Ink bottle

Abstract

To provide an ink bottle that is less prone to dripping. [Solution] The ink bottle comprises a container member configured to contain ink, a nozzle member connected to the container member and having a central axis, and a lid member attached to the nozzle member. The nozzle member has a nozzle opening on the front end side when the side connected to the container member is considered the rear end side and the side opposite the rear end side is considered the front end side in the direction along the central axis, and the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening has a tapered surface that widens from the rear end side to the front end side.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink bottle. [[Background Art]]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid consumption system including a multifunction peripheral and an ink bottle. This document (for example, FIG. 7) shows a state where ink is injected from a nozzle of an ink bottle into an ink tank of the multifunction peripheral. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-87848 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] However, the ink bottle of Patent Document 1 has a problem that ink dripping to the outside may potentially occur. Specifically, ink injection is performed with the ink bottle tilted or inverted, and after ink injection, the ink bottle is erected such that the opening of the nozzle faces upward. At that time, there was a risk that ink would drip to the outside and contaminate the surrounding area. That is, there has been a demand for an ink bottle that is less likely to cause liquid dripping. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] An ink bottle according to one aspect of the present application comprises: a container member configured to store ink; a nozzle member connected to the container member and having a central axis; and a lid member attached to the nozzle member, wherein when a side connected to the container member in a direction along the central axis is defined as a rear end side, and a side opposite to the rear end side is defined as a tip end side, the nozzle member has a nozzle opening on the tip end side, and an inner peripheral surface of the nozzle opening has a tapered surface that widens from the rear end side toward the tip end side.

[0006] An ink bottle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a container member configured to contain ink, a nozzle member connected to the container member and having a central axis, and a lid member attached to the nozzle member, wherein the nozzle member has a nozzle opening on the front end side when the side connected to the container member is the rear end side and the side opposite the rear end side is the front end side in the direction along the central axis, and the nozzle member further has a stepped portion on its outer circumferential surface, and on the upper surface of the stepped portion when the nozzle opening is facing upward, there is a liquid drip stopper surrounded by an annular wall. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Front view of an ink bottle. [Figure 3] Disassembly diagram of an ink bottle. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of section bb in Figure 2. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to modified example 1. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to modified example 2. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to modified example 3. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to modified example 4. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 5. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a nozzle opening according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiment 1 ***Overview of the Printing Equipment*** Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 100 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a printing medium P. In each drawing, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as three mutually orthogonal axes. Figure 1 shows the printing device 100 positioned on the XY plane with the XY plane aligned with a horizontal plane. The state in which the printing device 100 is placed on the XY plane is called the operating state.

[0009] In the operating state of the printing device 100, the Z-axis is the height direction of the printing device 100, and in a preferred example, it is the vertical direction. On the Z-axis, the direction of the arrow is the +Z direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the -Z direction. The same applies to the X-axis and Y-axis. In Figure 1, the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction, the +Z direction is also called upward or upper side, and the -Z direction is also called downward or lower side.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 100 is equipped with a box-shaped housing 110. Inside the housing 110 is a carriage 120 that is movable in the X direction, which is the main scanning direction. A print head 122 that ejects ink onto the printing medium P is installed on the underside of the carriage 120. The print head 122 is electrically connected to a control unit 123. The control unit 123 is configured with one or more processors and provides overall control over the operation of each part of the printing apparatus 100, including the control of ink droplet ejection by the print head 122.

[0011] An ink supply unit 80 is provided on the side of the housing 110 in the +X direction. In Figure 1, the ink supply unit 80 has four storage compartments 81. However, the number of storage compartments 81 is not limited to four. The storage units 81 are ink-replenishable ink tanks. Four storage units 81 store inks of different colors. An ink supply tube 83 is connected to each storage unit 81. The ink in the storage units 81 is supplied to the print head 122 via the ink supply tube 83. The ink supplied to the print head 122 is ejected as ink droplets from nozzles (not shown) facing the recording medium P side. Note that the ink supply unit 80 may be configured to be provided inside the housing 110.

[0012] In the printing apparatus 100 having the above configuration, the control unit 123 causes the recording medium P to be conveyed in the Y direction, and reciprocates the carriage 120 along the X direction, while causing the print head 122 to eject ink droplets at a predetermined position, thereby performing recording on the recording medium P. Note that the print head 122 is not limited to a carriage type, and may be a line head capable of ejecting liquid over the entire width direction of the printing medium P in one pass.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, an ink injection port 82 is provided on the upper side of the storage portion 81. The ink injection port 82 has a cylindrical shape and is normally sealed with a cap (not shown). The side surface of the storage portion 81 has light transmittance, and is provided such that the remaining amount of ink can be visually recognized from the outside. When refilling the storage portion 81 with ink, as shown in FIG. 1, ink is injected in a state where the cap is opened and the ink injection port 82 is exposed. In a preferred example, ink is injected from the ink bottle 50 shown in FIG. 2. The ink is not limited to either water-based ink or oil-based ink. Further, as the water-based ink, any of those having a configuration in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, and those having a configuration in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium may be used. Further, as the oil-based ink, any of those having a configuration in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an oil-based solvent, and those having a configuration in which a dispersoid such as a pigment is dispersed in an oil-based dispersion medium may be used.

[0014] ***Structure of Ink Bottle*** FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink bottle. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the ink bottle. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the ink bottle 50 in a normal placement state. The normal placement state refers to a state where the ink bottle is placed on a desk or the like along the XY plane with the bottom of the container member 20 facing down. As shown in Fig. 2, the ink bottle 50 is composed of a container member 20, a nozzle member 10, and a cap member 30. The container member 20 is a cylindrical bottle, and a line segment passing through its center is defined as a center line 60. The center line 60 is a line segment along the Z axis, and is also the center line of the nozzle member 10 and the cap member 30. In the upright orientation, the ink bottle 50 is configured such that the nozzle member 10 and the cap member 30 are stacked in this order on the container member 20.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the container member 20 is a hollow cylindrical container having an opening 11 on the distal end side. A cylindrical mouth portion 12 having the opening 11 is provided on the upper side of the container member 20. A male screw 13a for attaching the nozzle member 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 12. In a preferred embodiment, the container member 20 is a resin bottle formed by blow molding PET resin. However, the material of the container member 20 is not limited thereto; a synthetic resin such as PE or PP may be used, or a metal bottle such as aluminum, or a glass bottle may be used.

[0016] The nozzle member 10 is a nozzle portion provided with a nozzle opening 4a for ejecting ink, and is composed of a coupling portion 1, a base portion 2, and a nozzle tip portion 3. The coupling portion 1 is a coupling member for coupling with the mouth portion 12 of the container member 20, and is a cylindrical pedestal portion. Knurling is performed on the outer periphery of the coupling portion 1, and a female screw 13b (Fig. 4) is formed on the inner periphery of the coupling portion 1. The base portion 2 is a cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the coupling portion 1, and the rear end side of the nozzle tip portion 3 is connected to the upper side of the base portion 2. A male screw 14a for attaching the cap member 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the base portion 2.

[0017] The nozzle tip portion 3 is a conical cylindrical flow path member, and is provided with the nozzle opening 4a at its distal end. As shown in Fig. 3, the nozzle opening 4a is provided in a reverse tapered shape at the distal end of the nozzle tip portion 3. Details of the nozzle opening 4a will be described later. In a preferred example, the nozzle member 10 is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin, but is not limited thereto. Examples of synthetic resins include PP, PC, PET, PE, and nylon. The nozzle member 10 is detachably attached to the container member 20 by rotating around the center line 60.

[0018] The lid member 30 is a cylindrical cap, and a female thread 14b (Figure 4) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the opening side. In a preferred example, the lid member 30 is made of synthetic resin, but is not limited thereto. The lid member 30 is attached to the nozzle member 10 so as to be detachable by rotating it around the center line 60 while covering the tip portion 3. In other words, the ink bottle 50 comprises a container member 20 configured to contain ink, a nozzle member 10 connected to the container member 20 and having a central axis 60, and a lid member 30 attached to the nozzle member 10. The nozzle member 10 has a nozzle opening 4a on the tip side when the side connected to the container member 20 is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the tip side in the direction along the central axis 60.

[0019] ***Nozzle component configuration*** Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bb section in Figure 2, and is a side cross-sectional view of the ink bottle 50 with the nozzle member 10 and lid member 30 attached to the container member 20. As shown in Figure 4, when installed, the female thread 13b of the connecting portion 1 of the nozzle member 10 is screwed into the male thread 13a of the mouth portion 12 of the container member 20, and the bottom portion 2b of the base portion 2 is in close contact with the upper surface of the side wall of the opening 11, thus sealing it. A ring-shaped sealing film may be provided between the bottom portion 2b of the base portion 2 and the upper surface of the side wall of the opening 11.

[0020] The tip portion 3 of the nozzle member 10 has a conical shape on its inner surface as well, and is equipped with a non-sloping sealing portion 9 at its tip. The sealing portion 9 is the bottleneck portion of the tip portion 3, and the tip side of the sealing portion 9 is the nozzle opening 4a. As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle opening 4a is provided at the tip of the cylinder end 3 in an inverse taper shape opposite to the inclination of the cylinder end 3. More specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening 4a has a tapered surface 5a that widens from the rear end towards the front end. The angle α between the center line 60 and the tapered surface 5a is preferably 5° to 50°, and more preferably 10° to 40°. In other words, a small funnel-shaped nozzle opening 4a is provided at the tip of the cylinder end 3.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, when attached, the female thread 14b on the opening side of the lid member 30 is screwed into the male thread 14a on the base 2 of the nozzle member 10, and the tip portion 3, including the nozzle opening 4a, is covered by the lid member 30. A plug member 32 is formed on the inner surface of the top plate portion 31 of the lid member 30. The plug member 32 is a cylindrical member, and its tip is chamfered. Note that the attachment of the lid member 30 to the nozzle member 10 is not limited to screwing; for example, an engaging projection may be provided on the inner surface on the opening side of the lid member 30, and an engaging recess may be provided on the base 2 of the nozzle member 10, and the lid member 30 may be attached by engaging the engaging projection and the engaging recess. As shown in Figure 4, when installed, the stopper member 32 of the top plate portion 31 is inserted into the nozzle opening 4a. At this time, the outer circumference of the stopper member 32 and the sealing portion 9 of the cylinder tip portion 3 come into contact and are tightly sealed. This seals the nozzle opening 4a.

[0022] When injecting ink into the storage section 81 of the ink supply unit 80 (Figure 1), the lid member 30 is removed, and the container member 20 is tilted so that the nozzle 3 is facing downwards. After injecting the ink, when returning the container member 20 from the tilted position to the upright position, the tapered surface 5a of the nozzle opening 4a can prevent ink from dripping to the outside. Specifically, ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4a can easily flow down the tapered surface 5a and return to the inside of the nozzle member 10. Therefore, ink is less likely to drip to the outside.

[0023] As described above, the ink bottle 50 of this embodiment provides the following effects. The ink bottle 50 comprises a container member 20 configured to contain ink, a nozzle member 10 connected to the container member 20 and having a central axis 60, and a lid member 30 attached to the nozzle member 10. The nozzle member 10 has a nozzle opening 4a on the tip side when the side connected to the container member 20 is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the tip side in the direction along the central axis 60, and the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening 4a has a tapered surface 5a that widens from the rear end to the tip.

[0024] According to this, after injecting ink from the ink bottle 50, when returning the container member 20 from a tilted position to an upright position, the tapered surface 5a of the nozzle opening 4a can prevent ink from dripping to the outside. Specifically, ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4a can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 via the tapered surface 5a. Therefore, ink is less likely to drip to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0025] ***Example 1*** Figure 5 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 1, and corresponds to Figure 4. An additional protrusion may be provided at the tip of the nozzle opening 4a in Embodiment 1. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0026] The nozzle opening 4b of this modified example shown in Figure 5 has a protruding portion 6a that extends radially outward from the tip of the nozzle opening 4b, when the direction intersecting the center line 60 is defined as the radial direction. The protruding portion 6a is provided in a flange shape radially outward from the tip of the tapered surface 5a. In the preferred example, the upper surface of the protruding portion 6a is convex and forms a large arc shape, and is smoothly continuous with the tapered surface 5a. The nozzle opening 4b of this modified example differs from the nozzle opening 4a of Embodiment 1 in that it has a protruding portion 6a.

[0027] In other words, when the direction intersecting the center line 60 is defined as the radial direction, the nozzle opening 4b has a protruding portion 6a that extends radially outward at the tip, and the protruding portion 6a is continuous with the tapered surface 5a. Due to the presence of the protruding portion 6a in the nozzle opening 4b, ink adhering to the tip is less likely to drip outwards.

[0028] As described above, the modified ink bottle 50 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment. In this modified example, the nozzle opening 4b of the ink bottle 50 has a protruding portion 6a that extends radially outward at the tip, when the direction intersecting the center line 60 is defined as the radial direction, and the protruding portion 6a is continuous with the tapered surface 5a.

[0029] According to this, when the container member 20 is returned from a tilted position to an upright position after ink has been injected using the ink bottle 50, the tapered surface 5a and protruding portion 6a of the nozzle opening 4b can prevent ink from dripping to the outside. Specifically, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4a remains on the protruding portion 6a and is less likely to drip to the outside. Furthermore, because the protruding portion 6a and the tapered surface 5a are smoothly continuous, the ink adhering to the protruding portion 6a can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5a. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0030] ***Differentiation Example 2*** Figure 6 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 2, and corresponds to Figure 5. A flared portion may be provided on the protruding portion 6a of the nozzle opening 4b in Modification 1. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0031] The nozzle opening 4c of this modified example, shown in Figure 6, is equipped with a protruding portion 6b with a return portion 7. The protruding portion 6b extends radially outward from the tip of the tapered surface 5a and is equipped with a return portion 7 that extends from that tip toward the rear end. The protruding portion 6b is curved in a fishhook shape radially outward from the tapered surface 5a, and the return portion 7 is folded back toward the rear end. Furthermore, the top plate portion 31 of the lid member 30 of this modified example is provided with an annular projection 33 instead of a plug member 32 (Figure 4). As shown in Figure 6, the annular projection 33 is an annular projection centered on the center line 60, and is provided so that the end of the return portion 7 contacts its inner wall. The annular projection 33 is a close-contacting wall portion, and a sealing portion is formed by contact with the end of the return portion 7 at the periphery of its inner wall. The nozzle opening 4c of this modified example differs from the nozzle opening 4b of Modified Example 2 in that it is equipped with a return portion 7. The lid member 30 of this modified example differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with an annular projection 33.

[0032] In other words, the protruding portion 6b has a return portion 7 that extends from the tip towards the rear end outside the nozzle opening 4c, and the lid member 30 has an annular projection 33 as a close-contact wall portion that contacts the return portion 7 when attached to the nozzle opening 4c. With the nozzle opening 4c, the annular projection 33 catches any liquid droplets adhering to the return portion 7 in close contact, making it easier to prevent dripping.

[0033] As described above, the modified ink bottle 50 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment and modified example. In the modified example of the ink bottle 50, the nozzle opening 4c of the protruding portion 6b has a return portion 7 that extends from the tip toward the rear end outside the nozzle opening 4c, and the lid member 30 has an annular projection 33 as a close-contact wall portion that contacts the return portion 7 when attached to the nozzle opening 4c.

[0034] According to this, when the container member 20 is returned from a tilted position to an upright position after ink has been injected using the ink bottle 50, the tapered surface 5a and protruding portion 6b of the nozzle opening 4c prevent ink from dripping to the outside. Specifically, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4c remains on the protruding portion 6b and is less likely to drip to the outside. Furthermore, when the lid member 30 is attached after injection, the annular projection 33 is in close contact with the return portion 7 to catch any liquid droplets adhering to it, thus making it easier to prevent liquid from dripping. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0035] ***Example 3*** Figure 7 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 3, and corresponds to Figure 4. In Embodiment 1, the nozzle opening 4a was described as having a straight tapered surface 5a, but the invention is not limited to this, and the tapered surface may be curved. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0036] The inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening 4d in this modified example shown in Figure 7 has a curved tapered surface 5b that widens from the rear end towards the front end. In other words, the tapered surface 5b has a curved shape. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the thickness of the tapered surface 5b is formed to become thinner from the tip end 3 towards the front end. In other words, the nozzle opening 4d is formed so that the thickness t2 at the front end is thinner than the thickness t1 at the rear end. Because the nozzle opening 4d has a trumpet shape that opens towards the front end, ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4d can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the curved tapered surface 5b. In addition, because the thickness of the tapered surface 5b is tapered, the ink cuts off smoothly.

[0037] Furthermore, the tapered surface 5b is treated with a liquid-repellent coating. As the liquid-repellent coating, known water-repellent treatments such as coating with a silicone resin or a fluororesin can be applied. Alternatively, a fine uneven structure may be formed on the surface of the tapered surface 5b to provide a water-repellent effect. In a preferred example, a method can be employed in which a fine uneven structure is formed on the injection molding die and transferred during molding. By applying a liquid-repellent coating to the tapered surface 5b, ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4d returns more smoothly to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5b, so that ink is less likely to remain on the tapered surface 5d. Note that the liquid-repellent coating can also be applied to the tapered surface 5a of the above embodiment and its modified form, and similar effects can be obtained.

[0038] As described above, the modified ink bottle 50 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment and modified example. In this modified example of the ink bottle 50, the nozzle opening 4d has a curved shape, and the nozzle opening 4d is formed so that the thickness t2 at the front end is thinner than the thickness t1 at the rear end.

[0039] According to this, after injecting ink from the ink bottle 50, when returning the container member 20 from a tilted position to an upright position, the curved tapered surface 5b of the nozzle opening 4d can prevent ink from dripping to the outside. Specifically, the curved tapered surface 5b makes it easier for the ink to return to the inside of the nozzle member 10. Furthermore, because the thickness of the tapered surface 5b is tapered, the ink cuts off smoothly. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0040] Furthermore, the tapered surface 5b is treated with a liquid-repellent coating. According to this, by applying a liquid-repellent treatment to the tapered surface 5b, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4d returns more smoothly to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5b, making it less likely for ink to remain on the tapered surface 5d. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0041] ***Modification 4*** Figure 8 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 4, and corresponds to Figure 4. In Embodiment 1, the nozzle opening 4a was described as having one tapered surface 5a, but it is not limited to this, and the tapered surface may have multiple tapered surfaces with different angles. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0042] The inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening 4e in this modified example shown in Figure 9 has a tapered surface 15a. The tapered surface 15a is composed of tapered surface 5a and tapered surface 8a. The angle that tapered surface 5a makes with the center line 60 is angle α. Tapered surface 8a starts from the tip of tapered surface 5a, and the angle that tapered surface 8a makes with the center line 60 is angle β, which is greater than angle α. Tapered surface 15a is a refractive tapered surface that widens by angle α due to tapered surface 5a, and then widens by angle β due to tapered surface 8a. In other words, the tapered surface 15a has tapered surfaces 5a and 8a with different angles, and the angle that the tapered surface 15a makes with the center line 60 is such that the angle β at the tip is greater than the angle α at the rear end. With respect to the nozzle opening 4e, ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4e remains on the large-diameter tapered surface 8a and is less likely to drip to the outside. Furthermore, since the tapered surface 8a is continuous with the tapered surface 5a, ink adhering to the tapered surface 8a can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5a.

[0043] Alternatively, the above-mentioned liquid-repellent treatment may be applied to the tapered surface 15a. By applying the liquid-repellent treatment to the tapered surface 15a, the ink adhering to the tapered surface 8a can more easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 via the tapered surface 5a.

[0044] As described above, the modified ink bottle 50 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment and modified example. According to the nozzle opening 4e of the ink bottle 50 in this modified example, the tapered surface 15a has tapered surfaces 5a and 8a with different angles, and the angle that the tapered surface 15a makes with the center line 60 is such that the angle β at the front end is greater than the angle α at the rear end.

[0045] According to this, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4e remains on the large-diameter tapered surface 8a and is less likely to drip out. Furthermore, since the tapered surface 8a is continuous with the tapered surface 5a, the ink adhering to the tapered surface 8a can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5a. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0046] ***Variation 5*** Figure 9 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Modification 5, and corresponds to Figure 8. In the modified example 4, the tapered surface 15a was described as being composed of two straight tapered surfaces 5a and a tapered surface 8a, but it is not limited to this and may have a curved shape. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0047] The inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening 4f in this modified example shown in Figure 9 has a tapered surface 15b. The tapered surface 15b is composed of a curved tapered surface 5c and a curved tapered surface 8c. As shown in Figure 9, the tapered surface 5c is a curved surface that follows the tapered surface 5a. The tapered surface 8c is a curved surface that follows the tapered surface 8a. There is a smooth continuity between the tapered surface 5c and the tapered surface 8c. In other words, the tapered surfaces 5a and 8a, which have different angles, each have a curved shape, becoming tapered surfaces 5c and 8c. As a result, ink adhering to the tapered surface 8c of the nozzle opening 4f can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the smoothly continuous curved tapered surface 5c.

[0048] Alternatively, the above-mentioned liquid-repellent treatment may be applied to the tapered surface 15b. By applying the liquid-repellent treatment to the tapered surface 15b, the ink adhering to the tapered surface 8c can more easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 via the tapered surface 5c.

[0049] As described above, the modified ink bottle 50 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment and modified example. In this modified example, the nozzle opening 4f of the ink bottle 50 has tapered surfaces 5a and 8a with different angles, and each has a curved shape, becoming tapered surfaces 5c and 8c of the tapered surface 15b.

[0050] According to this, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening 4f remains on the large-diameter tapered surface 8c and is less likely to drip out. Furthermore, since the tapered surface 8c is smoothly continuous with the tapered surface 5c, the ink adhering to the tapered surface 8c can easily return to the inside of the nozzle member 10 by traveling along the tapered surface 5c. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink bottle 50 that is less prone to dripping.

[0051] Embodiment 2 Figure 10 shows an example of a nozzle opening according to Embodiment 2, and corresponds to Figure 4. In Embodiment 1, the nozzle member 10 was described as having a drip-prevention function at the nozzle opening 4a, but it is not limited to this, and a drip-prevention mechanism may be provided in other parts. Hereafter, the same parts as in the above embodiment will be numbered, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0052] The ink bottle 51 of this embodiment, shown in Figure 10, is equipped with a nozzle member 18 that is different from the nozzle member 10 (Figure 4). As shown in Figure 10, the base 2 of the nozzle member 18 is provided with a stepped portion 28 at its upper part. The stepped portion 28 has an annular wall portion 25 that surrounds the upper part of the base 2. The wall portion 25 is erected to surround the nozzle portion 23 that rises from the upper part of the base portion 2, and forms a concave liquid reservoir portion 26 between it and the nozzle portion 23. The nozzle portion 23 is a standard nozzle that tapers from the rear end to the front end, and does not have a reverse taper portion at the nozzle opening 23a. After ink injection, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle 23 drips down the tapered outer surface of the nozzle 23 towards the rear end, but it collects in the liquid reservoir 26 and does not drip outside. In other words, the liquid reservoir 26 functions as a drip stopper.

[0053] In other words, the ink bottle 51 comprises a container member 20 configured to contain ink, a nozzle member 18 connected to the container member 20 and having a central axis 60, and a lid member 30 attached to the nozzle member 18. The nozzle member 18 has a nozzle opening 23a on the tip side when the side connected to the container member 20 is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the tip side in the direction along the central axis 60. The nozzle member 18 further has a stepped portion 28 on its outer circumferential surface, and the stepped portion 28, when the nozzle opening 23a is facing upward, has a liquid reservoir portion 26 surrounded by an annular wall portion 25 to prevent liquid from dripping. Alternatively, the aforementioned nozzle tip 3 may be used instead of the nozzle tip 23. More specifically, the nozzle member 18 may be a nozzle tip 3 equipped with a reverse-tapered nozzle opening 4. Even with this configuration, the liquid reservoir 26 can function as a drip stopper.

[0054] As described above, the modified ink bottle 51 provides the following effects in addition to those of the above embodiment and modification. The ink bottle 51 comprises a container member 20 configured to contain ink, a nozzle member 18 connected to the container member 20 and having a central axis 60, and a lid member 30 attached to the nozzle member 18. The nozzle member 18 has a nozzle opening 23a on the tip side when the side connected to the container member 20 is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the tip side in the direction along the central axis 60. The nozzle member 18 further has a stepped portion 28 on its outer circumferential surface, and the stepped portion 28, when the nozzle opening 23a is facing upward, has a liquid reservoir portion 26 surrounded by an annular wall 25 to prevent liquid from dripping.

[0055] According to this, after injecting ink from the ink bottle 51, when the container member 20 is returned from a tilted position to an upright position, the ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle portion 23 will drip down the tapered surface of the outer circumference of the nozzle portion 23 towards the rear end, but it will collect in the liquid reservoir portion 26, preventing it from dripping to the outside. In other words, the liquid reservoir portion 26 functions as a liquid drip stopper. Therefore, an ink bottle 51 that is less prone to dripping can be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...Joint part, 2...Base part, 2b...Bottom part, 3...Cylinder tip part, 4...Nozzle opening, 4a...Nozzle opening, 4b...Nozzle opening, 4c...Nozzle opening, 4d...Nozzle opening, 4e...Nozzle opening, 4f...Nozzle opening, 5a...Tapered surface, 5b...Tapered surface, 5c...Tapered surface, 5d...Tapered surface, 6a...Protruding part, 6b...Protruding part, 7...Return part, 8a...Tapered surface, 8c...Tapered surface, 9...Seal part, 10...Nozzle member, 11...Opening, 12...Mouth part, 13a...Male thread, 13b...Female thread, 14a...Male thread, 14b...Female thread, 15a...T Tapered surface, 15b...Tapered surface, 18...Nozzle member, 20...Container member, 23...Cylinder tip, 23a...Nozzle opening, 25...Wall, 26...Liquid reservoir, 28...Stepped section, 30...Lid member, 31...Top plate, 32...Stopper member, 33...Annular projection, 50...Ink bottle, 51...Ink bottle, 60...Centerline, 80...Ink supply unit, 81...Storage section, 82...Ink inlet, 83...Ink supply tube, 100...Printing device, 110...Housing, 120...Carriage, 122...Print head, 123...Control unit, t1...Thickness, t2...Thickness, α...Angle, β...Angle.

Claims

1. A container member configured to hold ink, A nozzle member connected to the container member and having a central axis, The nozzle member is fitted with a lid member, The nozzle member, when the side connecting to the container member is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the front end in the direction along the central axis, has a nozzle opening on the front end side. The inner circumferential surface of the nozzle opening has a tapered surface that widens from the rear end towards the front end. Ink bottle.

2. When the direction intersecting the central axis is defined as the radial direction, the nozzle opening has a protruding portion at its tip that extends outward in the radial direction. The aforementioned protruding portion is continuous with the tapered surface. The ink bottle according to claim 1.

3. The protruding portion has a return portion that extends from the tip toward the rear end on the outside of the nozzle member, The lid member has a close-contact wall portion that contacts the return portion when attached to the nozzle member. The ink bottle according to claim 2.

4. The tapered surface has a curved shape. The ink bottle according to claim 1.

5. The nozzle opening is formed such that the thickness at the front end is thinner than the thickness at the rear end. The ink bottle according to claim 1.

6. The tapered surface has multiple surfaces with different angles, The angle that the tapered surface makes with the central axis is such that the tip side is larger than the rear end side. The ink bottle according to claim 1.

7. Each of the aforementioned surfaces with different angles has a curved shape. The ink bottle according to claim 6.

8. The tapered surface is treated with a liquid-repellent coating. An ink bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A container member configured to hold ink, A nozzle member connected to the container member and having a central axis, The nozzle member is fitted with a lid member, The nozzle member, when the side connecting to the container member is considered the rear end and the side opposite the rear end is considered the front end in the direction along the central axis, has a nozzle opening on the front end side. The nozzle member further has a stepped portion on its outer circumferential surface, and the stepped portion, when the nozzle opening is facing upward, has a liquid drip stopper surrounded by an annular wall. Ink bottle.

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