Ink supply container

Abstract

To provide an ink replenishment container which enables suppression of creep deformation of a valve body while checking the increase of pressure in the container.SOLUTION: The ink replenishment container comprises: a bottle that can store ink; and a cap detachably fitted to the bottle. The bottle has an ink outlet forming part having an ink outlet and an outer peripheral part in which a first screw is formed, and a valve having a valve body provided in the ink outlet. The cap has a trunk in which a second screw engageable with the first screw is formed, a top surface part opposed to the ink outlet, and a projection part extending in a direction along the center axis of the trunk. The projection part moves, when the cap rotates in a first direction for releasing engagement between the first screw and the second screw, toward the valve body to push the valve body, and enters a slit to open the valve body, and when the cap rotates in a second direction for engaging the first screw and the second screw with each other, relatively rotates in the first direction, and moves away from the valve body to close the valve body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a container with a cap, which has a valve body at an opening for discharging a liquid content. This valve body is formed of an elastic material and is divided by a slit. Patent Document 1 discloses a cap having a pushing portion for pushing open the valve body divided by the slit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for example, when the internal pressure of the container increases due to environmental changes such as a temperature rise, if the container is turned upside down to discharge the content, the total pressure of the internal pressure and the head pressure of the content exceeds the pressure resistance of the valve body divided by the slit, and the content may be discharged vigorously. Although the cap described in Patent Document 1 pushes open the slit valve by the pushing portion, it is insufficient to release the pressure of the container. Further, in the cap described in Patent Document 1, in a state where the cap is closed, the valve body divided by the slit is always in a pushed-open state by the pushing portion, so there is a risk that the valve body may creep-deform. Therefore, a technique that can suppress the increase in the pressure inside the container and suppress the creep deformation of the valve body is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The ink supply container is an ink supply container including a bottle capable of storing ink and a cap detachably attached to the bottle. The bottle includes an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first screw portion, and a valve provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body. The cap includes a cylindrical body portion having a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second screw portion engageable with the first screw portion, a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is attached to the bottle, and a protruding portion extending in a direction along the central axis of the body portion. When the cap rotates in a first direction to disengage the first screw portion from the second screw portion, the protruding portion moves toward the valve, presses the valve body, and opens the valve. When the cap rotates in a second direction to engage the first screw portion with the second screw portion, the protruding portion rotates relatively in the first direction, separates from the valve body, and closes the valve. According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply container. The ink supply container is an ink supply container including a bottle capable of storing ink and a cap detachably attached to the bottle. The bottle includes an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first screw portion, and a valve provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body made of an elastic material and divided by one or more slits. The cap includes a cylindrical body portion having a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second screw portion engageable with the first screw portion, a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is attached to the bottle, and a protruding portion extending in a direction along the central axis of the body portion. When the cap rotates in a first direction to disengage the first screw portion from the second screw portion, the protruding portion moves toward the valve body, presses the valve body, and enters the slit, thereby opening the valve body. When the cap rotates in a second direction to engage the first screw portion with the second screw portion, the protruding portion rotates relatively in the first direction, separates from the valve body, and closes the valve body. The valve of the ink supply container according to another embodiment further includes a seal member attached to the ink outlet and a spring member for biasing the valve body toward the seal member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] A: Embodiment: A1: Overall Structure of the Recording Apparatus: FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 21 in an embodiment. The recording apparatus 21 is an inkjet printer that records an image or the like on a medium by discharging ink onto the medium. In FIG. 1, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction that are orthogonal to each other are shown. The X direction and the Y direction are directions parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a direction parallel to the vertical direction. Also, one direction of the X direction is defined as the +X direction, and the other direction of the X direction is defined as the -X direction. One direction of the Y direction is defined as the +Y direction, and the other direction of the Y direction is defined as the -Y direction. One direction of the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the other direction of the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as the upward direction, and the -Z direction is also referred to as the downward direction.

[0008] The recording apparatus 21 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 22 having the X direction as its longitudinal direction. A support base 23 having the X direction as its longitudinal direction is provided at the lower part inside the housing 22 such that its upper surface is along the substantially horizontal direction. A sheet of paper P, which is an example of a medium, is supported on the upper surface of the support base 23 and is conveyed in the +Y direction, which is the conveyance direction. A guide shaft 24 extending along the X direction is installed at an upper position of the support base 23 inside the housing 22, and a carriage 26 having a recording head 25 for discharging ink on its lower surface side is supported on the guide shaft 24. The carriage 26 is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in the X direction with respect to the guide shaft 24 in a state where the guide shaft 24 is inserted through a support hole penetrating in the X direction.

[0009] A drive pulley 28 and a driven pulley 29 are rotatably supported at positions near both ends of the guide shaft 24 inside the housing 22. An output shaft of a carriage motor 30 is connected to the drive pulley 28, and an endless timing belt 31, a part of which is connected to the carriage 26, is wound around between the drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29. When the carriage 26 is reciprocally moved along the X direction, which is the scanning direction with respect to the sheet of paper P, while being guided by the guide shaft 24 via the timing belt 31 by driving of the carriage motor 30, ink is discharged from the recording head 25 on the lower surface side of the carriage 26 onto the sheet of paper P that is conveyed forward on the support base 23.

[0010] On the +Y-direction side surface of the housing 22, a discharge port 32, a discharge tray 33, and a paper feed cassette 34 are provided. The discharge port 32 discharges the sheet P on which recording has been performed by the ejection of ink from the recording head 25. The discharge tray 33 supports the sheet P discharged from within the housing 22. The paper feed cassette 34 is provided below the discharge tray 33 and stores a plurality of sheets P used for recording in a stacked state.

[0011] On the +Y-direction side surface of the housing 22 and at the +X-direction side end portion, an opening / closing door 35 is provided. The opening / closing door 35 is capable of opening and closing with its lower end as the rotation center. On the +Y-direction side surface of the opening / closing door 35, a window portion 37 made of a rectangular transparent member and allowing internal visual recognition is formed. When the opening / closing door 35 of the housing 22 is opened, an ink replenishment adapter 47 of an ink supply unit 40 described later is exposed.

[0012] Within the housing 22 of the recording apparatus 21, at a position behind the opening / closing door 35, an ink supply unit 40 that supplies ink to the recording head 25 is housed. The ink housed in the ink supply unit 40 is supplied to the recording head 25 through an ink supply tube 46. The ink supply tube 46 drawn out from the ink supply unit 40 is connected to an ink flow path (not shown) formed within the carriage 26 and is connected to the recording head 25 via the ink flow path.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink supply unit 40. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 40 and is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply unit 40 includes five ink tanks 41a to 41e, five ink supply tubes 46, and an ink replenishment adapter 47. The five ink tanks 41a to 41e have different colors of ink contained therein. The colors of the ink contained in each of the ink tanks 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e are, for example, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and the like. In the following description, the five ink tanks 41a to 41e are also collectively referred to as the ink tank 41. The ink tank 41 has a substantially box shape that is long in the Y direction with the ends in the +Z direction and +Y direction being notched, and the ink supply tube 46 is attached to the surface on the -Y direction side. The notched portion of the ink tank 41 is a stepped portion 48. The ink replenishment adapter 47 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is attached so as to cover all of the stepped portions 48 of each of the five ink tanks 41a to 41e in a state where the five ink tanks 41a to 41e are arranged in the X direction.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 41 has, in addition to the stepped portion 48 described above, an ink storage chamber 49 for storing ink, a viewing portion 50, and a needle 56. The viewing portion 50 forms a part of the surface of the ink storage chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 on the +Y direction side and is formed of a transparent resin. As shown in FIG. 2, an upper limit mark 51 indicating the upper limit of the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 49 and a lower limit mark 52 indicating the lower limit are marked on the viewing portion 50. The user can inject the ink with reference to the upper limit mark 51 without overflowing the ink. Also, the user can know the timing of ink replenishment with reference to the lower limit mark 52. The needle 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the +Z direction with the surface along the XY direction of the stepped portion 48 as the base. Inside the needle 56, a first flow path 54 and a second flow path 55 are formed. The first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 are formed by dividing the internal space of the needle 56. The first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 communicate the ink storage chamber 49 with the outside. The positions of the tips of the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 are below the upper surface position of the ink replenishment adapter 47. In the present embodiment, the height of the tip of the first flow path 54 in the +Z direction is lower than the height of the tip of the second flow path 55 in the +Z direction, but the tip of the needle 56 may be a flat surface where the heights of the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 are equal.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the ink replenishment adapter 47 has five ink replenishment portions 47a. Each of the five ink replenishment portions 47a is provided corresponding to each of the five ink tanks 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink replenishment portion 47a has a recess 60 and a first uneven portion 62. The planar shape of the recess 60 viewed from the +Z direction is a shape in which a circle and a rectangle long in the Y direction with a line passing through the center of the circle and extending in the Y direction as the axis of symmetry are superimposed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the recess 60 penetrates the ink replenishment adapter 47 in the Z direction, and the -Z direction end portion is closed by the surface along the XY plane of the stepped portion 48. The needle 56 is disposed inside the recess 60.

[0016] The first uneven portion 62 is disposed inside the concave portion 60 and is composed of a plurality of rod portions 62a having a rod shape extending in the +Z direction. The tip of the rod portion 62a is located below the upper surface position of the ink supply adapter 47. The cross-sectional shapes and arrangement positions of the plurality of rod portions 62a are formed to be different from each other for each corresponding ink tank 41a to 41e. Note that although the cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of rod portions 62a included in the ink supply unit 40 are different from each other, for convenience, in the present embodiment, they are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. The same applies to the first uneven portion 62. For example, the first uneven portion 62 corresponding to the ink tank 41a has one rod portion 62a on each of the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side with respect to the needle 56. The distance between the rod portion 62a disposed on the +Y direction side and the needle 56 is longer than the distance between the rod portion 62a disposed on the -Y direction side and the needle 56. On the other hand, the first uneven portion 62 corresponding to the ink tank 41b similarly has two rod portions 62a, but the distance between each of the two rod portions 62a and the needle 56 is equal. Although the description of the first uneven portions 62 corresponding to the ink tanks 41c to 41e is omitted, similarly, the cross-sectional shapes and arrangement positions of the rod portions 62a are formed to be different from each other. By forming the first uneven portions 62 having different shapes for each of the ink tanks 41a to 41e, only the bottle 80 compatible with any one of the ink colors of the ink tanks 41a to 41e to be replenished can be inserted into the ink replenishment portion 47a during ink replenishment using the bottle 80. Details of the ink replenishment will be described later.

[0017] A2: Structure of Ink Supply Container: FIG. 4 is a side view of the ink supply container 63. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottle 80. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottle 80. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the bottle 80 showing the protruding portion 684 and is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4. The ink supply container 63 is used to supply ink to the ink supply unit 40.

[0018] Figures 4 to 7 show the Z direction. One direction of the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the other direction of the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as the upward direction, and the -Z direction is also referred to as the downward direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply container 63 includes a bottle 80 and a cap 68 detachably attached to the bottle 80. The bottle 80 can accommodate ink and includes a container main body portion 64 and an ink outlet forming portion 150 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the container main body portion 64 has an ink storage portion 76, a neck portion 77, and a container screw portion 78. As shown in FIG. 4, the container main body portion 64 is a bottomed cylindrical container. The internal space of the container main body portion 64 is an ink storage portion 76 for storing ink. The container main body portion 64 is made of a transparent or translucent material. For example, polypropylene can be used as such a material. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper portion of the container main body portion 64 has a reduced diameter, and the portion with the reduced diameter is the neck portion 77. The container screw portion 78 is a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 77.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 6, the ink outlet forming portion 150 covers the neck portion 77 of the container main body portion 64 and is detachably attached to the container main body portion 64. The ink outlet forming portion 150 is generally cylindrical and has an outer peripheral portion 70, a small diameter portion 66, an ink outlet 65, a spout screw portion 82, a first screw portion 69, a slit valve 74 as a valve, and a first protruding portion 91. The outer peripheral portion 70 is disposed on the lower end side of the ink outlet forming portion 150 and is formed with a larger diameter than the neck portion 77. On the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 70, a spout screw portion 82, which is a female screw that engages with the container screw portion 78 formed on the container main body portion 64, is formed. And on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 70, a first screw portion 69, which is a male screw, is formed. The small diameter portion 66 is disposed above the outer peripheral portion 70. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 66 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer peripheral portion 70. The ink outlet 65, which is cylindrical, is disposed at the upper end portion of the small diameter portion 66.

[0021] In addition to the above configuration, the ink outlet forming portion 150 has two convex portions 71, two second concavo-convex portions 72, and a positioning portion 73 shown in FIG. 5. The two convex portions 71 and the two second concavo-convex portions 72 are formed outward in the radial direction of the small-diameter portion 66. The two convex portions 71 have a wall extending in the radial direction of the small-diameter portion 66 and a portion extending in the circumferential direction of the small-diameter portion 66 at the radial tip of the wall. The two second concavo-convex portions 72 are formed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the wall on the walls of the two convex portions 71 or in the circumferential direction of the small-diameter portion 66. The two convex portions 71 are erected in the +Z direction with the outer peripheral portion 70 as the base. More specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the two convex portions 71 and the two second concavo-convex portions 72 are arranged point-symmetrically about the central axis CX. The two convex portions 71 are formed so as to fit into the ink supply adapter 47. A second concavo-convex portion 72 is formed between the outer end in the radial direction of the small-diameter portion 66 and the end on the small-diameter portion 66 side of each of the two convex portions 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the shape of each second concavo-convex portion 72 when viewed from the Z direction is a shape in which a part of each of the two surfaces parallel to the diameter direction is cut out so that the first concavo-convex portion 62 fits. Note that the shape of the second concavo-convex portion 72 is different for each color of the ink accommodated in the bottle 80, and the shape of the second concavo-convex portion 72 shown in FIG. 7 is a shape that fits with the first concavo-convex portion 62 corresponding to the ink tank 41b. Specifically, the shape of the second concavo-convex portion 72 is a shape predetermined for each ink color accommodated in the bottle 80, and is a shape that fits with the first concavo-convex portion 62 determined for each ink color. As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning portion 73 is formed substantially at the center of the small-diameter portion 66 in the Z direction. The positioning portion 73 has an annular portion and portions extending from both ends in the diameter direction of this annular portion toward the two convex portions 71. As shown in FIG. 7, when viewed from the Z direction, the positioning portion 73 projects outward from the outer peripheries of the small-diameter portion 66, the second concavo-convex portion 72, and the convex portion 71. In ink supply, when the bottle 80 is inserted into the ink supply portion 47a, the positioning portion 73 abuts against the outer edge in the short side direction of the concave portion 60, that is, the X direction, on the upper surface of the ink supply adapter 47, and positioning in the central axis CX direction is performed.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, the slit valve 74 is provided at the opening of the ink outlet 65, and controls the flow of ink by opening and closing the flow path in the ink outlet 65. As shown in FIG. 7, the slit valve 74 has a valve body 742 made of an elastic material such as silicone. The planar shape of the valve body 742 viewed from the Z direction is circular, and is divided by one or more slits 75 extending radially from the center of the ink outlet 65 toward the outer periphery. In the present embodiment, the valve body 742 is divided by six slits 75. The slit valve 74 is closed because the slit 75 is closed when no external force is applied. When an external force is applied to the slit valve 74, the slit valve 74 opens because the slit 75 of the valve body 742 is pushed open. As shown in FIG. 7, the two first protrusions 91 are provided to protrude inward in the radial direction from the second inner peripheral portion 65a of the ink outlet 65. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the first protrusion 91 is located outside the slit valve 74 in the direction of the central axis CX of the ink outlet 65.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the cap 68 is detachably attached to the ink outlet forming portion 150 so as to cover the ink outlet forming portion 150. The cap 68 has a body portion 682, a top surface portion 683, a top surface protrusion 683a, a protrusion 684, a second screw portion 681, and a third screw portion 685.

[0024] The body portion 682 has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the body portion 682 is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion 70. The body portion 682 has a first inner peripheral portion 682a facing the ink outlet forming portion 150. A second threaded portion 681, which is a female thread engageable with the first threaded portion 69, is formed at the -Z direction side end of the first inner peripheral portion 682a. The top surface portion 683 is formed so as to close the +Z direction side end of the body portion 682. The top surface portion 683 faces the ink outlet 65 provided on the bottle 80 in the cap-attached state. A third threaded portion 685 is formed on the top surface portion 683. Specifically, the top surface protruding portion 683a is provided so as to protrude toward the ink outlet 65 on the surface of the top surface portion 683 facing the ink outlet 65. A hole recessed in the +Z direction along the central axis CX is formed in the top surface protruding portion 683a, and a third threaded portion 685, which is a female thread, is formed on the inner peripheral surface of this hole.

[0025] The protruding portion 684 extends in the direction along the central axis CX of the body portion 682. The protruding portion 684 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The protruding portion 684 is attached to the cap 68 by screw engagement so that the central axis of the protruding portion 684 is along the central axis CX of the top surface portion 683. The protruding portion 684 has a side wall 688 which is an outer peripheral surface, a fourth threaded portion 686, and two second protruding portions 687. The fourth threaded portion 686 is a male thread engageable with the third threaded portion 685 formed at the +Z direction side end of the side wall 688. The two second protruding portions 687 are formed to protrude radially from the side wall 688 at the -Z direction side end of the side wall 688. The protruding portion 684 is configured to be movable forward and backward in the central axis CX direction with respect to the cap 68 by the screw engagement of the fourth threaded portion 686 with the third threaded portion 685.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 have a right-handed screw structure that engages when the cap 68 is rotated clockwise with respect to the bottle 80. On the other hand, the third screw portion 685 and the fourth screw portion 686 have a left-handed screw structure that engages when the cap 68 is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the protruding portion 684. The screw pitch P2 of the third screw portion 685 and the fourth screw portion 686 is larger than the screw pitch P1 of the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681. Thereby, the advancing and retreating distance of the protruding portion 684 with respect to the rotation amount of the cap 68 can be increased as compared with the case where the screw pitch P1 and the screw pitch P2 are the same.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, when viewed from the Z direction, the two first protruding portions 91 are formed point-symmetrically with the central axis CX as the center of symmetry. Each first protruding portion 91 has two wall surfaces whose included angle with each other is substantially a right angle. The two second protruding portions 687 of the protruding portion 684 are arranged to face each other across the central axis CX on the same straight line passing through the central axis CX. Each second protruding portion 687 has two wall surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other. In a state where the second screw portion 681 of the cap 68 is engaged with the first screw portion 69 of the bottle 80, one of the two first protruding portions 91 abuts against one of the two second protruding portions 687. Then, the other of the two first protruding portions 91 abuts against the other of the two second protruding portions 687. Thereby, rotation of the protruding portion 684 with respect to the bottle 80 is restricted when the cap 68 is rotated in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction with respect to the bottle 80.

[0028] A3: Ink replenishment by the ink replenishment container: When the ink stored in the ink tank 41 runs out, the user replenishes the ink using the ink replenishment container 63. Specifically, the user first removes the cap 68 of the ink replenishment container 63 to expose the ink outlet forming portion 150. Next, the movement of the protruding portion 684 when the cap 68 of the ink replenishment container 63 is removed will be described.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining how the relative position of the top surface portion 683 of the protrusion 684 changes according to the attachment and detachment of the cap 68. The left diagram of FIG. 8 shows the state where the cap 68 is attached, and the right diagram of FIG. 8 shows the state where the screwing engagement between the cap 68 and the ink outlet forming portion 150 is released. When the cap 68 is rotated counterclockwise as the first direction for releasing the screwing engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 150 while the cap 68 is screwed to the ink outlet forming portion 150, the screwing engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 is released. During the counterclockwise rotation of the cap 68, the second protrusion 687 of the protrusion 684 abuts against the first protrusion 91, and the rotation of the protrusion 684 around the central axis CX is restricted. Then, by the second protrusion 687 abutting against the first protrusion 91, the protrusion 684 relatively rotates clockwise as the second direction opposite to the first direction. Due to this relative rotation, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 742 and pushes the valve body 742 to enter into the slit 75. Specifically, by the counterclockwise rotation of the third screw portion 685, the thread of the fourth screw portion 686 is guided by the thread groove of the third screw portion 685, and the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 742. As a result, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8, the protrusion 684 opens the slit valve 74, and the pressure in the ink storage portion 76 is released.

[0030] On the other hand, when the cap 68 is rotated clockwise as the second direction in which the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 150, the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together. When the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together and rotated clockwise, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body 742. When the protrusion 684 separates from the valve body 742, the valve body 742 closes. As a result, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, in a state where the cap 68 is attached, the protrusion 684 does not deform the valve body 742, so that creep deformation of the valve body 742 can be suppressed. If the valve body 742 undergoes creep deformation, ink may drip from the valve body 742 when the bottle 80 is turned upside down. By suppressing the creep deformation of the valve body 742, dripping of ink when the bottle 80 is turned upside down can be suppressed.

[0031] In ink replenishment using the ink replenishment container 63, after removing the cap 68 from the bottle 80, the user turns the bottle 80 upside down and fits the convex portion 71 of the exposed bottle 80 into the concave portion 60 of the ink supply unit 40. Here, when the internal pressure of the ink storage portion 76 rises and the pressure in the ink storage portion 76 is not sufficiently released, when the bottle 80 is turned upside down, the total pressure of the internal pressure of the ink replenishment container 63 and the hydrostatic pressure of the ink may exceed the pressure resistance of the valve body 742, and the ink may be discharged vigorously. Examples of the case where the internal pressure of the ink replenishment container 63 rises include the case where the temperature has risen compared to the previous time when the cap 68 was attached. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the cap 68 is removed from the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 enters the valve body 742 to release the pressure in the ink replenishment container 63. Therefore, even when the ink replenishment container 63 is turned upside down, it is possible to suppress the ink from being discharged vigorously.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the bottle 80 is inserted into the ink supply adapter 47 with the bottle 80 upside down. As described above, the shape of the second uneven portion 72 of the bottle 80 is a shape that fits with the first uneven portion 62 associated with the ink color to be accommodated. When the color of the ink contained in the bottle 80 matches the color of the ink contained in the ink tank 41 scheduled for replenishment, as shown in FIG. 9, the user can insert the bottle 80 into the ink supply adapter 47. Thereby, the user can replenish the ink without mistake. The user inserts the bottle 80 until the positioning portion 73 abuts against the upper surface of the ink supply adapter 47. When the bottle 80 is inserted, the slit valve 74 is opened by the needle 56. Either one of the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 becomes the ink flow path, and the other becomes the air flow path. Among the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55, the flow path whose open end touches the ink first becomes the ink flow path, and the flow path that does not become the ink flow path becomes the air flow path. The slit valve 74 is opened, and the ink in the bottle 80 is replenished into the ink tank 41 through the first flow path 54 or the second flow path 55. When the replenishment is completed, the user pulls out the bottle 80 from the ink supply adapter 47 and attaches the cap 68 to the bottle 80. As described above, when the cap 68 is attached to the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 of the cap 68 is separated from the valve body 742. In FIGS. 3 and 9, the heights of the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55 are shown to be different, but the first flow path 54 may be formed to have the same height as the second flow path 55.

[0033] According to the embodiments described above, when the cap 68 rotates in the first direction to disengage the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 742 and pushes the valve body 742 to enter the slit 75. Thereby, by the protrusion 684 pushing the valve body 742, the pressure inside the bottle 80 can be released. Then, when the cap 68 rotates in the second direction in which the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 engage, the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body 742. Thereby, since the protrusion 684 separates from the valve body 742, creep deformation of the valve body 742 can be suppressed. Further, when the cap 68 rotates in the first direction, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the second direction and moves toward the valve body 742, thereby pushing the valve body 742 to enter the slit 75. Then, when the cap 68 rotates in the second direction, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body 742. According to this embodiment, when the cap 68 rotates in the first direction with respect to the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 can push the valve body 742. And when the cap 68 rotates in the second direction with respect to the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 can separate from the valve body 742. Also, the thread pitch P2 of the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 may be set to be larger than the thread pitch P1 of the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681. Thereby, the advancing and retracting distance of the protrusion 684 with respect to the rotation amount of the cap 68 can be increased compared to the case where the thread pitch P2 is the same as or smaller than the thread pitch P1.

[0034] B. Other Embodiments: B1. Other Embodiment 1: In the above-described embodiment, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 have a right-handed thread structure, and the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 have a left-handed thread structure. In contrast, the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 may have a left-handed thread structure, and the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 may have a right-handed thread structure. By making the structures of the first threaded portion 69 and the second threaded portion 681 and the structures of the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686 have opposite thread structures, a structure in which the protrusion 684 is advanced and retracted by the rotation of the cap 68 with respect to the bottle 80 can be realized.

[0035] B2. Other Embodiment 2: In the above-described embodiment, the two first protrusions 91 are provided so as to protrude from the ink outlet 65. The first protrusion 91 has two wall surfaces whose included angle with each other is substantially a right angle. The shape of the first protrusion 91 is not limited to this, and it is preferably a shape that protrudes from the second inner peripheral portion 65a of the ink outlet 65 toward the central axis CX. Further, two second protrusions 687 are provided on the protrusion 684. The shapes of the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 687 are not limited to the above-described form. For example, one first protrusion 91 and one second protrusion 687 may be provided, or the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 687 may be in a form that fits in the vertical direction.

[0036] B3. Other Embodiment 3: In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 684 is attached to the top surface portion 683 by screw engagement between the third threaded portion 685 and the fourth threaded portion 686, whereby a structure in which the protrusion 684 is advanced and retracted by the rotation of the cap 68 with respect to the bottle 80 is realized. The structure in which the protrusion 684 is advanced and retracted by the rotation of the cap 68 with respect to the bottle 80 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, it may be realized by using a cam structure that converts the rotational movement of the cap 68 into a reciprocating movement in the direction of the central axis CX.

[0037] C. Other Forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the following forms can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve part or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0038] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, an ink supply container is provided. The ink supply container is an ink supply container including a bottle capable of storing ink and a cap detachably attached to the bottle. The bottle has an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first screw portion, and a valve body made of an elastic material provided at the ink outlet, the valve body having a valve body divided by one or more slits. The cap has a cylindrical body portion having a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second screw portion engageable with the first screw portion, a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is attached to the bottle, and a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the body portion. When the cap rotates in a first direction to disengage the first screw portion and the second screw portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, presses the valve body, and enters the slit, thereby opening the valve body. When the cap rotates in a second direction in which the first screw portion and the second screw portion engage, the cap rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body, thereby closing the valve body. According to this aspect, when the cap is rotated in the first direction with respect to the bottle, the protrusion presses the valve body, so that the pressure in the bottle can be released. And when the cap is rotated in the second direction with respect to the bottle, the protrusion moves away from the valve body, so that creep deformation of the valve body can be suppressed.

[0039] (2) In the ink supply container of the above-described embodiment, the bottle further has a first protruding portion that protrudes from a second inner peripheral portion of the ink outlet, the cap further has a third threaded portion formed on the top surface portion, the protruding portion has a side wall formed with a fourth threaded portion engageable with the third threaded portion, and a second protruding portion protruding from the side wall. When the cap rotates in the first direction, the second protruding portion abuts against the first protruding portion, whereby the protruding portion relatively rotates in the second direction and moves toward the valve body, thereby pushing the valve body and entering the slit. When the cap rotates in the second direction, the second protruding portion abuts against the first protruding portion, whereby the protruding portion relatively rotates in the first direction and separates from the valve body. According to this embodiment, when the cap rotates in the first direction, the protruding portion can relatively rotate in the second direction and move toward the valve body due to the second protruding portion abutting against the first protruding portion. And when the cap rotates in the second direction, the protruding portion can relatively rotate in the first direction and separate from the valve body due to the second protruding portion abutting against the first protruding portion. Thereby, when the cap is rotated in the first direction with respect to the bottle, the protruding portion can release the pressure in the bottle by pushing the valve body. And when the cap is rotated in the second direction with respect to the bottle, since the protruding portion separates from the valve body, creep deformation of the valve body can be suppressed.

[0040] (3) In the ink supply container of the above-described embodiment, the thread pitch of the third threaded portion and the fourth threaded portion may be larger than the thread pitch of the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. According to this embodiment, the advance and retreat distance of the protruding portion with respect to the rotation amount of the cap can be increased as compared with the case where the thread pitch of the third threaded portion and the fourth threaded portion is the same as or smaller than the thread pitch of the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion.

[0041] Not all of the multiple components of each of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are essential. In order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, for some of the multiple components, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with other new components, or partially delete the limiting content. Further, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above can be combined with some or all of the technical features included in other embodiments of the present disclosure described above to form an independent embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] D: Other embodiments: Next, the configuration of the ink supply container 63A, which is another embodiment, will be described. For the same configurations as those in the above embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 10, the ink supply container 63A includes a bottle 80A capable of storing ink and a cap 68A detachably attached to the bottle 80A. As shown in FIG. 11, the bottle 80A includes a container main body portion 64A and an ink outlet forming portion 150A.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, the container main body portion 64A has an ink storage portion 76, a neck portion 77, and a container screw portion 78. The container main body portion 64A is a bottomed cylindrical container. The internal space of the container main body portion 64A is the ink storage portion 76 for storing ink.

[0045] The ink outlet forming portion 150A covers the neck portion 77 of the container main body portion 64A and is detachably attached to the container main body portion 64A. The ink outlet forming portion 150A is generally cylindrical and has an outer peripheral portion 70, a small diameter portion 66, an ink outlet 65, a spout screw portion 82, a first screw portion 69, a valve 174, and a first protruding portion 91.

[0046] A valve 174 is provided at the opening of the ink outlet 65. The valve 174 controls the flow of ink by opening and closing the flow path within the ink outlet 65. The valve 174 of the present embodiment includes a cylindrical valve housing 845. The valve housing 845 is disposed at the opening of the ink outlet 65. A seal member 843, a valve body 842, and a spring member 844 are accommodated within the valve housing 845. The seal member 843 is cylindrical and is attached to the inner peripheral portion of the ink outlet 65. The seal member 843 is formed from an elastic material such as silicone, for example. A convex protrusion 843a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 843 toward the central axis CX. The valve body 842 is disposed below the seal member 843 and is configured to be movable in a direction along the Z-axis with respect to the seal member 843. Specifically, the valve body 842 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the seal member 843. The valve body 842 is biased toward the seal member 843 by the spring member 844. Further, an opening 845a extending in a direction along the Z-axis is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the valve housing 845. The opening 845a is a through-hole that penetrates the side wall of the valve housing 845 in the radial direction centered on the central axis CX.

[0047] The valve body 842 includes a flat portion 842b that contacts the seal member 843. When the -Z direction end face of the seal member 843 and the +Z direction end face of the flat portion 842b come into contact, the flow path within the ink outlet 65 is closed. On the other hand, when the -Z direction end face of the seal member 843 and the +Z direction end face of the flat portion 842b are separated, the ink outlet 65 and the ink storage portion 76 communicate (communicate with the atmosphere) through the opening 845a, and the flow path within the ink outlet 65 is opened.

[0048] Further, the valve body 842 is provided with a protrusion 842a that protrudes in the +Z direction from the flat portion 842b. The protrusion 842a is disposed at a position facing the protrusion 684. The spring member 844 is, for example, a coil spring. The -Z direction end portion of the spring member 844 is supported by the valve housing 845, and the +Z direction end portion of the spring member 844 abuts against the valve body 842 to support the valve body 842. Due to the biasing force of the spring member 844 in the +Z direction, the valve body 842 abuts against the seal member 843, and the flow path in the ink outlet 65 is closed. That is, the valve body 842 is in a closed valve state because the seal member 843 and the valve body 842 are in contact with each other when no external force is applied. When an external force is applied to the valve body 842 in the -Z direction, the valve body 842 is pushed downward in the -Z direction with respect to the seal member 843, so that the seal member 843 and the valve body 842 are separated from each other, and the valve is in an open state.

[0049] The cap 68A is detachably attached to the ink outlet forming portion 150A so as to cover the ink outlet forming portion 150A. The cap 68A has a body portion 682, a top surface portion 683, a top surface protruding portion 683a, a protruding portion 684, a second screw portion 681, and a third screw portion 685. The protruding portion 684 is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the central axis CX direction with respect to the cap 68A.

[0050] When the ink stored in the ink tank 41 runs low, the user replenishes the ink using the ink replenishment container 63A. Specifically, the user first removes the cap 68A of the ink replenishment container 63A to expose the ink outlet forming portion 150A.

[0051] Here, the movement of the protruding portion 684 when the cap 68A of the ink replenishment container 63A is removed will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining how the relative position of the top surface portion 683 of the protrusion 684 changes according to the attachment and detachment of the cap 68A. The left diagram in FIG. 13 shows the state in which the cap 68A is attached, and the right diagram in FIG. 13 shows the state in which the screwing engagement between the cap 68 and the ink outlet forming portion 150A is released. When the cap 68A is rotated counterclockwise as the first direction for releasing the screwing engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 150A while the cap 68A is screwed to the ink outlet forming portion 150A, the screwing engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 is released. During the counterclockwise rotation of the cap 68A, the second protruding portion 687 of the protrusion 684 abuts against the first protruding portion 91, and the rotation of the protrusion 684 around the central axis CX is restricted. Then, due to the second protruding portion 687 abutting against the first protruding portion 91, the protrusion 684 relatively rotates clockwise as the second direction opposite to the first direction. Due to this relative rotation, the protrusion 684 moves toward the protruding portion 842a of the valve body 842, and further, the protrusion 684 abuts against the protruding portion 842a and presses the protruding portion 842a (valve body 842) downward (-Z direction). Specifically, due to the counterclockwise rotation of the third screw portion 685, the thread of the fourth screw portion 686 is guided by the thread groove of the third screw portion 685, and the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 842. Specifically, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 13, the protrusion 684 moves the valve body 842 in the -Z direction against the biasing force of the spring member 844. Thereby, the seal member 843 and the valve body 842 are separated from each other, and the valve is opened through the opening 845a, and the pressure in the ink storage portion 76 is released.

[0052] On one hand, when the cap 68A is rotated clockwise as the second direction in which the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together with respect to the ink outlet forming portion 150A, the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together. When the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 are screwed together and rotated clockwise, the second protrusion 687 abuts against the first protrusion 91, so that the protrusion 684 rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body 842. When the protrusion 684 separates from the valve body 842, the seal member 843 and the valve body 842 come into contact with each other, and the valve 174 closes. As shown in the left figure of FIG. 13, in the state where the cap 68A is mounted, the protrusion 684 is separated from the valve body 842, and the valve body 842 is not pressed by the protrusion 684, so that the creep deformation of the valve body 842 can be suppressed. If the valve body 842 undergoes creep deformation, ink may drip from the valve body 842 when the bottle 80A is turned upside down. In the present embodiment, by suppressing the creep deformation of the valve body 842, it is possible to suppress the dripping of ink when the bottle 80A is turned upside down.

[0053] In the replenishment of ink using the ink replenishing container 63A, after removing the cap 68A from the bottle 80A, the user turns the bottle 80A upside down and fits the convex portion 71 of the exposed bottle 80A into the concave portion 60 of the ink supply unit 40. Here, when the internal pressure of the ink storage portion 76 rises and the pressure in the ink storage portion 76 is not sufficiently released, when the bottle 80A is turned upside down, the total pressure of the internal pressure of the ink replenishing container 63A and the hydrostatic pressure of the ink may exceed the pressure resistance of the valve body 842, and the ink may be ejected vigorously. Examples of the case where the internal pressure of the ink replenishing container 63A rises include the case where the temperature rises compared to the previous time when the cap 68A was mounted. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the cap 68A is removed from the bottle 80A, the protrusion 684 presses the valve body 842 to open the valve 174 and release the pressure in the ink storage portion 76. Therefore, even when the ink replenishing container 63A is turned upside down, it is possible to suppress the ink from being ejected vigorously.

[0054] FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the bottle 80A is inserted into the ink tank 41 with the bottle 80A upside down. When the bottle 80A is inserted, the needle 56 presses the valve body 842, thereby opening the valve 174. Either the first flow path 54 or the second flow path 55 serves as an ink flow path, and the other serves as an air flow path. When the valve 174 is opened, the ink in the bottle 80A is replenished into the ink tank 41 through the first flow path 54 or the second flow path 55. When the bottle 80A is inserted into the ink tank 41, the protrusion 843a of the seal member 843 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the needle 56, thereby maintaining the closure of the ink outlet 65 and preventing ink leakage. When the replenishment is completed, the user pulls out the bottle 80A from the ink tank 41 and attaches the cap 68A to the bottle 80A. As described above, when the cap 68A is attached to the bottle 80A, the protrusion 684 of the cap 68A is separated from the valve body 842.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the cap 68A rotates in the first direction for releasing the engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve body 842 and pushes the valve body 842 downward. Thereby, the valve 174 is opened and the pressure in the bottle 80A can be released. When the cap 68A rotates in the second direction in which the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 engage with each other, the protrusion 684 relatively rotates in the first direction and separates from the valve body 842. Thereby, the creep deformation of the valve body 842 can be suppressed. Further, compared with the configuration using the slit valve 74, the problem of ink leakage from the slit 75 due to creep deformation is solved. Also, compared with the case where the valve 174 is always opened by the protrusion 684 of the cap 68A, in the present embodiment, the load of the spring member 844 is temporary. Since a continuous stress due to the spring load for opening the valve is applied to the portion where the ink adheres, chemical cracks are likely to occur. However, since the spring load for opening the valve is temporary, it is easy to avoid such a situation.

[0056] In the ink supply containers 63 and 63A of the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the valve 174 including the slit valve 74 and the spring member 844 as the valve has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any configuration may be used as long as it is a valve structure that can be opened and closed according to the movement of the protrusion 684. For example, when the cap 68 rotates in the first direction to release the engagement between the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681, the protrusion 684 moves toward the valve to push the valve body and open the valve. When the cap 68 rotates in the second direction in which the first screw portion 69 and the second screw portion 681 engage with each other, the protrusion 684 relatively rotates in the first direction and separates from the valve body to close the valve. Any ink supply container may be used as long as it has such a configuration. According to this configuration, when the cap 68 is rotated in the first direction with respect to the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 pushes the valve body, so that the pressure in the bottle 80 can be released. When the cap 68 is rotated in the second direction with respect to the bottle 80, the protrusion 684 moves away from the valve body, so that deformation of the valve body or continuous load on the member that opens the valve can be suppressed. In particular, when a continuous stress due to a continuous load is applied to the portion where the ink adheres, chemical cracks are likely to occur, but it becomes easier to avoid such a situation.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 21…Recording device, 22…Housing, 23…Support stand, 24…Guide shaft, 25…Recording head, 26…Carriage, 28…Drive pulley, 29…Driven pulley, 30…Carriage motor, 31…Timing belt, 32…Discharge port, 33…Discharge tray, 34…Paper feed cassette, 35…Opening / closing door, 37…Window part, 40…Ink supply unit, 41, 41a~41e…Ink tank, 46…Ink supply tube, 47…Ink refill adapter, 47a…Ink refill part, 48…Step part, 49…Ink storage chamber, 50…Visual recognition part, 51…Upper limit mark, 52…Lower limit mark, 54…First flow path, 55…Second flow path, 56…Needle, 60…Recessed part, 62…First uneven part, 62a…Rod part, 63, 63A…Ink refill container, 64, 64A…Container main body part, 65…Ink outlet, 65a…Second inner peripheral part, 66…Small diameter part, 68, 68A…Cap, 69…First screw part, 70…Outer peripheral part, 71…Protrusion, 72…Second uneven part, 73…Positioning part, 74…Slit valve, 75…Slit, 76…Ink storage part, 77…Neck part, 78…Container screw part, 80, 80A…Bottle, 82…Spout screw part, 91…First protrusion, 150, 150A…Ink outlet forming part, 174…Valve, 681…Second screw part, 682…Barrel part, 682a…First inner peripheral part, 683…Top surface part, 683a…Top surface protrusion, 684…Protrusion part, 685…Third screw part, 686…Fourth screw part, 687…Second protrusion, 688…Side wall, 742…Valve body, 842…Valve body, 842a…Protrusion part, 842b…Flat part, 843‥‥Sealing member, 843a…Protruding part, 844…Spring member, 845…Valve housing, 845a…Opening, CX…Central axis, P…Paper, P1, P2…Screw pitch.

Claims

1. A bottle capable of containing ink, and a cap detachably attached to the bottle, an ink refill container comprising: The bottle has an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first screw portion, and a valve provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body, The cap has a cylindrical body portion having a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second screw portion engageable with the first screw portion, a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is attached to the bottle, and a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the body portion, The protrusion moves toward the valve when the cap rotates in a first direction for releasing the engagement between the first screw portion and the second screw portion, thereby pushing the valve body to open the valve, and closes the valve by relatively rotating in the first direction and separating from the valve body when the cap rotates in a second direction in which the first screw portion and the second screw portion engage, an ink refill container.

2. A bottle capable of containing ink, and a cap detachably attached to the bottle, an ink refill container comprising: The bottle has an ink outlet forming portion having a cylindrical ink outlet and an outer peripheral portion formed with a first screw portion, and a valve having a valve body made of an elastic material provided at the ink outlet and having a valve body divided by one or more slits, The cap has a cylindrical body portion having a first inner peripheral portion formed with a second screw portion engageable with the first screw portion, a top surface portion facing the ink outlet when the cap is attached to the bottle, and a protrusion extending in a direction along the central axis of the body portion, The protrusion When the cap rotates in a first direction to release the engagement between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, the protrusion moves toward the valve body, presses the valve body, and enters the slit, thereby opening the valve body. An ink supply container, wherein when the cap rotates in a second direction in which the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion engage with each other, the cap rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body, thereby closing the valve body.

3. The ink supply container according to claim 2, The bottle further has a first protrusion protruding from a second inner peripheral portion of the ink outlet. The cap further has a third threaded portion formed on the top surface portion. The protrusion has a side wall formed with a fourth threaded portion engageable with the third threaded portion, and a second protrusion protruding from the side wall. When the cap rotates in the first direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, so that the protrusion rotates relatively in the second direction and moves toward the valve body, presses the valve body, and enters the slit. An ink supply container, wherein when the cap rotates in the second direction, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, so that the protrusion rotates relatively in the first direction and separates from the valve body.

4. The ink supply container according to claim 3, wherein a thread pitch between the third threaded portion and the fourth threaded portion is larger than a thread pitch between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion.

5. The ink supply container according to claim 1, wherein the valve further includes a seal member attached to the ink outlet and a spring member that biases the valve body toward the seal member.

Images