Ink supply container

Abstract

To supply a liquid quickly through gas-liquid exchange.SOLUTION: An ink supply container communicates with an ink tank of a printer and supplies an ink to the ink tank through an ink inlet passage member having multiple passages partitioned by a partition. The ink supply container includes: a container body; an ink outlet formation part; and an outlet valve unit. The outlet valve unit includes: a valve housing which is attached to the interior of a cylinder part so as to provide a gap between itself and the cylinder part and which the ink inlet passage member may be inserted into or removed from; a spring member; a seal member; and a valve body which may be in a valve closing state where the valve body is biased toward the seal member by the spring member and contacts with the seal member and a valve opening state where the valve body is pressured in a direction opposite to the biasing direction to separate from the seal member. The valve body has a partition contact part having an end surface which may contact with the partition of the ink inlet passage member. The valve housing has through holes penetrating therethrough in a direction intersecting a center axis direction. The through holes communicate with the gap and communicate with the multiple passages of the ink inlet passage member in the valve opening state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ink supply container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an example of an ink jet device, an ink jet printer capable of printing on a printing medium such as printing paper by discharging ink from a print head toward the printing medium is known. Among such ink jet printers, there is an ink supply type that supplies ink to an ink tank for use. Patent Document 1 discloses an ink supply container used for supplying ink to an ink supply type ink tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ink supply container in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement from the viewpoints of performing prompt liquid supply and facilitating the manufacture and maintenance of the ink supply container. An ink supply container configured to improve at least one of these improvement points is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet channel member that communicates with the ink tank of the printer and has a plurality of channels partitioned by partitions. The ink supply container includes a container body configured to be capable of accommodating ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having an ink outlet and provided with a cylindrical portion, and an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion. The outlet valve unit is mounted in the cylindrical portion so as to provide a gap between the cylindrical portion and the outlet valve unit, and includes a valve housing into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing and located on the tip side of the ink outlet from the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet and having an opening into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, and a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member, and capable of taking a closed valve state in contact with the seal member and an open valve state in which the valve body is pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet channel member and separated from the seal member. The valve body has a partition contact portion having an end face capable of abutting against the partition of the ink inlet channel member. The valve housing has a through hole penetrating in a direction intersecting the central axis direction, and the through hole communicates with the gap and communicates with the plurality of channels of the ink inlet channel member in the open valve state.

[0006] (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container for supplying ink to the ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet channel member having a plurality of channels separated by partitions and communicating with the ink tank. The ink supply container includes a container body configured to accommodate ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having an ink outlet and including a cylindrical portion, and an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion. The outlet valve unit includes a valve housing mounted in the cylindrical portion and into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing and located on the tip side of the ink outlet with respect to the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet and having an opening into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, and a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member and contacting the seal member in a closed valve state, and pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet channel member and separated from the seal member in an open valve state. The valve housing has a retaining portion for the seal member and an engaging portion with the cylindrical portion on the tip side, and is configured to be detachable within the cylindrical portion.

[0007] (3) According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container for supplying ink to the ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet passage member that communicates with the ink tank of the printer and has a plurality of flow paths partitioned by partitions. This ink supply container includes a container body configured to be able to accommodate ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having a cylindrical portion with an ink outlet, and an outlet valve unit mounted within the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion has a flange portion that can abut against the tip of the outlet valve unit in the central axis direction and extends in the radial direction of the ink outlet, an engaging protrusion that extends in the central axis direction from the flange portion into the cylindrical portion, and an annular convex portion that can engage with the outer periphery of the outlet valve unit. The outlet valve unit has engaging portions that can respectively engage with the engaging protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion, a valve housing into which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported within the valve housing, a seal member mounted within the valve housing, positioned on the tip side of the ink outlet with respect to the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet, and having an opening through which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed, and a valve body movably mounted within the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member and capable of taking a closed valve state in contact with the seal member and an open valve state in which it is pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet passage member and separated from the seal member. The outlet valve unit includes a slit valve having a slit through which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed in the radial direction of the valve body, and the outlet valve unit has engaging portions that can respectively engage with the engaging protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion, and is configured to be selectively mounted by exchanging them with each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 100 according to the first embodiment. This printer 100 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a printing medium to perform printing. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The X-axis corresponds to the width direction of the printer 100, the Y-axis corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 100, and the Z-axis corresponds to the height direction of the printer 100. The printer 100 is installed on a horizontal installation surface defined by the X direction and the Y direction. Note that the "X-axis direction" means a concept combining the +X direction and the -X direction. Similarly, the "Y-axis direction" means a concept combining the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the "Z-axis direction" means a concept combining the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0010] Printer 100 has a housing 110. Inside the housing 110, a carriage (not shown) that can move in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) is provided. A print head for discharging ink onto a printing medium is installed on the carriage. At one end of the front surface of the housing 110, an ink tank accommodating unit 160 for accommodating a plurality of ink tanks 700S and 700L is provided. The ink tank accommodating unit 160 has an openable and closable lid 162 on its upper part. Note that the ink tank 700S is a small-capacity tank, and the ink tank 700L is a large-capacity tank. However, in the following description, both are simply referred to as "ink tank 700" without distinction. Each ink tank 700 is connected to the print head of the carriage by a tube (not shown). That is, the ink tank 700 is a stationary ink tank that is not placed on the carriage of the printer 100. Also, each ink tank 700 is an ink replenishment type ink tank that is replenished with ink from an ink replenishment container when the remaining ink amount decreases. In the present embodiment, the ink tank 700 is a stationary ink tank, but it may be mounted on the carriage of the printer 100.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink tank 700 is replenished with ink using the ink replenishment container 200. The front surface of each ink tank 700 is formed of a transparent member, and the remaining ink amount of each ink tank 700 can be visually confirmed from the outside. When the remaining ink amount decreases, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to open the lid 162 and replenish the ink from the ink inlet flow path member 710 of the ink tank 700.

[0012] On the upper surface of each ink tank 700, a cylindrical ink inlet channel member 710 for replenishing ink to the ink tank 700 is provided. The ink tank housing unit 160 includes a sealing cap member 164 having a sealing cap 165 for sealing the tip of the ink inlet channel member 710. When the ink tank 700 is not being replenished with ink, the tip of the ink inlet channel member 710 is sealed by the sealing cap 165 of the sealing cap member 164. When replenishing the ink tank 700 with ink, the sealing cap member 164 is removed from the ink inlet channel member 710, and the tip of the ink replenishing container 200 is inserted into the position of the ink inlet channel member 710 to replenish the ink. Around the ink inlet channel member 710, two recesses 750 are provided for fitting with a fitting portion (described later) of the ink replenishing container 200. These recesses 750 have a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 degrees about the ink inlet channel member 710.

[0013] In this specification, the term "ink replenishment" means an operation of supplying ink to the ink tank 700 to increase the remaining ink amount. However, it is not necessary to fill the ink tank 700 completely with ink by "ink replenishment". Also, "ink replenishment" includes the operation of filling an empty ink tank 700 with ink when the printer 100 is used for the first time.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink replenishing container 200 in the first embodiment. The ink replenishing container 200 has a container body 300 capable of storing ink, an ink outlet forming portion 400 forming an ink outlet 460, an outlet valve unit 500, and a cap 600 attached to the ink outlet forming portion 400. The upper end side, which is the cap 600 side of the ink replenishing container 200, is called the "tip side", and the lower end side, which is the container body 300 side, is called the "rear end side". The container body 300 is a hollow cylindrical container having an opening on the tip side. On the small-diameter portion at the tip of the container body 300, an external thread 312 for attaching the ink outlet forming portion 400 is provided.

[0015] At the tip of the ink outlet forming portion 400, an ink outlet 460 is provided. The ink outlet forming portion 400 is connected to the container body 300 and used. The ink outlet forming portion 400 includes a cylindrical portion 420 having an ink outlet 460. An outlet valve unit 500 is mounted in the cylindrical portion 420. Therefore, the outlet valve unit 500 can also be regarded as a member constituting a part of the ink outlet forming portion 400. When replenishing the ink tank 700 with ink, the ink inlet channel member 710 (FIG. 2) of the ink tank 700 is inserted into the ink outlet 460.

[0016] The outlet valve unit 500 is configured to seal the ink outlet 460 in a non-replenishing state where the ink tank 700 is not replenished with ink so that the ink does not leak to the outside, and to release the seal in a replenishing state where the ink tank 700 is replenished with ink so that the ink flows into the ink inlet channel member 710.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of the outlet valve unit 500. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the outlet valve unit 500. FIG. 5 shows a state where the ink inlet channel member 710 is inserted into the outlet valve unit 500. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outlet valve unit 500 includes a valve housing 517, a seal member 510, a valve body 520, and a spring member 530. In the present disclosure, the direction parallel to the central axis C of the ink supply container 200 is referred to as the "axial direction", and the direction from the central axis C toward the outside is referred to as the "radial direction".

[0018] The valve housing 517 houses the spring member 530, the seal member 510, and the valve body 520 inside. The valve housing 517 has a substantially cylindrical shape with an open axial tip and a closed other end. The ink inlet flow path member 710 can be inserted into and removed from the valve housing 517 through the opening at the tip. As shown in FIG. 4, the valve housing 517 has an engagement portion 517B between the retaining portion 517A of the seal member 510 and the cylindrical portion 420 on the tip side. For this reason, the outlet valve unit 500 is integrated in a state of being assembled to the cylindrical portion 420. Further, since the outlet valve unit 500 can be detached alone, manufacturing and handling are easy, and it is also possible to transport the outlet valve unit 500 alone. Furthermore, it can be replaced when the ink supply container 200 is reused. The valve housing 517 is mounted in the cylindrical portion 420 with a radial gap provided between the valve housing 517 and the cylindrical portion 420. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve housing 517 has a total of four through holes Ho penetrating in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The through hole Ho communicates with the radial gap between the valve housing 517 and the cylindrical portion 420. The through hole Ho is formed to extend also in the axial direction.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the spring member 530 is housed in the valve housing 517. The spring member 530 is housed on the rear end side in the axial direction and supported by the valve housing 517 within the valve housing 517. The spring member 530 can be formed of, for example, metal. In the present embodiment, the spring member 530 is a coil spring.

[0020] The seal member 510 is mounted in the valve housing 517. The seal member 510 is located on the tip side of the ink outlet 460 with respect to the spring member 530 in the axial direction. The seal member 510 has a substantially ring shape. The seal member 510 can be formed of, for example, an elastic rubber member (elastomer). The seal member 510 has an opening through which the ink inlet flow path member 710 can be inserted into and removed from.

[0021] The valve body 520 is axially movably mounted within the valve housing 517. The valve body 520 has a cylindrical portion 524 and a convex portion 526. The valve body 520 has a configuration in which the convex portion 526 is disposed on the end face of the cylindrical portion 524, which is a substantially cylindrical member. The cylindrical portion 524 faces the inner surface of the valve housing 517. The cylindrical portion 524 is configured to be slidable while being guided by the inner surface of the valve housing 517. For this reason, the opening and closing operation of the valve body 520 is performed well. The open valve state and the closed valve state of the valve body 520 will be described later. The valve body 520 can be formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example. As shown in FIG. 4, the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 has a partition contact portion 526A having a circular end face that can contact a partition wall 714 (to be described later) of the ink inlet flow path member 710. The convex portion 526 is formed such that the cross-sectional area in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction is larger on the rear end side than on the front end side having the partition contact portion 526A in the axial direction. Note that the partition contact portion 526A has a circular end face, but is not limited to the circular end face, and may have an end face of any other shape as long as the effects of the present disclosure are achieved, such as an elliptical end face.

[0022] The valve body 520 can take a "closed valve state" and an "open valve state". Specifically, the valve body 520 is biased toward the seal member 510 by a spring member 530. Due to such biasing, when the cylindrical portion 524 contacts the seal member 510, the "closed valve state" is reached. In this "closed valve state", the axial opening is closed by the contact of the cylindrical portion 524 with the seal member 510. Further, the valve body 520 is pressed by the ink inlet flow path member 710 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the spring member 530. Due to such pressing, when the cylindrical portion 524 separates from the seal member 510, the "open valve state" is reached. In this "open valve state", an axial opening is created by the separation of the cylindrical portion 524 from the seal member 510.

[0023] Parts of the ink supply container 200 other than the outlet valve unit 500 can be formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, two fitting portions 450 are provided around the ink outlet 460. These fitting portions 450 are positioning members that position the ink supply container 200 by fitting into recesses 750 (FIG. 2) provided around the ink inlet passage member 710 of the ink tank 700. Positioning means, for example, fitting the ink supply container 200 for supplying yellow ink into the recess 750 corresponding to the ink tank 700 for storing yellow ink, and preventing the ink supply container 200 for supplying other color inks such as magenta ink and cyan ink from fitting, It is at least one of the functions of preventing mis-injection of ink and stabilizing the ink injection posture of the ink supply container as described later. The function of preventing mis-injection of ink is not only for the color of ink, but also for example, for black ink, it is also a function of preventing mis-injection between dye ink and pigment ink. In the first embodiment, the two fitting portions 450 have a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 degrees about the central axis C of the ink supply container 200. Similarly, the recess 750 provided around the ink inlet passage member 710 of the ink tank 700 has a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 degrees about the ink inlet passage member 710. When supplying ink, by fitting the fitting portion 450 of the ink supply container 200 into the recess 750 around the ink inlet passage member 710 of the ink tank 700, the orientation of the ink supply container 200 is limited to two orientations that are rotationally symmetric by 180 degrees. As a result, it is possible to maintain the ink supply container 200 in a stable posture when supplying ink. However, the fitting portion 450 can be omitted.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view of the ink supply container 200 in the upright state, and FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof. The “upright state of the ink supply container 200” means a state where the bottom of the container body 300 is placed downward on a horizontal surface such as a desk. As shown in FIG. 2 described above, the ink supply to the ink tank 700 is performed in an inverted posture with the tip side of the ink supply container 200 facing downward. Note that FIGS. 6 and 7 show the state where the cap 600 is removed.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ink tank 700 of the first embodiment. The ink inlet channel member 710 of the ink tank 700 protrudes upward from the ink tank 700. The ink inlet channel member 710 has two channels 711 and 712. The two channels 711 and 712 are separated by a partition wall 714. In the first embodiment, the front end surface of the ink inlet channel member 710 is flat, and the two channels 711 and 712 open at the front end surface of the ink inlet channel member 710, respectively. Also, a part of the front end surface of the ink inlet channel member 710 corresponds to the end of the partition wall 714. When replenishing ink, the fitting portion 450 of the ink replenishing container 200 is fitted into the recess 750 around the ink inlet channel member 710 of the ink tank 700, and the circumferential positioning of the ink replenishing container 200 is performed. Thereby, the two channels 711 and 712 communicate with two in-tank channels 721 and 722 protruding into the lower ink storage chamber 760, respectively. The lower ends of these in-tank channels 721 and 722 extend to a position below the ceiling wall of the ink storage chamber 760. The reason for this is that when replenishing ink from the ink replenishing container 200 to the ink tank 700, when the liquid level in the ink storage chamber 760 reaches the lower ends of the in-tank channels 721 and 722, the gas-liquid exchange stops, and accordingly, the ink replenishment also stops. Therefore, the ink replenishment operation is facilitated.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a replenishment state in which ink is replenished from the ink replenishing container 200 to the ink tank 700. In this replenishment state, the ink replenishing container 200 takes an inverted posture, and the direction of the tip side of the ink replenishing container 200 is the tip side direction D1. The cylindrical portion 420 has a flange portion Fr extending in the radial direction of the ink outlet 460 that can abut against the axial tip of the outlet valve unit 500, an engaging protrusion Kt extending axially from the flange portion Fr into the cylindrical portion 420, and an annular convex portion Co that can engage with an annular convex portion Co2 that is an engaging portion provided on the outer periphery of the outlet valve unit 500. Note that in FIG. 9, only a part of each of the ink replenishing container 200 and the ink tank 700 is shown. The engaging portion between the annular convex portion Co2 and the annular convex portion Co, and the engaging portion between the engaging protrusion Kt and the tip of the seal member 510, particularly the latter, also has a seal function for preventing ink leakage.

[0028] The ink inlet channel member 710 of the ink tank 700 is inserted into the tubular channel portion 410 through the opening of the seal member 510. The channel on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 420 from the radial center of the tubular channel portion 410 (also referred to as the "supply channel") is divided into two supply channels 411 and 412 formed by the gap between the valve housing 517 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420. The gaps forming the supply channels 411 and 412 may also include the gaps between the valve body 520 and the spring member 530 accommodated in the valve housing 517 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420 through the through-hole Ho. Therefore, it can be said that the gap is also the gap through the through-hole Ho between the outlet valve unit 500 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420. Also, as will be described later, in the ink supply state, one of the two supply channels 411 and 412 is used as the ink channel, and the other is used as the air channel. As a result, the ink supply container 200 can supply ink while performing gas-liquid exchange with the ink tank 700. When supplying ink using gas-liquid exchange, it is not necessary to squeeze the container body 300. In this way, the type of ink supply container that can supply ink without squeezing the container body 300 is also called the "non-squeezing type". Note that the channel of the tubular channel portion 410 does not necessarily need to be divided into two supply channels 411 and 412 through the channels 711 and 712 of the inlet channel member 710 and the through-hole Ho of the valve housing 517, and may be formed as one supply channel. Also, the channel of the tubular channel portion 410 may be divided into three or more supply channels.

[0029] The outlet valve unit 500 is configured such that in the supply state, the supply channels 411 and 412 on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 420 from the radial center of the tubular channel portion 410 communicate with the two channels 711 and 712 of the ink inlet channel member 710. Note that in order for gas-liquid to enter and exit through the communication between the supply channels 411 and 412 and the two channels 711 and 712, it is necessary to be in an "open valve state" that allows passage through the through-hole Ho.

[0030] The convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 is provided at a position axially opposed to the partition wall 714 of the ink inlet flow path member 710. In the replenishment state, the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 is pushed by the ink inlet flow path member 710 and retracts toward the container body 300 side, and the two flow paths 711 and 712 of the ink inlet flow path member 710 communicate with the replenishment flow paths 411 and 412 on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 420 from the radial center of the tubular flow path portion 410 via the through hole Ho, respectively. Such a state is the above-described "valve open state". As a result, the ink in the container body 300 is allowed to flow into the ink inlet flow path member 710 through the replenishment flow paths 411 and 412. In FIG. 9, the solid arrows indicate the flow of ink, and the broken arrows indicate the flow of air. In this way, in the replenishment state, by using the two flow paths 711 and 712 of the ink inlet flow path member 710 and the two replenishment flow paths 411 and 412 of the tubular flow path portion 410, ink can be efficiently replenished from the ink supply container 200 to the ink tank 700 while performing gas-liquid exchange. In order to smoothly perform this gas-liquid exchange, it is preferable that the replenishment flow paths of the tubular flow path portion 410 are divided into a plurality of replenishment flow paths. The same applies to the ink inlet flow path of the ink inlet flow path member 710. In this case, in the replenishment state, it is preferable that one or more of the plurality of replenishment flow paths communicate with one or more of the plurality of ink inlet flow paths, and the other one or more of the plurality of replenishment flow paths communicate with the other one or more of the plurality of ink inlet flow paths.

[0031] As described above, the convex portion 526 is formed such that the cross-sectional area in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is larger on the rear end side than on the front end side having the partition contact portion 526A in the axial direction. Thereby, since the cross-sectional area on the side in contact with the partition wall 714 is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the rear end side, it is difficult to prevent the inflow of ink and the outflow of air into the plurality of flow paths, and smooth gas-liquid exchange is enabled. Further, since the rear end side becomes thicker, the strength when the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 comes into contact with the partition wall 714 can be maintained, and the partitioning function can be maintained well.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 has an inclined surface 526B that expands from the front end side to the rear end side. For this reason, since the gas and the liquid flow along the inclined surface 526B, the portions that interfere with each other are reduced, and rapid liquid replenishment by smooth gas-liquid exchange becomes possible.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the rear end side of the valve housing 517 is closed. For this reason, interference between gas and liquid can be prevented, gas-liquid exchange can be performed smoothly, and rapid ink replenishment becomes possible.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply container 200 when the cap 600 is closed. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply container 200 during the opening of the cap 600. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply container 200 when the cap 600 is fully opened. The arrow in the ink supply container 200 shown in FIG. 11 indicates the flow of the atmosphere being released. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the cap 600 has a protrusion 602. As shown in FIG. 10, in the state where the cap 600 is closed, the protrusion 602 presses the valve body 520 toward the rear end side in the axial direction to open the valve. As a result, a through-hole Ho is formed, and the through-hole Ho communicates with the supply channels 411 and 412, respectively. Although the atmosphere is not released because the cap 600 is closed, it communicates from the supply channels 411 and 412 to the radially inner side of the seal member 510 through the through-hole Ho. As shown in FIG. 11, the valve body 520 moves toward the front end side in the axial direction and the axial length of the through-hole Ho becomes shorter, but when the cap is opened, the atmosphere is released and the internal pressure decreases. As shown in FIG. 12, the valve body 520 further moves in the direction D1 of the front end side and the through-hole Ho is closed to be in a closed valve state. As a result, even when the cap 600 is fully opened, the ink does not leak out. By providing the cap 600, when the internal pressure of the ink supply container 200 rises due to temperature changes and atmospheric pressure changes, the internal pressure is released when opening the cap 600 from the closed state, so that ink ejection can be prevented.

[0035] According to the first embodiment, air rises from one of the plurality of partitioned flow paths of the ink inlet flow path member 710, passes through the through hole Ho of the valve housing 517, and enters the container body 300 through the gap between the cylindrical portion 420 and the valve housing 517. On the other hand, the ink in the container body 300 passes through the gap, passes through the through hole Ho, and flows into another one of the plurality of flow paths. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which gas and liquid pass through the valve housing 517, gas-liquid separation is performed better, and rapid liquid replenishment by smooth gas-liquid exchange becomes possible.

[0036] In the first embodiment, in the replenishment state, the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 abuts against the partition wall 714 of the ink inlet flow path member 710, so that the seal member 510 and the valve body 520 are separated, and the gap communicates with the through hole Ho of the valve housing 517. Through the through hole Ho, the supply flow paths 411 and 412 formed as gaps between the valve housing 517 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420 in the tubular flow path portion 410 communicate with the flow paths 711 and 712 of the ink inlet flow path member 710. In this way, by providing the convex portion 526 at the tip of the valve body 520 and providing the through hole Ho in the valve housing 517, in the valve opening state where the convex portion 526 abuts against the partition wall 714 of the ink inlet flow path member 710, the flow paths 711 and 712 communicate with the through hole Ho via the gap between the seal member 510 and the tip of the cylindrical portion 524 of the valve body 520. Furthermore, it is possible to easily realize the communication state between the flow paths and the supply flow paths 411 and 412 formed as gaps between the valve housing 517 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 420.

[0037] Also, in the replenishment state, the seal member 510 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink inlet flow path member 710 and seals the outer peripheral surface of the ink inlet flow path member 710. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking to the outside, and the sealing performance of the outer peripheral surface of the ink inlet flow path member 710 can be improved.

[0038] Further, among the convex portions 526 of the valve body 520, since the cross-sectional area of the side in contact with the partition wall 714 is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the rear end side, it is difficult to prevent the inflow of ink and the outflow of air into the plurality of flow paths, enabling smooth gas-liquid exchange. Also, since the rear end side becomes thicker, the strength when the convex portion 526 of the valve body 520 contacts the partition wall 714 can be maintained, and the partitioning function can be well maintained.

[0039] Furthermore, since the gas and liquid flow along the inclined surface 526B of the convex portion 526, the portions where they interfere with each other are reduced, enabling prompt liquid replenishment by smooth gas-liquid exchange.

[0040] Also, since the rear end side of the valve housing 517 is closed, gas-liquid interference is prevented, and gas-liquid exchange can be performed smoothly, enabling prompt ink replenishment.

[0041] Furthermore, the valve body 520 has a cylindrical portion 524 facing the inner surface of the valve housing 517. The cylindrical portion 524 is configured to be slidable guided by the inner surface of the valve housing 517. Therefore, the opening and closing operation of the valve body 520 is performed well.

[0042] Also, it is provided with a cap 600 that can cover the ink outlet 460, and the cap 600 has a protrusion 602 that presses the valve body 520 into an open valve state when the cap 600 is closed. Therefore, when the internal pressure of the ink supply container 200 rises due to temperature change or atmospheric pressure change, the internal pressure is released when opening from the state where the cap 600 is closed, so ink ejection can be prevented.

[0043] Furthermore, the valve housing 517 has a retaining portion 517A of the seal member 510 and an engaging portion 517B with the cylindrical portion 420 at the tip side, and is configured to be detachable within the cylindrical portion 420. Therefore, it is integrated in the state where the outlet valve unit 500 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 420. Also, since the outlet valve unit 500 can be detached alone, manufacturing and handling are easy, and it can also be transported alone as the outlet valve unit 500. Furthermore, it can be replaced when the ink supply container 200 is reused.

[0044] The "partition wall 714" in the first embodiment corresponds to the "partition" of the present disclosure.

[0045] B. Other Embodiments: B-1. Other Embodiment 1: In the above first embodiment, the ink supply container 200 included the outlet valve unit 500 which is a spring valve unit having a spring member 530 housed in the valve housing 517 of the cylindrical portion 420, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ink supply container 200 may include an outlet valve unit having a slit valve instead of the outlet valve unit 500 which is a spring valve unit. The ink supply container 200 is an outlet valve unit having a slit valve having a slit through which the ink inlet flow path member 710 can be inserted and removed in the radial direction of the valve body 520, and having engaging portions that can be respectively engaged with the engaging protrusion Kt and the annular convex portion Co of the cylindrical portion 420, and may be configured to be replaceably mounted by exchanging with the spring valve unit. Thereby, when the outlet valve unit becomes supply insufficient, it can be replaced with the slit valve unit, other parts of the ink outlet forming portion 400 are made common, and manufacturing and maintenance are facilitated.

[0046] B-2. Other Embodiment 2: In the above first embodiment, the ink supply container 200 included the cap 600, but it may not have it.

[0047] B-3. Other Embodiment 3: In the ink supply container 200 of the above first embodiment, the valve housing 517 was configured to be detachable within the cylindrical portion 420, but it may be integrated without being detachable.

[0048] C. Other Forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the embodiments described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0049] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container that supplies ink to the ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet channel member that communicates with the ink tank and has a plurality of channels partitioned by partitions. This ink supply container includes a container body configured to be able to store ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having an ink outlet and including a cylindrical portion, and an outlet valve unit mounted inside the cylindrical portion. The outlet valve unit is mounted inside the cylindrical portion with a gap provided between the cylindrical portion, and includes a valve housing into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported inside the valve housing, a seal member mounted inside the valve housing and positioned on the tip side of the ink outlet with respect to the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet and having an opening into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, and a valve body movably mounted in the central axis direction inside the valve housing, biased by the spring member toward the seal member and capable of being in a closed valve state in contact with the seal member and an open valve state pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet channel member and separated from the seal member. The valve body has a partition contact portion having an end face capable of abutting against the partition of the ink inlet channel member. The valve housing has a through hole penetrating in a direction intersecting the central axis direction, and the through hole communicates with the gap and communicates with the plurality of channels of the ink inlet channel member in the open valve state. According to this aspect, air rises from one of the plurality of partitioned channels of the ink inlet channel member, passes through the through hole of the valve housing, and enters the container body through the gap between the cylindrical portion and the valve housing. On the other hand, the ink in the container body passes through the gap, passes through the through hole, and flows into another one of the plurality of channels. Therefore, compared with the case where gas and liquid pass through the valve housing, gas-liquid separation is performed better, and rapid liquid replenishment by smooth gas-liquid exchange becomes possible.

[0050] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the partition contact portion of the valve body may be provided on a convex portion of the valve body, and the convex portion may be formed such that the cross-sectional area in a direction orthogonal to the central axis direction is larger on the rear end side than on the tip end side having the partition contact portion in the central axis direction. According to this embodiment, since the cross-sectional area on the side in contact with the partition is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the rear end side, it is difficult to prevent the inflow of ink and the outflow of air into the plurality of flow paths, enabling smooth gas-liquid exchange. Further, since the rear end side becomes thicker, the strength when the convex portion of the valve body contacts the partition can be maintained, and the partition function can be maintained well.

[0051] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the convex portion of the valve body may have an inclined surface that expands from the tip end side to the rear end side. According to this embodiment, since the gas and the liquid flow along the inclined surface, the portions that interfere with each other are reduced, and rapid liquid replenishment by smooth gas-liquid exchange becomes possible.

[0052] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the rear end side of the valve housing may be closed. According to this embodiment, interference between gas and liquid can be prevented, gas-liquid exchange can be performed smoothly, and rapid ink replenishment can be enabled.

[0053] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the valve body may have a cylindrical portion facing the inner surface of the valve housing, and the cylindrical portion may be configured to be slidable guided by the inner surface. According to this embodiment, the opening and closing operation of the valve body is performed well.

[0054] (6) In the above-described embodiment, further, a cap capable of covering the ink outlet may be provided, and the cap may have a protrusion that presses the valve body into the valve-open state when the cap is closed. According to this embodiment, when the internal pressure of the ink supply container has increased due to temperature change or atmospheric pressure change, since the internal pressure is released when opening from the state where the cap is closed, ink ejection can be prevented.

[0055] (7) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container for supplying ink to the ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet passage member having a plurality of flow paths partitioned by partitions and communicating with the ink tank of the printer. The ink supply container includes a container body configured to be able to store ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having a cylindrical portion with an ink outlet, and an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion. The outlet valve unit includes a valve housing mounted in the cylindrical portion and capable of inserting and removing the ink inlet passage member, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing and located on the tip side of the ink outlet from the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet and having an opening capable of inserting and removing the ink inlet passage member, and a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member and capable of taking a closed valve state in contact with the seal member and an open valve state pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet passage member and separated from the seal member. The valve housing has a retaining portion for the seal member and an engaging portion with the cylindrical portion on the tip side, and is configured to be detachable within the cylindrical portion. According to this aspect, since the outlet valve unit can be detached alone, manufacturing is easy, transportation of the outlet valve unit alone is also possible, and furthermore, it can be replaced when the ink supply container is reused.

[0056] (8) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container that supplies ink to the ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet channel member that communicates with the ink tank and has a plurality of channels partitioned by partitions. This ink supply container includes a container body configured to be able to store ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having an ink outlet and a cylindrical portion, an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having a flange portion that can abut against the tip of the outlet valve unit in the central axis direction and extends in the radial direction of the ink outlet, an engagement protrusion that extends in the central axis direction from the flange portion into the cylindrical portion, and an annular convex portion that can engage with the outer periphery of the outlet valve unit, the outlet valve unit having engagement portions that can engage with the engagement protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion respectively, a valve housing into which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing, positioned on the tip side of the ink outlet from the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet, and having an opening through which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, and a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member and capable of being in a closed valve state in contact with the seal member and an open valve state in which it is pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet channel member and separated from the seal member. The outlet valve unit includes a slit valve having a slit through which the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed in the radial direction of the valve body, and the outlet valve unit having engagement portions that can engage with the engagement protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion respectively may be configured to be selectively mounted by exchanging with each other. According to this aspect, when the outlet valve unit runs out of supply, it can be replaced with a slit valve unit.

[0057] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in aspects such as a method for manufacturing an ink supply container.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 100…Printer, 110…Housing, 160…Ink tank housing unit, 162…Cover, 164…Sealing cap member, 165…Sealing cap, 200…Ink refill container, 300…Container body, 312…External thread, 400…Ink outlet forming part, 410…Tubular flow path part, 411…Supply flow path, 420…Cylindrical part, 450…Fitting part, 460…Ink outlet, 500…Outlet valve unit, 510…Sealing member, 517…Valve housing, 517A…Retention part, 517B…Engagement part, 520…Valve body, 524…Cylindrical part, 526…Protrusion, 526A…Partition contact part, 526B…Inclined surface, 530…Spring member, 600…Cap, 602…Projection, 700, 700L, 700S…Ink tank, 710…Ink inlet flow path member, 711…Ink inlet flow path, 714…Partition wall, 721…Flow path inside the tank, 750…Recess, 760…Ink storage chamber, C…Central axis, Co…Annular protrusion, D1…Tip side direction, Fr…Flange part, Ho…Through hole, Kt…Engagement protrusion

Claims

1. An ink replenishing container for replenishing ink to the ink tank through an ink inlet passage member that communicates with the ink tank of a printer and has a plurality of flow paths partitioned by partitions, a container body configured to be able to accommodate ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having a cylindrical portion with an ink outlet, an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion, comprising: The outlet valve unit is mounted in the cylindrical portion so as to provide a gap between the cylindrical portion, and is a valve housing into which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing, located on the tip side of the ink outlet from the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet, and having an opening into which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed, a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member to be in a closed valve state in contact with the seal member, and an open valve state in which the valve body is pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet passage member and separated from the seal member, comprising: The valve body has a partition contact portion having an end face that can contact the partition of the ink inlet passage member, The valve housing has a through hole penetrating in a direction intersecting the central axis direction, the through hole communicates with the gap, and in the open valve state, the through hole communicates with the plurality of flow paths of the ink inlet passage member. An ink replenishing container.

2. The ink replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein the partition contact portion of the valve body is provided on a convex portion of the valve body, and the convex portion is formed such that the cross-sectional area in a direction orthogonal to the central axis direction is larger on the rear end side than on the tip side having the partition contact portion in the central axis direction. An ink replenishing container.

3. The ink replenishing container according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion of the valve body has an inclined surface that expands from the tip side to the rear end side. An ink replenishing container.

4. The ink replenishing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear end side of the valve housing is closed. An ink replenishing container.

5. The ink replenishing container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve body has a cylindrical portion facing the inner surface of the valve housing, and the cylindrical portion is configured to be slidable guided by the inner surface. An ink replenishing container.

6. An ink supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cap capable of covering the ink outlet, wherein the cap has a protrusion that presses the valve body into the open valve state when the cap is closed.

7. An ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet passage member having a plurality of flow paths partitioned by partitions and communicating with the ink tank, a container body configured to be capable of accommodating ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having a cylindrical portion having an ink outlet, an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion, comprising: The outlet valve unit includes a valve housing mounted in the cylindrical portion and capable of inserting and removing the ink inlet passage member, a spring member housed and supported in the valve housing, a seal member mounted in the valve housing and located on the tip side of the ink outlet from the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet, and having an opening capable of inserting and removing the ink inlet passage member, a valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member to be in contact with the seal member in a closed valve state, and pressed by the ink inlet passage member in a direction opposite to the biasing direction to be away from the seal member in an open valve state, comprising: The valve housing has a retaining portion for the seal member and an engaging portion with the cylindrical portion on the tip side, and is configured to be detachable within the cylindrical portion.

8. An ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink tank of a printer through an ink inlet passage member having a plurality of flow paths partitioned by partitions and communicating with the ink tank, a container body configured to be capable of accommodating ink, an ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and having a cylindrical portion having an ink outlet, an outlet valve unit mounted in the cylindrical portion, comprising: The cylindrical portion has a flange portion that can abut against the tip of the outlet valve unit in the central axis direction and extends in the radial direction of the ink outlet, an engaging protrusion that extends in the central axis direction from the flange portion into the cylindrical portion, and an annular convex portion that can engage with the outer periphery of the outlet valve unit. The outlet valve unit has engaging portions that can respectively engage with the engaging protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion, and a valve housing capable of inserting and removing the ink inlet passage member. A spring member housed and supported in the valve housing; A seal member mounted in the valve housing, located on the tip side of the ink outlet with respect to the spring member in the central axis direction of the ink outlet, and having an opening through which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed; A valve body movably mounted in the valve housing in the central axis direction, biased by the spring member toward the seal member to be in a closed valve state in contact with the seal member, and in an open valve state pressed in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the ink inlet passage member to be separated from the seal member; A spring valve unit including the above; An outlet valve unit including a slit valve having a slit through which the ink inlet passage member can be inserted and removed in the radial direction of the valve body, the outlet valve unit having engaging portions respectively engageable with the engaging protrusion and the annular convex portion of the cylindrical portion; An ink replenishing container configured to be selectively mounted by exchanging the above with each other.

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