JP2023133483A - Ink replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ink replenishing container that can appropriately replenish ink into an ink tank and an ink replenishing system including such ink replenishing container.SOLUTION: An ink replenishing container 63 comprises: a container main body part 64 having an ink storage chamber 76; an ink outlet formation part 66, provided at an end part of the container main body part, in which an ink outlet 65 through which ink can flow out from the ink storage chamber is formed; a valve 74, provided in the ink outlet formation part, which seals the ink outlet so that the outlet can be opened and closed; and a positioning part that positions the valve wit respect to the ink tank by contacting a portion at an ink tank side when the valve is opened. The positioning part has a positioning surface 84, positioned at the opposite side of a side at which the container main body part is positioned with respect to the valve, which extends in a direction in which the surface crosses a center axis 85 of the ink outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

The present invention relates to an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to a recording apparatus, and an ink replenishment system that includes such an ink replenishment container.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink tank storing ink inside is connected to a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a medium in a manner capable of supplying ink. In such a recording device, when the amount of ink remaining in an ink tank becomes small, the ink tank is replenished with ink from the outside using an ink supply container (for example, Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-146021

By the way, it is necessary to replenish ink to an ink tank appropriately while suppressing ink replenishment failures, etc., and such replenishment work has conventionally been performed by the user of a recording apparatus. Therefore, in order for users to appropriately perform such ink replenishment operations, further improvements have been required in, for example, ink replenishment containers and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ink replenishment container that can appropriately replenish ink to an ink tank, and an ink replenishment system including such an ink replenishment container. be.

Below, means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described.
An ink replenishment container that solves the above problem is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank that has an ink inlet flow path and an ink chamber that communicates with the ink inlet flow path. an ink container body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the container body; and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber. an outlet forming part, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming part and sealing the ink outlet so that it can be opened and closed; a positioning part for positioning with respect to the ink tank, the positioning part being located on a side opposite to the side on which the container body is located with respect to the valve, and intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet. The positioning surface has a positioning surface that extends in a direction in which the ink inlet channel of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open, and the positioning surface is connected to the part on the ink tank side. come into contact with

According to this configuration, when the ink replenishment container is moved to the ink tank side and the ink inlet channel portion of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet to open the valve, the positioning surface is moved to the ink tank before the valve is opened. Move to the side. Therefore, for example, if the ink tank is provided with a configuration that can guide the movement of the positioning surface in the direction in which the ink inlet channel is inserted into the ink outlet, it will be easier to guide the ink inlet channel toward the valve. Become. Additionally, when the ink replenishment container is refilled with ink, when the positioning surface comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side, the position of the ink replenishment container becomes stable in the direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet, making it easier to replenish ink. This allows the ink tank to be properly replenished with ink.

In the ink replenishment container described above, it is preferable that the positioning surface is located on a side opposite to the container main body side of the ink outlet in a direction along a central axis of the ink outlet.
According to this configuration, when the ink supply container is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink inlet channel on the ink tank side, the positioning surface approaches the ink tank before the ink outlet. Therefore, when the ink supply container approaches the ink tank, it is easy to prevent the ink outlet from colliding with other members. Furthermore, it is easy to prevent damage to the ink outlet and adhesion of ink to other members.

In the above ink replenishment container, it is preferable that the positioning surface is formed at the tip of a cylindrical portion that opens the ink outlet toward the outside at an end of the ink outlet forming portion.
According to this configuration, the positioning surface can be formed in the cylindrical part that is a part of the ink outlet forming part together with the ink outlet, so the structure is better than forming the positioning surface in a convex part or the like provided at a location different from the ink outlet. can be done easily.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problem is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path, A container body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank, and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber. an ink outlet forming part, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming part and sealing the ink outlet so that it can be opened and closed; and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened, and a positioning part for positioning the ink tank with respect to the ink tank, the ink outlet is formed in a cylindrical part that is a part of the ink outlet forming part, and the positioning part intersects with the central axis of the ink outlet. a positioning surface extending in a direction with a gap provided between it and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion, and the positioning surface is arranged so that the ink inlet channel of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is opened. In this state, it comes into contact with the part on the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, the positioning surface extending in the direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side, so that the ink is properly supplied in a stable state. can be replenished. In addition, ink adhering to the ink outlet or positioning surface may be drawn into the gap, thereby reducing ink dripping and contamination to the outside.

In the ink supply container, the positioning surface has an area that is in contact with a part of the ink tank on a side farther from the ink outlet in a direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet, and an area that is in contact with a part of the ink tank on a side closer to the ink outlet. It is preferable that the area is larger than the area that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, the stability of the posture of the ink outlet can be improved in the ink replenishment state in which the ink inlet channel portion is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is opened.
Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problem is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path, A container body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank, and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber. an ink outlet forming part, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming part and sealing the ink outlet so that it can be opened and closed; and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened, and a positioning part for positioning the ink tank relative to the ink tank, the positioning part having a positioning surface that is inclined or curved in a direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet, and the positioning surface When the ink inlet channel is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open, it comes into contact with the part on the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, the ink replenishment container can be positioned both in the direction along the central axis of the ink outlet and in the direction perpendicular to the central axis, and ink replenishment can be performed appropriately. be able to.

In the ink replenishment container, the positioning surface is inclined or curved in a direction that gradually moves away from the central axis in a direction from the ink outlet toward the container main body.
According to this configuration, when inserting and removing the ink inlet channel portion from and into the ink outlet, the ink supply container can be gradually guided along the inclined or curved positioning surface.

In the ink supply container described above, it is preferable that the positioning portion is provided in an externally exposed portion of at least one of the ink outlet forming portion and the container body.
According to this configuration, when inserting the ink inlet channel portion of the ink tank into the ink outlet of the ink supply container, the positioning portion is easily visible from the outside. In addition, when the positioning part is provided in a part of the container body that is exposed to the outside, the container body containing ink is positioned, so the heavy part is positioned, and the posture for replenishing the ink is changed. Stabilize.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problem is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path, A container body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank, and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber. an ink outlet forming part, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming part and sealing the ink outlet so that it can be opened and closed; and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened, and a positioning part for positioning the ink tank with respect to the ink tank, and the positioning part is provided inside the ink outlet.

According to this configuration, the positioning part is protected inside the ink outlet, and is therefore less likely to be damaged, compared to a case where the positioning part is provided outside the ink outlet. Further, since the positioning portion is close to the valve inside the ink outlet, the valve can be positioned with high accuracy with respect to the ink tank. Furthermore, even if ink adheres to the positioning portion, it is located inside the ink outlet, making it difficult to adhere ink to the outside of the ink supply container.

An ink replenishment system that solves the above problems includes an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion, an ink replenishment container configured as described above, and a When the valve is positioned relative to the ink tank via the positioning part, the valve is located between the positioning part and the part on the ink tank side, and the positioning part and the part on the ink tank side are located between the positioning part and the part on the ink tank side. and a positioning auxiliary member that mediates contact with the positioning member.

According to this configuration, by using the positioning auxiliary member when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, it is possible to appropriately position various ink tanks.

In the above ink replenishment system, it is preferable that the positioning auxiliary member is made of an ink absorbing material capable of absorbing ink.
According to this configuration, the ink absorbing material can reduce the impact when the positioning part of the ink supply container comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side. Furthermore, since the ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material, dripping and scattering when the ink supply container is removed can be reduced.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problem is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path, A container body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank, and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber. an ink outlet forming part, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming part and sealing the ink outlet so that it can be opened and closed; and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened, and a positioning section that positions the ink tank relative to the ink tank.

According to this configuration, when the positioning part of the ink replenishment container comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side during ink replenishment, the valve that opens and closes the ink outlet is positioned with respect to the ink tank. Therefore, it becomes easy to replenish ink, and the ink tank can be appropriately replenished with ink.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a recording device in a see-through state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ink supply unit provided within the housing of the recording apparatus. Similarly, a plan view of the ink supply unit. 4 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink supply container of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink supply container. FIG. 3 is a front view of the ink supply container. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ink supply container. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 9; FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing the ink replenishment system immediately before ink replenishment work. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing the ink replenishment system immediately before ink replenishment work. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing the ink replenishment system during ink replenishment work. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing the ink replenishment system during ink replenishment work. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing the ink replenishment system in a positioned state. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing the ink replenishment system in a positioned state. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an ink supply container according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the ink supply unit during ink replenishment in the second embodiment. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line F20-F20 in FIG. 19. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an ink supply container according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an ink supply container according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an ink supply container according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in an eighth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a ninth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a tenth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ink supply unit in an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the ink supply unit during ink replenishment in the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along the line F33-F33 in FIG. 32. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view showing an ink replenishment system in a twelfth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink replenishment system in a thirteenth embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an ink replenishment system including an ink tank and an ink replenishment container in a recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the recording apparatus of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that records (prints) an image or the like on a medium by ejecting ink onto the medium. Further, in the drawings, it is assumed that a recording device having a predetermined height in the vertical direction, a predetermined width in the left-right direction, and a predetermined depth in the front-rear direction is placed on a horizontal plane. In each figure, arrows indicate the up-down direction along the vertical line, the left-right direction along the horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical line, and the front-back direction along the horizontal plane perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 21 includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing 22 whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. Note that FIG. 1 schematically shows the inside of the casing 22 of the recording device 21 as seen through. A support stand 23 whose longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction is provided in the lower part of the housing 22 near the rear so that its upper surface runs along a substantially horizontal direction. A paper P, which is an example of a medium, is supported on the upper surface of the support stand 23 and is transported forward in the transport direction. Further, a guide shaft 24 extending in the left-right direction is installed above the support base 23 in the housing 22, and a carriage 26 is mounted on the guide shaft 24, and the carriage 26 is equipped with a recording head 25 on the lower surface side for ejecting ink. is supported. That is, the carriage 26 is supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction with respect to the guide shaft 24, with the guide shaft 24 being inserted into a support hole 27 passing through in the left-right direction.

Further, a driving pulley 28 and a driven pulley 29 are rotatably supported in the housing 22 at positions near both ends of the guide shaft 24 . An output shaft of a carriage motor 30 is connected to the drive pulley 28, and an endless timing belt 31, which is partially connected to the carriage 26, is wound between the drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29. . When the carriage 26 is driven by the carriage motor 30 and reciprocates along the left and right direction, which is the scanning direction for the paper P, while being guided by the guide shaft 24 via the timing belt 31, the carriage 26 is transported forward on the support base 23. Ink is ejected onto the paper P from the recording head 25 on the lower surface side of the carriage 26.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, at a position in front of the support stand 23 on the front side of the casing 22, ink from the recording head 25 is stored when it is conveyed on the support stand 23 within the casing 22. A rectangular discharge port 32 is open to discharge the paper P on which recording has been performed by ejection to the front side. A rectangular plate-shaped discharge tray 33 capable of supporting the paper P discharged from the housing 22 is provided at the discharge port 32 so as to be movable forward in the discharge direction. Further, in the discharge port 32, a paper feed cassette 34 capable of accommodating a plurality of sheets of paper P used for recording in a stacked state is attached to the lower side of the discharge tray 33 so as to be freely inserted and removed in the front-rear direction.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the front surface and the top surface of the casing 22 are rectangular at a position that is closer to the left and right ends (right end in FIG. 1) than the discharge port 32. An opening/closing door 35 having a right-angled triangular shape on its right side is provided so as to be able to open and close in the front and rear directions around a rotation shaft 36 provided at its lower end and extending in the left-right direction. A window section 37 made of a rectangular transparent member is formed on the front surface of the opening/closing door 35, and the user can view the inside of the housing 22 (in particular, the back side of the front of the opening/closing door 35) with the opening/closing door 35 closed. ) is now visible.

In the housing 22 of the recording device 21, ink is supplied to the recording head 25 at a position behind the opening/closing door 35, that is, at a position closer to the front and closer to the end (in this case, closer to the right end). An ink supply unit 40 is housed therein. The ink supply unit 40 is a structure that includes a plurality of (five in this embodiment) ink tanks 41 to 45 and can be handled as one unit.As will be described later, each ink tank 41 to 45 has a It is said that ink can be replenished.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink supply unit 40 includes five ink tanks 41 to 45 in the shape of a deformed box that is long in the front and back direction, and five ink supplies pulled out from the rear side of each ink tank 41 to 45. It is configured to include a tube 46 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped ink replenishment adapter 47 to which the ink tanks 41 to 45 are assembled together. This ink replenishment adapter 47 has a stepped portion formed in the first half of the upper part of all the ink tanks 41 to 45 when all the ink tanks 41 to 45 are arranged side by side with the thickness direction in the left and right direction. 48, it is integrated with the ink tanks 41 to 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply tubes 46 pulled out from the ink tanks 41 to 45 are connected to an ink flow path (not shown) formed in the carriage 26, and recording is performed via the ink flow path. It is connected to the head 25. Note that the ink replenishment adapter 47 may constitute a part of the housing 22 that covers the ink tanks 41 to 45, or may be formed integrally with the ink tanks 41 to 45.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the ink tanks 41 to 45 has an ink chamber 49 in which ink IK can be stored. In this embodiment, black ink is stored in the ink chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 located at the right end in the horizontal direction. Ink of a color other than black (cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.) is stored in the ink chambers 49 of the other ink tanks 42 to 45 arranged to the left of the rightmost ink tank 41 in the horizontal direction. In addition, the front walls of the ink tanks 41 to 45 that are visible through the window 37 on the front surface of the housing 22 are made of transparent resin that makes the liquid level of the ink IK in the ink chamber 49 visible. A visual recognition section 50 is provided. The visual confirmation unit 50 displays an upper limit that indicates the upper limit of the liquid level of the ink IK stored in the ink chamber 49 (an example of a guideline for the amount of ink that can be injected without overflowing the ink from the ink inlet 53). A mark 51 and a lower limit mark 52 indicating a lower limit (for example, a guide to prompt ink replenishment) are written.

As shown in FIG. 4, an ink inlet 53 is provided above the horizontal portion of the stepped portion 48 in the ink tanks 41 to 45 to allow ink to flow into the ink chamber 49 from the outside. The ink inlet 53 includes a needle 56, which is an example of an ink inlet channel, and extends vertically upward, having channels 54 and 55 that communicate the inside and outside of the ink chamber 49. Inside the cylindrical needle 56, two channels 54 and 55 are partitioned by a partition wall formed at the center in the front-rear direction and extending vertically. Therefore, the flow paths 54 and 55 of this embodiment are formed so that the height and cross-sectional area of the tip openings are approximately equal. Note that a remaining amount sensor 57 for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in the ink chamber 49 is provided at a rearward lower portion of the ink chamber 49 . Note that the remaining amount sensor 57 may not be provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ink replenishment adapter 47 has an upper surface 58 that is a horizontal surface that is perpendicular to (crosses) the direction in which the needle 56 extends, and a lower surface 59 that extends up and down. A through hole 60 penetrating in the direction is formed as an ink inlet forming portion. The through hole 60 consists of a circular ink inlet 53 in which the needle 56 is arranged in the center, and a pair of front and rear rectangular holes connected before and after the ink inlet 53. The needle 56 is closed by a horizontal portion of a stepped portion 48 that projects upward.

Therefore, in the through hole 60, a pair of front and rear rectangular holes whose lower openings are closed are provided in a region outside the ink inlet 53 in the radial direction centering on the ink inlet 53, so that the needle 56 extends in the direction in which the needle 56 extends. A pair of front and rear recesses 61 that open upward are formed symmetrically with respect to the ink inlet 53 with the depth extending vertically downward. That is, in the area outside the ink inlet 53 including the needle 56 in the ink replenishment adapter 47 integrated with the ink tanks 41 to 45, there are a plurality of points symmetrical about the ink inlet 53 (in this case, front and rear). A pair of recesses 61 are formed. In this case, the tip of the needle 56 located at the center of the circular ink inlet 53 is located at the upper surface of the ink replenishment adapter 47, which is the opening edge of the through hole 60 that includes the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61. It is located closer to the ink chamber 49 than the ink chamber 58. That is, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle 56 extends at a position outside the tip of the needle 56 in the direction in which the needle 56 extends. On the other hand, the lower surface 59 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 functions as a tank engaging portion that collectively engages a plurality of ink tanks 41 to 45 arranged side by side in the left-right direction from above.

Further, on the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, a portion around the upper opening edge of each through hole 60 is colored in a specific color. That is, it is colored in the same color as the ink stored in the ink chambers 49 of the ink tanks 41 to 45 into which ink flows through the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60. In this respect, the ink tanks 41 to 45, which communicate with the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60 and the ink chamber 49, are stored inside the peripheral portion of the upper opening edge of each through hole 60 in the ink replenishment adapter 47. It functions as the first part that shows information related to the ink to the outside. Incidentally, the peripheral portion of the upper opening of the through hole 60 where the ink inlet 53 communicating with the ink chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 storing black ink is arranged is colored black.

Further, on the inner surface of the recess 61 (specifically, the inner surface along the vertical direction), there is a horizontal A first uneven portion (first key structure portion) 62 exhibiting a characteristic uneven shape in the direction is provided so as to extend along the depth direction of the recess 61 (in other words, the direction of the central axis of the ink inlet 53). ing. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first uneven portion 62 is provided for each ink inlet 53 of a plurality of (five in this embodiment) ink tanks 41 to 45. Therefore, in the ink replenishment adapter 47, each of the rectangular recesses 61 in each through hole 60 formed at a position vertically corresponding to each of the ink tanks 41 to 45 is provided with another through hole 60 for each through hole 60. A first uneven portion 62 different from the first uneven portion 62 provided on the inner surface of the recessed portion 61 is formed. That is, these first uneven portions 62 are connected to an ink supply container 63 (see FIG. 6, etc.) having an ink outlet 65 (see FIG. 6, etc.) connected to the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 in which the first uneven portion 62 is formed. 6, etc.)) functions as an identification section that enables identification. Note that "a position closer to the bottom than the upper opening edge of the recess 61" means that the position may be at least slightly retreated toward the bottom than the opening edge.

Next, the ink replenishment container 63, which constitutes an ink replenishment system together with the ink tanks 41 to 45 and replenishes ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45 when the remaining amount of ink is low, will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the ink replenishment container 63 in the first embodiment includes a cylindrical container main body 64, which is the main body, and a container provided at the tip of the container main body 64. The ink outlet forming portion 66 is provided with an ink outlet 65 having an opening formed at the tip thereof to allow ink to flow out from the ink outlet. The ink outlet forming part 66 of this embodiment includes a container adding part 67, which is attached as a separate component and is added so as to surround the ink outlet 65, at a part of its distal end side. Note that the ink outlet forming portion 66 may be provided integrally with the end portion of the container body portion 64 or may be provided separately. Furthermore, the container addition section 67 may be formed integrally with the tip side of the ink outlet formation section 66 instead of being a separate structure added to the ink outlet formation section 66.

The ink outlet 65 of the ink outlet forming part 66, including the container addition part 67 around it, is covered by a bottomed cylindrical cap 68, so that the ink outlet 65 is hidden from the outside when the ink supply container 63 is stored. That is, a male threaded portion 69 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical lower end of the container attachment portion 67, while a female threaded portion (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 68. Then, by screwing the female threaded part of the cap 68 into the male threaded part 69 of the container attachment part 67, the cap 68 is attached to the tip of the ink supply container 63 so as to cover the ink outlet 65.

Note that the entire outer surface of the container addition section 67 is colored in a specific color. That is, the container addition portion 67 is colored in the same color as the ink contained in the container body portion 64 to which it is added. In this respect, the container addition part 67 in the ink supply container 63 functions as a second part that shows to the outside information related to the ink contained inside the ink supply container 63. Incidentally, the outer surface of the container addition portion 67 of the ink supply container 63 that accommodates black ink is colored black. Furthermore, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) protrusions 70 are formed at equal angular intervals (for example, at 90 degree intervals) on the outer peripheral surfaces of the base end portions of the container body 64 and the cap 68. Incidentally, these protrusions 70 are formed to prevent the cylindrical ink supply container 63 from rolling. Furthermore, for example, the container body portion 64 of the ink supply container 63 that accommodates black ink may be formed to be thicker than the container body portion 64 of the ink supply container 63 that accommodates ink of other colors. In that case, the ink outlet forming portion 66 may have the same thickness and shape for black ink and for ink of other colors.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the outer peripheral surface of the container addition part 67 is provided with ink ink in a radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65 in a portion above the lower end of the cylindrical shape where the external threaded part 69 is formed. A convex portion 71 is formed in a region outside the outlet 65 that protrudes upward in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 and in the opposite direction to the direction in which the container body 64 is positioned with respect to the ink outlet 65. has been done. This convex portion 71 is a second fitting portion that can be fitted with the recessed portion 61 of the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 as a first fitting portion when inserting the tip of the needle 56 on the ink inlet 53 side into the ink outlet 65. It functions as a fitting part, and is provided in a pair so as to sandwich the ink outlet 65 from both sides in the radial direction (front and back in the figure), similar to the pair of recesses 61 that sandwich the ink inlet 53 from the front and rear. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the convex portion 71 is formed inside the outer peripheral surface of the container body 64 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 in the ink supply container 63.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the outer surface (both left and right sides in FIGS. 6 and 9) of each convex portion 71 has a first uneven portion (a first uneven portion) formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 of the ink replenishment adapter 47. A second concavo-convex portion (second key structure portion) 72 that can be engaged with the first key structure portion) 62 is formed. The second concavo-convex portion 72 is provided to extend along the protruding direction of the convex portion 71 (in other words, the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65), and allows the convex portion 71 to fit into the concave portion 61 and When the second uneven portion 72 is engaged with the first uneven portion 62, the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 is connected to the ink inlet 53 on the ink tanks 41 to 45 side.

Further, the space between the cylindrical lower end portion of the container addition portion 67 where the male threaded portion 69 is formed and the convex portion 71 where the second uneven portion 72 is formed is perpendicular to (intersects) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. A planar positioning portion 73 is provided so as to be located radially outward of the ink outlet 65 when the ink outlet 65 is viewed in the direction of the central axis 85 thereof. That is, this positioning portion 73 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the container attachment portion 67 that is a part of the outer surface of the ink supply container 63, and is located closer to the container than the tip of the convex portion 71 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is provided at a position on the main body portion 64 side. Since this positioning portion 73 is provided in the container addition portion 67 that is added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 in the ink supply container 63, it can be said that the positioning portion 73 is provided outside the ink outlet forming portion 66.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a valve 74 made of an elastic member such as a silicone film is provided in the ink outlet 65 formed in the ink outlet forming portion 66 to open and close the ink outlet 65. ing. Note that the valve 74 is provided at a position where the positioning portion 73 is closer to the container body portion 64 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 (see, for example, FIG. 14). This valve 74 is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) slits 75 that intersect at equal angular intervals (for example, 120 degree intervals) with the center as the intersection, and these slits 75 serve as the ink outlet. The valve is configured to open when the valve 65 is pushed outward from the outside to the inside. That is, when the tip of the needle 56 on the ink inlet 53 side is inserted into the ink outlet 65, the valve 74, which is a normally closed valve, is pushed inward and opened by the tip of the needle 56.

At that time, the positioning part 73 comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 in which the through hole 60 including the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61 is formed on the outside of the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction, and The valve 74 is positioned relative to the ink tanks 41 to 45 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink tank. In this respect, the planar positioning portion 73 functions as a positioning surface extending in a direction perpendicular to (crossing) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. On the other hand, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 is provided with a positioning portion 73 of the ink replenishment container 63 when the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is opened to replenish ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45. This is a part of the ink tanks 41 to 45 that comes into contact with the ink tanks 41 to 45, and functions as a receiving surface for receiving the planar positioning portion 73.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the container main body 64 of the ink supply container 63 is a bottle-shaped member having an ink storage chamber 76 that can accommodate ink IK therein, and the neck at the upper end A male threaded portion 78 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of 77. On the other hand, the ink outlet forming portion 66 provided at the upper end of the container body 64 has a large diameter portion 79 located on the outer peripheral side of the neck 77 of the container body 64 and an ink outlet forming portion 66 located at the farthest position from the container body 64. It has a small diameter part 80 which is a cylindrical part that opens the outlet 65 to the outside, and an intermediate part 81 that connects the large diameter part 79 and the small diameter part 80. Then, by screwing the female screw portion 82 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 79 into the male screw portion 78 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 77 of the container body portion 64, the ink outlet forming portion 66 is opened. It is attached to the upper end of the container body 64.

Further, the container adding portion 67 that is added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 of the ink supply container 63 so as to surround the ink outlet 65 has a cylindrical lower end portion with a male screw portion 69 formed on its outer peripheral surface. constitutes a joint portion 83 that is joined to the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 79 of the ink outlet forming portion 66. This joint portion 83 has surface areas facing each other in the front-rear direction of the inner peripheral surface that are in surface contact with the front outer surface and the rear outer surface of the intermediate portion 81 of the ink outlet forming portion 66 . It is joined to the large diameter portion 79.

Therefore, the operation of the ink replenishment system configured as described above will be explained below, focusing on the operation when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45 of the ink supply unit 40 using the ink replenishment container 63. .

As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the liquid level of the ink in the black ink tank 41 located on the rightmost side among the plurality of ink tanks 41 to 45 arranged horizontally is the height of the ink level in the visual recognition unit 50. Since the height has decreased to the level of the lower limit mark 52 marked at the bottom of the ink tank 41, the case where this ink tank 41 is replenished with ink will be described below. It is also assumed that the ink replenishment container 63 used for ink replenishment contains a sufficient amount of black ink, and that the cap 68 has been removed from the ink replenishment container 63 in advance. Further, the shape of the second uneven portion 72 formed on the outer surface of the protrusion 71 of the ink supply container 63 is the same as that of the first uneven portion 72 formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 located before and after the ink inlet 53 to the ink tank 41. It is assumed that the shape matches the shape of the concavo-convex portion 62 and that the convex portion 71 can be engaged with the convex portion 71 as it is inserted into the concave portion 61 .

Now, when replenishing ink to the ink tank 41, the user first rotates the opening/closing door 35 of the housing 22 from the closed state shown in FIG. 1 forward about the rotation shaft 36 to open it. Then, in the ink supply unit 40, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, in which the ink inlets 53 into the ink tanks 41 to 45 are formed, is exposed to the outside of the housing 22, and the user can enter the desired ink inlet 53. On the other hand, it becomes possible to connect the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 from above.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user turns the ink replenishment container 63 containing the black ink used for ink replenishment upside down, and the ink outlet 65 is inserted into the rightmost through hole of the ink replenishment adapter 47. Hold it above 60. That is, the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 to be refilled with ink. At this time, the user can check the color (second part) colored on the container attachment part 67 of the ink replenishment container 63 held in hand and the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 to be refilled with ink at that time. Compare the color (first part) colored around the upper opening edge of the provided through hole 60. If the colors are the same (in this case, they are black), it is confirmed that the user is holding an ink replenishment container 63 suitable for the current ink replenishment, and the process proceeds to the subsequent ink replenishment operation.

Then, the ink replenishment container 63 is lowered from the state shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the protrusion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 is inserted into the recess 61 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 that is integrated with the ink tank 41. Then, by inserting the protrusion 71 into the recess 61, the alignment of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 is ensured. In this case, the concave portion 61 is positioned symmetrically with respect to the needle 56, which is the center of the ink inlet 53, so that the convex portion 71 can be inserted into any of the concave portions 61. Therefore, the user does not have to rotate the ink supply container 63 many times around the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 to confirm the appropriate positional relationship between the concave portion 61 and the convex portion 71. 71 can be easily inserted.

However, at this point, the convex part 71 has only been slightly inserted into the concave part 61, and the tip of the needle 56 located at the center of the ink inlet 53 is also slightly protruding from the opening of the ink outlet 65 beyond the tip of the convex part 71. Although it is inserted inside, it does not reach the valve 74 located deep inside the ink outlet 65. The reason for this is that, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the convex part 71 is longer than the distance L1 between the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, where the opening edge of the concave part 61 is located, and the upper end of the first concavo-convex part 62 in the concave part 61. This is because the distance L2 between the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 is longer. Therefore, when the convex part 71 is further inserted downward in the depth direction of the concave part 61 from this state, the second concavo-convex part 72 on the outer surface of the convex part 71 engages with the first concave-convex part 62 on the inner surface of the concave part 61. match. Then, while maintaining the engaged state, when the convex portion 71 is further inserted toward the bottom side in the depth direction of the concave portion 61, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65. Then, the valve 74 is opened.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the tip of the needle 56 expands the slit 75 from below to above the valve 74 (that is, from the outside to the inside of the ink outlet 65), thereby opening the valve 74. Open the valve. As a result, the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 and the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 are connected, and black ink is replenished from the ink supply container 63 into the ink tank 41. At this time, the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 has two channels 54 and 55, one of which functions as an ink channel for distributing ink, and the other channel functions as an air channel for distributing air. Function. For example, if the user tries to connect the ink outlet 65 to the ink inlet 53 with the ink supply container 63 tilted, the ink flow path will become one of the two flow paths 54 and 55 due to the difference in the tilt direction. The flow path will also be changed.

Note that if the second uneven part 72 does not engage with the first uneven part 62 after inserting the protruding part 71 into the recessed part 61, at that point, the user may insert an ink supply container 63 of a color other than black. You can recognize that you are trying to insert it by mistake. In this case, if the upper end of the first uneven part 62 is located at the same height as the opening edge of the recess 61, the second uneven part 72 will be refused to engage with the first uneven part 62. In addition, since the insertion of the protrusion 71 into the recess 61 is also rejected, the user may repeatedly try to insert the protrusion 71 into the recess 61 and waste work time. be. In this regard, in this embodiment, since the height of the first uneven portion 62 is lower than the opening edge of the recess 61, the protrusion 71 is guided toward the bottom side in the depth direction of the recess 61 when inserted into the recess 61. This also prevents work time from becoming unnecessarily long.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14, 16, and 17, when the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side opens the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63, The positioning portion 73 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, which is a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. That is, the ink replenishment container 63 is constructed by contacting the top surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 with the planar positioning portion 73 that functions as a positioning surface extending perpendicularly (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

Further, at this time, since the positioning portion 73 is located outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction, the ink supply container 63 is stably maintained in a posture in which the ink outlet 65 is connected to the ink inlet 53. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the positioning portion 73 of the ink replenishing container 63 comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishing adapter 47, the base end of the needle 56 in the ink inlet 53 is located at the ink inlet 53. A gap exists between the bottom surface of the ink supply container 63 and the tip of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63. Therefore, although ink tends to accumulate on the bottom surface of the ink inlet 53 where the proximal end of the needle 56 is located, it is also possible to prevent the accumulated ink from adhering to the tip of the ink outlet 65 and staining the ink supply container 63. Ru.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, when the ink replenishment from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 is completed, the liquid level of the ink in the ink tank 41 is higher than the upper limit mark 51 of the visual recognition unit 50. If it is still low, the ink may be further replenished up to the upper limit mark 51 using the same black ink replenishment container 63. Note that the above-described ink replenishment work is similarly performed for ink tanks 42 to 45 of colors other than the black ink tank 41.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1-1) The ink replenishment container 63 has a planar positioning portion 73 that functions as a positioning surface extending perpendicularly (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45. , comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, which is a part of the ink tanks 41 to 45. Then, the posture of the ink supply container 63 becomes stable in the direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, so the valve 74 is opened while being positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 to 45, and the ink is filled. It becomes easier to replenish. Therefore, the ink tanks 41 to 45 can be appropriately replenished with ink.

(1-2) Since the valve 74 is composed of a slit valve in which one or more slits 75 are provided in an elastic member made of a silicone film or the like, the ink supply container 63 has a simple structure with a small number of parts. can.

(1-3) When connecting the ink supply container 63 to the ink tanks 41 to 45 in a state where it is tilted from the direction in which the needle 56 extends along the radial direction in which the two flow paths 54 and 55 are lined up, the two flow paths One of the channels 54 and 55 on the side closer to the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 functions as an ink channel, and the other channel functions as an air channel. Therefore, the user can use either of the two flow paths 54 and 55 as the ink flow path, so the user can quickly perform ink replenishment work without having to hesitate in selecting the flow path to use as the ink flow path. It can be carried out.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in each of the subsequent embodiments including this second embodiment, a part of the configuration of the ink supply container 63 is different from the first embodiment, and the other configurations are almost the same as the first embodiment. . Therefore, hereinafter, the same components as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the ink supply container 63 of the second embodiment, the small diameter portion 80, which is an example of a cylindrical portion that opens the ink outlet 65 toward the outside, is located at the distal end of the ink outlet forming portion 66. It is configured to function as That is, the cylindrical small-diameter portion 80 has a planar tip surface that is orthogonal to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, and the tip surface is arranged in a direction that is orthogonal to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes a positioning surface 84 extending to .

As shown in FIG. 18, the positioning surface 84 is constituted by the end surface of the small diameter portion 80 that forms the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, the positioning surface 84 allows the container body 64 to be positioned in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the valve 74 located further inward than the opening edge of the ink outlet 65 in the small diameter portion 80. It is located on the opposite side. That is, in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, the positioning surface 84 protrudes toward the side from which ink flows out from the ink outlet 65 (hereinafter also referred to as the "container tip side") rather than the valve 74. There is.

Further, the positioning surface 84 is constituted by a distal end surface that is the part of the small diameter portion 80 that is farthest from the container body 64 in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 . Therefore, the positioning surface 84 is located on the side opposite to the side where the container main body 64 is located, in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, rather than the ink outlet 65 formed on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. It is located on the tip side of the container. Note that the small diameter portion 80, which is a cylindrical portion in this embodiment, is a through hole (hereinafter also referred to as “tank side through hole”) 60 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 that is integrated with the ink tank 41 (42 to 45). In this case, the needle (ink inlet flow path section) 56 has a shape that can be fitted into an approximately circular ink inlet 53 located at the center.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) of the second embodiment, the small diameter portion 80 that forms the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side It is inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side from above. That is, the small diameter portion 80 functioning as a positioning portion is inserted into the approximately circular ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60 so that the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 and fitted. be done.

At this time, the ink replenishment container 63 moving toward the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) has a positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 before the valve 74 at the innermost part of the ink outlet 65. 42-45) side. The outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical small diameter portion 80 of the ink supply container 63 is aligned with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the circular arc surface forming the inner peripheral surface (inner surface) of the ink inlet 53. It slides along the direction. In other words, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip end surface of the cylindrical small diameter portion (positioning portion) 80, slides on the circular arc surface that forms the inner peripheral surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. The needle 56 is guided in the direction of insertion into the ink outlet 65.

Then, while the small diameter portion 80 of the ink supply container 63 is moving toward the bottom of the through hole 60 with the positioning surface 84 at its tip inserted into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60 on the tank side, the ink inlet When the tip of the needle 56 of 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. When the small diameter portion 80 of the ink supply container 63 further moves toward the bottom of the through hole 60 from this state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 comes into contact with the bottom. That is, the positioning surface 84 of the ink supply container 63, which extends in a direction perpendicular to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80, comes into contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side, so that the posture of the ink supply container 63 is stabilized. do. As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2) and (1-3) above, the following effects can be obtained.
(2-1) Move the ink supply container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, insert the needle (ink inlet channel part) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) into the ink outlet 65, and then open the valve. When opening the valve 74, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip end surface of the cylindrical small diameter portion (positioning portion) 80, moves toward the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) before the valve 74. At this time, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 is guided by the circular arc surface forming the inner peripheral surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60, and smoothly moves in the direction of inserting the needle 56 into the ink outlet 65. do. As a result, it becomes easier to guide the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 toward the valve 74 during ink replenishment.

(2-2) Move the ink supply container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, insert the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) into the ink outlet 65, and then open the valve. When opening the valve 74, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 approaches the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) before the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. Therefore, when the ink supply container 63 approaches the ink tank 41 (42-45), it is easy to prevent the ink outlet 65 from colliding with other members. Moreover, thereby, the ink outlet 65 can be protected and it is easy to prevent ink from adhering to other members.

(2-3) When the positioning surface 84 of the ink supply container 63 comes into contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side when replenishing ink to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), the ink supply container 63 crosses the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The posture becomes stable in the direction of movement. Therefore, it becomes easy to replenish ink, and the ink replenishment container 63 can appropriately replenish ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45).

(2-4) In the ink supply container 63, the positioning surface 84 can be formed in the small diameter part (cylindrical part) 80 which is a part of the ink outlet forming part 66 together with the ink outlet 65, so that the positioning surface 84 is different from the ink outlet 65. The structure can be made simpler than forming it on a part of a convex portion or the like provided at another location.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 21, the ink replenishment container 63 of the third embodiment has a container tip extending from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in a radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65 in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 protruding toward the side is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 has a planar tip surface that is orthogonal to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, and this tip surface extends in a direction that is orthogonal to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes a positioning surface 84.

As shown in FIG. 21, the convex portion 71 is located closer to the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 than the small diameter portion 80 that forms the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side where the valve 74 is located deep inside. It protrudes toward the front end of the container, which is the side opposite to the side where the main body portion 64 is located. Therefore, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71, is on the opposite side of the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 from the side where the container body 64 is located in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is located at the tip of the container.

Further, the convex portion 71 is provided at a portion of the container adding portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside. That is, the convex portion 71 is provided in a portion of the ink supply container 63 that is outside the ink outlet 65 in a radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 . The planar shape of the convex portion 71 is such that it can fit into a generally rectangular concave portion 61 that extends from the front and rear directions to the generally circular ink inlet 53 located at the center of the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45). It has a shape. Between the outer circumferential surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical small diameter portion 80 and the outer surface of the convex portion 71 facing this outer circumferential surface, there is a distal end surface of the small diameter portion 80 and a distal end surface (positioning A slit-shaped gap 86 is formed that can draw ink adhering to the surface 84) by capillary action. Note that in the case of the third embodiment, the first uneven portion 62 formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 in the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) in the first embodiment is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 21, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) of the third embodiment, the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80 at the tip of the ink replenishment container 63 are on the tank side. is inserted into the through hole 60 from above. That is, the convex portion 71 is inserted into the recess 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side, and then the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60.

At this time, the ink replenishing container 63 moving toward the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) has the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 ahead of the ink outlet 65 of the small diameter portion 80 and the valve 74 located deep inside thereof. , moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. Then, the outer surface of the protrusion 71 in the ink supply container 63 slides in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 against the inner surface of the recess 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side. In other words, the positioning surface 84, which is a substantially rectangular tip surface of the convex portion 71, slides on the inner surface of the recess 61 in the through hole 60, thereby being guided in the direction of inserting the needle 56 into the ink outlet 65. .

Then, while the convex part 71 of the ink supply container 63 is moving toward the bottom of the through hole 60 with the positioning surface 84 at its tip inserted into the recess 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side, the ink inlet 53 When the tip of the needle 56 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the convex part 71 of the ink supply container 63 moves further toward the bottom of the through hole 60 from this state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex part 71 comes into contact with the bottom. That is, the position of the ink supply container 63 is stabilized because the positioning surface 84 extending in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 . As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

Furthermore, when the ink leaking from the ink outlet 65 flows outward in the radial direction from the distal end surface of the small diameter section 80, the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the small diameter section 80 and the outer surface of the convex section 71 It is drawn into the gap 86 between it and the side surface by capillary action. Therefore, the ink leaked from the ink outlet 65 is prevented from remaining on the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 or adhering to the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71, and from solidifying.

According to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2), (1-3), and (2-3) above, the following effects can be obtained.
(3-1) Move the ink supply container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, insert the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) into the ink outlet 65, and then open the valve. When opening the valve 74, the generally rectangular positioning surface 84, which is the tip end surface of the convex portion 71, moves toward the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) before the valve 74 moves. At this time, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 is guided by the inner surface of the approximately rectangular recess 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side, and smoothly moves in the direction of inserting the needle 56 into the ink outlet 65. do. As a result, it becomes easier to guide the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 toward the valve 74 during ink replenishment.

(3-2) Move the ink supply container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, insert the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) into the ink outlet 65, and then open the valve. When opening the valve 74, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 approaches the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) before the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. Therefore, when the ink supply container 63 approaches the ink tank 41 (42-45), it is easy to prevent the ink outlet 65 from colliding with other members. Moreover, this makes it easy to prevent damage to the ink outlet 65 and adhesion of ink to other members.

(3-3) Ink that leaks from the ink outlet 65 and adheres to the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 and ink that adheres to the positioning surface 84 is drawn into the gap 86 between the small diameter portion 80 and the convex portion 71. This makes it possible to reduce ink dripping and external contamination.

(3-4) The convex portion 71 having the positioning surface 84 at the tip is provided at an externally exposed portion of the ink outlet forming portion 66, that is, at a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. ing. Therefore, when inserting the needle (ink inlet channel part) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) into the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63, the convex part 71 functioning as a positioning part and the positioning surface 84 at its tip are inserted. Easy to see from outside.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 23, similarly to the third embodiment, the ink supply container 63 of the fourth embodiment starts from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in a radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 that protrudes toward the front end of the container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the container is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in the externally exposed portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and its tip surface extends in a direction perpendicular to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes an extending positioning surface 84. A slit-shaped gap 86 is similarly formed between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80.

However, unlike the convex part 71 in the third embodiment, the convex part 71 in the fourth embodiment has a positioning surface 84, which is the tip end thereof, in a substantially T-shape instead of a substantially rectangular shape. . That is, the positioning surface 84 in the fourth embodiment includes a portion extending linearly in the radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65, and a portion extending linearly in the radial direction from the radially outer end of the portion extending linearly in the radial direction to both left and right sides, respectively. It has a portion that extends linearly. Therefore, the positioning surface 84 has a surface area farther from the ink outlet 65 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to in this case) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 than a surface area closer to the ink outlet 65. The width in the direction (tangential direction) perpendicular to the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 is large. In other words, when the positioning surface 84 in the fourth embodiment is inserted into the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), the positioning surface 84 is positioned in a direction intersecting (orthogonal in this case) to the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the side far from the ink outlet 65 is larger than the area of contact on the side closer to the ink outlet 65. Therefore, the ink supply container 63 of the fourth embodiment basically has the same effects as the ink supply container 63 of the third embodiment, except for the effects based on the difference in the shape of the positioning surface 84. .

According to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2), (1-3), (2-3), and (3-1) to (3-4), the following effects are achieved. Obtainable.
(4-1) When the convex portion 71 is inserted into the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), the ink outlet 65 The area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the side far from the ink outlet 65 is larger than the area of contact on the side closer to the ink outlet 65. Therefore, in the ink replenishment state in which the needle (ink inlet channel portion) 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 is opened, the stability of the posture of the ink outlet 65 can be improved.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, similarly to the third and fourth embodiments, the ink supply container 63 of the fifth embodiment also extends from the outside of the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 that protrudes from a position toward the tip of the container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 functions as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in the externally exposed portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and its tip surface extends in a direction perpendicular to (intersects with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes an extending positioning surface 84. A slit-shaped gap 86 is similarly formed between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80.

However, unlike the protrusions 71 in the third and fourth embodiments, the protrusion 71 in the fifth embodiment has a smaller diameter than the protrusion height toward the container tip side in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is lower than 80. That is, the positioning surface 84 in the fifth embodiment is located closer to the proximal end of the container than the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, which is the side where the container main body 64 is located. are doing.

As shown in FIG. 25, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) of the fifth embodiment, the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. Then, the protrusion 71 is inserted into the recess 61 in the through hole 60. In this case, before the protrusion 71 of the ink supply container 63 inserts the positioning surface 84 at the tip into the recess 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is inserted from below. The needle 56 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 and opens the valve 74.

Then, when the protrusion 71 of the ink supply container 63 moves toward the bottom inside the recess 61 of the through hole 60 from this state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the protrusion 71 extends in the vertical direction from the inner surface of the recess 61. It comes into contact with the first uneven portion 62 provided in a rib shape. In this respect, the first uneven portion 62 serves as a contact portion that comes into contact with the positioning surface 84 of the ink supply container 63 when positioning the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65 with respect to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45). Function. Therefore, in the ink replenishment container 63, the positioning surface 84 extending in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the convex portion 71 is connected to the first concavo-convex portion (contact portion) 62 within the through hole 60. The contact stabilizes the posture. As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

According to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), and (3-4), the following effects can be obtained.
(5-1) When the ink replenishment container 63 is refilled with ink to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), the positioning surface 84 comes into contact with the first uneven portion (contact portion) 62 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. , the posture is stabilized in the direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. Therefore, it becomes easy to replenish ink, and the ink replenishment container 63 can appropriately replenish ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45).

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 26, similarly to the third to fifth embodiments, the ink supply container 63 of the sixth embodiment also extends from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 that protrudes toward the tip of the container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, this convex portion 71 is also provided at an externally exposed portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and a slit-shaped portion is similarly provided between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80. A gap 86 is formed.

However, unlike the protrusions 71 in the third to fifth embodiments, the convex part 71 in the sixth embodiment is different from the convex part 71 in the third to fifth embodiments, and when opening the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65, the convex part 71 is attached to the ink tank 41 (42-45) side. The positioning surface that comes into contact with a part of the convex portion 71 is not formed by the tip surface of the convex portion 71. That is, the convex portion 71 in the sixth embodiment has a part of the outer surface (or outer peripheral surface) facing outward in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 in a direction that intersects with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. is inclined to. A positioning surface 84 is constituted by a part of the outer surface (or outer circumferential surface) of the convex portion 71 that is inclined in this manner. Note that the positioning surface 84 may be curved in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

In this case, in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, the positioning surface 84 extends toward the ink outlet toward the base end of the container, which is the side opposite to the front end of the container (that is, the side where the container main body 64 is located). It is composed of a conical surface, a sloped surface, etc. that is inclined in a direction gradually away from the central axis 85 of 65. When the protrusion 71 is inserted into the tank-side through-hole 60 from the tip, a part of the surface area of the inclined positioning surface 84 exerts a wedge effect on the opening edge of the tank-side through-hole 60. It is formed so as to come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 26, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) of the sixth embodiment, the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. Then, the protrusion 71 is inserted into the recess 61 in the through hole 60. In this case, before the inclined positioning surface 84 of the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is inserted from below into the ink outlet 65. The needle 56 reaches the valve 74 and causes the valve 74 to open. Note that when inserting the small diameter portion 80 into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 is placed against the opening edge of the through hole 60, and then the small diameter portion 80 is gradually inserted along the positioning surface 84. It is also possible to induce.

Then, when the convex part 71 of the ink supply container 63 moves toward the bottom inside the concave part 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side from this state, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex part 71 moves toward the bottom of the concave part 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It comes into contact with the edge of the opening. In this case, the ink supply container 63 is positioned so that the positioning surface 84 is in the direction of gravity along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity with respect to the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side. . Therefore, the position of the ink supply container 63 is stabilized because the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60. As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

According to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), and (3-4) described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(6-1) For positioning, the positioning surface 84 that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side is inclined (or curved) in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. Therefore, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), both the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 (gravitational direction) and the direction perpendicular to the central axis 85 (horizontal direction) , the ink supply container 63 can be positioned, and ink can be replenished appropriately.

(6-2) When inserting and removing the needle (ink inlet channel portion) 56 from the ink outlet 65, the ink supply container 63 can be gradually guided along the inclined (or curved) positioning surface 84.
(Seventh embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 27, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the ink supply container 63 of the seventh embodiment starts from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in a radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 that protrudes toward the front end of the container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the container is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, this convex portion 71 is also provided at an externally exposed portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and a slit-shaped portion is similarly provided between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80. A gap 86 is formed.

However, unlike the protrusion 71 in the sixth embodiment, the protrusion 71 in the seventh embodiment is different from the protrusion 71 in the sixth embodiment when the protrusion 71 is inserted into the recess 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. The inclined positioning surface 84 is not formed so as to be able to come into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60. That is, the positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 has a wedge effect with respect to the upper end of the first concavo-convex portion 62, which functions as a rib-shaped contact portion extending vertically from the inner surface of the concave portion 61. It is formed so that it comes into contact with the Note that the positioning surface 84 may be curved in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) in the seventh embodiment, the through hole 60 on the tank side The small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 inside, and subsequently the convex portion 71 is inserted into the recess 61 inside the through hole 60. In this case, before the inclined positioning surface 84 of the convex part 71 of the ink supply container 63 comes into contact with the first uneven part (contact part) on the inner surface of the through hole 60, the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 The tip of the needle 56 reaches the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74. In this seventh embodiment as well, when inserting the small diameter portion 80 into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60, positioning is performed from a state in which the inclined positioning surface 84 of the outer surface of the convex portion 71 is applied to the opening edge of the through hole 60. Gradual guidance along plane 84 is also possible.

Then, when the convex part 71 of the ink supply container 63 moves toward the bottom inside the concave part 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side from this state, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex part 71 moves toward the bottom of the concave part 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It abuts on the first uneven portion (contact portion) on the inner surface. In this case as well, the ink replenishment container 63 is arranged so that the positioning surface 84 is in the direction of gravity along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the first uneven part (abutting part) of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It is positioned in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction. Therefore, the position of the ink supply container 63 is stabilized because the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the first uneven portion (contact portion) on the inner surface of the through hole 60. As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

According to the seventh embodiment, the same effects as in (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), (3-4), (6-1) and (6-2) can be obtained. Obtainable.
(Eighth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 28, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the ink supply container 63 of the eighth embodiment starts from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in a radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65. A convex portion 71 that protrudes toward the front end of the container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the container is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided on the externally exposed portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and is provided on the outer surface (or A positioning surface 84 is provided on the outer peripheral surface.

However, unlike the protrusion 71 in the sixth embodiment, the protrusion 71 in the eighth embodiment has a positioning surface 84 provided on its outer surface that is not inclined in the direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is not curved. This positioning surface 84 also extends toward the base end of the container, which is the side opposite to the front end of the container (that is, the side where the container main body 64 is located) in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is composed of a conical surface, a sloped surface, etc. that curves in a direction that gradually moves away from the central axis 85. When the convex portion 71 is inserted into the tank side through hole 60 from the tip, a part of the surface area of the curved positioning surface 84 exerts a wedge effect on the opening edge of the tank side through hole 60. It is formed so as to come into contact with each other. Note that the positioning surface 84 may be configured to be inclined in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

As shown in FIG. 28, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) in the eighth embodiment, the ink outlet 65 of the small diameter portion 80 is The needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is first inserted and the valve 74 is opened. Thereafter, the curved positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side, and ink replenishment is performed in this state.

According to the eighth embodiment, the same effects as (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), (3-4), (6-1) and (6-2) can be obtained. Obtainable.
(Ninth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 29, the ink replenishment container 63 of the ninth embodiment differs from the first to eighth embodiments in that the positioning portion and the positioning surface are arranged in a radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. is located inside. That is, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the ninth embodiment, in the ink outlet forming part 66, the small diameter part 80, which is a cylindrical part that forms the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side, and the intermediate part 81 continuous to the base end thereof. A partition wall 87 is formed on the surface of the main body, and the partition wall 87 constitutes a positioning portion. A communication hole 88 that communicates the ink outlet 65 with the ink storage chamber 76 is formed through the central portion of the partition wall 87 at a position where the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 passes.

In the partition wall 87, a positioning surface 84 is formed by a wall surface located toward the tip of the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. This positioning surface 84 is perpendicular to the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 so that the tip surface of the needle (ink inlet flow path section) 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) can abut in surface contact. It is formed into a planar shape extending in the (intersecting) direction.

As shown in FIG. 29, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) of the ninth embodiment, the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. When the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink supply container 63 is further moved toward the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) from this state, the planar positioning surface 84 formed on the partition wall 87 inside the ink outlet 65 is moved to the needle (the ink inlet channel). part) 56. Therefore, in the ink replenishment container 63, a positioning surface 84 provided inside the ink outlet 65 in a planar shape extending in a direction perpendicular to (crossing) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is attached to the needle (ink inlet flow path section) 56. The posture is stabilized by contacting the tip surface. As a result, the valve 74 is opened while being positioned in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45).

According to the ninth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2) and (1-3) above, the following effects can be obtained.
(9-1) Since the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84 are protected inside the ink outlet 65 compared to the case where they are provided outside the ink outlet 65, they are less likely to be damaged. Further, since the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84 are close to the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65, the valve 74 can be positioned with high accuracy with respect to the ink tank 41 (42-45). Furthermore, even if ink adheres to the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84, it is located inside the ink outlet 65, so that it is difficult to adhere the ink to the outside of the ink supply container 63.

(10th embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 30, the ink replenishment container 63 of the tenth embodiment also has a positioning portion and a positioning surface located inside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centering on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the ninth embodiment. It is set in. That is, a positioning section is formed by a partition wall 87 formed between a small diameter section 80 and an intermediate section 81 of the ink outlet forming section 66, and in the partition wall 87, the container tip side is A positioning surface 84 is constituted by the wall surface located at . Further, a communication hole 88 that communicates the ink outlet 65 with the ink storage chamber 76 is formed through the central portion of the partition wall 87 .

However, unlike the positioning surface 84 in the ninth embodiment, the positioning surface 84 in the tenth embodiment is inclined in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. That is, the positioning surface 84 is formed of a conical surface or a sloped surface that is inclined in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 in a direction that gradually moves away from the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 toward the tip of the container. . When the tip surface of the needle (ink inlet channel) 56 that opens the valve 74 abuts from below, a part of the surface area of the inclined positioning surface 84 touches the needle (ink inlet channel) 56. It is formed so as to exhibit a wedge effect and come into contact with.

According to the tenth embodiment, the same effects as (1-2), (1-3), and (9-1) can be obtained.
(Eleventh embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, the ink supply unit 40 that forms an ink supply system together with the ink supply container 63 of the eleventh embodiment has a structure in which the ink inlet 53 is normally closed. That is, this ink supply unit 40 includes a lever-shaped cap support member 90 for each of the plurality of ink inlets 53. The base end of the cap support member 90 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 91 provided on the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 so as to extend in a direction (horizontal direction) intersecting the central axis of the ink inlet 53. has been done. An elastic cap 92 having a shape capable of fitting into the ink inlet 53 is provided on the distal end side of each cap support member 90 from the center in the longitudinal direction. It is in a closed state where it is fitted into the

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, when replenishing ink, the elastic cap 92 fits into the ink inlet 53 and the cap support member 90 is in a closed state, and the cap support member 90 holds the bent handle portion 93 at the tip thereof. The user tilts the elastic cap 92 to the open state where it is separated from the ink inlet 53. Note that, as shown in FIG. 31, a unit cover 100 that collectively covers the upper part of the plurality of cap support members 90 may be further provided so as to be openable and closable. Further, the elastic cap 92 is made of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and the cap support member 90 is made of a material that is more rigid than the elastic cap 92, such as polystyrene or ABS resin.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, in the ink supply container 63 of the eleventh embodiment, the shoulder portion located on the tip side of the container in the ink outlet forming portion 66 constitutes a positioning portion, and the ink outlet 65 is located at the shoulder portion. A plane-shaped surface extending in a direction perpendicular to (crossing) the central axis 85 constitutes the positioning surface 84 . From the central portion of this positioning surface 84, a small diameter portion 80, which is a cylindrical portion forming an ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side, protrudes toward the tip side of the container.

When replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 of the eleventh embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the elastic cap 92 first closes the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) to be refilled. The closed cap support member 90 is opened. Then, the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is inserted into the needle (ink inlet channel portion) 56 of the opened ink inlet 53. Then, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink supply container 63 is further moved toward the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) from this state, the positioning surface 84 formed at the shoulder portion of the ink outlet forming part 66 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap support member 90, The ink supply container 63 and the valve 74 of its ink outlet 65 are positioned relative to the ink tank 41 (42-45). That is, the cap support member 90 is located between the positioning surface 84 of the ink supply container 63 and a part (through hole 60, etc.) on the side of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), and is a positioning member that mediates contact between them. Functions as an auxiliary member.

In this case, the positioning surface 84 comes into contact with the ink inlet 53 of another ink tank (for example, the ink tanks 42 and 44) adjacent to the ink tank to be refilled (for example, the ink tank 43) with the elastic cap 92. This is the upper surface of the cap support member 90 that is closed. In this way, by bringing the positioning surfaces 84 into contact with the upper surfaces of the cap support members 90 on both sides, a wide contact area is ensured. In addition, if the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 in which the through hole 60 on the tank side is formed is, for example, sloped or has a step, and is not suitable for abutting the positioning surface 84, A cap support member 90 having a flat surface portion is used as a positioning auxiliary member.

According to the eleventh embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2) and (1-3) above, the following effects can be obtained.
(11-1) When replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), by using a positioning auxiliary member (in this case, the cap support member 90), various ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) can be refilled. 45) can be appropriately positioned.

(12th embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 34, similarly to the eleventh embodiment, when replenishing ink, the ink replenishment container 63 of the twelfth embodiment also stores other ink adjacent to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) to be refilled with ink. The positioning surface 84 is configured to come into contact with the upper surface of a cap support member 90 that closes the ink inlet 53 of the tank with an elastic cap 92. That is, when the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 is inserted into the needle (ink inlet channel portion) 56 of the opened ink inlet 53, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink supply container 63 is further moved toward the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) from this state, the positioning surface 84 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap support member 90.

However, in the case of the twelfth embodiment, unlike the eleventh embodiment, the shoulder portion of the container body portion 64 on the container proximal end side is used as the positioning portion, not the ink outlet forming portion 66, and the container body portion A plane-shaped surface extending in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the shoulder portion of the ink outlet 64 constitutes a positioning surface 84 . Therefore, when replenishing ink, the weight of the container body 64 having the ink storage chamber 76 is directly applied to the cap support member 90 functioning as a positioning assisting member, so that the ink replenishment container 63 is positioned in a stable posture.

According to the twelfth embodiment, the same effects as in (1-2), (1-3), and (11-1) can be obtained.
(13th embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 35, in the ink replenishment system of the thirteenth embodiment, the distal end surface of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the distal end side of the ink replenishment container 63 constitutes a positioning surface 84. When replenishing ink, an ink absorbing material 89 is positioned as a positioning auxiliary member between a positioning surface 84 that is the tip end surface of the convex portion 71 inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side and the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side. is configured to do so. This ink absorbing material 89 is made of an elastic member such as a sponge, and also functions as a buffer material between the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 and the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side. The ink absorbing material 89 also has the function of adjusting the depth at which the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65 by adjusting its thickness.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2), (1-3), and (11-1), the following effects can be obtained.
(13-1) The ink absorbing material 89 can reduce the impact when the positioning surface 84 of the ink supply container 63 comes into contact with a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. Further, since the ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material 89, dripping and scattering when the ink supply container 63 is removed can be reduced.

Note that the above embodiment may be modified as follows.
- In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the container adding section 67 may be omitted.
- The small diameter portion 80 forming the ink outlet 65 on the inner circumferential side is not necessarily cylindrical, but may be angular cylindrical, depending on the shape of the inner surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. However, it is preferable that the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80 has a circular opening shape.

- In the third and fourth embodiments shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, if the height of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the container tip side is greater than the small diameter portion 80, the height is equal to the height in the embodiment. It is not limited to

- In the fourth embodiment, the shape of the tip end surface of the convex portion 71 constituting the positioning surface 84 is such that the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) As long as the area in contact with a part of the side is larger than the area in contact with the side closer to the ink outlet 65, the shape is not limited to the substantially T-shape in the embodiment. For example, it may be approximately Y-shaped or triangular.

- In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, if the height of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the front end of the container does not protrude beyond the small diameter portion 80, the height is limited to the height in the embodiment. Not done.

- In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the inclined positioning surface 84 may extend to the tip of the convex portion 71.
- In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 27 (and the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 25), the first uneven portion 62 formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 as a contact portion for the positioning surface 84 has a shape other than a rib shape. It may also be protruding.

- In the ninth and tenth embodiments shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the positioning surface 84 provided inside the ink outlet 65 may be a concave spherical surface with a communication hole 88 formed in the center.
- In the third to seventh embodiments, the width of the slit-shaped gap 86 is not limited to the width in the embodiments as long as it is a width that allows the capillary phenomenon to occur.

- The two flow paths 54 and 55 of the needle (ink inlet flow path section) 56 of the ink inlet 53 may have a plurality of flow path configurations other than two.
- The ink supply container 63 may have an integral structure in which the ink outlet forming part 66 and the container main body part 64 are integrated, and the positioning part and the positioning surface 84 are attached to the ink outlet forming part 66 and the container main body part 64 instead of the container adding part 67. It may be provided.

- In the eleventh and twelfth embodiments shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the positioning auxiliary member that mediates contact between a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side and the positioning part is attached to the ink outlet forming part 66. It may also be configured with an additional container addition section 67.

- In the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the positioning auxiliary member is not limited to the ink absorbing material 89, but may be a spacer made of resin, for example.
- The valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 is not limited to three slits 75 but may be provided with other plurality of slits 75 such as two or four as long as it has one or more slits 75. Further, the valve is not limited to a slit valve provided with the slit 75, but may be a valve configured to be pushed from below by the needle 56 and displaced in the valve opening direction without the slit 75.

21... Recording device, 22... Housing, 23... Support stand, 24... Guide shaft, 25... Recording head, 26... Carriage, 27... Support hole, 28... Drive pulley, 29... Driven pulley, 30... Carriage motor, 31 ...Timing belt, 32...Ejection port, 33...Ejection tray, 34...Paper cassette, 35...Opening/closing door, 36...Rotary shaft, 37...Window section, 40...Ink supply unit, 41-45...Ink tank, 46... Ink supply tube, 47... Ink supply adapter, 48... Step part, 49... Ink chamber, 50... Visual recognition part, 51... Upper limit mark, 52... Lower limit mark, 53... Ink inlet, 54, 55... Channel, 56... Needle (ink inlet channel), 57... Remaining amount sensor, 58... Upper surface, 59... Lower surface, 60... Through hole, 61... Recessed part, 62... First uneven part (contact part), 63... Ink supply container, 64... Container main body part, 65... Ink outlet, 66... Ink outlet forming part, 67... Container addition part, 68... Cap, 69... Male screw part, 70... Protrusion, 71... Convex part, 72... Second uneven part, 73 ...Positioning part, 74...Valve, 75...Slit, 76...Ink storage chamber, 77...Neck part, 78...Male thread part, 79...Large diameter part, 80...Small diameter part (cylindrical part), 81...Intermediate part, 82... Female threaded portion, 83...Joint portion, 84...Positioning surface, 85...Central axis, 86...Gap, 87...Partition wall, 88...Communication hole, 89...Ink absorbing material (positioning assisting member), 90...Cap support member (positioning assisting member) 91...Rotation shaft, 92...Elastic cap, 93...Handle portion, 100...Unit cover, P...Paper, IK...Ink, L1, L2...Distance.

Claims (12)

An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel,
a container main body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank;
an ink outlet forming part provided at an end of the container body and having an ink outlet formed therein that allows the ink to flow out of the ink storage chamber;
a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and sealing the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable;
a positioning part that positions the valve with respect to the ink tank by coming into contact with a part of the ink tank when the valve opens;
Equipped with
The positioning portion has a positioning surface that is located on a side opposite to the side where the container main body is located with respect to the valve and extends in a direction intersecting a central axis of the ink outlet;
The positioning surface is in contact with the part on the ink tank side when the ink inlet channel of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open. . The ink supply container according to claim 1,
The ink supply container is characterized in that the positioning surface is located on a side of the ink outlet opposite to the container body in a direction along a central axis of the ink outlet. The ink supply container according to claim 1 or 2,
The ink supply container is characterized in that the positioning surface is formed at the tip of a cylindrical portion that opens the ink outlet toward the outside at an end of the ink outlet forming portion. An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel,
a container main body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank;
an ink outlet forming part provided at an end of the container body and having an ink outlet formed therein that allows the ink to flow out of the ink storage chamber;
a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and sealing the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable;
a positioning part that positions the valve with respect to the ink tank by coming into contact with a part of the ink tank when the valve opens;
Equipped with
The ink outlet is formed in a cylindrical part that is a part of the ink outlet forming part,
The positioning portion includes a positioning surface extending in a direction intersecting a central axis of the ink outlet with a gap provided between the positioning surface and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion,
The positioning surface is in contact with the part on the ink tank side when the ink inlet channel of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open. . 5. The ink replenishment container according to claim 4, wherein the positioning surface has an area that is in contact with a part of the ink tank on a side farther from the ink outlet in a direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet. An ink replenishing container characterized in that the area closer to the outlet is larger than the area that contacts a part of the ink tank side. An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel,
a container main body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank;
an ink outlet forming part provided at an end of the container body and having an ink outlet formed therein that allows the ink to flow out of the ink storage chamber;
a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and sealing the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable;
a positioning part that positions the valve with respect to the ink tank by coming into contact with a part of the ink tank when the valve opens;
Equipped with
The positioning portion includes a positioning surface that is inclined or curved in a direction intersecting a central axis of the ink outlet,
The positioning surface is in contact with the part on the ink tank side when the ink inlet channel of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open. . The ink supply container according to claim 6,
An ink replenishing container, wherein the positioning surface is inclined or curved in a direction that gradually moves away from the central axis in a direction from the ink outlet toward the container main body. In the ink supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The ink replenishing container is characterized in that the positioning portion is provided at an externally exposed portion of at least one of the ink outlet forming portion and the container body. An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel,
a container main body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank;
an ink outlet forming part provided at an end of the container body and having an ink outlet formed therein that allows the ink to flow out of the ink storage chamber;
a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and sealing the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable;
a positioning part that positions the valve with respect to the ink tank by coming into contact with a part of the ink tank when the valve opens;
Equipped with
An ink supply container characterized in that the positioning portion is provided inside the ink outlet. an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel;
The ink supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
When the valve of the ink supply container is positioned with respect to the ink tank via the positioning part, it is located between the positioning part and the part on the ink tank side, and the positioning part and the ink a positioning auxiliary member that mediates contact with the part on the tank side;
An ink replenishment system characterized by comprising: The ink replenishment system according to claim 10,
The ink replenishment system is characterized in that the positioning auxiliary member is made of an ink absorbing material capable of absorbing ink. An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet channel and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet channel,
a container main body having an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished to the ink tank;
an ink outlet forming part provided at an end of the container body and having an ink outlet formed therein that allows the ink to flow out of the ink storage chamber;
a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and sealing the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable;
An ink replenishment container characterized by comprising: a positioning part that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side to position the valve with respect to the ink tank when the valve opens.

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