Ink supply container

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink supply container capable of suppressing creep deformation of a valve body while suppressing a pressure increase within the container. The ink supply container includes a bottle body capable of storing ink and a cap detachably mounted on the bottle body. The bottle body includes an ink outlet forming portion having an ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve disposed at the ink outlet and having a valve body; and the cap includes a main body portion formed with a second threaded portion capable of engaging with the first threaded portion; a top portion facing the ink outlet; and a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the main body portion. When the cap is rotated in a first direction to disengage the first and second threaded portions, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, pushing the valve body and entering a slit, thereby opening the valve body. When the cap is rotated in a second direction to engage the first and second threaded portions, the protrusion rotates relative to the valve body in the first direction and moves away from the valve body, thereby closing the valve body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ink supply container. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are containers with lids that include a valve body at an opening for dispensing liquid contents. The valve body is formed of an elastic material and is divided by slits. Patent Document 1 discloses a lid having a push portion for pushing open the valve body divided by the slits.

[0003] However, if the internal pressure of a container increases due to environmental changes such as a temperature rise, for example, and the container is inverted to cause the contents to be ejected, the combined pressure of the internal pressure and the water level pressure of the contents may exceed the pressure resistance of the valve body divided by the slit, causing the contents to be violently ejected. The lid described in Patent Document 1 uses a push-in portion to push open the slit valve, but this is not sufficient to release the pressure in the container. In addition, in the lid described in Patent Document 1, when the lid is closed, the valve body divided by the slit is always pushed open by the push-in portion, and there is a possibility that the valve body will creep and deform. Therefore, a technology that can suppress creep deformation of the valve body while suppressing the increase in pressure in the container is desired.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-50007 Summary of the Invention

[0005] 14. The ink supply container according to claim 13, wherein the bottle body comprises an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body; the cap comprises a main body portion having a cylindrical shape and a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second threaded portion that can engage with the first threaded portion; a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is mounted on the bottle body; and a protrusion extending in a direction along a central axis of the main body portion, wherein when the cap is rotated in a first direction to disengage the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve, thereby pushing the valve body to open the valve; and when the cap is rotated in a second direction to engage the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion relatively rotates in the first direction to separate from the valve body, thereby closing the valve.

[0006] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, an ink supply container is provided. The ink supply container includes a bottle body capable of storing ink and a cap mounted on the bottle body in a detachable manner, wherein the bottle body includes: an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve having a valve body composed of an elastic material provided at the ink outlet and divided by one or more slits; the cap includes: a main body portion which is cylindrical and has a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second threaded portion which can be engaged with the first threaded portion; and a top portion portion on which the cap is mounted. When mounted on the bottle body, the protrusion is opposite to the ink outlet; the protrusion extends in a direction along the central axis of the main body, and when the cap is rotated in a first direction to disengage the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit, thereby opening the valve body; when the cap is rotated in a second direction to engage the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves away from the valve body by relatively rotating in the first direction, thereby closing the valve body.

[0007] The valve of the ink supply container according to another embodiment further includes a sealing member attached to the ink outlet, and a spring member for urging the valve body toward the sealing member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing the general structure of the recording device.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the ink supply unit.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit.

[0011] Figure 4 A side view of the ink supply container.

[0012] Figure 5 A three-dimensional diagram of the bottle.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of the bottle body shown together with the cap.

[0014] Figure 7 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle body shown together with the protrusion.

[0015] Figure 8 A diagram illustrating positional changes of protrusions.

[0016] Figure 9This figure shows a bottle connected to an ink supply adapter.

[0017] Figure 10 It is a side view of an ink supply container according to another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 It is a perspective view of a bottle body according to another embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 It is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a bottle body shown together with a cap according to another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 13 These are diagrams for explaining positional changes of protrusions according to other embodiments.

[0021] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing a bottle according to another embodiment connected to an ink replenishing adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A: Implementation method:

[0023] A1: The overall structure of the recording device:

[0024] Figure 1 : is a perspective view schematically showing the general structure of the recording device 21 in the embodiment. The recording device 21 is an inkjet printer that records an image or the like on a medium by ejecting ink onto the medium. Figure 1 , the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown. The X and Y directions are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction. Furthermore, one direction in the X direction is defined as the +X direction, and the other direction in the X direction is defined as the -X direction. One direction in the Y direction is defined as the +Y direction, and the other direction in the Y direction is defined as the -Y direction. One direction in the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the other direction in the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as upward, and the -Z direction is also referred to as downward.

[0025] The recording device 21 includes a housing 22 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the X direction as its longitudinal direction. A support base 23 is disposed at the lower portion of the housing 22 with its longitudinal direction in the X direction, with its upper surface generally aligned horizontally. Paper P, an example of a medium, is supported on the upper surface of the support base 23 while being transported in the +Y direction, which serves as the transport direction. A guide shaft 24 extending in the X direction is mounted above the support base 23 within the housing 22. A carriage 26 is supported on the guide shaft 24. A recording head 25 for ejecting ink is disposed on the lower surface of the carriage 26. The carriage 26 is supported so that it can freely move back and forth in the X direction relative to the guide shaft 24 while the guide shaft 24 is inserted into a support hole extending in the X direction.

[0026] Within the housing 22, a driving pulley 28 and a driven pulley 29 are rotatably supported near both ends of the guide shaft 24. The output shaft of a carriage motor 30 is coupled to the driving pulley 28, and an endless timing belt 31, partially connected to the carriage 26, is wound between the driving pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29. As the carriage 26 is driven by the carriage motor 30 and guided by the guide shaft 24 via the timing belt 31, it reciprocates in the X direction, which serves as the scanning direction for the paper P. As the paper P is conveyed forward on the support table 23, ink is ejected from the recording head 25 on the lower surface of the carriage 26 onto the paper P.

[0027] The housing 22 is provided with a discharge port 32, a discharge tray 33, and a paper cassette 34 on the +Y side. The discharge port 32 discharges paper P recorded by the ink ejected from the recording head 25. The discharge tray 33 supports the paper P discharged from the housing 22. The paper cassette 34 is provided below the discharge tray 33 and stores a plurality of sheets of paper P used for recording in a stacked state.

[0028] An opening / closing door 35 is provided on the +Y-direction surface of the housing 22 and at the +X-direction end. The opening / closing door 35 can be opened and closed freely, with its lower end as the center of rotation. A window 37 made of a rectangular transparent member is formed on the +Y-direction surface of the opening / closing door 35, allowing visual inspection of the interior. When the opening / closing door 35 of the housing 22 is opened, the ink refill adapter 47 of the ink supply unit 40, described later, is exposed.

[0029] An ink supply unit 40 for supplying ink to the recording head 25 is housed within the housing 22 of the recording device 21, at a position behind the opening and closing door 35. The ink stored in the ink supply unit 40 is supplied to the recording head 25 via an ink supply tube 46. The ink supply tube 46 extending from the ink supply unit 40 is connected to an ink flow channel (not shown) formed in the carriage 26, and is then connected to the recording head 25 via this ink flow channel.

[0030] Figure 2 4 is a perspective view of the ink supply unit 40 . Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 40, and Figure 2 Ⅲ-Ⅲ cross-sectional view. Figure 2 As shown, the ink supply unit 40 includes five ink tanks 41a to 41e, five ink supply tubes 46, and an ink refill adapter 47. The five ink tanks 41a to 41e contain inks of different colors. The colors of the inks contained in the ink tanks 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e are, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. In the following description, the five ink tanks 41a to 41e are collectively referred to as the ink tank 41. The ink tank 41 has a roughly box-like shape, elongated in the Y direction, with cutouts at the ends in the +Z and +Y directions. The ink supply tube 46 is attached to the surface on the -Y side. The cutout portion of the ink tank 41 serves as a step 48. The ink replenishing adapter 47 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is attached so as to cover the stepped portions 48 of all five ink tanks 41 a to 41 e when the five ink tanks 41 a to 41 e are aligned in the X direction.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the ink tank 41 has, in addition to the above-mentioned stepped portion 48, an ink storage chamber 49 for storing ink, a visual confirmation portion 50, and a needle 56. The visual confirmation portion 50 constitutes a portion of the surface on the +Y direction side of the ink storage chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 and is formed of a transparent resin. Figure 2As shown, the visual confirmation portion 50 is marked with an upper limit mark 51, which indicates the upper limit of the ink level stored in the ink storage chamber 49, and a lower limit mark 52, which indicates the lower limit. The user can use the upper limit mark 51 as a reference to ensure that the ink does not overflow. Furthermore, the user can use the lower limit mark 52 as a reference to determine when to refill the ink. The needle 56 has a generally cylindrical shape, extending in the +Z direction and based on the surface of the stepped portion 48 along the XY directions. A first flow channel 54 and a second flow channel 55 are formed within the needle 56. The first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 are formed by dividing the internal space of the needle 56. The first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 connect the ink storage chamber 49 to the outside. The top ends of the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 are located below the top surface of the ink refill adapter 47. Although in this embodiment, the height of the top of the first flow channel 54 in the +Z direction is lower than the height of the top of the second flow channel 55 in the +Z direction, the top of the needle 56 may be a flat surface with the same height as that of the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 .

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ink supply adapter 47 has five ink supply sections 47a. The five ink supply sections 47a are provided so as to correspond to the five ink tanks 41, respectively. Figure 2 As shown, the ink supply portion 47a has a concave portion 60 and a first concave-convex portion 62. The planar shape of the concave portion 60 viewed from the +Z direction is a shape formed by superimposing a circle and a rectangle that is long in the Y direction and has a symmetry line passing through the center of the circle and extending in the Y direction. Figure 3 As shown, the recess 60 penetrates the ink supply adapter 47 in the Z direction, and the −Z direction side end portion is closed by a surface along the XY plane of the step portion 48. The needle 56 is arranged inside the recess 60.

[0033] The first concave-convex portion 62 is composed of a plurality of rod portions 62a arranged inside the recess 60 and extending in the +Z direction. The top ends of the rod portions 62a are located below the top surface of the ink refill adapter 47. The cross-sectional shape and arrangement of the plurality of rod portions 62a are different for each corresponding ink tank 41a to 41e. Although the cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of rod portions 62a included in the ink supply unit 40 are different, for convenience, they are designated with the same reference numerals in this embodiment. The same applies to the first concave-convex portion 62. For example, the first concave-convex portion 62 corresponding to the ink tank 41a includes one rod portion 62a each on the +Y and -Y sides relative to the needle 56. Furthermore, the distance between the rod portion 62a located on the +Y side and the needle 56 is longer than the distance between the rod portion 62a located on the -Y side and the needle 56. In contrast, the first concave-convex portion 62 corresponding to ink tank 41b similarly has two rod portions 62a, but the distance between each rod portion 62a and needle 56 is equal. While description of the first concave-convex portion 62 corresponding to ink tanks 41c through 41e is omitted, the cross-sectional shape and placement of the rod portions 62a are similarly different. By forming the first concave-convex portion 62 with different shapes for each ink tank 41a through 41e, when refilling ink from a bottle 80, only the bottle 80 that matches the ink color of any of the ink tanks 41a through 41e to be refilled can be inserted into the ink refill section 47a. Details of ink refill will be described below.

[0034] A2: Structure of ink supply container:

[0035] Figure 4 It is a side view of the ink supply container 63. Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the bottle body 80. Figure 6 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottle body 80. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle body 80 shown together with the protrusion 684, and is Figure 4 The ink supply container 63 is used to supply ink to the ink supply unit 40 .

[0036] Figures 4 to 7 The Z direction is shown in FIG. One direction of the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the other direction of the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as the upward direction, and the -Z direction is also referred to as the downward direction. Figure 4 As shown, the ink supply container 63 includes a bottle body 80 and a cap 68 detachably mounted on the bottle body 80. The bottle body 80 can store ink and can be opened and closed. Figure 5 As shown, the container body 64 and the ink outlet forming portion 150 are provided.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, the container body 64 has an ink receiving portion 76, a neck portion 77 and a container thread portion 78. Figure 4 As shown, the container body 64 is a bottomed cylindrical container. The internal space of the container body 64 is an ink storage portion 76 for storing ink. The container body 64 is made of a transparent or translucent material. As such a material, for example, polypropylene can be used. Figure 6 As shown, the upper portion of the container body 64 is reduced in diameter, and the reduced portion is a neck portion 77. The container thread portion 78 is an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 77.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, the ink outlet forming portion 150 covers the neck portion 77 of the container body 64 and is detachably mounted on the container body 64. The ink outlet forming portion 150 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an outer peripheral portion 70, a small diameter portion 66, an ink outlet 65, a nozzle threaded portion 82, a first threaded portion 69, a slit valve 74 serving as a valve, and a first protrusion 91. The outer peripheral portion 70 is located at the lower end of the ink outlet forming portion 150 and has a larger diameter than the neck portion 77. The inner circumference of the outer peripheral portion 70 includes the nozzle threaded portion 82, which is an internal thread that screws into the container threaded portion 78 formed on the container body 64. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the outer peripheral portion 70 includes the first threaded portion 69, which is an external thread. The small diameter portion 66 is located above the outer peripheral portion 70. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 66 is smaller than that of the outer peripheral portion 70. The cylindrical ink outlet 65 is arranged at the upper end portion of the small diameter portion 66 .

[0039] In addition to the above-mentioned structure, the ink outlet forming portion 150 also has Figure 5 The two protrusions 71, two second concave-convex portions 72, and positioning portion 73 are shown. The two protrusions 71 and the two second concave-convex portions 72 are formed radially outward of the small-diameter portion 66. The two protrusions 71 have walls extending radially of the small-diameter portion 66 and portions extending circumferentially of the small-diameter portion 66 at the radially distal ends of the walls. The two second concave-convex portions 72 are formed on the walls of the two protrusions 71 so as to extend in a direction intersecting the walls or circumferentially of the small-diameter portion 66. The two protrusions 71 are arranged upright in the +Z direction, with the outer peripheral portion 70 as a base. More specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the two protrusions 71 and the two second concave-convex portions 72 are arranged point-symmetrically about the central axis CX. The two protrusions 71 are formed so as to be embedded in the ink replenishing adapter 47. A second concave-convex portion 72 is formed on each of the two convex portions 71 between the radially outer end portion of the small diameter portion 66 and the end portion on the side of the small diameter portion 66. Figure 7As shown, the shape of each second concave-convex portion 72 viewed from the Z direction is a shape in which a portion of each of the two surfaces parallel to the diameter direction is cut out in order to fit the first concave-convex portion 62. In addition, the shape of the second concave-convex portion 72 varies depending on the color of the ink contained in the bottle body 80, and Figure 7 The shape of the second concavo-convex portion 72 shown in FIG is a shape that fits with the first concavo-convex portion 62 corresponding to the ink tank 41b. Specifically, the shape of the second concavo-convex portion 72 is predetermined according to the color of the ink stored in the bottle 80, and is respectively a shape that fits with the first concavo-convex portion 62 determined according to the ink color. Figure 5 As shown, the positioning portion 73 is formed at the approximate center of the small diameter portion 66 in the Z direction. The positioning portion 73 has a circular ring-shaped portion and portions extending from both ends of the circular ring-shaped portion in the diameter direction toward the two protrusions 71. Figure 7 As shown, when viewed from the Z direction, the positioning portion 73 protrudes outward from the outer peripheries of the small-diameter portion 66, the second concavo-convex portion 72, and the convex portion 71. During ink replenishment, when the bottle 80 is inserted into the ink replenishing portion 47a, the positioning portion 73 abuts against the outer edge of the concave portion 60 on the upper surface of the ink replenishing adapter 47 in the short-side direction, i.e., the X-direction, thereby providing positioning in the direction of the central axis CX.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, the slit valve 74 is provided at the opening of the ink outlet 65 and controls the flow of ink by opening and closing the flow channel in the ink outlet 65. Figure 7 As shown, the slit valve 74 has a valve body 742 made of an elastic material such as silicon. The planar shape of the valve body 742 observed from the Z direction is circular, and is divided by one or more slits 75 extending from the center of the ink outlet 65 toward the periphery and in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the valve body 742 is divided by six slits 75. When no external force is applied to the slit valve 74, the slit 75 is closed and the valve is closed. Moreover, when an external force is applied to the slit valve 74, the slit 75 of the valve body 742 is pushed open and expanded, thereby opening the slit valve 74. As shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the two first protrusions 91 are provided so as to protrude radially inward from the second inner peripheral portion 65a of the ink outlet 65. Figure 6 As shown, the first protrusion 91 is located outside the slit valve 74 in the direction of the central axis CX of the ink outlet 65 .

[0041] like Figure 6As shown, the cap 68 is detachably mounted on the ink outlet forming portion 150 so as to cover the ink outlet forming portion 150. The cap 68 includes a main body 682, a top surface portion 683, a top surface protrusion 683a, a protrusion 684, a second threaded portion 681, and a third threaded portion 685.

[0042] The main body 682 has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the main body 682 is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion 70. The main body 682 includes a first inner peripheral portion 682a that opposes the ink outlet forming portion 150. A second threaded portion 681, or internal thread that engages with the first threaded portion 69, is formed at the -Z direction end of the first inner peripheral portion 682a. The top surface portion 683 is formed to seal the +Z direction end of the main body 682. When the cap is installed, the top surface portion 683 opposes the ink outlet 65 provided on the bottle body 80. A third threaded portion 685 is formed on the top surface portion 683. Specifically, a top surface protrusion 683a is provided on the surface of the top surface portion 683 that opposes the ink outlet 65, protruding toward the ink outlet 65. Furthermore, a hole recessed in the +Z direction along the central axis CX is formed in the top surface protrusion 683 a , and a third threaded portion 685 , which is an internal thread, is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hole.

[0043] The protrusion 684 extends in a direction along the central axis CX of the main body 682. The protrusion 684 has a generally cylindrical shape. The protrusion 684 is mounted by threading the central axis of the protrusion 684 along the central axis CX of the top surface 683 relative to the cover 68. The protrusion 684 includes a side wall 688 as an outer peripheral surface, a fourth threaded portion 686, and two second protrusions 687. The fourth threaded portion 686 is an external thread that can engage with the third threaded portion 685 formed on the +Z direction end of the side wall 688. The two second protrusions 687 are formed so as to protrude radially from the side wall 688 at the -Z direction end of the side wall 688. The protrusion 684 is configured so that the fourth threaded portion 686 is threadedly engaged with the third threaded portion 685, allowing it to advance and retract relative to the cover 68 in the direction of the central axis CX.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first and second threaded portions 69, 681 are right-hand threads that engage when the cap 68 is rotated clockwise relative to the bottle body 80. In contrast, the third and fourth threaded portions 685, 686 are left-hand threads that engage when the cap 68 is rotated counterclockwise relative to the protrusion 684. The pitch P2 of the third and fourth threaded portions 685, 686 is greater than the pitch P1 of the first and second threaded portions 69, 681. This allows the protrusion 684 to advance and retreat farther relative to the rotation of the cap 68, compared to a case where the pitches P1 and P2 are the same.

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, when viewed from the Z direction, the two first protrusions 91 are formed to be point-symmetrical about the central axis CX. Each first protrusion 91 has two wall surfaces that form a substantially right angle with respect to each other. The two second protrusions 687 of the protrusion 684 are arranged on a straight line passing through the central axis CX, facing each other across the central axis CX. Each second protrusion 687 has two wall surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other. When the second threaded portion 681 of the cap 68 is engaged with the first threaded portion 69 of the bottle body 80, one of the two first protrusions 91 abuts against one of the two second protrusions 687. Furthermore, the other first protrusion 91 abuts against the other second protrusion 687. Thus, when the cap 68 is rotated in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 is restricted from rotating relative to the bottle body 80.

[0046] A3: Ink replenishment via ink replenishment container:

[0047] When the ink in the ink tank 41 becomes low, the user replenishes the ink using the ink resupply container 63. Specifically, the user first removes the cap 68 of the ink resupply container 63 to expose the ink outlet forming portion 150. The following describes the movement of the protrusion 684 when the cap 68 of the ink resupply container 63 is removed.

[0048] Figure 8 This figure explains how the relative position of the protrusion 684 with respect to the top surface portion 683 changes in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the cover 68 . Figure 8 The left figure shows the state where the cover 68 is installed. Figure 8The right figure shows the cap 68 and the ink outlet forming portion 150 being disengaged. When the cap 68 is screwed together with the ink outlet forming portion 150, the cap 68 is rotated counterclockwise relative to the ink outlet forming portion 150 in the first direction (the first direction for disengaging the first and second threaded portions 69 and 681), and the first and second threaded portions 69 and 681 are disengaged. When the cap 68 is rotated counterclockwise, the second protrusion 687 of the protrusion 684 abuts the first protrusion 91, restricting the protrusion 684's rotation about the central axis CX. Furthermore, the abutment between the second protrusion 687 and the first protrusion 91 allows the protrusion 684 to rotate relative to the valve body 742 in the clockwise direction, which is the second direction opposite to the first direction. This relative rotation allows the protrusion 684 to move toward the valve body 742, thereby pushing the valve body 742 and entering the slit 75. Specifically, as the third threaded portion 685 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded protrusion of the fourth threaded portion 686 is guided into the thread groove of the third threaded portion 685, so that the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 742. Figure 8 As shown in the right figure of FIG, the protrusion 684 opens the slit valve 74, and the pressure in the ink receiving portion 76 is released.

[0049] In contrast, when the cap 68 is rotated in the clockwise direction, which is the second direction in which the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together, relative to the ink outlet forming portion 150, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together. When the cap 68 is rotated in the clockwise direction in which the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and then separates from the valve body 742. As the protrusion 684 separates from the valve body 742, the valve body 742 is closed. As a result, Figure 8 As shown in the left figure, when the cap 68 is installed, the protrusion 684 does not deform the valve body 742, thereby suppressing creep deformation of the valve body 742. If the valve body 742 creeps, there is a possibility that ink will drip from the valve body 742 when the bottle 80 is inverted. By suppressing creep deformation of the valve body 742, it is possible to suppress ink dripping when the bottle 80 is inverted.

[0050] During ink replenishment using the ink refill container 63, after removing the cap 68 from the bottle body 80, the user inverts the bottle body 80 and fits the exposed protrusion 71 of the bottle body 80 into the recess 60 of the ink supply unit 40. If the internal pressure of the ink reservoir 76 increases and the pressure within the ink reservoir 76 is not fully released, the combined pressure of the internal pressure of the ink refill container 63 and the ink level pressure may exceed the withstand pressure of the valve body 742 when the bottle body 80 is inverted, causing the ink to violently eject. Examples of reasons for the increase in internal pressure in the ink refill container 63 include a temperature increase compared to when the cap 68 was last attached. Regarding this point, in this embodiment, as described above, when the cap 68 is removed from the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 enters the valve body 742, releasing the pressure in the ink supply container 63, thereby suppressing the violent ejection of ink even when the ink supply container 63 is inverted.

[0051] Figure 9 The figure shows a state where the bottle 80 is inserted into the ink supply adapter 47 in an inverted state. As described above, the second concave-convex portion 72 of the bottle 80 is shaped so as to fit into the first concave-convex portion 62 corresponding to the color of the ink stored. When the color of the ink stored in the bottle 80 matches the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 41 to be replenished, Figure 9 As shown, the user can insert the bottle 80 into the ink refill adapter 47. This allows the user to refill ink without error. The user inserts the bottle 80 until the positioning portion 73 contacts the upper surface of the ink refill adapter 47. When the bottle 80 is inserted, the needle 56 opens the slit valve 74. One of the first and second flow channels 54, 55 becomes the ink flow channel, while the other becomes the air flow channel. Furthermore, the channel whose open end first contacts the ink becomes the ink flow channel, while the channel that does not become the ink flow channel becomes the air flow channel. The slit valve 74 is opened, and the ink in the bottle 80 is refilled into the ink tank 41 through the first or second flow channel 54, 55. When refilling is complete, the user removes the bottle 80 from the ink refill adapter 47 and installs the cap 68 on the bottle 80. As described above, when the cap 68 is mounted on the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 of the cap 68 is separated from the valve body 742. Figure 3 as well as Figure 9 , the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 are shown to have different heights, but the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 55 may be formed to have the same height.

[0052] According to the embodiment described above, when the cap 68 is rotated in the first direction, which disengages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 742, pushing the valve body 742 and entering the slit 75. Thus, the protrusion 684 can release pressure within the bottle 80 by pushing the valve body 742. Furthermore, when the cap 68 is rotated in the second direction, which engages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 rotates relative to the first direction and moves away from the valve body 742. This separation of the protrusion 684 from the valve body 742 suppresses creep deformation of the valve body 742. Furthermore, when the cap 68 is rotated in the first direction, the second protrusion 687 abuts the first protrusion 91, causing the protrusion 684 to rotate relative to the second direction and move toward the valve body 742, pushing the valve body 742 and entering the slit 75. Furthermore, when the cap 68 rotates in the second direction, the second protrusion 687 abuts the first protrusion 91, causing the protrusion 684 to rotate relative to the first direction and move away from the valve body 742. In this manner, when the cap 68 rotates in the first direction relative to the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 can push the valve body 742. Furthermore, when the cap 68 rotates in the second direction relative to the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 can move away from the valve body 742. Furthermore, the pitch P2 of the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 can be set to be greater than the pitch P1 of the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681. This can increase the distance that the protrusion 684 advances and retreats relative to the rotation of the cap 68, compared to a case where the pitch P2 is equal to or less than the pitch P1.

[0053] B. Other implementation methods:

[0054] B1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0055] In the above embodiment, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 have a right-hand thread structure, while the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 have a left-hand thread structure. Alternatively, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 may have a left-hand thread structure, while the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 may have a right-hand thread structure. By providing mutually opposite thread structures for the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 and the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686, it is possible to achieve a structure in which the protrusion 684 advances and retreats as the cap 68 rotates relative to the bottle body 80.

[0056] B2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0057] In the above embodiment, two first protrusions 91 are provided to protrude from the ink outlet 65. The first protrusion 91 has two wall surfaces that form a substantially right angle with each other. The shape of the first protrusion 91 is not limited to this; it may also protrude from the second inner circumference 65a of the ink outlet 65 toward the central axis CX. Furthermore, two second protrusions 687 are provided on the protrusion 684. The shapes of the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 687 are not limited to those described above. For example, one first protrusion 91 and one second protrusion 687 may be provided, or the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 687 may be interlocked in the vertical direction.

[0058] B3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0059] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 684 is attached to the top surface portion 683 by threaded engagement between the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686, thereby enabling the protrusion 684 to advance and retreat as the cap 68 rotates relative to the bottle body 80. The structure of advancing and retreating the protrusion 684 by rotating the cap 68 relative to the bottle body 80 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a cam structure that converts the rotational motion of the cap 68 into forward and backward motion in the direction of the central axis CX may also be used.

[0060] C. Other methods:

[0061] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its main purpose. For example, the present disclosure can also be implemented in the following ways. In order to solve part or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of the present disclosure, the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if the technical feature is not described as a necessary technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0062] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ink supply container is provided. The ink supply container comprises a bottle body capable of storing ink and a cap mounted on the bottle body in a detachable manner, wherein the bottle body comprises: an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve having a valve body made of an elastic material provided at the ink outlet and divided by one or more slits; and the cap comprises: a main body portion which is cylindrical and has a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second threaded portion which can be engaged with the first threaded portion; and a top portion portion which is mounted on the cap. The protrusion extends in a direction along the central axis of the main body. When the cap is rotated in a first direction that disengages the first and second threaded portions, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit, thereby opening the valve body. When the cap is rotated in a second direction that engages the first and second threaded portions, the protrusion moves away from the valve body due to relative rotation in the first direction, thereby closing the valve body. According to this embodiment, when the cap is rotated relative to the bottle body in the first direction, the protrusion pushes the valve body, thereby releasing pressure within the bottle body. Furthermore, when the cap is rotated relative to the bottle body in the second direction, the protrusion moves away from the valve body, thereby suppressing creep deformation of the valve body.

[0063] (2) The following structure may also be adopted, that is, in the ink supply container of the above-mentioned embodiment, the bottle body further includes a first protrusion protruding from the second inner peripheral portion of the ink outlet, the cap further includes a third threaded portion formed on the top surface portion, and the protrusion includes: a side wall formed with a fourth threaded portion capable of engaging with the third threaded portion; and a second protrusion protruding from the side wall. When the cap is rotated in the first direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, causing the protrusion to rotate relative to the second direction and move toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit. When the cap is rotated in the second direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, causing the protrusion to rotate relative to the first direction and move away from the valve body. According to this embodiment, when the cap is rotated in the first direction, the protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, causing the protrusion to rotate relative to the second direction and move toward the valve body. Furthermore, when the cap is rotated in the second direction, the protrusion can abut against the first protrusion via the second protrusion, thereby rotating relative to the bottle in the first direction and separating from the valve body. Thus, when the cap is rotated in the first direction relative to the bottle body, the protrusion pushes against the valve body, thereby releasing pressure within the bottle body. Furthermore, when the cap is rotated in the second direction relative to the bottle body, the protrusion separates from the valve body, thereby suppressing creep deformation of the valve body.

[0064] (3) In the ink supply container of the above embodiment, the pitch of the third and fourth threaded portions may be greater than the pitch of the first and second threaded portions. According to this embodiment, the distance the protrusion advances and retreats relative to the rotation amount of the cap can be increased compared to a case where the pitch of the third and fourth threaded portions is equal to or less than the pitch of the first and second threaded portions.

[0065] The multiple structural elements of each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are not all required. In order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, some of the multiple structural elements can be appropriately changed, deleted, replaced with new structural elements, or partially deleted. In addition, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, part or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above can be combined with part or all of the technical features included in another embodiment of the present disclosure described above, thereby forming an independent embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] D: Other implementation methods:

[0067] Next, the structure of the ink supply container 63A as another embodiment will be described. Components identical to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0068] like Figure 10 As shown, the ink supply container 63A includes a bottle body 80 capable of storing ink and a cap 68A detachably mounted on the bottle body 80A. Figure 11 As shown, the bottle 80A includes a container body 64A and an ink outlet forming portion 150A.

[0069] like Figure 12 As shown, the container body 64A includes an ink container 76, a neck 77, and a container thread 78. The container body 64A is a bottomed cylindrical container. The interior space of the container body 64A serves as the ink container 76 for storing ink.

[0070] The ink outlet forming portion 150A covers the neck portion 77 of the container body 64A and is detachably mounted to the container body 64A. The ink outlet forming portion 150A has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an outer peripheral portion 70, a small diameter portion 66, an ink outlet 65, a nozzle threaded portion 82, a first threaded portion 69, a valve 174, and a first protrusion 91.

[0071] A valve 174 is provided at the opening of the ink outlet 65. The valve 174 controls the flow of ink by opening and closing the flow path in the ink outlet 65.

[0072] The valve 174 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical valve housing 845. The valve housing 845 is disposed at the opening of the ink outlet 65. The valve housing 845 houses a sealing member 843, a valve body 842, and a spring member 844.

[0073] The sealing member 843 is cylindrical and is attached to the inner circumference of the ink outlet 65. The sealing member 843 is formed of an elastic material such as silicon. A protrusion 843a is formed on the inner circumference of the sealing member 843, and the protrusion 843a is convex toward the central axis CX.

[0074] The valve body 842 is arranged below the sealing member 843 and is configured to be movable relative to the sealing member 843 in the direction along the Z axis. Specifically, the valve body 842 is configured to be able to abut against and separate from the sealing member 843. The valve body 842 is urged toward the sealing member 843 by the spring member 844. In addition, an opening 845a extending in the direction along the Z axis is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the valve housing 845. The opening 845a is a through hole that penetrates the side wall of the valve housing 845 in a radial direction centered on the central axis CX.

[0075] The valve body 842 includes a flat portion 842b that abuts the sealing member 843. The -Z end surface of the sealing member 843 abuts the +Z end surface of the flat portion 842b, thereby closing the flow path within the ink outlet 65. On the other hand, the -Z end surface of the sealing member 843 and the +Z end surface of the flat portion 842b separate, thereby establishing communication between the ink outlet 65 and the ink receiving portion 76 via the opening 845a (opening to the atmosphere), and the flow path within the ink outlet 65 is opened.

[0076] Furthermore, the valve body 842 is provided with a protruding portion 842 a that protrudes from the flat portion 842 b in the +Z direction. The protruding portion 842 a is arranged at a position facing the protrusion 684 .

[0077] For example, the spring member 844 is a coil spring. The -Z end of the spring member 844 is supported by the valve housing 845, while the +Z end of the spring member 844 abuts against the valve body 842, thereby supporting the valve body 842. The force applied in the +Z direction by the spring member 844 causes the valve body 842 to abut against the sealing member 843, thereby closing the flow path within the ink outlet 65. Specifically, when no external force is applied to the valve body 842, the sealing member 843 and the valve body 842 abut against each other, resulting in a closed valve state.

[0078] When an external force is applied to the valve body 842 in the −Z direction, the valve body 842 is pushed downward in the −Z direction relative to the sealing member 843 , whereby the sealing member 843 and the valve body 842 are separated, thereby achieving an open valve state.

[0079] The cap 68A is detachably mounted on the ink outlet forming portion 150A so as to cover the ink outlet forming portion 150A. The cap 68A includes a main body 682, a top surface portion 683, a top surface protrusion 683a, a protrusion 684, a second threaded portion 681, and a third threaded portion 685. The protrusion 684 is configured to be movable forward and backward relative to the cap 68A in the direction of the central axis CX.

[0080] When the ink stored in the ink tank 41 becomes low, the user replenishes the ink using the ink replenishing container 63A. Specifically, the user first removes the cap 68A of the ink replenishing container 63A to expose the ink outlet forming portion 150A.

[0081] Here, the movement of the protrusion 684 when the cap 68A of the ink supply container 63A is removed will be described.

[0082] Figure 13 This figure explains how the relative position of the protrusion 684 with respect to the top surface portion 683 changes in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the cover 68A. Figure 13 The left picture shows the state where the cover 68A is installed. Figure 13 The right figure shows the cap 68A and the ink outlet forming portion 150A being disengaged. While the cap 68A is threadedly engaged with the ink outlet forming portion 150A, when the cap 68A is rotated counterclockwise relative to the ink outlet forming portion 150A in the first direction (the first direction for disengaging the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681), the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are disengaged. When the cap 68A is rotated counterclockwise, the second protrusion 687 of the protrusion 684 abuts the first protrusion 91, restricting the protrusion 684 from rotating about the central axis CX. Furthermore, the abutment between the second protrusion 687 and the first protrusion 91 allows the protrusion 684 to rotate relative to the ink outlet forming portion 150A in the clockwise direction, a second direction opposite to the first direction. Through this relative rotation, the protrusion 684 moves toward the protrusion 842a of the valve body 842. Furthermore, the protrusion 684 abuts against the protrusion 842a, thereby pressing the protrusion 842a (valve body 842) downward (-Z direction). In detail, through the counterclockwise rotation of the third threaded portion 685, the threaded protrusion of the fourth threaded portion 686 is guided into the thread groove of the third threaded portion 685, thereby moving the protrusion 684 toward the valve body 842. Specifically, as Figure 13 As shown in the right figure, the protrusion 684 moves the valve body 842 in the -Z direction against the biasing force of the spring member 844. As a result, the sealing member 843 and the valve body 84 are separated, and the valve is opened through the opening 845a, thereby releasing the pressure in the ink container 76.

[0083] On the other hand, when the cap 68A is rotated in the clockwise direction, which is the second direction in which the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together, relative to the ink outlet forming portion 150A, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together. When the cap 68A is rotated in the clockwise direction in which the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 are screwed together, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and moves away from the valve body 842. As the protrusion 684 moves away from the valve body 842, the sealing member 843 abuts against the valve body 842, and the valve 174 is closed. Figure 13 As shown in the left figure, when the cap 68A is installed, the protrusion 684 is separated from the valve body 842, so the valve body 842 is not pressed by the protrusion 684, thereby suppressing creep deformation of the valve body 842. Furthermore, if the valve body 842 creeps, there is a possibility that ink will drip from the valve body 842 when the bottle 80A is inverted. In this embodiment, by suppressing creep deformation of the valve body 842, it is possible to suppress ink dripping when the bottle 80A is inverted.

[0084] During ink replenishment using the ink refill container 63A, after removing the cap 68A from the bottle body 80A, the user inverts the bottle body 80A and fits the exposed protrusion 71 of the bottle body 80A into the recess 60 of the ink supply unit 40. If the internal pressure of the ink container 76 increases and the pressure within the ink container 76 is not sufficiently released, the inversion of the bottle body 80A may cause the combined pressure of the internal pressure of the ink refill container 63A and the pressure of the ink level to exceed the withstand pressure of the valve body 842, causing the ink to be violently ejected. Examples of reasons for the increase in internal pressure in the ink refill container 63A include a temperature increase compared to when the cap 68A was last attached. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the cap 68A is removed from the bottle body 80A, the valve body 842 is pressed by the protrusion 684, thereby opening the valve 174 and releasing the pressure in the ink receiving portion 76. Therefore, even when the ink supply container 63A is inverted, the violent ejection of ink can be suppressed.

[0085] Figure 14This figure shows the bottle 80A inserted into the ink tank 41 in an inverted state. When the bottle 80A is inserted, the needle 56 presses the valve body 842, opening the valve 174. Either the first flow channel 54 or the second flow channel 55 becomes the flow channel for ink, while the other becomes the flow channel for air. Valve 174 is opened, and the ink in the bottle 80A is supplied to the ink tank 41 through the first flow channel 54 or the second flow channel 55. Furthermore, when the bottle 80A is inserted into the ink tank 41, the protrusion 843a of the sealing member 843 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the needle 56, maintaining the seal of the ink outlet 65 and preventing ink leakage.

[0086] When refilling is completed, the user removes the bottle 80A from the ink tank 41 and installs the cap 68A on the bottle 80A. As described above, when the cap 68A is installed on the bottle 80A, the protrusion 684 of the cap 68A is separated from the valve body 842.

[0087] According to the embodiment described above, when the cap 68A is rotated in the first direction, which disengages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 842, pushing the valve body 842 downward. This opens the valve 174, thereby releasing pressure within the bottle 80A. Furthermore, when the cap 68A is rotated in the second direction, which engages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 rotates relative to the valve body 842 in the first direction and moves away from the valve body 842. This suppresses creep deformation of the valve body 842. Furthermore, compared to a configuration using a slit valve 74, the problem of ink leakage from the slit 75 due to creep deformation is eliminated. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the protrusion 684 of the cap 68A normally opens the valve 174, in this embodiment, the load of the spring member 844 is temporary. Although chemical cracking is likely to occur due to continuous stress caused by the spring load for opening the valve acting on the portion where ink adheres, this can be easily avoided because the spring load for opening the valve is temporary.

[0088] While the ink resupply containers 63 and 63A of the above embodiments have been described with respect to the structure of the valves, such as the slit valve 74 and the valve 174 having the spring member 844, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any valve structure may be employed as long as it can be opened and closed by the movement of the protrusion 684. For example, any ink resupply container may be employed in which, when the cap 68A is rotated in a first direction that disengages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 842, pushing the valve body and opening the valve. When the cap 68A is rotated in a second direction that engages the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 rotates relative to the valve body in the first direction, separating from the valve body and closing the valve. In this manner, when the cap 68A is rotated in the first direction relative to the bottle body 80, the protrusion 684 pushes the valve body, thereby releasing pressure within the bottle body 80. Furthermore, when the cap 68 is rotated relative to the bottle body 80 in the second direction, the protrusion 684 separates from the valve body, thereby suppressing deformation of the valve body and preventing the continued application of load to the valve-opening components. In particular, the sustained stress caused by the sustained load acting on the portion where the ink adheres can easily cause chemical cracking, but this can be easily avoided with the present invention.

[0089] Explanation of symbols

[0090] 21…Recording device; 22…Casing; 23…Support platform; 24…Guide shaft; 25…Recording head; 26…Slide carriage; 28…Drive pulley; 29…Driven pulley; 30…Slide carriage motor; 31…Timing belt; 32…Discharge port; 33…Discharge tray; 34…Paper cassette; 35…Opening and closing door; 37…Window; 40…Ink supply unit; 41, 41a to 41e…Ink tank; 46…Ink supply tube; 47…Ink supply adapter; 47… a…ink supply portion; 48…stepped portion; 49…ink storage chamber; 50…visual inspection portion; 51…upper limit mark; 52…lower limit mark; 54…first flow channel; 55…second flow channel; 56…needle; 60…recessed portion; 62…first concave-convex portion; 62a…rod portion; 63, 63A…ink supply container; 64, 64A…container body; 65…ink outlet; 65a…second inner peripheral portion; 66…small-diameter portion; 68, 68A…cap; 69… First threaded portion; 70…outer peripheral portion; 71…convex portion; 72…second concave-convex portion; 73…positioning portion; 74…slit valve; 75…slit; 76…ink receiving portion; 77…neck portion; 78…container threaded portion; 80, 80A…bottle body; 82…spout threaded portion; 91…first protrusion; 150, 150A…ink outlet forming portion; 174…valve; 681…second threaded portion; 682…body portion; 682a…first inner peripheral portion; 683… Top surface portion; 683a…top surface protrusion; 684…protrusion; 685…third threaded portion; 686…fourth threaded portion; 687…second protrusion; 688…side wall; 742…valve body; 842…valve body; 842a…protrusion; 842b…flat portion; 843‥‥sealing component; 843a…protrusion; 844…spring component; 845…valve housing; 845a…opening; CX…center axis; P…paper; P1, P2…pitch.

Claims

1. An ink supply container comprising a bottle body capable of storing ink and a cap detachably mounted on the bottle body, wherein: The bottle body has: an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body, The cover has: a main body portion having a cylindrical shape and having a first inner peripheral portion on which a second threaded portion capable of engaging with the first threaded portion is formed; a top surface portion, which is opposite to the ink outlet when the cap is mounted on the bottle body; a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the main body, When the cap is rotated in a first direction to release the engagement between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve, thereby pushing the valve body and opening the valve. When the cap is rotated in the second direction so as to engage the first threaded portion with the second threaded portion, the protrusion is relatively rotated in the first direction to separate from the valve body, thereby closing the valve.

2. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein The valve further comprises: a sealing member installed at the ink outlet; A spring member urges the valve body toward the sealing member.

3. An ink supply container comprising a bottle body capable of storing ink and a cap detachably mounted on the bottle body, wherein: The bottle body has: an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first threaded portion; a valve having a valve body made of an elastic material disposed at the ink outlet and divided by one or more slits, The cover has: a main body portion having a cylindrical shape and having a first inner peripheral portion on which a second threaded portion capable of engaging with the first threaded portion is formed; a top surface portion, which is opposite to the ink outlet when the cap is mounted on the bottle body; a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the main body, When the cover is rotated in a first direction to release the engagement between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit, thereby opening the valve body. When the cap is rotated in the second direction so as to engage the first threaded portion with the second threaded portion, the protrusion is relatively rotated in the first direction to separate from the valve body, thereby closing the valve body.

4. The ink supply container according to claim 3, wherein: The bottle body further has a first protrusion, which protrudes from the second inner peripheral portion of the ink outlet. The cover further has a third threaded portion formed on the top surface portion. The protrusion has: a side wall having a fourth threaded portion formed thereon and capable of engaging with the third threaded portion; a second protrusion protruding from the side wall, When the cover rotates in the first direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, so that the protrusion rotates relatively in the second direction and moves toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit. When the cover rotates in the second direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, causing the protrusion to relatively rotate in the first direction and separate from the valve body.

5. The ink supply container according to claim 4, wherein: The pitches of the third and fourth threaded portions are greater than the pitches of the first and second threaded portions.

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