Liquid container and liquid supply device

Abstract

The liquid containment bottle and liquid supply device of the present invention are capable of retaining liquid dripping from the opening of the bottle body. The bottle (200A) has a base portion (84), an annular wall (85), and a neck (86) in the bottle body (8). The annular wall is spaced apart from the neck and is located around the neck, protruding upward relative to the base portion. During the process of placing the bottle in a loading position after replenishing ink, the ink adhering around the outlet (862E) on the neck exists between the annular wall and the neck along the outer surface area of ​​the neck. The bottle has a locking portion (913) on the top wall (91) of the cap (9) facing inward (r21) than the side wall (92). The locking portion closes the outlet, preventing the ink accumulated between the annular wall and the neck from returning to the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid containment bottle for containing liquid. Background Technology

[0002] As a structure that can keep the ink level in the can constant by sequentially supplying ink from a bottle connected to the can to the can when the ink stored in the can is consumed, an ink supply device is disclosed that supplies ink from a bottle to the can in a so-called chicken feed method (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the ink supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bottle is connected to a can from above. The can has an air inlet 4 that communicates with the atmosphere. The bottle has an ink outlet pipe 2 and an air inlet pipe 3. When the bottle and can are connected, they are connected via the ink outlet pipe 2 and the air inlet pipe 3. When the ink in the can is consumed and the ink level is below the top end 3a of the air inlet pipe 3, air enters the can from the air inlet 4 and enters the bottle through the air inlet pipe 3. Furthermore, an amount of ink equal to the volume of air entering the bottle is supplied from the bottle to the can through the ink outlet pipe 2. When the ink level reaches the top end 3a of the air inlet pipe 3, the ink supply stops. In this way, the ink level in the can is maintained at a constant level.

[0004] Priority Technology Documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-133471

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] After ink is supplied from the bottle to the can, the bottle is sealed with a cap when ink remains in the bottle. The cap is removed before resupplying ink to the can. During the ink supply process, ink adhering to the bottle's ink outlet tube 2 and air inlet tube 3 may drip from the cap outwards, potentially staining the user's fingers, table, etc. The same problem occurs when ink drips from the cap while it is closed.

[0009] In an ink supply device, the same type of liquid is stored in a container and a bottle connected to the container. Examples of the same type of liquid include ink of the same color and the same pretreatment solution. Therefore, there is a problem of preventing the connection between the container and the bottle that stores different types of liquids. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a liquid containment bottle that can hold liquid dripping from the opening of the bottle body and prevent accidental connection between the bottle and the can.

[0011] Technical means for solving problems

[0012] (1) The present invention is a liquid containing bottle comprising: a bottle body having an internal space for containing liquid for supplying to a container of a liquid consumption device; and a cap mounted on the bottle body. The bottle body has: an upper surface; a nozzle protruding upwards relative to the upper surface and having an opening formed on its top surface; an annular wall located around the nozzle at a distance from it and protruding upwards relative to the upper surface; and a key member engaging with a fitting portion provided around the inlet of the container. The cap has an annular abutment portion that, in the installed state of the cap mounted on the bottle body, abuts the annular wall in a liquid-tight manner.

[0013] Liquid dripping from the nozzle opening accumulates between the nozzle and the annular wall, making it difficult for the liquid to adhere to the user's fingers, the table on which the bottle is placed, or other surfaces. When installed, the upper end of the annular wall and the annular contact point are in a liquid-tight contact, preventing liquid accumulated between the nozzle and the annular wall from leaking out of the cap.

[0014] By changing the position, length, height, and number of key components according to each type of liquid container, the type of liquid container can be identified through the key components. Furthermore, it is possible to install the liquid container only on its corresponding container.

[0015] (2) In the installed state, the annular abutment portion is in liquid-tight contact with the upper end of the annular wall.

[0016] (3) The key component protrudes upward relative to the upper surface. The upper end of the key component is closer to the upper surface than the upper end of the annular wall.

[0017] (4) The cover also has a closure portion that blocks the opening in the installed state.

[0018] When installed, the closure will block the opening, so the liquid contained inside will not leak out of the opening.

[0019] (5) The bottle body also has a valve mechanism that can open and close the opening formed in the nozzle.

[0020] The valve mechanism makes it more difficult for liquid to leak from the opening.

[0021] (6) The cap is attached to the bottle body by screwing it onto the outside of the annular wall.

[0022] (7) The upper end of the annular wall is circular.

[0023] (8) The key component is located in the space between the nozzle and the annular wall.

[0024] Key components are unlikely to become an obstacle when the lid is closed.

[0025] (9) The key component is connected to the nozzle and the annular wall.

[0026] (10) The key component is connected to the nozzle, but not to the annular wall.

[0027] (11) The key component is not connected to the nozzle, but to the annular wall.

[0028] (12) The key component extends outward from the annular wall.

[0029] (13) The protrusion or recess is located on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall.

[0030] The position of key components can be determined by using the protrusions or recesses as indicators.

[0031] (14) The upper end of the annular wall is located above the top surface.

[0032] When the bottle is tilted and inverted, the liquid dripping from the top of the nozzle is easily caught by the annular wall.

[0033] (15) The present invention is a liquid supply device comprising the aforementioned liquid receiving bottle and a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid. The tank comprises: a tank recess that engages with the annular wall; a connecting pipe located in the tank recess, having a first flow path and a second flow path connecting the storage chamber to the outside; and a fitted portion located in the tank recess that engages with the key component. By inserting the annular wall into the tank recess, engaging the key component with the fitted portion, and inserting the connecting pipe into the opening of the nozzle, the bottle body is connected such that liquid can flow from the interior space of the bottle body into the storage chamber of the tank.

[0034] (16) The cans are provided in multiples for each color of the liquid contained. The fitting portion is in a different position or shape for each of the multiple cans. The key component is in a position or shape that can fit into the fitting portion of the corresponding can.

[0035] Invention Effects

[0036] According to the present invention, liquid dripping from the opening of the bottle body can be contained. Furthermore, it can prevent the liquid containing bottle from being connected to an incorrect container. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1(A) is a perspective view of the MFP100 when the housing 2 is in the shielded position P11, and (B) is a perspective view of the MFP100 when the housing 2 is in the exposed position P12.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printing section 3.

[0039] Figure 3 (A) is a perspective view of the tank assembly 31 with the lids 6A to 6D in the closed position P21, and (B) is a top view schematically showing the tank assembly 31, the recording unit 32 and its surrounding structure.

[0040] Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view of the protruding wall 45, needle-like member 44, and fitted portion 46 of the main body 41. (B) is a view taken from the direction of arrow AR1 along... Figure 1 (A) is a sectional view of the longitudinal section of the main body 41 with a single-dotted dashed line A-A'.

[0041] Figure 5 (A) is a perspective view of can assembly 31 with lids 6A to 6D in the open position P22, and (B) is a perspective view of bottles 200A to 200D.

[0042] Figure 6 (A) is a three-dimensional view of the main body of the bottle 8, (B) is Figure 1 (A) Enlarged view of the structure on the base portion 84.

[0043] Figure 7 (A) is observed from the direction of arrow AR3 along... Figure 6 (A) is a diagram showing the longitudinal section of the bottle body 8 with the single-dotted line C-C'. (B) is... Figure 7 (A) Enlarged view of the structure on the base portion 84.

[0044] Figure 8 (A) is a perspective view showing angles Dθ4 to Dθ10 in the fitted part 46, and (B) is a view taken from the direction of arrow AR2 along... Figure 5 (B) is a longitudinal section of a portion of the bottle cap 9 and the bottle body 8, with a single-dotted line B-B'.

[0045] Figure 9 (A) is a perspective view of can 4A connected to bottle body 8, and (B) is a view viewed from the direction of arrow AR4 along... Figure 9 (A) is a diagram of the longitudinal section of the bottle body 8 and the can 4A with a single-dotted line D-D'.

[0046] Figure 10 (A) is a perspective view of the protruding wall 45 and needle-like member 44 involved in the modified example; (B) is a view from the right along... Figure 10(A) is a sectional view of the longitudinal section of the main body 41 with a single-dotted dashed line A-A'.

[0047] Figure 11 (A) is a perspective view of the bottle body 8 involved in the modified example, and (B) is... Figure 11 (A) A top view of the bottle body 8 approaching z22.

[0048] Figure 12 The modified example involves the bottle body 8 and the bottle cap 9, along... Figure 5 The longitudinal section view of the single-dotted dashed line B-B' in the image.

[0049] Symbol Explanation

[0050] 3. Printing Department

[0051] 31··· Tank Group

[0052] 4A~4D···cans

[0053] 41···Main Body

[0054] 43··· Upper surface

[0055] 44···Needle-shaped parts

[0056] 441, 442···Flow path

[0057] 443··· next door

[0058] 45···Protruding wall

[0059] 71, 72... Bending plates

[0060] 73, 74... connecting plates

[0061] 46···The fitted part

[0062] 47···Storage Room

[0063] 48 acupoints

[0064] 200A~200D···bottle

[0065] 8. Bottle body

[0066] 84··· Base Section

[0067] 841··· Upper Surface

[0068] 85··· Annular wall

[0069] 851···Bottom

[0070] 852···End Face

[0071] 853···Outer Peripheral Surface

[0072] 854··· Male Thread

[0073] 86··· Neck

[0074] 861···Large diameter part

[0075] 862···Small path section

[0076] 862A... outer perimeter

[0077] 862B, 862C... Annular flat surface

[0078] 87 Containment Room

[0079] 88··· key components

[0080] 9. Bottle cap

[0081] 91···Top Wall

[0082] 92···Sidewall

[0083] 93··· Female thread Detailed Implementation

[0084] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and appropriate modifications can certainly be made to the embodiments of the present invention without changing the spirit of the invention. Moreover, in the following description, the movement from the starting point to the ending point of the arrow is expressed as orientation, and the movement along the line connecting the starting and ending points of the arrow is expressed as direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Furthermore, the posture in which the MFP100 is set in a usable manner on a horizontal plane (…) Figure 1 The vertical direction z1 is defined based on the posture (also called the "usage posture"), the front-back direction y1 is defined based on the surface of the MFP100 with the opening 1B as the front surface 11, and the left-right direction x1 is defined when viewing the MFP100 from the front. In this embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction z1 is the vertical direction, the front-back direction y1 and the left-right direction x1 are parallel to the horizontal plane, and the front-back direction y1 is orthogonal to the left-right direction x1.

[0085] [Structure of MFP100]

[0086] exist Figure 1 In this example, the MFP100 is a multifunction printer, comprising a housing 1, a housing cover 2, and a printing unit 3. The MFP100 is an example of a liquid consumption device, and is part of a liquid supply system.

[0087] The shell 1 is roughly rectangular in shape, dividing the internal space 1A of the MFP100 from the outside (refer to...). Figure 1(B) The upper end of the internal space 1A becomes an upward-facing opening. A forward-facing opening 1B is formed near the center of the left and right sides of the front surface 11 of the shell 1. The opening 1B is rectangular in shape when viewed from the front and communicates with the internal space 1A.

[0088] The housing cover 2 is connected to the housing 1 near the upper rear corner via connector 21, at the shielded position P11 (refer to...). Figure 1 (A) and exposed position P12 (refer to) Figure 1 (B)) rotates about the rotation axis of the connecting member 21. In the shielded position P11, the housing 2 shields the constituent elements in the internal space 1A (see reference). Figure 1 (B)). The components include tank assembly 31, recording unit 32, etc. At the exposed position P12, the shell cover 2 exposes these components to the outside.

[0089] The housing 2 can also house a scanning unit that optically reads original documents. The MFP100 may also have fax functionality, among other features.

[0090] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the printing unit 3, excluding the tank assembly 31 and the recording unit 32 (see reference) Figure 1 In addition to (B), the internal space 1A also includes a supply tray 33, a discharge tray 34, a conveyor path 35, a feed roller section 36, a conveyor roller section 37, a discharge roller section 38, and a pressure plate 39, which record the paper S (refer to) by inkjet printing. Figure 2 Record images on the screen.

[0091] The supply tray 33 and the discharge tray 34 pass through opening 1B (see reference). Figure 1 Installed in internal space 1A. Multiple sheets of paper S are stacked on the supply tray 33. The discharge tray 34 is located above the supply tray 33, supporting the sheets of paper S on which images have been recorded. The conveyor path 35 is in... Figure 2 The section, indicated by a dashed arrow, has a curved section 351 and a straight section 352. The curved section 351 extends upward from the rear end of the supply tray 33 while making a forward U-shaped turn. The straight section 352 extends forward in a straight line from the downstream end of the curved section 351 to the rear end of the discharge tray 34.

[0092] The feed roller 36 feeds the sheets of paper S one by one from the supply tray 33 to the upstream end of the bending section 351. The conveyor roller 37, located at the downstream end of the bending section 351, feeds the sheets of paper S conveyed by the bending section 351 towards the straight section 352 along the conveying direction y2. The conveying direction y2 is in front of the straight section 352. The discharge roller 38, located immediately after the discharge tray 34 in the straight section 352, discharges the sheets of paper S conveyed by the straight section 352 towards the discharge tray 34.

[0093] The pressure plate 39 is located between the conveyor roller section 37 and the discharge roller section 38 in the straight section 352, supporting the paper S fed from the conveyor roller section 37 from below. The recording section 32 is located above the pressure plate 39 and includes a carriage 321 and a recording head 322. The carriage 321 reciprocates along the main scanning direction x2, which is parallel to the left-right direction x1. The recording head 322 is mounted on the carriage 321 with its lower surface facing the upper surface of the pressure plate 39 across the straight section 352. Nozzles 323 are arranged in a front-back, left-right, and right-right manner on the lower surface of the recording head 322. The recording head 322 ejects four colors of ink stored in the recording head 322 from the multiple nozzles 323. The ink is a liquid. The four colors are Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). While the recording head 322 moves at a constant speed along the main scanning direction x2 together with the carriage 321, ink is ejected from the nozzle 323 onto the paper S, which is stopped on the pressure plate 39. Thus, one channel of image is recorded on the paper S. When the recording of one channel of image is finished, the paper S is transported intermittently by the transport rollers 37 along the transport direction y2 by the amount of a line break width. This image recording and intermittent transport are repeated alternately, recording an image on the entire paper S.

[0094] [Tank Group 31]

[0095] exist Figure 3 In this assembly, tank group 31 comprises four tanks 4A-4D, two retaining components 51A and 51B, four covers 6A-6D, and two tank covers 52A and 52B. Figure 3 (B) does not show retaining components 51A, 51B, covers 6A to 6D and canisters 52A, 52B.

[0096] Cans 4A to 4D are installed immediately behind the front surface 11. Can 4A is located to the left of the supply tray 33. Cans 4B to 4D are located to the right of the supply tray 33, arranged from left to right in the order of cans 4B, 4C, and 4D.

[0097] [Can 4A]

[0098] Can 4A is an example of a can, comprising a main body 41. The main body 41 has a generally rectangular shape, with its left-right dimensions smaller than its top-bottom and front-back dimensions. The main body 41 externally divides the space into storage chambers 47 for storing K-color ink (see reference). Figure 4 (B) The main body 41, except for one of its left and right sides, is made of a translucent resin material by injection molding or the like. One side of the main body 41 is sealed with a resin film that is thinner than the other parts.

[0099] like Figure 3As shown in (B), one end of a flexible resin tube 42 is connected to the vicinity of the rear end of the main body 41. The other end of each tube 42 is connected to the recording head 322. Depending on the ink consumption in the recording head 322, ink in the main body 41 is supplied to the recording head 322 via the tubes 42. An atmospheric communication hole is also formed near the rear end of the main body 41.

[0100] exist Figure 4 In the middle, the main body 41 has an upper surface 43 parallel to the horizontal plane. A needle-like member 44 (an example of a connecting tube), a protruding wall 45, and a fitting part 46 are integrally provided on the upper surface 43.

[0101] The needle-like component 44 is a long, thin, cylindrical tube. The outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the needle-like component 44 share a common axis Ax1 parallel to the vertical direction z1. The needle-like component 44 extends vertically upwards from the upper surface 43 and also extends vertically downwards into the storage chamber 47 relative to the upper surface 43. The upper end of the needle-like component 44 is located above the fitted portion 46. Figure 9 As shown in (B), the lower end of the needle-like member 44 is positioned above the bottom surface 47A of the storage chamber 47. Figure 4 The device comprises two flow paths 441 and 442 and a partition wall 443. The two flow paths 441 and 442 extend downwards in a straight line from a position slightly below the upper end of the needle-like member 44 toward the storage chamber 47 of the main body 41. The upper ends of each flow path 441 and 442 open upwards, and the lower ends of each flow path 441 and 442 open downwards. The flow paths 441 and 442 are divided by a partition wall 443 that extends upwards, downwards, left, and right across the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the needle-like member 44. The partition wall 443 extends above the flow paths 441 and 442. The flow path 441 extends below the flow path 442. An example of the opening at the upper end of the flow path 441 is an injection port. Flow paths 441 and 442 are an example of a first flow path and a second flow path.

[0102] exist Figure 4 In (A), the protruding wall 45 has curved plates 71 and 72 and connecting plates 73 and 74, which, in a top-view observation (hereinafter also referred to as "first top-view observation"), divide the upper surface 43 into an elliptical region. The protruding wall 45 protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43 by a distance Dz1 (refer to...). Figure 4 (B)) Quantity. An example of a distance Dz1 being the second dimension. The protruding end face (i.e., the upper end face) of the protruding wall 45 is parallel to the upper surface 43.

[0103] The bent plates 71 and 72, clamping the needle-like piece 44, are positioned opposite each other and separated. In a first top-view observation, the bent plates 71 and 72 are approximately semi-cylindrical in shape. In a first top-view observation, the inner circumferential surfaces of the bent plates 71 and 72 are arc-shaped, having rotated and shifted 180° relative to each other around an axis Ax1. Bent plate 71 is positioned in front of the bent plate 72 and bulges forward.

[0104] Connecting plates 73 and 74, clamping the needle-like component 44, are positioned opposite each other and separated. The right side of connecting plate 73 and the left side of connecting plate 74, clamping the needle-like component 44, are symmetrical about an imaginary plane containing the axis Ax1 and parallel to the top, bottom, front, and back. The right side of connecting plate 73 and the left side of connecting plate 74 are roughly rectangular in shape, with a longer front to back. (As shown from...) Figure 9 As understood in (A), the distance x1 in the left-right direction of the connecting plates 73 and 74 is the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85 described later (see reference). Figure 6 The diameter of the bending plates 71 and 72 is above that of the bending plates 71 and 72. The connecting plate 73 connects the left ends of the bending plates 71 and 72 to each other, and the connecting plate 74 connects the right ends of the bending plates 71 and 72 to each other.

[0105] The fitted portion 46 protrudes vertically upward in the upper surface 43 between the needle-like member 44 and the protruding wall 45. The fitted portion 46, together with the upper surface 43 and the protruding wall 45, defines an upwardly opening key cavity 48 (an example of a can recess). The key cavity 48 and the key component 88 formed in the bottle 200A (see reference) Figure 6 (B) It fits into the key components of the other bottles 200B to 200D, but does not fit into them. The fitted part 46 includes a base part 461 and ribs 462 to 4610.

[0106] The base portion 461 is generally cylindrical or generally annular in the first top view (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) protrudes vertically from the upper surface 43 to a position below Dz1 (see reference). Figure 4 (B)). The diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the base portion 461 is an annular flat surface 862B (refer to). Figure 6 (B)) The inner diameter is greater than and smaller than the outer diameter. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 461 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the annular flat surface 862B. The upper surface of the base portion 461 is parallel to the upper surface 43 and faces upward, becoming the contact surface 461A for the annular flat surface 862B to abut against when ink is added.

[0107] Each rib 462, 463 extends in a straight line from left to right between the needle-like member 44 and the connecting plate 73. In each rib 462, 463, the area near the right end protrudes vertically upward from the abutment surface 461A, and the area outside the right end protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. Each rib 462, 463 separates to the left from the needle-like member 44 and to the right from the connecting plate 73. Ribs 462, 463 have a shape that is approximately symmetrical about an imaginary plane containing the axis Ax1 and parallel to the top, bottom, left, and right sides, and are located at approximately a certain gap along the front-back direction y1.

[0108] Ribs 464 and 465 have a shape that allows ribs 462 and 463 to rotate and move about 180° around axis Ax1.

[0109] Rib 466 extends in a straight line from front to back between needle-like member 44 and curved plate 72. Near the front end of rib 466, it protrudes vertically upward from the abutment surface 461A, and beyond the front end, it protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. Rib 466 separates rearward from needle-like member 44 and forward from curved plate 72. Rib 466 is located between ribs 463 and 464 in the circumferential direction θ1 of axis Ax1. The lateral width of rib 466 is approximately constant throughout the entire region in the front-back direction y1.

[0110] Rib 467, in a first top view, has a generally semi-cylindrical shape and protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. Rib 467 is located approximately midway between the needle-like member 44 and the curved plate 71 in the radial direction r1 of axis Ax1. In the circumferential direction θ1, rib 467 extends approximately parallel to the curved plate 71 along the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 461 within the range of the two inner ends of ribs 462 and 465. The inner ends are the ends in the radial direction r1 that are close to the axis Ax1 (hereinafter also referred to as "inward orientation") r12.

[0111] The upper surfaces of each rib 462-467 are located on the same plane and are positioned above the protruding wall 45. Being on the same plane means that there are no steps and they are parallel.

[0112] Ribs 468 and 469, in a first top view, have an approximately quarter-cylindrical shape coaxial with axis Ax1, projecting vertically upwards from upper surface 43. The upper end faces of ribs 468 and 469 are parallel to the horizontal plane over the entire circumferential direction θ1. Ribs 468 and 469 are located approximately midway between the curved plate 72 and the base portion 461 in the radial direction r1. Rib 468 extends circumferentially θ1 between the two outer ends of ribs 463 and 466, and is approximately parallel to the base portion 461 and the curved plate 72. Rib 469 extends circumferentially θ1 between the two outer ends of ribs 466 and 464, and is approximately parallel to the base portion 461 and the curved plate 72. The outer ends are at an orientation r11 opposite to the inward orientation r12 (hereinafter also referred to as the "outward orientation"). Figure 4 In (A), an example of radial r1, outward r11, and inward r12 is shown.

[0113] The upper end face of rib 468 lies in the same plane as the upper end face of rib 463 within the range of angle Dθ1 along the circumferential direction from rib 463. Outside the range of angle Dθ1, the upper end face of rib 468 is located in the vertical direction z1, below the upper end face of rib 463 and above the abutment surface 461A. That is, a notch 468A is formed in rib 468 outside the range of angle Dθ1.

[0114] The upper end face of rib 469 lies in the same plane as the upper end face of rib 466 within the range of angle Dθ2 along the circumferential direction θ1 from rib 466. Outside the range of angle Dθ2, the upper end face of rib 469 is located below the upper end face of rib 466 and above the abutment surface 461A in the vertical direction z1. That is, a notch 469A is formed in rib 469 outside the range of angle Dθ2.

[0115] In the outer peripheral surface of rib 467, rib 4610 protrudes outward toward r11 from a position offset from rib 465 along the circumferential direction θ1 at an angle Dθ3. The protruding end of rib 4610 separates from the curved plate 71 inward toward r12. Rib 4610 extends vertically from the upper surface 43 to a position below the upper end face of rib 467.

[0116] In the outer peripheral surface of rib 467, rib 4610 protrudes outward toward r11 from a position offset by angle Dθ3 along the circumferential direction θ1 from rib 465, but is inclined relative to the front-rear direction y1. The outer end of rib 4610 separates from the curved plate 71 toward the inward direction r12. The upper end face of rib 4610 is parallel to the upper end face of rib 467 below this upper end face. The width of rib 4610 in the circumferential direction θ1 is approximately constant throughout the entire radial region r1.

[0117] The inner ends of ribs 462-466 ​​and the inner peripheral surface of rib 467, together with the outer peripheral surface of needle-shaped member 44 and abutment surface 461A, define the shape of the upwardly open cylindrical space 46A. When refilling ink, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 862 (see reference) is inserted into the cylindrical space 46A. Figure 6 ).

[0118] The upper surface 43, the outer peripheral surface of the needle-like member 44, and the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 461 define an annular space 46B. The annular space 46B is annular in a first top view, and it is recessed downwards around the needle-like member 44 compared to the contact surface 461A. When refilling ink, the small diameter portion 862 (see reference) Figure 6 The annular flat surface 862C and the annular inclined surface 862D in the annular space 46B enter the annular space.

[0119] The opposing surfaces of ribs 463 and 466 in the circumferential direction θ1, the inner circumferential surface of rib 468, the outer circumferential surface of base portion 461, and the upper surface 43 divide a partial annular space 46C. The opposing surfaces of ribs 466 and 464 in the circumferential direction θ1, the inner circumferential surface of rib 469, the outer circumferential surface of base portion 461, and the upper surface 43 divide a partial annular space 46D. The partial annular spaces 46C and 46D are approximately 1 / 4 annular in shape in the first top view and are concave downwards compared to the abutment surface 461A.

[0120] The upper surface 43, the inner circumferential surface of the protruding wall 45, and the ribs 462-4610 divide the outer space 46E. When replenishing ink, the annular wall 85 (refer to...) Figure 6 The top of the ) is located near the outer space 46E. The outer space 46E is connected to the cylindrical space 46A via the gap between ribs 462 and 463 and the gap between ribs 464 and 465.

[0121] [Cans 4B-4D]

[0122] exist Figure 3 In this example, cans 4B to 4D are another type of can, possessing a body identical to main body 41 except for the points described below. Each can 4B to 4D has a fitting portion forming a function similar to the fitting portion 46. These fitting portions, together with the upper surface and protruding walls, divide upwardly opening cavities through a combination of multiple ribs. The three-dimensional shapes of these fitting portions differ between cans 4B to 4D and also differ from the fitting portion 46 of can 4A. The three-dimensional shape of the fitting portion is determined by the size and / or position, or the number of ribs, of each rib in the left-right direction x1, front-back direction y1, and up-down direction z1. The bodies of cans 4B, 4C, and 4D also differ from main body 41 in that they store C-color, M-color, and Y-color inks. The bodies of cans 4B to 4D may also differ from main body 41 in terms of ink capacity.

[0123] [Retaining components 51A, 51B]

[0124] exist Figure 3 In (A), the retaining component 51A covers the upper surface 43 of the main body 41 (refer to...). Figure 4 (A)). A protruding wall 45 and a needle-like member 44 are formed in the retaining member 51A (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) Through hole 511A (refer to) Figure 5 (A)). Holding component 51B holds cans 4B to 4D (refer to) Figure 3 (B)) The upper surfaces of each part are covered together. Through holes 511B to 511D are formed in the retaining part 51B (refer to Figure 5 (A)). Through holes 511B to 511D are formed by the cylindrical wall and pin insertion of cans 4B to 4D.

[0125] On the retaining member 51A, a bearing 53A is provided behind the through hole 511A. On the retaining member 51B, bearings 53B to 53D are respectively provided behind the through holes 511B to 511D. Each of the bearings 53A to 53D has a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction x1, supporting the covers 6A to 6D so that they can be in the closed position P21 (refer to...). Figure 3 (A) and open position P22 (refer to) Figure 5 (A)) rotates around the rotating shaft of bearings 53A to 53D.

[0126] [Cover 6A~6D]

[0127] exist Figure 3 , Figure 5 In the middle, the cover 6A has a rubber part 61A and an arm part 62A. The rubber part 61A is larger than the needle-like member 44 (see reference). Figure 4 It has a large-diameter cylindrical shape and a hole through which a needle-like member 44 is inserted. Furthermore, in Figure 5 For simplicity, needle-like component 44 is not shown. Arm 62A is made of a resin material harder than rubber component 61A and has a slender rod shape. Rubber component 61A is mounted at one end of arm 62A. A rotating shaft, through which bearing 53A is inserted, is provided at the other end of arm 62A.

[0128] like Figure 3 As shown in (A), when the cover 6A is in the closed position P21, the arm 62A extends forward from the bearing 53A, and the rubber part 61A passes through the through hole 511A of the retaining member 51A and is embedded in the keyway 48. At this time, a needle-like member 44 is inserted into the hole of the rubber part 61A. Furthermore, in Figure 5 For simplicity, needle-like part 44 and keyhole 48 are not shown in the diagram. This prevents ink leakage and drying inside the main body 41. The open position P22 is approximately 90° to 100° from the closed position P21 around the rotation axis of bearing 53A.

[0129] Caps 6B to 6D are structurally the same as cap 6A, but are spacedly inserted into bottles 200B to 200D through through holes 511B to 511D passing through retaining member 51B (see reference). Figure 3 The key points (B) are different from those of cover 6A.

[0130] [Canister covers 52A, 52B]

[0131] When the housing cover 2 is in the exposed position P12 (refer to...) Figure 1 (B) When the canisters 52A and 52B are in the covered position P31 and the exposed position P32 (refer to...), Figure 3 (A)) Rotates around a rotation axis located behind bearings 53A to 53D. In the covered position P31, can cover 52A from above, covering retaining member 51A, cover 6A, and bearing 53A. When in the covered position P31, can cover 52B from above, covering retaining member 51B, cover 6B to 6D, and bearings 53B to 53D. The exposed position P32 is a position approximately 90° to 100° rotated from the covered position P31 around the rotation axis of can covers 52A and 52B.

[0132] [Bottle 200A~200D]

[0133] like Figure 5As shown in (B), in MFP100 (reference) Figure 1 To replenish ink to tanks 4A-4D, for example, four bottles 200A-200D are used. Bottles 200A-200D are part of the rest of the liquid supply system. Furthermore, in Figure 6 In (A), for convenience, bottle 200A is shown as larger than the others. Bottle 200A stores ink (K-colored ink) for refilling tank 4A. Bottle 200A includes a bottle body 8 and a bottle cap 9. Bottle 200A is an example of a liquid container bottle, and bottle cap 9 is an example of a lid.

[0134] [Bottle Body 8]

[0135] exist Figure 6 In (A), the bottle body 8 has a bottom 81, a cylindrical part 82, a shoulder 83, a base part 84, an annular wall 85, and a neck 86.

[0136] [Bottom 81]

[0137] The bottom 81 is a flat portion of the roughly disc-shaped bottom wall. The bottom 81 is placed against a horizontal plane at a angle of 30° (see reference). Figure 5 (B) The posture in which the bottle body 8 is placed on the horizontal plane 300 is called the placement posture. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the posture of the bottle body 8 is the placement posture. An imaginary line passing through the center of the bottom 81 and orthogonal to the bottom 81 is defined as the axis Ax2. Along the axial direction z2 extending from the axis Ax2, the direction from the bottom 81 to the neck 86 is also called the separation direction z21, and its opposite direction is called the approach direction z22. In the radial direction r1 of the axis Ax2, the direction approaching the axis Ax2 is also called the inward direction r21, and its opposite direction is called the outward direction r22. Figure 5 , Figure 6 The example shown is only one instance of radial r2, inward orientation r21, and outward orientation r22.

[0138] [Body section 82, Shoulder section 83]

[0139] The cylindrical portion 82 is a generally cylindrical wall that extends from the outer edge of the bottom 81 toward z21. The shoulder portion 83 is a wall that extends inward toward r21 from the protruding end of the cylindrical portion 82. The shoulder portion 83 is inclined radially with respect to the axis Ax2, such that it moves further away from the bottom 81 the closer it gets to the axis Ax2. The protruding end of the shoulder portion 83 separates outward toward r22 from the axis Ax2 and is circular in a top view (hereinafter also referred to as "second top view") close to z22.

[0140] [Base section 84]

[0141] The base portion 84 has a side wall and a top wall. The side wall protrudes from the protruding end of the shoulder portion 83 toward a separation towards z21 (i.e., upward), and is generally cylindrical in shape, coaxial with the axis Ax2. The top wall protrudes inward toward r21 from the protruding end (i.e., upper end) of the side wall of the base portion 84, and is generally annular in shape in a second top view. On the top wall of the base portion 84, the upper surface 841 (an example of an upper surface) defines the upper end of the base portion 84 and is a surface parallel to the bottom 81.

[0142] [Containment Chamber 87]

[0143] like Figure 7 As shown, the bottle body 8 has a receiving chamber 87, which is a space divided by the bottom 81, the cylindrical part 82, the shoulder part 83, and the base part 84. The receiving chamber 87 receives K-color ink that is supplied and replenished to the can 4A. The receiving chamber 87 is an example of the internal space of the bottle body.

[0144] [Annular wall 85]

[0145] exist Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the annular wall 85, there is a bottomed cylindrical shape coaxial with the axis Ax2. The end of the annular wall 85 near z22 is closed (see reference). Figure 7 In the second top-down view, the bottom surface 851 becomes annular (see reference). Figure 6 (B) The bottom surface 851 is located closer to the separation direction z21 than the upper surface 841, and is parallel to and upwards from the upper surface 841. The annular wall 85 protrudes from the outer edge of the bottom surface 851 toward the separation direction z21, extending with reference to the upper surface 841 to a position offset from the separation direction r21 by a distance Dz2 (an example of the first dimension) (see reference). Figure 4 (B) The distance Dz2 is longer than the distance Dz1. The separation orientation z21 is in the upward mounting position. The annular wall 85 has an end face 852 at the end facing z21. The end face 852 has an annular shape in the second top view and extends parallel to the upper surface 841. The end face 852 surrounds the opening on the separation orientation z21 of the annular wall 85. The width of the annular wall 85 in the radial direction r2 is approximately constant throughout the entire circumferential region θ2, for the rib 462 and the connecting plate 73 (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) below the left and right distance. Through the above structure, the annular wall 85 can be inserted into the outer space 46E (refer to). Figure 4 (A) The end face 852 between the fitted portion 46 and the protruding wall 45 in the (A)) can communicate with the outer space 46E (refer to) Figure 4 (A)) The upper surface 43 abuts.

[0146] [Neck 86]

[0147] exist Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the example, the neck 86 is a nozzle, having a large diameter portion 861 and a small diameter portion 862.

[0148] The large-diameter portion 861 is a generally cylindrical body having an outer circumferential surface 861A and an annular flat surface 861B. The outer circumferential surface 861A extends from the bottom surface 851 toward a separation direction z21 and protrudes upward from the upper surface 841. The outer circumferential surface 861A extends from the protruding end of the outer circumferential surface 861A toward a separation direction r21 by approximately equal distance. The annular flat surface 861B is annular in a second top view and is approximately parallel to the upper surface 841.

[0149] The small-diameter portion 862 is a generally cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface 862A, an annular flat surfaces 862B and 862C, and an annular inclined surface 862D. The outer peripheral surface 862A protrudes from the inner edge of the annular flat surface 861B toward the separation direction z21, and its diameter is smaller than that of the outer peripheral surface 861A. The annular flat surface 862B is annular in a second top view, extending approximately equidistantly from the protruding end of the outer peripheral surface 862A toward the inward direction r21 and the upper surface 841. The annular flat surface 862C is the top surface on the separation direction z21 of the neck 86, and is annular in a second top view. The annular flat surface 862C is an example of a top surface, connected to the annular flat surface 862B via the annular inclined surface 862D at a position that is closer to the inward direction r21 and offset toward the separation direction z21 than the annular flat surface 862B.

[0150] The neck 86 is divided into flow paths 862F for the ink stored in the containment chamber 87. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the flow path 862F is continuous with the receiving chamber 87 at the end near z22, and continuous with the outlet 862E (an example of an opening) formed on the annular flat surface 862C at the end separating towards z21. In the flow path 862F, the diameter of the portion surrounded by the large-diameter portion 861 is larger than that of the portion surrounded by the small-diameter portion 862 (see reference). Figure 7 (B) The outlet 862E is circular in the second top view. The diameter of the outlet 862E is 44 times that of the needle-like part (see reference). Figure 4 Slightly larger, the outlet 862E allows ink passing through the flow path 862F to flow out to the outside of the bottle 200A.

[0151] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces 861A, 862A, the annular flat surfaces 861B, 862B, 862C, the annular inclined surface 862D, and the outlet 862E are coaxial with the axis Ax2. However, this is not a limitation; the axis of at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces 861A, 862A, the annular flat surfaces 861B, 862B, 862C, the annular inclined surface 862D, and the outlet 862E may not be coaxial with the axis Ax2. In this embodiment, the outlet 862E is circular in a second top view. However, this is not a limitation; the outlet 862E may have a shape other than circular in a second top view.

[0152] [The relationship between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86]

[0153] exist Figure 7 In the middle, an annular wall 85 is located around the neck 86 with an outward orientation r22, dividing a cylindrical space 86A between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86. In the separation orientation z21, the top of the annular wall 85 is farther from the bottom 81 than the top of the neck 86. In the mounting position, the top of the annular wall 85 (i.e., the upper end) is located above the annular flat surface 862B (i.e., the top surface) of the neck 86.

[0154] [Key component 88, first rib 881, second rib 882, third rib 883]

[0155] exist Figure 6 In (B), the bottle body 8 also includes a key component 88. The key component 88 protrudes vertically toward z21 from the upper surface 841, bottom surface 851, and annular flat surface 861B at a position between the annular wall 85 and the small-diameter portion 862. In the mounting posture, the upper end of the key component 88 is closer to the upper surface 841 than the upper end of the annular wall 85. The key component 88 includes a first rib 881, a second rib 882, and a third rib 883 that engage with or are partially engaged with the mating portion 46.

[0156] The first rib 881 is connected to the small-diameter portion 862 and the annular wall 85, respectively. As the first rib 881, in... Figure 6 (B) illustrates three first ribs 881A to 881C. Each first rib 881A to 881C protrudes perpendicularly from the bottom surface 851 and the annular flat surface 861B toward a separation direction z21. The inner and outer ends of each first rib 881A to 881C are integral with the small diameter portion 862 and the annular wall 85. The protruding end faces of each first rib 881A to 881C extend substantially parallel to the upper surface 841 at a position along the axial direction z2 closer to the end face 852 of the annular flat surface 861B than the end face 85 of the annular wall 85.

[0157] The first ribs 881A and 881B have a shape that allows them to rotate approximately 180° relative to each other in a circumferential direction θ2 around the axis Ax2. The protruding end faces of the first ribs 881A and 881B are located in the same plane as the annular flat surface 862B. The first rib 881A has ribs 464 and 465 that can be inserted from above when ink is added (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) The size of the gap, the first rib 881B has the ability to be connected from above along the axial z2 with ribs 462, 463 (refer to) when replenishing ink. Figure 4 (A)) The size of the gap fitting.

[0158] In the second top-view observation, with the first rib 881A as the reference, the first rib 881C separates from the first rib 881A along the circumferential direction θ2 in a clockwise direction θ21 at the angle Dθ4 (refer to...). Figure 8 (A)) The amount. Dθ4 is greater than Dθ5 and Dθ6, which will be described later. The protruding end face of the first rib 881C is located slightly closer to z22 than the annular flat surface 862B in the axial direction z2, forming a step with the annular flat surface 862B. The first rib 881C has the ability to connect with the cutout 468A (see reference) from above when replenishing ink. Figure 4 (A)) Fitting dimensions.

[0159] The second rib 882 connects to the minor diameter portion 862, but not to the annular wall 85. Figure 6 In (B), a second rib 882A is illustrated as the second rib 882. The second rib 882A is offset from the first rib 881A on the outer peripheral surface 862A by an angle Dθ5 (refer to) θ21. Figure 8 (A)) extends outward in a straight line along the annular flat surface 861B toward r22. The second rib 882A extends from the first rib 881A toward θ21 on the outer peripheral surface 862A, deviating by an angle Dθ6 (refer to) Figure 8 The second rib 882A extends outward in a straight line towards r22 along the annular flat surface 861B at position (A). Dθ5 is greater than zero, and Dθ6 is greater than Dθ5. The second rib 882A extends in an arc shape along the outer edge of the annular flat surface 861B between angles Dθ5 and Dθ6. The protruding end faces of each second rib 882A facing z21 extend approximately parallel to the upper surface 841, but are located slightly closer to z22 than the annular flat surface 862B, forming a step with the annular flat surface 862B. The width of the second rib 882A is approximately constant throughout the entire area in the direction in which the second rib 882A extends. The second rib 882A has dimensions that allow it to fit with a portion of the annular space 46D with a gap when ink is added.

[0160] The third rib 883 is not connected to the minor diameter portion 862, but is connected to the annular wall 85. Figure 6In (B), a third rib 883A is illustrated as the third rib 883. The third rib 883A is located at a position that moves outward from the small diameter portion 862 toward r22. The third rib 883A is located counterclockwise toward θ22 along the circumferential direction θ2 with reference to the first rib 881 from angle Dθ7 (refer to...). Figure 8 (A)) Within the range up to angle Dθ8, it extends in an arc shape along the outer edge of the annular flat surface 861B in the second top view. Dθ7 is greater than zero, and Dθ8 is greater than Dθ7. The third rib 883A extends outward toward r22 from both ends on the circumferential θ2 towards the annular wall 85 and connects with the annular wall 85. The protruding end face of the third rib 883A on the separation direction z21 extends parallel to the upper surface 841 and is located closer to the z22 direction than the end face 852. This protruding end face extends along the direction θ22 from angle Dθ9 (refer to the first rib 881) along the direction θ22. Figure 8 (A)) A step is formed within the range up to angle Dθ10. Dθ9 is greater than Dθ7. Dθ10 is greater than Dθ9 and less than Dθ8. The width of the third rib 883A is approximately constant throughout the entire area in the direction in which the third rib 883A extends. The third rib 883A has dimensions that allow it to fit with a gap in the portion between ribs 462 and 4610 in the outer space 46E when ink is replenished.

[0161] [Male thread 854, concave section 855A, 855B]

[0162] exist Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the bottle body 8, a male thread 854 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. The male thread 854 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85 toward r22. The male thread 854 has a helical shape, which is such that, on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 85, it deviates from the end face 852 toward z22 by a distance Dz3 (refer to...). Figure 4 At position (B), it moves towards z22 while rotating around axis Ax2. In one example, the distance from Dz3 is the third dimension, longer than the distance from Dz1. Recesses 855A and 855B (an example of a recess) are formed in the male thread 854. Recess 855A is formed by cutting at least a portion of the portion of the male thread 854 that is further outward towards r22 than the first rib 881A. Recess 855A is relative to an imaginary line c1 (refer to) that imaginarily extends the top of the male thread 854. Figure 6 (B) The dashed line is recessed towards the first rib 881A side.

[0163] like Figure 8As shown in (A), positions slightly away from the first rib 881A towards θ21 and θ22 are defined as positions P41 and P42, respectively. Positions slightly away from positions P41 and P42 towards θ21 and θ22 are defined as positions P51 and P52, respectively. Line segment L11 is defined connecting position P41 at the root of the thread tooth of the male thread 854 and position P51 at the top of the thread tooth. Line segment L12 is defined connecting position P42 at the root of the thread tooth of the male thread 854 and position P52 at the top of the thread tooth. In the second top view, a recess 855A is formed by making a cut in the male thread 854 that is surrounded by the outer peripheral surface 853, the imaginary line c1, and line segments L11 and L12.

[0164] The recess 855B has a shape that allows the recess 855A to rotate and move 180° in the circumferential direction θ2.

[0165] [Valve Mechanism 89]

[0166] exist Figure 7 In (B), the bottle body 8 further includes a valve mechanism 89 in the flow path 862F. The valve mechanism 89 includes a rubber part 891, a support member 892, a valve core 893, and a helical spring 894.

[0167] The rubber part 891 has a bottomless cylindrical shape and is inserted coaxially into the flow path 862F with the axis Ax2. During insertion, the outer peripheral surface and one end face of the rubber part 891 are in close contact with the inner surface of the small-diameter part 862. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 891 is approximately the same as that of the outlet 862E, except for the other end. The other end at this inner peripheral surface protrudes slightly inward toward r21 and approximately toward z22, thus, the diameter of the other end of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 891 is larger than that of the outlet 862E and the needle-like member 44 (see reference). Figure 4 Slightly smaller. The dimension of the rubber part 891 in the axial z2 direction is shorter than the dimension of the neck 86 in the axial z2 direction.

[0168] The support member 892 is, for example, a one-piece molded article formed of resin, and is mounted on the flow path 862F in such a way that the rubber part 891 and the small-diameter part 862 are tightly fitted together. The support member 892 has four sides 892A and a bottom 892B. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In (B), for ease of illustration, only three side portions 892A are shown. Each side portion 892A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion 862 at a position closer to z22 than the rubber portion 891. The top end of each side portion 892A abuts against the other end face of the rubber portion 891. The side portions 892A are arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction θ2, extending from the top end towards the receiving chamber 87 along the inner circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion 862. Figure 9As shown in (B), the bottom portion 892B is roughly cross-shaped in the second top view, extending radially from the other end of the rubber portion 891 toward the z22 and from a position near the axis Ax2 toward the ends of each side portion 892A toward the z22, and connecting to these. Each side portion 892A and the bottom portion 892B divides a receiving space. The receiving space is roughly cylindrical and houses the valve core 893 and the coil spring 894.

[0169] The valve core 893 and the helical spring 894 are housed within the receiving space of the support member 892. The valve core 893 is housed so as to be movable along the axial direction z2 within the receiving space. The valve core 893 is circular in a second top view, with a diameter approximately the same as that of the cylindrical receiving space. The helical spring 894 is a torsion helical spring, located within the receiving space between the bottom of the support member 892 and the valve core 893. The helical spring 894 abuts against the valve core 893 within the receiving space, exerting a force on the valve core 893 toward the separation direction z21. Thus, when the valve core 893 is not subjected to an abutment force approaching z22 from the needle member 44, the valve core 893 remains in close contact with the other end face of the rubber part 891, and the ink in the receiving chamber 87 does not leak from the outlet 862E.

[0170] [Bottle 200B~200D]

[0171] Bottles 200B to 200D are the same as bottle 200A except for the points described below. In each bottle 200B to 200D, the key component is constructed by at least one or a combination of two of the first rib, second rib, and third rib, which are the same as the first rib 881, second rib 882, and third rib 883. Here, the combinations of the ribs, including the first rib, second rib, and third rib, are different in bottles 200A to 200D. The three-dimensional shapes of the key components in bottles 200B to 200D are different, and the three-dimensional shape of the key component 88 is also different. The three-dimensional shape of the key component is determined by the size and / or position of the ribs in the axial direction z2, circumferential direction θ2, and radial direction r2, or the number of ribs. In addition, bottles 200B, 200C, and 200D differ from bottle 200A in that they can hold C-color, M-color, and Y-color inks. Bottles 200B to 200D may also differ from bottle 200A in that they have different ink capacities.

[0172] [Bottle Cap 9]

[0173] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As indicated, the bottle cap 9 is a separate component that can be attached to and detached from the bottle body 8. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "bottle cap 9" refers to the bottle cap 9 mounted on the bottle body 8. Figure 8 In (B), the bottle cap 9 has a top wall 91, a side wall 92 and a female thread 93.

[0174] [Top Wall 91]

[0175] like Figure 5 As shown, the top wall 91 is a roughly disk-shaped wall coaxial with the axis Ax1. Figure 8 In (B), the top wall 91 has two outer main surfaces 911 and an inner main surface 912 that are separated from each other in the axial direction z2. The inner main surface 912 is located closer to z22 than the outer main surface 911.

[0176] [Example of locking part 913 (a closed part), Example of locking part 914 (annular abutment part)]

[0177] The engaging portion 913 protrudes from the inner main surface 912 near the axis Ax1 toward z22. In a second top view, the engaging portion 913 has a generally annular shape. The engaging portion 913, covering the entire circumferential area θ2, liquid-tightly abuts against the annular flat surface 862C of the bottle body 8. Thus, with the cap 9 installed, the engaging portion 913, together with the top wall 91, seals the outlet 862E.

[0178] The engaging portion 914 protrudes from the inner main surface 912 closer to the side wall 92 than the engaging portion 913. The engaging portion 914 has a generally annular shape in a second top view. The engaging portion 914, covering the entire circumferential region θ2, abuts against the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 in a liquid-tight manner. Thus, in the installed state of the cap 9, the engaging portion 914, together with the top wall 91, seals the cylindrical space 86A (see reference). Figure 6 ) opening.

[0179] The engaging parts 913 and 914 can be made of the same material as the top wall 91 and are integral with the top wall 91. However, they are not limited to this; the engaging parts 913 and 914 can also be made of a material that is more flexible than the top wall 91, such as rubber or elastic material, and are separate from the top wall 91.

[0180] [Sidewall 92, Female thread 93]

[0181] like Figure 8 As shown in (B), the sidewall 92 is a generally cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the inner main surface 912 toward approximately z22, having an inner circumferential surface 921 and an outer circumferential surface 922 separated from each other in the radial direction r1. The diameter of the inner circumferential surface 921 is larger than that of the outer circumferential surface 853 of the annular wall 85 (see reference). Figure 6 (A bit bigger.)

[0182] A female thread 93 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 921, which can engage with the male thread 854 of the bottle body 8. The bottle cap 9 covers the annular wall 85 from above, thereby positioning the side wall 92 outwards towards r22 than the outer circumferential surface 853. When the bottle cap 9 is rotated circumferentially θ2 in this state, and the male thread 854 engages with the female thread 93, the end of the side wall 92 approaching z22 approximately abuts against the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 throughout its entire circumference. The state in which the end of the side wall 92 approximately abuts against the upper surface 841 is the installation state of the bottle cap 9 mounted on the bottle body 8. By engaging the female thread 93 of the bottle cap 9 with the male thread 854 formed on the bottle body 8, the bottle cap 9 is easily and reliably installed on the bottle body 8. Moreover, even if the bottle 200A falls, the bottle cap 9 is difficult to remove from the bottle body 8.

[0183] After the male thread 854 and the female thread 93 are screwed together, the end of the sidewall 92 approaching z22 (i.e., the protruding end) substantially abuts against the upper surface 841 throughout its circumference, stopping at axial z2. The axial z2 dimension of the sidewall 92 is determined so that the protruding end of the sidewall 92 abuts against the upper surface 841 in the installed state. At least the shape of the engaging portion 913 and its axial z2 and radial r2 dimensions of the engaging portion 913 are determined so that the engaging portion 913 abuts against the annular flat surface 862C in the installed state. At least the shape of the engaging portion 914 and its axial z2 and radial r2 dimensions of the engaging portion 914 are determined so that the engaging portion 914 abuts against the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 in the installed state.

[0184] [Refill ink from bottle 200A to can 4A]

[0185] When replenishing ink from bottle 200A to tank 4A, the operator moves the housing cover 2 in MFP100 from the shielded position P11 to the exposed position P12 (see reference). Figure 1 ), so that the can cover 52A moves from the covered position P31 (refer to Figure 1 (B) To the exposed position P32 (refer to) Figure 3 (A)) Move, so that cover 6A moves from the closed position P21 (refer to) Figure 3 (A) Open position P22 (refer to) Figure 5 (A)) Move. The operator removes the bottle cap 9 from the bottle body 8 on bottle 200A (refer to...). Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A)).

[0186] Next, as from Figure 9 As understood, the operator positions the outlet 862E of bottle 200A downwards and the key component 88 (see reference) Figure 6 ) and the key point 48 located on MFP100 (refer to Figure 4(Approaching). Because even with the outlet 862E facing downwards, the valve core 893 is in close contact with the rubber part 891 by the force of the coil spring 894, the ink in the receiving chamber 87 will not leak to the outside of the bottle 200.

[0187] Next, the operator aligns the key component 88 with the key cavity 48. Through this alignment, the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 is directly above the outer space 46E. Furthermore, the lower end of the first rib 881A is directly above the gap formed by ribs 464 and 465, the lower end of the first rib 881B is directly above the gap formed by ribs 462 and 463, and the lower end of the first rib 881C is directly above the cutout 468A. The lower end of the second rib 882A is directly above a portion of the annular space 46D, and the third rib 883A is directly above the portion of the outer space 46E located between ribs 462 and 4610. The outlet 862E of the bottle 200A is directly above the upper end of the needle-like member 44 of the can 4A.

[0188] During the alignment process, the operator oriented the recesses 855A and 855B of bottle 200 to the left and right. This allows the operator to position the lower ends of the first ribs 881A and 881B approximately directly above ribs 462-465 even without visually inspecting the confirmation key component 88. This facilitates alignment.

[0189] After alignment, the operator moves the key component 88 downward within the key cavity 48. Specifically, the first rib 881A descends between ribs 464 and 465, and the first rib 881B descends between ribs 462 and 463. The outer end of the first rib 881C descends into the cut 468A. The second rib 882A descends into the partial annular space 46D. The third rib 883A descends in the outer space 46E into the portion between ribs 462 and 4610. The outer peripheral surface 862A descends within the cylindrical space 46A while contacting the inner ends of each of the ribs 462-466 ​​and the inner peripheral surface of rib 467.

[0190] Sometimes, the operator cannot lower the key component 88 within the key cavity 48. One major reason for this is that the lower end of the first rib 881A is incorrectly aligned directly above the gap formed by ribs 462 and 463, and the lower end of the first rib 881B is incorrectly aligned directly above the gap formed by ribs 464 and 465. In this case, due to interference between the lower end of the first rib 881C and the upper end of rib 469, the key component 88 will not lower within the key cavity 48. Therefore, the operator rotates the bottle 200A 180° circumferentially θ2 to align the lower ends of the first ribs 881A and 881B with the correct positions. Afterward, the operator moves the key component 88 downward within the key cavity 48.

[0191] As the key component 88 descends within the key cavity 48, the needle-like component 44 is inserted from the outlet 862E of the bottle 200A into the flow path 862F, approaching the valve core 893. After the upper end of the needle-like component 44 abuts against the lower end of the valve core 893, the valve core 893 begins to rise, overcoming the force of the coil spring 894, through the abutting force received from the upper end of the partition wall 443 of the needle-like component 44. The annular flat surface 862C enters the annular space 46B, abuts against the abutting surface 461A, and the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 reaches the upper surface 43 in the outer space 46E. Correspondingly, the key component 88 of the can 4A engages with the key cavity 48 of the bottle body 8, completing the connection between the bottle body 8 and the can 4A.

[0192] At the moment of connection completion, the abutment surface 461A abuts against the annular flat surface 862B of the small-diameter portion 862 located in the cylindrical space 46A. The inner ends of ribs 462-466 ​​and the inner circumferential surface of rib 467 abut against the outer circumferential surface 862A of the small-diameter portion 862 within the cylindrical space 46A, covering the entire area in the vertical direction z1. Furthermore, rib 467 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the third rib 883A from the inward-facing r21 side. At the moment of connection completion (an example of the connected state), the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 abuts against the upper surface 43 at a position closer to the inward-facing r21 than the protruding wall 45. Therefore, even if the operator's hand leaves the bottle body 8, Figure 9 As shown, the bottle body 8 is also supported by the upper surface 43 of the keyhole 48, the protruding wall 45 and the fitting part 46, and is inverted with almost no tilt relative to the vertical direction z1.

[0193] At the moment of connection, valve core 893 opens flow path 862F through the abutting force from the top of partition wall 443. The top of partition wall 443 protrudes upward compared to the upper ends of flow paths 441 and 442, thus forming gaps between valve core 893 and each flow path 441 and 442. Through these gaps, the receiving chamber 87 of bottle body 8 and the storage chamber 47 of can 4A are interconnected via flow paths 441, 442, and 862F. That is, bottle body 8 and can 4A are connected in a manner that allows ink to flow from receiving chamber 87 to storage chamber 47.

[0194] Sometimes ink adheres to the surface of the neck 86. As the neck 86 approaches the contact surface 461A within the cylindrical space 46A, ink leaking from between the neck 86 and the contact surface 461A flows into the partial annular spaces 46C and 46D, or flows out into the outer space 46E through the gaps between ribs 462 and 463, and between ribs 464 and 465. Furthermore, ink overflowing from the partial annular spaces 46C and 46D flows out into the outer space 46E through the cuts 468A and 469A.

[0195] Immediately after connection, a gas-liquid exchange begins between bottle 200A and tank 4A. During this exchange, ink in receiving chamber 87 flows into storage chamber 47 via flow paths 862F and 441. Air flows into storage chamber 47 from the atmospheric vent of tank 4A, and this air flows into receiving chamber 87 via flow paths 442 and 862F. The amount of ink flowing out of receiving chamber 87 to storage chamber 47 is approximately the same as the amount flowing in from storage chamber 47 to receiving chamber 87. The gas-liquid exchange ends when the ink level in storage chamber 47 reaches the lower end of flow path 442, or when the ink in receiving chamber 87 is empty. Thus, ink in bottle 200A is replenished into tank 4A.

[0196] After refilling the ink, the operator pulls the key component 88 and neck 86 of bottle 200A upwards from the key cavity 48 and needle-like component 44 of can 4A. As the neck 86 rises relative to the needle-like component 44, the valve core 893 is initially maintained in contact with the upper end of the partition wall 443 of the needle-like component 44 by the force of the coil spring 894. After the valve core 893 contacts the small-diameter portion 862 of the neck 86, it separates from the upper end of the partition wall 443.

[0197] Afterwards, the workers installed the bottle cap 9 onto the bottle body 8 (refer to...). Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A)). Thus, the ink remaining in the containment chamber 87 of bottle 200A is preserved. The operator moves the housing shroud 2 in MFP100 from the exposed position P12 to the concealed position P11 (see reference). Figure 1 ), so that the can cover 52A is exposed from position P32 (refer to Figure 3 (A) To cover location P31 (refer to) Figure 1 (B) Move the cover 6A from the open position P22 (see reference). Figure 5 (A) Towards the closed position P21 (refer to) Figure 3 (A)) Move. When replenishing ink from bottle 200A to tank 4A at other times, the operator replenishes the ink in the same order as described above.

[0198] [Prevention of misconnection between bottles 200B-200D and can 4A]

[0199] If an operator incorrectly connects any one of bottles 200B to 200D to the keyhole 48 of can 4A, the shape and position of at least one of the ribs 462 to 4610 constituting the keyhole 48 in the left-right direction (x1) and front-back direction (y1) will not match the keying component of bottles 200B to 200D. As a result, the keying component may sometimes fail to fit into the keyhole 48. Therefore, the operator can identify incorrect connection between bottles 200B to 200D and can 4A as early as possible. Furthermore, this prevents incorrect ink from being added to can 4A.

[0200] Furthermore, if an operator incorrectly engages any one of bottles 200B to 200D with the key cavity 48 of can 4A, the shape and position of at least one of the ribs 462 to 4610 constituting the key cavity 48 in the vertical direction z1 may not match the key component of bottle 200B to 200D. In this case, since bottle 200B to 200D does not move downwards, the operator can identify the incorrect engagement of bottle 200B to 200D with can 4A. This also prevents incorrect ink from being added to can 4A.

[0201] [Effects of the Implementation Method]

[0202] During ink refilling, the outlet 862E of the bottle body 8 faces downwards, making it easy for ink to adhere around the outlet 862E. Therefore, during the process of placing the bottle 200A in a mounting position after ink refilling, this ink exists between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86 along the outer surface area of ​​the neck 86. Thus, during subsequent ink refilling, ink is less likely to adhere to the operator's fingers or the placement area of ​​the bottle 200A (table, etc.). Furthermore, when the bottle cap 9 is installed on the bottle body 8, the engaging portion 913 closes the outlet 862E, preventing the ink accumulated between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86 from returning to the outlet 862E. Furthermore, in the installed state, the cylindrical space 86A (refer to...) Figure 6 The opening of the bottle cap is closed by the engaging portion 914, thus preventing ink in the cylindrical space 86A from adhering to the outer surface 853 of the annular wall 85 and onto the outer surfaces of the base portion 84, shoulder portion 83, and cylinder portion 82. Furthermore, it prevents ink from adhering to the side wall 92 of the bottle cap. Therefore, ink is less likely to adhere to the operator's fingers or the storage area of ​​the bottle 200A.

[0203] By making a cut in the male thread 854, recesses 855A and 855B are formed at two locations on the outer peripheral surface 853. Recesses 855A and 855B serve as indicators for the operator to show the position of the first ribs 881A and 881B, which are part of the key component 88, during alignment in ink replenishment. These recesses 855A and 855B facilitate the operator's alignment of the key component 88 relative to the key cavity 48.

[0204] The key component 88 is formed in the cylindrical space 86A, but not on the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. A male thread 854 is formed on this outer peripheral surface 853. Therefore, the key component 88 does not affect the engagement of the male thread 854 and the female thread 93. As a result, the bottle cap 9 can be easily and reliably installed on the bottle body 8.

[0205] A key component 88 is formed in the cylindrical space 86A and fits into the key cavity 48 formed in the can 4A with a gap. The number of ribs constituting the key component 88 and the key cavity 48, as well as the three-dimensional shape and position of the ribs, vary for each bottle 200A to 200D. Therefore, by observing the shape of the key component 88, the operator can identify the type of bottle 200A to 200D.

[0206] When refilling ink, ink adhering to the neck 86 easily drips from the neck 86. However, the tip of the annular wall 85 protrudes towards the separation direction z21 compared to the tip of the neck 86. Therefore, when the bottle body 8 is tilted with the outlet 862E facing in the opposite direction, even if ink drips, it is easier for the ink to fall into the annular wall 85. Moreover, in the event of the bottle body 8 falling from a table, for example, the annular wall 85 impacts the floor or the like before the neck 86, thus protecting the neck 86 from impact.

[0207] Operators can use bottle 200A to refill ink to tank 4A multiple times. During each ink refill, such as from... Figure 9 As understood, the outlet 862E of the bottle body 8 faces downwards, thus ink easily adheres to the area around the outlet 862E. During the process of aligning the bottle 200A with the container after ink replenishment, the ink exists in a cylindrical space 86A between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86, along the outer surface area of ​​the neck 86. During the next ink replenishment, when the outlet 862E faces downwards, the ink in the cylindrical space 86A moves downwards towards the upper surface 43 of the container 4A. However, at the moment of connection, the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 abuts against the upper surface 43 at a position r21 inwards from the protruding wall 45. Therefore, the ink accumulates in the outer space 46E and does not leak outwards from the protruding wall 45 towards r22 from the upper surface 43, nor does it flow down the outer surface of the container 4A containing the upper surface 43.

[0208] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), the distance Dz1 of the protruding wall 45 and the distances Dz2 and Dz3 in the annular wall 85 are in the relationship Dz2 > Dz3 > Dz1. Under this relationship, by making the left and right distances of the connecting plates 73 and 74 greater than the distances of the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85 (refer to...) Figure 6 The diameter of the protruding wall 45 is made longer so that the protruding wall 45 will not interfere with the male thread 854, thus miniaturizing the three-dimensional shape of the protruding wall 45.

[0209] [Variation Example]

[0210] The following is for reference Figures 10-12 The following details the modified examples involving the main body 41, the bottle body 8, and the bottle cap 9. The description below focuses on the differences from the embodiments. Structures equivalent to those described in the embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of each are omitted or simplified.

[0211] [Main body 41, curved plates 71, 72, connecting plates 73, 74]

[0212] exist Figure 10 In (A), the upper ends of the bending plates 71, 72 and the connecting plates 73, 74 are located slightly above the upper end of the needle-shaped member 44, which is different from the embodiment.

[0213] The ribs 741, grooves 742, and slits 743 on the connecting plate 74 are arranged sequentially from front to back, which differs from the implementation method.

[0214] Rib 741 protrudes vertically to the left from a position forward of needle 44 on the inner surface of connecting plate 74. Rib 741 is continuous between the upper and lower ends of connecting plate 74 and extends vertically upwards and downwards. Rib 741 has a rectangular plate shape that is thin at the front and back and tapered at the top and bottom when viewed from the first front view.

[0215] The groove 742, viewed from the needle-like member 44, is located on the right side, continuous between the upper and lower ends of the connecting plate 74, and extends vertically in a straight line. The groove 742 is recessed to the right from the inner surface of the connecting plate 74. The depth and width of the groove 742 are approximately constant throughout the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the groove 742.

[0216] The slit 743 extends continuously and vertically in a straight line from a position slightly above the lower end of the connecting plate 74 to the upper end of the connecting plate 74. The distance between the two ends of the slit 743 in the vertical direction z1 is related to the rib 813 (see reference). Figure 11 The distance between the two ends of the slit 743 along the axial direction z2 is approximately the same. Hereinafter, the distance between the two ends along the vertical direction z1 and the distance between the two ends along the axial direction z2 will each be referred to as height. The width of the slit 743 is approximately constant throughout the entire area between its upper and lower ends.

[0217] exist Figure 10 In this embodiment, the connecting plate 73 is composed of an inner plate 75 and an outer plate 76 that extend vertically and horizontally. The inner plate 75 is positioned slightly closer to the needle-like member 44 than the outer plate 76, and is positioned approximately opposite to the outer plate 76. A slit 731 and a rib 732 are formed in the inner plate 75.

[0218] Slit 731, viewed from needle 44, is located on the left, continuously extending vertically between the upper end of the inner side plate 75 and slightly above the lower end of the inner side plate 75. The height of slit 731 is consistent with that of rib 815 (see reference). Figure 11 The width of slit 731 is approximately the same. The width of slit 731 is approximately constant throughout the region between the upper and lower ends of slit 731.

[0219] Rib 732 protrudes vertically to the right from a position rearward of needle-like member 44 on the inner surface of inner plate 75. Rib 732 is continuous between the lower and upper ends of inner plate 75 and extends vertically. Rib 732 has the same plate-like shape as rib 741 of connecting plate 74. The protruding end face (i.e., the right side face) of rib 732 extends vertically and horizontally, and is slightly inclined relative to the left-right direction x1.

[0220] exist Figure 10 In (A), the protrusion 711 formed in the curved plate 71 differs from that in the embodiment. The protrusion 711 is located approximately in front of the needle-like member 44, away from the needle-like member 44, near the center of the curved plate 71 in the circumferential direction θ1. The protrusion 711 is generally rectangular in shape in a first top view, protruding rearward from the inner surface of the curved plate 71. The rear end face of the protrusion 711 is arc-shaped in a first top view. The right and left sides of the protrusion 711 are flat surfaces that are generally orthogonal to the left-right direction x1. The protrusion 711 is continuous between the upper and lower ends of the curved plate 71 in a first top view, except for the portion 712 at the rear right corner, extending vertically in a straight line. The portion 712 is generally parallelogram-shaped in a first top view, continuous between the lower end of the curved plate 71 and a position slightly below the upper end of the curved plate 71, and extending vertically.

[0221] The protruding wall 45, together with ribs 741, 732, groove 742, slit 743, 731, protrusion 711, and portion 712, defines an upwardly opening key cavity 48. The key cavity 48 is an example of a fitted portion or a recessed portion of the container. When refilling ink, the bottle 200A (described later) connects to the key cavity 48. At this time, the key cavity 48 engages with the key component 88 formed on the side of the bottle 200A, but does not engage with the key components of the other bottles 200B to 200D.

[0222] [Annular wall 85]

[0223] exist Figure 11 In this embodiment, the annular wall 85 has connecting plates 856, 857 and bending plates 858, 859, which differs from the previous embodiment. Furthermore, the end face of the annular wall 85 facing z21 is not circular, which also differs from the previous embodiment.

[0224] Connecting plates 856 and 857 are composed of flat plates that appear linear in a second top view, sandwiching neck 86 and facing each other radially r2. When refilling ink, connecting plate 856 is positioned relative to connecting plate 74 (protruding wall 45). Figure 10 (A) To the left of the reference), the connecting plate 857 is located on the connecting plate 73 of the protruding wall 45 (refer to). Figure 10 To the right of ).

[0225] The bent plates 858 and 859, in the second top view, have an imaginary circle c2 (reference). Figure 11The arc shape on (B) sandwiches the neck 86 and is opposite to each other in the radial direction r2. The imaginary circle c2 is a circle centered on the axis Ax2 in the second top view, and its diameter is slightly smaller than that of the upper surface 841. In detail, the planar shape of the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 is approximately circular. The curved plate 858 extends in the upper surface 841 from the position along the imaginary circle c2 toward the separation towards z21. The curved plate 859 extends in the axial direction z2 at a position that causes the position occupied by the curved plate 858 on the upper surface 841 to be rotated approximately 180° in the circumferential direction θ2 along the axis Ax2. The curved plate 858 is connected to each of the connecting plates 856 and 857 at one end that is close in the circumferential direction θ2. The other ends of the connecting plates 856 and 857 are connected to each other by the curved plate 859. The curved plate 858 has a curved plate 71 (see reference) that is connected to the protruding wall 45 when ink is added. Figure 10 The curved plate 859 has a shape that overlaps directly behind it, and when the ink is replenished, it has a curved plate 72 with the protruding wall 45 (see reference). Figure 10 The overlapping shape directly in front.

[0226] exist Figure 11 Ribs 811-813 protrude vertically from the outer surface of the connecting plate 856 towards the outer side of the annular wall 85. Rib 811 is located closest to the curved plate 858, and rib 813 is located closest to the curved plate 859. Ribs 811-813 are continuous between their two ends along the axial direction z2 of the connecting plate 856, extending linearly along the axial direction z2. The height of ribs 811-813 is approximately the same as that of the slit 743 in the tank 4A. Ribs 811-813 do not protrude from the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 in a second top view. Specifically, the maximum distance between the two ends of rib 811 in the protruding direction is shorter than the distance between the two ends of rib 741 in the protruding direction. When comparing the radial distance r2 from the axis Ax2 towards the protruding end of rib 811 and the radial distance r2 towards the outer circumferential surface of the bent plate 858, to avoid interference with the bottle cap 9, the distance towards the protruding end (an example of the first distance) is shorter than the distance towards the outer circumferential surface (an example of the second distance). When the connection is complete, rib 811 connects from the rear to rib 741 on the side of can 4A (refer to...). Figure 10 At this point, the protruding end (i.e., the left end) of rib 741 abuts against the connecting plate 856 from the right. Rib 812 engages with groove 742 when bottle 200A and can 4A are connected; at this point, the protruding end of rib 812 abuts against the bottom of groove 742 from the left. Rib 813 is inserted through slit 743 upon completion of the connection. A portion of the protruding end of rib 813 is cut out, becoming the male thread 814 described later (see reference). Figure 11 (A) is part of it.

[0227] exist Figure 11In the connecting plate 857, a rib 815 and a groove 816 are formed on the outer surface. The rib 815 protrudes vertically outward from the outer surface of the annular wall 85 from a position closer to the curved plate 858 than the groove 816. In a second top view, the protruding end of the rib 815 does not extend outward from the upper surface 841 toward r22. The height of the rib 815 is related to the slit 731 (see reference). Figure 10 They are roughly the same. Specifically, the ends of rib 815 and connecting plate 857 facing z22 are in the same position relative to each other. On the other hand, as... Figure 11 As shown in (A), the end of rib 815 facing z21 is located closer to z22 than the end of connecting plate 857 facing z21. That is, the axial distance z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of rib 815 facing z21 is shorter than the axial distance z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of connecting plate 857 in the same direction. Furthermore, the separation direction z21 is the vertical direction z1 in the loading position, and the end facing z21 is the upper end in the loading position. When the connection is completed, rib 815 is inserted through slit 731, and the end of rib 815 facing z21 abuts against the lower end of slit 731. Groove 816 is continuous between the two ends of connecting plate 857 in the axial direction and extends linearly along the axial direction z2. Groove 816 is recessed from the outer surface of connecting plate 857 to the inner surface. The bottom surface of groove 816 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ2 in the first top view. The width of groove 816 is approximately constant between the two axial ends of connecting plate 857. Rib 732 (refer to...) is used for ink replenishment. Figure 10 When the rib 732 is engaged with the groove 816, the protruding end of the rib 732 abuts against the bottom of the groove 816 from the left.

[0228] exist Figure 11 In this process, a portion of the male thread 814 is formed near the central portion of the axial z2 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the curved plates 858 and 859. A portion of the male thread 814 is also formed on the rib 813. That is, the male thread 814 is divided into the protruding end face of the rib 813 and the curved plates 858 and 859. Such a male thread 814 engages with the female thread 93 formed on the bottle cap 9.

[0229] A groove 817 is formed on the outer surface of the curved plate 858. The groove 817 is continuous at the center of the circumferential direction θ1 between the two axial ends of the curved plate 858 and extends linearly along the axial direction z2. The groove 817 is recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the curved plate 858 to the inner circumferential surface. The bottom surface of the groove 817 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ2 in a first top view. The width and depth of the groove 817 are approximately constant between the two axial ends of the curved plate 858, except for the portion of the rib 818 described later. Specifically, the depth of the groove 817 is the same as the front-rear dimension of the protrusion 711, and the width of the groove 817 is the same as the maximum value of the left-right dimension in the protrusion 711. A rib 818 is formed in the groove 817. The rib 818 extends from one side of the circumferential direction θ2 (in...) Figure 11 The rib 818 extends from the side (clockwise) of the groove 817. The rib 818 extends radially r2 and circumferentially θ2 between the two ends of the groove 817. The rib 818 is located in the second top view and is adjacent to the portion 712 on the side of the tank 4A (see reference). Figure 10 It is a plate of roughly the same shape and thin in the axial direction z2. The end face of the rib 818 facing z21 separates from the end face of the groove 817 facing z21 and moves towards z22 away from part 712 (see reference). Figure 10 The height is equivalent to the quantity.

[0230] When the groove 817 is connected, it is connected to the protrusion 711 (see reference). Figure 10 When the ribs 818 are engaged, the end face of the ribs 818 facing z21 abuts against part 712 from above.

[0231] The annular wall 85, together with ribs 811-813, 815, 818 and grooves 816, 817, forms the key cavity 48 (see reference). Figure 10 The key component 88 is fitted together. In one embodiment, the key component 88 is located between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86. However, in this modified example, the key component 88 is not located between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86, but is located on the outer surface of the annular wall 85.

[0232] [Seat 865, seat surface 865A]

[0233] exist Figure 11 In this embodiment, the neck 86 has a seat 865 with a seat surface 865A, which differs from the previous embodiment. The seat surface 865A, in a second top view, has an annular shape that surrounds the entire periphery of the neck 86 on its outer side. The seat surface 865A is a surface parallel to the radial direction r2. Specifically, the seat surface 865A extends outward toward the annular wall 85 toward r22 from the top surface of the neck 86 towards the outer peripheral surface approaching z22. That is, the seat surface 865A is located closer to the annular wall 85 radially r2 than the top surface of the neck 86, and closer to the upper surface 841 and the receiving chamber 87 axially z2 than the top surface of the neck 86. Furthermore, in the mounting posture of the bottle body 8, the seat surface 865A faces upward at a position lower than the neck 86. The seat surface 865A is continuous with the inner surfaces of the connecting plates 856 and 857 and the bottom wall of the groove 817, but not with the inner surfaces of the curved plates 858 and 859. The width of the seat surface 865A in the radial direction r2 is the minimum width W11 between the neck 86 and the bottom wall of the groove 817.

[0234] [Bottle Cap 9]

[0235] exist Figure 12 In this embodiment, the bottle cap 9 also has an annular protrusion 94, which differs from the implementation method.

[0236] The annular tab 94 is a generally cylindrical wall extending from the inner main surface 912 outward toward r22 from the engaging portion 913 and inward toward r21 from the side wall 92 toward z22. The diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the annular tab 94 is approximately the same as the outer circumferential surface of the neck 86. The thickness of the annular tab 94 is the radial dimension r1 between this inner and outer circumferential surfaces. This thickness is approximately constant throughout the circumferential direction θ1 and is slightly smaller than the minimum width W11 between the neck 86 and the groove 817. In the installed state of the cap 9, the annular tab 94 abuts against and engages with the outer circumferential surface of the neck 86 of the bottle body 8.

[0237] During the engagement of the male thread 814 and the female thread 93 (hereinafter also referred to as the "engagement process"), the inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion 94 slides on the outer circumferential surface of the neck 86 while rotating about the axis Ax2. After the engagement process, the end of the annular protrusion 94 approaching z22 (i.e., the protruding end) 941 abuts against the seat surface 865A throughout its entire circumference. The abutment of the end 941 against the seat surface 865A determines the final engagement position of the cap 9 and the bottle body 8, and the engagement of the cap 9 stops in the axial direction z2. The axial dimension z2 of the annular protrusion 94 is predetermined so that the end 941 abuts against the seat surface 865A in the installed state. Moreover, when the cap 9 is in the final position, the inner main surface 912 abuts against the end face of the annular wall 85 facing z21. Thus, the cap 9 liquid-tightly seals the space inside the annular wall 85.

[0238] [Other variations]

[0239] In this embodiment, the four colors of ink described above are stored in containers 4A to 4D. However, containers 4A to 4D may also store a pretreatment liquid (another example of a liquid) that is sprayed onto the paper S before the ink is ejected from the recording head 322 during image recording. Furthermore, containers 4A to 4D may also store water used to clean the recording head 322 (yet another example of a liquid).

[0240] In this embodiment, the printing unit 3 is capable of recording full-color images on the paper S. However, it is not limited to this; the printing unit 3 may also be capable of recording only monochrome images on the paper S. In this case, the can assembly 31 includes a can 4A, a holding member 51A, a lid 6A, and a can cover 52A.

[0241] In one embodiment, a keyway 48 is provided on the can 4A. However, it is not limited to this; the keyway 48 may also be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 511A of the retaining member 51A.

[0242] In this implementation, the three-dimensional shapes of the key component 88 and the keyhole 48 differ from each other for each color of ink. However, this is not a limitation; the three-dimensional shapes of the key component 88 and the keyhole 48 may also differ from each other for each type (i.e., model) of the MFP100.

[0243] In one embodiment, the key component 88 and the mating portion 46 are each formed by a rib or cutout protruding toward z21 relative to the upper surface 841. However, it is not limited to this. In addition, the key component 88 and the mating portion 46 may each be formed by a slit that is long relative to the upper surface 841 in the direction of z22, or a recess that is recessed along the circumferential direction θ2 and the radial direction r2.

[0244] In one embodiment, the bottle body 8 has recesses 855A and 855B, which are formed by cutting a portion of the male thread 854 that rotates 180° relative to each other. However, it is not limited to this; the bottle body 8 may also have two protrusions instead of recesses 855A and 855B. The two protrusions protrude outward toward r22 from the portion that rotates 180° relative to each other on the outer peripheral surface 853.

Claims

1. A liquid containment bottle, comprising: A bottle body having an internal space that contains liquid for supplying to a tank of a liquid consumption device; and The cap is attached to the body of the bottle. Its features are, The bottle body has: upper surface; A nozzle that protrudes upward relative to the upper surface and has an opening on its top surface; An annular wall, which is spaced apart from the nozzle and located around the nozzle, and protrudes upward compared to the upper surface; as well as A key component that engages with a fitting portion located around the injection port of the can. The cap has an annular abutment portion, which, when the cap is installed on the bottle body, abuts against the annular wall in a liquid-tight manner. In the installed state, the annular abutment portion is in liquid-tight contact with the upper end surface of the annular wall. A space is defined between the annular wall and the nozzle.

2. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The key component protrudes upwards compared to the upper surface. The upper end of the key component is closer to the upper surface than the upper end of the annular wall.

3. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cover also has a closure portion that blocks the opening in the installed state.

4. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottle body also has a valve mechanism that can open and close the opening formed in the nozzle.

5. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cap is attached to the bottle body by screwing it onto the outside of the annular wall.

6. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The upper end of the annular wall is circular.

7. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The key component is located in the space between the nozzle and the annular wall.

8. The liquid containing bottle as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The key component is connected to the nozzle and the annular wall.

9. The liquid containing bottle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The key component is connected to the nozzle, but not to the annular wall.

10. The liquid containing bottle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The key component is not connected to the nozzle, but to the annular wall.

11. The liquid containing bottle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The key component extends outward from the annular wall.

12. The liquid containing bottle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The protrusion or recess is located on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall.

13. The liquid containing bottle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The upper end of the annular wall is located above the top surface.

14. A liquid supply device, characterized in that, A tank comprising a liquid containing bottle as described in any one of claims 1 to 13 and a storage chamber for storing liquid. The tank has: A recessed portion of the can, which fits into the annular wall; A connecting pipe, located in the recess of the tank, has a first flow path and a second flow path connecting the storage chamber to the outside; and The fitted portion, located in the can recess, engages with the key component. The can recess is inserted through the annular wall, the key component engages with the fitted portion, and the connecting tube is inserted into the opening of the nozzle, thereby connecting the bottle body so that liquid can flow from the interior space of the bottle body into the storage chamber of the can.

15. The liquid supply device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The containers are provided in multiples for each color of the liquid they contain. The fitted portion is located in a different position or shape for each of the plurality of cans. The key component is a position or shape that can be fitted with the corresponding fitting part of the can.

Images