Ink refill container

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that can prevent ink from leaking out of an ink refill container when the cap is removed. [Solution] The ink supply container comprises an ink outlet forming section, a valve that sets the internal flow path to either a fluid-connected state or a fluid-non-connected state, and a cap. The cap has a projection that pushes the valve body in a second direction when sealed, and the projection end of the projection takes the closed valve position during the cap removal process. The cap has a snap-fit ​​section that snaps into place on the ink outlet forming section when sealed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an ink supply container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an example of an inkjet device, a printer that can perform printing on a printing medium such as printing paper by discharging ink from a print head toward the printing medium is known. Among such printers, there is an ink supply type that replenishes ink in an ink tank. Patent Document 1 discloses an ink supply container used for replenishing ink to an ink supply type ink tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the ink supply container has a valve using a spring member inside the ink outlet forming portion. In the closed state of the valve, the spring member biases the valve body toward the sealing member, and the ink flow through the gap between the valve body and the sealing member is blocked by the contact of the valve body with the sealing member. On the other hand, when the ink supply container is attached to the printer, the ink introduction member of the printer presses the valve body in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the spring, and the valve body separates from the sealing member. As a result, ink flow through the gap between the valve body and the sealing member becomes possible, and the ink in the ink supply container is supplied to the printer.

[0005] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the cap has a projection. When the cap is completely closed, this projection presses the valve body away from the sealing member, maintaining the open valve state. During the process of removing the cap, the inside of the ink supply container communicates with the outside of the ink supply container. At this point, the pressure inside the ink supply container may increase due to temperature or pressure changes. In this case, during the process of removing the cap, air flows out from inside the ink supply container to the outside, relieving the pressurized state inside the ink supply container. As the process of opening the cap progresses further, the projection of the cap separates from the valve body, and the valve body comes into contact with the sealing member, resulting in a closed valve state.

[0006] In conventional technology, when the cap is removed from an upright ink refill container with the ink outlet facing upwards, the air inside the ink refill container escapes to the outside, relieving the pressurized state. However, if the cap is removed from a position other than the upright position, such as with the ink outlet facing sideways, tilted downwards, or pointed straight down, even if the ink refill container is not pressurized, hydrostatic pressure will be applied, which may cause ink to leak into the cap through the open valve. If ink leaks into the cap, it can lead to problems such as ink contamination, including the user's hands getting stained with ink when removing the cap, or ink dripping and staining the surrounding area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ink supply container for supplying ink to a printer is provided. The ink supply container comprises an ink storage section configured to contain ink, an ink outlet forming section having an outlet opening on the tip side opposite to the ink storage section, a valve disposed within the ink outlet forming section including the outlet opening and causing an internal flow path connecting the ink storage section and the outlet opening to be in either a fluid-communicating state or a fluid-non-communicating state, and a cap attached to the ink outlet forming section that takes a sealed state that seals the outlet opening and an open state in which the seal of the outlet opening is released, wherein the valve comprises a sealing member disposed on the tip side, a valve body disposed to be able to move toward and away from the sealing member, and a spring member that biases the valve body in a first direction toward the sealing member, wherein the valve is closed by the spring member bringing the valve body into contact with the sealing member, thereby closing the internal flow path The internal flow path is kept in a state of fluid non-communication, the cap has a projection that pushes the valve body in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the sealed state, and has a projection end facing the valve body, the valve is opened when the valve body is pushed in the second direction by the projection and moves away from the sealing member, at least in the sealed state, thereby keeping the internal flow path in fluid communication, the projection end takes a closed valve position in the axial direction along the first direction with respect to the ink outlet forming portion in the opened state during the removal process of removing the cap from the ink outlet forming portion, and the cap has a snap-fit ​​portion that snap-fits into the ink outlet forming portion in the sealed state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the printer in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the process of refilling the ink tank with ink. [Figure 3] An exploded perspective view of the ink supply container in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] First perspective view of the valve. [Figure 5]Second oblique view of the valve. [Figure 6] A perspective view of the ink tank of the embodiment. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view showing the ink replenishment process in the ink tank. [Figure 8] Front view of the ink refill container in an upright position. [Figure 9] Plan view of the ink refill container. [Figure 10] A partial vertical cross-section of an ink refill container. [Figure 11] A partial vertical cross-section of an ink refill container. [Figure 12] A first schematic diagram illustrating the ink supply container of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] A second schematic diagram illustrating the ink supply container of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the printer 100 in the first embodiment. This printer 100 is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a printing medium. Figure 1 shows mutually orthogonal XYZ axes. The X axis corresponds to the width direction of the printer 100, the Y axis corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the printer 100, and the Z axis corresponds to the height direction of the printer 100. The printer 100 is installed on a horizontal mounting surface defined by the X and Y directions. The "X direction" refers to the direction along the X axis and means the combined concept of the +X direction and the -X direction. Similarly, the "Y direction" refers to the direction along the Y axis and means the combined concept of the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the "Z direction" refers to the direction along the Z axis and means the up and down direction. In other words, the "Z direction" refers to the combined concept of the +Z direction, which is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction, which is the vertically downward direction.

[0010] The printer 100 has a housing 110. Inside the housing 110 is a carriage (not shown) that is movable in the main scanning direction, which is the X direction. A print head that ejects ink onto the printing medium is installed on the carriage. An ink tank housing unit 160 that houses multiple ink tanks 700S and 700L is provided at one end of the front of the housing 110. The ink tank housing unit 160 has an openable and closable lid 162 on its top. Note that the ink tank 700S is a small-capacity tank, and the ink tank 700L is a large-capacity tank. However, in the following description, the two will not be distinguished and will simply be referred to as "ink tank 700". Each ink tank 700 is connected to the print head on the carriage by a tube (not shown). That is, the ink tanks 700 are stationary ink tanks that are not mounted on the carriage of the printer 100. Also, each ink tank 700 is an ink-replenishment type ink tank in which ink is replenished from an ink replenishment container when the ink level drops. In this embodiment, the ink tank 700 is a stationary ink tank, but it may also be mounted on the carriage of the printer 100.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the state of replenishing ink to the ink tanks 700 using the ink supply container 200. The front of each ink tank 700 is made of a transparent material, and the remaining ink level in each ink tank 700 can be visually checked from the outside. When the ink level becomes low, as shown in Figure 2, the lid 162 can be opened and ink can be replenished from the ink introduction member 710, which has a flow path communicating with the ink tanks 700. The ink introduction member 710 is a cylindrical member that extends in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction.

[0012] On the upper surface of each ink tank 700, a cylindrical ink introduction member 710 for replenishing ink to the ink tank 700 is provided. The ink tank housing unit 160 includes a sealing cap member 164 having a sealing cap 165 for sealing the tip of the ink introduction member 710. In a state where ink is not replenished to the ink tank 700, the tip of the ink introduction member 710 is sealed by the sealing cap 165 of the sealing cap member 164. When replenishing ink to the ink tank 700, the sealing cap member 164 is removed from the ink introduction member 710, and an ink replenishing container 200 is inserted into the position of the ink introduction member 710 to replenish ink. Around the ink introduction member 710, two inlet forming portions 750 that fit with a protruding portion (to be described later) of the ink replenishing container 200 are provided. The two inlet forming portions 750 have a rotationally symmetric shape of 180 degrees around the ink introduction member 710.

[0013] In this specification, the term "ink replenishment" means an operation of supplying ink to the ink tank 700 to increase the remaining ink amount. However, it is not necessary to fill the ink tank 700 with ink by "ink replenishment". Also, "ink replenishment" includes an operation of filling an empty ink tank 700 with ink when the printer 100 is used for the first time. As described above, the ink replenishing container 200 replenishes ink to the ink tank 700 via an ink introduction member 710 having a flow path communicating with the ink tank 700.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink replenishing container 200 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of the valve 500. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the valve 500. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink replenishing container 200 includes an ink storage portion 300, an ink outlet forming portion 400, a valve 500, and a cap 600.

[0015] The ink storage portion 300 is configured to store ink. The ink outlet forming portion 400 is connected to the ink storage portion 300. The ink outlet forming portion 400 forms an ink outlet opening 460 on the side opposite to the ink storage portion 300. The outlet opening 460 is configured in a cylindrical shape so that the ink introduction member 710 can be inserted. The ink outlet forming portion 400 including the outlet opening 460 has the same central axis C as the ink supply container 200.

[0016] The valve 500 is disposed inside the ink outlet forming portion 400. The valve 500 is in an open valve state when the ink introduction member 710 is inserted from the outlet opening 460, and is in a closed valve state when the ink introduction member 710 is removed from the outlet opening 460. The cap 600 is configured to be detachable from the ink outlet forming portion 400.

[0017] The upper end side of the ink supply container 200 on the cap 600 side is referred to as the "front end side", and the lower end side on the ink storage portion 300 side is referred to as the "rear end side". The ink storage portion 300 is a hollow cylindrical container having an opening on the front end side. An external thread 312 for attaching the ink outlet forming portion 400 is provided on the small-diameter portion at the front end of the ink storage portion 300. In the present disclosure, the direction along the central axis C of the ink supply container 200, that is, the direction parallel to the central axis C is referred to as the "axial direction", and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is referred to as the "radial direction". The direction from the rear end side to the outlet opening 460 located on the front end side of the ink storage portion 300 in the axial direction is also referred to as the first direction D1. Also, the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is referred to as the second direction D2.

[0018] The ink outlet forming section 400 has an outlet opening 450 on the tip side opposite to the ink storage section 300 for flowing ink out. The ink outlet forming section 400 is connected to the ink storage section 300 and includes a cylindrical section 420 having an outlet opening 460. A valve 500 is installed inside the cylindrical section 420. Therefore, the valve 500 can be considered as a component that constitutes part of the ink outlet forming section 400. The ink outlet forming section 400 has an internal flow path 410 within the cylindrical section 420 that provides fluid communication between the ink storage section 300 and the outlet opening 460. The internal flow path 410 is partitioned by the placement of the valve 500 inside the ink outlet forming section 400. When replenishing ink to the ink tank 700, the ink introduction member 710 of the ink tank 700, shown in Figure 2, is inserted into the outlet opening 460.

[0019] The valve 500 is located within the ink outlet forming section 400, which includes the outlet opening 460. The valve 500 switches the opening and closing of the internal flow path 410 that connects the ink storage section 300 and the outlet opening 460. In other words, the valve 500 controls the internal flow path 410 to either a fluid communication state or a fluid non-communication state. The fluid communication state is a state in which the fluid can flow between the ink storage section 300 and the outlet opening 460. The fluid non-communication state is a state in which the internal flow path 410 is blocked midway, and the fluid cannot flow between the ink storage section 300 and the outlet opening 460.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the valve 500 comprises a valve housing 517, a spring member 530, a valve body 520, and a sealing member 510. The valve housing 517 allows for the insertion and removal of the ink introduction member 710. The valve housing 517 extends axially. The valve housing 517 is installed inside the cylindrical portion 420 such that there is a radial gap between it and the cylindrical portion 420. The valve housing 517 houses the spring member 530, the valve body 520, and the sealing member 510 internally. As shown in Figure 4, the valve housing 517 has a retaining portion 517A at its tip to prevent the sealing member 510 from coming out of the valve housing 517, and an engaging portion 517B with the cylindrical portion 420. Therefore, the valve 500 can be attached and detached as an element of the ink supply container 200 on its own, making it easy to manufacture.

[0021] The spring member 530 shown in Figure 3 is supported by the valve housing 517 within the valve housing 517. The spring member 530 is housed in the rear end of the valve housing 517, which is in the second axial direction D2. The spring member 530 can be made of, for example, metal. In this embodiment, the spring member 530 is a coil spring. The spring member 530 biases the valve body 520 in the first direction D1 toward the seal member 510.

[0022] The sealing member 510 is located at the tip end within the ink outlet forming section 400. The sealing member 510 is supported by the valve housing 517 inside the valve housing 517. The sealing member 510 is made of an elastic material. For example, the sealing member 510 is made of a rubber material such as an elastomer with rubber elasticity. Other elements of the ink supply container 200, excluding the spring member 530 and the sealing member 510, can be made of synthetic resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The sealing member 510 is located axially closer to the outlet opening 460 than the valve body 520 and the spring member 530. The sealing member 510 is annular in shape. The sealing member 510 has a through hole 510h that penetrates axially. The ink introduction member 710 is inserted into and removed from the through hole 510h in the axial direction. The through hole 510h constitutes part of the internal flow path 410.

[0023] The valve body 520 faces the seal member 510 in the axial direction. The valve body 520 is positioned within the valve housing 517 so as to be able to move toward and away from the seal member 510. In other words, the valve body 520 is configured to be movable in the axial direction within the valve housing 517. The valve body 520 is positioned axially toward the outlet opening 460 than the spring member 530. The valve body 520 is biased by the spring member 530 toward the first direction D1. When the valve body 520 comes into contact with the seal member 510 so as to cover the through hole 510h, the valve 500 becomes closed. In other words, the valve 500 becomes closed by the spring member 530 bringing the valve body 520 into contact with the seal member 510, thereby preventing fluid communication in the internal flow path 410. On the other hand, when the valve body 520 moves away from the seal member 510, the valve 500 becomes open.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the valve housing 517 has a total of four through-holes Ho that penetrate radially. The through-holes Ho communicate with the radial gap between the valve housing 517 and the valve body 520. The through-holes Ho are also formed to extend axially. The through-holes Ho constitute a part of the internal flow path 410. When the valve is open, the through-holes Ho communicate with a flow path formed inside the ink introduction member 710 (described later), thereby facilitating gas-liquid exchange between the ink introduction member 710 and the ink supply container 200. This allows ink to be supplied from the ink supply container 200 to the ink tank 700.

[0025] The cap 600 shown in Figure 3 is detachably attached to the ink outlet forming section 400. In this embodiment, the cap 600 is attached to and detached from the ink outlet forming section 400 using a snap-fit ​​engagement. The specific configuration of the snap-fit ​​will be described later.

[0026] The cap 600 selectively assumes two states: a sealed state in which it is attached to the ink outlet forming section 400 and seals the outlet opening 460, and an open state in which the seal on the outlet opening 460 is released. The cap 600 has a top wall 601 that faces the outlet opening 460 in the axial direction, and cylindrical side walls 603 having a central axis C. The top wall 601 is located at the uppermost position when the ink supply container 200 is in an upright position. Further details of the cap 600 will be described later.

[0027] The configuration of the ink tank 700 will be described before further detailing of the ink supply container 200. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the ink tank 700 of the first embodiment. The ink introduction member 710 of the ink tank 700 protrudes upward from the ink tank 700. The ink introduction member 710 has a side surface 717.

[0028] The ink introduction member 710 has two flow paths 711 and 712. The two flow paths 711 and 712 are separated by a partition wall 714. When replenishing ink, one of the flow paths 711 and 712 constitutes the flow path for ink from the ink replenishment container 200, and the other constitutes the flow path for air from the ink tank 700 to the ink replenishment container 200. Note that the number of flow paths 711 and 712 in the ink introduction member 710 is not limited to two; there may be three or more.

[0029] The tip of the ink introduction member 710 is flat, and the two flow paths 711 and 712 open at the tip of the ink introduction member 710. A portion of the tip of the ink introduction member 710 also corresponds to the end of the partition wall 714. The two flow paths 711 and 712 communicate with two internal tank flow paths 721 and 722 that protrude into the ink storage chamber 760 below. The lower ends of these internal tank flow paths 721 and 722 extend below the ceiling wall of the ink storage chamber 760. This is because, when replenishing ink from the ink supply container 200 to the ink tank 700, when the liquid level in the ink storage chamber 760 reaches the lower ends of the internal tank flow paths 721 and 722, gas-liquid exchange stops, and ink replenishment stops accordingly, making the ink replenishment process easier.

[0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the replenishment state in which ink is supplied from the ink supply container 200 to the ink tank 700. In this replenishment state, the ink supply container 200 is in an inverted position, the opposite of an upright position. The ink introduction member 710 of the ink tank 700 is inserted into the internal flow path 410 in the ink outlet forming section 400 through the through hole 510h of the seal member 510. As a result, the valve body 520 is displaced in a second direction D2, which is away from the seal member 510, by the ink introduction member 710, causing the valve body 520 to separate from the seal member 510. This causes the valve 500 to open. Ink from the ink storage section 300 is supplied to the ink introduction member 710 via the internal flow path 410 formed by the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 420 and the valve housing 517, and air flows into the ink storage section 300 from the ink storage chamber 760. This causes a gas-liquid exchange, and ink is supplied to the ink tank 700. In Figure 7, the solid arrows schematically represent the flow of ink, and the dotted arrows schematically represent the flow of air.

[0031] When the ink supply to the ink tank 700 is complete and the ink supply container 200 is removed from the ink introduction member 710, the biasing force of the spring member 530 causes the valve body 520 to contact the seal member 510. As a result, the through hole 510h of the seal member 510 is blocked by the valve body 520, causing the valve 500 to close. When the valve 500 is closed, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking out of the ink supply container 200. Note that when supplying ink from the ink supply container 200 to the ink tank 700, it is not necessary to compress the ink storage section 300. Ink supply containers that can be supplied with ink without compressing the ink storage section 300 in this way are also called "non-compression type".

[0032] The detailed structure of the ink supply container 200 will be explained using the figures from Figure 8 onward. Figure 8 is a front view of the ink supply container 200 in an upright position. Figure 9 is a top view of the ink supply container 200. Figures 10 and 11 are partial longitudinal cross-sectional views of the ink supply container 200. The ink supply container 200 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is in a state with the cap 600 removed. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealed state in which the cap 600 is attached to the ink outlet forming part 400 and the outlet opening 460 is sealed. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an open state in which the engagement between the cap 600 and the ink outlet forming part 400 is released and the seal on the outlet opening 460 is released. "Upright position of the ink supply container 200" means the position of the ink supply container 200 with the outlet opening 460 facing upward, and also the position in which it is placed on a horizontal surface such as a desk with the bottom of the ink storage part 300 facing downward.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, the ink outlet forming portion 400 of the ink supply container 200 has an outlet opening 460 and a cylindrical portion 420, as well as a protruding portion 470 as a container-side identification member and a base end portion 457 on which a locking portion 454 is formed.

[0034] The protrusions 470 are positioned on both sides of the cylindrical portion 420 in a direction intersecting the central axis C. The pair of protrusions 470 are substantially rectangular parallelepiped members that project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 420. The protrusions 470 project axially upward from the base end 457 side and extend to have a constant dimension in the axial direction.

[0035] Each of the two protrusions 470 has an identification shape corresponding to the shape of the inlet forming section 750 of the ink tank housing unit 160. The ink inlet forming section 750 has an identification pattern formed by a combination of ribs and grooves extending in the depth direction. On the other hand, the side surface of the protrusion 470 has an identification pattern formed by a combination of ribs and grooves extending in the axial direction. Figure 9 is a plan view of the ink supply container 200 viewed in the axial direction from the outlet opening 460 side, and shows an example of the identification pattern of the protrusion 470. The identification pattern is provided with 180-degree rotational symmetry around the outlet opening 460. The identification shape of the protrusion 470 differs depending on the type of ink that the ink supply container 200 houses. In other words, the protrusion 470 has an identification shape for identifying the type of ink that the ink housing section 300 houses. If an incorrect type of ink refill container 200 is attempted to be attached to the ink introduction member 710, the protrusion 470 and the inlet forming portion 750 will interfere with each other, preventing the ink introduction member 710 from being attached to the ink refill container 200. On the other hand, if the correct type of ink refill container 200 is attempted to be attached to the ink introduction member 710, the protrusion 470 and the inlet forming portion 750 will not interfere with each other. This prevents the incorrect injection of ink into the ink tank 700.

[0036] As shown in Figure 8, the base end portion 457 is a cylindrical member located on the second direction D2 side of the cylindrical portion 420 having an outlet opening 460 and the protruding portion 470. The base end portion 457 is connected to the end of the cylindrical portion 420 on the second direction D2 side. A locking portion 454 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457 for locking with the locking portion of the snap-fit ​​portion of the cap 600, which will be described later. The locking portion 454 is a projection that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457. In this embodiment, the locking portion 454 is formed continuously over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457. In other embodiments, the locking portion 454 does not need to be formed continuously over the circumferential direction of the base end portion 457, but may be formed intermittently or only on a part of the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 10, a screw 412 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base end portion 457, which screws into the external screw 312 of the ink storage portion 300 shown in Figure 3.

[0037] As shown in Figure 10, the cap 600 further comprises a projection 602, a sealing portion 660, and a snap-fit ​​portion 609. The sealing portion 660 seals the outlet opening 460 by engaging with the cylindrical portion 420 that defines the outlet opening 460. The sealing portion 660 is a wall formed on the inside of the cap 600 and facing the outlet opening 460. The sealing portion 660 is a recess with a bottom wall 662 on the first direction D1 side and has a side wall 666. The side wall 666 is a wall that rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 662 in a second direction D2. When the cap 600 is attached, the side wall 666 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420 in the circumferential direction, thereby sealing the outlet opening 460. Note that the method of sealing the outlet opening 460 by the sealing portion 660 is not limited to this embodiment; it is sufficient that the outlet opening 460 can be sealed by the sealing portion 660. For example, in another embodiment, the outlet opening 460 may be sealed by the sealing portion 660 contacting the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 420, or the outlet opening 460 may be sealed by the sealing portion 660 contacting the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 420 that forms the outlet opening 460.

[0038] The projection 602 extends in a second direction D2 from the central part of the inner surface of the top wall 601 toward the valve body 520. The projection 602 has a projection end 602p facing the valve body 520. In the sealed state of the cap 600 shown in Figure 10, the projection 602 pushes the valve body 520 in the second direction D2, separating the valve body 520 from the sealing member 510 and opening the valve 500. In other words, in the sealed state, the projection 602 creates a fluid communication state in the internal flow path 410.

[0039] The snap-fit ​​portion 609 snaps into place with the locking portion 454 of the ink outlet forming portion 400 when the outlet opening 460 is sealed by the cap 600. The snap-fit ​​portion 609 has a side wall 603 and a locking portion 654 formed on the inner circumferential surface 603fi of the side wall 603. The side wall 603 has a first end portion 603p which is the end on the first direction D1 side and a second end portion 603v which is the end on the second direction D2 side. The first end portion 603p is connected to the periphery of the top wall 601. The second end portion 603v defines the opening of the cap 600. The side wall 603 is elastically deformable radially on the second end portion 603v side around the first end portion 603p. In detail, when attaching or detaching the cap 600 to the ink outlet forming portion 400, the second end 603v side of the side wall 603 elastically deforms so that it expands radially outward by the radial protrusion length of the locking portion 454.

[0040] The locking portion 654 is a projection formed continuously over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 603fi. The locking portion 654 is also located near the second end portion 603v. The locking portion 654 has a locking surface that engages with the locked portion 454. When the outlet opening 460 is sealed, the locking portion 654 of the snap-fit ​​portion 609 engages with the locked portion 454 of the ink outlet forming portion 400. As a result, if the force F that displaces the cap 600 relative to the ink outlet forming portion 400 in the second direction D2 is less than a predetermined value, the axial locking between the locking portion 654 and the locked portion 454 is maintained, and the state in which the cap 600 is attached to the ink outlet forming portion 400 is maintained. On the other hand, if the force F exceeds a predetermined value, the side wall 666 elastically deforms so that the second end portion 603v overcomes the locked portion 454, releasing the lock between the locked portion 654 and the locked portion 454, and allowing the cap 600 to be removed from the ink outlet forming portion 400.

[0041] As described above, the snap-fit ​​portion 609 is snap-fitted to the ink outlet forming portion 400 when the outlet opening 460 is sealed by the cap 600. In addition, when the cap 600 is sealed, the valve 500 opens when the valve body 520 is pushed by the projection end 602p of the projection 602, separating it from the sealing member 510, thereby creating fluid communication in the internal flow path 410.

[0042] If a force F exceeding a predetermined value is applied when removing the cap 600 from the sealed state shown in Figure 10, the locking between the snap-fit ​​portion 609 of the cap 600 and the locking portion 454 of the ink outlet forming portion 400 is released.

[0043] As shown in Figure 11, during the removal process of the cap 600 from the ink outlet forming section 400, the relative position of the cap 600 with respect to the ink outlet forming section 400 changes. Specifically, the user's removal operation of the cap 600 causes the cap 600 to be displaced toward the first direction D1. Depending on the position of the cap 600 toward the first direction D1, the valve 500 takes on either an open or closed state, and the cap 600 takes on either a sealed or open state. The details of this will be explained below.

[0044] First, as shown in Figure 10, when the cap 600 is mounted with the locking portion 654 locked to the locked portion 454, the cap 600 is in a sealed state that seals the outlet opening 460, and the valve 500 is in an open state. When the cap 600 is mounted, the relative position of the projection end portion 602p in the axial direction with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 400 is the reference position Ps. In this embodiment, the reference position Ps is slightly to the second direction D2 side of the sealing member 510.

[0045] If the user performs a further removal operation and the locking of the locking portion 654 and the locked portion 454 is released, and the cap 600 moves from its mounted position toward the first direction D1, the projection end 602p takes on a first position Pt1 as the open valve position, which is its relative position to the ink outlet forming portion 400. As shown in Figure 11, the first position Pt1 as the open valve position is located toward the first direction D1 in the axial direction compared to the reference position Ps shown in Figure 10. Also, the first position Pt1 is located toward the second direction D2 in the axial direction compared to the second position Pt2, which will be described later. The moment when the projection end 602p takes on the first position Pt1 is the moment when the cap 600 switches from the sealed state to the open state. At the first position Pt1 of the projection end 602p, the valve body 520 is positioned towards the second direction D2 than when it is in the closed state due to being pushed by the projection end 602p. Therefore, the sealing member 510 and the valve body 520 are separated, and the valve 500 is in the open state.

[0046] If the user continues the removal operation beyond the first position Pt1 when the projection end 602p is in that position, the cap 600 moves further toward the first direction D1. As a result, the projection end 602p takes on a second position Pt2, which is the closed valve position relative to the ink outlet forming portion 400. The second position Pt2, as the closed valve position, is located axially toward the first direction D1 than the first position Pt1. When the projection end 602p takes on the second position Pt2, the valve body 520 is in contact with the sealing member 510, closing the valve 500. At the same time, when the projection end 602p takes on the second position Pt2, the cap 600 is in the open state.

[0047] In other words, during the process of removing the cap 600, for a specific period while the projection end 602p moves from the first position Pt1 to the second position Pt2, the valve 500 is open and the cap 600 is open. Therefore, even if the pressure in the ink storage section 300 rises due to temperature or pressure changes when the cap 600 is attached to the ink outlet forming section 400, the inside of the ink storage section 300 is in communication with the atmosphere outside the ink supply container 200 for a specific period during the removal operation. As a result, the air in the ink supply container 200, including the ink storage section 300, can be released to the outside for a specific period, thus relieving the pressurized state of the ink storage section 300. Furthermore, even when the ink storage section 300 is not pressurized, if the cap 600 is removed in a position where the outlet opening 460 is facing sideways or downward, hydrostatic pressure may be applied, potentially causing ink to flow out towards the cap 600. Even in such cases, the snap-fit ​​portion 609 is released, and the cap 600 is displaced in the first direction D1 in a very short time due to the biasing force of the spring member 530. As a result, the projection end 602p reaches the second position Pt2, which is the closed valve position, in an even shorter time, and the valve 500, which is in the open state, closes in an instant. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress the amount of ink that flows out.

[0048] In the case of an ink supply container, as in the conventional technology, where a female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface 603fi of the cap 600 and a male thread is formed on the base end 457 shown in Figure 8 to screw into the female thread, the removal operation requires rotating the cap relative to the ink outlet forming part around the axial direction. As the cap rotates relative to the ink outlet forming part and moves toward the first direction D1, the time it takes for the projection end 602p to reach the second position Pt2 from the reference position Ps, and the duration of the specific period, becomes longer compared to this embodiment.

[0049] On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the cap 600 is secured to the ink outlet forming portion 400 by a snap fit, the position of the projection end 602p can be moved from the reference position Ps to the second position Pt2 via the first position Pt1 in a shorter time during the removal operation. Therefore, the time that the valve 500 is open can be shortened, and the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink storage portion 300 can be reduced.

[0050] According to the first embodiment described above, when the cap 600 is removed, the projection end 602p can be moved from the reference position Ps to the second position Pt2 in a shorter time by releasing the locking by the snap-fit ​​portion 609. As a result, even when the cap 600 is removed in a position other than the upright position, the time during which the valve 500 is open and the specific period during which the cap 600 is open and the valve 500 is open can be made shorter. As a result, compared to, for example, when a screw-type cap is removed by rotating it from the ink outlet forming portion, the time during which the valve 500 is open and the time during the specific period can be shortened, thereby reducing the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink supply container 200. Thus, ink contamination can be suppressed.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment described above, in the process of releasing the lock of the snap-fit ​​portion 609, the predetermined space, which is the space between the ink outlet forming portion 400 and the cap 600, expands, so that the pressure in this predetermined space decreases compared to the outside. In other words, during the first period from the state in which the cap 600 is attached to the ink outlet forming portion 400 until the locking portion 654 overcomes the locked portion 454 and the locking portion 654 separates from the locked portion 454, the predetermined space is partitioned as a closed space. During the first period of the cap 600 removal process, the predetermined space remains a closed space, while the cap 600 moves away from the ink outlet forming portion 400. As a result, during the first period, the volume of the predetermined space increases and the pressure in the predetermined space falls below atmospheric pressure. As a result, when the lock by the snap-fit ​​portion 609 is released, air is more easily drawn into the predetermined space from the outside, thus further reducing the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink supply container 200. Furthermore, in order to further reduce the pressure in the predetermined space during the removal process, for example, the axial dimension of the locking portion 454, which is a projection, may be increased. For example, the axial dimension of the locking portion 454 may be set so that the pressure in the predetermined space is lower than atmospheric pressure by a predetermined percentage during the removal process.

[0052] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 12 is a first schematic diagram illustrating the ink supply container 200a of the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a second schematic diagram illustrating the ink supply container 200a of the second embodiment. The difference between the ink supply container 200a of the second embodiment and the ink supply container 200 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 10 is that the locking portion 654a of the snap-fit ​​portion 609a is formed on a part of the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 603fi, and the cap 600a is connected to the ink outlet forming portion 400 via the hinge 820. The other components of the ink supply container 200a are the same as those of the ink supply container 200 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Also, in Figures 12 and 13, elements similar to those of the first embodiment, such as the valve 500 and the sealing portion 660, are omitted from the illustration as necessary.

[0053] In the ink supply container 200 shown in Figure 12, the locking portion 654a is formed on the inner circumferential surface 603fi such that it has a first predetermined length in the direction along the circumferential direction. The first predetermined length is shorter than the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 603fi and is long enough to lock with the locking portion 454a.

[0054] The locking portion 454a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457 such that it has a second predetermined length in the direction along the circumferential direction. The second predetermined length is shorter than the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457. Furthermore, the locking portion 454a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457 at a position where it can lock with the locking portion 654a.

[0055] The ink supply container 200a further has a hinge 820. The hinge 820 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The cap 600a is connected to the ink outlet forming portion 400 via the hinge 820. When the cap 600a is attached, the hinge 820 is located radially opposite to the side where the locking portion 654a and the locked portion 454a are located.

[0056] As shown in Figure 13, similar to the first embodiment, during the removal process of the cap 600a, the projection end 602p takes the positions of reference position Ps, first position Pt1, and second position Pt2 in sequence. The difference from the first embodiment is that, during the removal process, in the first embodiment, the projection end 602p moved in the first direction D1. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the projection end 602p moves along the rotational trajectory Ra centered on the hinge 820.

[0057] The second embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment in that it has the same configuration as the first embodiment. For example, when a removal operation is performed to remove the cap 600a, the projection end 602p can be moved from the reference position Ps to the second position Pt2 in a shorter time by releasing the locking by the snap-fit ​​portion 609a. As a result, the time that the valve 500 is in the open state can be shortened compared to, for example, when a screw-type cap is removed by rotating it from the ink outlet forming portion, thereby reducing the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink supply container 200a. Thus, ink contamination can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the hinge 820 can prevent the cap 600a from flying off and being lost due to the force of releasing the locking by the snap-fit ​​portion 609a. Also, since the cap 600a is prevented from flying off, even if ink is attached to the cap 600a, the scattering of ink into the surroundings can be suppressed.

[0058] In the second embodiment described above, the locking portion 454a was formed on a part of the circumferential direction of the base end portion 457, and the locking portion 654a was formed on a part of the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 603fi, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, similar to the first embodiment described above, the locking portion 454a may be formed over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 457, or the locking portion 654a may be formed over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 603fi.

[0059] C. Other embodiments: C-1: Other Embodiments 1: In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the ink outlet forming section 400 and the ink storage section 300 were separate components, but they may be integrated.

[0060] D. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms. The technical features in the embodiments described below that correspond to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of this disclosure. Furthermore, if such technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

[0061] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ink supply container for supplying ink to a printer is provided. The ink supply container comprises an ink storage portion configured to contain ink, an ink outlet forming portion having an outlet opening on the tip side opposite to the ink storage portion, a valve disposed within the ink outlet forming portion including the outlet opening and causing an internal flow path connecting the ink storage portion and the outlet opening to be in either a fluid communication state or a fluid non-communication state, and a cap attached to the ink outlet forming portion that takes a sealed state that seals the outlet opening and an open state in which the seal of the outlet opening is released, wherein the valve comprises a sealing member disposed on the tip side, a valve body disposed to be able to move toward and away from the sealing member, and a spring member that biases the valve body in a first direction toward the sealing member, wherein the valve is closed by the spring member bringing the valve body into contact with the sealing member, thereby closing the internal The fluid passage is kept in a state of non-communication with the fluid, the cap has a projection that pushes the valve body in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the sealed state, and has a projection end facing the valve body, the valve is opened when the valve body is pushed in the second direction by the projection and moves away from the sealing member, at least in the sealed state, thereby opening the internal passage and keeping it in a state of fluid communication, the projection end takes a closed valve position in the open state during the removal process of removing the cap from the ink outlet forming portion, and a closed valve position in the axial direction along the first direction with respect to the ink outlet forming portion, and the cap has a snap-fit ​​portion that snap-fits into the ink outlet forming portion in the sealed state. According to the above configuration, when the cap is removed, the protruding end can be moved to the second position in a shorter time by releasing the locking of the snap-fit ​​portion. As a result, even when removing the cap in a position other than the upright position, the time the valve is open during the removal process can be shortened. This reduces the time the valve is open compared to, for example, when a screw-type cap is removed by rotating it from the ink outlet forming portion, thus reducing the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink supply container. Therefore, ink contamination can be suppressed.

[0062] (2) In the above configuration, the cap may be connected to the ink outlet forming portion via a hinge. According to the above configuration, the force with which the snap-fit ​​mechanism is released prevents the cap from flying off and getting lost. Furthermore, because the cap is prevented from flying off, even if ink is attached to the cap, the ink will not scatter into the surrounding area.

[0063] (3) In the above embodiment, the projection end is in an open valve position that causes the valve to be in the open valve state when the cap switches from the sealed state to the open state, and the open valve position is in the axial direction relative to the ink outlet forming portion, and the open valve position may be located in the axial direction on the second side of the closed valve position. In this configuration, when the cap is removed, the snap-fit ​​mechanism releases its lock, allowing the projection to move from the first position to the second position in a shorter time. This reduces the time during which the cap is open and the valve is open, even when the cap is removed in a position other than the upright position. Therefore, the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink container is reduced, thus further suppressing ink contamination.

[0064] (4) In the above embodiment, the cap has a cylindrical side wall, the ink outlet forming portion has a cylindrical base end located on the second direction side of the outlet opening, the snap-fit ​​portion has a locking portion formed over the entire circumference of the inner surface of the side wall, and the base end portion may have a locking portion formed over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the base end portion that is locked to the locking portion. According to the above configuration, when the snap-fit ​​mechanism is released, the space between the ink outlet forming part and the cap expands, causing the pressure in this space to decrease compared to the outside. As a result, when the snap-fit ​​mechanism is released, air is more easily drawn into this space from the outside, further reducing the possibility of ink leaking out.

[0065] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than those described above. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a method for manufacturing an ink supply container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100...Printer, 110...Housing, 160...Ink tank housing unit, 162...Lid, 164...Sealing cap member, 165...Sealing cap, 200, 200a...Ink replenishment container, 300...Ink storage section, 312...External thread, 400...Ink outlet forming section, 410...Internal flow path, 412...Screw, 420...Cylindrical section, 450...Outlet opening, 454, 454a...Locking section, 457...Base end, 460...Outlet opening, 470...Protruding section, 500...Valve, 510...Sealing member, 510h...Through hole, 517...Valve housing, 517A...Retaining section, 517B...Engaging section, 520...Valve body, 530...Spring member, 600, 600a...Cap, 601...Top wall 602…Protrusion, 602p…Protrusion end, 603…Side wall, 603fi…Inner circumferential surface, 603p…First end, 603v…Second end, 609,609a…Snap-fit ​​part, 654,654a…Locking part, 660…Sealing part, 662…Bottom wall, 666…Side wall, 700,700L,700S…Ink tank, 710…Ink introduction member, 711…Flow path, 714…Partition wall, 715…Tip, 717…Side, 721…Inner flow path of the tank, 750…Inlet forming part, 760…Ink storage chamber, 820…Hinge, C…Central axis, D1…First direction, D2…Second direction, Ho…Through hole, Ps…Reference position, Pt1…First position, Pt2…Second position, Ra…Rotation trajectory

Claims

1. An ink supply container for replenishing ink in a printer, An ink reservoir configured to contain ink, An ink outlet forming section having an outlet opening on the tip side opposite to the ink storage section, A valve is disposed within the ink outlet forming section including the outlet opening, and causes the internal flow path connecting the ink storage section and the outlet opening to be in either a fluid communication state or a fluid non-communication state. The system includes a cap that is attached to the ink outlet forming portion and has a sealed state that seals the outlet opening, and an open state in which the seal on the outlet opening is released. The valve comprises a sealing member disposed on the tip side, a valve body disposed to be able to move toward and away from the sealing member, and a spring member that biases the valve body in a first direction toward the sealing member. The valve closes when the spring member brings the valve body into contact with the sealing member, thereby preventing the internal flow path from communicating with the fluid. The aforementioned cap is In the sealed state, a projection pushes the valve body in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the projection has a projection end facing the valve body. The valve, at least in the sealed state, opens when the valve body is pushed in the second direction by the projection and moves away from the sealing member, thereby opening the internal flow path and creating a fluid communication state. The aforementioned projection end, in the removal process of removing the cap from the ink outlet forming portion, takes a closed valve position in the open state, which is the closed valve position in the axial direction along the first direction with respect to the ink outlet forming portion. The cap is an ink supply container having a snap-fit ​​portion that, in the sealed state, engages with the ink outlet forming portion by a snap-fit.

2. An ink supply container according to claim 1, The cap is an ink supply container connected to the ink outlet forming portion via a hinge.

3. An ink supply container according to claim 1, The aforementioned projection end, at the time the cap switches from the sealed state to the open state, takes the open valve position in the axial direction relative to the ink outlet forming portion, which causes the valve to be in the open state. The open valve position is located in the axial direction, on the second side, of the closed valve position, of the ink supply container.

4. An ink supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cap has a cylindrical side wall, The ink outlet forming portion has a cylindrical base end located on the second direction side of the outlet opening, The snap-fit ​​portion has a locking portion formed around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the side wall, The base end portion has a locking portion formed over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the base end portion and which is locked to the locking portion.

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