Cap for a liquid storage tank and the liquid storage tank

Abstract

Provided are a cap for a liquid storage tank and the liquid storage tank. The cap is used to close a liquid injection portion of the liquid storage tank for storing a liquid. The cap includes a resin member made of a resin material and an elastic member made of a rubber material mounted on the resin member for directly contacting an inner surface of the liquid injection portion. The area of contact between the elastic member and the resin member is larger than the area of contact between the elastic member and the inner surface of the liquid injection portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for sealing the liquid injection portion of a liquid storage tank for storing liquid, and a liquid storage tank having a liquid injection portion that can be sealed with the cover. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, an inkjet printer was known to have a liquid storage tank for storing liquids such as ink, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank was consumed. This liquid storage tank was provided with a liquid inlet section that could be sealed with a cap. When the user filled the liquid storage tank with ink, the cap was removed from the liquid inlet section, and ink was replenished into the liquid storage tank through the open liquid inlet section.

[0003] As such a cover, for example, it may have the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1. The cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a resin member and an elastic member. The resin member has a gripping portion, a body portion, and a sealing portion. The elastic member is mounted on the side surface of the cylindrical sealing portion of the resin member.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Chinese Utility Model No. 206357825 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the cap disclosed in Patent Document 1, the contact area between the elastic member and the resin member is approximately equal to or exactly equal to the contact area between the inner surface of the liquid injection section and the elastic member. Therefore, when the cap is removed from the liquid injection section of the liquid storage tank, the frictional force between the inner surface of the liquid injection section and the elastic member is approximately equal to or greater than the frictional force between the resin member and the elastic member. In this case, the elastic member is pulled towards the liquid injection section and may detach from the resin member.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a cover having a resin member made of resin material and an elastic member made of rubber material, which can prevent the elastic member from falling off the resin member when the cover is removed from the liquid injection part of the liquid storage tank.

[0007] This invention provides a lid for a liquid storage tank, used to seal the liquid injection portion of a liquid storage tank for storing liquid. The lid comprises: a resin member made of resin material; and an elastic member made of rubber material, the elastic member being mounted on the resin member for direct contact with the inner surface of the liquid injection portion, wherein the contact area between the elastic member and the resin member is larger than the contact area between the elastic member and the inner surface of the liquid injection portion.

[0008] According to the invention, in the lid of the liquid storage tank, the area of ​​contact between the elastic member and the resin member is larger than the area of ​​contact between the elastic member and the inner surface of the liquid injection section. Therefore, when the lid is removed from the liquid injection section of the liquid storage tank, it is possible to prevent the frictional force between the inner surface of the liquid injection section and the elastic member from being substantially equal to or exceeding the frictional force between the resin member and the elastic member. Consequently, when the lid is removed from the liquid injection section of the liquid storage tank, it is possible to suppress the elastic member from detaching from the resin member.

[0009] The present invention also provides a liquid storage tank having a liquid inlet portion capable of being closed with the cap of the present invention. The liquid storage tank includes a tilt-resistance portion. When the cap is removed from the liquid inlet portion, the tilt-resistance portion prevents the cap from tilting axially relative to the liquid inlet portion.

[0010] According to the liquid storage tank of the present invention, when the cap is removed from the liquid injection section, axial tilting of the cap relative to the liquid injection section can be suppressed. Therefore, when the cap is removed from the liquid injection section of the liquid storage tank, detachment of the elastic member from the resin member can be prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional side view illustrating the structure of the liquid storage tank according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematically enlarged longitudinal sectional side view showing the structure of the liquid injection section and its surrounding parts of the liquid storage tank according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of the cover according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of the cover according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the cap and liquid storage tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the embodiment shown below, "removing" the cap from the liquid injection section can also be defined as "pulling" the cap out of the liquid injection section. Furthermore, "installing" the cap into the liquid injection section can also be defined as "pressing" the cap into the liquid injection section.

[0016] (Structure of a liquid storage tank)

[0017] Before describing the main parts of this embodiment, a schematic structure of the liquid storage tank according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1The liquid storage tank 1 shown is, for example, a tank installed in a liquid-consuming device such as an inkjet printer (not shown) and used to store the liquids (cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, etc.) consumed by the inkjet printer.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid storage tank 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped tank body 2. The tank body 2 constitutes the outer shell of the liquid storage tank 1. An ink chamber 3 for storing ink is disposed inside the tank body 2. The liquid storage tank 1 has a liquid injection section 4, which has an opening for injecting ink into the ink chamber 3. An inclined wall 5 is provided on the upper part of the front portion of the tank body 2. The liquid injection section 4 is disposed on the inclined wall 5. It should be noted that the liquid injection section 4 may also be disposed on a wall other than the inclined wall 5 in the tank body 2, for example, on the upper wall or side wall.

[0019] The liquid injection section 4 is configured to protrude obliquely upward from the outer surface of the inclined wall 5. In this embodiment, the liquid injection section 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0020] like Figure 2 As shown, the head end 4a of the liquid injection section 4 opens obliquely upward toward the outside of the can body 2. The base end 4b of the liquid injection section 4 opens obliquely downward toward the ink chamber 3.

[0021] The liquid injection section 4 protrudes from the inclined wall 5 in a direction that is not orthogonal to the vertical direction and extends upward and forward in the horizontal direction. The liquid injection section 4 also protrudes from the inclined wall 5 in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface of the inclined wall 5. Thus, the liquid injection section 4 is obliquely upward, that is, open both forward and upward. In other words, the center line L of the opening of the liquid injection section 4 is inclined relative to both the vertical and forward / backward directions.

[0022] It should be noted that the center line L of the opening of the liquid injection section 4 is a line connecting the center of the head end 4a of the liquid injection section 4 and the center of the base end 4b of the liquid injection section 4, and includes its extension. In this embodiment, the center line L of the opening of the liquid injection section 4 is parallel to the direction in which the liquid injection section 4 protrudes from the inclined wall 5.

[0023] In the liquid storage tank 1 constructed as described above, the liquid injection section 4 is sealed in a closed state by a removable cover 100. Hereinafter, several embodiments of the cover 100 will be described.

[0024] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cover 100 has a structure composed of a resin member 110 made of rigid resin material and an elastic member 120 made of rubber material such as elastomer, rubber, or silicone rubber. The elasticity of the elastic member 120 is greater than that of the resin member 110.

[0025] The resin component 110 integrally comprises a base 111, a shaft portion 112, and a gripping portion 113. The base 111 forms the base portion of the resin component 110 and is generally circular. The base 111 has a D-shaped cut surface 111a on a portion of its circular end. In this case, the D-shaped cut surface 111a has a shape that cuts two positions opposite each other of the axis of the resin component 110 into straight lines.

[0026] The shaft portion 112 is provided on the back side of the base portion 111, that is, on the surface of the can body portion 2 when the cover 100 is installed on the liquid injection portion 4. In this case, the shaft portion 112 extends linearly from the center of the back side of the base portion 111 along the axis of the resin member 110. The shaft portion 112 is formed into a cylindrical shape. A tapered portion 112a is provided at the head end of the shaft portion 112, the diameter of which gradually decreases toward the head end of the shaft portion 112. A flat portion 112b is also provided at the head end of the shaft portion 112, located inside the tapered portion 112a. The flat portion 112b is a flat portion orthogonal to the axis of the resin member 110. It should be noted that the shaft portion 112 is generally cylindrical, and a cylindrical space is provided at its center. This space extends through the base portion 111 and into the grip portion 113.

[0027] A gripping portion 113 is provided on the outer surface of the base 111, that is, on the side opposite to the can body 2 when the cap 100 is installed on the liquid injection section 4. In this case, the gripping portion 113 extends linearly from the center of the outer surface of the base 111 along the axis of the resin member 110. The gripping portion 113 is generally cylindrical. By gripping this gripping portion 113 with fingers, the user can hold the cap 100 by gripping the resin member 110, thereby performing installation and removal operations.

[0028] The elastic member 120 integrally comprises an elastic member body portion 121 and multiple protrusions, which in this embodiment are two protrusions 122a and 122b. The elastic member body portion 121 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape and has a hole portion 121a at its center. The hole portion 121a does not penetrate the elastic member body portion 121 in the axial direction, so that the base end side of the elastic member body portion 121 is open, but the head end side of the elastic member body portion 121 is not open. The shaft portion 112 of the resin member 110 is inserted into the hole portion 121a. The head end of the elastic member body portion 121 is smooth without any protrusions or depressions. The head end of the elastic member body portion 121 is closed. Therefore, the entire shaft portion 112 inserted into the hole portion 121a is covered by the elastic member body portion 121.

[0029] When the cover 100 is installed into the liquid injection section 4, the elastic member body 121 is inserted into the liquid injection section 4, and its outer peripheral surface directly contacts the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection section 4. Here, the outer surface of the elastic member body 121 is smooth without any unevenness or protrusion. The inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection section 4, which contacts the outer surface of the elastic member body 121, is also smooth without any unevenness or protrusion.

[0030] The protrusions 122a and 122b protrude in a rectangular shape from the side surface of the base end of the elastic member body 121 along the diametrical direction of the elastic member 120. The protrusions 122a and 122b are provided at two positions opposite each other on the axis that clamps the elastic member 120.

[0031] The resin member 110 further includes a retaining portion 114 and a clamping portion 115. Both the retaining portion 114 and the clamping portion 115 are provided on the back side of the base 111. That is, on the back side of the base 111, a plurality of arc-shaped wall portions are provided around the base end portion of the shaft portion 112; in this embodiment, these are two wall portions 116. These wall portions 116 are configured to be spaced apart from the base end portion of the shaft portion 112 by a predetermined interval. A portion of the elastic member 120, in this embodiment, is the base end portion of the elastic member body portion 121, is embedded into this interval.

[0032] The retaining portion 114 and the clamping portion 115 are respectively provided at both ends of the wall portion 116. That is, the retaining portion 114 and the clamping portion 115 are respectively provided at two positions opposite each other on the axis of clamping the resin member 110. The retaining portion 114 includes a plurality of wall portions 114a extending from one end of the two wall portions 116 along the diameter direction of the resin member 110 and a beam portion 114b. In this embodiment, the plurality of wall portions 114a is two wall portions 114a. The two wall portions 114a are arranged at a predetermined interval. The beam portion 114b is supported between the two wall portions 114a.

[0033] In the retaining portion 114 configured as described above, one of the protrusions 122a and 122b of the elastic member 120 is embedded between the two wall portions 114a. The protrusion embedded between the two wall portions 114a hangs on the beam portion 114b and faces the beam portion 114b. Therefore, the retaining portion 114 retains the elastic member 120 by hooking one of the protrusions 122a and 122b. It should be noted that the retaining portion 114 may also be configured to have multiple beam portions 114b.

[0034] The clamping portion 115 has a plurality of wall portions 115a extending from the other ends of the two wall portions 116 along the diametrical direction of the resin member 110. In this embodiment, there are two wall portions 115a. The two wall portions 115a are separated from each other at a predetermined interval. The inner wall surfaces of the two wall portions 115a are provided with a plurality of protrusions 115b.

[0035] In the clamping portion 115 configured as described above, another of the protrusions 122a and 122b of the elastic member 120 is embedded between the two wall portions 115a. The side portion of the protrusion embedded between the two wall portions 115a is pressed by the protrusion 115b. Therefore, the clamping portion 115 clamps and holds the other of the protrusions 122a and 122b of the elastic member 120 in a pressurized state.

[0036] In the cover 100 constructed as described above, particularly as Figure 2 As shown, the elastic member 120 forms part of the cover 100 by being mounted on the resin member 110. With the cover 100 mounted on the liquid injection section 4, the elastic member 120 is configured to directly contact the inner surface of the liquid injection section 4. According to the cover 100 of this embodiment, the area of ​​contact between the elastic member 120 and the resin member 110, i.e., the resin member-side contact area S1, is configured to be larger than the area of ​​contact between the elastic member 120 and the inner circumferential surface of the liquid injection section 4, i.e., the liquid injection section-side contact area S2.

[0037] That is, according to the cover 100 of this embodiment, the resin component side contact area S1 is the area where the inner peripheral surface of the elastic component body 121 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 112, and on the other hand, the liquid injection part side contact area S2 is the area where the outer peripheral surface of the elastic component body 121 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection part 4, and the resin component side contact area S1 is configured to be larger than the liquid injection part side contact area S2.

[0038] It should be noted that the resin component side contact area S1 may further include the area of ​​the portion where the protrusions 122a and 122b contact the base 111. Furthermore, the resin component side contact area S1 may further include the area of ​​the portion where the head end of the elastic member body 121 contacts the head end of the shaft 112. Additionally, the resin component side contact area S1 may further include the area of ​​the portion where the resin member 110 contacts the elastic member 120. In these cases, the relationship that the resin component side contact area S1 is larger than the liquid injection portion side contact area S2 also holds true.

[0039] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, with the cover 100 installed in the liquid injection section 4, in other words, with the shaft portion 112 of the resin member 110 inserted into the liquid injection section 4, the tapered portion 112a is located inside the liquid injection section 4, that is, inside the liquid storage tank 1.

[0040] In addition, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the liquid storage tank 1 includes a guide wall 200 located on the front side of the liquid injection section 4. This guide wall 200 is an example of a tilt-restraining part. The guide wall 200 extends forward and upward from the front end of the tilt wall 5 at a certain distance from the liquid injection section 4, approximately along the protruding direction of the liquid injection section 4. When the cover 100 is removed from the liquid injection section 4, the guide wall 200 thus prevents the cover 100 from tilting axially relative to the liquid injection section 4, particularly tilting forward.

[0041] According to the cap 100 shown above, the contact area S1 between the elastic member 120 and the resin member 110 is greater than the contact area S2 between the elastic member 120 and the inner surface of the liquid injection section 4. Therefore, when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection section 4, it is possible to prevent the frictional force between the inner surface of the liquid injection section 4 and the elastic member 120 from being approximately equal to or greater than the frictional force between the resin member 110 and the elastic member 120. Thus, when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection section 4, it is possible to suppress the elastic member 120 from detaching from the resin member 110.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the cap 100, the elastic member 120 includes an elastic member body portion 121 inserted into the liquid injection portion 4 and protrusions 122a and 122b protruding from the side surface of the elastic member body portion 121. On the other hand, the resin member 110 includes a holding portion 114 that holds one of the protrusions 122a and 122b in a manner that hooks onto it, and a clamping portion 115 that clamps the other of the protrusions 122a and 122b under pressure. With this structure, the bond between the resin member 110 and the elastic member 120 can be further strengthened, and when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection portion 4, the elastic member 120 can be further prevented from falling off the resin member 110.

[0043] It should be noted that in the clamping part 115, since the protrusion is only clamped, the protrusion may fall off the clamping part 115 when the cover 100 is removed from the liquid injection part 4. However, in the holding part 114, the protrusion is held and hung on the beam part 114b. Therefore, even if the protrusion falls off the clamping part 115, it can be held and hung in the holding part 114, thus preventing the elastic member 120 from completely falling off the resin member 110, that is, preventing the elastic member 120 from completely separating from the resin member 110.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the cap 100, the head end of the elastic member 120, more specifically, the head end of the elastic member body portion 121 inserted into the liquid injection portion 4, is formed to be smooth. If there is a recess or groove at the head end of the elastic member body portion 121, liquid in the liquid storage tank 1 may adhere to and remain in that portion. According to the cap 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the adhesion and retention of liquid in the liquid storage tank 1 at the head end of the elastic member body portion 121, and when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection portion 4, it is possible to prevent liquid adhering to the head end of the elastic member body portion 121 from splashing.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the cover 100, the side surface of the elastic member body portion 121 is formed to be smooth, and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4, which contacts the side surface of the elastic member body portion 121, is also formed to be smooth. With this structure, when the cover 100 is installed in the liquid injection portion 4, the side surface of the elastic member body portion 121 can be made to fit more closely to the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4, thereby improving the sealing performance of the elastic member 120.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the cap 100, the base 111 of the resin member 110 has a D-shaped cut surface 111a. With this structure, when the cap 100, removed from the liquid injection section 4, is placed on a table or similar surface, it can prevent the cap 100 from rolling, thus preventing loss or damage due to the cap falling. Furthermore, even if the cap 100 is accidentally swallowed, the D-shaped cut surface 111a ensures an airway. Additionally, users should exercise sufficient caution to prevent accidental swallowing of the cap 100.

[0047] Furthermore, the cover 100 has a structure in which the shaft portion 112 of the resin member 110 is inserted into the elastic member body portion 121 of the elastic member 120. According to this structure, the elastic member body portion 121 of the elastic member 120 can be expanded by pushing it with the shaft portion 112 of the resin member 110, and the sealing performance can be improved by pressing the side peripheral surface of the elastic member body portion 121 against the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4 when the cover 100 is inserted into the liquid injection portion 4. More preferably, the opening diameter of the hole portion 121a is slightly shorter than the diameter of the shaft portion 112. Therefore, the elastic member body portion 121 can be reliably pushed and expanded by the shaft portion 112, thereby further improving the sealing performance.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the cover 100, when the shaft portion 112 of the resin member 110 is inserted into the liquid injection portion 4, the tapered portion 112a of the shaft portion 112 is located inside the ink chamber 3 relative to the base end 4b of the liquid injection portion 4. With this structure, the side peripheral surface of the elastic member body portion 121 can contact the entire inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the cover 100. Furthermore, the elastic member body portion 121 can uniformly contact the entire inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4, achieving uniform sealing performance over the entire area where the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4 contacts the side peripheral surface of the elastic member body portion 121. It should be noted that if the tapered portion 112a of the shaft portion 112 is located outside the ink chamber 3 relative to the base end 4b of the liquid injection portion 4, then the elastic member body portion 121 cannot contact the inner peripheral surface of the liquid injection portion 4, at least in the portion corresponding to the tapered portion 112a. Therefore, uniform sealing cannot be achieved on the entire inner circumferential surface of the liquid injection section 4.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the cover 100, the gripping portion 113 for the user to hold is formed in a cylindrical shape. With this structure, it is difficult for the user to grip the gripping portion 113 and rotate the cover 100 circumferentially, prompting the user to pull the cover 100 towards the user by gripping the gripping portion 113. This facilitates the removal of the cover 100 along the axial direction of the liquid injection section 4; in other words, it facilitates the removal of the cover 100 perpendicular to the liquid injection section 4. Therefore, when the cover 100 is removed, unreasonable deformation of the elastic member 120 can be prevented, and the elastic member 120 can be prevented from detaching from the resin member 110 due to stress concentration on the elastic member 120.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the liquid storage tank 1 of this embodiment, when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection section 4, the guide wall 200 can suppress the axial tilting of the cap 100 relative to the liquid injection section 4. Thus, when the cap 100 is removed from the liquid injection section 4 of the liquid storage tank 1, the elastic member 120 can be prevented from falling off the resin member 110.

[0051] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from its spirit. For example, as long as the cover 100 has a structure in which the area of ​​contact between the elastic member 120 and the resin member 110 is larger than the area of ​​contact between the elastic member 120 and the inner surface of the liquid injection portion 4, the shape and size of each part can be appropriately changed. Furthermore, the resin material constituting the resin member 110 and the rubber material constituting the elastic member 120 can be appropriately selected.

[0052] Reference sign explanation

[0053] 1: Liquid storage tank

[0054] 4: Liquid Injection Section

[0055] 100: Cover

[0056] 110: Resin components

[0057] 120: Elastic component

[0058] 111: Base

[0059] 112: Shaft

[0060] 112a: Conical section

[0061] 113: Grip section

[0062] 114: Maintaining Section

[0063] 115: Clamping part

[0064] 121: Elastic component body

[0065] 122a, 122b: Protrusions

[0066] 200: Guide wall (tilt suppression section)

Claims

1. A lid for a liquid storage tank, the lid being used to close a liquid inlet of the liquid storage tank for storing liquid, the lid comprising: Resin components, made of resin material; and Elastic components, made of rubber material. The resin component has a shaft portion. The elastic member is mounted on the resin member and is used to directly contact the inner surface of the liquid injection part, and has a body part for insertion into the liquid injection part. The shaft portion is inserted into the body portion. The area of ​​contact between the elastic member and the resin member is larger than the area of ​​contact between the elastic member and the inner surface of the liquid injection portion. The area in contact between the elastic member and the resin member includes: The area of ​​contact between the inner peripheral surface of the body portion and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion; And the area of ​​the portion where the head end of the body part contacts the head end of the shaft part.

2. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic member has a protrusion that protrudes from the side surface of the body portion. The resin component comprises: The retaining part, which retains the protrusion; and The clamping part clamps the protrusion under pressure.

3. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to claim 2, characterized in that, The head end of the body is formed to be smooth.

4. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The side surfaces of the main body are formed to be smooth. The inner surface of the liquid injection portion that contacts the side portion of the main body is also formed to be smooth.

5. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The resin component has a base. The base has a shape in which a portion of the circular end is cut into a straight line.

6. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resin component has a tapered portion at the head end of the shaft. With the shaft inserted into the liquid injection section, the tapered portion is located inside the liquid injection section.

7. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The resin component has a gripping part for the user to hold. The gripping part is formed in a cylindrical shape.

8. The lid of the liquid storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The head end of the main body is closed.

9. A liquid storage tank having a liquid injection section for injecting liquid and a cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the cover being capable of closing the liquid injection section, the liquid storage tank further comprising: The tilt-suppressing part suppresses the axial tilt of the cover relative to the liquid injection part when the cover is removed from the liquid injection part.

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