WO2022181467A1

WO2022181467A1 - Printing liquid container

Info

Publication number: WO2022181467A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/006568
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅洋林; 聡大木; 七海芦田; 真也岡崎
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2022-02-18
Publication date: 2022-09-01
Also published as: JP7487689B2; JP2022131359A

Abstract

Provided is a printing liquid container from which a liquid is not liable to drip at a position other than a desired position when supplying the liquid. A bottle 100 is provided with a nozzle material 101 that has a supply port 113, and a valve body 102 that opens or closes the supply port 113. The nozzle material 101 and the valve body 102 are connected to be relatively movable to a first state and a second state. The internal space of the nozzle material 101 and the internal space of the valve body 102 constitute a storage chamber 104 that stores ink. The valve body 102 has a first flow path 141 and a second flow path 142. The first flow path 141 communicates with the storage chamber 104 via an opening 144 and has an opening 145 positioned at the tip end of the valve body 102. The second flow path 142 communicates with the storage chamber 104 via an opening 146 and has an opening 147 positioned at the tip end of the valve body 102. In the first state, the valve body 102 closes the supply port 113. In the second state, the opening 145 and the opening 147 are exposed to the outside.

Description

printing liquid container

The present invention relates to a printing liquid container in which liquid is stored.

In conventional printing apparatuses, a configuration is known in which ink is supplied from a container connected to the tank to the tank each time the ink stored in the tank is consumed. When the ink stored in the tank is consumed, the ink is supplied from the bottle to the tank through the inlet of the tank. A so-called chicken feed method is known as a configuration for supplying ink from a bottle to a tank (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-189454 A

With the bottle described in Patent Document 1, after removing the cap that covers the nozzle, the bottle is tilted so that the nozzle is below the bottle body, and the nozzle is inserted into the inlet of the tank. Tilting the bottle causes ink to flow out of the nozzle, and if the nozzle is not inserted into the fill port of the tank, the ink flowing out of the nozzle can drip onto the exterior surface of the tank and around the tank.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing liquid container in which the liquid is less likely to drip outside the desired position when the liquid is supplied.

(1) A printing liquid container according to the present invention comprises a first member having a supply port that communicates with an internal space, and a second member having a valve body that opens or closes the supply port. The first member and the second member are connected so as to be relatively movable between a first state and a second state. The internal space of the first member and the internal space of the second member are storage chambers that store liquid. The valve body has a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path communicates with the storage chamber through the first opening and has a second opening positioned at the tip of the valve body. The second flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a third opening and has a fourth opening positioned at the tip of the valve body. In the first state, the valve body closes the supply port, and the second opening and the fourth opening are not exposed to the outside. In the second state, the tip of the valve body protrudes from the supply port, and the second opening and the fourth opening are exposed to the outside.

By moving the second member relative to the first member, the second opening and the fourth opening are exposed to the outside.

(2) Preferably, the second member has a moving member having the valve body, and a support member slidably supporting the moving member. The first member and the support member are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. The moving member receives the rotation of the support member and slides in the axial direction along the rotation center with respect to the first member.

By rotating the support member, the second opening and the fourth opening are exposed to the outside.

(3) Preferably, the first member has a first groove extending spirally along the axial direction, or a first protrusion projecting in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The moving member has a second protrusion that engages with the first groove, or a second groove that extends spirally along the axial direction and engages with the first protrusion. The support member has a third groove or a third projection extending along the axial direction. The moving member has a fourth protrusion or groove that engages with the third groove.

(4) Preferably, the support member has a cylindrical shape, and at least a portion of the first member and the moving member are positioned in the inner space thereof.

Since the first member rotates and the moving member slides in the internal space of the support member, the support member can be easily operated.

(5) Preferably, the first opening and the third opening are different in position along the movement direction of the valve body.

When the liquid stored in the printing liquid container is discharged, a head difference occurs between the first opening and the third opening.

(6) Preferably, the second opening and the fourth opening are different in position along the movement direction of the valve body.

When the liquid stored in the printing liquid container is discharged, a water head difference occurs between the second opening and the fourth opening.

(7) Preferably, in the second state, the second opening is located farther from the supply port than the fourth opening.

The liquid easily flows out from the storage chamber through the first channel.

(8) Preferably, in the second state, the second opening and the fourth opening are located outside the supply port.

The liquid that flows out through the second opening or the fourth opening is less likely to adhere to the supply port. Accordingly, when the printing liquid container is removed from the tank after the liquid is supplied to the tank, the liquid is less likely to drip from the supply port.

(9) Preferably, the printing liquid container supplies the liquid through an inlet to a tank of the printing device. The first member has an engaging portion that engages with a peripheral portion of the inlet of the tank. In a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the peripheral portion, the supply port and the injection port are in fluid communication, and the first member can rotate with respect to the peripheral portion. be restrained.

By rotating the second member while the first member is engaged with the periphery of the inlet of the tank, the second opening and the fourth opening are exposed to the internal space of the tank.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printing liquid container in which the liquid hardly drips outside the desired position when the liquid is supplied.

[Correction under Rule 91 28.03.2022]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-function device 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer section 11. As shown in FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the tank 80. FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a section along the vertical direction 7 including the axis 83A of the tank 80. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the bottle 100. FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the nozzle material 101 and the valve body 102 in the first state, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the nozzle material 101 and the valve body 102 in the second state. 7(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the vertical direction 7 including the axis 100A of the bottle 100 in the first state, and FIG. 7(B) includes the axis 100A of the bottle 100 in the second state. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the vertical direction 7; FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottle 100 in the first state inserted into the recess 84 of the tank 80. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottle 100 in the second state inserted into the recess 84 of the tank 80. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the bottle 150. FIG. FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the valve body 152, the cam member 153, and the coil spring 154 in the first state, and FIG. 153, and a perspective view showing a coil spring 154. FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the valve body 152 and the coil spring 154 in the first state, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing the valve body 152 and the coil spring 154 in the first state in the second state. be. 13(A) is a perspective view showing the cam member 153, and FIGS. 13(B) and 13(C) are perspective views showing longitudinal sections of the cam member 153. FIG. 14(A) is a perspective view showing a cross section along the vertical direction 7 including the axis 150A of the bottle 150 in the first state, and FIG. 14(B) includes the axis 150A of the bottle 150 in the second state. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the vertical direction 7; FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a nozzle material 101 having a male threaded portion 141 and a valve body 102 having a female threaded portion 142. FIG. FIG. 16A is a partial cross-sectional

view showing openings

145 and 147 according to the modification, and FIG. 16B is a partial cross-sectional

view showing openings

195 and 197 according to the modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, progress from the starting point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction, and movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the attitude in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed on a horizontal plane so that it can be used (this is the attitude shown in FIG. 1 and may be referred to as the "usage attitude"). A front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 is provided as the front surface, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front surface. In this embodiment, in the usage posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overall Structure of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped housing 14 . A printer unit 11 is provided in the lower part of the housing 14 . The MFP 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. As a print function, the multi-function device 10 has a function of recording an image on one side of the paper 12 using an inkjet method. Note that the multifunction machine 10 may record images on both sides of the paper 12 . An operation unit 17 is provided on the top of the housing 14 . The operation unit 17 includes buttons operated for instructing image recording and various settings, a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, and the like. In this embodiment, the operation unit 17 is configured by a touch panel having both button and liquid crystal display functions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20, a feed unit 16, an outer guide member 18, an inner guide member 19, a conveying roller pair 59, a discharge roller pair 44, a platen 42, and a recording unit 24. I have. These are located inside the housing 14 . Further, inside the housing 14, various status sensors are positioned to detect the status of the MFP 10 and output signals according to the detection results. The configuration of the printer section 11 is an example, and the configuration of the printer section 11 may be replaced with another known configuration.

[Feed tray 20]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 13 is formed in the front surface 23 of the printer section 11 . By moving the feeding tray 20 in the front-rear direction 8 , the feeding tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 14 through the opening 13 . The feeding tray 20 is movable between a feeding position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) attached to the housing 14 and a non-feeding position extracted from the housing 14 . The feeding tray 20 moves to the feeding position by being inserted backward into the housing 14 and moves to the non-feeding position by being pulled forward from the housing 14 .

The feed tray 20 is a box-shaped member with an open top and accommodates the sheets 12 . As shown in FIG. 2, the sheets 12 are supported on the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 while being stacked. A discharge tray 21 is positioned above the front portion of the feed tray 20 . The paper 12 on which an image is recorded by the recording unit 24 and is discharged is supported on the upper surface of the discharge tray 21 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 can be fed to the transport path 65 when the feed tray 20 is at the feed position.

[Feeding unit 16]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the feeding section 16 is positioned below the recording section 24 and above the bottom plate 22 of the feeding tray 20 . The feeding section 16 includes a feeding roller 25 , a feeding arm 26 , a drive transmission mechanism 27 and a shaft 28 . The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported by the tip of the feed arm 26 . The feeding arm 26 rotates in the direction of an arrow 29 around a shaft 28 provided at its proximal end. As a result, the feed roller 25 can contact and separate from the feed tray 20 or the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 .

The feeding roller 25 is rotated by a driving force of a motor transmitted by a drive transmission mechanism 27 formed by meshing a plurality of gears. As a result, of the sheets 12 supported by the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 at the feed position, the uppermost sheet 12 in contact with the feed roller 25 is fed to the transport path 65 .

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2 , a transport path 65 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20 . The transport path 65 has a curved portion 33 and a straight portion 34 . The curved portion 33 extends upward while making a U-turn from the rear to the front. The linear portion 34 extends generally along the front-rear direction 8 .

The curved portion 33 is formed by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 facing each other with a predetermined interval. The outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 extend in the left-right direction 9 . The linear portion 34 is formed by the recording portion 24 and the platen 42 facing each other with a predetermined gap in the vertical direction 7 in the range where the recording portion 24 is positioned.

The paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 is transported along the curved portion 33 by the feed roller 25 and reaches the transport roller pair 59 . The paper 12 nipped between the pair of conveying rollers 59 is conveyed forward with the linear portion 34 directed toward the recording portion 24 . An image is recorded on the sheet of paper 12 that has reached directly below the recording section 24 by the ink ejected from the recording section 24 adhering thereto. The paper 12 on which the image has been recorded is transported forward along the straight portion 34 and discharged to the discharge tray 21 . As described above, the paper 12 is transported along the transport direction 15 indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG.

[Conveyance Roller Pair 59 and Discharge Roller Pair 44]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the conveying roller pair 59 is positioned on the straight portion 34 . The discharge roller pair 44 is located downstream of the transport roller pair 59 in the straight portion 34 in the transport direction 15 .

The transport roller pair 59 includes a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 located below the transport roller 60 . The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the conveying roller 60 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The transport roller pair 59 can pinch the paper 12 .

The discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur roller 63 positioned above the discharge roller 62 . The spur roller 63 is pressed toward the discharge roller 62 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The discharge roller pair 44 can pinch the paper 12 .

The transport roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are rotated by applying a driving force from a motor. When the transport rollers 60 rotate while the paper 12 is nipped by the transport roller pair 59 , the paper 12 is transported in the transport direction 15 by the transport roller pair 59 and transported onto the platen 42 . When the discharge rollers 62 rotate while the paper 12 is sandwiched between the paper 12 and the paper 12 , the paper 12 is conveyed in the conveyance direction 15 by the paper 12 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21 .

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the platen 42 is positioned on the straight portion 34 of the transport path 65 . The platen 42 faces the recording section 24 in the vertical direction 7 . The platen 42 supports the paper 12 conveyed along the conveying path 65 from below.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording section 24 is positioned above the platen 42 . The recording section 24 includes a carriage 40 , a head 38 and a tank 80 .

The carriage 40 is supported by two

guide rails

56 and 57 spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 so as to be movable along the left-right direction 9 perpendicular to the transport direction 15 . The guide rail 56 is located upstream of the head 38 in the transport direction 15 . The guide rail 57 is located downstream of the head 38 in the transport direction 15 . The guide rails 56 and 57 are supported by a pair of side frames (not shown) located outside the linear portion 34 of the transport path 65 in the left-right direction 9 . The carriage 40 moves by applying a driving force from a motor.

The head 38 is supported by the carriage 40 . A lower surface 68 of the head 38 is exposed downward and faces the platen 42 . The head 38 includes a plurality of nozzles 39, ink channels 37, and piezoelectric elements (not shown).

A plurality of nozzles 39 are opened in the lower surface 68 of the head 38 . The ink channel 37 connects the tank 80 and the plurality of nozzles 39 . The piezoelectric element is deformed by power supply, and by deforming in the ink flow path 37 , ink droplets are ejected downward from the nozzle 39 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the tank 80 is mounted on the carriage 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, tank 80 has an interior space 81 . Ink is stored in the internal space 81 . An internal space 81 of the tank 80 communicates with the plurality of nozzles 39 via the ink flow path 37 . As a result, ink is supplied from the internal space 81 to the nozzles 39 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the tank 80 is located above the head 38. In this embodiment, the entire tank 80 is located above the head 38, but the positional relationship between the tank 80 and the head 38 may be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the recording section 24 has one tank 80 . This one tank 80 stores black ink. In addition, the color of the ink stored in the tank 80 is not limited to black.

As shown in FIG. 4, the top wall 82 of the tank 80 is formed with a recess 84 recessed toward the internal space 81 . The recess 84 has a circular cross section into which the bottle 100 (see FIG. 5) can be inserted. An injection port 83 for injecting ink into the internal space 81 is provided at the lower end of the recess 84 . A plurality of recessed grooves 86 (an example of a peripheral portion) into which a bottle 100 (to be described later) is fitted are radially positioned within the recessed portion 84 and around the injection port 83 . Each groove 86 linearly extends outward from the inlet 83 .

Two projecting pieces 87 are positioned at the upper end of the concave portion 84 . The two protruding pieces 87 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other about the axis 83A of the injection port 83. As shown in FIG. Each protruding piece 87 protrudes from the upper end of the recess 84 toward the axis 83A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recess 84 is fitted with a lid 85 . When the lid 85 is removed, the injection port 83 is exposed to the outside. In this state, the bottle 100 is inserted into the recess 84 and ink is injected from the bottle 100 into the internal space 81 through the injection port 83 .

Although not shown in each figure, the tank 80 may be provided with an opening to the atmosphere. Also, the air release port may be openable and closable by an electromagnetic valve or the like.

[Bottle 100]
Hereinafter, the bottle 100 will be described with appropriate reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. A bottle 100 (an example of a printing liquid container) stores ink (an example of a printing liquid). Bottle 100 supplies ink to tank 80 through inlet 83 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle 100 has a nozzle material 101, a valve body 102, and a housing 103. As shown in FIGS. The nozzle material 101 is an example of the first member. The valve body 102 is an example of a moving member. The housing 103 is an example of a support member.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outer shape of the bottle 100 is generally cylindrical elongated in the vertical direction 7 . 5 to 7, the bottle 100 is shown with the supply port 113 facing downward, but the bottle 100 may be oriented with the supply port 113 facing upward during transportation and storage. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle material 101 is positioned inside the housing 103 and partially protrudes outward from the housing 103 (downward in each figure). The nozzle material 101 has a nozzle portion 111 and an insertion portion 112 .

The outer shape of the nozzle portion 111 is generally cylindrical and tapers downward. A supply port 113 is opened in the lower end surface 111</b>L of the nozzle portion 111 . The supply port 113 has a circular shape and communicates the internal space of the nozzle portion 111 with the outside. A plurality of elongated engagement ribs 114 (an example of an engagement portion) extending along the vertical direction 7 are positioned on the outer peripheral surface 111</b>C of the nozzle portion 111 . A plurality of engaging ribs 114 are radially positioned around the supply port 113 . Each engagement rib 114 enters and engages with each groove 86 of the tank 80 . The number and arrangement of engagement ribs 114 match the number and arrangement of grooves 86 .

The insertion portion 112 extends upward from the upper end surface 111U of the nozzle portion 111 . The insert 112 is generally cylindrical. The outer diameter of the insertion portion 112 is smaller than the diameter of the upper end surface 111U. Therefore, the upper end face 111U is positioned around the lower end of the insertion portion 112. As shown in FIG. The axis of the nozzle portion 111 and the axis of the insertion portion 112 coincide with the axis 100A of the bottle 100 . The insertion portion 112 is inserted into the internal space of the housing 103 . The internal space of the insertion portion 112 is continuous with the internal space of the nozzle portion 111 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the insertion portion 112 has a guide groove 115 (an example of a first groove) forming a part of a spiral shape around the axis 100A. The guide grooves 115 are formed at three locations around the axis 100A and pass through the insertion portion 112 . The guide groove 115 faces upward toward the right in FIG. Each projection 124 is fitted into each guide groove 115 . With each projection 124 fitted in each guide groove 115, the valve body 102 and the nozzle member 101 are relatively rotatable about the axis 100A. By this relative rotation, each projection 124 can move to near the right end or near the left end of each guide groove 115 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve body 102 is located inside the nozzle member 101 and the housing 103. As shown in FIGS. The outer shape of the valve body 102 is generally cylindrical. The axis of the valve body 102 coincides with the axis 100A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the valve body 102 has a cylindrical tubular portion 121 and a valve 122 (an example of a valve) located inside the tubular portion 121 . The valve 122 has a columnar shape in which a first flow path 141 and a second flow path 142 are formed, and protrudes downward from the lower end of the tubular portion 121 . The dimension of the valve 122 along the vertical direction 7 is longer than the dimension of the nozzle material 101 along the vertical direction 7 . The outer diameter of the lower end of the valve 122 matches the inner diameter of the supply port 113 of the nozzle portion 111 . As shown in FIG. 7A, the supply port 113 is closed by fitting the valve 122 into the supply port 113 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper end of the valve 122 is connected to the cylindrical portion 121 by a plurality of connecting portions 123. As shown in FIGS. The plurality of connecting portions 123 are circumferentially spaced around the upper end of the valve 122 . A space in which ink can flow is provided between two adjacent connecting portions 123 . A plurality of connecting portions 123 connect the valve 122 and the tubular portion 121 such that the axis of the valve 122 coincides with the axis 100A. A valve 122 extending downward from the connecting portion 123 enters the inner space of the inserting portion 112 and the nozzle portion 111 from above the nozzle material 101 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the valve 122 is formed with a first flow path 141 and a second flow path 142 extending along the axis 100A. The first flow path 141 and the second flow path 142 are separated by the peripheral wall of the valve 122 and the partition wall 143 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the first flow path 141 and the second flow path 142 extend along the axis 100A, but the present invention is not limited to this. may

The length of the first channel 141 along the ink circulation direction (the direction along the axis 100A in this embodiment) is longer than the length of the second channel 142 along the ink circulation direction. Other than this length difference, the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 have the same shape and size. The cross-sectional area of the cross section orthogonal to the axis 100A of the first flow path 141 is the same as the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the second flow path 142 orthogonal to the axis 100A. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 are both semicircular. The cross-sectional shapes of the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 may be shapes other than the semicircular shape. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the first channel 141 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the second channel 142, and the cross-sectional area of the first channel 141 may be different from the cross-sectional area of the second channel 142. good.

One end of the first channel 141 communicates with the storage chamber 104 through an opening 144 (an example of the first opening). An opening 145 (an example of a second opening), which is the other end of the first flow path 141, is located at the tip of the valve 122 (lower end in each drawing). One end of the second channel 142 communicates with the storage chamber 104 through an opening 146 (an example of a third opening). An opening 147 (an example of a fourth opening), which is the other end of the second flow path 142, is positioned at the tip of the valve 122 (lower end in each drawing). In this embodiment, the storage chamber 104 and the outside of the bottle 100 communicate with each other only through the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 144 is located above the opening 146 when the tip of the valve 122 located near the supply port 113 faces downward. Also, the opening 145 and the opening 147 are at the same position in the vertical direction 7 .

The opening 144 is located at the proximal end of the valve 122 connected to the cylindrical portion 121 by the connecting portion 123 and opens only to the internal space of the cylindrical portion 121 . The opening 146 is positioned between the distal end and the proximal end of the valve 122 and opens into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 121 and also opens into the internal space of the nozzle member 101 through the connecting portion 123 . .

The partition wall 143 extends below the openings 145 and 147 (downward in FIG. 7). A disk 148 is connected to the lower end of the partition wall 143 . The axis of disk 148 coincides with axis 100A. The outer diameter of disk 148 matches the inner diameter of supply port 113 of nozzle material 101 . The supply port 113 is liquid-tightly closed by fitting the disk 148 into the supply port.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cylindrical portion 121 is inserted into the internal space of the housing 103. The outer diameter of cylindrical portion 121 is smaller than the inner diameter of housing 103 . The lower portion of the cylindrical portion 121 is also inserted into the inserting portion 112 of the nozzle material 101 . The outer diameter of cylindrical portion 121 is smaller than the inner diameter of insert portion 112 .

A convex portion 124 (an example of a second convex portion) that protrudes outward is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 121 . The convex portion 124 has a generally parallelogram-shaped outer shape when viewed along the radial direction of the insertion portion 112 . The protrusion 124 is fitted into the guide groove 115 of the nozzle material 101 .

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where each projection 124 is positioned near the right end of each guide groove 115, the valve body 102 is positioned against the nozzle material 101 as shown in FIG. 7A. It is in a state of relatively upward movement (an example of the first state), and the disk 148 of the valve 122 closes the supply port 113 . In this state,

openings

145 and 147 are within storage chamber 104 and are not exposed to the outside of bottle 100 .

As shown in FIG. 6(B), when each projection 124 is positioned near the left end of each guide groove 115, the valve element 102 is positioned against the nozzle material 101 as shown in FIG. 7(B). It is in a relatively downwardly moved state (an example of the second state), and the disc 148 of the valve 122 is positioned below the supply port 113 . In this state, the tip of the valve 122 protrudes from the supply port 113 to expose the

openings

145 and 147 to the outside. As a result, the supply port 113 is opened through the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 of the valve 122 .

As shown in FIG. 6, an annular rib 125 extending annularly along the circumferential direction is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 121 . The annular rib 125 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 121 . The annular rib 125 is positioned above the protrusion 124 . Notches 126 are formed in the annular rib 125 at positions 180 degrees apart from each other around the axis 100A. Notch 126 functions as a third groove. A guide rail 133 of the housing 103 is fitted into the notch 126 .

The upper end of the tubular portion 121 is closed by a plug member 130 . The plug member 130 is screwed onto the upper end of the tubular portion 121 . The internal space of the cylindrical portion 121 and the internal space of the nozzle material 101 form a storage chamber 104 in which ink is stored.

A recessed groove 128 extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plug member 130 . The groove 128 supports an O-ring 129 . The O-ring 129 is made of elastically deformable resin and presses against the inner peripheral surface of the housing 103 . The O-ring 129 hermetically and liquid-tightly seals the space between the housing 103 and the tubular portion 121 . In addition, the valve body 102 is slidably supported in the vertical direction 7 relative to the housing 103 via the O-ring 129 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the outer shape of the housing 103 is generally cylindrical. The dimension of the housing 103 along the vertical direction 7 is larger than the dimension of the valve body 102 along the vertical direction 7 . Therefore, the valve body 102 is accommodated in the internal space of the housing 103 and is movable in the vertical direction 7 within the internal space of the housing 103 .

As shown in FIG. 5, two grooves 131 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 103 . The two grooves 131 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other around the axis 100A. The grooves 131 include a first groove 131A that opens in the lower end surface of the housing 103 and extends along the vertical direction 7, and a second groove 131B that extends leftward in the figure along the circumferential direction from the upper end of the first groove 131A. and have The first groove 131A and the second groove 131B define a continuous space. The projecting piece 87 of the tank 80 can enter the groove 131 .

As shown in FIG. 7, four guide rails 133 (an example of the fourth projection) are positioned on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 103 . The guide rails 133 are located at different positions by 90 degrees around the axis 100A. The guide rail 133 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 103 and extends linearly along the vertical direction 7 . The circumferential dimension of the guide rail 133 is slightly smaller than the circumferential dimension of the notch 126 . Each guide rail 133 is fitted into each notch 126 to guide the valve body 102 movably along the vertical direction 7 .

The upper end surface 111U of the nozzle portion 111 of the nozzle material 101 is in contact with the lower end surface of the housing 103. The nozzle material 101 is positioned with respect to the housing 103 by the contact between the upper end surface 111U of the nozzle portion 111 and the lower end surface of the housing 103 . The outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 112 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 103 are in contact with each other. The lower end surface of the housing 103 slides against the upper end surface 111U of the nozzle portion 111, and the inner peripheral surface slides against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 112, so that the housing 103 slides against the nozzle material 101. It is relatively rotatable.

[Ink Supply to Tank 80 by Bottle 100]
Hereinafter, a method of supplying ink to the tank 80 by the bottle 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG.

When the ink in the tank 80 is consumed by discharging the ink from the nozzles 39 of the head 38, for example, in response to the notification indicating that the remaining amount of ink in the tank 80 is low, the user refills the tank 80 with ink. refill. When refilling the tank 80 with ink, the user exposes the top wall 82 of the tank 80 to the outside by, for example, rotating the upper cover of the multifunction machine 10 . Then, the user removes the lid 85 to expose the concave portion 84 to the outside.

The user prepares the bottle 100 in which ink is stored, and inserts the nozzle portion 111 of the bottle 100 into the concave portion 84 of the tank 80 with the supply port 113 facing downward. At this time, the bottle 100 is in a state in which the valve 122 closes the supply port 113, that is, in the first state.

When inserting the nozzle part 111, the user aligns the first groove 131A of the housing 103 and the projecting piece 87 of the recess 84. When the first groove 131A and the projecting piece 87 are aligned, the projecting piece 87 can enter the first groove 131A, and the bottle 100 can be inserted into the recess 84 using the projecting piece 87 as a guide.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the projecting piece 87 reaches the upper end of the first groove 131A, the supply port 113 (the lower end of the nozzle portion 111) of the bottle 100 is fitted into the injection port 83 of the tank 80, and the supply is completed. The port 113 and the injection port 83 communicate with each other so that the ink can flow. Also, the engagement rib 114 of the bottle 100 fits into the groove 86 of the tank 80 . In this state, the axis 83A and the axis 100A are aligned.

　In the state (first state) shown in FIG. 8, the housing 103 can be rotated about the axis 100A with respect to the tank 80 using the projecting piece 87 as a guide. When the user rotates the housing 103 clockwise, the projecting piece 87 enters the second groove 131B. Even if the housing 103 is rotated, the nozzle material 101 is prevented from rotating with respect to the tank 80 because the engagement rib 114 is fitted in the recessed groove 86 . Therefore, the housing 103 rotates clockwise relative to the nozzle material 101 .

Since the notch 126 is fitted with the guide rail 133 , the valve body 102 rotates together with the housing 103 upon receiving the rotation of the housing 103 . In other words, the valve body 102 also rotates clockwise relative to the nozzle material 101 . When the valve body 102 rotates clockwise with respect to the nozzle member 101 from the first state shown in FIG. Guided, the valve body 102 rotates with respect to the nozzle member 101 and slides downward with respect to the housing 103 .

The engagement between the notch 126 and the guide rail 133 does not prevent the valve body 102 from sliding in the vertical direction 7 with respect to the housing 103. It slides downward along axis 100A in the interior space of body 103 into the second state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7(B) and 9, in the second state, the disk 148 of the valve 122 is positioned below the supply port 113, so the supply port 113 is opened. Also, the

openings

145 and 147 are located in the internal space 81 of the tank 80 , and the storage chamber 104 and the internal space 81 communicate with each other through the first channel 141 and the second channel 142 .

Since the opening 144 is located above the opening 146, a hydraulic head pressure is generated between the opening 144 and the opening 146. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 104 flows through the opening 144 into the first channel 141 and flows into the internal space 81 through the opening 145 .

Also, when the ink circulates, the air in the internal space 81 flows into the storage chamber 104 through the second flow path 142 . Here, the volume of ink flowing from the storage chamber 104 to the internal space 81 and the volume of air flowing from the internal space 81 to the storage chamber 104 are substantially the same. In this manner, so-called gas-liquid replacement is performed. When all the ink in the storage chamber 104 of the bottle 100 flows out into the internal space 81 of the tank 80, gas-liquid replacement is completed.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second state, the projecting piece 87 of the tank 80 enters the second groove 131B of the housing 103, so the bottle 100 can move upward with respect to the tank 80. be restrained. That is, the bottle 100 cannot be pulled out from the tank 80 in the second state.

When the supply of ink from the bottle 100 to the tank 80 is completed, the user rotates the housing 103 counterclockwise relative to the tank 80 from the second state shown in FIG. The first state shown in . This allows the projecting piece 87 of the tank 80 to enter the first groove 131A of the housing 103 and allows the bottle 100 to move upward with respect to the tank 80 . In the bottle 100 in the first state, the disk 148 of the valve 122 closes the supply port 113, so even if ink remains in the storage chamber 104 of the bottle 100, the bottle 100 removed from the tank 80 Ink does not flow down from the supply port 113 .

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
In the embodiment described above, the

openings

145 and 147 of the valve body 102 are exposed to the outside of the bottle 100 by relatively joining the housing 103 to the nozzle member 101 .

In addition, since the nozzle member 101 rotates and the valve body 102 slides along the axis 100A in the internal space of the housing 103, the housing 103 is easy to operate.

Also, in the valve body 102, the positions of the

openings

144 and 146 along the axis 100A are different from each other, so that a water head difference occurs between the

openings

144 and 146 in the second state.

[Variation]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the valve body 102 and the housing 103 are rotatable relative to the nozzle member 101, but the relative movement is not limited to rotation. It may be a slide along the That is, the valve body 102 and the housing 103 are slid along the axis 100A without rotating with respect to the nozzle material 101, whereby the valve 122 opens or closes the supply port 113,

openings

145 and 147. may be exposed outside the bottle 100 or located within the reservoir 104 .

Hereinafter, the bottle 150 according to the modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. FIG. [Bottle 150]
A bottle 150 (an example of a printing liquid container) stores ink (an example of a printing liquid). Bottle 150 supplies ink to tank 80 through inlet 83 . Since the rotation of the nozzle member 151 does not need to be restrained when the bottle 150 is rotated with respect to the tank 80 , the recess 84 of the tank 80 may not be provided with the lateral groove 86 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the outer shape of the bottle 150 is generally cylindrical elongated in the vertical direction 7 . Bottle 150 has housing 151 , valve body 152 , cam member 153 and coil spring 154 . The housing 151 is an example of the first member. The valve body 152 is an example of a second member.

As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 151 forms the outer shape of the bottle 150. The housing 151 has a nozzle portion 161 and a cylinder portion 162 .

The outer shape of the nozzle part 161 has a generally cylindrical shape that tapers downward. A supply port 163 is opened in the lower end surface 161L of the nozzle portion 161 . The supply port 163 is circular and communicates the internal space of the nozzle portion 161 with the outside.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cylindrical portion 162 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. Two grooves 164 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 162 . The two grooves 164 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other about the axis 150A. The grooves 164 include a first groove 164A that opens in the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 162 and extends along the vertical direction 7, and a second groove 164B that extends leftward in the figure along the circumferential direction from the upper end of the first groove 164A. and have The first groove 164A and the second groove 164B define a continuous space. The projecting piece 87 of the tank 80 can enter the groove 164 .

As shown in FIG. 14, four guide rails 165 are positioned on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 162 . The guide rail 165 is located at different positions every 90 degrees around the axis 150A. The guide rail 165 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 162 and extends linearly along the vertical direction 7 . The circumferential dimension of the guide rail 165 is slightly smaller than the circumferential dimension of the notch 176 . The guide rail 165 is fitted into a pair of notches 176 to guide the valve body 152 movably along the vertical direction 7 .

As shown in FIG. 14, an annular projecting piece 166 is positioned above the guide rail 165 on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 162 . The projecting piece 166 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 162 . The inner diameter of the annular protruding piece 166 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 171 of the valve body 152 . The guide rail 165 and the projecting piece 166 sandwich the cam member 153 in the vertical direction 7 . The cam member 153 is sandwiched between the guide rail 165 and the projecting piece 166 and is rotatable about the axis 150A. The projecting piece 166 also serves as a spring seat for the coil spring 154 .

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, the valve body 152 is located inside the housing 151. As shown in FIGS. The outer shape of the valve body 152 is generally cylindrical. The axis of the valve body 152 coincides with the axis 150A.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the valve body 152 has a cylindrical tubular portion 171 , a valve 172 (an example of a valve) positioned inside the tubular portion 171 , and a plug member 173 . The valve 172 has a columnar shape in which a first flow path 191 and a second flow path 192 are formed, and protrudes downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 162 . The outer diameter of the lower end of the valve 172 matches the inner diameter of the supply port 163 of the nozzle portion 161 . As shown in FIG. 14A, the supply port 163 is closed by fitting the valve 172 into the supply port 163 .

As shown in FIG. 14 , the upper end of the valve 172 is connected to the tubular portion 171 by a plurality of connecting portions 174 . A plurality of connections 174 are circumferentially spaced around the upper end of valve 172 . A space in which ink can flow is provided between two adjacent connecting portions 174 . A plurality of connecting portions 174 connect the valve 172 and the tubular portion 171 such that the axis of the valve 172 coincides with the axis 150A. A valve 172 extending downward from the connecting portion 174 enters the internal space of the nozzle portion 161 .

As shown in FIG. 14, the valve 172 is formed with a first flow path 191 and a second flow path 192 extending along the axis 150A. The first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 are separated by the peripheral wall of the valve 172 and the partition wall 193 . Although the first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 extend along the axis 150A, the first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 may be curved, for example.

The length of the first channel 191 along the ink circulation direction (the direction along the axis 150A in this embodiment) is longer than the length of the second channel 192 along the ink circulation direction. Other than this length difference, the first channel 191 and the second channel 192 have the same shape and size. The cross-sectional area of the cross section orthogonal to the axis 150A of the first flow path 191 is the same as the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the second flow path 192 orthogonal to the axis 150A. The cross-sectional shapes of the first channel 191 and the second channel 192 are both semicircular. Note that the cross-sectional shapes of the first channel 191 and the second channel 192 may be shapes other than the semicircular shape. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the first channel 191 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the second channel 192, and the cross-sectional area of the first channel 191 may be different from the cross-sectional area of the second channel 192. good.

One end of the first channel 191 communicates with the storage chamber 155 through an opening 194 (an example of the first opening). An opening 195 (an example of a second opening), which is the other end of the first flow path 191, is located at the tip of the valve 172 (lower end in each drawing). One end of the second channel 192 communicates with the storage chamber 155 through an opening 196 (an example of a third opening). An opening 197 (an example of a fourth opening), which is the other end of the second flow path 192, is located at the tip of the valve 172 (lower end in each drawing). The storage chamber 155 and the outside of the bottle 150 communicate with each other only through the first channel 191 and the second channel 192 .

As shown in FIG. 14(A), the opening 194 is positioned above the opening 196 when the tip of the valve 172 positioned near the supply port 163 faces downward. Also, the

openings

195 and 197 are at the same position in the vertical direction 7 .

The opening 194 is located at the proximal end of the valve 172 connected to the cylindrical portion 171 by the connecting portion 174 and opens only to the internal space of the cylindrical portion 171 . The opening 196 is located between the distal end and the proximal end of the valve 172 and opens into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 171 and also opens into the internal space of the housing 151 through the connecting portion 174 . .

The partition wall 193 extends below the openings 195 and 197 (downward in FIG. 14). A disk 198 is connected to the lower end of the partition wall 193 . The axis of disc 198 coincides with axis 150A. The outer diameter of disc 198 matches the inner diameter of supply port 163 of housing 151 . By fitting the disk 198 into the supply port 163 , the supply port 163 is liquid-tightly closed.

As shown in FIG. 14, the cylindrical portion 171 is inserted into the internal space of the housing 151. The outer diameter of cylindrical portion 171 is smaller than the inner diameter of housing 151 . As shown in FIG. 12 , two annular ribs 175 annularly extending in the circumferential direction are positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 171 . The annular rib 175 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 171 . The two annular ribs 175 are spaced apart in the vertical direction 7 . Notches 176 are formed in the respective annular ribs 175 at different positions every 90 degrees around the axis 150A. Each notch 176 of the two annular ribs 175 forms a pair in the vertical direction 7 . A pair of notches 176 are aligned along the axis 150A. The guide rails 165 of the housing 151 are fitted into the pair of notches 176 .

Four bosses 178 are positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 171 at positions that are 90 degrees apart from the through hole 177 with respect to the axis 150A. The boss 178 has a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface. The boss 178 can fit into the cam groove 182 (see FIG. 13) of the cam member 153 .

A plug member 173 closes the opening at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 171 . The cylindrical portion 171 and the plug member 173 are screwed together. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 171 and the internal space of the housing 151 form a storage chamber 104 in which ink is stored. A lower end surface of the plug member 173 serves as a spring seat for the coil spring 154 .

As shown in FIG. 14, the coil spring 154 is positioned between the projecting piece 166 of the housing 151 and the plug member 173 in a compressed state. The coil spring 154 urges the valve body 152 upward with respect to the housing 151 . The valve body 152 urged upward by the coil spring 154 is restrained from moving upward by the boss 178 engaging with the cam groove 182 of the cam member 153 . This state is the first state shown in FIG. In the first state, plug member 173 protrudes upward from the upper end of housing 151 . In the first state, the user can push the plug member 173 downward against the housing 151 against the biasing force of the coil spring 154 .

As shown in FIG. 13, the cam member 153 has a generally cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 14 , the cam member 153 is positioned between the guide rail 165 and the projecting piece 166 in the internal space of the housing 151 . The axis of cam member 153 coincides with axis 150A. The outer diameter of cam member 153 is equivalent to the inner diameter of housing 151 . The inner diameter of the cam member 153 is larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 171 of the valve body 152 . As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 , a tubular portion 171 is positioned in the internal space of the cam member 153 .

As shown in FIG. 13, four cutouts 181 are formed at the upper end of the cam member 153 . Each notch 181 extends downward from the upper end of the cam member 153 and penetrates the internal space and the exterior of the cam member 153 . The four notches 181 are located at different positions every 90 degrees around the axis 150A. Each notch 181 communicates with a cam groove 182 .

A cam groove 182 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cam member 153 . The cam groove 182 is continuous in the circumferential direction. A locking surface 183 and guide

surfaces

184 and 189 are formed on the upper end surface that defines the cam groove 182 . Guide surfaces 185 and 188 are formed on the lower end surface that defines the cam groove 182 . Two locking surfaces 183 and two

guide surfaces

184, 185, 188, and 189 are located at positions 180 degrees apart from each other about the axis 150A.

The locking surface 183 is a surface located below the upper end surface of the cam member 153 and along the circumferential direction 150B around the axis 150A. The locking surface 183 locks the boss 178 of the valve body 152 . As a result, the boss 178 does not move above the locking surface 183 against the biasing force of the coil spring 154 . A contact surface 180 extending along the up-down direction 7 and facing the locking surface 183 is positioned clockwise from the locking surface 183 . When the boss 178 abuts against the abutment surface 180 , the boss 178 does not relatively move clockwise in the cam groove 182 .

The guide surface 185 is positioned to face the locking surface 183 in the vertical direction 7 . The guide surface 185 is an inclined surface that faces downward in the clockwise direction. The guide surface 185 has a clockwise left portion facing the locking surface 183 and a clockwise right portion not facing the locking surface 183 . When the boss 178 engaged with the engaging surface 183 moves downward, it contacts the left portion of the guide surface 185 . Since the guide surface 185 faces downward clockwise, the downwardly moving boss 178 relatively moves clockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving downward. When the boss 178 moves to the right portion of the guide surface 185 , the boss 178 is positioned so as not to face the locking surface 183 .

At a position clockwise from the guide surface 185, there is a contact surface 186 extending along the vertical direction 7 and facing the guide surface 185. When the boss 178 contacts the contact surface 186, the boss 178 does not relatively move in the cam groove 182 clockwise.

The guide surface 184 is positioned directly above the contact surface 186 . The guide surface 184 is an inclined surface that faces upward in the clockwise direction. The guide surface 184 has a clockwise left portion above the abutment surface 186 and a clockwise right portion not directly above the abutment surface 186 but to the left of the abutment surface 186 . The clockwise right end of the guide surface 184 is connected to the notch 181 .

When the boss 178 in contact with the contact surface 186 moves upward, it contacts the left portion of the guide surface 184 . Since the guide surface 184 faces upward clockwise, the upwardly moving boss 178 relatively moves clockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving upward. When the boss 178 moves to the right portion of the guide surface 184 , the boss 178 is positioned so as not to face the contact surface 186 . When boss 178 reaches the right end of guide surface 184 , boss 178 moves from guide surface 184 to notch 181 . Since the notch 181 does not restrict the upward movement of the boss 178 , the boss 178 can move upward until it comes into contact with the projecting piece 166 of the housing 151 .

Below the notch 181 and to the right of the guide surface 184 in the clockwise direction, there is a guide surface 187 . The guide surface 187 is an inclined surface that faces downward in the counterclockwise direction. The guide surface 187 has its clockwise right portion directly above the guide surface 185 . The clockwise left end of guide surface 187 is directly above guide surface 188 .

When the boss 178 above the notch 181 moves downward, it comes into contact with the guide surface 187 . Since the guide surface 187 faces downward in the counterclockwise direction, the downwardly moving boss 178 relatively moves counterclockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving downward. When the boss 178 passes over the left end of the guide surface 187 , the boss 178 moves further downward and contacts the guide surface 188 .

The guide surface 188 is an inclined surface that faces downward as it goes clockwise. The guide surface 188 has a clockwise left portion located to the left of the left end of the guide surface 187 and a clockwise right portion facing the guide surface 189 . The boss 178 in contact with the guide surface 188 relatively moves clockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving downward. When the boss 178 moves to the right portion of the guide surface 188 , the boss 178 faces the guide surface 189 .

The right end of the guide surface 188 extends along the vertical direction 7 and is connected to a contact surface 190 facing the guide surface 188 . When the boss 178 abuts against the abutment surface 190, the boss 178 does not relatively move in the cam groove 182 clockwise.

The guide surface 189 is positioned directly above the contact surface 190 . The guide surface 189 is an inclined surface that faces upward in the clockwise direction. The guide surface 189 has a clockwise left portion above the abutment surface 190 and a clockwise right portion not directly above the abutment surface 190 . The right end of the guide surface 189 is connected to the left end of the locking surface 183 .

When the boss 178 in contact with the contact surface 190 moves upward, it contacts the left portion of the guide surface 189 . Since the guide surface 189 faces upward clockwise, the boss 178 moving upward relatively moves clockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving upward. When the boss 178 moves to the right portion of the guide surface 189 , the boss 178 is positioned so as not to face the contact surface 190 . When boss 178 reaches the right end of guide surface 189 , boss 178 moves from guide surface 189 to locking surface 183 . The locking surface 183 prevents the boss 178 from moving upward.

In the first state shown in FIG. 14(A), the disk 198 of the valve 172 of the valve body 152 closes the supply port 163 . At this time, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 14A, the boss 178 is in contact with the projecting piece 166 of the housing 151 . Due to the contact between the boss 178 and the projecting piece 166, the valve body 152 is positioned higher than the case 151 in the second state. That is, as shown in FIG. 14A, bottle 150 is in the first state.

The user inserts the nozzle portion 161 of the bottle 150 into the recess 84 of the tank 80 and pushes the plug member 173 of the bottle 150 in the first state downward into the housing 151 . As a result, the valve body 152 moves downward with respect to the housing 151 against the biasing force of the coil spring 154 . When the valve body 152 moves downward and the boss 178 moves downward, the boss 178, which has been in contact with the projecting piece 166, is guided by the guide surface 187 as described above, and moves along the cam groove 182 counterclockwise. Move relatively.

The notch 176 of the valve body 152 is fitted to the guide rail 165 of the housing 151 , so the valve body 152 cannot rotate with respect to the housing 151 and only slides in the vertical direction 7 . Therefore, the cam member 153 rotates clockwise around the axis 150A with respect to the housing 151 and the valve body 152 . This causes the boss 178 to move relatively counterclockwise in the cam groove 182 .

When the boss 178 passes over the left end of the guide surface 187, the boss 178 moves further downward and comes into contact with the guide surface 188. The boss 178 guided by the guide surface 188 relatively moves clockwise in the cam groove 182 while moving downward, and comes into contact with the contact surface 190 .

When the user stops pushing the plug member 173 downward, the biasing force of the coil spring 154 causes the valve body 152 to move upward with respect to the housing 151 . As the boss 178 moves upward together with the valve body 152, the boss 178, which has been in contact with the contact surface 190, is guided by the guide surface 189, moves upward, and moves relatively clockwise along the cam groove 182. Moving. When boss 178 reaches the right end of guide surface 189 , it moves from guide surface 189 to locking surface 183 . The locking surface 183 prevents the boss 178 from moving upward against the biasing force of the coil spring 154 . Due to the contact between the boss 178 and the locking surface 183, the valve body 152 is positioned lower with respect to the housing 151 than in the first state. That is, as shown in FIG. 14B, bottle 150 is in the second state.

As shown in FIG. 14(B), in the second state, the disk 198 of the valve 172 is positioned below the supply port 163, so the supply port 163 is opened. Also, the

openings

195 and 197 are located in the internal space 81 of the tank 80 , and the storage chamber 155 and the internal space 81 communicate with each other through the first channel 191 and the second channel 192 . Thereby, gas-liquid replacement is performed as described above.

[Other variations]
In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle material 101 has the guide groove 115 and the valve body 102 has the protrusion 124. However, since the relationship between the protrusion and the groove is relative, the nozzle material Either one of 101 and valve body 102 should have a convex portion and the other should have a groove. Therefore, a convex portion (an example of a first convex portion) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 112 of the nozzle material 101, and a guide groove (an example of a second groove) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 121 of the valve body 102. A configuration in which these projections and guide grooves are fitted to each other may also be used.

15, instead of the guide groove 115, a male threaded portion 136 extending spirally around the axis 100A is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 112, and instead of the convex portion 124, A female threaded portion 137 extending around the axis 100A may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 121 .

In the above-described embodiment, when the supply port 113 of the bottle 100 faces downward, the opening 145 of the first channel 141 and the opening 147 of the second channel 142 are arranged along the axis 100A (vertical direction 7). However, as shown in FIG. 16A, the opening 145 may be positioned farther from the supply port 113 than the opening 147, that is, below. As a result, a difference in water head occurs between the

openings

145 and 147 , so that the ink easily flows out of the storage chamber 104 through the first flow path 141 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the supply port 113 of the bottle 100 faces downward, the opening 195 of the first flow path 191 and the opening 197 of the second flow path 192 both It may be positioned outward from the mouth 163 . That is, the

openings

195 and 197 may be positioned below the supply port 163 . This makes it difficult for the ink flowing out through the opening 195 or the opening 197 to adhere to the supply port 163 . Therefore, when the bottle 150 is removed from the tank 80 after the ink is supplied to the tank 80 , the ink is less likely to drip from the supply port 163 .

In the above-described embodiment, the pair of notches 126 are formed in the valve body 102 and the guide rails 133 are formed in the housing 103. However, the guide rails ( An example of a third protrusion) may be formed, and a groove into which the guide rail is fitted may be formed in the inner peripheral surface of the housing 103 .

In the above-described embodiment, the engagement rib 114 of the nozzle member 101 is engaged with the groove 86 of the tank 80. 114 is not limited. For example, a groove may be formed in the nozzle material 101 , and the groove may be engaged with a protrusion formed in the tank 80 to prevent the nozzle material 101 from rotating.

Further, the relative movement of the nozzle material 101, the valve body 102, and the housing 103 does not necessarily require that the nozzle material 101 is prevented from rotating or sliding by the tank 80. For example, the user can The valve body 102 and the housing 103 may be moved relative to the nozzle material 101 while the nozzle material 101 is fixed.

Also, the nozzle member 101, the valve body 102, and the housing 103 do not necessarily have to be one member, and a plurality of members may be combined. Moreover, the shape of the supply port 113 is not limited to a circle, and may be other shapes such as an ellipse and a square.

Also, in the tank 80 , the injection port 83 and the recess 84 may be formed outside the upper wall 82 . For example, the injection port 83 and the recess 84 may be formed on an inclined wall that is the outer surface of the tank 80 and that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 . Further, the tank 80 does not necessarily have to be mounted on the carriage 40, and the head 38 and the tank 80 may be connected by a tube or the like so that the ink can flow.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, ink was described as an example of the printing liquid, but the printing liquid is not limited to ink. For example, the printing liquid may be a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the recording paper prior to ink during printing, or water that is sprayed to prevent the nozzles 39 of the head 38 from drying.

10 MFP (printing device)
80...Tank 83...Injection port 86...Groove (surrounding part)
100, 150 Bottles (liquid containers for printing)
101 Nozzle material (first member)
102, 152... Valve body (moving member, second member)
103 ... housing (supporting member, second member)
104, 155...

Storage chambers

113, 163... Supply port 114... Engagement rib (engagement portion)
115... Guide groove (first groove)
124... Convex portion (second convex portion)
126 Notch (third groove)
133... Guide rail (fourth protrusion)
141, 191...

First channel

142, 192...

Second channel

144, 194... Opening (first opening)
145, 195... Opening (second opening)
146, 196... Opening (third opening)
147, 197... Opening (fourth opening)
151 ... housing (first member)

Claims

a first member having a supply port communicating with the internal space;
a second member having a valve body that opens or closes the supply port,
The first member and the second member are connected so as to be relatively movable between a first state and a second state,
The internal space of the first member and the internal space of the second member are storage chambers for storing liquid,
The valve body has a first flow path and a second flow path,
The first flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a first opening and has a second opening positioned at the tip of the valve body,
the second flow path communicates with the storage chamber through a third opening and has a fourth opening positioned at the tip of the valve body;
In the first state, the valve body closes the supply port, and the second opening and the fourth opening are not exposed to the outside,
In the second state, the tip of the valve body protrudes from the supply port, and the second opening and the fourth opening are exposed to the outside.
The second member is
a moving member having the valve body;
a support member that slidably supports the moving member,
The first member and the support member are relatively rotatably connected,
2. The printing liquid container according to claim 1, wherein said moving member is slid in an axial direction along a center of rotation with respect to said first member by transmission of rotation of said supporting member.
The first member has a first groove extending in a helical shape along the axial direction, or a first protrusion projecting in a direction intersecting the axial direction,
The moving member has a second protrusion that engages with the first groove, or a second groove that extends spirally along the axial direction and engages with the first protrusion,
3. The support member has a third groove or a third projection extending along the axial direction, and the moving member has a fourth projection or groove that engages with the third groove. The printing liquid container according to .
The printing liquid container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support member has a cylindrical shape, and at least a portion of the first member and the moving member are positioned in the inner space thereof.
The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first opening and the third opening have mutually different positions along the movement direction of the valve body.
The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second opening and the fourth opening have mutually different positions along the movement direction of the valve body.
The printing liquid container according to claim 6, wherein in the second state, the second opening is located farther from the supply port than the fourth opening.
The printing liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the second state, the second opening and the fourth opening are located outside the supply port.
The printing liquid container supplies the liquid through the inlet to the tank of the printing device,
The first member has an engaging portion that engages with a peripheral portion of the injection port of the tank,
In a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the peripheral portion, the supply port and the injection port are in fluid communication, and the first member can rotate with respect to the peripheral portion. 5. A printing liquid container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 which is restrained.