Liquid storage bottle and liquid refill system

Abstract

To solve such a problem that, when a liquid storage bottle 20 is removed with ink remaining adhered to a nozzle tip of the liquid storage bottle after supplying ink from the liquid storage bottle 20 to a liquid tank 16, since ink dripping or ink runoff occurs, the surroundings of an ink discharge device or the user's hands are contaminated.SOLUTION: There are provided a liquid storage bottle 20 that includes a groove 301 or a rib 401 capable of holding, by capillary force, ink adhered to the nozzle tip of the liquid storage bottle after supplying ink from the liquid storage bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16, and a liquid refill system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid refill system including a liquid containing bottle that contains a liquid such as ink, and a liquid tank to which the liquid containing bottle is connected. [Background technology]

[0002] Some liquid tanks used in liquid ejection devices such as inkjet recording devices can be refilled with liquid from a separately provided liquid bottle. In these liquid ejection devices, the liquid bottle is attached to the liquid tank when ink is to be supplied to the liquid tank. When the liquid bottle is attached to the liquid tank, the interior of the liquid bottle communicates with the interior of the liquid tank through a flow path in a nozzle provided in the liquid bottle. With the liquid bottle attached to the liquid tank, printing liquid such as ink can be supplied from the liquid bottle to the liquid tank by pressing the side wall of the ink storage section of the liquid bottle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called chicken feed method for supplying ink from a liquid containing bottle to a liquid tank. The liquid containing bottle has two flow paths within the nozzle through which liquid or gas flows, and air is circulated through the opening of one flow path, while ink is circulated through the opening of the other flow path, thereby achieving gas-liquid exchange. As ink flows into the liquid tank, the ink level rises, and when the ink level reaches the opening of the flow path within the nozzle of the liquid containing bottle through which air flows, the flow of air is blocked. As a result, the flow of ink from the liquid containing bottle to the liquid tank is stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-189454 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the chicken feed system described above, when a liquid bottle is attached to a liquid tank, ink may adhere to the periphery of the opening at the tip of the nozzle through which the liquid is extracted from the liquid bottle. In Patent Document 1, the supply of ink from the liquid bottle to the liquid tank is stopped when the ink level in the liquid tank contacts the opening at the tip of the nozzle on the liquid bottle. Therefore, when the liquid bottle is removed from the liquid tank after the ink supply from the liquid bottle to the liquid tank has stopped, there is a high possibility that ink may be adhering to the periphery of the opening at the tip of the nozzle on the liquid bottle. There is a concern that the ink adhering to the periphery of the opening may drip and stain the user's hands or the surrounding area of ​​the liquid ejection device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to reduce the dripping of ink that has adhered to the area around the opening at the nozzle tip of the liquid containing bottle after ink is supplied to the liquid tank, and the dripping of ink onto the side of the liquid containing bottle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a liquid storage bottle for replenishing liquid in a recording device having a liquid tank with a storage section that stores liquid to be supplied to a recording head that ejects liquid, and a liquid injection section that receives the supply of liquid, and is characterized in that it comprises a bottle body that stores liquid, a liquid supply section having at its both ends a base end that has an opening that communicates with the bottle body, and a tip end that has an opening that communicates with the liquid tank, and having a liquid flow path for supplying liquid from the bottle body to the liquid tank, and a holding section that holds liquid by capillary force on the inner surface of the liquid flow path at the tip end. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce ink dripping from around the opening of the liquid containing bottle and ink running down the side of the liquid containing bottle after ink has been supplied to the liquid tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main part of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state during liquid replenishment in the liquid replenishment system according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] Component diagram of a liquid containing bottle according to a first embodiment [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle body according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during liquid replenishment in the liquid replenishment system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a liquid holder according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a system diagram showing how the connection posture is determined by engagement according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a liquid holding portion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view of a groove according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view of a groove according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views and a molding process diagram of a liquid holder according to a first embodiment; [Figure 13] 10 is a plan view of a groove according to a sixth embodiment; [Figure 14] 10 is a plan view of a groove according to a seventh embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing the main parts of the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment. The inkjet recording apparatus 1000 (hereinafter also referred to as "recording apparatus") has a first feed section 1, a second feed section 2, a recording section 3, and a liquid supply section 4.

[0011] The first feeding unit 1 has a feeding roller 10 that separates recording media one by one from a stack of stacked recording media and supplies them to the second feeding unit 2. The second feeding unit 2 is provided downstream of the first feeding unit 1 in the recording medium transport direction, and has a transport roller 11 and a discharge roller 12 that transport the recording media fed from the feeding roller 10. A platen 13 is provided between the transport roller 11 and the discharge roller 12 to support from below the recording media transported by the second feeding unit 2. The recording unit 3 is provided opposite the platen 13, and has a carriage 14 that reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium transport direction, and a recording head 15 that is mounted on the carriage 14 and has a plurality of ejection port arrays, each of which has a plurality of ejection port arrays.

[0012] The print head 15 ejects ink of different colors from each of the ejection port arrays by driving energy generating elements provided corresponding to the ejection ports based on print data, thereby printing a color image on the print medium supported by the platen 13. The liquid supply unit 4 has a liquid tank 16 which is a translucent or transparent container, and a flexible supply tube 107 which connects the liquid tank 16 to the print head 15. In this embodiment, four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are used as the liquid, and four liquid tanks 16a to 16d are provided, each containing one of the inks of each color.

[0013] The liquid tank 16 has a tank body 160 having a storage chamber 100 therein for storing liquid, and a tank cap 40 that can be attached to the tank body 160 to seal the storage chamber 100. A supply port 101 connected to a supply tube 107 is provided at the bottom of the tank body 160, and an atmosphere communication port 102 that connects the storage chamber 100 to the atmosphere is provided at the top surface of the tank body 160. When liquid is ejected from the recording head 15, negative pressure within the recording head 15 increases, causing the liquid stored in the storage chamber 100 in the liquid tank 16 to be supplied to the recording head 15 from the supply port 101 via the supply tube 107. At this time, air in an amount equal to the amount of liquid supplied to the recording head 15 flows into the storage chamber 100 in the liquid tank 16 through the atmosphere communication port 102.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid replenishment system, showing the state of the recording device shown in FIG. 1 during liquid replenishment. When a remaining amount detection means (not shown) provided in the liquid tank 16 detects that the remaining amount of liquid in the storage chamber 100 is below a predetermined amount, a message is displayed on the display unit 1001 of the recording device 1000 urging the user to replenish the liquid tank 16 with liquid. The user tilts the tank cover 1002 provided on the front of the recording device 1000 forward to open it, removes the tank cap 40 attached to the liquid tank 16 to be replenished, and exposes the liquid inlet 18. When the recording device 1000 is set in a normal operating state, the liquid tank 16 has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal and vertical directions, and the liquid inlet 18 is formed on this inclined surface. Then, using a liquid containing bottle 20 containing the liquid to be replenished, the liquid tank 16 is replenished with liquid through the exposed liquid inlet 18.

[0015] In this type of liquid refill system, multiple types (four types in this embodiment) of liquid containing bottles 20 are prepared in advance according to the number of colors of liquid (ink) to be used. Color information about the liquid (ink) contained therein is displayed on each liquid containing bottle 20. The user selects a liquid containing bottle 20 containing the liquid to be replenished from the multiple liquid containing bottles 20 prepared, based on the content displayed on the display unit 1001 and the color information also displayed on the liquid tank 16.

[0016] 4 is a diagram showing the components of liquid-containing bottle 20, which is a liquid container for refilling liquid into liquid tank 16. It has bottle body 21, which is the main body that contains liquid, nozzle body 22 connected to bottle body 21, and bottle cap 23 attached to nozzle body 22. Nozzle body 22 functions as an outlet for supplying the liquid contained in bottle body 21 to the outside.

[0017] The bottle cap 23 is attached to the nozzle body 22 to seal the inside of the liquid-containing bottle 20 (specifically, the bottle) from the outside. The nozzle body 22 is detachable from the bottle body 21 and can be connected with a screw system. The nozzle body 22 may be configured integrally with the bottle body 21. Methods include sealing by sandwiching a flexible part, or welding the bottle body 21 and the nozzle body 22 together as resin parts. The bottle cap 23 is a single part and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The bottle cap 23 is detachable from the nozzle body 22. The bottle cap 23 is detachable from the bottle body 21 via the nozzle body 22.

[0018] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views showing two configurations of the nozzle body 22. Figure 5(a) shows a configuration having one liquid flow path 90, with an opening 93 at the base end of the nozzle body 22 and an opening 94 at the tip end of the nozzle body 22 as its opposite ends. Figure 5(b) shows a configuration having a first flow path 191 and a second flow path 192, with openings 193 and 195 at the base end of the nozzle body 22 and a first opening 194 and a second opening 196 at the tip end as its opposite ends, respectively.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the nozzle 110 protrudes in a first direction 134 from the outer surface of the bottom wall 111 of the nozzle body 22. In other words, when the nozzle body 22 is attached to the bottle body 21, the nozzle 110 protrudes in the first direction 134 from the bottle body 21 via the nozzle body 22. The nozzle 110 may protrude from the bottom wall 111 in the first direction 134 and also protrude from the bottom wall 111 in a second direction 135. In this case, the nozzle is provided so as to penetrate the bottom wall 111. The nozzle 110 is substantially cylindrical. The nozzle 110 has an outer peripheral surface 112 that is circumferentially shaped. The outer peripheral surface 112 is conically inclined so that the diameter of the outer peripheral circle decreases from the bottom wall 111 in the first direction 134.

[0020] The nozzle 110 may have a constant diameter of the outer circumferential circle from the bottom wall 111 to the tip, and the outer circumferential surface may extend vertically. The nozzle 110 may also have a shape other than a cylinder, such as a rectangular prism. The nozzle 110 has a liquid flow path 90 through which ink or gas passes. The liquid flow path 90 penetrates the nozzle body 22 along the first direction 134. While the liquid flow path 90 extends along the first direction 134, it is not limited to this and may also be curved. The cross-sectional shape of the liquid flow path 90 may be circular or a shape other than a circle. When the nozzle body 22 is attached to the bottle body 21, one end of the liquid flow path 90 communicates with the bottle body 21 through an opening 93. The other end of the flow path communicates with the outside of the nozzle body 22 through an opening 94. These openings are the two ends of the liquid flow path 90. The opening 93 is circular. The opening 93 may have a shape other than a circle. Furthermore, the opening 93 may be formed in any part of the base end of the nozzle 110, and is not limited to the base end surface 114. The opening 94 is formed in the tip end surface 115 that constitutes the end of the nozzle 110 in the first direction 134. The opening 94 has a circular shape. However, the opening 94 may have a shape other than a circular shape.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5B, the nozzle 110 may have two flow paths 190: a first flow path 191 and a second flow path 192. The first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 may have the same or different lengths along the ink flow direction. The first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192 may have the same or different cross-sectional shapes and areas. The nozzle 110 may have two or more flow paths 190. The lengths and shapes of the flow paths 190 may be the same or different. When the nozzle 110 has two flow paths 190, the openings 193 and 195 formed at the base end are formed on the same plane. They may also be formed on different planes. The first opening 194 and the second opening 196 are formed in a tip surface 115 that constitutes the end of the nozzle 110 in the first direction 134. The first opening 194 and the second opening 196 may be formed at any location other than the tip surface 115 as long as they are at the tip of the nozzle 110.

[0022] The first opening 194 and the second opening 196 are circular in shape. However, the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 may have a shape other than a circular shape.

[0023] The tip portion of the nozzle 110 is, for example, a portion of the nozzle 110 that is configured by a tip surface 115 and an outer peripheral surface 112. The nozzle 110 has a recess in its outer peripheral surface 112. The recess is defined by the tip surface 115 and an inner peripheral surface 118 (one surface of the side) of an annular rib 117 that protrudes from the outer edge of the tip surface 115 in a first direction 134. In other words, the tip surface 115 is recessed from the tip of the nozzle 110 (the tip of the annular rib 117). The inner peripheral surface 118 extends from the tip surface 115 toward the outer edge of the tip surface 115 in the first direction 134. In other words, the inner peripheral surface 118 extends in the first direction 134 while inclining in a direction that expands the diameter of the recess. Note that the inner peripheral surface 118 may extend along the first direction 134 without being inclined. Alternatively, the nozzle 110 does not necessarily have a recess. In other words, the tip of the nozzle 110 does not need to be recessed.

[0024] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show how ink is refilled from the liquid containing bottle 20 into the liquid tank 16. FIG. 6(a) shows refilling of ink using the nozzle body 22 described in FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 6(b) shows refilling of ink using the nozzle body 22 described in FIG. 5(b). As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the nozzle 110 of the liquid containing bottle 20 is inserted into the liquid inlet 18 of the liquid tank 16, thereby connecting the liquid containing bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16. Hereinafter, the position of the liquid containing bottle 20 when connected to the liquid tank 16 will also be referred to as the connected position. When the nozzle 110 of the liquid containing bottle 20 is inserted into the liquid inlet 18 of the liquid tank 16, the position of the liquid containing bottle 20 can be adjusted so that the mark 24 on the nozzle body 22 faces vertically upward. By doing so, it is possible to determine the relative positions of the openings 94, 194, 196 when the openings 94, 194, 196 are positioned in the storage chamber 100. In the case where there are two openings as shown in Figure 6(b), when the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 are positioned in the storage chamber 100, one of the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 can be positioned vertically above the other.

[0025] In this embodiment, in the connected position, the second opening 196 is located vertically above the first opening 194. When the liquid storage bottle 20 is connected to the liquid tank 16 and the opening 94, first opening 194, and second opening 196 are positioned within the storage chamber 100 of the liquid tank 16, the bottle body 21 and the storage chamber 100 are in communication with each other through the liquid flow paths 90, 191, and 192. In the connected position shown in FIG. 6( a), for example, when a user presses the side wall 121 of the bottle body 21, ink stored in the bottle body 21 flows into the liquid flow path 90 through the opening 93. Furthermore, as the side wall 121 of the bottle body 21 returns to its original shape due to a reaction force, air flows into the bottle body 21 through the opening 94. Here, the volume of ink flowing from the bottle body 21 to the storage chamber 100 is approximately the same as the volume of air flowing from the storage chamber 100 to the bottle body 21. In this way, the deformation of the bottle body 21 causes gas-liquid exchange in the liquid containing bottle 20. As a result, ink is supplied from the liquid containing bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16.

[0026] In the connected position shown in FIG. 6(b), ink is supplied from the liquid containing bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16 by a so-called chicken feed method. When the liquid containing bottle 20 is connected to the liquid tank 16 and the first opening 194 and the second opening 196 are positioned within the storage chamber 100 of the liquid tank 16, the bottle body 21 and the storage chamber 100 are connected via the first flow path 191 and the second flow path 192. As a result, ink stored in the bottle body 21 flows into the first flow path 191 via the opening 193 and into the storage chamber 100 via the first opening 194. Meanwhile, during the flow of ink, air in the storage chamber 100, which is maintained at atmospheric pressure by the atmosphere communication port 102, flows into the bottle body 21 via the second flow path 192. Here, the volume of ink flowing from the bottle body 21 to the storage chamber 100 is approximately the same as the volume of air flowing from the storage chamber 100 to the bottle body 21. In this manner, gas-liquid exchange is performed.

[0027] When the ink flows into the storage chamber 100 and the ink level in the storage chamber 100 rises to the same height as the opening 196, that is, when it reaches the same height as the mark 103, the flow of air between the storage chamber 100 and the bottle body 21 through the second flow path 192 is blocked. Therefore, the flow of ink from the bottle body 21 to the storage chamber 100 is stopped.

[0028] As described above, when the supply of ink from the liquid containing bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16 naturally stops, the tip of the nozzle 110 comes into contact with the ink. Also, when the nozzle 110 is removed from the liquid tank 16, ink adhering to the periphery of the liquid inlet portion 18 may come into contact with the nozzle tip. As a result, there is a concern that ink may drip from the tip of the nozzle portion or drip onto the side of the nozzle 110 of the liquid containing bottle 20, soiling the user's hands or the surrounding area. The following embodiments are expected to have the effect of reducing the above concerns.

[0029] First Embodiment In this embodiment, a groove for holding the liquid by capillary force is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the liquid flow path at the tip of the nozzle body 22.

[0030] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram illustrating the overall structure of a bottle 20 suitable for one embodiment of the present invention, with each part shown. A mark 24 is provided on the nozzle body 22. By providing a marker like the mark 24 to determine the connection orientation, the user guides the flow path with the groove toward the vertically downward side when pouring ink into the tank of the printer body. A bottle cap 23 is detachable from the nozzle body 22, preventing ink from leaking outside of the time of pouring. FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of the nozzle body 22. FIG. 7(c) is a top view of the nozzle body 22. Reference numeral 115 denotes the tip surface of the nozzle body 22. FIG. 7(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' in FIG. 7(c). In this embodiment, a groove 301 of a fixed width is provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow path, and the groove 301 forms part of the opening at the nozzle tip. FIGs. 7(e) to 7(j) are enlarged views of region B in FIG. 7(c).

[0031] The function of the groove 301 in this embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 7(e) to 7(j). After ink flows into a flow path provided with the groove 301, a meniscus is formed inside the groove 301 due to capillary force, and the ink is retained there. In other words, the groove 301 functions as a retaining portion that retains the ink on the inner circumferential surface of the flow path. The capillary force is largely dependent on the surface tension of the ink, which is a physical property of the ink, and is determined by the contact angle with the flow path and the shape of the groove. Ink for inkjet recording is generally designed to have appropriate physical properties, taking into account ink ejection performance and image formation on a recording medium. For example, the surface tension of the ink is often designed to be 25 to 45 mN / m and the contact angle to be 10 to 70°. In this embodiment, ink with a surface tension of 35 mN / m is used, and the contact angle with the inner wall of the flow path in the nozzle is approximately 30°.

[0032] The cross-sectional shape of the groove 301 may be any fine groove shape capable of generating capillary force, and examples thereof are shown in Figures 7(e) to 7(j). The capillary force of the ink held in the groove 301 is expected to draw ink adhering to the tip surface 115 of the nozzle 110 into the holding portion toward the inside of the bottle. Preferably, the groove 301 has corners 303, such as a rectangle (Figure 7(f)), a triangle (Figure 7(g)), or a trapezoid (Figure 7(h)), thereby enhancing the ink holding power. Furthermore, even if the opening width of the groove 301 is wide, as shown in Figures 7(i) and 7(j), it is sufficient to have corners 303 that allow ink to be drawn in by capillary force.

[0033] For example, when forming groove 301 using a molding die, narrow grooves 301 such as those shown in Figures 7(e) to 7(h) are formed with a width W1 of approximately 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Grooves 301 such as those shown in Figures 7(i) and 7(j) are formed with a width W2 of 2 mm or more to approximately 5 mm. Furthermore, depth D1 is formed with a depth D1 of approximately 0.05 mm to 5 mm. The method of forming groove 301 is not limited to using a molding die, and other means may also be used. The widths W1, W2, and depth D1 of groove 301 are not limited to these.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(k), the grooves may extend from the nozzle tip to the base. While this reduces the total amount of ink that can be held, and the capillary force disappears where the grooves are no longer present, the effect of drawing ink adhering to the nozzle tip into the nozzle can still be expected. Furthermore, the groove width does not need to be constant. For example, as shown in Figure 12, when molding by die-cutting, it may be easier to gradually widen the width to make it easier to remove from the mold. In the case of Figure 12, the E-E' cross section is shown in Figure 7(e), and the I-I' cross section is shown in Figure 7(i). As mentioned above, both sections have capillary force and are able to hold ink.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(l), multiple grooves may be provided as a retaining portion only on the inner circumferential surface near the tip. This will generate capillary force to prevent ink from dripping inside the flow path at the nozzle tip. In this case, the retaining portion does not need to be composed of multiple grooves alone, but may also be composed of multiple ribs or a combination of these.

[0036] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment shows how to define the connection posture of the liquid containing bottle 20 in a liquid refilling system that shows the state when liquid is refilled in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

[0037] 8, in this embodiment, the connection posture is determined by a combination of the shape of the opening of the liquid inlet portion 18 provided in the liquid tank 16 on the recording apparatus side and the shape of the nozzle portion on the liquid containing bottle 20. Also, as in the first embodiment, one groove 301 of a fixed width is provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow path, and this groove 301 forms part of the opening at the tip of the nozzle.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8(a), when a user attempts to inject ink, the shape of the inlet on the liquid tank and the outer shape of the nozzle on the bottle are configured to uniquely engage, so that the inner wall portion with the groove faces vertically downward. This ensures that the groove 301 is positioned vertically downward when the ink is injected, and the capillary force of the meniscus formed in the groove 301 is expected to draw ink adhering to the tip surface 115 of the nozzle 110 toward the inside of the bottle. Figure 8(b) shows the main tank and bottle as a user injects ink, taken along the B-B' cross section of Figure 8(a). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the combination of the outer shape of the nozzle portion and the shape of the inlet that engages with it may be changed for each different color of ink, as shown in Figure 8(c), for example. This engagement combination can be designed so that the inner wall portion of the bottle flow path with the groove faces vertically downward.

[0039] This is expected to prevent the user from filling the wrong color bottle and mixing different inks. The combination of nozzle shape and filler port shape is merely an example and is not limited to the one shown in the figure. As shown in Figure 8(c), the nozzle opening may be two holes or one hole.

[0040] <Third embodiment> The third embodiment is a different form for defining the connection posture, and differs from the previous embodiment in that the connection posture is guided by a mark that is easily visible to the user.

[0041] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, grooves are provided not only vertically downward but also in all directions aligned with the direction of gravity during ink injection, thereby improving convenience. As shown in Figure 9(a), for example, two marks 24 represented by arrows may be provided at positions diametrically opposite each other on the nozzle where they are easily visible to the user, and a groove may be provided on the inner wall of the flow path on an extension line connecting the two marks 24. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9(b), the nozzle may have a line-symmetrical shape, such as an ellipse, and a groove may be provided on the inner wall of the flow path on the axis of symmetry to determine the connection posture.

[0042] In these cases, regardless of which flow path the ink is injected from, the inner wall portion with the groove is vertically downward, and a force is generated to draw the ink into the bottle. Therefore, the user does not need to worry about connecting the bottle in a specific direction, which improves convenience compared to Examples 1 and 2.

[0043] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment is a different form in which liquid is held on the inner circumferential surface of the liquid flow path at the tip of the nozzle body 22 by capillary force, and differs from the first embodiment in the number of grooves provided on the inner circumferential surface.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, multiple grooves are provided in one flow path, making it possible to more effectively increase the force that draws ink into the bottle. Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle body 22 that is suitable for one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10(b) is a top view of the nozzle body 22. Figure 10(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC' in Figure 10(b). In this embodiment, two grooves 301 of a fixed width are provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow path, and each of the grooves 301 forms part of the opening at the nozzle tip.

[0045] As in the first embodiment, the nozzle body 22 is provided with a mark, such as the mark 24, that defines the connection position. This guides the flow path with the grooves to face vertically downward when the user pours ink from the bottle into the liquid tank of the recording device. In this connection position, the inner wall portion with the two grooves faces vertically downward, which increases the force that draws ink into the bottle compared to when there is only one groove, making this more preferable.

[0046] <Fifth embodiment> The fifth embodiment is a different form in which liquid is held on the inner surface of the liquid flow path at the tip of the nozzle body 22 by capillary force, and differs from the previous fourth embodiment in that the grooves provided on the inner surface branch or merge.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, multiple grooves 301 are provided in one flow path, and these grooves 301 branch off or merge at the inner wall 116 of the flow path, thereby more effectively increasing the force that draws ink into the bottle. Figure 11(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle body 22 suitable for one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11(b) is a top view of the nozzle body 22. Figure 11(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D' in Figure 11(b). In this embodiment, two grooves 301 of a fixed width are provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow path, but these grooves 301 merge into one groove midway along the inner wall 116 of the flow path, and at the tip of the nozzle they form a single groove that forms part of the opening.

[0048] As in the first embodiment, nozzle body 22 is provided with a mark, such as mark 24, that defines the connection position. This guides the flow path with the grooves to face vertically downward when the user pours ink from the bottle into the liquid tank of the recording device. In this connection position, the inner wall portion with the two grooves faces vertically downward, which not only increases the force that draws ink into the bottle compared to when there is only one groove, but also efficiently increases the capillary force of groove 301, especially when the nozzle tip is thin.

[0049] Sixth Embodiment The sixth embodiment is a different form in which liquid is held on the inner surface of the liquid flow path at the tip of the nozzle body 22 by capillary force, and differs from the previous fifth embodiment in the positions and directions at which the grooves provided on the inner surface branch or merge.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 , multiple grooves 301 are provided in one flow path, as in the fifth embodiment, and these grooves 301 branch or merge at the inner wall 116 of the flow path, thereby increasing the force that draws ink into the bottle. Furthermore, improved moldability of the nozzle body 22 and the grooves 301 can be expected. FIG. 13( a) is a perspective view of a nozzle body 22 suitable for one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13( b) is a top view of the nozzle body 22. FIG. 13( c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E′ in FIG. 13( b). In this embodiment, two grooves 301 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow path at the nozzle tip, forming two grooves that form part of the opening. However, these grooves 301 merge into one groove midway at the inner wall 116 of the flow path, and then merge into one groove at the nozzle base.

[0051] As in the first embodiment, the nozzle body 22 is provided with a mark, such as the mark 24, that defines the connection position. This guides the flow path with the grooves to face vertically downward when the user pours ink from the bottle into the liquid tank of the recording device. In this connection position, the inner wall portion with the two grooves faces vertically downward, which not only increases the force that draws ink into the bottle compared to when there is only one groove, but also further strengthens the ink-drawing force because the grooves on the nozzle base end side merge and become wider. Furthermore, improved moldability of the nozzle body 22 and groove 301 can be expected in die-cutting manufacturing processes.

[0052] Seventh Embodiment The seventh embodiment is a different form in which liquid is held on the inner surface of the liquid flow path at the tip of the nozzle body 22 by capillary force, and differs from the first embodiment in that ribs rather than grooves are provided on the inner surface.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, multiple ribs 401 of a uniform width are provided on the inner circumferential surface of one flow channel, and these ribs 401 form part of the opening at the nozzle tip. Figure 14(a) is a top view of the nozzle body 22. A convex structure is provided, and a ridge line is formed between the side wall and the convex structure, generating capillary force. Figure 14(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle with the rib 401, showing how ink is held at the ridge line between the side wall and the rib, forming a meniscus. One or more ribs may be provided per flow channel.

[0054] As in the first embodiment, the nozzle body 22 is provided with a mark such as the mark 24 that defines the connection position. This allows the user to guide the ink flow path provided with the rib 401 so that it is vertically downward when pouring ink from the bottle into the liquid tank of the recording device. The embodiments described above may be combined in any way as long as no contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 3 Recording section 4 Liquid supply section 16 Liquid Tank 15 Recording head 18 Liquid injection part 20 Liquid-containing bottles 21 Bottle body 22 Nozzle body 110 nozzle 114 Proximal surface 115 Tip surface 118 Inner surface 160 Tank body 190 flow path 191 First Channel 192 Second Channel 194 First Opening 196 Second Opening 301 Groove 303 Corner 401 Rib

Claims

1. A liquid containing bottle for refilling a recording device with liquid, the liquid containing bottle having a liquid tank having a storage section for storing liquid to be supplied to a recording head that ejects liquid and a liquid injecting section for receiving the supply of liquid, a bottle body for containing a liquid; a liquid supply part having a base end part with an opening communicating with the bottle body and a tip end part with an opening communicating with the liquid tank at both ends, the liquid supply part having a liquid flow path for supplying liquid from the bottle body to the liquid tank, A liquid bottle, characterized in that a holding portion that holds liquid by capillary force is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the opening at the tip.

2. 2. The liquid bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is a groove provided on the inner circumferential surface, the groove being a part of the opening at the tip portion.

3. 3. The liquid-containing bottle according to claim 2, wherein the groove has at least one corner.

4. 4. The liquid bottle according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the grooves are provided.

5. 4. The liquid bottle according to claim 3, wherein the groove branches off on the inner circumferential surface of the liquid flow path.

6. 2. The liquid bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is a rib provided on the inner peripheral surface, the rib being a part of the opening at the tip portion.

7. 7. The liquid bottle according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply portion is configured to be able to engage with an inner peripheral surface of the liquid injecting portion.

8. The liquid-containing bottle according to claim 1 or 7, a recording head that discharges liquid to perform recording; the liquid tank; A liquid replenishment system comprising:

9. In use, the liquid tank has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal and vertical directions; The liquid refill system according to claim 8, wherein the inclined surface is formed with the liquid inlet portion into which the liquid supply portion of the liquid containing bottle is inserted.

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