JP2020189454A - Liquid container for printing, system, and cap - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid container for printing which enables replacement between a gas and a liquid only by connecting the liquid container to a tank, has a simple structure, and is not damaged easily.SOLUTION: A bottle 130 includes: a bottle body 131 having a storage chamber 154 which stores an ink; and a nozzle 161 protruding from the bottle body 131. The nozzle 161 includes a first passage 181 and a second passage 182. The first passage 181 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through an opening 183 located at a base end part of the nozzle 161 and communicates with the outside through an opening 184 located at a tip of the nozzle 161. The second passage 182 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through an opening 185 located at the base end part of the nozzle 161 and communicates with the outside through an opening 186 located at the tip of the nozzle 161. The opening 184 is at the same height as the opening 186 when the tip of the nozzle 161 faces downward in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a printing liquid container for storing a printing liquid, a system including a tank to which the printing liquid container is connected, and a cap connectable to a container for storing the printing liquid.

Each time the ink stored in the tank is consumed, the ink is sequentially supplied to the tank from the bottle connected to the tank, so that the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank can be kept constant, so-called. An ink supply device for supplying ink from a bottle to a tank by a chicken feed method is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

In the ink supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bottle is connected to the tank from above. The tank includes an air introduction unit 4 that communicates with the atmosphere. The bottle includes an ink outflow pipe 2 and an air inflow pipe 3. With the bottle connected to the tank, the bottle and the tank communicate with each other through the ink outflow pipe 2 and the air inflow pipe 3. When the ink in the tank is consumed and the liquid level of the ink becomes lower than the tip portion 3a of the air inflow pipe 3, air enters the tank from the air introduction portion 4, and the air that has entered the tank passes through the air inflow pipe 3. Get into the bottle. Then, ink corresponding to the volume of air that has entered the bottle is supplied from the bottle to the tank through the ink outflow pipe 2. When the liquid level of the ink reaches the tip 3a of the air inflow pipe 3, the ink supply is stopped. In this way, the liquid level of the ink in the tank is kept constant.

Jitsukaisho 56-133471

In the ink supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the ink outflow pipe 2 is longer than the air inflow pipe 3, and the protrusion length of the ink outflow pipe 2 from the lid 1a is the lid of the air inflow pipe 3. It is longer than the protrusion length from 1a. As a result, the structure around the lid portion 1a of the bottle is complicated, and the periphery of the lid portion 1a of the bottle is easily damaged. Further, with the bottle connected to the tank, the structure for sealing the gap between the ink outflow pipe 2 and the air inflow pipe 3 and the tank in a liquid-tight and airtight manner becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container for printing which has a simple structure and is not easily damaged while being able to replace gas and liquid only by connecting to a tank or the like. To do.

(1) The printing liquid container according to the present invention includes a main body having a storage chamber for storing the printing liquid, and a nozzle protruding from the main body. The nozzle includes a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a first opening located at the base end of the nozzle, and communicates with the outside through a second opening located at the tip of the nozzle. The second flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a third opening located at the base end of the nozzle, and communicates with the outside through a fourth opening located at the tip of the nozzle. The second opening is at the same height as the fourth opening when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward.

The nozzle includes a first flow path and a second flow path. Therefore, simply by connecting the printing liquid container to a tank or the like, air is circulated in one of the first flow path or the second flow path, and the printing liquid is circulated in the other of the first flow path or the second flow path. And gas-liquid replacement can be performed.

Further, since the second opening and the fourth opening are at the same height when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward, the structure of the tip of the nozzle can be simplified. As a result, the possibility of damage to the tip of the nozzle can be reduced.

(2) The first opening is at the same height as the third opening when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward.

The structure inside the main body can be simplified.

(3) The length of the first flow path along the flow direction of the printing liquid is the same as the length of the second flow path along the flow direction of the printing liquid.

Since the lengths of the first flow path and the second flow path are the same, gas-liquid replacement can be performed when the printing liquid container is connected to a tank or the like regardless of the posture of the printing liquid container. it can.

(4) The second opening and the fourth opening are formed on the same surface.

The second opening and the fourth opening can be sealed by a simple means such as sticking one sticker.

(5) The nozzle partitions the storage chamber and has a surface on which the first opening and the third opening are formed. When the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward, the surface defines the lower end of the storage chamber.

Improves the use of printing liquid in the storage chamber.

(6) The cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the first flow path are the same as the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the second flow path.

When gas-liquid replacement is performed, the flow rate of the printing liquid flowing through one of the first flow path or the second flow path is the flow rate of the air flowing through the other of the first flow path or the second flow path. Can be adjusted to. Therefore, smooth execution of gas-liquid replacement is possible.

(7) The nozzle has a recess on its outer peripheral surface.

When the printing liquid container is connected to a tank or the like, the internal space of the tank or the like and the outside can be communicated with each other by a recess. As a result, by pumping the printing liquid container connected to the tank or the like, gas-liquid replacement of the internal space of the tank or the like is smoothly executed when the printing liquid is supplied from the printing liquid container to the tank or the like. be able to.

In addition, so-called lightening can be performed on the nozzle by the recess. In addition, the recess can form a gap between the nozzle and the through hole when the liquid container for printing is connected to the through hole such as a tank. Due to this gap, the air discharged from the printing liquid container to the tank or the like when pumping the printing liquid container can escape from the gap to the outside, so that the internal pressure inside the tank or the like rises. It can be prevented and pumping can be performed easily.

(8) The storage chamber and the outside of the main body are communicated only by the first flow path and the second flow path.

Since the number of channels is the minimum of two for performing gas-liquid replacement, the structure of the printing liquid container can be simplified.

(9) The first opening has a circular shape.

(10) The third opening has a circular shape.

The formation of meniscus in the first opening and the third opening is easy. When the first flow path or the second flow path becomes a gas flow path, the inflow of the printing liquid from the storage chamber into the gas flow path can be blocked by the meniscus formed in the first opening or the third opening. it can. As a result, gas-liquid substitution can be stabilized.

(11) The second opening and the fourth opening are bow-shaped openings.

Since the second opening and the fourth opening have a bow shape, it becomes difficult for the meniscus of the ink to stick to the second opening and the fourth opening, and the ink can easily flow. Therefore, in the first flow path and the second flow path. The circulation speed of the printing liquid can be increased.

(12) The second opening has a circular shape.

(13) The fourth opening has a circular shape.

The formation of meniscus in the second opening and the fourth opening is easy. Meniscus formed in the second opening or the fourth opening prevents the printing liquid from leaking to the outside from the storage chamber, the first flow path, or the second flow path when the printing liquid container is pulled out from the tank or the like. Can be reduced by

(14) The first opening and the third opening are bow-shaped openings.

Since the first opening and the third opening are arcuate, it becomes difficult for the meniscus of the ink to stick to the first opening and the third opening, and the ink can easily flow. Therefore, in the first flow path and the second flow path. The circulation speed of the printing liquid can be increased.

(15) The main body has a mark at a position opposite to the first flow path in the line of sight along the protrusion direction of the nozzle.

When the printing liquid container is connected to a tank or the like, the mark is connected so as to be above the first flow path and the second flow path, so that the first flow path is positioned above the second flow path. Can be.

(16) The system according to the present invention includes the printing liquid container and a tank that can be connected to the printing liquid container and has an internal space for storing the printing liquid.

The printing liquid container can be connected to the tank to supply the printing liquid from the printing liquid container to the tank.

(17) The tank extends along an inclined direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and has a through hole for communicating the internal space with the outside. The liquid container for printing is connected to the tank by inserting the nozzle into the through hole.

By connecting the printing liquid container to the tank along the directions inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, it is easy to position one of the first flow path and the second flow path upward with respect to the other. Is. Further, since it is inserted diagonally, a height difference can be naturally created in the two flow paths by the user's operation, and it can be achieved without making the user aware that ink is discharged from one and air is taken in from the other.

(18) The tank is formed on the translucent wall that partitions the internal space and the translucent wall, and determines the height of the liquid level when a predetermined amount of printing liquid is stored in the internal space. It is provided with a liquid level mark to indicate. When the printing liquid container is connected to the tank, the opening located above the second opening or the fourth opening is at the same height as the liquid level mark.

By checking whether the liquid level of the printing liquid stored in the internal space matches the liquid level mark, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing liquid stored in the internal space is the maximum amount that can be stored. It can be easily confirmed.

(19) The present invention can be connected to a main body having a storage chamber for storing a printing liquid, and includes a first flow path and a second flow path, and the first flow path is connected to the main body. It has a first opening that communicates with the storage chamber and a second opening that communicates with the outside, and the second flow path has a third opening that communicates with the storage chamber when connected to the main body. When the second opening has a fourth opening communicating with the outside and the second opening faces vertically downward, the second opening can be regarded as a cap at the same height as the fourth opening.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid container for printing which has a simple structure and is not easily damaged while being able to replace gas and liquid only by connecting to a tank or the like.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a front exploded perspective view of the tank set 99. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tank set 99 and the bottle 130. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottle 130. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the bottle 130. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottle cap 132. FIG. 8 is a perspective sectional view of the bottle cap 132. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bottle cap 132. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the nozzle cap 133. FIG. 11 is a perspective sectional view of the nozzle cap 133. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the nozzle cap 133. FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the front portion of the ink tank 100 and the bottle 130 in the mounted state. 14 (A) is a plan view of the bottle cap 132 in the modified example, and FIG. 14 (B) is a bottom view of the bottle cap 132 in the modified example. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bottle cap 132 in the modified example as viewed from the nozzle 161 side. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bottle cap 132 in the modified example as viewed from the cap body 160 side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the direction from the start point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the posture in which the multifunction device 10 is installed on a horizontal plane so that the multifunction device 10 can be used (the posture in FIG. 1 and may be referred to as “use posture”). The front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface provided with the opening 13 as the front surface, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front surface. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 includes a housing 14. The housing 14 includes a main body 34 having an opening 13 formed in the front wall 229, and an opening / closing lid 230 supported by the main body 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the main body 34 of the housing 14, the feeding section 15, the feeding tray 20, the discharging tray 21, the transport roller section 54, the recording section 24, and the discharging roller section The 55, the platen 42, and the tank set 99 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) are arranged. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feed tray 20 in which the paper 12 is housed is inserted and removed from the multifunction device 10 by the user along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The discharge tray 21 supports the discharged paper 12. The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65.

The transport path 65 is a path that extends upward at the rear portion of the printer unit 11 and makes a U-turn forward to reach the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 from below. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by the arrow of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

The transfer roller unit 54 conveys the paper 12 fed to the transfer path 65 in the transfer direction 16 and sends it between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. The discharge roller unit 55 conveys the paper 12 image-recorded by the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16 and sends it to the discharge tray 21.

The recording unit 24 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is arranged so as to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 that can move in the left-right direction 9 and a recording head 39.

An ink tube 32 (see FIG. 4) extends from the carriage 23. The ink tube 32 connects the tank set 99 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and the recording head 39. The ink tube 32 supplies the ink (an example of a printing liquid) stored in each ink tank 100 of the tank set 99 to the recording head 39. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. Four ink tubes 32 through which inks of each color (black, magenta, cyan, yellow) are distributed are provided corresponding to each ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 is equipped with a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39. In the process of moving the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening / closing lid 230 is attached to the main body 34. A storage space is formed behind the opening / closing lid 230 in the main body 34. The opening / closing lid 230 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) that closes the accommodation space and an open position that opens the accommodation space. When the opening / closing lid 230 is in the open position, a part of each of the ink tank 100 and the holding member 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is visible from the outside.

[Tank set 99]
The tank set 99 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is housed in the storage space of the main body 34. The tank set 99 stores the ink supplied to the recording head 39. The tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100 for storing inks of different colors, and a holding member 110. The tank set 99 does not have to include the holding member 110.

[Ink tank 100]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink tank 100 as a whole has a shorter dimension along the left-right direction 9, and the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are smaller than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. Is also a long flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, the dimension of the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension of the vertical direction 7. The side surface of the ink tank 100 is open, and the open side surface is sealed with a film.

The ink tank 100 is made of a resin having a translucency such that the ink in the storage chamber 111 (an example of an internal space) for storing the ink can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink tank 100.

The ink tank 100 includes a vertical wall 102 and a sloping wall 106. The vertical wall 102 and the inclined wall 106 are a part of the above resin and partition the front side of the storage chamber 111. The vertical wall 102 is an example of a translucent wall. The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The sloping wall 106 extends rearward from the upper end of the standing wall 102 upward. Of the walls constituting the ink tank 100, at least the standing wall 102 may be made of a translucent resin, and the walls other than the standing wall 102 may not have translucency. ..

The vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 81 of the holding member 110 (see FIG. 3) and the opening 232 of the opening / closing lid 230 (see FIG. 1). With such a configuration, the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 can be visually recognized from the outside of the multifunction device 10 even when the opening / closing lid 230 is in the closed position, and the user is stored in each ink tank 100. You can check the remaining amount of ink.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first mark 146 (an example of a liquid level mark) and a second mark 147 are formed on the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100.

The first mark 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position 7 in the vertical direction of the first mark 146 is the liquid of the ink when the maximum amount (an example of a predetermined amount) of ink that can be stored is stored in the storage chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. It is the same height as the surface. That is, the first mark 146 indicates the liquid level and height of the ink when the maximum amount of ink that can be stored is stored in the storage chamber 111.

The second mark 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second mark 147 is located below the first mark 146. The position of the second mark 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the minimum amount of ink that requires replenishment of ink is stored in the storage chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. That's right.

The heights of the first mark 146 and the second mark 147 are not limited to the heights described above. Further, the ink tank 100 does not have to have the first mark 146 and the second mark 147.

The ink tank 100 has an atmospheric communication hole 98. The air communication hole 98 communicates the storage chamber 111 with the outside of the ink tank 100. That is, the atmospheric communication hole 98 communicates the storage chamber 111 with the atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined wall 106 of the ink tank 100 is formed with a through hole 112 for injecting ink into the storage chamber 111. When the opening / closing lid 230 is in the open position, the through hole 112 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22.

The through hole 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106. The through hole 112 extends in the direction of inclination so as to go downward toward the rear. The tilting direction is a direction tilted with respect to the vertical direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9. One end of the through hole 112 communicates with the storage chamber 111. The other end of the through hole 112 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100. That is, the through hole 112 communicates the storage chamber 111 with the outside of the ink tank 100.

The through hole 112 has a circular shape in the line of sight along the inclined direction, is formed on the inclined wall 106, and is partitioned by the circumferential inner peripheral surface 114 of the annular rib 109 protruding from the outer surface of the inclined wall 106. (See FIG. 13). The shape of the through hole 112 is determined by the nozzle 161 described later according to the shape.

As will be described later, the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 by inserting the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 (an example of a liquid container for printing, see FIG. 4) into the through hole 112 (see FIGS. 4 and 13). ). The system 5 is composed of the bottle 130 and the ink tank 100. When the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100, the ink in the bottle 130 is replenished to the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100. The timing at which this replenishment is performed is, for example, when the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 becomes low, specifically, the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 111 is a second mark. This is when the height is 147 or less. Of course, ink may be replenished from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 at a timing other than the above.

[Holding member 110]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding member 110 holds four ink tanks 100 in a line from the front in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. The holding member 110 covers the front portion of the ink tank 100 in a state of holding the ink tank 100.

The holding member 110 has openings 81 and 82. The first mark 146 and the second mark 147 formed on the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 81 of the holding member 110 and the opening 232 of the opening / closing lid 230. The through hole 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 110 through the opening 82.

[Bottle 130]
The bottle 130 shown in FIG. 5 stores ink. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottle 130 includes a bottle body 131, a bottle cap 132 that can be attached to and detached from the bottle body 131, and a nozzle cap 133 that can be attached to and detached from the bottle cap 132.

In the following description, in the state where the bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131 and the nozzle cap 133 is attached to the bottle cap 132, that is, in the attached state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle cap 132 is attached from the bottle body 131 to the bottle cap 132. The protruding direction is defined as the first direction 134 (see FIG. 6). Further, in the mounted state, the direction opposite to the first direction 134 is defined as the second direction 135 (see FIG. 6). Further, in the mounted state, the direction around the axial direction (direction along the first direction 134 and the second direction 135) of the bottle 130, which has a substantially cylindrical shape, is defined as the circumferential direction 136. The bottle cap 132 is an example of a cap.

[Bottle body 131]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle body 131 includes a bottom wall 150, a first side wall 151, a second side wall 152, and a third side wall 153.

The bottom wall 150 is a substantially circular wall. The first side wall 151 is a cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall 150 in the first direction 134. The second side wall 152 extends from the end portion of the first side wall 151 in the first side wall 151 toward the first side wall 134 while being inclined in the direction of reducing the diameter of the bottle body 131. The third side wall 153 is a cylindrical wall extending from the end of the first direction 134 on the second side wall 152 to the first direction 134.

As shown in FIG. 6, the space partitioned by the bottom wall 150, the first side wall 151, the second side wall 152, and the third side wall 153 is the storage chamber 154. Ink is stored in the storage chamber 154.

The third side wall 153 has an opening 155 at the end of the first orientation 134. The storage chamber 154 communicates with the outside of the bottle body 131 through the opening 155.

The third side wall 153 has a male screw 156 on its outer peripheral surface. The third side wall 153 has an annular rib 157 extending along the inner peripheral surface at the end of the first direction 134 of the inner peripheral surface thereof.

In the present embodiment, the bottle body 131 has a substantially cylindrical shape, but may have a different shape (for example, a quadrangular prism shape). At least the first side wall 151 of the bottle body 131 is flexible. As a result, the first side wall 151 is deformable. The volume of the storage chamber 154 changes due to the deformation of the first side wall 151.

[Bottle cap 132]
As shown in FIG. 7, the bottle cap 132 is a single member. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle cap 132 is removable from the bottle body 131. The bottle cap 132 may be integrally configured with the bottle body 131.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottle cap 132 includes a cap body 160, a nozzle 161 and an annular protrusion 162, and a rib 163.

[Cap body 160]
The cap body 160 includes a bottom wall 164 and a side wall 165. The bottom wall 164 is a substantially circular wall. The side wall 165 is a substantially cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135.

As shown in FIG. 8, the side wall 165 has a female screw 167 on its inner peripheral surface 166. The female screw 167 can be screwed with the male screw 156 of the bottle body 131 (see FIG. 6). The bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131 by screwing the male screw 156 and the female screw 167 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom wall 164 has a convex portion 169 protruding from its outer surface 168 in the first direction 134. The convex portion 169 is located around the outer peripheral surface 191 of the annular projection 162 and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 191.

The convex portion 169 is substantially triangular in side view, and has inclined surfaces 170 and 171 inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 170 is a surface extending toward the first direction 134 toward one side of the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 171 is a surface extending toward the first direction 134 toward the other side in the circumferential direction 136.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom wall 164 has an annular protrusion 173 projecting from its inner surface 172 in the second direction 135. As shown in FIG. 6, the annular protrusion 173 is inserted into the bottle body 131 through the opening 155 in the mounted state, and is in liquidtight contact with the annular rib 157 of the third side wall 153. This prevents the ink in the storage chamber 154 from flowing out through the opening 155.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side wall 165 has a mark 175 on its outer peripheral surface 174. As shown in FIG. 9, the mark 175 is the opposite of the first flow path 181 described later and the second flow path 182 described later when the bottle cap 132 is viewed with a line of sight along the second direction 135. It is provided at a position and a position opposite to the first flow path 181 with respect to the second flow path 182. In the present embodiment, when the bottle cap 132 is viewed with a line of sight along the second direction 135, the two marks 175, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are located in a straight line. Moreover, two marks 175 sandwich the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182.

The two marks 175, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 do not have to be located in a straight line. Further, in the present embodiment, the mark 175 has an arrow shape pointing to the first direction 137, but the shape of the mark 175 is not limited to the arrow shape. Further, the bottle cap 132 does not have to have the mark 175.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side wall 165 has a plurality of ribs 176 extending along the first direction 134 on its outer peripheral surface 174. The rib 176 is provided in a portion other than the portion where the mark 175 is provided and the peripheral portion thereof. The provision of the rib 176 makes it difficult for the user's hand to slip when the user grips the outer peripheral surface 174.

[Nozzle 161]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle 161 projects from the outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164 of the cap body 160 toward the first direction 134. That is, in the mounted state, the nozzle 161 projects from the bottle body 131 to the first direction 134 via the cap body 160.

The nozzle 161 may project from the bottom wall 164 to the first direction 134 and may protrude from the bottom wall 164 to the second direction 135. In this case, the nozzle 161 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom wall 164. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 161 has a portion 159 slightly protruding from the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

The nozzle 161 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The nozzle 161 has an outer peripheral surface 177 having a circumferential surface shape. As shown in FIG. 8, the outer peripheral surface 178, which is a part of the outer peripheral surface 177, extends in the first direction 134 while being inclined in the direction of reducing the diameter of the nozzle 161. The nozzle 161 may have a quadrangular prism shape, for example, other than the cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the nozzle 161 has a first flow path 181 and a second flow path 182.

The first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 penetrate the nozzle 161 along the first direction 134. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 extend along the first direction 134, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are curved. You may be doing it. The length of the first flow path 181 along the ink flow direction is the same as the length of the second flow path 182 along the ink flow direction. In the present embodiment, the ink flow direction is the direction in which the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are penetrated, that is, the first direction 134. The length of the first flow path 181 along the ink flow direction may be different from the length of the second flow path 182 along the ink flow direction.

The first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 have the same shape and the same size. In other words, the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the first flow path 181 are the same as the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the second flow path 182. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are both circular, and the areas of the circles are the same. The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 may be a shape other than a circular shape. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 181 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path 182, or the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 181 may be different from the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 182. Good.

In the mounted state, one end of the first flow path 181 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through the opening 183 (an example of the first opening). The other end of the first flow path 181 communicates with the outside of the nozzle 161 through an opening 184 (an example of the second opening). In the mounted state, one end of the second flow path 182 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through the opening 185 (an example of the third opening). The other end of the second flow path 182 communicates with the outside of the nozzle 161 through an opening 186 (an example of the fourth opening). In the present embodiment, the storage chamber 154 and the outside of the bottle body 131 are communicated with each other only by the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182.

The openings 183 and 185 are formed in the base end surface 180 (an example of the surface) forming the end portion of the second direction 135 of the nozzle 161. The base end surface 180, together with the inner surface 172 of the bottom wall 164 of the cap body 160 in the mounted state, partitions the end of the first facing 134 of the storage chamber 154. The opening 183 and the opening 185 may be formed on different surfaces.

The openings 183 and 185 are circular. The openings 183 and 185 may have a shape other than a circular shape. Further, the openings 183 and 185 may be formed only at the base end portion of the nozzle 161 and are not limited to the base end surface 180.

When the nozzle 161 has a portion 159 protruding from the inner surface 172 of the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135, the base end portion of the nozzle 161 is the protruding portion 159. In this case, it is the base end surface 180 that constitutes the end of the protruding portion 159 in the second direction 135. Further, in this case, the openings 183 and 185 may be formed on the side surface of the protruding portion 159 (the surface extending from the inner surface 172 to the base end surface 180).

When the nozzle 161 does not project from the bottom wall 164 to the second direction 135, the base end portion of the nozzle 161 is the base end surface 180. In this case, the base end surface 180 is the same surface as the inner surface 172 of the bottom wall 164. In other words, the base end surface 180 constitutes a part of the inner surface 172. When the base end surface 180 is the same surface as the inner surface 172, the base end surface 180 is a surface that partitions the lower end of the storage chamber 154 when the tip end portion of the nozzle 161 is in a vertically downward posture in the mounted state. The posture in which the tip portion of the nozzle 161 faces vertically downward is the posture of the nozzle 161 such that the first direction 134 faces vertically downward in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the openings 184 and 186 are formed in the tip surface 179 forming the end of the first orientation 134 of the nozzle 161. That is, the openings 184 and 186 are formed on the same surface.

The openings 184 and 186 are circular. The openings 184 and 186 may have a shape other than a circular shape. Further, the openings 184 and 186 may be formed only at the tip of the nozzle 161 and are not limited to the tip surface 179. The tip portion of the nozzle 161 is, for example, a portion of the nozzle 161 composed of a tip surface 179 and an outer peripheral surface 177.

When the tip of the nozzle 161 is oriented vertically downward (when the openings 184 and 186 are oriented vertically downward), the opening 183 is at the same height as the opening 185, and the opening 184 is the opening 186. At the same height. In this posture, the openings 183 and 185 may have different heights, and the openings 184 and 186 may have different heights.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the nozzle 161 has a recess 187 on its outer peripheral surface 177. The recess 187 extends in the first direction 134 from the vicinity of the base end portion of the nozzle 161 to the vicinity of the tip end portion. In the present embodiment, the recesses 187 are formed at two places (see FIG. 9), but the recesses 187 may be formed at one place or three or more places. Further, in the present embodiment, the recess 187 extends from the vicinity of the base end portion of the nozzle 161 to the vicinity of the tip end portion, but the recess 187 is in a state where at least the nozzle 161 is inserted into the through hole 112 of the ink tank 100. In (the state shown in FIG. 13), it is sufficient that the ink tank 100 extends from the inside (storage chamber 111) to the outside. The nozzle 161 does not have to have the recess 187.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the nozzle 161 has a recess 188 at its tip. The recess 188 is partitioned by a tip surface 179 and an inner peripheral surface 190 of an annular rib 189 projecting from the outer edge portion of the tip surface 179 in the first direction 134. That is, the tip surface 179 is recessed from the tip of the nozzle 161 (the tip of the annular rib 189). The inner peripheral surface 190 extends from the tip surface 179 toward the outer edge of the tip surface 179 toward the first direction 134. That is, the inner peripheral surface 190 extends in the first direction 134 while being inclined in the direction of expanding the diameter of the recess 188.

The inner peripheral surface 190 may extend along the first direction 134 without being inclined. Further, the nozzle 161 does not have to have the recess 188. That is, the tip of the nozzle 161 does not have to be recessed.

[Arc-shaped protrusion 162]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the annular protrusion 162 projects from the outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164 in the first direction 134. The annular protrusion 162 projects from the periphery of the nozzle 161. That is, when the bottle cap 132 is viewed along the second direction 135, the annular protrusion 162 surrounds the nozzle 161. As a result, the annular protrusion 162, the nozzle 161 and the bottom wall 164 form a groove 193 extending in the circumferential direction 136.

The protrusion length of the annular protrusion 162 is shorter than the protrusion length of the nozzle 161. That is, the end of the first-facing 134 of the annular projection 162 is closer to the second-facing 135 than the end of the first-facing 134 of the nozzle 161.

The annular protrusion 162 has a convex portion 192 on its outer peripheral surface 191. The convex portion 192 protrudes from the tip end portion of the annular protrusion 162. The convex portion 192 extends over the entire circumference to the outer peripheral surface 191. That is, the convex portion 192 has an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the convex portion 192 engages with the convex portion 125 of the nozzle cap 133 in the mounted state.

[Rib 163]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rib 163 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161. The rib 163 extends from the base end of the nozzle 161 toward the tip end along the first direction 134. As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the rib 163 in the second direction 135 is in contact with the outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164. The end of the first orientation 134 of the rib 163 is in the first orientation 134 rather than the annular projection 162. In other words, the rib 163 extends closer to the tip of the nozzle 161 than the annular projection 162. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the end of the first orientation 134 of the rib 163 is in the second orientation 135 rather than the outer peripheral surface 178 of the nozzle 161.

A plurality of ribs 163 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of ribs 163 project radially with respect to the center of the nozzle 161 (the center of the cylindrical axis).

Contrary to the above, the annular protrusion 162 may extend closer to the tip of the nozzle 161 than the rib 163, or the ends of the annular protrusion 162 and the rib 163 in the first direction 134 may be at the same position. Good. Further, a plurality of ribs 163 may not be provided, and only one rib 163 may be provided. Further, the bottle cap 132 does not have to have the rib 163.

[Nozzle cap 133]
As shown in FIG. 10, the nozzle cap 133 is a single member and has a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the nozzle cap 133 is removable from the bottle cap 132. The nozzle cap 133 can be attached to and detached from the bottle body 131 via the bottle cap 132.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the nozzle cap 133 includes a bottom wall 115, a first side wall 116, and a second side wall 117.

The bottom wall 115 is a circular wall. The first side wall 116 is a cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall 115 in the second direction 135. The second side wall 117 extends from the end of the second direction 135 on the first side wall 116 in the second direction 135 while inclining in the direction of increasing the diameter of the nozzle cap 133, and extends from the end of the second direction 135 in the inclined portion. It extends approximately along the second direction 135 from the end. The outer diameter of the second side wall 117 is larger than the outer diameter of the first side wall 116. That is, the outer diameter of the nozzle cap 133 on the end side (opening 122 side of the opening 122) of the second direction 135 is larger than the outer diameter of the end side (bottom wall 115 side) of the first direction 134 of the nozzle cap 133. The outer diameter of the nozzle cap 133 on the opening 122 side may be smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the nozzle cap 133 on the bottom wall 115 side.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the internal space 121 of the nozzle cap 133 is partitioned by the inner surface 118 of the bottom wall 115, the inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116, and the inner surface 120 of the second side wall 117. .. An opening 122 leading from the outside to the internal space 121 is partitioned by the end of the inner surface 120 in the second direction 135.

As shown in FIG. 6, the nozzle 161 and the annular protrusion 162 of the bottle cap 132 are located in the internal space 121 in the mounted state. That is, in the mounted state, the nozzle cap 133 accommodates the nozzle 161 and the annular protrusion 162 in the internal space 121.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bottom wall 115 has a recess 123 on the inner surface 118. As shown in FIG. 6, the tip end portion of the nozzle 161 is inserted into the recess 123 in the mounted state. The side surface 124 that partitions the recess 123 is in liquid-tight contact with the outer peripheral surface 177 of the tip of the nozzle 161. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink flowing out from the inside of the storage chamber 154 through the openings 184 and 186 from dripping on the outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161. That is, the outflow of ink can be reduced.

The configuration for reducing the outflow of ink in the storage chamber 154 is not limited to the configuration in which the side surface 124 abuts on the outer peripheral surface 177, and the inner surface of the bottle cap 132 is in close contact with the nozzle 161 around the openings 184 and 186. You just have to touch it. For example, the inner surface 118 of the bottom wall 115 (a part of the inner surface of the bottle cap 132, see FIGS. 11 and 12) comes into liquid-tight contact with the tip surface 179 (see FIG. 7) of the nozzle 161 to the second direction 135. By closing the openings 184 and 186, the outflow of ink in the storage chamber 154 may be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second side wall 117 has a protrusion 125 on the inner surface 120. A plurality of convex portions 125 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 125 is located at a position that is not point-symmetric with respect to the axis of the other convex portion 125 and the annular protrusion 162 (a line along the first direction 134 and passing through the center of the ring of the annular protrusion 162). is there. In the present embodiment, three convex portions 125 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction 136. As a result, the two convex portions 125 are not point-symmetrical with respect to the axis.

In the process of attaching the nozzle cap 133 to the bottle cap 132, the convex portion 125 gets over the convex portion 192 while pressing the convex portion 192 (see FIG. 7) of the annular protrusion 162 of the bottle cap 132 to elastically deform it. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the convex portion 125 and the convex portion 192 are engaged with each other in the mounted state. The engaged state maintains the mounted state.

It should be noted that the convex portion 125 may be formed only once instead of a plurality. Further, the convex portion 125 may be located at a position symmetrical with respect to the axis of the other convex portion 125 and the annular projection 162. Further, the convex portion 125 may be provided over the entire circumference of the inner surface 120 in the circumferential direction 136.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the internal space 121, the annular rib 126 is formed from the end portion of the inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116 in the second direction 135 (the boundary portion of the second side wall 117 with the inner surface 120). It protrudes in the second direction 135 toward the opening 122. As shown in FIG. 12, the annular rib 126 is in the first orientation 134 from the convex portion 125. In other words, the convex portion 125 is located closer to the opening 122 than the annular rib 126.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the annular rib 126 is inserted into the groove 193 in the mounted state. That is, in the mounted state, the tip of the annular rib 126 is between the nozzle 161 and the annular projection 162. In the mounted state, the annular rib 126 is in liquid-tight contact with the annular projection 162. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink from flowing from the groove 193 to the outside of the annular projection 162 (the outer peripheral surface 191 (see FIG. 7) of the annular projection 162 and the side where the second side wall 117 is located).

The nozzle cap 133 does not have to have the annular rib 126.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the nozzle cap 133 has ribs 127, 128.

The ribs 127 and 128 project from the inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116 and extend from the bottom of the inner surface 119 toward the opening 122 in the second direction 135. The bottom portion of the inner surface 119 is a portion of the bottom wall 115 in the vicinity of the inner surface 118. One ends of the ribs 127 and 128 are in contact with the inner surface 118. There may be a gap between one end of the ribs 127 and 128 and the inner surface 118.

A plurality of ribs 127 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. A plurality of ribs 128 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. The ribs 127 and 128 are alternately arranged one by one in the circumferential direction 136. The arrangement of the ribs 127 and 128 is not limited to the above arrangement. For example, two ribs 127 and one rib 128 may be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction 136. Further, only one rib 127 and 128 may be provided respectively.

The other end of the rib 128 is in the second direction 135 from the other end of the rib 127. In other words, the rib 128 extends closer to the opening 122 than the rib 127. Contrary to the above, the rib 127 may extend to a position closer to the opening 122 than the rib 128, and the other end of the rib 128 and the other end of the rib 127 are at the same position in the second direction 135. You may.

The protruding tip surface 140 of the rib 127 is a surface continuous with the side surface 124.

The other end surface 141 of the rib 127 is a horizontal plane (a surface extending in the horizontal direction) in a posture in which the opening 122 faces vertically downward (the posture shown in FIG. 12).

The end surface 142 at the other end of the rib 128 extends toward the inner surface 119 toward the second direction 135 in the posture in which the opening 122 faces vertically downward (the posture shown in FIG. 12). That is, in the posture shown in FIG. 12, the end face 142 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The end surface 141 of the rib 127 is not limited to the horizontal plane, and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, for example. Further, the end surface 142 of the rib 128 may be a horizontal plane. Further, the nozzle cap 133 does not have to have the rib 128.

The second side wall 117 has a convex portion 143 protruding from the inner surface 120. The convex portion 143 is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the convex portion 169 in the mounted state. The convex portion 143 has inclined surfaces 144 and 145 that are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 144 is a surface extending toward the second direction 135 toward one side of the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 145 is a surface extending toward the second direction 135 toward the other side in the circumferential direction 136.

A plurality of convex portions 143 (three in the present embodiment) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. The convex portion 143 is formed at the same position as the convex portion 125 in the circumferential direction 136. That is, the convex portion 143 is at the same position as the position where the convex portion 192 and the convex portion 125 are engaged in the circumferential direction 136.

When the nozzle cap 133 is pulled in the first direction 134 in the mounted state, the convex portion 125 gets over the convex portion 192 while pressing the convex portion 192 of the annular protrusion 162 of the bottle cap 132 to elastically deform it. As a result, the engagement between the convex portion 125 and the convex portion 192 is released. As a result, the nozzle cap 133 can be removed from the bottle cap 132.

Further, when the nozzle cap 133 is rotated in the circumferential direction 136 in the mounted state, the convex portion 143 comes into contact with the convex portion 169 (see FIG. 7) of the bottle cap 132. At this time, one of the inclined surfaces 144 and 145 of the convex portion 143 is guided to one of the inclined surfaces 170 and 171 of the convex portion 169. As a result, the force of the first direction 134 acts on the nozzle cap 133, and the nozzle cap 133 is moved to the first direction 134. As a result, the engagement between the convex portion 125 and the convex portion 192 is released and the nozzle cap 133 is removed from the bottle cap 132, as in the case where the nozzle cap 133 is pulled in the first direction 134. As described above, by rotating the nozzle cap 133 in the circumferential direction 136, the force of the first direction 134 can be applied to the nozzle cap 133, so that the nozzle cap 133 is not pulled in the first direction 134. , The nozzle cap 133 can be easily removed from the bottle cap 132.

In the present embodiment, the convex portion 143 has the inclined surfaces 144 and 145, and the convex portion 169 has the inclined surfaces 170 and 171. However, only one of the convex portion 143 or the convex portion 169 has an inclined surface. May have. Further, the convex portion 143 may be formed at a position different from that of the convex portion 125 in the circumferential direction 136. Further, the convex portion 143 and the convex portion 169 may not be provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the nozzle cap 133 has a protrusion 138 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 139 of the first side wall 116. The end of the second direction 135 of the protrusion 138 is in contact with the second side wall 117. The nozzle cap 133 does not have to have the protrusion 138.

[Connection of bottle 130 with ink tank 100]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 by inserting the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 into the through hole 112 of the ink tank 100. Hereinafter, the posture of the bottle 130 when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 is also referred to as a connection posture.

When the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 is inserted into the through hole 112 of the ink tank 100, the posture of the bottle 130 is adjusted so that the mark 175 faces vertically upward, so that the openings 184 and 186 are located in the storage chamber 111. Sometimes one of the openings 184 and 186 can be above the other. In the present embodiment, the opening 186 is above the opening 184 in the connection posture.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the bottle 130 is in the connecting posture, the outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 114 of the through hole 112. Further, when the bottle 130 is in the connecting posture, the rib 163 is in contact with the annular rib 109 of the ink tank 100.

When the bottle 130 is in the connecting position, the openings 184 and 186 are below the air communication hole 98.

When the bottle 130 is in the connected posture, the opening 186 at the tip of the nozzle 161 and the first mark 146 are both at the height of the position P. That is, when the bottle 130 is in the connecting posture, the opening 186 located above the openings 184 and 186 is at the same height as the first mark 146.

The inner diameter of the through hole 112 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the portion of the nozzle 161 that is inside the through hole 112 in the connection posture. As a result, in the connection posture, the bottle 130 rotates so that the bottle body 131 moves downward and the tip of the nozzle 161 moves upward (in other words, clockwise in FIG. 13) due to its own weight. The nozzle 161 of the rotated bottle 130 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 114 of the through hole 112 at two positions, the first position P1 and the second position P2.

The first position P1 is the edge of the inner peripheral surface 114 on the storage chamber 111 side. The outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161 comes into contact with the edge portion from below. The second position P2 is the outer edge of the inner peripheral surface 114. The outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161 comes into contact with the edge portion from above. As a result, the nozzle 161 engages with the through hole 112. As a result, the bottle 130 is maintained in the connected position.

When the bottle 130 is in the connecting posture, the first side wall 151 is located above the first position P1 and the second position P2.

As described above, the nozzle 161 has a recess 187 (see FIG. 7). When the bottle 130 is in the connection posture, the end of the recess 187 on the tip end side of the nozzle 161 is inside the storage chamber 111, and the end of the recess 187 on the nozzle 161 base end side is outside the ink tank 100. As a result, the storage chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100 communicate with each other via the recess 187. That is, in the connected posture, the ink tank 100 communicates with the atmosphere through the recess 187 in addition to the atmospheric communication hole 98.

Hereinafter, the supply of ink from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 when the bottle 130 is in the connected posture will be described. In the following description, the ink is supplied from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 by a so-called chicken feed method.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 and the openings 184 and 186 are located in the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100, the storage chamber 154 and the storage chamber 111 Communicate through the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 154 flows to the first flow path 181 through the opening 183, and flows from the opening 184 to the storage chamber 111. Further, when the ink is circulated, air enters the storage chamber 111 through the atmospheric communication hole 98 and flows into the storage chamber 154 through the second flow path 182. Here, the volume of ink flowing from the storage chamber 154 to the storage chamber 111 and the volume of air flowing from the storage chamber 111 to the storage chamber 154 are almost the same. In this way, so-called gas-liquid replacement is performed.

When the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 111 rises to reach the opening 186 due to the inflow of ink into the storage chamber 111, that is, when it reaches the same height as the first mark 146, the ink is stored through the second flow path 182. The flow of air between the chamber 111 and the storage chamber 154 is blocked. Therefore, the flow of ink from the storage chamber 154 to the storage chamber 111 is stopped.

The supply of ink from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 can be performed not only by the chicken feed method described above, but also by so-called pumping that deforms the first side wall 151 of the bottle body 131 of the bottle 130.

[Effect of this embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the nozzle 161 includes a first flow path 181 and a second flow path 182. Therefore, simply by connecting the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100, air is circulated in one of the first flow path 181 or the second flow path 182, and ink is circulated in the other of the first flow path 181 or the second flow path 182. It is possible to carry out gas-liquid replacement.

Further, when the tip of the nozzle 161 is oriented vertically downward, the openings 184 and 186 are at the same height, so that the structure of the tip of the nozzle 161 can be simplified. As a result, the possibility of damage to the tip of the nozzle 161 can be reduced.

Further, when the tip of the nozzle 161 is oriented vertically downward, the openings 183 and 185 are at the same height, so that the structure inside the bottle body 131 can be simplified.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the lengths of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are the same, when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100, regardless of the posture of the bottle 130, Gas-liquid replacement can be performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the openings 184 and 186 are formed on the same surface, the openings 184 and 186 can be sealed by a simple means such as attaching one sticker.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the base end surface 180 constitutes the end portion of the nozzle 160 in the second direction 135, it is possible to improve the use of ink in the storage chamber 154.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the first flow path 181 are the same as the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the second flow path 182. Therefore, when gas-liquid replacement is executed, the flow speed of the ink flowing through one of the first flow path 181 or the second flow path 182 is changed to the flow speed of the ink flowing through the other of the first flow path 181 or the second flow path 182. It can be adjusted to the air flow rate. Therefore, smooth execution of gas-liquid replacement is possible.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100, the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 and the outside can be communicated with each other by the recess 187. As a result, by pumping the bottle 130 connected to the ink tank 100, gas-liquid replacement of the storage chamber 111 can be smoothly executed when ink is supplied from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100.

Further, the recess 187 allows so-called lightening of the nozzle 161. Further, the recess 187 can form a gap between the nozzle 161 and the through hole 112 when the bottle 130 is connected to the through hole 112 of the ink tank 100. Due to this gap, the air discharged from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 when the bottle 130 is pumped can escape from the gap to the outside, so that the internal pressure in the ink tank 100 can be prevented from rising. It can be done and pumping can be performed easily.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the structure of the bottle 130 can be simplified because the number of flow paths is the minimum of two for performing gas-liquid replacement.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the openings 183 and 185 are circular. Therefore, the meniscus is easily formed at the openings 183 and 185. When the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 become gas flow paths, the inflow of ink from the storage chamber 154 into the gas flow path can be blocked by the meniscus formed in the openings 183 and 185. .. As a result, gas-liquid substitution can be stabilized.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the meniscus is easily formed in the openings 184 and 186. The meniscus formed in the openings 184 and 186 reduces the leakage of ink from the storage chamber 154, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 when the bottle 130 is pulled out from the ink tank 100. can do.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100, the mark 175 is connected in a posture above the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182, whereby the first One of the flow paths 181 or the second flow path 182 can be located above the other.

Further, according to the present embodiment, ink can be supplied from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 by the so-called chicken feed method only by connecting the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100.

Further, according to the present embodiment, one of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 is connected by connecting the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 along the directions inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. It is easy to position it above the other. Further, since it is inserted diagonally, a height difference can be naturally created in the two flow paths by the user's operation, and it can be achieved without making the user aware that ink is discharged from one and air is taken in from the other.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the ink stored in the storage chamber 111 can be stored by confirming whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 111 matches the first mark 146. It can be easily confirmed whether or not it is the maximum amount.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 is circular, and the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 are also circular. However, the shapes of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182, and the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186, respectively, may be different from the above-described embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the nozzle 161 has a first circular opening 195 provided at the tip thereof and having a circular cross section, and a second circular opening 195 provided at the base end thereof and having a circular cross section. It may have a circular opening 196 and a partition wall 197 that divides one flow path having a first circular opening 195 and a second circular opening 196 at both ends into two. The openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be formed in a substantially semicircular shape by dividing the first circular opening 195 and the second circular opening 196 by the partition wall 197. That is, each opening 183, 184, 185, 186 may be a bow-shaped opening. A part of the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be a bow-shaped opening. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the openings 184 and 186 provided at the tip of the nozzle 161 are bow-shaped openings (see FIG. 15), and the openings 183 provided at the base end of the nozzle 161. 185 may be a circular opening (see FIG. 16).

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 14, since the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 are bow-shaped, it becomes difficult for the meniscus of ink to stick to the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186, and the ink can easily flow. Therefore, the ink flow speed in the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 can be increased.

In the above embodiment, the nozzle 161 has two flow paths (first flow path 181 and second flow path 182), but the nozzle 161 may have three or more flow paths. ..

In the ink tank 100, the through hole 112 may be formed in addition to the inclined wall 106. For example, the through hole 112 may be formed in the upper wall of the ink tank 100 and may extend along the vertical direction. In this case, the nozzle 161 is inserted into the through hole 112 from above.

In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected to the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed in the vicinity of the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out. However, it may be an example of a printing liquid.

130 ... Bottle (liquid container for printing)
131 ・ ・ ・ Bottle body (main body)
154 ... Storage chamber 161 ... Nozzle 181 ... First flow path 182 ... Second flow path 183 ... Opening (first opening)
184 ... Aperture (second opening)
185 ... Opening (3rd opening)
186 ... Opening (4th opening)

Claims (19)

A main body with a storage chamber for storing printing liquid,
With a nozzle protruding from the main body,
The nozzle includes a first flow path and a second flow path.
The first flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a first opening located at the base end of the nozzle, and communicates with the outside through a second opening located at the tip of the nozzle.
The second flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a third opening located at the base end of the nozzle, and communicates with the outside through a fourth opening located at the tip of the nozzle.
The second opening is a liquid container for printing that is at the same height as the fourth opening when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward. The liquid container for printing according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is at the same height as the third opening when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward. The printing liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the first flow path along the flow direction of the printing liquid is the same as the length of the second flow path along the flow direction of the printing liquid. container. The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second opening and the fourth opening are formed on the same surface. The nozzle partitions the storage chamber and includes a surface on which the first opening and the third opening are formed.
The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the tip of the nozzle is oriented vertically downward, the surface is the lower end of the storage chamber. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the first flow path are the same as the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of the second flow path. The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle has a recess on its outer peripheral surface. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage chamber and the outside of the main body communicate with each other only by the first flow path and the second flow path. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first opening is circular. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the third opening is circular. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second opening and the fourth opening are bow-shaped openings. The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second opening has a circular shape. The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fourth opening is circular. The liquid container for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first opening and the third opening are bow-shaped openings. The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the main body has a mark at a position opposite to the first flow path in the line of sight along the protrusion direction of the nozzle. For liquid container. The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
A system including a tank that can be connected to the printing liquid container and has an internal space for storing the printing liquid. The tank extends along an inclined direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and has a through hole for communicating the internal space with the outside.
The system according to claim 16, wherein the printing liquid container is connected to the tank by inserting the nozzle into the through hole. The above tank
The translucent wall that divides the internal space and
It is formed on the translucent wall and includes a liquid level mark indicating the height of the liquid level when a predetermined amount of printing liquid is stored in the internal space.
When the printing liquid container is connected to the tank, the opening located above the second opening or the fourth opening is at the same height as the liquid level mark. 17. The system according to 17. A cap that can be connected to a main body that has a storage chamber for storing printing liquid.
The cap includes a first flow path and a second flow path.
The first flow path has a first opening that communicates with the storage chamber when connected to the main body, and a second opening that communicates with the outside.
The second flow path has a third opening that communicates with the storage chamber when connected to the main body, and a fourth opening that communicates with the outside.
When the second opening is oriented vertically downward, the second opening is a cap at the same height as the fourth opening.

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