Caps and liquid containers

Abstract

To provide a cap for a liquid container which can reduce flow of liquid stuck to an inner surface along the inner surface.SOLUTION: A nozzle cap 133 is a cap for a liquid container that is attached to a bottle 130 and has an internal space 121 formed to contain openings 184 and 186 of the bottle 130. The nozzle cap 133 includes an opening 122 leading to the internal space 121, inner surfaces 119 and 120 defining the internal space 121, and a rib 127 extending from the bottom of the inner surfaces 119 and 120 toward the opening 122.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap for a liquid container that is attached to a liquid container to cover a liquid outlet of the liquid container. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a liquid supplying device that can supply ink from a liquid container (eg, a bottle) to a tank in which liquid (eg, ink) is stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the liquid supply device, the bottle is attached to the tank when supplying ink to the tank. When the bottle is attached to the tank, the inside of the bottle communicates with the inside of the tank through a liquid outlet provided in the bottle. On the other hand, when the bottle is not attached to the tank, the liquid outlet is closed by a cap. The cap is attached to the bottle to cover the liquid outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-205528 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a bottle is set in a tank to supply ink to the tank, ink may adhere to the area around the bottle's liquid outlet. When a cap is then attached to the bottle, the ink that has adhered to the area around the liquid outlet may adhere to the cap. If the ink that has adhered to the cap flows along the inner surface of the cap, the flowing ink may stain the desk or other surface when the cap is placed on the desk.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a cap for a liquid container that can reduce liquid adhering to the inner surface from flowing along the inner surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A cap according to the present invention is for a liquid container that is attached to a liquid container and has an internal space that accommodates a liquid outlet of the liquid container. The cap according to the present invention includes an opening that communicates with the internal space, an inner circumferential surface that defines the internal space, and a first rib that extends from a bottom of the inner circumferential surface toward the opening.

[0008] When the cap is attached to a liquid container having a liquid outlet at its tip, the liquid flowing out from the liquid outlet of the liquid container adheres to the first rib. The liquid adhering to the first rib has difficulty flowing along the inner peripheral surface of the cap due to surface tension.

[0009] (2) The first ribs are provided in plurality at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface.

[0010] The flow of liquid can be reduced over a wide area.

[0011] (3) The position of the tip of the first rib on the opening side is closer to the opening than the bottom of the inner circumferential surface.

[0012] Since the first rib extends close to the opening, the first rib acts as a guide when the nozzle is attached to the cap.

[0013] (4) When the opening faces vertically downward, the end face of the first rib closest to the opening extends horizontally.

[0014] Since the end face of the first rib extends horizontally, liquid that flows along the first rib and reaches the end face of the first rib can be reduced from passing through the first rib toward the opening.

[0015] (5) The cap according to the present invention includes a second rib extending from the bottom of the inner circumferential surface toward the opening to a position closer to the opening than the first rib.

[0016] When the cap is attached to the liquid container, the second rib can guide the tip of the liquid container to the bottom of the cap.

[0017] (6) When the opening faces vertically downward, the end face of the second rib closest to the opening extends toward the inner circumferential surface as it approaches the opening.

[0018] Since the end face of the second rib is inclined, when the cap is attached to the liquid container, the second rib can easily guide the leading end of the liquid container to the bottom of the cap.

[0019] (7) The cap according to the present invention has an annular rib that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface toward the opening in the internal space.

[0020] The liquid adhering to the inner circumferential surface and flowing along the inner circumferential surface is guided to the annular rib, thereby reducing leakage of the liquid to the outside of the cap through the opening.

[0021] (8) The cap according to the present invention has an engagement portion that is located on the inner circumferential surface closer to the opening than the annular rib is, and that engages with the liquid container to maintain the cap attached to the liquid container.

[0022] Since the engaging portion is located closer to the opening than the annular rib, adhesion of liquid to the engaging portion can be reduced.

[0023] (9) The outer diameter of the opening side of the cap is larger than the outer diameter of the bottom side of the cap.

[0024] When the cap is placed on a desk with its outer periphery facing down, the cap is tilted with its bottom facing downwards, which reduces the leakage of liquid adhering to the inner periphery of the cap through the opening.

[0025] In addition, even if the cap rolls on a desk or the like, the cap rolls with the open side revolving around the bottom, which reduces the possibility of the cap rolling and falling off the desk or the like.

[0026] (10) The cap according to the present invention has a protrusion protruding from its outer circumferential surface.

[0027] If the cap rolls on a desk or the like, the protrusions can stop the cap from rolling.

[0028] Furthermore, when removing the cap attached to the liquid container from the liquid container, the user can easily remove the cap from the liquid container by gripping the projection.

[0029] (11) The present invention can also be understood as a liquid container having the above-mentioned cap attached thereto, a storage chamber for storing liquid, and the above-mentioned liquid outlet port communicating the above-mentioned storage chamber with the outside. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the cap of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the flow of liquid adhering to the inner circumferential surface along the inner circumferential surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a multifunction device 10. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the tank set 99. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tank set 99 and the bottle 130. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottle 130. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bottle 130. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottle cap 132. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the bottle cap 132. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bottle cap 132. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the nozzle cap 133. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the nozzle cap 133. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the nozzle cap 133. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the front part of the ink tank 100 and the bottle 130 in the installed state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14(A) is a plan view of a bottle cap 132 in a modified example, and FIG. 14(B) is a bottom view of the bottle cap 132 in the modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bottle cap 132 in a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a bottle cap 132 in a modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a nozzle cap 133 in a modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a nozzle cap 133 in a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a nozzle cap 133 in a modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of a nozzle cap 133 in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point is expressed as the direction, and the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, the direction is one component of the direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the posture in which the multifunction device 10 is installed on a horizontal surface so that it can be used (the posture in FIG. 1, which may be referred to as the "use posture"), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface in which the opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided as the front, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. In this embodiment, in the use posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[0033] [Overall configuration of multifunction device 10] As shown in Fig. 1, the multifunction device 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see Fig. 2) by inkjet recording. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14. The housing 14 has a main body 34 with an opening 13 formed in a front wall 229, and an opening / closing lid 230 supported by the main body 34.

[0034] 2, there are arranged inside the main body 34 of the housing 14 a feeding section 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller section 54, a recording section 24, a discharge roller section 55, a platen 42, and a tank set 99 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a printing function.

[0035] 1 and 2 , the feed tray 20, which holds the paper 12, is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10 by a user along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The discharge tray 21 supports the discharged paper 12. The feed unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 to a transport path 65.

[0036] The transport path 65 extends upward at the rear of the printer unit 11, makes a U-turn forward, passes through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42, and reaches the discharge tray 21. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 from below. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 2.

[0037] The transport roller unit 54 transports the paper 12 fed to the transport path 65 in the transport direction 16 to between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. The discharge roller unit 55 transports the paper 12 on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16 to the discharge tray 21.

[0038] The recording unit 24 is disposed between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is disposed opposite the platen 42 in the up-down direction 7, with a transport path 65 in between. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 that is movable in the left-right direction 9, and a recording head 39.

[0039] An ink tube 32 (see FIG. 4) extends from the carriage 23. The ink tube 32 connects a tank set 99 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and a recording head 39. The ink tube 32 supplies ink (an example of liquid) stored in each ink tank 100 of the tank set 99 to the recording head 39. Four ink tubes 32, through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, yellow) flows, are provided corresponding to each ink tank 100.

[0040] 2, the carriage 23 is equipped with a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the bottom surface of the recording head 39. As the carriage 23 moves, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by a platen 42. This causes an image to be recorded on the paper 12.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, an opening / closing lid 230 is attached to the main body 34. An accommodation space is formed behind the opening / closing lid 230 in the main body 34. The opening / closing lid 230 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in Fig. 1) in which the accommodation space is closed, and an open position in which the accommodation space is opened. When the opening / closing lid 230 is in the open position, a portion of each of the ink tank 100 and the holding member 110 (see Figs. 3 and 4) can be seen from the outside.

[0042] [Tank Set 99] 3 and 4 is housed in the housing space of the main body 34. The tank set 99 stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 39. The tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100 each storing a different color of ink, and a holding member 110. It is noted that the tank set 99 does not necessarily have to include the holding member 110.

[0043] [Ink Tank 100] 3 and 4, the ink tank 100 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape with a short dimension in the left-right direction 9 and longer dimensions in each of the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 than the dimension in the left-right direction 9. The dimension in the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension in the up-down direction 7. The ink tank 100 has an opening on one side, which is sealed with a film.

[0044] The ink tank 100 is formed from a resin having a translucency such that the ink in the ink storage chamber 111 that stores the ink can be seen from the outside of the ink tank 100 .

[0045] The ink tank 100 has a standing wall 102 and an inclined wall 106. The standing wall 102 and the inclined wall 106 are part of the resin and define the front side of the storage chamber 111. The standing wall 102 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The inclined wall 106 extends upward from the upper end of the standing wall 102 and then toward the rear. Of the walls constituting the ink tank 100, it is sufficient that at least the standing wall 102 is made of a resin having translucency, and the walls other than the standing wall 102 do not need to have translucency.

[0046] The standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through an opening 81 (see FIG. 3) of the holding member 110 and an opening 232 (see FIG. 1) of the opening / closing lid 230. With this configuration, the standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100 is visible from outside the multifunction device 10 even when the opening / closing lid 230 is in the closed position, and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank 100.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, a first mark 146 and a second mark 147 are formed on the standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100.

[0048] First mark 146 extends in left-right direction 9. The position of first mark 146 in up-down direction 7 is at the same height as the ink level when the maximum amount of ink that is permissible for storage is stored in storage chamber 111 with multifunction device 10 in the usage position. In other words, first mark 146 indicates the ink level and height when the maximum amount of ink that is permissible for storage is stored in storage chamber 111.

[0049] The second mark 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second mark 147 is located lower than the first mark 146. The position of the second mark 147 in the up-down direction 7 is at the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the minimum amount of ink that requires refilling is stored in the storage chamber 111 while the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position.

[0050] The heights of the first mark 146 and the second mark 147 are not limited to those described above. Also, the ink tank 100 does not necessarily have to have the first mark 146 and the second mark 147.

[0051] The ink tank 100 has an atmosphere communication hole 98. The atmosphere communication hole 98 communicates between the storage chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the atmosphere communication hole 98 communicates between the storage chamber 111 and the atmosphere.

[0052] 3, a through hole 112 for injecting ink into the storage chamber 111 is formed in the inclined wall 106 of the ink tank 100. When the opening / closing cover 230 is in the open position, the through hole 112 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22.

[0053] The through hole 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106. The through hole 112 extends in an inclined direction so as to extend downward toward the rear. The inclined direction is a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9. One end of the through hole 112 communicates with the storage chamber 111. The other end of the through hole 112 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the through hole 112 communicates between the storage chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100.

[0054] The through hole 112 has a circular shape when viewed along the inclination direction, and is defined by a circumferential inner surface 114 of an annular rib 109 formed in the inclined wall 106 and protruding from the outer surface of the inclined wall 106 (see FIG. 13). The shape of the through hole 112 is determined depending on the shape of a nozzle 161, which will be described later.

[0055] As described later, the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 (an example of a liquid container, see FIG. 4) is inserted into the through-hole 112, thereby connecting the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 (see FIGS. 4 and 13). The bottle 130 and the ink tank 100 form a system 5. The bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100, whereby the ink in the bottle 130 is replenished into the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100. The timing of this replenishment is, for example, when the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 becomes low, specifically, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 111 becomes equal to or lower than the second mark 147. Of course, the ink may be replenished from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 at a timing other than the above.

[0056] [Retaining member 110] 3 and 4, the holding member 110 holds the four ink tanks 100 in a row from the front in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. When holding the ink tanks 100, the holding member 110 covers the front of the ink tanks 100.

[0057] The holding member 110 has openings 81 and 82. A first mark 146 and a second mark 147 formed on the standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 81 of the holding member 110 and the opening 232 of the opening / closing lid 230. The through hole 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 110 through the opening 82.

[0058] [Bottle 130] Bottle 130 shown in Fig. 5 stores ink. As shown in Fig. 5, bottle 130 includes bottle body 131, bottle cap 132 that is detachable from bottle body 131, and nozzle cap 133 (an example of a cap) that is detachable from bottle cap 132.

[0059] In the following description, in a state where the bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131 and the nozzle cap 133 is attached to the bottle cap 132, that is, in the attached state shown in Figures 5 and 6, the direction in which the bottle cap 132 protrudes from the bottle body 131 is defined as a first direction 134 (see Figure 6). In addition, in the attached state, the direction opposite to the first direction 134 is defined as a second direction 135 (see Figure 8). In addition, in the attached state, the direction around the axial direction of the bottle 130, which is approximately cylindrical in shape (directions along the first direction 134 and second direction 135), is defined as a circumferential direction 136.

[0060] [Bottle body 131] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle body 131 includes a bottom wall 150, a first side wall 151, a second side wall 152, and a third side wall 153.

[0061] The bottom wall 150 is a generally circular wall. The first side wall 151 is a cylindrical wall extending in the first direction 134 from the outer edge of the bottom wall 150. The second side wall 152 extends in the first direction 134 from the end of the first side wall 151 in the first direction 134 while inclining in a direction that reduces the diameter of the bottle body 131. The third side wall 153 is a cylindrical wall extending in the first direction 134 from the end of the second side wall 152 in the first direction 134.

[0062] 6, a space defined by the bottom wall 150, the first side wall 151, the second side wall 152, and the third side wall 153 is a storage chamber 154. Ink is stored in the storage chamber 154.

[0063] The third side wall 153 has an opening 155 at an end in the first direction 134. The storage chamber 154 communicates with the outside of the bottle body 131 through the opening 155.

[0064] The third side wall 153 has a male thread 156 on its outer circumferential surface. The third side wall 153 has a circular rib 157 at the end of the inner circumferential surface in the first direction 134, which extends along the inner circumferential surface.

[0065] In this embodiment, the bottle body 131 is generally cylindrical, but may be another shape (for example, a rectangular prism shape). At least the first side wall 151 of the bottle body 131 is flexible. This allows the first side wall 151 to deform. The volume of the storage chamber 154 changes as the first side wall 151 deforms.

[0066] [Bottle Cap 132] As shown in Fig. 7, the bottle cap 132 is a single member. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the bottle cap 132 is detachable from the bottle body 131. Note that the bottle cap 132 may be integral with the bottle body 131.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottle cap 132 includes a cap body 160, a nozzle 161, an annular protrusion 162, and a rib 163.

[0068] [Cap body 160] The cap body 160 includes a bottom wall 164 and a side wall 165. The bottom wall 164 is a generally circular wall. The side wall 165 is a generally cylindrical wall extending in the second direction 135 from the outer edge of the bottom wall 164.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 8, the side wall 165 has a female thread 167 on its inner circumferential surface 166. The female thread 167 can be screwed into the male thread 156 of the bottle body 131 (see Fig. 6). The bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131 by screwing the male thread 156 into the female thread 167 (see Figs. 6 and 7).

[0070] 7, the bottom wall 164 has a protrusion 169 protruding from an outer surface 168 thereof in the first direction 134. The protrusion 169 is located around an outer circumferential surface 191 of the annular projection 162 and abuts against the outer circumferential surface 191.

[0071] The protrusion 169 is generally triangular in side view, and has inclined surfaces 170, 171 that are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 170 is a surface that extends in the first direction 134 as it moves toward one side of the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 171 is a surface that extends in the first direction 134 as it moves toward the other side of the circumferential direction 136.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 8, the bottom wall 164 has an annular protrusion 173 protruding from its inner surface 172 in the second direction 135. As shown in Fig. 6, in the attached state, the annular protrusion 173 is inserted into the bottle body 131 through the opening 155 and abuts liquid-tightly against the annular rib 157 of the third side wall 153. This prevents the ink in the storage chamber 154 from flowing out through the opening 155.

[0073] 7, the side wall 165 has a mark 175 on its outer circumferential surface 174. As shown in Fig. 9, when the bottle cap 132 is viewed along the second direction 135, the mark 175 is provided at a position opposite to a second flow path 182 described later with respect to a first flow path 181 described later, and at a position opposite to the first flow path 181 with respect to the second flow path 182. In this embodiment, when the bottle cap 132 is viewed along the second direction 135, the two marks 175, the first flow path 181, and the second flow path 182 are located on a straight line, and the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are sandwiched between the two marks 175.

[0074] The two marks 175, the first flow path 181, and the second flow path 182 do not have to be positioned on a straight line. In this embodiment, the mark 175 has an arrow shape pointing in the first direction 137, but the shape of the mark 175 is not limited to the arrow shape. The bottle cap 132 does not have to have the mark 175.

[0075] 7, side wall 165 has a plurality of ribs 176 extending along first direction 134 on outer circumferential surface 174 thereof. Ribs 176 are provided other than the portion where mark 175 is provided and the surrounding area. By providing ribs 176, when a user grips outer circumferential surface 174, the user's hand is less likely to slip.

[0076] [Nozzle 161] 6 and 7, the nozzle 161 protrudes in the first direction 134 from an outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164 of the cap body 160. That is, in the attached state, the nozzle 161 protrudes in the first direction 134 from the bottle body 131 via the cap body 160.

[0077] The nozzle 161 may protrude from the bottom wall 164 in the first direction 134 and may also protrude from the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135. In this case, the nozzle 161 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom wall 164. In this embodiment, the nozzle 161 has a portion 159 that protrudes slightly from the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

[0078] Nozzle 161 has a generally cylindrical shape. Nozzle 161 has an outer peripheral surface 177 that is a circumferential surface. As shown in Fig. 8, outer peripheral surface 178, which is a part of outer peripheral surface 177, extends in first direction 134 while inclining in a direction that reduces the diameter of nozzle 161. Note that nozzle 161 may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape, for example, a square prism shape.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the nozzle 161 has a first flow path 181 and a second flow path 182.

[0080] The first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 penetrate the nozzle 161 along the first direction 134. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 extend along the first direction 134, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 may be curved. The length of the first flow path 181 along the ink flow direction is the same as the length of the second flow path 182 along the ink flow direction. In the present embodiment, the ink flow direction is the direction in which the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 penetrate, that is, the first direction 134. The length of the first flow path 181 along the ink flow direction may be different from the length of the second flow path 182 along the ink flow direction.

[0081] The first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 have the same shape and the same size. In other words, the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path 181 are the same as the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path 182. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 are both circular, and the areas of the circles are the same. The cross-sectional shapes of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 may be shapes other than circular. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 181 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path 182, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path 181 may be different from the cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path 182.

[0082] In the attached state, one end of the first flow path 181 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through an opening 183. The other end of the first flow path 181 communicates with the outside of the nozzle 161 through an opening 184. In the attached state, one end of the second flow path 182 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through an opening 185. The other end of the second flow path 182 communicates with the outside of the nozzle 161 through an opening 186. In this embodiment, the storage chamber 154 and the outside of the bottle body 131 communicate only through the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182. The openings 184 and 186 are examples of liquid outlets.

[0083] The openings 183 and 185 are formed in a base end surface 180 that constitutes the end of the nozzle 161 in the second direction 135. In the attached state, the base end surface 180, together with the inner surface 172 of the bottom wall 164 of the cap body 160, defines the end of the storage chamber 154 in the first direction 134. Note that the openings 183 and 185 may be formed on different surfaces.

[0084] The openings 183, 185 are circular. The openings 183, 185 may be a shape other than circular. In addition, the openings 183, 185 may be formed anywhere in the base end portion of the nozzle 161, and are not limited to the base end surface 180.

[0085] When nozzle 161 has portion 159 protruding in second direction 135 from inner surface 172 of bottom wall 164, the base end of nozzle 161 is protruding portion 159. In this case, it is base end surface 180 that constitutes the end of protruding portion 159 in second direction 135. In this case, openings 183, 185 may be formed on the side surface of protruding portion 159 (the surface extending from inner surface 172 to base end surface 180).

[0086] When the nozzle 161 does not protrude from the bottom wall 164 in the second direction 135, the base end of the nozzle 161 is the base end surface 180. In this case, the base end surface 180 is flush with the inner surface 172 of the bottom wall 164. In other words, the base end surface 180 constitutes a part of the inner surface 172. When the base end surface 180 is flush with the inner surface 172, the base end surface 180 is a surface that defines the lower end of the storage chamber 154 when the tip of the nozzle 161 is in a vertically downward position in the attached state. The position in which the tip of the nozzle 161 is facing vertically downward is the position of the nozzle 161 in which the first direction 134 is vertically downward in FIG. 8.

[0087] 7 and 8, the openings 184, 186 are formed in a tip surface 179 that constitutes the end of the nozzle 161 in the first direction 134. In other words, the openings 184, 186 are formed on the same surface.

[0088] The openings 184, 186 are circular. Note that the openings 184, 186 may be a shape other than circular. Also, the openings 184, 186 may be formed anywhere as long as it is at the tip of the nozzle 161, and is not limited to the tip surface 179. The tip of the nozzle 161 is, for example, a portion of the nozzle 161 that is constituted by the tip surface 179 and the outer circumferential surface 177.

[0089] When the tip of nozzle 161 is in a position facing vertically downward (when openings 184 and 186 are in a position facing vertically downward), opening 183 is at the same height as opening 185, and opening 184 is at the same height as opening 186. Note that, in this position, openings 183 and 185 may be at different heights, and openings 184 and 186 may be at different heights.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the nozzle 161 has a recess 187 on its outer circumferential surface 177. The recess 187 extends in the first direction 134 from the vicinity of the base end to the vicinity of the tip end of the nozzle 161. In this embodiment, the recess 187 is formed in two places (see FIG. 9), but the recess 187 may be formed in one place or three or more places. In this embodiment, the recess 187 extends from the vicinity of the base end to the vicinity of the tip end of the nozzle 161, but it is sufficient that the recess 187 extends from the inside (storage chamber 111) of the ink tank 100 to the outside at least in a state in which the nozzle 161 is inserted into the through hole 112 of the ink tank 100 (the state shown in FIG. 13). The nozzle 161 does not have to have the recess 187.

[0091] 7 and 8, the nozzle 161 has a recess 188 at its tip. The recess 188 is defined by a tip surface 179 and an inner circumferential surface 190 of an annular rib 189 protruding from the outer edge of the tip surface 179 in the first direction 134. In other words, the tip surface 179 is recessed from the tip of the nozzle 161 (the tip of the annular rib 189). The inner circumferential surface 190 extends toward the outer edge of the tip surface 179 as it moves from the tip surface 179 in the first direction 134. In other words, the inner circumferential surface 190 extends in the first direction 134 while inclining in a direction that expands the diameter of the recess 188.

[0092] Note that the inner circumferential surface 190 may extend along the first direction 134 without being inclined. Furthermore, the nozzle 161 may not have the recess 188. In other words, the tip of the nozzle 161 may not be recessed.

[0093] [Annular protrusion 162] 7 and 8, the annular protrusion 162 protrudes from an outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164 in the first direction 134. The annular protrusion 162 protrudes from the periphery of the nozzle 161. In other words, when the bottle cap 132 is viewed in the second direction 135, the annular protrusion 162 surrounds the nozzle 161. As a result, a groove 193 extending in the circumferential direction 136 is formed by the annular protrusion 162, the nozzle 161, and the bottom wall 164.

[0094] The protruding length of the annular protrusion 162 is shorter than the protruding length of the nozzle 161. In other words, the end of the annular protrusion 162 in the first direction 134 is further in the second direction 135 than the end of the nozzle 161 in the first direction 134.

[0095] The annular protrusion 162 has a protrusion 192 on its outer circumferential surface 191. The protrusion 192 protrudes from the tip of the annular protrusion 162. The protrusion 192 extends around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface 191. In other words, the protrusion 192 has a circular ring shape. As shown in Fig. 8, the protrusion 192 engages with the protrusion 125 (an example of an engaging portion) of the nozzle cap 133 in the attached state.

[0096] [Rib 163] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the rib 163 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 177 of the nozzle 161. The rib 163 extends along the first direction 134 from the base end to the tip of the nozzle 161. As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the rib 163 in the second direction 135 abuts against the outer surface 168 of the bottom wall 164. The end of the rib 163 in the first direction 134 is located closer to the first direction 134 than the annular protrusion 162. In other words, the rib 163 extends closer to the tip of the nozzle 161 than the annular protrusion 162. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the end of the rib 163 in the first direction 134 is located closer to the second direction 135 than the outer peripheral surface 178 of the nozzle 161.

[0097] The ribs 163 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. That is, as shown in Fig. 9, the multiple ribs 163 protrude radially from the center of the nozzle 161 (the axial center of the cylindrical shape).

[0098] Conversely, the annular protrusion 162 may extend closer to the tip of the nozzle 161 than the rib 163, or the ends of the annular protrusion 162 and the rib 163 in the first direction 134 may be at the same position. Also, the number of ribs 163 does not need to be multiple, and only one may be provided. Also, the bottle cap 132 does not need to have the rib 163.

[0099] [Nozzle cap 133] As shown in Fig. 10, the nozzle cap 133 is a single member and has a generally cylindrical shape. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the nozzle cap 133 is detachable from the bottle cap 132. The nozzle cap 133 is detachable from the bottle body 131 via the bottle cap 132.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the nozzle cap 133 includes a bottom wall 115, a first side wall 116, and a second side wall 117.

[0101] The bottom wall 115 is a circular wall. The first side wall 116 is a cylindrical wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall 115 in the second direction 135. The second side wall 117 extends in the second direction 135 from the end of the first side wall 116 in the second direction 135 while inclining in a direction that expands the diameter of the nozzle cap 133, and extends from the end of the inclined portion in the second direction 135 generally along the second direction 135. The outer diameter of the second side wall 117 is larger than the outer diameter of the first side wall 116. In other words, the outer diameter of the end side of the nozzle cap 133 in the second direction 135 (the opening 122 side described later) is larger than the outer diameter of the end side of the nozzle cap 133 in the first direction 134 (the bottom wall 115 side). Note that the outer diameter of the nozzle cap 133 on the opening 122 side may be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the nozzle cap 133 on the bottom wall 115 side.

[0102] 11 and 12, an internal space 121 of the nozzle cap 133 is defined by an inner surface 118 of the bottom wall 115, an inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116, and an inner surface 120 of the second side wall 117. An opening 122 that communicates with the internal space 121 from the outside is defined by an end 135 of the inner surface 120. The inner surfaces 119 and 120 are examples of inner circumferential surfaces.

[0103] 6, in the attached state, the nozzle 161 and the annular protrusion 162 of the bottle cap 132 are in the internal space 121. That is, in the attached state, the nozzle cap 133 accommodates the nozzle 161 and the annular protrusion 162 in the internal space 121.

[0104] 11 and 12, bottom wall 115 has recess 123 on inner surface 118. As shown in FIG. 6, in the attached state, the tip of nozzle 161 is inserted into recess 123. Side surface 124 defining recess 123 abuts liquid-tightly against outer peripheral surface 177 of the tip of nozzle 161. This makes it possible to prevent ink that has flowed out from inside storage chamber 154 to the outside through openings 184, 186 from dripping onto outer peripheral surface 177 of nozzle 161. In other words, it is possible to reduce the outflow of ink.

[0105] The configuration for reducing the outflow of ink in the storage chamber 154 is not limited to the configuration in which the side surface 124 abuts against the outer circumferential surface 177, but may be any configuration in which the inner surface of the bottle cap 132 abuts liquid-tight against the nozzle 161 around the openings 184, 186. For example, the outflow of ink in the storage chamber 154 may be reduced by the inner surface 118 of the bottom wall 115 (a part of the inner surface of the bottle cap 132, see FIGS. 11 and 12) abutting liquid-tight against the tip surface 179 (see FIG. 9) of the nozzle 161 in the second direction 135 to close the openings 184, 186.

[0106] 11 and 12, the second side wall 117 has a protrusion 125 on the inner surface 120. The protrusions 125 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. In this embodiment, the protrusions 125 are not point-symmetric with respect to the axis of the annular protrusion 162 (a line that runs along the first direction 134 and passes through the center of the ring of the annular protrusion 162) with respect to the other protrusions 125. In this embodiment, three protrusions 125 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction 136. As a result, the two protrusions 125 are not point-symmetric with respect to the axis.

[0107] In the process of attaching nozzle cap 133 to bottle cap 132, convex portion 125 presses convex portion 192 (see FIG. 7) of annular projection 162 of bottle cap 132, elastically deforming it, and climbs over convex portion 192. As a result, in the attached state, convex portion 125 and convex portion 192 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 6. This engagement maintains the attached state.

[0108] Note that only one protrusion 125 may be formed instead of multiple protrusions 125. Furthermore, protrusions 125 may be located at positions that are point symmetric with other protrusions 125 with respect to the axis of annular protrusion 162. Furthermore, protrusions 125 may be provided over the entire circumference of inner surface 120 in circumferential direction 136.

[0109] 11 and 12, in the internal space 121, an annular rib 126 protrudes in the second direction 135 from an end portion in the second direction 135 of the inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116 (a boundary portion with the inner surface 120 of the second side wall 117) toward the opening 122. As shown in Fig. 12, the annular rib 126 is located in the first direction 134 closer to the protruding portion 125. In other words, the protruding portion 125 is located closer to the opening 122 than the annular rib 126.

[0110] 6, in the attached state, the tip of the annular rib 126 is inserted into the groove 193. That is, in the attached state, the tip of the annular rib 126 is between the nozzle 161 and the annular protrusion 162. In the attached state, the annular rib 126 abuts against the annular protrusion 162 in a liquid-tight manner. This makes it possible to prevent ink from flowing from the groove 193 to the outside of the annular protrusion 162 (the side where the outer circumferential surface 191 (see FIG. 7) of the annular protrusion 162 and the second side wall 117 are located).

[0111] It should be noted that the nozzle cap 133 does not necessarily have to have the annular rib 126 .

[0112] 11 and 12, the nozzle cap 133 has ribs 127 and 128. The rib 127 is an example of a first rib. The rib 128 is an example of a second rib.

[0113] The ribs 127, 128 protrude from the inner surface 119 of the first side wall 116, and extend in the second direction 135 from the bottom of the inner surface 119 toward the opening 122. The bottom of the inner surface 119 is a portion of the bottom wall 115 near the inner surface 118. One ends of the ribs 127, 128 abut against the inner surface 118. There may be a gap between one ends of the ribs 127, 128 and the inner surface 118.

[0114] A plurality of ribs 127 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. A plurality of ribs 128 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. The ribs 127 and the ribs 128 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction 136. The arrangement of the ribs 127 and the ribs 128 is not limited to the arrangement described above. For example, two ribs 127 and one rib 128 may be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction 136. Also, only one each of the ribs 127 and 128 may be provided.

[0115] The other end of rib 128 is located in second direction 135 further than the other end of rib 127. In other words, rib 128 extends to a position closer to opening 122 than rib 127. Note that, conversely to the above, rib 127 may extend to a position closer to opening 122 than rib 128, or the other end of rib 128 and the other end of rib 127 may be at the same position in second direction 135.

[0116] The protruding tip surface 140 of the rib 127 is a surface that is continuous with the side surface 124 .

[0117] An end face 141 at the other end of the rib 127 is a horizontal surface (a surface extending horizontally) in a position in which the opening 122 faces vertically downward (the position shown in FIG. 12).

[0118] In a position in which the opening 122 faces vertically downward (the position shown in FIG. 12), the end face 142 at the other end of the rib 128 extends toward the inner surface 119 in the second direction 135. That is, in the position shown in FIG. 12, the end face 142 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0119] In addition, the end surface 141 of the rib 127 is not limited to a horizontal surface, and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, for example. In addition, the end surface 142 of the rib 128 may be a horizontal surface. In addition, the nozzle cap 133 does not have to have the rib 128.

[0120] The second side wall 117 has a protrusion 143 protruding from the inner surface 120. The protrusion 143 is formed at a position where it can come into contact with the protrusion 169 in the attached state. The protrusion 143 has inclined surfaces 144, 145 inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 144 is a surface that extends toward the second direction 135 as it moves toward one side of the circumferential direction 136. The inclined surface 145 is a surface that extends toward the second direction 135 as it moves toward the other side of the circumferential direction 136.

[0121] A plurality of protrusions 143 (three in this embodiment) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction 136. Protrusions 143 are formed at the same positions as protrusions 125 in the circumferential direction 136. In other words, protrusions 143 are located at the same positions as protrusions 192 and 125 engage with each other in the circumferential direction 136.

[0122] In the attached state, when nozzle cap 133 is pulled in first direction 134, convex portion 125 presses convex portion 192 of annular projection 162 of bottle cap 132, elastically deforming it, and climbs over convex portion 192. This releases the engagement between convex portion 125 and convex portion 192. As a result, nozzle cap 133 can be removed from bottle cap 132.

[0123] Furthermore, when nozzle cap 133 is rotated in circumferential direction 136 in the attached state, convex portion 143 comes into contact with convex portion 169 (see FIG. 7) of bottle cap 132. At this time, one of inclined surfaces 144, 145 of convex portion 143 is guided by one of inclined surfaces 170, 171 of convex portion 169. As a result, a force in first direction 134 acts on nozzle cap 133, and nozzle cap 133 moves in first direction 134. As a result, the engagement between convex portion 125 and convex portion 192 is released, similar to the case where nozzle cap 133 is pulled in first direction 134, and nozzle cap 133 is removed from bottle cap 132. As described above, by rotating nozzle cap 133 in circumferential direction 136, a force in first direction 134 can be applied to nozzle cap 133, making it easier to remove nozzle cap 133 from bottle cap 132 than by pulling nozzle cap 133 in first direction 134.

[0124] In this embodiment, the convex portion 143 has the inclined surfaces 144 and 145, and the convex portion 169 has the inclined surfaces 170 and 171, but only one of the convex portion 143 and the convex portion 169 may have an inclined surface. Furthermore, the convex portion 143 may be formed at a position different from the convex portion 125 in the circumferential direction 136. Furthermore, the convex portion 143 and the convex portion 169 may not be provided.

[0125] 10, the nozzle cap 133 has a protrusion 138 protruding from an outer circumferential surface 139 of the first side wall 116. An end portion of the protrusion 138 in the second direction 135 abuts against the second side wall 117. It is noted that the nozzle cap 133 does not necessarily have to have the protrusion 138.

[0126] [Connection of bottle 130 to ink tank 100] 4 and 13, the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 is inserted into the through-hole 112 of the ink tank 100, thereby connecting the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100. Hereinafter, the attitude of the bottle 130 when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 is also referred to as the connected attitude.

[0127] When the nozzle 161 of the bottle 130 is inserted into the through-hole 112 of the ink tank 100, the attitude of the bottle 130 is adjusted so that the mark 175 faces vertically upward, whereby one of the openings 184, 186 is higher than the other when the openings 184, 186 are positioned in the storage chamber 111. In this embodiment, in the connected attitude, the opening 186 is higher than the opening 184.

[0128] 13, when the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the outer circumferential surface 177 of the nozzle 161 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 114 of the through-hole 112. Also, when the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the rib 163 abuts against the annular rib 109 of the ink tank 100.

[0129] When the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the openings 184 , 186 are located below the atmosphere vent 98 .

[0130] When the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the opening 186 at the tip of the nozzle 161 and the first mark 146 are both at the height of position P. In other words, when the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the opening 186 which is the upper one of the openings 184, 186 is at the same height as the first mark 146.

[0131] The inner diameter of the through hole 112 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the portion of the nozzle 161 that is inside the through hole 112 in the connected posture. As a result, in the connected posture, the bottle 130 rotates by its own weight such that the bottle body 131 moves downward and the tip of the nozzle 161 moves upward (in other words, clockwise in FIG. 13). The nozzle 161 of the rotated bottle 130 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 114 of the through hole 112 at two locations, the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0132] The first position P1 is the edge of the inner circumferential surface 114 on the storage chamber 111 side. The outer circumferential surface 177 of the nozzle 161 abuts against this edge from below. The second position P2 is the edge on the outer side of the inner circumferential surface 114. The outer circumferential surface 177 of the nozzle 161 abuts against this edge from above. This causes the nozzle 161 to engage with the through hole 112. As a result, the bottle 130 is maintained in the connected position.

[0133] When the bottle 130 is in the connected posture, the first side wall 151 is located above the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0134] As described above, the nozzle 161 has a recess 187 (see FIG. 7). When the bottle 130 is in the connected position, the end of the recess 187 on the tip side of the nozzle 161 is inside the storage chamber 111, and the end of the recess 187 on the base side of the nozzle 161 is outside the ink tank 100. This allows the storage chamber 111 to communicate with the outside of the ink tank 100 via the recess 187. In other words, when in the connected position, the ink tank 100 communicates with the atmosphere through the recess 187 in addition to the atmosphere communication hole 98.

[0135] The supply of ink from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 when the bottle 130 is in the connected position will be described below. In the following description, the supply of ink from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 is performed by a so-called chicken feed method.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 13, when the bottle 130 is connected to the ink tank 100 and the openings 184 and 186 are positioned in the storage chamber 111 of the ink tank 100, the storage chamber 154 and the storage chamber 111 communicate with each other through the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 154 flows into the first flow path 181 through the opening 183, and flows into the storage chamber 111 from the opening 184. In addition, when the ink flows, air enters the storage chamber 111 from the atmosphere communication hole 98 and flows into the storage chamber 154 through the second flow path 182. Here, the volume of the ink flowing from the storage chamber 154 to the storage chamber 111 and the volume of the air flowing from the storage chamber 111 to the storage chamber 154 are almost the same. In this manner, so-called gas-liquid replacement is performed.

[0137] When the ink flows into the storage chamber 111 and the ink level in the storage chamber 111 rises and reaches the opening 186, that is, when it reaches the same height as the first mark 146, the flow of air between the storage chamber 111 and the storage chamber 154 through the second flow path 182 is blocked. Therefore, the flow of ink from the storage chamber 154 to the storage chamber 111 is stopped.

[0138] Ink can be supplied from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 by the chicken feed method described above, or by so-called pumping, which deforms the first side wall 151 of the bottle body 131 of the bottle 130.

[0139] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, when nozzle cap 133 is attached to bottle cap 132 of bottle 130 having openings 184, 186 at its tip, ink flowing out from openings 184, 186 adheres to ribs 127. Surface tension makes it difficult for ink adhering to ribs 127 to flow along inner surfaces 119, 120 of nozzle cap 133.

[0140] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since a plurality of ribs 127 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction 136, the flow of ink can be reduced over a wide area.

[0141] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the end face 141 of the rib 127 extends horizontally, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink that flows along the rib 127 and reaches the end face 141 passing through the rib 127 toward the opening 122.

[0142] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the nozzle cap 133 is attached to the bottle cap 132 of the bottle 130 , the rib 128 can guide the tip of the bottle 130 to the bottom of the nozzle cap 133 .

[0143] In addition, according to this embodiment, since the end face 142 of the rib 128 is inclined, when the nozzle cap 133 is attached to the bottle cap 132 of the bottle 130, the rib 128 can easily guide the tip of the bottle 130 to the bottom of the nozzle cap 133.

[0144] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, ink adhering to the inner surfaces 119, 120 and flowing along the inner surfaces 119, 120 is guided to the annular rib 126, thereby reducing leakage of ink to the outside of the nozzle cap 133 through the opening 122.

[0145] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the convex portion 125 is located closer to the opening 122 than the annular rib 126 is, adhesion of ink to the convex portion 125 can be reduced.

[0146] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the nozzle cap 133 is placed on a desk or the like with the outer circumferential surface 139 facing down, the nozzle cap 133 is in an oblique position with the bottom facing down. This makes it possible to reduce the leakage of ink adhering to the inner surfaces 119 and 120 of the nozzle cap 133 to the outside through the opening 122.

[0147] Even if the nozzle cap 133 rolls on a desk or the like, the nozzle cap 133 rolls with the opening 122 side revolving around the bottom part as the center, which reduces the possibility that the nozzle cap 133 will roll and fall off the desk or the like.

[0148] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if the nozzle cap 133 rolls on a desk or the like, the projections 138 can stop the nozzle cap 133 from rolling.

[0149] In addition, when removing the nozzle cap 133 attached to the bottle cap 132 of the bottle 130 from the bottle 130, the user can grasp the protrusion 138 to easily remove the nozzle cap 133 from the bottle cap 132 of the bottle 130.

[0150] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182 is circular, and each of the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 is also circular. However, the shapes of the first flow path 181, the second flow path 182, and each of the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be different from those in the above embodiment.

[0151] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the nozzle 161 may have a first circular opening 195 provided at its tip end and having a circular cross-sectional shape, and a second circular opening 196 provided at its base end and having a circular cross-sectional shape, and may have a partition wall 197 that divides one flow path having the first circular opening 195 and the second circular opening 196 at both ends into two. The openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be configured to have a substantially semicircular shape by dividing the first circular opening 195 and the second circular opening 196 by the partition wall 197. That is, the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be arched openings. Note that some of the openings 183, 184, 185, and 186 may be arched openings. For example, the openings 184 and 186 provided at the tip end of the nozzle 161 may be arched openings, and the openings 183 and 185 provided at the base end of the nozzle 161 may be circular openings.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the nozzle 161 has two flow paths (the first flow path 181 and the second flow path 182), but may have only one flow path as described below. Also, the nozzle 161 may have three or more flow paths.

[0153] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the nozzle 161 has one flow passage 90.

[0154] The flow path 90 penetrates the nozzle 161 along a first direction 134. In the configuration shown in Figures 15 and 16, the flow direction of the ink is the direction in which the flow path 90 penetrates, that is, the first direction 134. The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 90 is circular. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 90 may be a shape other than circular.

[0155] When the bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131, one end of the flow path 90 communicates with the storage chamber 154 through the opening 91. The other end of the flow path 90 communicates with the outside of the nozzle 161 through the opening 92. When the bottle cap 132 is attached to the bottle body 131,

[0156] The opening 91 is formed on the inner surface 172 which is the end of the nozzle 161 in the second direction 135. The opening 91 is generally rectangular. The opening 91 may have a shape other than a rectangle (for example, a circle). The opening 91 may be formed in any part of the base end of the nozzle 161, similar to the openings 183 and 185 in the above embodiment.

[0157] The opening 92 is formed at an end of the nozzle 161 in the first direction 134 (for example, the tip surface of the nozzle 161). The opening 92 is circular. Note that the opening 92 may have a shape other than circular. Furthermore, the position where the opening 92 is formed is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 15 . For example, the opening may be formed in the outer circumferential surface 177.

[0158] When the bottle cap 132 has the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the supply of ink from the bottle 130 to the ink tank 100 is performed by so-called pumping, which causes the first side wall 151 of the bottle body 131 of the bottle 130 to deform.

[0159] The nozzle cap 133 may be configured as shown in Figs. 17 to 20. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the ribs 127 of the nozzle cap 133 have their tips extending close to the opening 122. As shown in Fig. 20, there are twelve ribs 127, which extend in the second direction 135 from the bottom of the inner surface 119 toward the opening 122. The number of ribs 127 is not limited to twelve. The base end side of the ribs 127 is not continuous with the side surface 124, but may be continuous with it. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the tips of the ribs 127 are closer to the opening 122 than the bottom of the inner surface 119. Therefore, it is easy to guide the nozzle 161 into the nozzle cap 133. The tips of the ribs 127 have an inclined surface 148 that inclines toward the bottom of the inner surface 119 as it moves away from the inner surface 119. This is more advantageous in guiding the nozzle 161. The tip of the rib 127 may be a horizontal surface instead of the inclined surface 148 .

[0160] Since the rib 127 extends close to the opening 122 , the rib 127 serves as a guide when the nozzle 161 is attached to the nozzle cap 133 .

[0161] 17 to 20 has a protrusion 138 that extends longer in the first direction 134 than the configuration shown in Fig. 10 (see Fig. 17), but the length of the protrusion 138 is not limited to the length shown in Fig. 17. Also, the nozzle cap 133 shown in Figs. 17 to 20 has a plurality of ribs 149 extending along the first direction 134 on its outer circumferential surface 139 (see Fig. 17), but the presence or absence of the ribs 149 is optional.

[0162] In the ink tank 100, the through hole 112 may be formed in a part other than the inclined wall 106. For example, the through hole 112 may be formed in the upper wall of the ink tank 100 and extend along the vertical direction. In this case, the nozzle 161 is inserted into the through hole 112 from above.

[0163] In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of the liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, instead of ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying, etc. may be an example of the printing liquid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 119...Inner surface (inner peripheral surface) 120...Inner surface (inner peripheral surface) 121...Interior space 122...Aperture 127···Rib (First Rib) 130···Bottle (liquid container) 133 Nozzle cap (cap) 184...Opening (liquid outlet) 186...Opening (liquid outlet)

Claims

1. A main body having a storage chamber for storing a liquid; a nozzle having a tip portion having a first opening for causing the liquid stored in the storage chamber to flow out, and a base portion closer to the storage chamber than the tip portion; A bottle having a cap attached to the nozzle, The above cap is an inner circumferential surface including a first inner circumferential surface that defines a first internal space that accommodates the tip end of the nozzle when the nozzle is attached to the nozzle, and a second internal space that expands in a direction intersecting a direction from the tip end to the base end in relation to the first internal space, the second inner circumferential surface defining the second internal space that accommodates the base end of the nozzle; a first rib protruding from the inner circumferential surface, the first rib continuing from a base end of the first inner circumferential surface to the second inner circumferential surface; a second opening communicating with the second internal space; a cylindrical side wall defining the second opening and having the second inner circumferential surface; an annular rib protruding from the second inner circumferential surface toward the second opening in the second internal space, a protruding end of the annular rib is located in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the annular rib from an opening end of the side wall, When the cap is attached to the nozzle, the outer peripheral surface of the annular rib abuts liquid-tightly against an annular protrusion that protrudes in a circular shape from the outer surface of the nozzle in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the annular rib.

2. The bottle according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the first ribs are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface.

3. 3. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the first rib on the second opening side is located closer to the second opening than a bottom of the inner circumferential surface.

4. 4. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein when the second opening faces vertically downward, an end face of the first rib close to the second opening extends horizontally.

5. 5. The bottle according to claim 1, further comprising a second rib extending from a bottom of the inner circumferential surface toward the second opening to a position closer to the second opening than the first rib.

6. The bottle according to claim 5, wherein when the second opening faces vertically downward, an end face of the second rib closer to the second opening extends toward the inner peripheral surface as it approaches the second opening.

7. A bottle as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cap is located closer to the second opening than the annular rib on the second inner surface and has an engagement portion that engages with the nozzle to maintain the cap attached to the nozzle.

8. 8. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the second opening side of the cap is larger than an outer diameter of a bottom side of the cap.

9. 9. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface thereof.

Images