JP6992339B2 - Ink replenishment container, how to regenerate the ink replenishment container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink replenishment container and a method for regenerating an ink replenishment container.

Conventionally, a bottle in which a container capable of containing a liquid and a cap provided with a liquid outlet sealed are engaged with each other is known. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-88207

By the way, in the above-mentioned bottle configuration, for example, a container and a cap are known to be engaged by a ratchet mechanism.
However, when regenerating a bottle using the ratchet mechanism, that is, when refilling the container with ink and using it as a recycled bottle, it is necessary to temporarily release (destroy) the ratchet mechanism to separate the container and the cap. .. At this time, it is conceivable that a part of the teeth constituting the ratchet mechanism is damaged. Therefore, when the container and the cap are engaged again, if the ratchet mechanism becomes loose, there is a problem that the contained ink leaks out.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and regarding the method of regenerating an ink replenishment container or an ink replenishment container, preventing ink leakage even when the ink replenishment container is regenerated. With the goal.

The present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1] In the ink replenishment container according to this application example, a container main body portion capable of accommodating ink and an ink outlet forming portion forming an ink outlet capable of discharging ink contained in the container main body portion are provided. , An ink replenishment container engaged by an engaging portion composed of a plurality of teeth and a claw, and when at least one of the engaging portion of the tooth or the claw is damaged, the container main body portion The ink outlet forming portion and the ink outlet forming portion are characterized in that the teeth other than the damaged engaging portion are engaged with the claws.

For example, when regenerating an ink replenishment container, at least a part of the teeth or claws is damaged to disengage the engaging portion, the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion are separated, and then the container main body is replenished with ink. , The container body and the ink outlet forming portion will be engaged again. At this time, since there are damaged teeth, if loosening occurs in the engaging portion, the contained ink may leak out.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, when the engaging portion of at least one of the tooth and the claw is damaged and the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are engaged again, the damaged engaging portion (tooth or / And teeth other than claws) are engaged with the claws. That is, the engagement position between the tooth and the claw before regeneration shifts (the rotation phase of the engaged state between the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion shifts), whereby the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are reliably connected. Since they are engaged, ink leakage can be prevented.
That is, in the present invention, "breakage" (of the engaging portion) means at least a part of teeth or claws constituting the engaging portion provided for engagement between the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion. It means that the engaging function of the engaging portion is impaired as compared with the specified one due to the shape of the engaging portion being damaged, chipped, or deformed.

[Application Example 2] In the ink replenishment container according to the application example, the ink replenishment container is located between the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion according to the position where the tooth and the claw engage with each other other than the damaged tooth. It is characterized in that the thickness of the arranged seal member is changed.

According to this configuration, the thickness of the sealing member is changed according to the engagement position between the teeth and the claws, so that there is no gap between the container body and the ink outlet forming portion, and ink leakage is reliably prevented. Can be done.

[Application Example 3] The ink replenishment container according to the application example has an opening of the container main body with respect to the ink outlet forming portion according to a position where the tooth other than the damaged tooth and the claw engage with each other. The feature is that the height of the portion is changed.

According to this configuration, the height of the opening portion of the container main body is changed according to the engagement position between the teeth and the claws, so that the gap between the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion is eliminated, and the ink is charged. Leakage can be reliably prevented.

[Application Example 4] In the ink replenishment container according to the above application example, the damaged engaging portion is a plurality.

According to this configuration, even if there are a plurality of damaged engaging portions, the container main body portion and the ink outlet forming portion can be reliably engaged.

[Application Example 5] The method for regenerating an ink replenishment container according to this application example is to form an ink outlet in which an ink outlet capable of containing an ink and an ink outlet capable of discharging the ink contained in the container body are formed. The portion is a method of regenerating an ink replenishment container engaged by an engaging portion composed of a plurality of teeth and a claw, and damages the engaging portion of at least one of the tooth or the claw. A separation step of disengaging the engaging portion and separating the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion, an ink supply step of supplying the ink into the separated container main body, and the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion. The ink outlet forming portion is characterized by including an engaging step of engaging the tooth with the claw other than the damaged engaging portion.

When regenerating the ink replenishment container, at least a part of the teeth or claws is damaged to disengage the engaging portion, the container main body and the ink outlet forming portion are separated, and then the container main body is replenished with ink and again. The container body and the ink outlet forming portion are engaged with each other. At this time, since there are damaged teeth, if loosening occurs in the engaging portion, the contained ink may leak out.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, when the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are engaged again, the teeth other than the damaged engaging portion (teeth and / and the claws) are engaged with the claws. That is, the engagement position between the tooth and the claw before regeneration shifts (the rotation phase of the engaged state between the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion shifts), whereby the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are reliably connected. Since they are engaged, ink leakage can be prevented.

The perspective view which shows typically the main structure of the ink injection system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The exploded perspective view which shows the main structure of the ink supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the ink tank which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The plan view which shows the ink tank and the adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The external view which shows the bottle set which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The exploded view which shows the bottle set which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The exploded view which shows the bottle set which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the ink outlet formation part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. The exploded sectional view which shows the ink outlet forming part, the valve and the holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the lid member in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ink bottle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the recycling method of the ink bottle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the recycling method of the ink bottle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the recycling method of the ink bottle which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the recycling method of the ink bottle which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on modification 3. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ink bottle (regeneration) which concerns on modification 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, the scale of each member or the like may differ from the actual scale in order to make each member or the like recognizable in size.

(First Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the ink injection system will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a main configuration of an ink injection system.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink injection system 1 in the present embodiment includes an inkjet printer 3 which is an example of an ink injection device, and an ink supply device 4. The printer 3 has a recording unit 6 and a control unit 9. Note that FIG. 1 has an XYZ axis, which is a coordinate axis orthogonal to each other. The figures shown below are also provided with XYZ axes as necessary. In this case, the XYZ axes in each figure correspond to the XYZ axes in FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the ink injection system 1 is arranged on an XY plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis. In the present embodiment, the state in which the ink injection system 1 is arranged on the XY plane with the XY plane aligned with the horizontal plane is the state in which the ink injection system 1 is used. The posture of the ink injection system 1 when the ink injection system 1 is arranged on the XY plane aligned with the horizontal plane is called the usage posture of the ink injection system 1.

The horizontal plane may be a substantially horizontal plane. Substantial horizontal includes, for example, an inclination within the allowable inclination range for the surface on which the ink injection system 1 is placed. For this reason, the substantial horizontal plane is not limited to, for example, a surface such as a surface plate formed with high accuracy. Substantial horizontal planes include, for example, various surfaces such as desks, tables, shelves, floors, etc. on which the ink jet system 1 is placed. Further, the vertical direction is not limited to a distance exactly along the direction of gravity, and also includes a direction perpendicular to a substantial horizontal plane. For this reason, when a substantial horizontal plane is, for example, a surface such as a desk, table, shelf, floor, etc., the vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to these surfaces.

In the following, when the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are described in the drawings and explanations showing the components and units of the ink injection system 1, the components and units are incorporated into the ink injection system 1 (. It means the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in the mounted state. Further, the posture of each component or unit in the usage posture of the ink injection system 1 is referred to as the usage posture of those components or units. In the following description of the ink injection system 1, its components, units, and the like, unless otherwise specified, the description will be given in each usage posture.

The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the XY plane. In the used state of the ink injection system 1, the Z-axis direction is vertically upward. When the ink injection system 1 is in use, the −Z axis direction is the vertical downward direction in FIG. 1. In each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrow indicates a + (positive) direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates a − (negative) direction. The vertical upward direction and the vertical upper direction refer to the upward direction and the upward direction along the vertical straight line. Similarly, vertically downward or vertically downward refers to downward or downward along a vertical straight line. The upward direction and the upper direction not described as vertical are not limited to the upward direction and the upper direction along the vertical line, and include the upward direction and the upper direction along the direction intersecting the vertical line except the horizontal direction. Further, the downward direction and the downward direction not described as vertical are not limited to the downward direction and the downward direction along the vertical line, and include the downward direction and the downward direction along the direction intersecting the vertical line except the horizontal direction.

In the printer 3, the recording unit 6 and the control unit 9 are housed in the housing 11. The recording unit 6 records on the recording medium P, which is conveyed in the Y-axis direction by a conveying device (not shown), with ink, which is an example of a liquid. The transport device (not shown) intermittently transports the recording medium P such as recording paper in the Y-axis direction. The recording unit 6 is configured to be reciprocating along the X axis by a moving device (not shown). The ink supply device 4 supplies ink to the recording unit 6. The control unit 9 controls the drive of each of the above configurations.

Here, the direction along the X-axis is not limited to the direction completely parallel to the X-axis, and includes the direction inclined due to an error, a tolerance, or the like, except for the direction orthogonal to the X-axis. Similarly, the direction along the Y-axis is not limited to a direction completely parallel to the Y-axis, and includes a direction tilted due to an error, a tolerance, or the like, except for a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis. The direction along the Z-axis is not limited to the direction completely parallel to the Z-axis, and includes the direction inclined due to an error, a tolerance, etc., except for the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis. That is, the direction along any axis or surface is not limited to the direction completely parallel to these arbitrary axes or surfaces, and is due to errors, tolerances, etc., except for the direction orthogonal to these arbitrary axes or surfaces. Including the tilted direction.

The recording unit 6 includes a carriage 17 and a recording head 19. The recording head 19 is an example of an ink ejection unit, and ejects ink as ink droplets to record on the recording medium P. The carriage 17 is equipped with a recording head 19. The recording head 19 is electrically connected to the control unit 9. The ejection of ink droplets from the recording head 19 is controlled by the control unit 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 4 has an ink tank 31. In this embodiment, the ink supply device 4 has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) ink tanks 31. The plurality of ink tanks 31 are housed inside the housing 11. That is, the plurality of ink tanks 31 are housed inside the housing 11 together with the recording head 19 and the ink supply tube 34. As a result, the ink tank 31 can be protected by the housing 11. A configuration in which a plurality of ink tanks 31 are arranged outside the housing 11 may also be adopted. In this case, the ink supply device 4 can be described as being separate from the printer 3.

Ink is stored in the ink tank 31. The ink tank 31 is formed with an ink injection unit 33. In the ink tank 31, ink can be injected into the ink tank 31 from the outside of the ink tank 31 via the ink injection unit 33. The operator can access the ink injection unit 33 of the ink tank 31 from the outside of the housing 11.

An ink supply tube 34 is connected to each ink tank 31. The ink in the ink tank 31 is supplied from the ink supply device 4 to the recording head 19 via the ink supply tube 34. Then, the ink supplied to the recording head 19 is ejected as ink droplets from a nozzle (not shown) directed toward the recording medium P side. In the above example, the printer 3 and the ink supply device 4 have been described as an integrated configuration, but the ink supply device 4 and the printer 3 may be configured separately.

In the ink injection system 1 having the above configuration, the recording medium P is conveyed in the Y-axis direction, and the carriage 17 is reciprocated along the X-axis while ejecting ink droplets at a predetermined position on the recording head 19. Recording is performed on the recording medium P. These operations are controlled by the control unit 9.

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the main configuration of the ink supply device. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply device 4 includes a plurality of ink tanks 31 and an adapter 35. The plurality of ink tanks 31 are arranged along the X-axis and have the same structure and shape as each other. In the ink supply device 4, a plurality of ink tanks 31 are integrally bundled by an adapter 35. FIG. 2 shows a state in which one of the plurality of ink tanks 31 is removed from the adapter 35 in order to show the configuration in an easy-to-understand manner.

In the present embodiment, either a configuration in which different types of ink are accommodated in each of the plurality of ink tanks 31 or a configuration in which inks of the same type are accommodated in each other can be adopted. Examples of the type of ink include the color of the ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, either a configuration in which inks of different colors are accommodated in each of the plurality of ink tanks 31 or a configuration in which inks of the same color are accommodated in each other can be adopted. Examples of the ink color include black, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

The ink tank 31 has a length dimension along the Y axis larger than a width dimension along the X axis. Further, the height dimension of the ink tank 31 along the Z axis is smaller than the length dimension along the Y axis. However, the dimensions of the ink tank 31 are not limited to this, and various dimensions may be adopted. The ink tank 31 includes a first wall 41, a second wall 42, a third wall 43, a fourth wall 44, a fifth wall 45, a sixth wall 46, a seventh wall 47, and an eighth wall. It has 48 and. Further, the ink tank 31 has a connecting pipe 49 (ink inlet). The first wall 41 to the eighth wall 48 form the outer shell (ink storage chamber) of the ink tank 31. The number of walls constituting the outer shell of the ink tank 31 is not limited to eight of the first wall 41 to the eighth wall 48, and a number less than eight or a number exceeding eight may be adopted.

The first wall 41 faces the Y-axis direction and extends along the XZ plane. The first wall 41 has light transmission property, and is configured so that the ink in the ink tank 31 can be visually recognized via the first wall 41. That is, the first wall 41 is a visible wall that allows the amount of ink in the ink tank 31 to be visually recognized. The first wall 41 is provided with an upper limit mark 51 and a lower limit mark 52. The operator can grasp the amount of ink in the ink tank 31 by using the upper limit mark 51 and the lower limit mark 52 as a mark or a guideline.

The sign for notifying the amount of ink in the ink tank 31 is not limited to the upper limit mark 51 and the lower limit mark 52. A scale indicating the amount of ink may also be adopted. A configuration in which a scale is added to the upper limit mark 51 and the lower limit mark 52, a configuration in which only the scale is added by omitting the upper limit mark 51 and the lower limit mark 52, and the like can be adopted. Further, as a sign added to the ink tank 31, a sign indicating the type of ink contained in each ink tank 31 may be adopted. For example, the type of ink includes a sign indicating the color of the ink. As the ink color indicator, for example, the letters "Bk" indicating black ink, "C" indicating cyan ink, "M" indicating magenta ink, and "Y" indicating yellow ink. And various signs such as display by color.

The second wall 42 faces the first wall 41 and faces the −Y axis direction. The second wall 42 extends along the XZ plane. The third wall 43 intersects the first wall 41 and the second wall 42. Note that the intersection of the two faces indicates that the two faces are not parallel to each other. In addition to the case where the two surfaces are in direct contact with each other, there are cases where the extension of one surface and the extension of the other surface intersect each other even if they are not in direct contact with each other and are separated from each other. Expressed as intersecting. The angle formed by the two intersecting surfaces may be a right angle, an obtuse angle, or an acute angle.

The third wall 43 intersects the first wall 41 and the second wall 42. The third wall 43 is located in the −Z axis direction of the first wall 41 and the second wall 42, and faces the −Z axis direction. The third wall 43 extends along the XY plane. The third wall 43 is connected to the end portion of the first wall 41 in the −Z axis direction at the end portion in the Y-axis direction. Further, the third wall 43 is connected to the end portion of the second wall 42 in the −Z axis direction at the end portion in the −Y axis direction.

The fourth wall 44 faces the third wall 43 and faces the Z-axis direction. The fourth wall 44 intersects the second wall 42 and extends along the XY plane. The fourth wall 44 is located in the Z-axis direction of the second wall 42. The fourth wall 44 is located at a position in the −Y axis direction with respect to the first wall 41. The fourth wall 44 is connected to the end portion of the second wall 42 in the Z-axis direction at the end portion in the −Y axis direction.

The fifth wall 45 intersects the first wall 41, the second wall 42, the third wall 43, and the fourth wall 44. The fifth wall 45 is located in the X-axis direction of the first wall 41, the second wall 42, the third wall 43, and the fourth wall 44. The fifth wall 45 faces the X-axis direction and extends along the YZ plane. The fifth wall 45 is connected to the end portion of the first wall 41 in the X-axis direction at the end portion in the Y-axis direction. The fifth wall 45 is connected to the end portion of the second wall 42 in the X-axis direction at the end portion in the −Y axis direction. The fifth wall 45 is connected to the end portion of the third wall 43 in the X-axis direction at the end portion in the −Z axis direction. The fifth wall 45 is connected to the end portion of the fourth wall 44 in the X-axis direction at the end portion in the Z-axis direction.

The sixth wall 46 intersects the first wall 41, the second wall 42, the third wall 43, and the fourth wall 44. The sixth wall 46 is located in the −X-axis direction of the first wall 41, the second wall 42, the third wall 43, and the fourth wall 44, and faces the fifth wall 45. The sixth wall 46 faces the −X axis direction and extends along the YZ plane. The sixth wall 46 is connected to the end portion of the first wall 41 in the −X axis direction at the end portion in the Y-axis direction. The sixth wall 46 is connected to the end portion of the second wall 42 in the −X axis direction at the end portion in the −Y axis direction. The sixth wall 46 is connected to the end portion of the third wall 43 in the −X axis direction at the end portion in the −Z axis direction. The sixth wall 46 is connected to the end portion of the fourth wall 44 in the −X axis direction at the end portion in the Z-axis direction.

The seventh wall 47 is located in the Z-axis direction of the first wall 41 and intersects the first wall 41. The seventh wall 47 faces the Z-axis direction and extends along the XY plane. The seventh wall 47 is located between the third wall 43 and the fourth wall 44. The seventh wall 47 is connected to the end portion of the first wall 41 in the Z-axis direction at the end portion in the Y-axis direction. In other words, in the ink tank 31, there is a step between the fourth wall 44 and the seventh wall 47. The seventh wall 47 is connected to the fifth wall 45 at the end in the X-axis direction. The seventh wall 47 is connected to the sixth wall 46 at the end in the −X axis direction.

The eighth wall 48 is located in the −Y axis direction of the seventh wall 47 and faces the Y-axis direction. Further, the eighth wall 48 is located in the Y-axis direction of the fourth wall 44. The eighth wall 48 extends along the XZ plane. The eighth wall 48 is connected to the end portion of the seventh wall 47 in the −Y axis direction at the end portion in the −Z axis direction, and is connected to the end portion in the Z axis direction at the end portion in the Y axis direction of the fourth wall 44. linked. In other words, in the ink tank 31, a step between the fourth wall 44 and the seventh wall 47 is connected via the eighth wall 48.

A connecting pipe 49, which is an example of the connecting portion, is provided on the surface of the seventh wall 47 facing the Z-axis direction. The connecting pipe 49 projects from the seventh wall 47 in the Z-axis direction. The connecting pipe 49 is formed in a hollow tubular shape and extends in the Z-axis direction. From this configuration, the connecting pipe 49 can also be described as having a chimney shape. The connecting tube 49 communicates with the ink tank 31. The ink injected into the ink tank 31 is injected into the ink tank 31 via the connecting pipe 49.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ink tank. As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the connecting pipe 49 is divided into two flow paths 53A and 53B along the Z axis. The two flow paths 53A and 53B communicate with each other in the ink tank 31. In FIG. 3, in order to show the inside of the connecting tube 49 in an easy-to-understand manner, a state in which a part of the ink tank 31 including the connecting tube 49 is broken is shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter 35 has a dimension that straddles a plurality of ink tanks 31 arranged along the X-axis. The adapter 35 is located in the Z-axis direction of the seventh wall 47 of the ink tank 31. A plurality of slot portions 54 (recesses) are formed in the adapter 35. The adapter 35 is provided with a slot portion 54 corresponding to each of the plurality of ink tanks 31 arranged along the X axis. The number of slot portions 54 may be larger than the number of a plurality of ink tanks 31 arranged along the X axis.

The slot portion 54 is formed so as to be concave from the upper surface of the adapter 35 in the Z-axis direction toward the −Z-axis direction. A through hole 55, which will be described later, is formed at the bottom of the slot portion 54. The through hole 55 penetrates the adapter 35 along the Z axis. The through hole 55 has a size into which the connecting tube 49 of the ink tank 31 can be inserted. The adapter 35 is attached to a step portion between the fourth wall 44 and the seventh wall 47 of the ink tank 31. When the adapter 35 is attached to the ink tank 31, the connection tube 49 of the ink tank 31 is inserted into the slot portion 54 through the through hole 55 of the adapter 35 in the ink supply device 4. As a result, with the adapter 35 mounted on the ink tank 31, the connecting tube 49 of the ink tank 31 is exposed via the slot portion 54 of the adapter 35. The ink injection unit 33 shown in FIG. 1 is a general term for the configurations (including the connection tube 49) in the slot portion 54 and the slot portion 54 of the adapter 35 in a state where the adapter 35 is attached to the ink tank 31.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the ink tank and the adapter. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot portion 54 has an appearance in which a rectangular rectangular portion 57 extending along the Y axis and a circular circular portion 58 located at the center of the rectangular portion 57 on the Y axis are overlapped with each other. have. A through hole 55 is formed at the bottom of the circular portion 58. In this embodiment, the circular portions 58 of the two slot portions 54 adjacent to each other along the X axis are connected to each other. The connecting tube 49 of the ink tank 31 is arranged at a position overlapping the through hole 55 of the circular portion 58.

A first convex portion 59 is provided on the inner wall extending along the YZ plane among the inner walls of the rectangular portion 57. In each of the slot portions 54, a first convex portion 59 is provided on each of the rectangular portions 57 facing each other with the circular portion 58 interposed therebetween. In one slot portion 54, the first convex portion 59 is arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the connecting pipe 49. With the above configuration, the slot portion 54 has a structure point-symmetrical with respect to the center point of the connecting pipe 49. In the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35, the configurations of the first convex portions 59 are different from each other. Therefore, the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35 have different structures from each other.

On the other hand, the ink bottle 62 (ink replenishment container) described later corresponds to the first convex portion 59 of the compatible slot portion 54 according to the types of the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35. An erroneous insertion prevention unit 120 (see FIG. 6) is provided. Thereby, it is possible to specify the types of ink bottles 62 that can be adapted to each of the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35. That is, the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35 can be expressed as functioning as keyholes having different structures from each other. Then, it can be expressed that the ink bottle 62 compatible with each of the plurality of slot portions 54 provided in the adapter 35 functions as a key compatible with the keyhole. That is, ink can be injected into the ink tank 31 from the ink bottle 62 that fits in the keyhole via the connecting tube 49. On the contrary, in the ink bottle 62 that does not fit in the keyhole, ink cannot be injected into the ink tank 31.

Next, the configuration of the bottle set will be described. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a bottle set. 6 and 7 are exploded views showing the bottle set. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an ink outlet forming portion. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing an ink outlet forming portion, a valve, and a holder, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a lid member in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the bottle set 61 can be utilized for injecting ink into the ink tank 31. The bottle set 61 contains ink for replenishing the ink tank 31 described above.

The bottle set 61 includes an ink bottle 62 and a lid member 63. As shown in FIG. 6, the lid member 63 is configured to be removable from the ink bottle 62.
Here, before opening (before use) of the bottle set 61, an adhesive seal (not shown) is attached so as to straddle the lid member 63 and the ink bottle 62. Then, when the lid member 63 and the ink bottle 62 are separated from each other at the time of opening (during use), the adhesive seal is configured to break. Thereby, it can be easily determined whether or not the bottle set 61 is unopened.
The ink bottle 62 includes an ink accommodating portion 64, an ink outlet forming portion 65 which is an example of a lead-out portion and a nozzle portion. The ink accommodating portion 64 is a portion capable of accommodating ink. The ink outlet forming portion 65 is a portion where the ink in the ink accommodating portion 64 can flow out of the ink bottle 62.

The lid member 63 is configured to be able to cover a part of the ink outlet forming portion 65 in a state of being mounted on the ink bottle 62. An ink outlet 95, which will be described later, is formed in the ink outlet forming portion 65. The ink in the ink accommodating portion 64 flows out of the ink bottle 62 from the ink outlet 95 of the ink outlet forming portion 65. The lid member 63 is configured to be able to cover the ink outlet 95 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 in a state of being mounted on the ink bottle 62. In the bottle set 61, the state in which the lid member 63 is attached to the ink bottle 62 (FIG. 5) is referred to as a covering state. The covering state is a state in which the lid member 63 is attached to the ink bottle 62 and the ink outlet 95 is covered with the lid member 63.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lid member 63 may be engaged with the ink outlet forming portion 65 via the screw 66 formed in the ink outlet forming portion 65. That is, in the present embodiment, the lid member 63 is configured to be mountable on the ink bottle 62 by engaging with the screw 66. The lid member 63 is formed with a screw (not shown) that can be engaged with the screw 66 of the ink outlet forming portion 65. The lid member 63 can be attached to the ink bottle 62 by engaging the screw of the lid member 63 with the screw 66 of the ink outlet forming portion 65.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the ink bottle 62 includes a container body portion 67, which is an example of a container portion, a seal member 68, and an ink outlet forming portion 65. The ink outlet forming portion 65 is provided at the end of the container main body portion 67. In the present embodiment, the outer shell of the ink bottle 62 is formed by combining the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 into one. The seal member 68 is interposed between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65. The container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are combined as one ink bottle 62 with the sealing member 68 sandwiched by engagement via the screw 69, and the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are combined. It is engaged by a ratchet mechanism including an engaging portion. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of teeth 200 are provided inside the ink outlet forming portion 65. The plurality of teeth 200 are formed so as to be inclined in one direction. On the other hand, a claw 300 is formed on the container body 67. In this embodiment, two containers are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 67 with a phase shift of 180 °. Then, one of the plurality of teeth 200 and each claw 300 are engaged with each other, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are combined as one ink bottle 62.

As shown in FIG. 9, the container main body 67 is configured in the shape of a container and is configured to be capable of accommodating ink. The container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are configured as separate bodies from each other. A screw 81 is formed in the ink outlet forming portion 65. The container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are configured to be engageable with each other by the screw 69 of the container body 67 and the screw 81 of the ink outlet forming portion 65.

The ink is stored in the container body 67. In the present embodiment, the container body 67 is made of an elastic material. The container body portion 67 has a tubular body portion 82, a tubular engaging portion 83, and an opening portion 84. As the material of the container body 67, for example, a resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene, a metal material such as iron or aluminum, or the like can be adopted. The body portion 82 and the engaging portion 83 are integrally formed with each other. The body portion 82 is located on the side opposite to the seal member 68 side of the engaging portion 83. The engaging portion 83 is located on the seal member 68 side of the body portion 82. The engaging portion 83 is formed thinner than the body portion 82. A screw 69 is formed on the outer side portion 83A of the engaging portion 83. The screw 69 is provided so as to project from the side portion 83A. The opening 84 communicates with the ink accommodating portion 64 in the container main body portion 67, and is formed at the end portion 83B on the side opposite to the body portion 82 side of the engaging portion 83. The opening 84 opens toward the seal member 68 side.

With the above configuration, the container body 67 is formed in the shape of a hollow container having a body 82 and an engaging portion 83. In the ink bottle 62, the ink of the combined capacity of the body portion 82 and the engaging portion 83 can be stored. In the ink bottle 62, the internal space in which the body portion 82 of the container main body portion 67 and the engaging portion 83 are combined constitutes the ink storage portion 64.

An opening 87 is formed in the seal member 68. The ink in the container main body 67 can flow out to the ink outlet forming portion 65 after passing through the opening 87 of the sealing member 68. According to this configuration, since the seal member 68 is sandwiched between the end portion 83B of the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, ink leaks from between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65. That can be kept low. As the material of the sealing member 68, various materials such as a foaming material of polyethylene and an elastic material such as rubber and elastomer can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ink outlet forming portion 65 includes a coupling portion 91 and a tubular portion 92. The connecting portion 91 and the tubular portion 92 are integrally formed with each other. As the material of the ink outlet forming portion 65, for example, a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene can be adopted. The connecting portion 91 has a tubular appearance. A screw 81 is provided on the inner side surface of the joint portion 91. The connecting portion 91 is a portion engaged with the container main body portion 67 by the screw 81. Further, a plurality of teeth 200 are provided. The tooth 200 constitutes a ratchet mechanism with a claw 300 provided on the container main body 67, and the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other. The inner diameter of the connecting portion 91 is wider than the outer diameter of the engaging portion 83 of the container body portion 67. With the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the container main body 67 engaged, the connecting portion 91 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 covers the engaging portion 83 of the container main body 67.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tubular portion 92 projects from the joint portion 91 to the side opposite to the container main body portion 67 side. The tubular portion 92 has a tubular shape (also referred to as a tubular shape). A lead-out flow path 93 is formed inside the tubular portion 92. The lead-out flow path 93 is provided in a region overlapping the region of the opening 84 when the ink outlet forming portion 65 is viewed in a plan view from the opening 84 side toward the tubular portion 92 side. The lead-out flow path 93 is a hollow region of the tubular portion 92 that overlaps the region of the opening 84 in a plan view.

An ink outlet 95 capable of flowing out ink from the container main body 67 is formed on an end surface 94 of the tubular portion 92 opposite to the coupling portion 91 side. The ink outlet 95 is an example of an outlet. The end face 94 faces the side opposite to the container body 67 side. The ink outlet 95 opens toward the side opposite to the connecting portion 91 side of the tubular portion 92. The ink outlet 95 is open to the end face 94. Therefore, the end face 94 surrounds the ink outlet 95. The ink outlet 95 is located at the end of the lead flow path 93. In other words, the lead-out flow path 93 guides the ink in the container body 67 to the ink outlet 95.

The ink contained in the container main body 67 can flow out from the ink outlet 95 via the lead-out flow path 93 of the cylinder 92. As a result, the ink in the container main body 67 can flow out of the container main body 67 from the ink outlet 95 through the lead-out flow path 93 from the opening 84. When the user injects the ink in the ink bottle 62 into the ink tank 31, the ink outlet 95 is inserted into the ink injection unit 33 of the ink tank 31. Then, the user injects the ink in the container main body 67 into the ink tank 31 from the ink injecting section 33. When the user injects the ink in the ink bottle 62 into the ink tank 31, the user removes the lid member 63 (FIG. 7) from the ink bottle 62 and then performs the injection operation.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is provided with a valve 101 and a holder 102. The valve 101 seals the ink outlet 95 so as to be openable and closable. In the ink outlet forming portion 65, the valve 101 is provided in the lead-out flow path 93, and the ink outlet 95 is hermetically sealed from the lead-out flow path 93. In other words, the valve 101 closes the lead-out flow path 93 so as to be openable and closable. The valve 101 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and seals the ink outlet 95 in a state where no external force is applied. The connecting pipe 49 of the ink tank 31 is inserted into the ink outlet 95, and when a pressing force acts on the valve 101 by the connecting pipe 49, the valve 101 opens. Then, when the connecting pipe 49 is pulled out from the ink outlet 95 and the external force acting on the valve 101 is released, the valve 101 closes.

As shown in FIG. 11, the valve 101 and the holder 102 are configured to be separable from the ink outlet forming portion 65. That is, the ink outlet forming portion 65, the valve 101, and the holder 102 are configured as separate bodies from each other. The valve 101 is inserted into the lead-out flow path 93 from the coupling portion 91 side of the ink outlet forming portion 65. The holder 102 is a member that restricts the valve 101 from falling off, and is provided on the coupling portion 91 side of the valve 101 as shown in FIG. The holder 102 is also inserted into the lead-out flow path 93 from the coupling portion 91 side of the ink outlet forming portion 65. The valve 101 is sandwiched between the holder 102 and the flange portion 103 of the ink outlet forming portion 65. As a result, the ink outlet forming portion 65, the valve 101, and the holder 102 are integrally assembled. The flange portion 103 is a wall extending from the inner side surface of the tubular portion 92 in the inner diameter direction of the tubular portion 92. The surface of the flange portion 103 opposite to the joint portion 91 side corresponds to the end surface 94.

The lid member 63 is made of an elastic material, and can be divided into a cylindrical body portion 105 and a top plate portion 106 as shown in FIG. As the material of the lid member 63, for example, a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene can be adopted. In this embodiment, the lid member 63 is formed by injection molding of a resin material.

The body portion 105 and the top plate portion 106 are integrally formed with each other. As shown in FIG. 9, in the bottle set 61, the body portion 105 of the lid member 63 is located on the ink outlet forming portion 65 side. As shown in FIG. 12, the top plate portion 106 is located at one end of the body portion 105. In this embodiment, the top plate portion 106 is located on the side of the body portion 105 opposite to the ink outlet forming portion 65 side. The tubular body portion 105 projects from the top plate portion 106 toward the ink accommodating portion 64 (FIG. 9). The top plate portion 106 closes one end of the tubular body portion 105. That is, the portion that closes one end of the tubular body portion 105 is the top plate portion 106. An opening may be formed in the top plate portion 106. Even if the opening is provided, since the top plate 106 extends in the direction intersecting the tubular body 105, it is expressed that the top plate 106 closes one end of the tubular body 105. To.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the top plate portion 106 is configured in a curved plate shape. However, as the configuration of the top plate portion 106, various plates such as a flat plate, a plate having unevenness, and a corrugated plate can be adopted. Further, the top plate portion 106 is not limited to a plate shape, and various shapes such as a spherical shape, a columnar shape, and a conical shape can be adopted. Regardless of the shape, the portion that closes one end of the tubular body portion 105 corresponds to the top plate portion 106.

Screws 108 are provided on the inner side surface of the body portion 105. The body portion 105 is a portion engaged with the ink outlet forming portion 65 (FIG. 10) by the screw 108. The screw 108 is provided at a position closer to the end portion 109 of the body portion 105 than the top plate portion 106. A screw 108 is formed on the inside of the body portion 105, and a screw 66 is formed on the outside of the coupling portion 91 of the ink outlet forming portion 65. Then, the screw 108 on the inner side of the body portion 105 engages with the screw 66 on the outer side of the joint portion 91 of the ink outlet forming portion 65, so that the lid member 63 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other. The lid member 63 covers the tubular portion 92 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 in a state where the lid member 63 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other. That is, the state in which the lid member 63 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other is the covered state.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the top plate portion 106 of the lid member 63 is provided with a plug portion 111. The plug portion 111 is provided on the ink outlet forming portion 65 (FIG. 9) side of the top plate portion 106, that is, on the end portion 109 side of the top plate portion 106. The plug portion 111 projects from the top plate portion 106 toward the end portion 109. The plug portion 111 is provided in the central region of the top plate portion 106. When the lid member 63 is attached to the ink bottle 62, the stopper portion 111 is provided at a position facing (opposing) the ink outlet 95 of the cylinder portion 92. The plug 111 has a cylindrical appearance.

As shown in FIG. 12, the distance (depth) from the end 109 of the body 105 to the end 112 of the plug 111 is a cylinder from the end 113 of the coupling 91 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 (FIG. 9). It is shorter (shallow) than the distance to the end face 94 of the portion 92. That is, when the lid member 63 is attached to the ink bottle 62, the plug portion 111 covers the end surface 94 from the outside of the tubular portion 92 as shown in FIG. 13, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. Here, the inner diameter of the tubular plug portion 111 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the tubular portion 92 on the end surface 94 side. Therefore, when the lid member 63 is attached to the ink outlet forming portion 65, the ink outlet 95 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 is sealed by the plug portion 111. That is, the ink outlet 95 is sealed by the plug portion 111 coming into contact with the cylinder portion 92 while the lid member 63 is attached to the ink bottle 62. At this time, the lid member 63 is set so as not to come into contact with the inner diameter portion of the ink outlet 95. Similarly, at this time, the lid member 63 is set so as not to come into contact with the valve 101.

As a result, the ink outlet 95 can be sealed. Therefore, when the ink in the container main body 67 cannot be completely injected into the ink tank 31 and the ink remains in the container main body 67, the ink is injected in the ink bottle with the ink outlet 95 blocked by the lid member 63. It can be stored in 62. As a result, the ink can be stored in a state where the airtightness inside the container main body 67 after opening is improved. As a result, it is possible to suppress the evaporation of the liquid component of the ink in the ink bottle 62 and the deterioration of the ink.

Here, at least one of the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the lid member 63 is made of polypropylene. As described above, the inner diameter of the tubular plug portion 111 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the tubular portion 92 on the end face 94 side. Therefore, when the lid member 63 is attached to the ink outlet forming portion 65, the end surface 94 of the tubular portion 92 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 is press-fitted into the inside of the tubular plug portion 111. This makes it easier to seal the ink outlet 95 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 with the plug portion 111. When the end surface 94 of the tubular portion 92 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 is press-fitted into the inside of the tubular plug portion 111, stress is generated in the tubular portion 92 and the tubular plug portion 111 of the ink outlet forming portion 65. Therefore, strain (deformation) is likely to occur in the tubular portion 92 of the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the plug portion 111 of the lid member 63.

If the ink comes into contact with the lid member 63 or the ink outlet forming portion 65 while stress is applied to the lid member 63 or the ink outlet forming portion 65, it is conceivable that the material is deformed or the toughness is lowered. Polypropylene is a material that is unlikely to undergo such deformation or decrease in toughness. In the bottle set 61, since at least one of the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the lid member 63 is made of polypropylene, it is difficult to cause deformation or deterioration of toughness in at least one of the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the lid member 63. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to easily maintain the sealed state of the ink outlet 95, and thus it is easy to improve the convenience of the bottle set 61. Of the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the lid member 63, in addition to an example in which only the ink outlet forming portion 65 is made of polypropylene and an example in which only the lid member 63 is made of polypropylene, the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the lid are used. Any of the examples in which both of the members 63 are made of polypropylene can be adopted.

Further, in the ink bottle 62, as described above, a valve 101 that seals the ink outlet 95 so as to be openable and closable is provided in the ink outlet forming portion 65. Therefore, with the lid member 63 removed from the ink bottle 62, for example, even if the ink bottle 62 is tilted downward with the ink outlet 95 facing downward, the ink in the container body 67 is discharged from the ink outlet 95 by the valve 101. It is easy to prevent leakage. Further, even if the ink bottle 62 shakes when the ink bottle 62 is conveyed with the lid member 63 removed from the ink bottle 62, the ink in the container body 67 leaks from the ink outlet 95 by the valve 101. It is easy to prevent it from coming out.

Next, the configuration of the ink bottle 62A will be described.
The ink bottle 62A described below is formed by regenerating the ink bottle 62 described above.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the ink bottle, and shows the engaged state of the ink bottle 62 before reproduction. 15 and 16 are schematic views showing a method of regenerating an ink bottle. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink bottle, and shows the ink bottle 62A after regeneration. Further, FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the ink bottle, and shows the engaged state of the ink bottle 62A after regeneration.
In the figure showing the engaging state of the ratchet mechanism below, the number of teeth is less than the actual number of 200 teeth.

As described above, in the ink bottle 62, as shown in FIG. 14, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other by a ratchet mechanism including an engaging portion.
The plurality of teeth 200 provided in the ink outlet forming portion 65 have an inclination in one direction. The inclination of the teeth 200 defines the operating direction of the ratchet mechanism.
Further, the claw 300 provided on the container main body 67 is a protrusion provided facing the tooth 200.
The ratchet mechanism has a function of restricting the operating direction in one direction. When engaging the container main body 67 of the ink bottle 62 with the ink outlet forming portion 65, as shown in FIG. 14, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is turned counterclockwise with respect to the container main body 67. As a result, the claw 300 gets over the moving teeth 200 one after another, eliminates the looseness between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, and finally the first surface 201 of the certain teeth 200 and the first of the teeth 200. The first surface 301 of the claw 300 facing the surface 201 abuts, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other. Here, the engaging portion is formed by the finally meshed teeth 200 and the claws 300. As a result, there is no looseness (gap) between the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, and it is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the boundary portion between the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65.
On the other hand, if an attempt is made to rotate the ink outlet forming portion 65 in the opposite direction (clockwise with respect to the container main body 67 in FIG. 14) from the state where the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged, the teeth 200 And the claw 300 bite into each other, which makes it difficult to rotate.

When the ink bottle 62A is newly regenerated from the used ink bottle 62, it is conceivable that the ratchet mechanism is released (destroyed). More specifically, at least one of the teeth 200 or the claw 300 constituting the engaging portion is damaged to release the engaging portion.
The method for regenerating the ink bottle 62 according to the present embodiment is separated from a separation step of breaking at least a part of the teeth 200 to release the engaging portion and separating the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65. The ink supply process for supplying ink into the container body 67 and the engagement between the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 with the teeth 200 other than the damaged (released) engaging portion and the claw 300. Including the step.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is rotated clockwise with respect to the container main body portion 67. In this case, for example, the rotation is performed using a tool such as a wrench.
Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the tooth 200 engaged with the claw 300 is pressed and a part of the tooth 200 is damaged. That is, the engaging portion is damaged (in FIG. 16, the damaged tooth 200 is indicated by hatching). As a result, the ratchet mechanism (engagement portion) is released, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be separated from each other.
Here, the "damage" of the engaging portion in the present embodiment means the teeth 200 or the claw 300 constituting the engaging portion provided for engaging the container body portion 67 with the ink outlet forming portion 65. It means that the engaging function of the engaging portion (ratchet mechanism) is impaired as compared with the specified one due to damage, chipping, or deformation of at least a part of the shape of the above.
In the present embodiment, two (plural) teeth 200 are damaged, but one (singular) tooth 200 may be damaged, and two or more teeth 200 are provided. In some cases, the two or more teeth 200 may be damaged. That is, there may be a plurality of damaged engaging portions.
Further, when the tooth 200 is rotated by using a wrench or the like, a part of the plurality of teeth 200 adjacent to the tooth 200 engaged with the claw 300 may be damaged.
Next, a required amount of ink is supplied into the separated container body 67.
Next, the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 by the claws 300.
At this time, the thickness of the seal member 68 arranged between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is changed according to the position where the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 and the claw 300 are engaged.

Specifically, the thickness of the seal member 68 is increased. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of (for example, two) sealing members 68 are arranged. As a result, the thickness of the sealing member 68 in the ink bottle 62 before reproduction becomes thicker.

Then, with the two seal members 68 arranged, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is turned counterclockwise with respect to the container main body portion 67. As a result, the claw 300 gets over the moving teeth 200 one after another, eliminates the looseness between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, and finally the first surface 201 of the certain teeth 200 and the first of the teeth 200. The first surface 301 of the claw 300 facing the surface 201 abuts, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Here, since the two seal members 68 are engaged with each other in a state where the thickness of the seal members 68 is increased, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are used with respect to the ink bottle 62 before regeneration. The rotation phase of the ratchet mechanism is deviated, and the teeth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 (hatched display in FIG. 18) are engaged with the claw 300. That is, the tooth 200, which is not the tooth 200 that was engaged in the ink bottle 62 before regeneration, and the claw 300 are engaged. In other words, the tooth 200 other than the damaged engaging portion and the claw 300 engage with each other. That is, the teeth 200 and the claws 300 constituting the new engaging portion are engaged with each other.
Further, since the two seal members 68 are engaged with each other in a state where the thickness of the seal member 68 is increased, the tooth 200 on the upstream side with respect to the tooth 200 damaged in the rotation direction (counterclockwise). And the claw 300 engage. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a new recycled ink bottle 62A is formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

When the engaging portion (ratchet mechanism) that engages the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is released (damaged) and these are engaged again, the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 and the claw 300 Engaged. As a result, the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are securely engaged (the ratchet mechanism functions normally), so that ink leaks from the boundary portion between the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65. Can be prevented.
Further, in the ink bottle 62A, the thickness of the seal member 68 arranged between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is thicker than the thickness of the seal member 68 applied to the ink bottle 62 before being regenerated. The compressibility applied when the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 engage with each other increases, and the ink can be reliably sealed. Further, by increasing the thickness of the seal member 68 arranged between the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, the displacement rate of the seal member 68 increases, so that the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 It becomes easy to engage with the ink bottle 62A, and the ink bottle 62A can be easily regenerated.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink bottle, showing the ink bottle 62B after regeneration. Further, FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing the ink bottle, and shows the engaged state of the ink bottle 62B after regeneration.
Regarding the ink bottle 62B of the present embodiment, the portion different from the first embodiment is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the seal member 68 in the ink bottle 62 before reproduction, as shown in FIG. Is. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a method for regenerating the ink bottle 62B will be described.
First, the engaging portion of the ink bottle 62 before reproduction is damaged to release the ratchet mechanism, and the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are separated. Specifically, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is rotated clockwise with respect to the container main body portion 67 (see FIG. 15). Then, the tooth 200 engaged with the claw 300 is pressed and a part of the tooth 200 is damaged (see FIG. 16). As a result, the ratchet mechanism is released, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be separated from each other.
Next, a required amount of ink is supplied into the separated container body 67.
Next, the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 by the claws 300.
At this time, the thickness of the seal member 68 arranged between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is changed according to the position where the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 and the claw 300 are engaged.

Specifically, the thickness of the seal member 68 is reduced. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a sealing member 68a thinner than the thickness of the sealing member 68 in the ink bottle 62 before reproduction is arranged.

Then, with the seal member 68a arranged, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, by turning the ink outlet forming portion 65 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the container main body portion 67, the claw 300 gets over the moving teeth 200 one after another, and the container main body portion 67. The looseness between the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is eliminated, and finally the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 and the first surface 301 of the claw 300 facing the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 come into contact with each other, and the container body is formed. The portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Here, since the thin sealing member 68a is engaged in the arranged state, the rotation phase of the ratchet mechanism by the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is deviated from the ink bottle 62 before reproduction. The tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 (hatched display in FIG. 20) is engaged with the claw 300. That is, the tooth 200, which is not the tooth 200 that was engaged in the ink bottle 62 before regeneration, and the claw 300 are engaged. In other words, the tooth 200 other than the damaged engaging portion and the claw 300 engage with each other. That is, the teeth 200 and the claws 300 constituting the new engaging portion are engaged with each other.
Further, since the seal member 68a is engaged in a thin state, the tooth 200 on the downstream side and the claw 300 are engaged with the tooth 200 damaged in the rotation direction (counterclockwise). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a new recycled ink bottle 62B is formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-mentioned effects.

In the ink bottle 62B, the thickness of the seal member 68a arranged between the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is thinner than the thickness of the seal member 68 on the ink bottle 62 before being regenerated, so that the container body is thin. When the portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other, the rotation is increased and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be tightened more strongly. As a result, the space between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be reliably sealed to prevent ink leakage.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink bottle, and shows the ink bottle 62C after regeneration. Further, FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the ink bottle, and shows the engaged state of the ink bottle 62C after regeneration.
In the ink bottle 62C of the present embodiment, the height of the opening 84 of the container body 67 with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 65 depends on the position where the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 and the claw 300 engage. Has been changed. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a method for regenerating the ink bottle 62C will be described.
First, the engaging portion of the ink bottle 62 before reproduction is damaged to release the ratchet mechanism, and the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are separated. Specifically, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is rotated clockwise with respect to the container main body portion 67 (see FIG. 15). Then, the tooth 200 engaged with the claw 300 is pressed and a part of the tooth 200 is damaged (see FIG. 16). As a result, the ratchet mechanism is released, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be separated from each other.
Next, a required amount of ink is supplied into the separated container body 67.
Next, the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 by the claws 300.
At this time, the height of the opening 84 of the container main body 67 with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 65 is changed according to the position where the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 and the claw 300 engage.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the sealing material 400 is arranged in the opening 84 of the container main body 67. More specifically, the sealing material 400 is put on the opening 84. As a result, the height of the opening 84 of the container body 67 is increased by the thickness of the sealing material 400.
The sealing material 400 is formed with an opening 401 similar to the opening 87 of the sealing member 68. As the material of the sealing material 400, various materials such as a foaming material of polyethylene and an elastic material such as rubber and an elastomer can be adopted.
Further, in the ink bottle 62C, the sealing member 68 is arranged above the sealing material 400. Therefore, the combined thickness of the sealing material 400 and the sealing member 68 is thicker than the thickness of the sealing member 68 in the ink bottle 62 before regeneration.

Then, with the sealing material 400 and the sealing member 68 arranged, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, by turning the ink outlet forming portion 65 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the container main body portion 67, the claw 300 gets over the moving teeth 200 one after another, and the container main body portion 67. The looseness between the ink outlet forming portion 65 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 is eliminated, and finally the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 and the first surface 301 of the claw 300 facing the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 come into contact with each other, and the container body is formed. The portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Here, since the sealing material 400 and the sealing member 68 are engaged in a thicker state due to the arrangement, the ratchet mechanism by the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 with respect to the ink bottle 62 before regeneration. The rotation phase of the tooth 200 is shifted, and the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 (hatched display in FIG. 22) is engaged with the claw 300. That is, the tooth 200, which is not the tooth 200 that was engaged in the ink bottle 62 before regeneration, and the claw 300 are engaged. In other words, the tooth 200 other than the damaged engaging portion and the claw 300 engage with each other. That is, the teeth 200 and the claws 300 constituting the new engaging portion are engaged with each other.
Further, since the sealing material 400 and the sealing member 68 are engaged with each other in a thickened state, the teeth 200 and the claws 300 on the upstream side are engaged with respect to the teeth 200 damaged in the rotation direction (counterclockwise). Engage. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a new recycled ink bottle 62C is formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink bottle, and shows the ink bottle 62D after regeneration. Further, FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the ink bottle, and shows the engaged state of the ink bottle 62D after regeneration.
Regarding the ink bottle 62D of the present embodiment, the portion different from the third embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 23, the portion of the opening 84 of the container main body 67 is cut to change the height. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a method for reproducing the ink bottle 62D will be described.
First, the engaging portion of the ink bottle 62 before reproduction is damaged to release the ratchet mechanism, and the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are separated. Specifically, the ink outlet forming portion 65 is rotated clockwise with respect to the container main body portion 67 (see FIG. 15). Then, the tooth 200 engaged with the claw 300 is pressed and a part of the tooth 200 is damaged (see FIG. 16). As a result, the ratchet mechanism is released, and the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 can be separated from each other.
Next, a required amount of ink is supplied into the separated container body 67.
Next, the container body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 by the claws 300.
At this time, the height of the opening 84 of the container main body 67 with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 65 is changed according to the position where the tooth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 and the claw 300 engage.

Specifically, the portion of the opening 84 is cut to lower the height of the portion of the opening 84. Then, with the seal member 68 arranged, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other.
Here, in the ink bottle 62D, the seal member 68 is arranged on the cut opening 84. Therefore, the distance between the opening 84 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 in the ink bottle 62 before reproduction is narrowed by the amount that the opening 84 is cut.
Then, as shown in FIG. 24, by turning the ink outlet forming portion 65 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the container main body 67, the claw 300 gets over the moving teeth 200 one after another, and the container main body 67 and the ink outlet are reached. The looseness with the forming portion 65 is eliminated, and finally the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 and the first surface 301 of the claw 300 facing the first surface 201 of the tooth 200 come into contact with each other and come into contact with the container body portion 67. The ink outlet forming portion 65 is engaged with the ink outlet forming portion 65.
Here, since the opening 84 in the ink bottle 62 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other in a narrow space, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with respect to the ink bottle 62 before reproduction. Due to the displacement of the rotation phase of the ratchet mechanism, the teeth 200 other than the damaged tooth 200 (hatched display in FIG. 24) are engaged with the claw 300. That is, the tooth 200, which is not the tooth 200 that was engaged in the ink bottle 62 before regeneration, and the claw 300 are engaged. In other words, the tooth 200 other than the damaged engaging portion and the claw 300 engage with each other. That is, the teeth 200 and the claws 300 constituting the new engaging portion are engaged with each other.
Further, since the opening 84 of the ink bottle 62 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are engaged with each other in a narrow space, the tooth 200 on the downstream side with respect to the tooth 200 damaged in the rotation direction (counterclockwise). The 200 and the claw 300 engage. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a new recycled ink bottle 62D is formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the tooth 200 of the engaging portion is damaged has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the claw 300 that engages with the tooth 200 may be damaged, or both the tooth 200 and the claw 300 may be damaged. Further, even when the claw 300 is damaged or both the tooth 200 and the claw 300 are damaged, the number of damaged parts may be one or more.
Further, in the above embodiment, the claw 300 is formed in the container main body portion 67 and the teeth 200 are formed in the ink outlet forming portion 65, but the present invention is not limited to this. The positional relationship of the engaging portions may be reversed. That is, the teeth 200 may be formed on the container main body portion 67, and the claws 300 may be formed on the ink outlet forming portion 65.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment. A modification example is described below.

(Modification 1) In the ink bottles 62A and 62B of the first and second embodiments, the container body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion are formed according to the positions where the teeth 200 other than the damaged teeth 200 and the claws 300 are engaged. The thickness of the seal members 68, 68a arranged between the seal members 68 and 68a has been changed, but the thickness is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sealing member arranged between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 may be omitted. In this case, the space between the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 may be sealed with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like. Even in this way, it is possible to prevent ink leakage even when the ink replenishment container is regenerated.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the ratchet mechanism is used when the ink bottle 62A is regenerated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ratchet mechanism (teeth 200) may be removed by cutting or the like when the ink bottle is regenerated. In this case, the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 from which the teeth 200 have been cut may be adhered with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like, or may be connected so as to be hermetically sealed by thermal deformation or heat welding. Even in this way, it is possible to prevent ink leakage even when the ink replenishment container is regenerated.

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the ratchet mechanism is used when the ink bottle 62A is regenerated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ratchet mechanism (teeth 200) may be removed by cutting or the like when the ink bottle is regenerated. 25 and 26 are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink bottle according to this modification.
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the ink bottle 62E is sealed by the film 500 in the opening 84 of the container body 67. The film 500 is attached to the opening 84 by heat welding. Such a film 500 is peelable. Therefore, when the film 500 is used by the user, the film 500 is peeled from the opening 84, and then the container main body portion 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 are connected before use.

Such a method of forming the ink bottle 62E is sandwiched between the container main body 67, the ink outlet forming portion 65, the container main body 67 and the ink outlet forming portion 65, and the opening 84 of the container main body 67. A method for forming an ink bottle 62E including a sealing member 68 for sealing between the outer periphery and the outer periphery, which comprises a step of filling the container body 67 with ink and a peelable film 500 on the outer periphery of the opening 84. It includes a step of heat-welding to seal the opening 84 and a step of assembling the sealing member 68 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 from above the film 500. With such a configuration, even if the surface accuracy of the outer periphery of the opening 84 is lowered by performing heat welding a plurality of times, the sealing member 68 is provided, so that the sealing property can be ensured.
Further, the process including putting the ink bottle 62E into the bag after assembling the sealing member 68 and the ink outlet forming portion 65 from above the film 500 is included. By doing so, even if the ink leaks, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking out of the bag.

(Modification 4) As shown below, the method for regenerating the ink replenishment container may have a configuration other than the above-described embodiment.
The method for regenerating an ink replenishment container according to this modification is a method for regenerating an ink replenishment container including a container main body portion and an ink outlet forming portion provided with a valve, and includes an ink flow path and an air flow path. It includes a step of inserting the needle into the valve, a step of injecting ink through the ink flow path, and a step of removing the needle.
Here, the container body, the valve, and the ink outlet forming portion have the same configuration as that of the embodiment. The needle forms a protrusion with a sharp tip and is configured to be insertable into the valve. Inside the needle, an ink flow path capable of flowing ink and an air flow path capable of flowing air are provided.
In the above method for regenerating the ink supply container, first, the needle is inserted into the valve. This opens the valve. Then, with the needle inserted in the valve, ink is injected toward the container body through the needle. At this time, the ink flows to the container body side through the ink flow path of the needle. As a result, the ink is stored in the container body. Then remove the needle from the valve. This closes the valve.
By doing so, since the needle has an air flow path in addition to the ink flow path, the air in the container body can be reliably exhausted when the ink is injected, and the ink can be prevented from blowing out.

(Modification 5) As shown below, the method for regenerating the ink replenishment container may have a configuration other than the above-described embodiment.
The method for regenerating the ink replenishment container according to this modification is a method for regenerating an ink replenishment container including a container main body portion and an ink outlet forming portion provided with a valve, and the ink outlet forming portion is formed from the container main body portion. It includes a step of removing the portion, a step of injecting ink into the container main body, and a step of attaching an ink outlet forming portion to the container main body.
Here, the container body, the valve, and the ink outlet forming portion have the same configuration as that of the embodiment.
First, the ink outlet forming portion is removed from the container main body. As a result, the container main body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are separated. Then, the ink is injected into the separated container body. As a result, the ink is stored in the container body. After that, the ink outlet forming portion is attached to the container body portion to which the ink is supplied. At this time, a new ink outlet forming portion is attached to the container main body. That is, instead of using the original ink outlet forming portion, another ink outlet forming portion is used.
In this way, when the container body and the ink outlet forming portion are separated, the teeth of the ink outlet forming portion may be damaged and the ratchet function may not be possible. However, a new ink outlet forming portion should be used. Therefore, the container main body portion and the ink outlet forming portion can be reliably engaged with each other.

(Modification 6) As shown below, the method for regenerating the ink replenishment container may have a configuration other than the above-described embodiment.
The method for regenerating an ink replenishment container according to this modification is a method for regenerating an ink replenishment container including a container main body portion and an ink outlet forming portion provided with a valve, wherein the container main body portion or the ink outlet forming portion is formed. It includes a step of forming a through hole in the portion, a step of injecting ink through the through hole, and a step of sealing the formed through hole.
Here, the container body, the valve, and the ink outlet forming portion have the same configuration as that of the embodiment.
First, a through hole is formed in the container body or the ink outlet forming portion. When the through hole is formed in the container main body, it is formed above the container main body (on the ink outlet forming portion side). The size of the through hole is not particularly limited, but is formed to a size corresponding to the size of the injection material (for example, a needle) when the ink is injected into the ink replenishment container. Ink is then injected through the formed through holes. For example, a needle is inserted into the through hole and ink is injected from the tip of the needle. As a result, the ink is stored in the container body. Then, the through hole is sealed. Specifically, the needle is removed from the through hole, and a film, a sheet, or the like is attached so as to cover the entire through hole. As a result, the through hole is sealed and the ink in the ink bottle is prevented from leaking.
In this way, the ink replenishment container can be regenerated relatively easily. Further, since the container main body portion and the ink outlet forming portion are not separated, damage to the ink outlet forming portion can be prevented.

(Modification 7) In each of the above embodiments, the ink injection system may be a liquid injection device that injects, ejects, or applies a liquid other than ink to consume. The state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of droplets from the liquid injection device includes those having a granular, tear-like, or thread-like tail. Further, the liquid referred to here may be any material as long as it can be consumed by the liquid injection device. For example, the substance may be in a liquid phase, and may be a highly viscous or low-viscosity liquid, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts). ) Shall be included. Further, it includes not only a liquid as a state of a substance but also a particle of a functional material made of a solid substance such as a pigment or a metal particle dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include liquid crystals and the like in addition to the inks described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid injection device include liquids containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, color filters, etc. in the form of dispersion or dissolution. There is a liquid injection device that injects. Further, a liquid injection device for injecting a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip, a liquid injection device for injecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a printing device, a microdispenser, or the like may be used. Furthermore, a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used to form a liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil pinpointly into precision machinery such as watches and cameras, and a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for optical communication elements. May be a liquid injection device that injects light onto a substrate. Further, it may be a liquid injection device that injects an etching solution such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the embodiments described in the summary of the invention are for solving some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or part of the above-mentioned effects. Or, in order to achieve all of them, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted. In the above embodiment, the ink bottle is a material having elasticity, but the whole or a part of the ink bottle may be formed of other materials such as glass, pottery, and metal.

1 ... Ink injection system, 3 ... Printer, 4 ... Ink supply device, 31 ... Ink tank, 61 ... Bottle set, 62, 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E ... Ink bottle, 65 ... Ink outlet forming part, 67 ... Container body, 68, 68a ... Sealing member, 84 ... Opening, 95 ... Ink outlet, 200 ... Teeth, 300 ... Claws, 400 ... Sealing material, 500 ... Film.

Claims (4)

The container main body portion capable of accommodating ink and the ink outlet forming portion formed with an ink outlet capable of discharging the ink contained in the container main body portion are formed by an engaging portion composed of a plurality of teeth and claws. An engaged ink replenishment container
When at least one of the teeth or the claws is damaged,
The container body and the ink outlet forming portion are engaged with each other by the tooth other than the damaged engaging portion and the claw, and at a position where the tooth other than the damaged tooth and the claw engage with each other. An ink replenishment container, characterized in that the height of an opening portion of the container body portion with respect to the ink outlet forming portion is changed accordingly . In the ink supply container according to claim 1,
The feature is that the thickness of the sealing member arranged between the container main body portion and the ink outlet forming portion is changed according to the position where the tooth other than the damaged tooth and the claw engage. Ink replenishment container. In the ink replenishment container according to claim 1 or 2 .
An ink replenishment container characterized by having a plurality of damaged teeth . The container main body portion capable of accommodating ink and the ink outlet forming portion formed with an ink outlet capable of discharging the ink contained in the container main body portion are formed by an engaging portion composed of a plurality of teeth and claws. It is a method of regenerating the engaged ink supply container.
A separation step of breaking the engaging portion of at least one of the teeth or the claws to disengage the engaging portion and separating the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion.
An ink supply process for supplying the ink into the separated container body, and
A method for regenerating an ink replenishment container, which comprises an engagement step of engaging the container body portion and the ink outlet forming portion with the teeth and the claws other than the damaged engaging portion.

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