of the container to be replenished, the movable member moves to the fixed portion side along the dispensing tube and the spout is opened. It is made so that it is made.

  According to the ink supply container of this application example, it is possible to easily and smoothly replenish the ink by simply pressing the ink tank against the mouth portion of the ink tank, without requiring time and effort for disposal after the replenishment.

  Application Example 13 An ink supply container according to this application example includes a plug member fixed to a supply container that stores ink to be supplied, and the plug member has a spout on a fixing portion fixed to the supply container and a peripheral wall. A fixed member having a celestial cylindrical discharge tube and a movable member that is attached to the discharge tube and closes the discharge port, and is movable by pressing the movable member against the mouth portion of the container to be supplied The member is moved to the fixed portion side along the dispensing tube so that the dispensing port is opened, and the movable member has a cylindrical dispensing port closing portion that closes the dispensing port, and flows out from the dispensing port. And a partition wall that separates the flow path of the ink flowing into the supply container and the flow path of the air discharged from the supply container.

  According to the ink supply container of this application example, the internal air is efficiently discharged as the ink flows into the ink tank, and the ink can be smoothly supplied while preventing the ink from overflowing. .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the main configuration of the ink ejection system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink tank according to the first embodiment used in the ink supply method. The perspective view of an ink supply container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an ink tank opening state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an open state of an ink supply container. Explanatory drawing at the time of the supply start of the supply method using an ink tank and an ink supply container. The perspective view which shows the self-supporting state by the replenishment method using an ink tank and an ink replenishment container. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a self-supporting state in a replenishing method using an ink tank and an ink replenishing container. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of an ink tank. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of an ink tank. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of an ink tank. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of the ink tank of a different aspect. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of an ink tank. Explanatory drawing of the cover part of an ink tank. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a dispensing nozzle forming protrusion of an ink supply container. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a dispensing nozzle forming protrusion of an ink supply container. Explanatory drawing of the opening method of the protrusion part for the extraction nozzle formation of an ink supply container. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a dispensing nozzle forming protrusion of an ink supply container of a different mode. Furthermore, the perspective view of the protrusion part for extraction nozzle formation of the ink supply container of a different aspect. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a dispensing nozzle forming protrusion of an ink supply container. Furthermore, the perspective view of the protrusion part for extraction nozzle formation of the ink supply container of a different aspect. FIG. 4 is a side view of the vicinity of a protrusion for forming a dispensing nozzle of an ink supply container. Furthermore, the perspective view of the protrusion part for extraction nozzle formation of the ink supply container of a different aspect. FIG. 4 is a side view of the vicinity of a protrusion for forming a dispensing nozzle of an ink supply container. FIG. 4 is a side view of the vicinity of a protrusion for forming a dispensing nozzle of an ink supply container. Furthermore, the perspective view of the ink supply container of a different aspect. The side view of an ink supply container. Explanatory drawing of the opening method of the protrusion part for the extraction nozzle formation of an ink supply container. Furthermore, the perspective view of the ink supply container of a different aspect. The side view of an ink supply container. Explanatory drawing of the opening method of the protrusion part for the extraction nozzle formation of an ink supply container. Furthermore, the perspective view of the ink supply container of a different aspect. Explanatory drawing of the opening method of the protrusion part for the extraction nozzle formation of an ink supply container. The perspective view of the ink supply container provided with the pouring nozzle with a stopper concerning a 2nd embodiment. Sectional drawing of the pouring nozzle with a stopper. Sectional drawing of the modification of the pouring nozzle with a stopper. Sectional drawing of the modification of the pouring nozzle with a stopper. Furthermore, the perspective view of the extraction nozzle with a stopper of another Example. Sectional drawing of the pouring nozzle with a stopper. Furthermore, sectional drawing of the pouring nozzle with a different stopper. Explanatory drawing of the usage method of an ink supply container. Explanatory drawing of the usage method of an ink supply container. The perspective view explaining the condition which supplies ink to an ink tank with the ink supply container which attached the plug member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state by which the spout was closed by the movable member of the stopper member. The perspective view which shows the state by which the spout was open | released by the movable member of the stopper member. The perspective view which shows the fixing member of a stopper member. FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 24A. FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 24A. The perspective view which shows the movable member of a stopper member. The top view which shows the movable member of a stopper member. FIG. 25B is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III in FIG. 25B. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a closed spout of an ink supply container to which a stopper member is attached. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ink supply container with a stopper member attached is turned upside down and the stopper member is set on the neck of the ink tank. Sectional drawing which shows the state which pushed down the ink supply container which attached the stopper member, and opened the spout. The top view which shows the movable member in another plug member. It is a perspective view explaining the condition which supplies ink to an ink tank with the ink supply container which attached the plug member which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the spout was closed by the movable member of the stopper member. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the spout was open | released by the movable member of the stopper member. It is a perspective view which shows the fixing member of a stopper member. It is sectional drawing in alignment with II of FIG. 32A. It is sectional drawing along II-II of FIG. 32A. It is a perspective view which shows the movable member of a stopper member. It is a top view which shows the movable member of a stopper member. FIG. 33B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 33B. It is sectional drawing along IV-IV of FIG. 33B. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the spout which was closed of the ink supply container which attached the stopper member. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ink supply container with a stopper member attached is turned upside down and the stopper member is set at the mouth of the ink tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which pushed down the ink supply container which attached the stopper member, and opened the spout, and is sectional drawing which follows the opening direction of a spout. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which pushed down the ink supply container which attached the stopper member, and opened the spout, and is sectional drawing which follows the direction orthogonal to the opening direction of a spout. It is a top view which shows the movable member in another plug member. It is a top view which shows the movable member in another plug member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member is illustrated differently from the actual scale for convenience of explanation.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a main configuration of an ink ejection system 1 according to the following embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an XYZ axis, which is a coordinate axis orthogonal to each other, and shows a use state when the ink ejection system 1 is arranged on an XY plane that coincides with a horizontal plane. In this case, the X axis coincides with the direction in which the carriage 7 is reciprocated, the Y (Y (+)) axis coincides with the direction in which the recording medium P is conveyed, and the Z axis is in the height direction of the ink ejection system 1. Match.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink ejection system 1 of the present embodiment includes a printer 2 that is an example of an ink ejection device, and an ink supply device 3. The printer 2 includes a control unit 4 and a recording unit 5. In the printer 2, the control unit 4 and the recording unit 5 are accommodated in a housing 6. The recording unit 5 performs recording with ink on a recording medium P that is transported in the Y-axis direction by a transport device (not shown). Note that a conveyance device (not shown) intermittently conveys the recording medium P such as recording paper in the Y (+) direction. The recording unit 5 is configured to be able to reciprocate along the X axis by a moving device (not shown). The ink supply device 3 supplies ink to the recording unit 5. The control unit 4 controls the driving of each of the above components.

  The recording unit 5 includes a carriage 7 and a recording head 8. The recording head 8 is an example of an ink ejecting unit, and performs recording on the recording medium P by ejecting ink as ink droplets. The carriage 7 has a recording head 8 mounted thereon. The recording head 8 is electrically connected to the control unit 4. The ejection of ink droplets from the recording head 8 is controlled by the control unit 4.

  The ink supply device 3 has an ink tank 9. The ink supply device 3 of the present embodiment has a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of ink tanks 9. The plurality of ink tanks 9 are accommodated in the housing 10. Thereby, the ink tank 9 can be protected by the housing 10. The housing 10 and the housing 6 may be separate from each other or may be integrated. When the housing 10 and the housing 6 are integrated, the plurality of ink tanks 9 can be accommodated inside the housing 6 together with the recording head 8 and the ink supply tube 12.

  Ink is stored (stored) in the ink tank 9. An ink injection part 11 is formed in the ink tank 9. Ink can be injected (supplemented) into the ink tank 9 from the outside of the ink tank 9 into the ink tank 9 via the ink injection unit 11. The operator can access the ink injection portion 11 of the ink tank 9 from the outside of the housing 10. Further, the ink injection part 11 is sealed with a lid (not shown). When an operator injects (supplements) ink into the ink tank 9, he opens the lid and opens the ink injecting unit 11, and then injects (supplements) ink with an ink supply container described later.

  An ink supply tube 12 is connected to each ink tank 9. The ink in the ink tank 9 is supplied from the ink supply device 3 to the recording head 8 via the ink supply tube 12. The ink supplied to the recording head 8 is ejected as ink droplets from a nozzle (not shown) directed to the recording medium P side. In the above example, the printer 2 and the ink supply device 3 have been described as separate configurations. However, the ink supply device 3 may be included in the configuration of the printer 2.

  In the present embodiment, the ink supply device 3 is installed on the side surface of the printer 2 on the X (+) side. However, the installation position of the ink supply device 3 (ink tank 9) is not limited to this, and the side surface of the printer 2 on the X (−) side, the side surface of the printer 2 on the Y (+) side (front side surface), and the like. You may install in.

  In the ink ejection system 1 having the above-described configuration, the recording medium P is transported in the Y-axis direction (Y (+) direction), and the carriage 7 is reciprocated along the X-axis while being moved to a predetermined position on the recording head 8. The recording is performed on the recording medium P by ejecting ink droplets. These operations are controlled by the control unit 4.

  The ink is not limited to either water-based ink or oil-based ink. The water-based ink may be either one having a structure in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an aqueous solvent or one having a structure in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium. The oil-based ink may be either one having a configuration in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an oil-based solvent or one having a configuration in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an oil-based dispersion medium.

In this embodiment, an ink supply container is used for injecting ink into the ink tank 9. Hereinafter, various embodiments of the ink supply container will be described.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

  FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ink tank 9 of the first embodiment used in the ink replenishing method. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the ink supply container 15A. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an open state of the ink tank 9. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing an open state of the ink supply container 15A. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view at the start of replenishment of the replenishing method using the ink tank 9 and the ink replenishing container 15A. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a self-supporting state in the replenishing method using the ink tank 9 and the ink replenishing container 15A. FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a self-supporting state in the replenishing method using the ink tank 9 and the ink replenishing container 15A. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 5A in detail. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120 </ b> A of the ink tank 9. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120 </ b> A of the ink tank 9. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120 </ b> A of the ink tank 9.

  FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120B of the ink tank 9 in a different mode. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120 </ b> B of the ink tank 9. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram of the lid 120 </ b> B of the ink tank 9.

  FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15A. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15A. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along XX in FIG. 8A in detail. FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram of a method for opening the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15A.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15B of a different mode.

  FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the vicinity of the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15C of still another aspect. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15C. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along XX in FIG. 10A in detail.

  FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the vicinity of the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15D of still another aspect. FIG. 11B is a side view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15D.

  FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15E of still another aspect. FIG. 12B is a side view of the vicinity of the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15E. FIG. 12C is a side view of the vicinity of the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15E.

  FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an ink supply container 15F of still another aspect. FIG. 13B is a side view of the ink supply container 15F. FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of a method for opening the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15F.

  FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an ink supply container 15G of still another aspect. FIG. 14B is a side view of the ink supply container 15G. FIG. 14B is a side view taken along AA of FIG. 14A in detail. FIG. 14C is an explanatory diagram of a method for opening the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15G.

  FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an ink supply container 15H of still another aspect. FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a method for opening the ejection nozzle forming protrusion 142 of the ink supply container 15H.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ink tank 9 includes an ink tank main body 9 </ b> A that contains the ink A and a lid portion 120 </ b> A that constitutes a lid that seals the ink injection portion 11.

  The ink tank main body 9 </ b> A has a bottomed box shape and has an opening 112 constituting the ink injection portion 11 facing upward. As shown in FIG. 3A, the peripheral wall of the mouth portion 112 is reduced in outer diameter in two steps toward the upper end portion, and a screw is formed on each of the small-diameter peripheral wall upper portion 113 and the large-diameter peripheral wall lower portion 114. ing.

  The lid 120A closes the opening 112 of the ink tank main body 9A so as to be freely opened and closed. More specifically, the lid 120A includes an inner lid 121A and an outer lid 130 as shown in FIG. 6A. The inner lid 121A has a substantially disk shape and has an annular wall 123 around it. As shown in FIG. 6B, the inner side of the annular wall 123 of the inner lid 121A and the peripheral wall upper portion 113 of the mouth 112 of the ink tank main body 9A are detachably screwed together. As shown in FIG. 6C, in the state where the inner lid 121A is screwed with the upper peripheral wall 113 of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, the outer lid 130 is screwed with the lower peripheral wall 114 of the mouth portion 112 from the outer side of the inner lid 121A. Match.

  According to the ink tank 9, the inner lid 121A is detachably attached to the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A by screwing. Therefore, when the ink A is replenished to the ink tank main body 9A, it is easy to remove the inner lid 121A from the mouth portion 112 and replenish the ink A from the mouth portion 112. Therefore, the ink tank 9 is suitable for supplying the ink A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the ink supply container 15A has a bottomed cylindrical supply container main body 141 and a dispensing nozzle that protrudes outward from the top of the supply container main body 141 in the central axis L1 direction. A protrusion 142 for use. The supply container main body 141 is a self-supporting container that is formed from a thin blow-formed bottle and maintains a constant shape regardless of the presence or absence of ink.

  The dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 stands up from a cap 143 formed integrally with the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142, and is fixed to the mouth of the replenishing container body 141 with the cap 143 so as not to be detachable. .

  The projecting portion 142 for dispensing nozzle formation is such that the tip of the cylindrical body 144 is closed by an easy-opening portion 145, and the central axis L2 of the cylindrical body 144 is the same as the central axis L1 of the supply container main body 141. Match. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the outer diameter of the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 is slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, and the cylindrical body 144 is placed in the ink tank main body 9A. The size is such that it can be inserted into the mouth 112 almost without wobbling.

  5A and 5B, the outer diameter of the cap 143 is slightly larger than the opening diameter of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, and the step portion provided between the cap 143 and the base portion 144a. When the cylindrical body 144 is inserted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A on the horizontal surface 144b, the cap 143 can be supported by the mouth portion 112, that is, in a state where the supply container main body 141 is inverted on the ink tank main body 9A. It can be supported.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the easy-open portion 145 includes an annular break portion 146 formed in the tubular body 144 along a line to be broken in order to obliquely cut the tip portion of the tubular body 144. And a ring-shaped finger-hanging portion 147 connected to the side surface of the cylindrical body 144 closer to the distal end portion than the annular fracture portion 146. Here, as the degree of inclination at which the tip of the cylindrical body 144 is obliquely cut, an angle θ formed by the central portion of the surface surrounded by the annular fracture portion 146 and the central axis L2 of the cylindrical body 144 (FIG. 8B). Is preferably 30 to 60 °.

  As a more specific form of formation of the annular fracture portion 146, for example, an annular groove is formed in the tubular body 144, and the tubular body 144 is made thin at this groove portion. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the finger hooking portion 147 is pulled up in the direction of the arrow with the upper end portion of the annular breaking portion 146 as a fulcrum, the annular breaking portion 146 is broken, and the easy-opening portion 145 can be easily removed. .

  In addition, as the cyclic | annular fracture | rupture part 146, the thin part which made the wall thickness of the cylindrical body 144 thin from the front and back along the line which should be fracture | ruptured may be formed, and a half cut etc. may be formed. Moreover, as long as the easy-opening part 145 can be removed, the thin part, half cut, etc. which form the cyclic | annular fracture | rupture part 146 can be formed continuously or intermittently.

  When the easy-opening portion 145 is removed, the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 becomes the dispensing nozzle 148 whose tip is cut obliquely.

  Note that the cap 143 provided with the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142 can be molded separately from the supply container main body 141. Further, the ink A is filled into the ink supply container 15A at the time of manufacture before the cap 143 is attached and fixed to the mouth of the supply container main body 141.

  In the replenishing method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, first, the outer lid 130 and the inner lid 121A are removed from the ink tank main body 9A of the ink tank 9, and the mouth 112 is opened. On the other hand, the easy-to-open portion 145 is removed by placing the finger on the finger hooking portion 147 of the ink supply container 15A and pulling up to obtain the ink supply container 15A having the dispensing nozzle 148.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing nozzle 148 of the ink supply container 15A is inserted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, and further replenished on the ink tank main body 9A as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Ink is replenished by allowing the ink supply container 15A to stand upright while the container body 141 is inverted.

  At this time, the central axis L2 of the cylindrical body 144 and the central axis L1 of the supply container main body 141 coincide with each other, and the supply container main body 141 stands vertically on the ink tank main body 9A. The outer diameter of the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 is formed such that the cylindrical body 144 does not fluctuate at the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, and the horizontal surface 144b of the stepped portion of the cylindrical body 144 is the ink. Since it is supported by the upper end edge of the mouth portion 112 of the tank main body 9A, the self-supporting state is maintained even if the supply container main body 141 is not gripped. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce the trouble of gripping the ink supply container 15A so that the ink A does not spill at the time of supply.

  Further, since the dispensing nozzle 148 has an appropriate diameter and the tip is obliquely cut, the ink A is suppressed from pulsation and is smoothly dispensed from the supply container main body 141 to the ink tank main body 9A. Therefore, unnecessary foaming of the ink A can also be suppressed.

  The replenishing method of the present embodiment can be applied to various main containers having an upward mouth. For example, in place of the lid 120A shown in FIG. 6A, the replenishing method of the present invention can be suitably applied to the present container having the lid 120B shown in FIG. 7A.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the lid portion 120B includes an annular member 124 that is fitted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, a disk-shaped inner lid 121B, and an outer lid 130. The annular member 124 and the inner lid 121B are connected by a hinge 125. Therefore, the inner lid 121B can cover the opening 112 of the ink tank main body 9A so as to be freely opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the outer lid 130 is screwed into the mouth 112 of the ink tank main body 9A from the outside of the inner lid 121B with the inner lid 121B covering the mouth 112 of the ink tank main body 9A. Therefore, when ink A is replenished to the ink tank main body 9A, the hinge 125 is opened, the opening 112 of the ink tank main body 9A is opened widely, and it becomes easy to replenish the ink A from the opening 112.

  The lid 120B may be formed by integrally forming an annular member 124, an inner lid 121B, and a hinge 125 connecting them, and the annular member 124 and the inner lid 121B molded separately are hinges 125. It may be connected with.

  The replenishing method of the present embodiment has a pouring nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely at the top of the replenishing container body, and can be performed using various replenishing containers that are self-supporting. Such a pouring nozzle Various replenishing containers provided with easy-opening portions so that can be formed can be used.

  For example, the ink supply container 15B shown in FIG. 9 is a square in which the base 144a of the cylindrical body 144 that is cylindrical in the ink supply container 15A shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is rounded. It is a cylindrical shape.

  As a result, the ink supply container 15B is inverted on the ink tank main body 9A shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B instead of the ink supply container 15A so that the mouth 112 of the ink tank main body 9A is covered with the ink supply container 15B. Even if the ink A is replenished, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 is only in contact with the inner wall of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A at the side edge portion, and the inner wall of the mouth portion 112 on the entire peripheral surface. Air can be smoothly vented.

  Further, the ink supply container 15B can be fixed to some extent on the ink tank main body 9A by causing the side edge of the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 to contact or be close to the inner wall of the mouth 112 of the ink tank main body 9A. The same effect can be obtained even if the cross-sectional shape of the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 is an ellipse or a polygon having more corners.

  Further, in the ink supply container 15A shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the supply container main body 141, the dispensing nozzle forming protrusion 142, and the cap 143 may be integrally formed. In that case, an additional opening may be provided at the bottom of the supply container main body 141, the supply container main body may be filled with ink from the opening at the bottom, and after the filling, the opening at the bottom may be sealed by heat sealing or the like.

  In the ink supply container of this embodiment, the easy-opening portion 145 has an annular fracture formed in the cylindrical body 144 so that the tip of the cylindrical body 144 is obliquely cut, as in the ink supply container 15C shown in FIG. 10A. It may be formed from a ring-shaped finger-hanging portion 147 standing on the end surface 149 of the cylindrical body front end portion surrounded by the portion 146 and the annular fracture portion 146. In the ink replenishing container 15C, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 10B, the ring break portion 146 is broken by pulling the finger hook portion 147 upward, and the easy opening portion 145 is removed as shown by a broken line.

  As in the ink supply container 15D shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the ring-shaped finger hook portion 147 in the easy-opening portion 145 is substantially horizontally placed on the end surface 149 on the distal end side of the cylindrical body surrounded by the annular fracture portion 146. You may connect the upper end part of the cylindrical body front-end | tip part side end surface 149, and the finger hook part 147 so that it may be supported. In the ink supply container 15D, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 11B, by pulling the finger hook portion 147 obliquely downward, the annular fracture portion 146 is broken, and the easy-open portion 145 is removed as indicated by a broken line.

  Like the ink supply container 15E shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the ring surface of the ring-shaped finger hook portion 147 in the easy opening portion 145 is parallel to the rising direction of the cylindrical body 144 on the side surface side of the cylindrical body 144. The upper end portion of the cylindrical body distal end side end surface 149 and the upper end portion of the finger hook portion 147 may be connected via the belt-like connecting portion 150.

  In this case, it is preferable that the lower end portion of the ring-shaped finger-hanging portion 147 and the upper surface of the cap 143 are tied together by, for example, a twig-like securing portion 151a so that the hand can be easily separated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the finger-hanging portion 147 from being bent around the middle of conveyance, etc., and being accidentally opened. Note that the position where the finger hanging portion 147 is locked is not limited to the upper surface of the cap 143, and for example, a locking portion 151b may be provided on the base portion 144a of the cylindrical body 144 as shown in FIG. 12C.

  As a method of using the ink supply container 15E, as shown in FIG. 12B or FIG. 12C, first, the connecting portion 151a or 151b between the finger hooking portion 147 and the upper surface of the cap 143 is shredded, and the belt-like connecting portion 150 is the center. The finger-hanging portion 147 is raised like a broken line so as to be reversed (arrow a), and the finger-hanging portion 147 is further pulled down to the side opposite to the position where the initial finger-hanging portion 147 is arranged (arrow b). Thereby, the cyclic | annular fracture | rupture part 146 fractures | ruptures and the easy-open part 145 is removed as shown with a dashed-two dotted line. When the ring portion is inverted and caused in this way, a lever is applied to the upper end portion of the annular fracture portion 146 in the middle of the ring portion, so that a crack is generated.

  Like the ink supply container 15F shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the easy-open portion 145 has an annular fracture portion 146 formed on the cylindrical body 144 so that the tip end portion of the cylindrical body 144 is obliquely cut, and an annular You may form from the opening tab 153 extended from the cylindrical body front-end | tip part side end surface 149 enclosed by the fracture | rupture part 146. FIG. According to this ink supply container 15F, as shown in FIG. 13C, by pulling up the opening tab 153, the easy-opening portion 145 rotates with the lowest point of the annular breaking portion 146 facing the opening tab 153 as a fulcrum. A force can be applied to move, and the easy-open portion 145 can be easily removed.

  Further, like the ink supply container 15G shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the easy-opening portion 145 includes an annular fracture portion 146 formed in the cylindrical body 144 so that the tip end portion of the cylindrical body 144 is obliquely cut. Alternatively, it may be formed from a knob portion 152 formed of a semi-disc-shaped curved plate-like member standing on the end face 149 of the cylindrical body front end portion surrounded by the annular fracture portion 146.

  The cross section along the cylindrical body distal end side end surface 149 of the knob 152 is curved in an inverted S shape as shown in FIG. 14B. Therefore, when the easy-opening portion 145 is removed, a finger is applied to the curved portion of the knob portion 152, and as shown in FIG. 14C, the knob is set with the central axis L3 of the cylindrical body distal end side end surface 149 as the center of torsion. The part 152 can be twisted and the easy-opening part 145 can be removed.

  An ink supply container 15H shown in FIG. 15A is obtained by forming a knob 152 from a corrugated plate member in the ink supply container 15G shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. As shown in FIG. 15B, the ink supply container 15H can also be twisted to remove the easy-opening portion 145.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) According to the ink replenishing method of the present embodiment, the ink A is replenished from the ink A replenishing container main body 141 to the ink tank main body 9A through the dispensing nozzle 148 whose tip is cut obliquely. It is possible to suppress discharge so that A pulsates, and to stabilize the discharge state in a smooth manner. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress bubbling of ink A during replenishment. Further, since the dispensing nozzle 148 of the ink supply containers 15A to 15H is inserted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, and the ink supply container main body 141 is turned upside down on the ink tank main body 9A, it is self-supporting. Thereafter, the replenishment operation can be completed without gripping the ink supply containers 15A to 15H. Therefore, the replenishment work becomes extremely simple.

  (2) According to the ink supply containers 15A to 15H of the present embodiment, the easy-opening portion 145 can be easily opened, whereby the ink supply container having the dispensing nozzle 148 whose tip is cut obliquely. Therefore, it is useful as an ink supply container for performing the ink supply method of the present invention.

  (3) According to the ink tank 9 of the present embodiment, the inner lid 121A can be easily attached and detached from the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9, so that the inner lid 121A can be removed from the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9 during replenishment. It can be quickly removed and the opening 112 can be opened widely for use in the replenishing method of the present invention. After the replenishment, the inner lid 121A is quickly returned onto the opening 112 and the ink tank 9 is moved to the recording head 8. The ink supply device 3 can be used.

  (4) According to the ink supply containers 15A to 15H of the present embodiment, the ink A is supplied from the supply container main body 141 of the ink A to the ink tank main body 9A through the discharge nozzle 148 whose tip is cut obliquely. It is possible to prevent the ink A from being discharged in a pulsating manner during replenishment. For this reason, when the ink A is injected (supplemented) into the ink tank 9, it is possible to prevent the air from being mixed (involved) in the ink A. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bubbles from being mixed into the ink A in the ink tank 9, so that when the ink A is ejected from the recording head 8 in the ink ejection system 1 (printer 2), the bubbles enter the nozzles and are ejected empty. The so-called nozzle omission can be prevented.

  (5) According to the ink supply containers 15A to 15H of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the ink A from being discharged in a pulsating manner during supply, so that air is mixed into (involved in) the supplied ink A. Can be suppressed. This prevents bubbles from being generated in the ink tank 9 when the ink A is injected into the ink tank 9, and prevents the ink A from overflowing from the ink injection portion 11 due to the bubbles. it can. Further, since the generation of bubbles can be prevented, the ink A can be replenished to a target position with respect to the replenishment amount of the ink A to the ink tank 9.

  (6) According to the ink supply containers 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> H of this embodiment, the ink A is supplied at the time of replenishment by inserting the ejection nozzle 148 that is cut obliquely to the back of the mouth 112 of the ink injection unit 11. Spilling on the outer surface of the ink tank 9 can be prevented.

  In the ink tank and the ink supply container of the present invention, the above-described deformation modes can be variously combined.

  In the ink supply container for carrying out the supply method of the present invention, the easy-opening portion does not necessarily have to be formed integrally with the dispensing nozzle. For example, the tip part of the pouring nozzle whose tip part is cut obliquely may be sealed by welding of the film, and the film may be peeled off during use. In addition to the cap that covers the mouth of the replenishing container body during distribution, a cap with a dispensing nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely is used as a replenishment cap that is attached to the mouth of the body of the replenishing container when refilling It doesn't matter.

  When the ink A is injected into the ink tank 9, the ink supply containers 15A to 15H are tilted so as to be tilted so that the obliquely cut portion of the dispensing nozzle 148 faces upward. An arrow, a symbol, a character, or the like may be provided as an index on the outer surface of the lower cylindrical body 144. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink A from being spilled when the ink supply containers 15A to 15H are tilted. In addition, by installing a handle (handle) or the like on the replenishing container body 141 of the ink replenishing containers 15A to 15H so that the obliquely cut portion of the dispensing nozzle 148 is tilted, the handle is indicated as an index. It is also effective to use as

  The ink supply containers 15A to 15H in the present embodiment supply ink to the ink tank 9, but are not limited to this. Even when the ink is refilled in another ink supply container instead of the ink tank 9, it can be performed by using the ink supply containers 15A to 15H in the same manner as in this embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained. Can play. Thereby, for example, when the ink supply to the ink tank is switched to a new ink supply container and the ink supply containers 15A to 15H cannot supply the ink tank, the ink supply containers 15A to 15H are changed to the new ink supply containers. By refilling the ink, the ink in the ink supply containers 15A to 15H can be used without being wasted.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

  FIG. 16A is a perspective view of an ink supply container 15I including a spout nozzle with stopper 210A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the pouring nozzle 210A with a stopper. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along XX in FIG. 16A in detail. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the spout nozzle with a stopper. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the spout nozzle with a stopper. FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a spout nozzle with a stopper according to still another embodiment. FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of a pouring nozzle with a stopper. FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along XX in FIG. 19A in detail. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a further different dispensing nozzle with a stopper. FIG. 21A is an explanatory diagram of a method of using the ink supply container. FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of a method of using the ink supply container.

  In the ink supply container 15I of this embodiment, the supply container main body 202 is formed of a blow molded bottle having a bottomed cylindrical shape. In the upper mouth portion of the replenishing container main body 202, a spout nozzle with plug 210A of this embodiment is mounted.

  The stoppered dispensing nozzle 210 </ b> A includes a cap body 211 that is screwed into the mouth of the replenishing container body 202, and an inclined dispensing nozzle 212 that stands from the top surface of the cap body 211. The inclined dispensing nozzle 212 has a tip opening surface 213 inclined with respect to the central axis L0 of the dispensing nozzle. As the inclination of the tip opening surface 213, an angle θ formed by the center of the tip opening surface 213 and the center axis L0 of the dispensing nozzle is 30 as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the angle is ˜60 °.

  A rib 215 that prevents the plug 220A from being excessively pushed into the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 protrudes from the lower end portion of the inner surface of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212.

  A plug 220A is detachably attached to the inclined dispensing nozzle 212. The plug 220 </ b> A has a columnar part 221 that is inserted into the cylindrical part 214 on the base side of the tip opening surface 213 of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, and a pulling part 224 that extends on the upper surface of the columnar part 221.

  The columnar portion 221 has liquid seal portions Sa and Sb on the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical portion 214 of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 in a state where the columnar portion 221 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 214 of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, respectively. It has the annular convex parts 222a and 222b to form. The annular convex portions 222a and 222b are formed by providing a reduced diameter portion 223 therebetween. The reduced diameter portion 223 has a V-shaped groove formed in the circumferential direction of the columnar portion 221.

  As described above, by providing the columnar portion 221 with the annular convex portions 222a and 222b with the reduced diameter portion 223 interposed therebetween, the cylindrical portion 214 of the inclined pouring nozzle 212 is sealed by the upper and lower liquid seal portions Sa and Sb. It becomes. Therefore, when the stopper 220A is attached to the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 and pulled out from the sealed state, the liquid seal is released in stages, so when the pulling force on the stopper 220A is increased. It is possible to prevent the plug 220A from being suddenly removed at a certain point in time, and to smoothly remove the plug 220A. In FIG. 16A, a two-dot chain line is a perspective view of the extracted stopper 220A.

  In the present embodiment, the annular convex portions 222a and 222b are arranged from the smallest diameter portion of the reduced diameter portion 223 so that the annular convex portions 222a and 222b smoothly move in the cylindrical portion 214 when the plug 220A is attached and detached. What increased the diameter of the columnar part 221 smoothly is preferable. Accordingly, the diameter-reduced portion 223 positioned between the annular convex portions 222a and 222b is not limited to the groove having the V-shaped cross section described above, but, for example, as a plug 220B of the spout nozzle with plug 210B shown in FIG. A groove having a U-shaped cross section may be formed in the circumferential direction of the columnar portion 221.

  Further, the annular convex portion provided on the columnar portion 221 of the plug 220A is not limited to the upper and lower two steps, but may be provided only one step or three or more steps, but from the viewpoint of smoothly pulling out the plug 220A. Is preferably provided in a plurality of stages.

  For example, like a plug 220C of a pouring nozzle 210C with a plug shown in FIG. 18, grooves 223a and 223b having a U-shaped cross section extending in the circumferential direction of the columnar portion 221 are provided in two steps in the columnar portion 221. Stepped annular projections 222a, 222b, and 222c may be formed, and the three-stage annular projections 222a, 222b, and 222c may form the liquid seal portions Sa, Sb, and Sc in triplicate.

  The pulling part 224 includes a ring part 225 on which a finger can be hung, and a connecting part 226 that connects the ring part 225 and the upper surface of the columnar part 221. The position of the upper end surface of the ring portion 225 is preferably set to be equal to or less than the tip end portion of the inclined pouring nozzle 212 in a state where the stopper 220A is attached to the inclined pouring nozzle 212.

  As a result, even if the ink supply container 15I fitted with the stopper 220A falls and collides with the floor surface from the tip side of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, the pulling portion 224 of the stopper 220A is damaged, or the stopper 220A is inclined. It can be prevented that the liquid seal is broken by being excessively pushed into the outlet nozzle 212.

  In addition, the plug 220A can be securely sealed with the liquid seal portions Sa and Sb in a state where the plug 220A is mounted on the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, and the plug 220A can be pushed and removed when the plug 220A is mounted. The material is preferably formed from a material that can be pulled out smoothly.

  The ink supply container 15I of FIG. 16A provided with the spout nozzle 210A with a stopper is used for ink supply as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. In FIG. 21A, a cap (not shown) is attached to the opening 112 of the ink tank 9 (ink tank main body 9A) in which ink is supplied from the ink supply container 15I except during the ink supply operation. The ink supply container 15I is filled with ink to be supplied to the ink tank main body 9A.

  When refilling ink, first, a finger is put on the ring portion 225 of the stopper 220A of the ink replenishing container 15I, the stopper 220A is pulled out from the outlet nozzle 210A with stopper, and the inclined outlet nozzle 212 is opened. Next, as shown in FIG. 21A, the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 is put on the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9 </ b> A of the ink tank 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 21B, the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 is inserted into the mouth portion 112, the ink supply container 15I is inverted, and the ink supply body 15I of the ink tank 9 is made independent.

  If the ink supply container 15I is a columnar container that can stand independently at the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank main body 9A, it is not necessary to hold the ink supply container 15I during such a replenishment operation, greatly reducing the labor of the replenishment operation. can do. Furthermore, since the discharge port of the ink supply container 15I is the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, air replacement is smoothly performed during dispensing. For this reason, it is possible to suppress pulsation of ink at the time of dispensing, and to smoothly replenish ink from the ink replenishing container 15I to the ink tank body 9A of the ink tank 9. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent ink from spilling or unnecessary foaming in the ink tank main body 9A of the ink tank 9.

The pouring nozzle with a stopper according to the present embodiment can further take various aspects.
For example, a spout nozzle with plug 210D shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B has two stages of rib-like annular protrusions 222a and 222b on the columnar part 221 of the stopper 220D, and this two-stage rib-like annular protrusion. Liquid seal portions Sa and Sb are formed by 222a and 222b and the cylindrical portion 214 of the spout nozzle with plug 210D.

  The reduced diameter part 223 (FIG. 16B) like the above-mentioned stopper 220A is not provided between the two-stage annular convex parts 222a and 222b, and has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The plug 220 </ b> D has a bottomed cylindrical outer cylinder part 227, and a columnar part 221 hangs down from the top plate part 228 of the outer cylinder part 227 into the outer cylinder part 227.

  According to the plug 220D, the plug 220D can be easily inclined by fitting the inclined pouring nozzle 212 into the annular groove portion between the outer cylinder portion 227 and the columnar portion 221 and pushing the top plate portion 228 of the outer cylinder portion 227. The inclined nozzle 212 can be closed by attaching to the nozzle 212. In addition, the stopper 220D can be easily detached from the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 by grasping and pulling up the outer cylinder portion 227.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a further different dispensing nozzle with plug 210 </ b> E is configured such that the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 227 and the outer surface of the inclined dispensing nozzle 212 are detachably screwed together. Further, the columnar portion 221 of the stopper 220E is provided with a one-stage annular convex portion 222, and the annular convex portion 222 and the cylindrical portion 214 of the dispensing nozzle 210E form a liquid seal portion S.

  The ink supply container provided with the spout nozzle with a stopper according to the present embodiment is not limited to a bottle container, and may be a pouch. Also in this case, it is possible to obtain a pulsation suppressing effect by ejecting ink from the inclined dispensing nozzle and a resealing effect by a plug inserted into the inclined dispensing nozzle.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) According to the ink supply container 15I of the present embodiment, the discharge nozzle is the inclined discharge nozzle 212 whose tip opening surface 213 is inclined with respect to the central axis L0 of the discharge nozzle. It is possible to suppress discharge in a pulsating manner and obtain a smooth discharge state. In addition, plugs 220A to 220E that are detachably attached to the inclined pouring nozzle 212 are provided, and the columnar portions 221 of the plugs 220A to 220E are inserted into the cylindrical portion 214 of the inclined pouring nozzle 212 to be inclined pouring. Since the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 214 of the nozzle 212 and the liquid seal portion (for example, the liquid seal portions Sa and Sb) are formed, it is possible to reseal well even if the dispensing nozzle is the inclined dispensing nozzle 212. Become.
Therefore, according to the ink supply container 15I including the spout nozzles 210A to 210E with stoppers, the ink is transferred to the ink tank 9 in a smooth discharge state, and the ink that cannot be transferred to the ink tank 9 is transferred to the ink supply container 15I. It can be kept sealed as it is.

  (2) According to the ink supply container 15I of the present embodiment, since ink is supplied from the ink supply container 15I to the ink tank 9 through the inclined dispensing nozzle 212, it is possible to suppress the ink from being discharged in a pulsating manner. it can. For this reason, when ink is injected (supplemented) into the ink tank 9, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into (involved in) the ink. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bubbles from being mixed into the ink in the ink tank 9, so that when the ink is ejected from the recording head 8 in the ink ejection system 1 (printer 2), the bubbles enter the nozzles and are ejected empty. So-called nozzle omission can be prevented.

  (3) According to the ink replenishing container 15I of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress ejection of ink so as to pulsate during replenishment, and therefore, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into (involved in) the replenished ink. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being generated in the ink tank 9 when the ink is injected into the ink tank 9, or the volume to increase due to the bubbles and the ink from overflowing from the ink injection portion 11. Further, since the generation of bubbles can be prevented, the ink can be replenished to a target position with respect to the amount of ink replenished to the ink tank 9.

  (4) According to the ink supply container 15I of this embodiment, the ink is spilled on the outer surface of the ink tank 9 at the time of replenishment by inserting the inclined ejection nozzle 212 to the back of the mouth 112 of the ink injection unit 11 at the time of replenishment. This can be prevented.

  The ink supply container 15I in this embodiment supplies ink to the ink tank 9, but is not limited to this. Even when ink is refilled in another ink supply container instead of the ink tank 9, the ink supply container 15 </ b> I can be used in the same manner as in this embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained. Can do. Thereby, for example, when the ink supply to the ink tank is switched to a new ink supply container, and the ink supply container 15I can no longer supply the ink tank, the ink is refilled from the ink supply container 15I to the new ink supply container. As a result, the ink in the ink supply container 15I can be used without being wasted.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a situation where ink is supplied to the ink tank 9 by the ink supply container 15J to which the plug member 320 according to the third embodiment is attached. FIG. 23A is a perspective view showing a state where the spout 322 is closed by the movable member 331 of the plug member 320. FIG. 23B is a perspective view showing a state in which the spout 322 is opened by the movable member 331 of the plug member 320.

  FIG. 24A is a perspective view showing the fixing member 321 of the plug member 320. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 24A. 24C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 24A. FIG. 25A is a perspective view showing the movable member 331 of the plug member 320. FIG. 25B is a plan view showing the movable member 331 of the plug member 320. FIG. 25C is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 25B.

  FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the closed spout 322 of the ink supply container 15J to which the stopper member 320 is attached. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink supply container 15J to which the stopper member 320 is attached is turned upside down and the stopper member 320 is set in the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the spout 322 is opened by pushing down the ink supply container 15J to which the stopper member 320 is attached. FIG. 29 is a plan view showing a movable member 331 in another plug member 320A.

  The ink supply container 15J of the present embodiment has a bottom portion 314 having a self-standing placement portion, a mouth portion 312 having an outlet 313 for discharging ink, and a thickness between the bottom portion 314 and the mouth portion 312 of, for example, 50. And a body portion 315 having a thickness of about 150 μm.

  The ink replenishing container 15J contracts and deforms the body 315 itself with the ink filled and accommodated in the inverted state with the mouth portion 312 facing downward without air replacement via the outflow port 313. However, the trunk portion 315 is configured to have flexibility that can be poured out to some extent.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the plug member 320 according to the present embodiment serves as an ink supply container 15 </ b> J, for example, to the mouth part 312 of a thin bottle-shaped container, and to the outlet 313 at the tip of the mouth part 312 (FIG. 26). (See reference).

  The ink supply container 15J is a container for supplying ink to the ink tank 9, as shown in FIG. The ink tank 9 can be screwed with a lid (not shown) in the opening 112 provided at the upper end of the ink tank main body 9A after replenishing ink.

  In the plug member 320 of the present embodiment, a dispensing cylinder 323 having a spout 322 is inserted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9 so that the ink stored in the ink supply container 15J is efficiently introduced into the ink tank 9. It has a function to flow in well. The plug member 320 has a function of opening the outlet 313 closed by the movable member 331 so that the operation of communicating the ink supply container 15J with the inside of the ink tank 9 can be performed smoothly and easily.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 26, the plug member 320 of the present embodiment is attached to the mouth portion 312 of the ink supply container 15 </ b> J so as to cover the outlet 313 opening at the end of the mouth portion 312. The plug member 320 includes a fixed member 321 and a movable member 331 as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B.

  The fixing member 321 is fixed to the ink supply container 15J so as to cover the outflow port 313 as shown in FIG. 26, and has a spout 322 on the peripheral surface as shown in FIGS. 24A to 24C. A top tube-shaped dispensing tube 323 is provided. The fixing member 321 includes a skirt portion 324 for fixing to the ink supply container 15J, and the skirt portion 324 is screwed, fitted, heat-sealed, and bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 312 of the ink supply container 15J. It can be fixed to the ink replenishing container 15J by being combined by any method such as an agent. The skirt portion 324 is a fixing portion of the fixing member 321 in the present embodiment.

  An annular base portion 325 that is substantially parallel to the opening surface of the outlet 313 is formed between the skirt portion 324 and the extraction tube 323. As shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C, the dispensing tube 323 is closed at one end in the direction parallel to the central axis C by the top surface portion 326. The pouring tube 323 is formed with a pouring port 322 that communicates the inside and outside of the pouring tube 323 in the vicinity of the top surface portion 326 on the peripheral wall 327.

  A pair of spouts 322 are formed at opposing portions of the peripheral wall 327 of the spout cylinder 323. In addition, a non-opening region 328 in which no opening is formed is formed between one pouring port 322 and the other pouring port 322 in the circumferential direction of the pouring tube 323. The non-opening region 328 has a length in the circumferential direction of the dispensing cylinder 323 that is 25 to 75% of the entire circumference of the dispensing cylinder 323. This is preferable from the viewpoint of adjusting the flow rate and smoothing the air discharge in the ink tank 9.

  Two annular convex portions 329 are formed on the upper and lower sides of the spouts 322 and 322 in the pour tube 323 to enhance the sealing performance with the inner peripheral surface of the movable member 331. Further, in the non-opening region 328, in the vicinity of each of the annular protrusions 329, a holding protrusion 330 for improving the retention of the movable member 331 is formed extending in the circumferential direction.

  The annular convex portion 329 and the holding convex portion 330 are integrally formed on the outer surface of the pour tube 323 and are formed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 327 of the pour tube 323 by about 0.1 to 1 mm. . In the present embodiment, the annular convex portion 329 and the holding convex portion 330 function as a stable holding means that holds the movable member 331 at the initial position where the spout 322 is closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 25A to 25C, the movable member 331 includes a cylindrical spout closing portion 332, a pressing portion 335 pressed against the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9, and a spout closing portion 332. It has the connection part 333 which connects the part 335, and the positioning engagement part 334 engaged with the internal peripheral surface of the opening part 112. FIG.

  The connecting portion 333 projects in an annular shape outward from the outer peripheral surface of the spout closing portion 332. The positioning engagement portion 334 protrudes in an annular shape on one side of the connecting portion 333. The pressing portion 335 is formed in an annular shape outward from the positioning engagement portion 334.

  As shown in FIGS. 23A and 26, the movable member 331 has the spout closing portion 332 fitted to the outside of the spout tube 323 and covers the entire spout 322 of the spout tube 323. By arranging, the spout 322 is closed in a liquid-tight manner.

  The connecting portion 333 connects the spout closing portion 332 and the pressing portion 335 so as to be integrally displaced. In addition, a plurality of vent holes 336 are formed in the connecting portion 333 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the positioning engagement portion 334 abuts against the inner surface side of the opening portion of the mouth portion 112 when the movable member 331 is pressed against the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9, and the pressing portion 335. Is maintained in a stable manner in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening 112. At the same time, the positioning engagement portion 334 allows the dispensing cylinder 323 to be inserted at an appropriate position separated from the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9.

  In the plug member 320 of the present embodiment, the fixed member 321 and the movable member 331 are combined so that the spout closing portion 332 of the movable member 331 closes the pair of spouts 322, and in this state, ink is supplied. It is attached to the mouth part 312 of the container 15J.

  In the initial state where the spout 322 is closed, the movable member 331 of the plug member 320 is stably maintained unless a force is applied to the movable member 331. Therefore, for example, even if the ink supply container 15J filled with ink is turned upside down with the outlet 313 facing downward as shown in FIG. 26, no liquid leakage occurs.

  In order to replenish ink from the ink replenishing container 15J to the ink tank 9, the ink replenishing container 15J to which the stopper member 320 is fixed remains in the state where the movable member 331 closes the spout 322 as shown in FIG. In the inverted state, the stopper member 320 is set so that the pressing portion 335 of the movable member 331 contacts the peripheral edge of the opening portion of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the ink supply container 15J in this state is pushed down by hand.

  Thereby, the movable member 331 moves along the extraction cylinder 323 from the position where the outlet 322 is closed until it hits the base 325. Along with this, the spout 322 of the spout cylinder 323 is opened, and the ink in the ink supply container 15J is injected into the ink tank 9 from the spout 322 as indicated by the arrow α. As the ink flows in, the air in the ink tank 9 is discharged to the outside through the vent hole 336 as indicated by the arrow β.

  From the viewpoint of preventing the ink from overflowing from the opening of the ink tank 9, the plug member 320 has the dispensing cylinder 323, the intermediate position P <b> 1 of the spout 322 is the height T of the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9. It is preferable that insertion is possible from the half position P2 to the back. Here, the height T of the mouth 112 is a distance from the position P3 of the opening of the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9 to the position P4 of the bottom of the mouth 112 as shown in FIG.

  From the same viewpoint, the movable member 331 of the plug member 320 preferably has a maximum moving distance from the initial position where the spout 322 is closed in the direction of the base portion 325 to 6 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more. It is. The upper limit of the maximum moving distance is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 mm or less.

  In the present embodiment, the ink supply container 15J is formed by stretch blow molding using a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. Further, the ink supply container 15J includes a shoulder 319 that constitutes the upper end portion of the ink supply container 15J continuously above the body 315. A cylindrical mouth portion 312 is integrally provided so as to protrude upward from the central portion of the upper end of the shoulder portion 319. The mouth portion 312 of the ink supply container 15J is formed thick and has a shape retaining rigidity that is difficult to be deformed by hand force. The end portion of the mouth portion 312 is the outlet 313. As open.

  The plug member 320 is preferably made of a synthetic resin for both the fixed member 321 and the movable member 331. For example, the plug member 320 is preferably a mold product using a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The fixed member 321 and the movable member 331 may each be formed by integrating molded products separately formed by injection molding or the like by a known method such as heat fusion or adhesion.

According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) According to the ink supply container 15J of the present embodiment, by providing the plug member 320 described above, the spout 322 can be opened simply by pressing against the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9, and the ink in the ink supply container 15J can be opened. The ink tank 9 can be replenished, and the ink replenishment operation can be performed easily and smoothly.

  (2) According to the ink supply container 15J of the present embodiment, the movable member 331 and the fixed member 321 are provided after the ink supply is performed in a state of being fixed to the ink supply container 15J. Will not be separated. Therefore, since the plug member 320 and the ink supply container 15J may be discarded as a single unit, the disposal is easy.

  (3) According to the ink supply container 15J of this embodiment, the outlet 322 of the extraction cylinder 323 moves in the direction toward the inside of the ink tank 9 by the operation of pushing down the ink supply container 15J. It is difficult for ink to overflow from the opening of the ink tank 9.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below.

  (1) The positioning engagement portion may engage with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion. Further, as a movable member 331A shown in FIG. 29, as a positioning engagement portion, a positioning engagement portion 334 that engages with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion and a positioning engagement portion 334B that engages with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion. You may have.

  (2) The positioning engagement portion 334 may be in contact with a part of the mouth portion in the circumferential direction. For example, a plurality of protrusions may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral part of one side of the connecting part 333, and these protrusions may be used as positioning engaging parts.

  (3) The shape of the cross section orthogonal to the central axis C is not limited to a circular shape, and the cross-sectional shape may be a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an ellipse, or the like.

  (4) The number of spouts in the spout cylinder need not necessarily be two, and may be one, two, or three or more, even when there are two spouts. The position of may not be a position facing each other.

  (5) The ink supply container to which the stopper member is attached does not necessarily need to be a thin bottle-shaped container, and can be used by attaching the stopper member of the present invention to other various supply containers. For example, the plug member 320A may be attached to cover a flow outlet formed by attaching a member made of a synthetic resin injection molded product to a standing pouch.

  The ink supply container 15J in this embodiment supplies ink to the ink tank 9, but is not limited to this. Even when the ink is refilled in another ink supply container instead of the ink tank 9, it can be performed by the same method as in the present embodiment using the ink supply container 15J, and the same effect can be obtained. Can do. Thereby, for example, when the ink supply to the ink tank is switched to a new ink supply container and the ink supply container 15J cannot supply the ink tank, the ink is refilled from the ink supply container 15J to the new ink supply container. As a result, the ink in the ink supply container 15J can be used without being wasted.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

  FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating a situation where ink is supplied to the ink tank 9 by the ink supply container 15K to which the plug member 420 according to the fourth embodiment is attached. FIG. 31A is a perspective view showing a state in which the spout 422 is closed by the movable member 431 of the plug member 420. FIG. 31B is a perspective view showing a state in which the spout 422 is opened by the movable member 431 of the plug member 420.

  FIG. 32A is a perspective view showing the fixing member 421 of the plug member 420. 32B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 32A. FIG. 32C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 32A. FIG. 33A is a perspective view showing the movable member 431 of the plug member 420. FIG. 33B is a plan view showing the movable member 431 of the plug member 420. FIG. 33C is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 33B. FIG. 33D is a cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV in FIG. 33B.

  FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the closed spout 422 of the ink supply container 15K to which the stopper member 420 is attached. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink supply container 15K to which the stopper member 420 is attached is inverted and the stopper member 420 is set in the opening 112 of the ink tank 9. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the spout 422 is opened by pushing down the ink supply container 15K to which the stopper member 420 is attached, and is a cross-sectional view along the opening direction D1 of the spout 422. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the ink supply container 15K to which the plug member 420 is attached is pushed down to open the spout 422, and is a cross-sectional view along a direction orthogonal to the opening direction D1 of the spout 422. .

  FIG. 38 is a plan view showing a movable member 431A in another plug member. FIG. 39 is a plan view showing a movable member 431B in still another plug member.

  The ink supply container 15K of the present embodiment has a bottom portion 414 having a self-standing placement portion, a mouth portion 412 having an outlet 413 for discharging ink, and a thickness between the bottom portion 414 and the mouth portion 412 of, for example, 50. And a body portion 415 having a thickness of about 150 μm.

  The ink replenishing container 15K contracts and deforms the body 415 itself with the ink filled inside stored in an inverted state with the mouth part 412 facing downward without air replacement via the outflow port 413. However, the trunk portion 415 is configured to have flexibility that can be poured out to some extent.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, the plug member 420 according to the present embodiment is provided as an ink supply container 15K, for example, at the mouth part 412 of a thin bottle-shaped container, and at the outlet 413 at the tip of the mouth part 412 (FIG. 34). (See reference).

  The ink supply container 15K is a container for supplying ink to the ink tank 9, as shown in FIG. The ink tank 9 can be screwed with a lid (not shown) in the opening 112 provided at the upper end of the ink tank main body 9A after replenishing ink.

  The plug member 420 of the present embodiment inserts a dispensing cylinder 423 having a spout 422 into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9 so that the ink stored in the ink supply container 15K is efficiently introduced into the ink tank 9. It has a function to flow in well. Further, the plug member 420 has a function of opening the outlet 413 that has been closed by the movable member 431 so that the operation of communicating the ink supply container 15K with the inside of the ink tank 9 can be performed smoothly and easily.

  As shown in FIGS. 30 and 34, the plug member 420 of the present embodiment is attached to the mouth part 412 of the ink supply container 15K so as to cover the outlet 413 opened at the end of the mouth part 412. The plug member 420 includes a fixed member 421 and a movable member 431 as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the fixing member 421 is fixed to the ink supply container 15K so as to cover the outflow port 413, and has a spout 422 on the peripheral surface as shown in FIGS. 32A to 32C. A top tube-shaped dispensing tube 423 is provided. The fixing member 421 includes a skirt portion 424 for fixing to the ink supply container 15K. The skirt portion 424 is screwed, fitted, heat-sealed, and bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 412 of the ink supply container 15K. The ink can be fixed to the ink supply container 15K by being combined by an arbitrary method such as an agent. The skirt portion 424 is a fixing portion of the fixing member 421 in the present embodiment.

  An annular base 425 that is substantially parallel to the opening surface of the outlet 413 is formed between the skirt 424 and the dispensing cylinder 423. As shown in FIGS. 32B and 32C, the dispensing tube 423 is closed at one end in the direction parallel to the central axis C by the top surface portion 426. In addition, the spout cylinder 423 is formed with a spout 422 that communicates the inside and outside of the spout cylinder 423 in the vicinity of the top surface portion 426 on the peripheral wall 427.

  A pair of spouts 422 are formed at opposing portions of the peripheral wall 427 of the spout cylinder 423. In addition, a non-opening region 428 in which no opening is formed is formed between the spout 422 and the spout 422 in the circumferential direction of the spout cylinder 423.

  Two annular convex portions 429 are formed on the upper and lower sides of the spouts 422 and 422 in the pour tube 423 to enhance the sealing performance with the inner peripheral surface of the movable member 431. The annular convex portion 429 is formed integrally with the outer surface of the dispensing cylinder 423 and is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 427 of the dispensing cylinder 423 by about 0.1 to 1 mm. In the present embodiment, the annular convex portion 429 functions as a stable holding unit that holds the movable member 431 at the initial position where the spout 422 is closed.

  In the fixing member 421 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 32A to 32C, the top surface portion 426 is provided with a cylindrical erroneous opening prevention portion 426a. The erroneous opening prevention portion 426a protrudes from the surface of the top surface portion 426 opposite to the skirt portion 424 side, and has a central axis C that is common to the dispensing cylinder 423. As shown in FIG. 31B, the erroneous opening prevention portion 426 a protrudes above the upper end 431 d of the movable member 431 in a state where the movable member 431 exists at the initial position where the spout 422 is closed.

  Therefore, for example, in the case where the ink supply container 15K in a state where the ink is filled and the outlet 413 is sealed with the plug member 420 is accidentally dropped with the outlet 413 facing downward as shown in FIG. However, when the erroneous opening prevention portion 426a hits the floor or the ground, the unintended movement of the movable member 431 and the unintentional opening of the spout 422 are prevented. The misopening prevention part 426a preferably has a protrusion amount T (see FIG. 34) from the upper end 431d of the movable member 431 of 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more.

  As shown in FIGS. 33A to 33D, the movable member 431 includes a cylindrical spout closing portion 432 and a pair of plate-like upper walls 433 projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface of the spout closing portion 432. ing. The movable member 431 extends upward from the upper end of the spout closing portion 432, and is connected to a pair of arcuate walls 434 curved with the same curvature as the spout closing portion 432, and to both sides of the pair of arcuate walls 434, respectively. And a side wall 435 that rises vertically from one surface of the upper wall 433.

  The arc-shaped wall 434 and a pair of side walls 435 and 435 connected to both ends of the arc-shaped wall 434 form one continuous composite side wall 430. The composite side wall 430 extends parallel to the diameter direction of the mouth portion 112 in a state where the composite side wall 430 is inserted into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9.

  The side wall 435 has a height in the axial direction of the central axis C of the dispensing cylinder 423 that more reliably forms a divided ink flow path and an air discharge path around the dispensing cylinder 423. In view of the above, it is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, still more preferably 10 mm or more, and preferably 25 mm or less.

  Further, in a state where the movable member 431 exists at the initial position where the spout 422 is closed, the movable member 431 has a partition wall, in particular, a side wall 435, which is more than the top surface portion 426 of the pour tube 423. It is preferable that it is mounted so as to be positioned above from the viewpoint of preventing overflow of ink at an initial stage when the spout 422 is opened from the closed state.

  Here, the upper direction is an upper direction when the top surface portion 426 side of the dispensing cylinder 423 is the upper side and the fixed portion (skirt portion 424) side is the lower side. The same applies to the upper side when the erroneous opening prevention portion 426a protrudes upward from the upper end 431d of the movable member 431. The movable member 431 may be attached such that a part of the partition wall, in particular, the side wall 435 is positioned above the top surface portion 426 of the extraction tube 423.

  As shown in FIGS. 31A and 34, the movable member 431 has a spout closing portion 432 fitted to the outside of the spout cylinder 423 and covering the entire spout 422 of the spout cylinder 423. By disposing 432, the spout 422 is closed in a liquid-tight manner.

  As shown in FIG. 31B, the upper wall 433 is located on the fixing portion side of the spout 422, that is, on the skirt portion 424 side when the spout 422 is opened. On the other hand, the pair of side walls 435 are positioned on the left and right sides of the spout 422 when viewed from the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 when the spout 422 is opened. Therefore, when the spout 422 is opened, the front portion of each spout 422 is composed of an upper wall 433 and a pair of side walls 435 that are coupled at right angles to the cross section, and has a concave shape toward the protruding direction of the spout cylinder 423. An ink dispensing path is formed.

  The pair of side walls 435 located on the left and right sides of the front portion of each spout 422 are parallel to each other. The arc-shaped wall 434 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the dispensing cylinder 423 together with the tubular dispensing outlet closing portion 432, stabilizes the initial state in which the movable member 431 closes the dispensing outlet 422, and the movable member 431. Improves the stability when sliding along the dispensing cylinder 423.

  As shown in FIG. 33B, the upper wall 433 extends from the ends of the pair of side walls 435 in the opening direction D1 of the spout 422, and the ink tank 9 is supplied to the extended portions during replenishment work. A pressing portion 436 that is pressed against the mouth portion 112 is formed. The opening direction D1 of the spout 422 is a direction orthogonal to the central axis C of the spout cylinder 423 and connects the central axis C and the central portion of the spout 422 in the circumferential direction of the spout cylinder 423.

  In the present embodiment, the side wall 435 separates the ink flow path α flowing out of the opened spout 422 and flowing into the ink tank 9 from the air flow path β discharged from the ink tank 9. It has a function to do. Further, the side wall 435 is brought close to or in contact with the inner surface side of the opening portion of the mouth portion 112 so that the state where the pressing portion 436 is in contact with the opening peripheral edge portion of the mouth portion 112 is stably maintained. It has a function. The side wall 435 has a function as positioning means that allows the dispensing cylinder 423 to be inserted at an appropriate position separated from the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9.

  In the plug member 420 of the present embodiment, the fixed member 421 and the movable member 431 are combined so that the spout closing portion 432 of the movable member 431 closes the pair of spouts 422, and in this state, ink is supplied. It is attached to the mouth part 412 of the container 15K. In the initial state in which the spout 422 is closed, the movable member 431 in the plug member 420 is maintained in a stable state unless a force is applied to the movable member 431. Therefore, for example, even if the ink supply container 15K filled with ink is turned upside down with the outflow port 413 facing downward as shown in FIG. 34, no liquid leakage occurs.

  In order to replenish ink from the ink replenishing container 15K to the ink tank 9, the ink replenishing container 15K to which the stopper member 420 is fixed is kept in a state where the movable member 431 closes the spout 422 as shown in FIG. In the inverted state, the stopper member 420 is set so that the pressing portion 436 of the movable member 431 contacts the peripheral edge portion of the opening portion of the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 36, the ink supply container 15K in that state is pushed down by hand. Accordingly, the movable member 431 moves along the pouring cylinder 423 from the position where the pouring hole 422 is closed until it hits the base portion 425, and accordingly, the pouring hole 422 of the pouring cylinder 423 is opened. .

  When the spout 422 is opened, ink is discharged from the spout 422 as indicated by an arrow α. The discharged ink is injected (supplied) into the ink tank 9 through the side walls 435 and 435 located on the left and right sides of the front portion of the spout 422.

  On the other hand, at the position rotated 90 degrees from the position where the spout 422 opens in the circumferential direction of the spout cylinder 423, as shown in FIG. 37, the inner periphery of the composite side wall 430 and the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9 The air in the ink tank 9 is efficiently discharged to the outside through the flow path indicated by the arrow β through the space between the surfaces.

  In this embodiment, the flow path α of the ink flowing out from the spout 422 and flowing into the ink tank 9 into the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9 by the partition wall, in particular, the side wall 435 in this way. Since the air flow path β discharged from the ink tank 9 is separated, the internal air is efficiently discharged along with the inflow of ink into the ink tank 9. For this reason, ink replenishment proceeds smoothly, and it is also possible to prevent ink from overflowing from the opening of the ink tank 9 during the replenishment operation. Further, since the ink replenishment proceeds smoothly, the replenishment operation can be completed in a short time.

  The partition wall is inserted into the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9 like the side walls 435 and 435 of the present embodiment in order to prevent ink overflow and to further promote liquid-air replacement. Around the outlet cylinder 423, an ink flow path α flowing out from the opened spout 422 and flowing into the ink tank 9 and an air flow path β discharged from the ink tank 9 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. What is formed is preferred.

  In the ink supply container 15K of the present embodiment, the ink supply container 15K is formed by stretch blow molding using a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.

  The ink replenishing container 15K includes a shoulder 419 that forms an upper end portion of the ink replenishing container 15K continuously above the body 415. A cylindrical mouth portion 412 is integrally provided so as to protrude upward from the central portion of the upper end of the shoulder portion 419. The mouth portion 412 of the ink supply container 15K is formed thick and has a shape retaining rigidity that is difficult to be deformed by hand force. The end portion of the mouth portion 412 is the outlet 413. As open.

  The stopper member 420 is preferably made of a synthetic resin for both the fixed member 421 and the movable member 431, and is preferably a molded product using a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The fixed member 421 and the movable member 431 may be formed by integrating molded products separately formed by injection molding or the like by a known method such as heat fusion or adhesion.

According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the ink supply container 15K of this embodiment, the plug member 420 (partition wall, in particular, the side wall 435) causes the ink tank 9 to flow out from the spout 422 into the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9. Since the flow path α of the ink flowing into the ink tank and the flow path β of the air discharged from the ink tank 9 are separated, the internal air flow accompanying the inflow of ink into the ink tank 9 is formed. Release is performed efficiently. For this reason, ink replenishment proceeds smoothly, and it is also possible to prevent ink from overflowing from the mouth 112 of the ink tank 9 during the replenishment operation. Further, since the ink replenishment proceeds smoothly, the replenishment operation can be completed in a short time.

  (2) According to the ink supply container 15K of the present embodiment, by providing the plug member 420 described above, the spout 422 is opened simply by pressing against the opening 112 of the ink tank 9, and the ink in the ink supply container 15K is opened. The ink tank 9 can be replenished, and the ink replenishment operation can be performed more easily and smoothly.

  (3) According to the ink supply container 15K of the present embodiment, the movable member 431 and the fixed member 421 are provided after the ink supply is performed in a state of being fixed to the ink supply container 15K by including the plug member 420 described above. Will not be separated. For this reason, the plug member 420 and the ink supply container 15K may be disposed of as one body, and therefore disposal is easy.

  (4) According to the ink replenishing container 15K of the present embodiment, in the plug member 420 described above, the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 is paired with the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 at positions facing each other in the circumferential direction of the skirt portion 424 of the fixing member 421. A protrusion 441 is provided as an alignment mark for aligning the extending direction D2 of the side wall 435 in parallel. By providing such a mark, it becomes easy to combine the fixed member 421 and the movable member 431 so that the pair of side walls 435 and 435 are positioned on the left and right sides of the front of the opened spout 422. . The movable member 431 may be attached to the fixed member 421 by a human hand or an automatic device.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below.

  (1) The unevenness is formed in a stripe pattern on one surface of the upper wall 433 and the side wall 435 of the movable member 431 in the above embodiment, but such an unevenness may not be present.

  (2) The pair of side walls 435 and 435 constituting one continuous composite side wall 430 in the above embodiment may be continuous without using the arc-shaped wall 434, or may be connected in other shapes. A composite side wall may be formed with a wall in between.

  (3) The movable member in the above embodiment is not limited to the one having a long shape in the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 as shown in FIG. 33B. For example, the movable member in the plan view like the movable member 431A shown in FIG. And it may be circular. A movable member 431A shown in FIG. 38 includes a flat plate portion 437 having a vent hole 437a on the outer side of each of the composite side walls 430 including the arc-shaped wall 434 and a pair of side walls 435 and 435 provided at both ends thereof. ing. The movable member 431A has the same configuration as that of the movable member 431 described above except that the upper wall 433 and the side wall 435 do not have pattern irregularities and a flat plate portion 437 having a vent hole 437a. have.

  (4) The movable member in the above embodiment is the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 112 when pressed against the mouth portion 112 of the ink tank 9 on the outer side of the pushing portion 436, like the movable member 431B shown in FIG. An engaging portion 438 may be provided that stabilizes the mounting state of the movable member with respect to the mouth portion by engaging with or in contact with.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the misopening prevention portion 426a is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangular tube shape, and further, a solid cylindrical shape, a hollow shape, a solid cone shape, or a truncated cone shape. Or the like.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the upper wall 433 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 is a circular arc shape or the like that protrudes toward the skirt portion 424 (fixed portion) side. May be.

  (7) In the above embodiment, as an alignment mark for aligning the opening direction D1 of the spout 422 and the extending direction D2 of the pair of side walls 435, a groove or various sensors is used instead of the protrusion 441. A detectable document, a printing unit, or the like may be provided. The shape of the alignment protrusion is not particularly limited, and for example, a protrusion having a circular shape when viewed from the protruding direction may be provided.

  (8) In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the central axis C of the dispensing cylinder 423 is not limited to a circle, and the cross section may be a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an ellipse, or the like.

  (9) In the above embodiment, the pair of side walls 435 of the movable member 431 shown in FIGS. 33A to 33D do not necessarily have to be formed in parallel. It suffices if the path and the air flow path can be divided.

  (10) In the above embodiment, the number of spouts 422 of the spout cylinder 423 is not necessarily two, and may be one, two, or three or more. Even when the number of the outlets 422 is two, their positions do not have to be opposite positions. When two or more spouts 422 are formed, the side wall 435 is formed on the movable member 431 as much as necessary for dividing the ink flow path and the air flow path.

  (11) In the above embodiment, the ink supply container 15K to which the plug member 420 is attached does not necessarily have to be a thin bottle-shaped container, and other various supply containers can be used as the plug member for the supply container of the present invention. Can be used. For example, a plug member may be attached to a standing pouch so as to cover an outlet formed by attaching a member made of a synthetic resin injection molded product.

  The ink supply container 15K in the present embodiment supplies ink to the ink tank 9, but is not limited to this. Even when ink is refilled in another ink supply container instead of the ink tank 9, it can be performed by the same method as in the present embodiment using the ink supply container 15K, and similar effects can be obtained. Can do. Thereby, for example, when the ink supply to the ink tank is switched to a new ink supply container and the ink supply container 15K cannot supply the ink tank, the ink is refilled from the ink supply container 15K to the new ink supply container. As a result, the ink in the ink supply container 15K can be used without being wasted.

15A to 15H: Ink supply container, 1 ... Ink ejection system, 2 ... Printer, 9 ... Ink tank, 9A ... Ink tank body, 11 ... Ink injection part, 112 ... Mouth part, 120A, 120B ... Lid part, 121A, 121B ... inner lid, 124 ... annular member, 125 ... hinge, 130 ... outer lid, 141 ... supply container main body, 142 ... protrusion for forming dispensing nozzle, 143 ... cap, 144 ... cylindrical body, 145 ... easy opening part, 146: Annular fracture part, 147: Finger hook part, 148 ... Extraction nozzle, 152 knob part, 153 ... Opening tab, A ... Ink.
15I: Ink supply container, 210A: Dispensing nozzle with stopper, 212: Inclined dispensing nozzle as a dispensing nozzle, 213 ... End opening surface, 214 ... Cylindrical part, 220A ... Plug, 221 ... Columnar part, 222a, 222b ... annular convex part, L0 ... central axis, Sa, Sb ... liquid seal part.
15J: Ink supply container, 9: Ink tank as a container to be supplied, 320 ... Plug member, 321 ... Fixing member, 322 ... Outlet, 323 ... Outlet tube, 324 ... Skirt part as fixing part, 327 ... Peripheral wall, 331 ... movable member, 332 ... spout closing part, 333 ... connecting part, 334 ... positioning engaging part, 335 ... pressing part, 336 ... vent hole.
15K: Ink supply container, 9: Ink tank as container to be supplied, 420 ... Plug member, 421 ... Fixing member, 422 ... Outlet, 423 ... Outlet cylinder, 424 ... Skirt part as fixing part, 427 ... Perimeter wall, 431 ... movable member, 432 ... spout closing part, 435 ... side wall as a partition wall, α ... ink flow path, β ... air flow path.

Claims (13)

Replenishment for dispensing ink contained in an ink replenishing container into an ink tank having an ink tank body having an upwardly facing mouth and containing ink therein and a lid that closes the mouth so as to be freely opened and closed A method,
Use a self-supporting ink supply container that has a dispensing nozzle whose tip is cut obliquely at the top of the supply container body,
An ink replenishing method, wherein the discharging nozzle of the ink replenishing container is inserted into the mouth portion of the ink tank main body, and the replenishing container main body is turned upside down on the ink tank main body. An ink supply container for use in the ink supply method according to claim 1,
At the top of the self-supporting replenishing container main body, there is a protruding portion for forming a dispensing nozzle in which the tip of the cylindrical body is closed by an easy opening portion,
Easy opening part
An annular fracture formed in the tubular body so that the tip is cut obliquely;
A ring-shaped finger hook portion connected to the tip end side of the cylindrical body from the annular fracture portion;
An ink supply container comprising: The ink supply container according to claim 2,
The ink replenishing container, wherein the finger-hanging portion is provided on a side surface side of the cylindrical body. The ink supply container according to claim 3,
The cylindrical body rises from the cap of the supply container body,
An ink supply container, wherein a lower end portion of the finger hanging portion is detachably connected to the cap. The ink supply container according to claim 3,
The cylindrical body rises from the cap of the supply container body,
The ink supply container, wherein the finger-hanging portion is detachably connected to a side surface of the cylindrical body. An ink supply container for use in the ink supply method according to claim 1,
The self-supporting replenishing container main body has a dispensing nozzle forming protrusion in which the tip of the cylindrical body is closed by an easy opening portion,
The easy opening part is
An annular fracture formed in the cylindrical body wall so that the tip is cut obliquely;
A knob formed of a plate-like member standing on the end face on the tip side of the cylindrical body surrounded by the annular fracture portion;
An ink supply container comprising: The ink supply container according to claim 6,
The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the plate-like member of the knob has an S-shape. An ink supply container for use in the ink supply method according to claim 1,
At the top of the self-supporting replenishing container main body, there is a protruding portion for forming a dispensing nozzle in which the tip of the cylindrical body is closed by an easy opening portion,
The easy opening part is
An annular fracture formed in the cylindrical body wall so that the tip is cut obliquely;
An unsealing tab extending from an end face of the cylindrical body surrounded by the annular fracture portion;
An ink supply container comprising: An ink tank for use in the ink supply method according to claim 1,
The ink tank main body that has the mouth portion upward and stores the ink in the interior, and the lid portion that closes the mouth portion so as to be freely opened and closed,
The lid is
An inner lid that removably engages with the mouth portion of the ink tank body and covers the mouth portion;
An outer lid screwed into the mouth of the ink tank body from the outside of the inner lid;
An ink tank comprising: An ink tank for use in the ink supply method according to claim 1,
The ink tank main body that has the mouth portion upward and stores the ink in the interior, and the lid portion that closes the mouth portion so as to be freely opened and closed,
The lid is
An annular member attached to the mouth of the ink tank body;
An inner lid that is connected to the annular member by a hinge and covers the mouth of the ink tank body so as to be freely opened and closed;
An outer lid screwed into the mouth portion of the ink tank main body from the outside of the inner lid in a state where the inner lid covers the mouth portion of the ink tank main body;
An ink tank comprising: A spout nozzle with a stopper having a cylindrical spout nozzle and a stopper removably attached to the spout nozzle;
The dispensing nozzle is an inclined dispensing nozzle whose tip opening surface is inclined with respect to the central axis of the dispensing nozzle,
The stopper has a columnar part inserted into the cylindrical part of the inclined dispensing nozzle,
An ink supply container having an annular convex portion that forms a liquid seal portion on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the inclined dispensing nozzle on a surface of the columnar portion. A stopper member fixed to a supply container for containing ink to be supplied;
The plug member is
A fixing member having a fixed portion fixed to the replenishing container and a dome-shaped extraction tube having a spout on the peripheral wall;
A movable member attached to the dispensing tube and closing the dispensing port;
The movable member is
A spout closing portion for closing the spout;
A pressing part pressed against the mouth of the replenished container;
A connecting portion that connects the spout closing portion and the pressing portion;
A positioning engagement portion that engages with an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion;
With
A vent is formed in the connecting part,
By pressing the movable member against the mouth portion of the container to be refilled, the movable member moves to the fixed portion side along the dispensing cylinder so that the dispensing port is opened. An ink supply container characterized by that. A stopper member fixed to a supply container for containing ink to be supplied;
The plug member is
A fixing member having a fixed portion fixed to the replenishing container and a dome-shaped extraction tube having a spout on the peripheral wall;
A movable member attached to the dispensing tube and closing the dispensing port;
By pressing the movable member against the mouth portion of the container to be refilled, the movable member is moved to the fixed portion side along the extraction cylinder so that the outlet is opened.
The movable member is
A cylindrical spout closing portion for closing the spout;
A partition wall that separates a flow path of the ink flowing out from the spout and flowing into the refill container and a flow path of air discharged from the refill container;
An ink supply container comprising:

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