Liquid container and liquid supply device

Abstract

The present application provides a liquid storage bottle and a liquid supply device, which make it difficult for liquid to drip from a detached bottle cap (9). In the bottle cap (9), a ring-shaped tab (94) in an installed state is in abutment with a seat surface (865A), and during detachment of the bottle cap (9), the ring-shaped tab (94) slides on the seat surface (865A) in a circumferential direction (θ1). In addition, a ring-shaped groove (865E) and inclined grooves (865F-865H) are formed in the seat surface (865A), so ink adhering to the ring-shaped tab (94) is guided to the inclined grooves (865F-865H). The ink flows down to groove portions (866-868) along the interiors of the inclined grooves (865F-865H) due to the adhesion of the inclined grooves (865F-865H) and gravity.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Whenever the ink stored in the can is consumed, ink is supplied sequentially from the bottle connected to the can to the can, thereby keeping the liquid level of the ink stored in the can constant. As such a structure, an ink supply device that supplies ink from the bottle to the can in a so-called chickenfeed manner has been disclosed (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 lower than 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. Then, the volume 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 is stopped. In this way, the ink level in the can is maintained at a constant level.

[0004] Existing technical 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, if ink remains in the bottle, a cap is installed on the bottle for preservation. The cap is then removed before supplying ink to the can again. During the ink supply process, if ink adhering to the ink outlet pipe 2 and air inlet pipe 3 adheres to the cap, ink may drip from the cap and stain the table when the cap is removed from the bottle or placed on a table after removal. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a liquid containment bottle in which liquid is difficult to drip from the cap attached to the bottle body.

[0010] Technical means for solving problems

[0011] (1) The present invention is a liquid containing bottle comprising: a bottle body having an internal space for containing liquid; and a cap mounted on the bottle body. The bottle body comprises: a base end face; a nozzle protruding in a first direction relative to the base end face; and an annular wall located around the nozzle at a distance from the nozzle in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and protruding in the first direction relative to the base end face. The nozzle comprises: a top end face having an opening for liquid contained in the internal space to flow out; a seat surface located closer to the annular wall in the second direction and closer to the internal space in the first direction than the top end face; and a groove formed on the seat surface, the end of the groove extending into the space between the nozzle and the annular wall. The cap comprises: a closing portion that closes the opening in an installed state mounted on the bottle body; and a protrusion protruding from around the closing portion and abutting against the seat surface in the installed state.

[0012] Because the liquid flows down the groove from the seat surface into the space between the nozzle and the annular wall, it is difficult for the liquid to remain on the seat surface. As a result, the liquid is unlikely to adhere to the tabs that abut against the seat surface, and the liquid is unlikely to drip from the cap that has been removed from the bottle body.

[0013] (2) In the above-mentioned nozzle, the upper part of the nozzle, which is located above the seat surface, is cylindrical. The above-mentioned seat surface is an annular shape facing upwards. The above-mentioned protrusion is cylindrical.

[0014] Because the upper part of the nozzle and the protrusion fit together, it is easy to install the cap onto the bottle body.

[0015] (3) The bottom surface of the above-mentioned groove is inclined downward toward the above-mentioned internal space.

[0016] The groove allows liquid to be easily guided from the seat surface downwards.

[0017] (4) The above-mentioned annular wall is formed by connecting a curved plate and a connecting plate that are part of the circumference of the cylindrical shape to form a ring shape.

[0018] Using the connecting plate as a reference, the circumferential position of the bottle body can be easily determined.

[0019] (5) The seat surface has a first region between the portion where the seat surface and the connecting plate intersect and the nozzle. The groove is formed in a second region of the seat surface other than the first region.

[0020] Even if the liquid containment bottle is overturned, the liquid accumulated in the space is unlikely to return to the seat.

[0021] (6) The liquid container is used to supply liquid to the tank of the liquid consumption device. It also has a key component formed on the annular wall and fitted with a fitting portion provided around the supply port of the tank.

[0022] By changing at least one of the position, length, height, and number of the key components for each type of liquid containment bottle, the type of liquid containment bottle can be determined by the key components.

[0023] (7) The cap is screwed into the annular wall and installed on the bottle body.

[0024] It allows the cap to be easily and reliably installed onto the bottle body.

[0025] (8) The upper end of the above-mentioned annular wall is located above the above-mentioned top surface.

[0026] When the bottle is tilted upside down, the liquid dripping from the top of the nozzle is easily blocked by the annular wall.

[0027] (9) The liquid container further comprises: a first bottom that divides the space and is located below the seat surface; and a second bottom that divides the space and is located below the first bottom. The end of the groove is located above the second bottom.

[0028] Because the distance from the bottom to the end of the tank can be increased, even if the liquid container is tilted, the liquid accumulated in the space is difficult to move to the end of the tank and return to the seat.

[0029] (10) It also has ribs that divide the above space into multiple smaller spaces.

[0030] Even if the liquid container is tilted, it can reduce the possibility of liquid being stored at one end of the space, thus making it difficult for the liquid to return to the seat.

[0031] (11) The present invention is a liquid supply device comprising: the aforementioned liquid receiving bottle; and a can having a storage chamber for storing liquid. The can has: a recess; and a connecting pipe located in the recess, having a first flow path and a second flow path communicating the storage chamber with the outside. By inserting the aforementioned annular wall into the recess and the aforementioned connecting pipe into the aforementioned opening of the aforementioned nozzle, the bottle body is connected to allow liquid to flow from the interior space of the bottle body into the storage chamber of the can.

[0032] Invention Effects

[0033] According to the present invention, liquid is unlikely to drip from the cap that is removed from the bottle body. Attached Figure Description

[0034] 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.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer section 3.

[0036] Figure 3 (A) is a perspective view schematically showing 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 the surrounding structure of the recording unit 32.

[0037] Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view of the annular wall 44 and needle-like member 45 of the main body 41, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the longitudinal section of the main body 41 along the single-dotted line A-A' in the figure (A) viewed from the right.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view of the bottle body 8, and (B) is a top view of the bottle body 8 facing z22.

[0040] Figure 7 (A) is a perspective view of the annular wall 85 and neck 86, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottle body 8 along the dashed line B-B' in (A) and a diagram showing the structure of the valve mechanism 88.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a top view of the seat 865 and groove 866-868 in the neck 86, facing approximately towards z22.

[0042] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 The longitudinal section view of the bottle body 8 with a single-dotted line C-C'.

[0043] Figure 10 (A) is along Figure 5 (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottle cap 9 with a single-dotted line D-D'. (B) is a schematic diagram showing the detailed shape of the inclined groove 865H.

[0044] Figure 11 (A) is a perspective view of the can 4A connected to the bottle body 8, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottle body 8 and can 4A viewed from the right along the single-dotted line E-E' in the figure (A).

[0045] Symbol Explanation

[0046] 3. Printer Department

[0047] 31··· Tank Group

[0048] 4A~4D···cans

[0049] 41···Main Body

[0050] 43··· Upper surface

[0051] 44··· Circular wall

[0052] 71, 72... connecting plates

[0053] 73, 74... Bending plates

[0054] 711, 722...ribs

[0055] 712···Slot

[0056] 713, 721... Slit

[0057] 731···Convex part

[0058] 732...part

[0059] 78··· keyhole

[0060] 45···Needle-shaped parts

[0061] 451, 452···Flow path

[0062] 453... next door

[0063] 46···Storage Room

[0064] 200A~200D···bottle

[0065] 8. Bottle body

[0066] 84···Abutment Department

[0067] 841··· Upper Surface

[0068] 85··· Annular wall

[0069] 851, 852... Connecting plates

[0070] 853, 854... Bending plates

[0071] 814··· External Thread

[0072] 811, 812, 813, 815, 818...ribs

[0073] 816, 817... slots

[0074] 855···Key Components

[0075] 86··· Neck

[0076] 865A···Seating surface

[0077] 865B~865D···Outer Peripheral Surface

[0078] 865E... Annular groove

[0079] 865F~865H··· Inclined groove

[0080] 866-868···Gutter

[0081] 87 Containment Room

[0082] 9. Bottle cap

[0083] 91···Top Wall

[0084] 92···Sidewall

[0085] 93··· Internal Thread

[0086] 94··· Annular protuberance Detailed Implementation

[0087] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it is self-evident that the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified without changing the spirit of the invention. Additionally, in the following description, the movement from the starting point of the arrow to the ending point is expressed as "direction," and the movement along the line connecting the starting and ending points of the arrow is expressed as "direction." In other words, direction is a component of direction. Moreover, the MFP100 is positioned in a usable manner on a horizontal plane (for...). Figure 1 The vertical direction z1 is defined based on the orientation (also known as the "usage orientation") of the MFP100. The front-back direction y1 is defined using the face of the MFP100 with the opening 1B as the front surface 11. The left-right direction x1 is defined when the MFP100 is viewed from the front surface. In this embodiment, in the usage orientation, the vertical direction z1 is vertical, 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.

[0088] [Structure of MFP100]

[0089] exist Figure 1In this context, the MFP100 is a multifunction printer, comprising a housing 1, a housing cover 2, and a printer unit 3. The MFP100 is an example of a liquid consumption device and is part of a liquid supply system.

[0090] 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 interior space 1A is an upward opening. A forward 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 (hereinafter also referred to as "first frontal view") and communicates with the interior space 1A.

[0091] The housing cover 2 is connected to the connector 21 (see reference). Figure 1 (B)) Connected near the upper rear corner of housing 1, 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.

[0092] The housing 2 can internally house the scanner unit that optically reads original documents. The MFP100 may also have fax functionality, etc.

[0093] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the printer section 3, excluding the tank assembly 31 and the recording section 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 supply 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.

[0094] 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 with recorded images. The conveyor path 35 consists of... Figure 2 The single-dotted arrow indicates that it 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 and reaches the rear end of the discharge tray 34.

[0095] The supply roller 36 feeds sheets of paper S one by one from the supply tray 33 to the upstream end of the bending section 351. The conveying roller 37, located at the downstream end of the bending section 351, feeds the paper S from the bending section 351 toward the straight section 352 in the conveying direction y2. The conveying direction y2 is in front of the straight section 352. The discharge roller 38, located immediately behind the discharge tray 34 in the straight section 352, discharges the paper S from the straight section 352 into the discharge tray 34.

[0096] The pressure plate 39 is located in the straight section 352 between the transport roller section 37 and the discharge roller section 38, supporting the paper S fed from the transport 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 in 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 via the straight section 352. On the lower surface of the recording head 322, nozzles 323 are arranged in the front-back, left-right, and right directions. The recording head 322 ejects four colors of ink stored in the recording head 322 from the multiple nozzles 323. The four colors are Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The recording head 322 moves at a constant speed in the main scanning direction x2 together with the carriage 321 while ejecting ink from the nozzles 323 toward the paper S that is stopped on the pressure plate 39. Thus, an image of one stroke is recorded on the paper S. When the recording of the image of one stroke ends, the paper S is conveyed toward the conveyor direction y2 by intermittent conveying by the conveyor roller 37 at a unit line width. This image recording and intermittent conveying are repeated alternately, thereby recording an image over the entire paper S.

[0097] [Tank Group 31]

[0098] exist Figure 3 In this assembly, tank group 31 includes 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 can covers 52A and 52B.

[0099] 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 arranged from left to right to the right of the supply tray 33 in the order of Cans 4B, 4C, and 4D.

[0100] [Can 4A]

[0101] exist Figure 3In (B), 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 is externally divided into a storage chamber 46 for storing K-color ink (see reference). Figure 4 (B) The main body 41, except for one side on the left and right, is made by injection molding or the like using a translucent resin material. One side of the main body 41 is sealed with a resin film that is thinner than the rest of the body.

[0102] like Figure 3 As shown in (B), one end of a flexible resin tube 42 is connected near 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 amount of ink consumed in the recording head 322, ink in the main body 41 is supplied to the recording head 322 via the tube 42. An atmospheric communication hole is also formed near the rear end of the main body 41.

[0103] exist Figure 4 In the middle, the annular wall 44 and the needle-like member 45 extend upward from the upper surface 43 of the main body 41. The upper surface 43 and the upper end face of the annular wall 44 are parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0104] The annular wall 44 has connecting plates 71 and 72 and curved plates 73 and 74. The connecting plates 71 and 72 are approximately rectangular in shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The connecting plates 71 and 72 have a plate-like shape that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. Connecting plate 71 is located to the right relative to needle-like member 45, and connecting plate 72 is located to the left relative to needle-like member 45. Curved plates 73 and 74 have an arcuate shape when viewed from above (hereinafter also referred to as "first top view"). Curved plate 73 bulges forward, and curved plate 74 bulges backward. Curved plate 73 is located to the forward relative to needle-like member 45, and curved plate 74 is located to the rear relative to needle-like member 45. Connecting plate 71 connects the right ends of curved plates 73 and 74 to each other, and connecting plate 72 connects the left ends of curved plates 73 and 74 to each other.

[0105] exist Figure 4 In (A), the connecting plate 71 has ribs 711, grooves 712 and slits 713 arranged from front to back.

[0106] Rib 711 protrudes vertically to the left from the front of needle 45 on the inner surface of connecting plate 71. Rib 711 is continuous between the upper and lower ends of connecting plate 71 and extends straight in the vertical direction. Rib 711 has a rectangular plate shape that is thinner in the front-rear direction and elongated in the vertical direction when viewed from the first front view.

[0107] The groove 712 is located on the right when viewed from the needle-like member 45, and extends continuously and linearly in the vertical direction between the upper and lower ends of the connecting plate 71. The groove 712 is recessed to the right from the inner surface of the connecting plate 71. The depth and width of the groove 712 are approximately constant throughout the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the groove 712.

[0108] The slit 713 extends continuously and in a straight line in the vertical direction from a position slightly above the lower end of the connecting plate 71 to the upper end of the connecting plate 71. The distance between the two ends of the slit 713 in the vertical direction z1 is related to the rib 813 (refer to...). Figure 6 The distance between the two ends of the slit 713 in the extension direction z2 is approximately the same. Hereinafter, the distance between the two ends in the vertical direction z1 and the distance between the two ends in the extension direction z2 will also be referred to as height. The width of the slit 713 is approximately constant throughout the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the slit 713.

[0109] exist Figure 4 In this structure, the connecting plate 72 is composed of an inner plate 75 and an outer plate 76 that extend in the vertical and horizontal directions. The inner plate 75 is positioned slightly closer to the needle-like member 45 than the outer plate 76 and is opposite to the outer plate 76 in the horizontal direction. A slit 721 and a rib 722 are formed in the inner plate 75.

[0110] Slit 721 is located to the left when viewed from the needle-like member 45, extending continuously in a straight line between the upper and lower ends of the inner side plate 75, slightly above the lower end of the inner side plate 75. The height of slit 721 is the same as that of rib 815 (see reference). Figure 6 The heights of the slits are approximately the same. The width of the slit 721 is approximately constant throughout the region between its upper and lower ends.

[0111] Rib 722 protrudes vertically to the right from behind the needle-like member 45 on the inner surface of the inner side plate 75. Rib 722 is continuous between the lower and upper ends of the inner side plate 75 and extends straight in the vertical direction. Rib 722 has the same plate-like shape as rib 711 of the connecting plate 71. The protruding end face (i.e., the right side face) of rib 722 extends in the vertical and front-back directions and is slightly inclined relative to the left-right direction x1.

[0112] exist Figure 4 In (A), a protrusion 731 is formed on the curved plate 73. The protrusion 731 separates from the needle-like member 45 and is located approximately in front of the needle-like member 45, near the center in the left-right direction x1 of the curved plate 73. The protrusion 731 is approximately rectangular in shape when viewed from above, protruding rearward from the inner surface of the curved plate 73. The rear end face of the protrusion 731 is arc-shaped when viewed from above (see reference). Figure 6(B) The right and left sides of the protrusion 731 are flat surfaces that are approximately orthogonal to the left-right direction x1. In a first top-view observation, the protrusion 731, except for the portion 732 at the upper right corner, is continuous between the upper and lower ends of the curved plate 73 and extends in a straight line in the vertical direction. The portion 732, in a first top-view observation, is approximately parallelogram-shaped and is continuous between the lower end of the curved plate 73 and below the upper end of the curved plate 73, extending in the vertical direction.

[0113] The annular wall 44, together with ribs 711 and 722, groove 712, slits 713 and 721, protrusion 731, and portion 732, defines an upwardly opening keyhole 78. Keyhole 78 is an example of a fitted portion or recess. Bottle 200A (described later) is connected via keyhole 78 when ink is replenished. Keyhole 78 engages with key component 855 formed on the side of bottle 200A, but not with key components of other bottles 200B to 200D.

[0114] The needle-like member 45 extends from the upper surface 43 along the vertical direction z1 at approximately the center of the curved plates 73 and 74 in the front-back direction y1 and at approximately the center of the connecting plates 71 and 72 in the left-right direction x1. The upper end of the needle-like member 45 is located slightly lower than the upper end of the annular wall 44 (see also...). Figure 11 (B) The lower end of the needle-shaped member 45 is positioned above the bottom of the storage chamber 46. The needle-shaped member 45 is a long, thin, cylindrical component in the vertical direction, and is an example of a supply port or connecting pipe for a can. For gas-liquid exchange with the bottle 200A (described later), two flow paths 451 and 452 (see reference) are formed on the needle-shaped member 45, extending linearly in the vertical direction from the top (upper end) to the storage chamber 46 of the main body 41. Figure 4 (B)). In Figure 4 In (B), flow paths 451 and 452 are divided by a partition 453 that extends vertically over the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the needle-like member 45. The upper end of the partition 453 is located above the upper ends of flow paths 451 and 452. The lower end of flow path 451 is located below the lower end of flow path 452.

[0115] [Cans 4B-4D]

[0116] Cans 4B to 4D are another example of cans, possessing the same body as body 41 except for the points described below. In the body 41 of each can 4B to 4D, the cylindrical wall is divided into upward-opening keyholes by at least one or a combination of two or more of ribs, grooves, slits, and protrusions. Here, the combination of ribs, grooves, and slits is different between cans 4A to 4D. The three-dimensional shape of each keyhole in cans 4B to 4D is different from that of keyhole 78. In the embodiment, the three-dimensional shape of each keyhole is determined by the dimensions and positions of the ribs, grooves, slits, or protrusions in the left-right direction x1, front-back direction y1, and up-down direction z1. Furthermore, the bodies of cans 4B, 4C, and 4D differ from 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 body 41 in that they have different ink capacities.

[0117] 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 retaining member 51A is formed with an annular wall 44 and a needle-like member 45 (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) Through hole 511 (refer to) Figure 5 (A)). Holding component 51B holds cans 4B to 4D (refer to) Figure 3 (B)) All upper surfaces are covered together. Through holes 511B to 511D are formed in the retaining member 51B (refer to Figure 5 (A)). Through holes 511B to 511D are inserted through the cylindrical wall and needle-like parts of cans 4B to 4D.

[0118] A bearing 53A is provided behind the through hole 511A in the retaining member 51A. Bearings 53B to 53D are respectively provided behind the through holes 511B to 511D in the retaining member 51B. Bearings 53A to 53D each have 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 (see reference). Figure 3 (A) and open position P22 (refer to) Figure 5 (A)) rotates around the rotating shaft of bearings 53A to 53D.

[0119] exist Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the middle, the cover 6A has a rubber part 61A and an arm part 62A. The rubber part 61A has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the needle-like member 45 (see reference). Figure 4 It has a large cylindrical shape with a hole through which a needle-like element 45 is inserted. Furthermore, in Figure 5For convenience, the needle-like part 45 is not shown in the figure. The arm 62A is made of a resin material that is harder than the rubber part 61A and has a slender rod shape. The rubber part 61A is installed at one end of the arm 62A. A rotating shaft through which the bearing 53A is inserted is provided at the other end of the arm 62A.

[0120] 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 is inserted into the keyhole 78 through the through hole 511A of the retaining member 51A. At this time, the needle-like member 45 is inserted through the hole in the rubber part 61A. Furthermore, in Figure 5 For simplicity, the needle-like part 45 and the keyhole 78 are not shown in the diagram. This prevents ink leakage and drying within the main body 41. The open position P22 is approximately 90° to 100° rotated from the closed position P21 around the rotation axis of the bearing 53A.

[0121] The caps 6B to 6D are identical in construction to the cap 6A, but are inserted into the bottles 200B to 200D (see reference) through the through holes 511B to 511D of the retaining member 51B. Figure 3 The keyhole of (B) is different from that of cover 6A.

[0122] 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. When can cover 52A is in the covered position P31, can cover 52A from above, covering retaining member 51A, cover 6A, and bearing 53A. When can cover 52B is 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.

[0123] [Bottle 200A~200D]

[0124] like Figure 5 As shown in (B), in MFP100 (reference) Figure 1 In order to replenish ink to tanks 4A-4D, for example, four bottles 200A-200D are used. Bottles 200A-200D are a remaining part of the liquid supply device. Furthermore, in... Figure 6In (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 has a bottle body 8 and a bottle cap 9. Bottle 200A is an example of a liquid containing bottle, and bottle cap 9 is an example of a cap.

[0125] [Bottle Body 8]

[0126] exist Figure 6 In (A), the bottle body 8 has a bottom 81, a main body 82, a shoulder 83, a base 84, an annular wall 85, and a neck 86.

[0127] [Bottom 81]

[0128] The bottom 81 is a flat portion of the roughly disc-shaped bottom wall. This will cause the bottom 81 to abut against the horizontal plane 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. An imaginary line passing through the center of the bottom 81 and orthogonal to the bottom 81 is defined as the axis Ax1. The direction z2 extending from the bottom 81 to the neck 86 is also called the separation direction z21, and its opposite direction is also called the approach direction z22. The direction r1 in the radial direction r1 of the axis Ax1 that is close to the axis Ax1 is also called the centripetal direction r11, and its opposite direction is also called the centrifugal direction r12. Figure 6 Only one example of radial r1, centripetal r11, and centrifugal r12 is shown in the diagram.

[0129] [Main body 82, Shoulders 83]

[0130] The main body 82 is a generally cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom 81 toward z21. The shoulder 83 is a wall extending from the extended end of the main body 82 toward r11. The shoulder 83 is inclined radially r1 relative to the axis Ax1, such that it is further away from the bottom 81 the closer it is to the axis Ax1. The extended end of the shoulder 83 separates from the axis Ax1 toward r12 in an centrifugal direction and is circular in a top view taken from the approach toward z22 (hereinafter also referred to as "second top view").

[0131] [Abutment 84]

[0132] The base portion 84 has a side wall and a top wall. When the bottle body 8 is in a mounted position, the side wall protrudes from the extension end of the shoulder portion 83 toward a separation direction z21 (i.e., upward), and is generally cylindrical in shape. The top wall extends from the protruding end (i.e., the upper end) of the side wall of the base portion 84 toward a centripetal direction r11, and is generally annular in a second top view. The base portion 84 has a top surface 841 (an example of a base end face). The top surface 841 is a surface that defines the upper end of the outer surface of the base portion 84 and is parallel to the radial direction r1.

[0133] [Containment Chamber 87]

[0134] exist Figure 7 In (B), from the bottom 81 (reference) Figure 6 ), Main body 82 (refer to) Figure 7 (A)), the space divided by the shoulder 83 and the base 84 constitutes the containment chamber 87 for containing K-color ink.

[0135] [Circular wall 85, Neck 86]

[0136] exist Figure 6 In (A), the annular wall 85 and the neck 86 extend towards z21 relative to the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84. The extended end of the annular wall 85 is parallel to the upper surface 841. The height of the annular wall 85 is below the height of the annular wall 44 in tank 4A (see also...). Figure 11 ).

[0137] [Annular wall 85]

[0138] exist Figure 6 In the annular wall 85, there are connecting plates 851 and 852 and bending plates 853 and 854. The periphery of the annular wall 85 is separated from the end facing z21 and is open.

[0139] Connecting plates 851 and 852 are composed of flat plates that appear generally straight in a second top view, and are opposite each other radially r1 across neck 86. When refilling ink, connecting plate 851 is located on connecting plate 71 of the annular wall 44 (see reference). Figure 4 To the left of (A), the connecting plate 852 is located on the connecting plate 72 of the annular wall 44 (refer to...). Figure 4 To the right of ).

[0140] The bent plates 853 and 854 are located in the imaginary circle c1 (reference) when viewed from the second top view. Figure 6 (B)) The arc shape is opposite to the neck 86 in the radial direction r1. The imaginary circle c1 is a circle centered on the axis Ax1 in the second top view, and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter 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 853 extends on the upper surface 841 from the position along the imaginary circle c1 toward the separation direction z21. The curved plate 854 extends in the extension direction z2 at a position on the upper surface 841 where the position occupied by the curved plate 853 is rotated 180° in the circumferential direction θ1 along the axis Ax1. The curved plate 853 is connected to the ends of the connecting plates 851 and 852 that are close to each other in the circumferential direction θ1. The other ends of the connecting plates 851 and 852 are connected to each other by the curved plate 854. When replenishing ink, the curved plate 853 has a curved plate 73 (see reference) of the annular wall 44. Figure 4The curved plate 854 has a shape that overlaps with the curved plate 74 of the annular wall 44 (see reference). Figure 4 The shape overlaps with the shape immediately in front of it.

[0141] exist Figure 6 Ribs 811-813 protrude perpendicularly from the outer surface of the connecting plate 851 toward the outer side of the annular wall 85. Of ribs 811-813, rib 811 is located closest to the curved plate 853, and rib 813 is located closest to the curved plate 854. Ribs 811-813 are continuous between their two ends in the extending direction z2 of the connecting plate 851, extending in a straight line in the extending direction z2. The height of ribs 811-813 corresponds to the slit 713 in the tank 4A (see reference). Figure 4 (A)) is approximately the same height. Ribs 811-813 are not exposed from the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 in the second top view. Specifically, the maximum distance between the two ends of rib 811 in the projecting direction is greater than that of rib 711 on the side of can 4A (refer to) Figure 4 (A)) The distance between the two ends in the protruding direction is short. If we compare the distance from the axis Ax1 to the protruding end of rib 811 and the radial distance r1 on the outer peripheral surface of the curved plate 853, then to avoid interference with the bottle cap 9, the distance to the protruding end (an example of the first distance) is shorter than the distance to the outer peripheral surface (an example of the second distance). When the connection is completed, rib 811 abuts against rib 711 from the rear. At this time, the protruding end (i.e., the left end) of rib 711 abuts against the connecting plate 851 from the right. Rib 812 fits into groove 712 when connecting bottle 200A and can 4A, at which time the protruding end of rib 812 abuts against the bottom of groove 712 from the left. Rib 813 is inserted into slit 713 when connecting bottle 200A and can 4A. A portion of the protruding end face of rib 813 is cut off to form the external thread 814 described later (see Figure 6 (A) is part of it.

[0142] exist Figure 6 In this configuration, a rib 815 and a groove 816 are formed on the outer surface of the connecting plate 852. The rib 815 protrudes vertically from the outer surface of the connecting plate 852, closer to the curved plate 853 than the groove 816, toward the outer side of the annular wall 85. The protruding end of the rib 815 does not protrude from the upper surface 841 toward the centrifugal direction r12 when viewed from a second top view. The height of the rib 815 is related to the slit 721 (see reference). Figure 4 The heights are approximately the same. Specifically, the ends of rib 815 and connecting plate 852 facing z22 are in the same position relative to each other. On the other hand, as... Figure 6As shown in (A), the end of rib 815 facing z21 is positioned slightly closer to z22 than the end of connecting plate 852 facing z21. That is, the distance in the extension direction z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of rib 815 facing z21 (an example of the third distance) is shorter than the distance in the extension direction z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of connecting plate 852 facing z21 (an example of the fourth distance). Furthermore, in the mounting position, the separation orientation z21 is the vertical direction z1, and the end facing z21 is the upper end in the mounting position. Rib 815 is inserted into slit 721 when the connection is complete, and the end of rib 815 facing z21 abuts against the lower end of slit 721. Groove 816 is continuous between the two ends in the extension direction z2 of connecting plate 852 and extends linearly in the extension direction z2. Groove 816 is recessed from the outer surface of connecting plate 852 to the inner surface. The bottom surface of groove 816 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ1 when viewed from the first top view. The width of groove 816 is approximately constant between the two ends of connecting plate 852 along its axial direction. When refilling ink, rib 722 (refer to...) Figure 4 When the rib 722 is engaged with the groove 816, the protruding end of the rib 722 abuts against the bottom of the groove 816 from the left.

[0143] exist Figure 6 In this process, another portion of the external thread 814 is formed near the center of the outer peripheral surfaces of the curved plates 853 and 854 in the extending direction z2. As described above, a portion of the external thread 814 is also formed on the rib 813. That is, the external thread 814 is formed separately on the protruding end face of the rib 813 and the curved plates 853 and 854. The external thread 814 engages with the internal thread 93 formed on the bottle cap 9.

[0144] A groove 817 is formed on the outer surface of the curved plate 853. The groove 817 is continuous between the two ends of the curved plate 853 in the extending direction z2 at the center of the circumferential direction θ1, and extends linearly in the extending direction z2. The groove 817 is recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the curved plate 853 toward the inner circumferential surface. The bottom surface of the groove 817 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ1 when viewed from above. The width and depth of the groove 817, except for the portion of the rib 818 described later, are approximately constant between the two ends of the extending direction z2 of the curved plate 853. Specifically, the depth of the groove 817 is the same as the front-rear dimension of the protrusion 731, and the width of the groove 817 is the same as the maximum value of the left-right dimension of the protrusion 731. A rib 818 is formed in the groove 817. The rib 818 extends from one side of the circumferential direction θ1 in the groove 817 (in... Figure 6 The rib 818 extends from the side of the groove 817 in a clockwise direction. It extends from both ends of the groove 817 in the radial direction r1 and extends in both the radial and circumferential directions θ1. In a second top view, the rib 818 is the same as the portion 732 on the side of the tank 4A (see reference). Figure 4The shape is roughly the same, but it is a thinner plate in the extension direction z2. The end face of the rib 818 facing z21 separates from the end face of the groove 817 facing z21 towards the portion 732 (see reference). Figure 4 The height of ).

[0145] When the connection is complete, the groove 817 is connected to the protrusion 731 (see reference). Figure 4 When the ribs 818 are engaged, the end face of the ribs 818 facing z21 abuts against part 732 from above.

[0146] The annular wall 85, together with ribs 811-813, 815, 818 and grooves 816, 817, forms with the keyhole 78 (see reference). Figure 4 ) Interlocking key component 855.

[0147] [Neck 86]

[0148] exist Figure 7 In this design, the neck 86 is an example of a nozzle or the upper part of a nozzle. The neck 86 protrudes toward a separation direction z21 (an example of a first direction) relative to the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84. Specifically, the neck 86 has a sidewall 861 and an annular wall 862. The sidewall 861 extends toward the separation direction z21 from a position relative to the upper surface 841 and from the annular wall 85 toward a centripetal direction r11. The sidewall 861 is generally cylindrical in shape and coaxial with the axis Ax1. The annular wall 862 extends toward the centripetal direction r11 from the end of the sidewall 861 at the separation direction z21. In a second top view, a through hole coaxial with the axis Ax1 and generally circular in shape is formed in the center of the annular wall 862. The sidewall 861 and the annular wall 862 divide a generally cylindrical space within the neck 86. This space constitutes part of a flow path 863 through which ink stored in the receiving chamber 87 passes. As from Figure 7 (B) As is evident, in the flow path 863, the end near z22 is continuous with the receiving chamber 87 via the space between the side portions 882A in the support member 882 when the valve core 883 is not tightly attached to the rubber portion 881. The end of the flow path 863 facing z21 is continuous with the outlet 864 (an example of an opening). The outlet 864 is an opening in the through hole of the annular wall 862, with the top surface of the neck 86 facing z21 towards the separation direction. The diameter of the outlet 864 is slightly larger than the diameter of the needle 45, allowing the ink from the flow path 863 to flow out to the outside of the bottle 200A.

[0149] [The relationship between the annular wall 85 and the neck 86]

[0150] An annular wall 85 is located around the neck 86 at an open interval from the neck 86 toward the centrifugal direction r12 (an example of the second direction). In the separation direction z21, the tip of the annular wall 85 is further away from the bottom 81 than the tip of the neck 86. In the mounting position, the tip of the annular wall 85 is located above the tip of the neck 86.

[0151] [Valve Mechanism 88]

[0152] exist Figure 7 In (B), the bottle body 8 also has a valve mechanism 88 in the internal space of the neck 86. The valve mechanism 88 has a rubber part 881, a support part 882, a valve core 883, and a coil spring 884.

[0153] The rubber part 881 has a bottomless cylindrical shape and is inserted into the internal space of the neck 86 coaxially with the axis Ax1. During insertion, the outer peripheral surface of the rubber part 881 is in close contact with the side wall 861, and one end face of the rubber part 881 is in close contact with the annular wall 862. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 881, except for the other end, is approximately the same as the diameter of the outlet 864. The other end of this inner peripheral surface protrudes slightly towards both the centripetal direction r11 and the near-direction towards r22, thus the diameter of the other end of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 881 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outlet 864 and the needle-like member 45. The rubber part 881 is shorter than the neck 86 in the extending direction z2.

[0154] The support member 882 is, for example, a one-piece molded article formed of resin, and is installed in the internal space of the neck 86 such that the rubber part 881 is tightly fitted against the annular wall 862. The support member 882 has four side portions 882A and a bottom portion 882B. Each side portion 882A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 861 at a position closer to z22 than the rubber part 881. The top end of each side portion 882A abuts against the other end face of the rubber part 881. The side portions 882A are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction θ1 and extend from the top end toward the receiving chamber 87 along the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 861. Through the space between the side portions 882A, the flow path 863 and the receiving chamber 87 are continuous in a manner that allows ink to flow. The bottom wall, when viewed from above, is cross-shaped, extending radially from the end face of the rubber part 881 near the axis Ax1 and toward the ends of each side part 882A near z22, and connecting with each side part 882A. Each side part 882A and the bottom part 882B of the support member 882 define a receiving space. The receiving space is approximately cylindrical and houses the valve core 883 and the coil spring 884.

[0155] The valve core 883 and the helical spring 884 are housed within the receiving space (i.e., the flow path 863) of the support member 882. The valve core 883 is housed in such a way that it can move within the receiving space along the extending direction z2. Each side portion 882A of the support member 882 guides the movement of the valve core 883 by abutting against it. The valve core 883 is circular in a second top view, and its diameter is approximately the same as the diameter of the cylindrical receiving space. The helical spring 884 is a torsion helical spring, located between the bottom of the support member 882 and the valve core 883 within the receiving space. The helical spring 884 abuts against the valve core 883 within the receiving space, exerting a force on the valve core 883 toward the separation direction z21. Thus, when the valve core 883 is not subjected to an abutting force close to z22 from the needle member 45, the valve core 883 remains in close contact with the other end face of the rubber portion 881, and the ink in the receiving chamber 87 does not leak from the outlet 864.

[0156] [Seat surface 865A, annular groove 865E, inclined grooves 865F~865H]

[0157] exist Figure 8 , Figure 9 In the middle, the neck 86 has a seat 865 and grooves 866-868. The seat 865 has a seat surface 865A and three outer peripheral surfaces 865B-865D.

[0158] The seat surface 865A has a generally annular shape that surrounds the entire periphery of the neck 86 on the outside of the neck 86 when viewed from a second top view. The seat surface 865A is a surface parallel to the radial direction r1. In detail, the seat surface 865A extends from the top surface of the neck 86 toward the annular wall 85 in a centrifugal direction toward r12, approaching the outer peripheral surface that moves toward z22. That is, the seat surface 865A is located closer to the annular wall 85 in the radial direction r1 than the top surface of the neck 86 and closer to the receiving chamber 87 in the extension direction z2 than the top surface of the neck 86. In addition, in the mounting posture of the bottle body 8, the seat surface 865A faces upward below the top surface of the neck 86. The seat surface 865A is continuous with the inner surfaces of the connecting plates 851 and 852 and the bottom wall of the groove 817, but not with the inner surfaces of the curved plates 853 and 854. The width of the seat surface 865A in the radial direction r1 is the minimum width W11 between the neck 86 and the slot 817.

[0159] The seat surface 865A has intersecting portions 865J and 865K, and non-intersecting portions 865L, 865M, and 865N. The intersecting portion 865J is the part where the outer edge of the seat surface 865A intersects with the lower end of the connecting plate 851 in the mounting position. The outer edge of the seat surface 865A is its periphery in the centrifugal direction r12. Furthermore, the lower end is the end close to the z22 direction. The intersecting portion 865K is the part where the outer edge of the seat surface 865A intersects with the lower end of the connecting plate 852. The non-intersecting portions 865L, 865M, and 865N are the parts where the outer edge of the seat surface 865A intersects with the upper ends of the outer peripheral surfaces 865B, 865C, and 865D in the mounting position.

[0160] The seat surface 865A also has first regions 865P and 865Q. The first region 865P is the area between the intersection 865J and the side wall 861 of the neck 86 in the seat surface 865A; roughly speaking, it is... Figure 8 The area enclosed by the dashed line L1 in the diagram. The first region 865Q is the area between the intersection 865K and the side wall 861 in the seat surface 865A, roughly speaking, is Figure 8 The area enclosed by the dashed line L2 in the diagram.

[0161] In addition to the first regions 865P and 865Q, the seat surface 865A also has second regions 865R and 865S. The second region 865R is the area between the non-intersecting portions 865L and 865M and the side wall 861; roughly speaking, it is... Figure 8 The area enclosed by the dashed line L3. The second region 865S is the area between the non-intersection 865N and the sidewall 861, roughly speaking, is Figure 8 The area enclosed by the dashed line L4 in the diagram.

[0162] The outer peripheral surface 85B extends from the portion between the groove 817 and the connecting plate 851 towards the z22 direction at the outer edge of the seat surface 865A. The outer peripheral surface 865C extends from the portion between the groove 817 and the connecting plate 852 towards the z22 direction at the outer edge of the seat surface 865A. The outer peripheral surfaces 85B and 865C are continuous with the bottom surfaces of the grooves 866 and 867, respectively. The outer peripheral surface 865D extends from the portion of the seat surface 865A opposite to the bending plate 854 in the centripetal direction r11 towards the z22 direction at the outer edge of the seat surface 865A, and is continuous with the bottom surface of the groove 868.

[0163] Grooves 866-868 are spaces for storing ink between the annular wall 85 and the seat 865 of the neck 86. Groove 866 is defined by the seat 865, groove 817, connecting plate 851, and curved plate 853. Groove 867 is defined by the seat 865, groove 817, connecting plate 852, and curved plate 853. Groove 868 is defined by the seat 865, connecting plates 851 and 852, and curved plate 854. Grooves 866-868 are recessed from the seat surface 865A toward the approaching z22. The ends of grooves 866-868 toward the separation z21 are openings that open toward the separation z21.

[0164] The depths of grooves 866 and 867 are not constant in the circumferential direction θ1, but vary depending on their position in circumferential direction θ1. Specifically, the bottom of groove 866 has a relatively shallow portion 866A at its middle position in the circumferential direction θ1, and relatively deep portions 866B near both ends in the circumferential direction θ1. Portions 866A and 866B are examples of a first bottom and a second bottom, moving towards z22 relative to the seat surface 865A. Portion 866B is further away from the seat surface 865A towards z22 than portion 866A. That is, in the mounting posture, portion 866B is located below portion 866A. The depth of groove 867 alternates between a shallower portion 867A and a deeper portion 867B in the circumferential direction θ1. In the mounting posture, portion 867B is located below portion 867A. Parts 866A and 866B are examples of the first and second bottoms, while parts 867A and 867B are another example of the first and second bottoms.

[0165] Part 866A is connected to the outer peripheral surface 865B and the curved plate 853 respectively, and is continuous between the outer peripheral surface 865B and the curved plate 853. Therefore, part 866A functions as a rib that divides the space defined by the groove 866 into multiple smaller spaces. Similarly, part 867A functions as a rib that divides the space defined by the groove 867 into multiple smaller spaces.

[0166] An annular groove 865E and inclined grooves 865F to 865H (an example of a groove) are formed on the seat surface 865A. The annular groove 865E is a ring shape surrounding the entire circumference of the neck 86, having a substantially constant depth and width over the entire area in the circumferential direction θ1. The annular groove 865E is formed at a position that moves centrifugally toward r12 from the outer periphery of the neck 86 and centripetally toward r11 from the outer edge of the seat surface 865A. The inclined grooves 865F to 865H each extend from the annular groove 865E on the seat surface 865A to the grooves 866 to 868, respectively. In detail, the inclined groove 865F is formed in the second region 865R, extending from the bottom surface of the annular groove 865E to the groove 866, and extending in a straight line along the radial direction r1 between them. Specifically, the end (i.e., the outer end) of the inclined groove 865F in the centrifugal direction r12 is located in the separation direction z21 (i.e., directly above in the loading posture) from the portion 866B of the groove 866. Furthermore, the outer end of the inclined groove 865F is located approximately at the middle of the circumferential direction θ1 of the outer peripheral surface 865B in a second top view. The inclined groove 865F is separated from the connecting plate 851 and the groove 817 in the circumferential direction θ1. The inclined groove 865G is formed in the second region 865R, extending from the annular groove 865E to the groove 867, and extending linearly along the radial direction r1 between them. The inclined groove 865G is separated from either the connecting plate 852 or the groove 817 in the circumferential direction θ1. The inclined groove 865H is formed in the second region 865S, extending from the annular groove 865E to the groove 868, and extending linearly inclined relative to the radial direction r1 between them. Specifically, the outer end of the inclined groove 865G is located at the separation direction z21 (i.e., directly above in the loading posture) from the middle portion 867B of the groove 867. Furthermore, in a second top view, the outer end of the inclined groove 865G is located approximately at the middle of the circumferential direction θ1 of the outer peripheral surface 865C. The bottom surfaces of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H are inclined downwards in the loading posture of the bottle body 8. Specifically, the bottom surfaces of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H are further away from the seat surface 865A as they move away from the annular groove 865E in the centrifugal direction r12. The outer end of the inclined groove 865H does not reach the deepest part of the groove 868, but rather reaches a portion 868A that is shallower than the deepest part 868B of the groove 868. The inclined groove 865H is separated from either of the connecting plates 851 or 852 in the circumferential direction θ1. The bottom surfaces of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H are inclined relative to the radial r1 in such a way that the farther away from the annular groove 865E, the farther away from the seat surface 865A.

[0167] [Bottle 200B~200D]

[0168] Bottles 200B to 200D are identical to bottle 200A except for the aspects described below. In each of bottles 200B to 200D, the annular wall is formed as a key component by at least one or a combination of two of ribs and grooves. Here, the combination of ribs and grooves is different between bottles 200A to 200D. The three-dimensional shapes of the key components of bottles 200B to 200D are different from each other, and also different from the three-dimensional shape of key component 855. This three-dimensional shape is defined by the dimensions in the extension direction z2, radial direction r2, and circumferential direction θ1. Furthermore, bottles 200B, 200C, and 200D differ from bottle 200A in that they can accommodate C-color, M-color, and Y-color inks. In the embodiments, bottles 200B to 200D are the same as bottle 200A in terms of ink capacity. However, this is not a limitation; bottles 200B to 200D may also differ from bottle 200A in terms of ink capacity.

[0169] [Bottle Cap 9]

[0170] As from Figure 5 , Figure 6 It is obvious that the bottle cap 9 is a single 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 10 In this bottle cap 9, there is a top wall 91, a side wall 92, an internal thread 93, and an annular protrusion 94. The top wall 91 is an example of a closure, and the annular protrusion 94 is an example of a protrusion.

[0171] [Top wall 91, side wall 92, internal thread 93]

[0172] exist Figure 10 In the bottle body 8, the top wall 91 is a generally disk-shaped wall coaxial with the axis Ax1, having two outer main surfaces 911 and an inner main surface 912 separated from each other in the extending direction z2. The inner main surface 912 is located closer to z22 than the outer main surface 911. The engaging portion 913 protrudes from the inner main surface 912 of the top wall 91 near the axis Ax1 towards z22. The engaging portion 913 is generally annular in a second top view and comes into liquid-tight contact with the periphery of the outlet 864 in the annular wall 862 of the bottle body 8. Thus, with the cap 9 installed, the top wall 91 closes the outlet 864, preventing ink in the receiving chamber 87 from flowing out through the outlet 864.

[0173] 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 slightly larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the curved plates 853, 854. Figure 10In this design, an internal thread 93 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 921, which can engage with the external thread 814 of the bottle body 8. When the external thread 814 engages with the internal thread 93, the end of the side wall 92 approaching z22 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 abuts against the upper surface 841 is the installation state of the bottle cap 9 mounted on the bottle body 8. By engaging the internal thread 93 of the bottle cap 9 with the external thread 814 formed on the bottle body 8, the bottle cap 9 is easily and reliably installed on the bottle body 8. Furthermore, even if the bottle 200A falls, the bottle cap 9 is difficult to detach from the bottle body 8.

[0174] The annular tab 94 is a generally cylindrical wall extending from the inner main surface 912, centrifugally toward r12 and centripetally toward r11, closer to z22 than the engaging portion 913. The diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the annular tab 94 is approximately the same as the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 861 in the neck 86. The thickness of the annular tab 94 is the radial dimension r1 between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the annular tab 94. This thickness is approximately constant throughout the circumferential direction θ1 and is slightly smaller than the aforementioned minimum width W11. In the installed state of the cap 9, the annular tab 94 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 861 of the neck 86 in the bottle body 8 and is fitted between the side wall 861 and the annular wall 85.

[0175] During the engagement of the external thread 814 with the internal thread 93 (hereinafter also referred to as the "engagement process"), the inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion slides on the outer circumferential surface of the sidewall 861 of the neck 86 while rotating about the axis Ax1. After the engagement process, the end of the annular protrusion 94 approaching z22 (i.e., the extension end) 941 abuts against the seat surface 865A throughout its entire circumference. The abutment of end 941 against the seat surface 865A determines the final engagement position of the cap 9 and the bottle body 8, thus stopping the engagement of the cap 9 in the extension direction z2. The dimension of the annular protrusion 94 in the extension direction z2 is predetermined such that end 941 abuts against the seat surface 865A in the installed state.

[0176] exist Figure 10In (B), the rotation direction during the screwing process of the cap 9 is indicated by the arrow as the mounting direction θ11. The representative position of the part where the inclined groove 865H intersects with the annular groove 865E is called the inner end position P41. The representative position of the part where the inclined groove 865H intersects with the outer peripheral surface 865D of the neck 86 is called the outer end position P42. In addition, the centrifugal direction r12 starting from the inner end position P41 is indicated by the arrow AR11, and the tangent of the mounting direction θ11 starting from the inner end position P41 is indicated by the arrow AR12. The inclined groove 865H reaches the outer end position P42 from the inner end position P41 through the arrows AR11 and AR12. With this structure, if there is an ink droplet upstream of the mounting direction θ11 of the inner end position P41 in the annular groove 865E during the screwing process, the end 941 guides the ink droplet to the annular groove 865E by rotating towards the mounting direction θ11. The guided ink droplets are efficiently discharged from the annular groove 865E through the inclined groove 865H to the channel 868.

[0177] In addition, the inclined groove 865H can also reach the outer end position P42 from the inner end position P41 without passing between arrows AR11 and AR12.

[0178] [Refill ink from bottle 200A to can 4A]

[0179] When refilling ink from bottle 200A into canister 4A, the operator moves housing 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) Move to the exposed position P32 (refer to) Figure 3 (A)), so that cover 6A is in the closed position P21 (refer to) Figure 3 (A) Move to the open position P22 (refer to) Figure 5 (A)). The operator removes the bottle cap 9 from the bottle body 8 of bottle 200A (see reference). Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A)).

[0180] Then, just as from Figure 11 As understood, the operator positions the outlet 864 of bottle 200A downwards so that the key component 855 is close to the keyhole 78 provided on the MFP100. Even with the outlet 864 facing downwards, the ink in the receiving chamber 87 will not leak to the outside of bottle 200 because the valve core 883 is pressed tightly against the rubber part 881 by the force of the coil spring 884.

[0181] Next, the operator aligns the key component 855 with the keyhole 78. Through alignment, the lower end of the groove 817 is directly above the upper end of the protrusion 731, the lower end of the rib 811 is directly above the upper end of the rib 711, the lower end of the rib 812 is directly above the upper end of the groove 712, and the lower end of the rib 813 is directly above the upper end of the slit 713. The lower end of the rib 815 is directly above the upper end of the slit 721, and the lower end of the groove 816 is directly above the upper end of the rib 722. The operator further positions the outlet 864 of the bottle 200A directly above the upper end of the needle-like member 45 of the can 4A. Here, the planar shapes of the annular walls 44 and 85 are not circular or regular polygonal. Therefore, the operator can easily align the key component 855 with the keyhole 78. Specifically, the engagement of the annular wall 44 of the can 4A with the annular wall 85 of the bottle body 8 can only be performed at two positions on the axis Ax1 where the rotational positions of the bottle body 8 relative to the can 4A differ by 180°.

[0182] After alignment, the operator moves the key component 855 of bottle 200A downward within the keyhole 78. Specifically, groove 817 is inserted into protrusion 731 and descends along protrusion 731. Rib 811 descends along the rear surface of rib 711. Ribs 812, 813, and 815 are inserted into groove 712, slit 713, and slit 721 respectively, and descend along groove 712, slit 713, and slit 721 respectively. Groove 816 is inserted into rib 722 and descends along rib 722.

[0183] As the key component 855 descends within the keyhole 78, the upper end of the needle-like member 45 abuts against the lower end of the valve core 883. Then, the valve core 883 resists the force of the coil spring 884 and begins to rise due to the abutting force received from the upper end of the partition wall 453 of the needle-like member 45. As the lower end of the neck 86 reaches the bottom surface of the keyhole 78, the key component 855 of the bottle body 8 engages with the keyhole 78 of the can 4A, completing the connection between the bottle body 8 and the can 4A. At this point, as... Figure 11 As shown, even when the operator removes their hand from the bottle body 8, the bottle body 8 remains inverted, supported by the bottom surface of the keyhole 78 and the annular wall 85. At the moment of connection completion, the valve core 883 opens the flow path 863 through the abutting force from the partition wall 453. Since the top of the partition wall 453 protrudes upwards compared to the upper ends of the flow paths 451 and 452, gaps are formed between the valve core 883 and each of the flow paths 451 and 452. Through these gaps, the receiving chamber 87 of the bottle body 8 and the storage chamber 46 of the can 4A are interconnected via the flow paths 451, 452, and 863.

[0184] Immediately after the connection is completed, a gas-liquid exchange begins between bottle 200A and tank 4A. During the gas-liquid exchange, ink in receiving chamber 87 flows into storage chamber 46 via flow paths 863 and 451. During the gas-liquid exchange, air flows into storage chamber 46 from the atmospheric vent of tank 4A, and this air flows into receiving chamber 87 via flow paths 452 and 863. The amount of ink flowing out of receiving chamber 87 into storage chamber 46 is approximately the same as the amount of ink flowing in from storage chamber 46 into receiving chamber 87. The gas-liquid exchange ends when the ink level in storage chamber 46 reaches the lower end of flow path 452, or when the ink in receiving chamber 87 becomes empty. In this way, ink from bottle 200A is replenished into tank 4A.

[0185] After ink refilling, the operator pulls the key component 855 and neck 86 of bottle 200A upwards from the key hole 78 and needle-like component 45 of can 4A. As the neck 86 rises relative to the needle-like component 45, the valve core 883 is initially held in contact with the upper end of the partition wall 453 of the needle-like component 45 by the force of the coil spring 884. After contacting the annular wall 862 of the neck 86, the valve core 883 disengages from the upper end of the partition wall 453.

[0186] Then, the operator installs the bottle cap 9 from bottle 200A onto the bottle body 8 (see reference). Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A)). The operator moves the housing cover 2 in the MFP100 from the exposed position P12 to the shielded position P11 (see reference). Figure 1 ), so that the can cover 52A is exposed from position P32 (refer to Figure 3 (A) Move to the coverage location P31 (refer to) Figure 1 (B)), so that cover 6A is in the open position P22 (refer to) Figure 5 (A) Move to the closed position P21 (refer to) Figure 3 (A)).

[0187] [Prevention of misconnection of bottles 200B-200D to can 4A]

[0188] If, during alignment, the operator intends to incorrectly fit any of bottles 200B-200D into the keyhole 78 of can 4A, in this case, the shape or position of at least one of the protrusions 731, ribs 711, grooves 712, slits 713, slits 721, and ribs 722 constituting the keyhole 78 in the left-right direction (x1) or front-back direction (y1) may not match the keying components of bottles 200B-200D. Therefore, the operator can immediately recognize that an incorrect fit is being made between bottles 200B-200D and can 4A. Furthermore, it can quickly prevent incorrect ink from being added to can 4A.

[0189] Furthermore, if, after alignment, the operator intends to incorrectly fit any of the bottles 200B-200D into the keyhole 78 of the can 4A, sometimes the shape or position in the vertical direction z1 of at least one of the protrusions 731, ribs 711, grooves 712, slits 713, slits 721, and ribs 722 constituting the keyhole 78 may not match the keying components of the bottles 200B-200D. In this case, since the bottles 200B-200D do not move downwards, the operator can recognize that an incorrect bottle 200B-200D is being fitted into the can 4A. Additionally, it can prevent incorrect ink from being added to the can 4A.

[0190] [Effects of the Implementation Method]

[0191] Whenever ink is refilled into can 4A, the cap 9 is removed from the bottle body 8 and placed on a table or similar surface. At this time, if ink adheres to the annular protrusion 94, ink may drip onto the table or similar surface. However, in the embodiment, in the installed state (as described above), the annular protrusion 94 abuts against the seat surface 865A, and during the removal of the cap 9, the annular protrusion 94 slides circumferentially θ1 on the seat surface 865A. Furthermore, an annular groove 865E and inclined grooves 865F to 865H are formed on the seat surface 865A, thus guiding the ink adhered to the annular protrusion 94 into the inclined grooves 865F to 865H. Due to the adhesion of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H and gravity, the ink flows down along the interior of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H into the grooves 866 to 868. Here, because the bottom surfaces of the inclined grooves 865F to 865H slope downwards, ink flows more easily down into the grooves 866 to 868. Therefore, ink is less likely to remain on the seat surface 865A, and when the cap 9 is removed from the bottle body 8, ink droplets are less likely to adhere to the annular protrusion 94. As a result, even when the removed cap 9 is placed on a table or similar surface, ink droplets are less likely to fall onto the table or similar surface.

[0192] During the installation of the bottle cap 9, after the annular protrusion 94 is engaged around the annular wall 862 of the neck 86, until the side wall 92 of the bottle cap 9 abuts against the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84, the annular protrusion 94 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 861 of the neck 86. Therefore, it is difficult for the external thread 814 and the internal thread 93 to mis-engage, and the bottle cap 9 can be easily installed on the bottle body 8.

[0193] The outlet 864 of the bottle body 8 faces downwards during ink replenishment, making it easy for ink adhering near the outlet 864 to drip from the neck 86. However, in the mounted position, the top of the annular wall 85 is positioned above the top of the neck 86. Therefore, when the orientation of the outlet 864 is changed, even if ink adhering near the outlet 864 drips from the neck 86, it is easier for the ink to fall into the annular wall 85. As a result, the periphery of the bottle 200A is less likely to be contaminated by ink. Furthermore, if the bottle body 8 is dropped from, for example, a table, the annular wall 85 will collide with the floor or similar surface before the neck 86, thus protecting the neck 86 from impact.

[0194] The annular wall 44 is composed of a combination of connecting plates 71 and 72 and curved plates 73 and 74, while the annular wall 85 is composed of a combination of connecting plates 851 and 852 and curved plates 853 and 854. Therefore, the operator can easily align the key component 855 with the keyhole 78 when refilling ink. Furthermore, the number, three-dimensional position, or three-dimensional shape of the protrusions, ribs, grooves, and slits constituting the key component 855 and the keyhole 78 varies for each bottle 200A to 200D. Therefore, the operator can identify the type of bottle 200A to 200D by the shape of the key component 855.

[0195] Imagine bottle 200A lying horizontally from its mounting position with ink accumulated in grooves 866 and 867. However, as... Figure 8 As shown, inclined grooves 865F and 865G are both formed in the second region 865R, and inclined groove 865H is formed in the second region 865S. The outer ends of each inclined groove 865F, 865G, and 865H are positioned away from the circumferential θ1 ends of the grooves 866, 867, and 868, which are prone to ink accumulation when the bottle is tilted horizontally. Therefore, when the bottle is tilted horizontally, ink is difficult to seep into the inclined grooves 865F, 865G, and 865H from their outer ends. As a result, ink is difficult to return to the seat surface 865A, and ink is difficult to adhere to the bottle cap 9.

[0196] The outer end of the tilt groove 865F is positioned in the separation direction z21 from the deeper portion 866B of the groove 866. Therefore, compared to the case where the outer end is positioned in the separation direction z21 from the shallower portion 866A, the distance between the outer end of the tilt groove 865F and the bottom of the groove 866 can be increased. Therefore, even if the bottle 200A is tilted or tilted from its loading position, the ink has difficulty reaching the outer end of the tilt groove 865F. The same applies to the tilt groove 865G. As a result, the ink has difficulty returning to the seat surface 865A, and the ink has difficulty adhering to the bottle cap 9.

[0197] Parts 866A and 867A function as ribs, dividing the space defined by grooves 866 and 867 into multiple smaller spaces. Therefore, for example, when bottle 200A is tilted while ink is accumulated in groove 866, the ink accumulates at the lower ends of the smaller spaces within groove 866, making it difficult for the ink to reach the base surface 865A and adhere to the cap 9. Conversely, if part 866A were not present in groove 866, all the ink would accumulate at the lower end of groove 866 when bottle 200A is tilted, making it easier for the ink to reach the base surface 865A and adhere to the cap 9. The same applies to the recess 867.

[0198] [Other variations]

[0199] In this embodiment, the four color inks described above are stored in containers 4A to 4D. However, containers 4A to 4D may also contain 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 contain water for cleaning the recording head 322 (yet another example of a liquid).

[0200] In this embodiment, the printer unit 3 is capable of recording a full-color image on the paper S. However, it is not limited to this; the printer unit 3 may also be capable of recording only a monochrome image on the paper S. In this case, the can assembly 31 includes a can 4A, a holding member 51A, a cover 6A, and a can cover 52A.

[0201] In this embodiment, a keyhole 78 is provided in the can 4A. However, it is not limited to this; the keyhole 78 may also be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 511A of the retaining member 51A.

[0202] In this implementation, the three-dimensional shapes of the key component 855 and the keyhole 78 are different for each color of ink. However, this is not a limitation; the three-dimensional shapes of the key component 855 and the keyhole 78 may also be different for each type (i.e., model) of the MFP100.

Claims

1. A liquid containment bottle, comprising: Bottle body, having an internal space for containing liquid; and The cap is attached to the bottle body. Its features are, The bottle body has: Base end face; A nozzle that protrudes in a first direction relative to the base end face; as well as An annular wall, positioned at an open interval around the nozzle in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and protruding in the first direction relative to the base end face. The nozzle has: The top surface has an opening for the liquid contained in the internal space to flow out; The seat surface is located closer to the annular wall in the second direction than the top surface and closer to the interior space in the first direction than the top surface; as well as A groove is formed on the seat surface, and the end of the groove opens into the space between the nozzle and the annular wall. The cover has: A sealing portion that closes the opening when the bottle body is installed in the mounting state; as well as A tab protrudes from around the closure portion, abuts against the seat surface in the installed state, and guides the liquid on the seat surface into the groove.

2. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the nozzle, which is located above the seat surface, is cylindrical. The seat surface is an upward-facing circular shape. The protrusion is cylindrical in shape.

3. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the groove slopes downward toward the interior space.

4. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The annular wall is formed by connecting curved plates and connecting plates that are part of the circumferential shape of a cylinder to create a ring shape.

5. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The seat surface has a first region between the portion where the seat surface and the connecting plate intersect and the nozzle. The groove is formed in a second region of the seat surface, other than the first region.

6. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The liquid container bottle is used to supply liquid to the tank of the liquid consumption device. It also has a key component formed in the annular wall and engaged with a fitting portion disposed around the supply port of the can.

7. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cap is screwed onto the annular wall and installed on the bottle body.

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

9. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also has: A first bottom, which divides the space and is located below the seat surface; and A second bottom, which divides the space and is located below the first bottom, is also present. The end of the groove is located above the second bottom.

10. The liquid containing bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also has ribs that divide the space into multiple smaller spaces.

11. A liquid supply device, characterized in that, have: The liquid containing bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and The tank has a storage chamber for storing liquids. The tank has: Concave portion; and A connecting pipe, located in the recess, has a first flow path and a second flow path connecting the storage chamber to the outside. The bottle body is connected to allow liquid to flow from the interior space of the bottle body to the storage chamber of the can through the insertion of the annular wall into the recess and the insertion of the connecting tube into the opening of the nozzle.

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