Liquid supply device

Abstract

To prevent ink from flowing down along an outer surface of a tank 4A including an upper surface 43.SOLUTION: In a bottle 200A, a bottle main body 8 is provided with a base part 84, an annular wall 85 and a neck parts 86. The annular wall 85 is positioned around the beck part 86 with an interval from the neck part 86, which protrudes upward with respect to the base part 84. A tank 4A comprises a protruding wall 45 protruding upward from an upper surface 43 to surround an area in an oval shape in the upper surface 43. At the time of completing connection, an end face 852 of the annular wall 85 contacts a position in an inward direction r21 with respect to the protruding wall 45 on the upper surface 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid supply device.

Background Art

[0002] There is disclosed an ink supply device in which, each time the ink stored in the tank is consumed, the ink is sequentially supplied from the bottle connected to the tank to the tank, so that the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank can be kept constant. In this ink supply device, the ink is supplied from the bottle to the tank by a so-called chicken feed method (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the ink supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bottle is connected to the tank from above. The tank includes an air introduction part 4 communicating with the atmosphere. The bottle includes an ink outflow pipe 2 and an air inflow pipe 3. In a state where the bottle is connected to the tank, the bottle and the tank communicate with each other through the ink outflow pipe 2 and the air inflow pipe 3. When the ink in the tank is consumed and the liquid level of the ink becomes lower than the tip 3a of the air inflow pipe 3, air enters the tank from the air introduction part 4, and the air that has entered the tank enters the bottle through the air inflow pipe 3. Then, the ink corresponding to the volume of the air that has entered the bottle is supplied from the bottle to the tank through the ink outflow pipe 2. When the liquid level of the ink reaches the tip 3a of the air inflow pipe 3, the supply of the ink is stopped. In this way, the liquid level of the ink in the tank is kept constant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When ink is supplied from the bottle to the tank, ink may adhere at the location where the bottle is connected, and the adhered ink may flow down along the outer peripheral surface of the tank. As a result, there arises a problem that the outer peripheral surface of the tank and the interior of the ink supply device become soiled with ink.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid supply device in which liquid hardly flows down along the outer surface of a tank to which a liquid storage bottle is connected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The present invention is a liquid supply device including a liquid storage bottle having a bottle body with an internal space for storing a liquid, and a tank having a storage chamber for storing the liquid. The bottle body has an upper surface, a nozzle protruding upward from the upper surface and having an opening formed in a tip surface, and an annular wall located around the nozzle with a space therebetween and protruding upward from the upper surface. The tank has a tank body, a protruding wall protruding from a tank upper surface of the tank body and partitioning a tank recess, and a communication pipe located in the tank recess and having a first flow path and a second flow path for communicating the storage chamber with the outside. The bottle body is connected such that liquid can flow out from the internal space of the bottle body to the storage chamber of the tank when the annular wall is inserted into the tank recess and the communication pipe is inserted into the opening of the nozzle. In a connected state where the bottle body is connected to the tank, the annular wall is located inside the protruding wall.

[0008] In the tank, the liquid accumulated in the tank recess does not flow down along the outer peripheral surface of the tank body.

[0009] (2) A first dimension by which the annular wall protrudes from the upper surface is larger than a second dimension by which the protruding wall protrudes from the tank upper surface.

[0010] (3) The liquid storage bottle further has a cap that engages with a threaded portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall. A third dimension from the threaded portion of the annular wall to the upper end of the annular wall is larger than the second dimension.

[0011] When the bottle body is connected to the tank, the threaded portion that engages with the cap and the protruding wall do not interfere with each other.

[0012] (4) The bottle body further has a key member located in the space between the nozzle and the annular wall. The tank further has a fitted portion located in the tank recess and fitting with the key member.

[0013] By changing the position, length, height, number, etc. of the key member for each type of liquid storage bottle, the type of liquid storage bottle can be grasped by the key member. Also, the liquid storage bottle can be attached only to the corresponding tank.

[0014] (5) A plurality of the tanks are provided for each color of the liquid to be stored. The fitted portions are at different positions or have different shapes for each of the plurality of tanks. The key member is at a position or has a shape that can fit into the fitted portion of the corresponding tank.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is difficult for the liquid to flow down along the outer surface of the tank to which the liquid storage bottle is connected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the progression from the starting point to the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the movement back and forth on the line connecting the starting point and the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the orientation. In other words, the direction is one component of the orientation. Furthermore, with reference to the posture in which the MFP100 is installed horizontally and can be used (the posture in FIG. 1, also referred to as the "use posture"), the vertical direction z1 is defined, the front-rear direction y1 is defined with the surface on which the opening 1B of the MFP100 is provided as the front surface 11, and the left-right direction x1 is defined when the MFP100 is viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, in the use posture, the vertical direction z1 is the vertical direction, the front-rear direction y1 and the left-right direction x1 are parallel to the horizontal plane, and the front-rear direction y1 and the left-right direction x1 are orthogonal to each other.

[0018] [Configuration of MFP100] In FIG. 1, the MFP100 is a multifunction device and includes a housing 1, a housing cover 2, and a printer unit 3. The MFP100 is an example of a liquid consumption device and is a part of a liquid supply device.

[0019] The housing 1 is generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape and partitions the internal space 1A of the MFP100 (see FIG. 1(B)) from the outside. The upper end of the internal space 1A is an upward opening. A forward opening 1B is formed near the left-right center on the front surface 11 of the housing 1. The opening 1B is rectangular in a plan view from the front and communicates with the internal space 1A.

[0020] The housing cover 2 is connected near the upper rear corner of the housing 1 by a connector 21 and rotates around the rotation axis of the connector 21 between a shielding position P11 (see FIG. 1(A)) and an exposure position P12 (see FIG. 1(B)). At the shielding position P11, the housing cover 2 shields the components in the internal space 1A (see FIG. 1(B)). The components include a tank set 31, a recording unit 32, and the like. At the exposure position P12, the housing cover 2 exposes these components to the outside.

[0021] The housing cover 2 may house therein a scanner unit that optically reads a document. The MFP 100 may also have other functions such as a fax function.

[0022] In FIG. 2, in addition to the tank set 31 and the recording unit 32 (see FIG. 1(B)), the printer unit 3 includes a supply tray 33, a discharge tray 34, a conveyance path 35, a feed roller unit 36, a conveyance roller unit 37, a discharge roller unit 38, and a platen 39 in the internal space 1A, and records an image on a sheet S (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method.

[0023] The supply tray 33 and the discharge tray 34 are mounted in the internal space 1A through the opening 1B (see FIG. 1). A plurality of sheets S are stacked on the supply tray 33. The discharge tray 34 is located above the supply tray 33 and supports the sheet S on which an image has been recorded. The conveyance path 35 is indicated by the arrow of the dashed line in FIG. 2 and has a curved portion 351 and a straight portion 352. The curved portion 351 extends upward from the rear end of the supply tray 33 and makes a U-turn forward. The straight portion 352 extends linearly forward from the downstream end of the curved portion 351 and reaches the rear end of the discharge tray 34.

[0024] The feed roller unit 36 feeds the sheets S on the supply tray 33 one by one to the upstream end of the curved portion 351. The conveyance roller unit 37 is located at the downstream end of the curved portion 351 and feeds the sheet S conveyed by the curved portion 351 in the conveyance direction y2 toward the straight portion 352. The conveyance direction y2 is forward in the straight portion 352. The discharge roller unit 38 is located immediately behind the discharge tray 34 in the straight portion 352 and discharges the sheet S conveyed in the straight portion 352 to the discharge tray 34.

[0025] The platen 39 is positioned between the conveyance roller unit 37 and the discharge roller unit 38 in the straight portion 352, and supports the sheet S fed out from the conveyance roller unit 37 from below. The recording unit 32 is positioned above the platen 39 and includes a carriage 321 and a recording head 322. The carriage 321 reciprocates in the main scanning direction x2 that is parallel to the left - right direction x1. The recording head 322 is mounted on the carriage 321 such that the lower surface of the recording head 322 faces the upper surface of the platen 39 via the straight portion 352. Nozzles 323 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 322 in the front - rear, left - right directions. The recording head 322 discharges four - color inks stored in the recording head 322 from a plurality of nozzles 323. The ink is an example of a liquid. The four colors are Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The recording head 322 discharges ink from the nozzles 323 toward the sheet S stopped on the platen 39 while moving at a constant speed in the main scanning direction x2 together with the carriage 321. Thereby, an image for one pass is recorded on the sheet S. When the image recording for one pass is completed, the sheet S is conveyed in the conveyance direction y2 by a unit line - feed width by the intermittent conveyance by the conveyance roller unit 37. This image recording and intermittent conveyance are alternately repeated, and an image is recorded on the entire sheet S.

[0026] [Tank set 31] In FIG. 3, the tank set 31 includes four tanks 4A to 4D, two holding members 51A, 51B, four caps 6A to 6D, and two tank covers 52A, 52B. In FIG. 3(B), the holding members 51A, 51B, the caps 6A to 6D, and the tank covers 52A, 52B are not shown.

[0027] The tanks 4A to 4D are installed immediately behind the front surface 11. The tank 4A is positioned to the left of the supply tray 33. The tanks 4B to 4D are to the right of the supply tray 33 and are arranged from left to right in the order of the tanks 4B, 4C, 4D.

[0028] [Tank 4A] Tank 4A is an example of a tank and includes a main body 41. The main body 41 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with left - right dimensions smaller than the up - down dimensions and the front - rear dimensions. The main body 41 partitions a storage chamber 47 (see FIG. 4(B)) that stores K - colored ink from the outside. The main body 41 is made by injection molding of a resin material having translucency, except for one of the left - right side surfaces. One of the side surfaces of the main body 41 is closed by a resin film thinner than the other parts.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3(B), one end of a flexible resin tube 42 is connected near the rear end of the main body 41. The other end of each tube 42 is connected to the recording head 322. In response to the consumption of the ink in the recording head 322, the ink in the main body 41 is supplied to the recording head 322 through the tube 42. An air communication hole is also formed near the rear end of the main body 41.

[0030] In FIG. 4, the main body 41 has an upper surface 43 parallel to the horizontal plane. On the upper surface 43, a needle 44 (an example of a communication pipe), a protruding wall 45, and a fitting portion 46 are integrally provided.

[0031] The needle 44 is a member in the shape of an elongated circular tube that is slender in the vertical direction. The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the needle 44 share an axis Ax1 parallel to the vertical direction z1. The needle 44 extends vertically upward from the upper surface 43 and also extends vertically downward into the storage chamber 47 with respect to the upper surface 43. The upper end of the needle 44 is located above the fitting portion 46. The lower end of the needle 44 is located above the bottom surface 47A of the storage chamber 47 as shown in FIG. 9(B). In FIG. 4, it has two flow paths 441, 442 and a partition wall 443. The two flow paths 441, 442 linearly extend downward from a position slightly below the upper end of the needle 44 toward the storage chamber 47 of the main body 41. The upper ends of the respective flow paths 441, 442 are open upward, and the lower ends of the respective flow paths are open downward. The flow paths 441, 442 are partitioned by a partition wall 443 that expands vertically and horizontally throughout the entire region between the upper and lower ends of the needle 44. The partition wall 443 extends above the flow paths 441, 442. The flow path 441 extends below the flow path 442. The opening at the upper end of the flow path 441 is an example of an injection port. The flow paths 441, 442 are examples of a first flow path and a second flow path.

[0032] In FIG. 4(A), the protruding wall 45 has curved plates 71, 72 and connecting plates 73, 74, and in a plan view from above (hereinafter, also referred to as the "first plan view"), it demarcates an oval-shaped region on the upper surface 43. The protruding wall 45 protrudes vertically upward by a distance Dz1 (see FIG. 4(B)) from the upper surface 43. The distance Dz1 is an example of a second dimension. The protruding end surface (i.e., the upper end surface) of the protruding wall 45 is parallel to the upper surface 43.

[0033] The curved plates 71, 72 face each other and are separated before and after with the needle 44 interposed therebetween. The curved plates 71, 72 are generally semi-cylindrical in the first plan view. The inner peripheral surfaces of the curved plates 71, 72 are arc-shaped that are rotated 180° relative to each other around the axis Ax1 in the first plan view. The curved plate 71 is located in front of the curved plate 72 and bulges forward.

[0034] The connecting plates 73 and 74 face each other left and right with the needle 44 therebetween and are spaced apart. The right side surface of the connecting plate 73 and the left side surface of the connecting plate 74 are spaced apart left and right with the needle 44 therebetween, and have symmetrical shapes with respect to a virtual plane that includes the axis Ax1 and is parallel in the vertical and front-rear directions. The right side surface of the connecting plate 73 and the left side surface of the connecting plate 74 are in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The distance between the connecting plates 73 and 74 in the left-right direction x1 is equal to or greater than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 853 (see FIG. 6) of the annular wall 85 described later, as can be understood from FIG. 9(A). The connecting plate 73 connects the left ends of the curved plates 71 and 72, and the connecting plate 74 connects the right ends of the curved plates 71 and 72.

[0035] The fitted portion 46 projects vertically upward between the needle 44 and the protruding wall 45 on the upper surface 43. The fitted portion 46, together with the upper surface 43 and the protruding wall 45, defines a keyhole 48 (an example of a tank recess) that is open upward. The keyhole 48 fits with a key member 88 (see FIG. 6(B)) formed on the bottle 200A, but does not fit with the key members of the other bottles 200B to 200D. The fitted portion 46 includes a pedestal portion 461 and ribs 462 to 4610.

[0036] The pedestal portion 461 is substantially cylindrical or substantially annular in a first plan view (see FIG. 4(A)), and projects vertically from the upper surface 43 to a position below the distance Dz1 (see FIG. 4(B)). The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461 is equal to or greater than the inner diameter and less than the outer diameter of the annular flat surface 862B (see FIG. 6(B)). The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular flat surface 862B. The upper surface of the pedestal portion 461 is parallel to the upper surface 43 and faces upward, and serves as a contact surface 461A where the annular flat surface 862B abuts during ink replenishment.

[0037] Each rib 462, 463 extends linearly left and right between the needle 44 and the connecting plate 73. Near the right end of each rib 462, 463, it protrudes vertically upward from the contact surface 461A, and other than near the right end, it protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. Each rib 462, 463 is spaced apart to the left of the needle 44 and to the right of the connecting plate 73. The ribs 462, 463 have a shape that is substantially symmetric with respect to each other based on a virtual plane that includes the axis of rotation Ax1 and is parallel to the top, bottom, left, and right, and are positioned with a substantially constant gap in the front-rear direction y1.

[0038] The ribs 464, 465 have a shape obtained by rotating the ribs 462, 463 by approximately 180° around the axis of rotation Ax1.

[0039] The rib 466 extends linearly back and forth between the needle 44 and the curved plate 72. Near the front end of the rib 466, it protrudes vertically upward from the contact surface 461A, and other than near the front end, it protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. The rib 466 is spaced apart behind the needle 44 and in front of the curved plate 72. The rib 466 is positioned midway between the ribs 463, 464 in the circumferential direction θ1 of the axis of rotation Ax1. The left and right width of the rib 466 is substantially constant throughout the entire front-rear direction y1.

[0040] The rib 467 generally has a semi-cylindrical shape in a first plan view and protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface 43. The rib 467 is positioned approximately midway between the needle 44 and the curved plate 71 in the radial direction r1 of the axis of rotation Ax1. The rib 467 extends substantially parallel to the curved plate 71 along the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461 within the range of both inner ends of the ribs 462, 465 in the circumferential direction θ1. The inner end is the end in the direction (hereinafter also referred to as "inward direction") r12 of the radial direction r1 that approaches the axis of rotation Ax1.

[0041] The upper end surfaces of the ribs 462 to 467 are flush with each other and are positioned above the protruding wall 45. Flush means parallel without a step.

[0042] Ribs 468 and 469 have a generally quarter-cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the axis Ax1 in a first top view and project vertically upward from the upper surface 43. The upper end surfaces of ribs 468 and 469 are parallel to the horizontal plane over the entire range of the circumferential direction θ1. Ribs 468 and 469 are located approximately midway between the curved plate 72 and the pedestal portion 461 in the radial direction r1. Rib 468 extends in the circumferential direction θ1 between the outer ends of ribs 463 and 466, substantially parallel to the pedestal portion 461 and the curved plate 72. Rib 469 extends in the circumferential direction θ1 between the outer ends of ribs 466 and 464, substantially parallel to the pedestal portion 461 and the curved plate 72. The outer end is the end in the direction r11 opposite to the inward direction r12 (hereinafter also referred to as the "outward direction"). FIG. 4(A) shows an example of each of the radial direction r1, the outward direction r11, and the inward direction r12.

[0043] The upper end surface of rib 468 is flush with the upper end surface of rib 463 within a range of the circumferential direction θ1 by an angle Dθ1 from rib 463. The upper end surface of rib 468 is located below the upper end surface of rib 463 and above the contact surface 461A in the vertical direction z1 outside the range of the angle Dθ1. That is, a notch 468A is formed in rib 468 outside the range of the angle Dθ1.

[0044] The upper end surface of rib 469 is flush with the upper end surface of rib 466 within a range of the circumferential direction θ1 by an angle Dθ2 from rib 466. The upper end surface of rib 469 is located below the upper end surface of rib 466 and above the contact surface 461A in the vertical direction z1 outside the range of the angle Dθ2. That is, a notch 469A is formed in rib 469 outside the range of the angle Dθ2.

[0045] Rib 4610 projects outward in the direction r11 from a position that is separated from rib 465 by an angle Dθ3 in the circumferential direction θ1 on the outer peripheral surface of rib 467. The protruding end of rib 4610 is spaced apart from the curved plate 71 in the inward direction r12. Rib 4610 extends vertically from the upper surface 43 to a position below the upper end surface of rib 467.

[0046] The rib 4610 protrudes outward by r11 from a position that is separated from the rib 465 by an angle Dθ3 in the circumferential direction θ1 on the outer peripheral surface of the rib 467, but is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction y1. The outer end of the rib 4610 is spaced inward by r12 from the curved plate 71. The upper end surface of the rib 4610 is parallel to this upper end surface at a position below the upper end surface of the rib 467. The width of the rib 4610 in the circumferential direction θ1 is substantially constant over the entire radial direction r1.

[0047] The inner ends of the ribs 462 to 466 and the inner peripheral surface of the rib 467, together with the outer peripheral surface of the needle 44 and the contact surface 461A, define the outer shape of the cylindrical space 46A that is open upward. Into the cylindrical space 46A, a small-diameter portion 862 (see FIG. 6) having a cylindrical shape is inserted during ink replenishment.

[0048] The upper surface 43, the outer peripheral surface of the needle 44, and the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461 define an annular space 46B. The annular space 46B is annular in a first plan view and is recessed below the contact surface 461A around the needle 44. Into the annular space 46B, an annular flat surface 862C and an annular inclined surface 862D in the small-diameter portion 862 (see FIG. 6) enter during ink replenishment.

[0049] The opposing surfaces of the ribs 463 and 466 in the circumferential direction θ1, the inner peripheral surface of the rib 468, the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461, and the upper surface 43 partition a partial annular space 46C. The opposing surfaces of the ribs 466 and 464 in the circumferential direction θ1, the inner peripheral surface of the rib 469, the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal portion 461, and the upper surface 43 partition a partial annular space 46D. The partial annular spaces 46C and 46D are substantially quarter-annular in shape in a first plan view and are recessed below the contact surface 461A.

[0050] The upper surface 43, the inner peripheral surface of the protruding wall 45, and the ribs 462 to 4610 partition an outer space 46E. Near the tip of the annular wall 85 (see FIG. 6) is located in the outer space 46E during ink replenishment. The outer space 46E communicates with the cylindrical space 46A through the gap between the ribs 462 and 463 and the gap between the ribs 464 and 465.

[0051] [Tanks 4B to 4D] In FIG. 3, each of the tanks 4B to 4D is another example of a tank, and has a main body similar to the main body 41 except for the following points. A fitting portion having the same function as the fitting portion 46 is formed on the main body of each of the tanks 4B to 4D. These fitting portions partition a keyhole opened upward together with the upper surface and the protruding wall by a combination of a plurality of ribs. The three-dimensional shapes of these fitting portions are different from each other in the tanks 4B to 4D, and are also different from the fitting portion 46 of the tank 4A. The three-dimensional shape of the fitting portion is determined by the dimensions and / or positions of the respective ribs in the left-right direction x1, the front-rear direction y1, and the up-down direction z1, or the number of ribs. The main bodies of the tanks 4B, 4C, and 4D are different from the main body 41 also in that they store C-color, M-color, and Y-color inks. The main bodies of the tanks 4B to 4D may be different from the main body 41 in terms of the ink capacity.

[0052] [Holding members 51A and 51B] In FIG. 3(A), the holding member 51A covers the upper surface 43 (see FIG. 4(A)) of the main body 41. A through hole 511A (see FIG. 5(A)) through which the protruding wall 45 and the needle 44 (see FIG. 4(A)) are inserted is formed in the holding member 51A. The holding member 51B collectively covers the upper surfaces of the tanks 4B to 4D (see FIG. 3(B)). Through holes 511B to 511D (see FIG. 5(A)) are formed in the holding member 51B. The through holes 511B to 511D are inserted through by the cylindrical walls and needles of the tanks 4B to 4D.

[0053] A bearing 53A is provided behind the through hole 511A in the holding member 51A. Bearings 53B to 53D are respectively provided behind the through holes 511B to 511D in the holding member 51B. Each of the bearings 53A to 53D has a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction x1, and rotatably supports each of the caps 6A to 6D between a closed position P21 (see FIG. 3(A)) and an open position P22 (see FIG. 5(A)) around the rotation axis of the bearings 53A to 53D.

[0054] [Caps 6A to 6D] In FIGS. 3 and 5, the cap 6A has a rubber part 61A and an arm part 62A. The rubber part 61A has a cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than that of the needle 44 (see FIG. 4) and has a hole through which the needle 44 is inserted. Note that in FIG. 5, for convenience, the needle 44 is not shown. The arm part 62A is made of a resin material harder than the rubber part 61A and has an elongated rod shape. The rubber part 61A is attached to one end of the arm part 62A. A rotating shaft inserted through the bearing 53A is provided at the other end of the arm part 62A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3(A), when the cap 6A is in the closed position P21, the arm part 62A extends forward from the bearing 53A, and the rubber part 61A fits into the keyhole 48 through the through-hole 511A of the holding member 51A. At this time, the needle 44 is inserted into the hole of the rubber part 61A. Note that in FIG. 5, for convenience, the needle 44 and the keyhole 48 are not shown. This prevents leakage and drying of the ink inside the main body 41. The open position P22 is a position rotated about 90° to 100° around the rotation axis of the bearing 53A from the closed position P21.

[0056] The caps 6B to 6D are the same as the cap 6A in terms of configuration, but differ from the cap 6A in that they loosely fit into the keyholes provided in the bottles 200B to 200D (see FIG. 3(B) etc.) through the through-holes 511B to 511D of the holding members 51B.

[0057] [Tank covers 52A, 52B] The tank covers 52A and 52B are rotatable around a rotation axis behind the bearings 53A to 53D between the covering position P31 and the exposed position P32 (see FIG. 3(A)) when the housing cover 2 is in the exposed position P12 (see FIG. 1(B)). The tank cover 52A covers the holding member 51A, the cap 6A, and the bearing 53A from above in the covering position P31. The tank cover 52B covers the holding member 51B, the caps 6B to 6D, and the bearings 53B to 53D from above when in the covering position P31. The exposed position P32 is a position rotated about 90° to 100° around the rotation axes of the tank covers 52A and 52B from the covering position P31.

[0058] [Bottles 200A to 200D] As shown in FIG. 5(B), in the MFP 100 (see FIG. 1), for ink replenishment to the tanks 4A to 4D, for example, four bottles 200A to 200D are used. The bottles 200A to 200D are a part of the rest of the liquid supply device. In FIG. 6(A), the bottle 200A is shown larger than the others for convenience. The bottle 200A stores ink (K-color ink) for replenishing the tank 4A. The bottle 200A includes a bottle body 8 and a bottle cap 9. The bottle 200A is an example of a liquid storage bottle, and the bottle cap 9 is an example of a cap.

[0059] [Bottle body 8] In FIG. 6(A), the bottle body 8 has a bottom portion 81, a body portion 82, a shoulder portion 83, a base portion 84, an annular wall 85, and a neck portion 86.

[0060] [Bottom portion 81] The bottom portion 81 is a flat portion of a substantially disk-shaped bottom wall. The posture in which the bottom portion 81 is brought into contact with the horizontal plane 300 (see FIG. 5(B)) and the bottle body 8 is placed on the horizontal plane 300 is referred to as the placement posture. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the posture of the bottle body 8 is the placement posture. A virtual line passing through the center of the bottom portion 81 and perpendicular to the bottom portion 81 is defined as the axis Ax2. Among the axial direction z2 in which the axis Ax2 extends, the direction from the bottom portion 81 to the neck portion 86 is also referred to as the separation direction z21, and the opposite direction is also referred to as the proximity direction z22. Among the radial direction r1 of the axis Ax2, the direction approaching the axis Ax2 is also referred to as the inward direction r21, and the opposite direction is also referred to as the outward direction r22. Only an example of the radial direction r2, the inward direction r21, and the outward direction r22 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0061] [Body portion 82, Shoulder portion 83] The barrel portion 82 is a generally cylindrical wall that extends in the direction z21 away from the outer edge of the bottom portion 81. The shoulder portion 83 is a wall that extends in the direction r21 inward from the extending end of the barrel portion 82. The shoulder portion 83 is inclined with respect to the radial direction r2 of the axis Ax2 such that it moves away from the bottom portion 81 as it approaches the axis Ax2. The extending end of the shoulder portion 83 is spaced outward in the direction r22 from the axis Ax2 and is circular in a plan view from the approaching direction z22 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second plan view").

[0062] [Base portion 84] The base portion 84 has a side wall and an upper wall. This side wall projects in the direction z21 (i.e., upward) away from the extending end of the shoulder portion 83 and is generally cylindrical and coaxial with the axis Ax2. The upper wall extends in the direction r21 inward from the projecting end (i.e., the upper end) of the side wall of the base portion 84 and is generally annular in the second plan view. On the upper wall of the base portion 84, the upper surface 841 (an example of an upper surface) defines the upper end of the base portion 84 and is a plane parallel to the bottom portion 81.

[0063] [Accommodation chamber 87] As shown in FIG. 7, the bottle body 8 has a space partitioned by the bottom portion 81, the barrel portion 82, the shoulder portion 83, and the base portion 84 as an accommodation chamber 87. The accommodation chamber 87 contains the K-color ink that is supplied to and replenished in the tank 4A. The accommodation chamber 87 is an example of the internal space of the bottle body.

[0064] [Annular wall 85] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the annular wall 85 has a bottomed cylindrical shape coaxial with the axis Ax2. The end in the proximity direction z22 of the annular wall 85 is closed (see FIG. 7), and forms an annular bottom surface 851 in the second plan view (see FIG. 6(B)). The bottom surface 851 is located in the separation direction z21 away from the upper surface 841, and is a surface parallel to the upper surface 841 and facing upward. The annular wall 85 projects in the separation direction z21 from the outer edge of the bottom surface 851, and extends to a position separated by a distance Dz2 (an example of the first dimension) in the separation direction r21 with reference to the upper surface 841 (see FIG. 4(B)). The distance Dz2 is longer than the distance Dz1. The separation direction z21 is upward in the placement posture. The annular wall 85 has an end surface 852 at the end in the separation direction z21. The end surface 852 has an annular shape in the second plan view and extends parallel to the upper surface 841. The end surface 852 surrounds the opening in the separation direction z21 of the annular wall 85. The width of the annular wall 85 in the radial direction r2 is substantially constant over the entire circumferential direction θ2, and is not more than the left - right distance between the rib 462 and the connecting plate 73 (see FIG. 4(A)). With the above configuration, the annular wall 85 can be inserted between the fitting portion 46 and the protruding wall 45 in the outer space 46E (see FIG. 4(A)), and the end surface 852 can contact the upper surface 43 in the outer space 46E (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0065] [Nozzle head 86] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle head 86 is an example of a nozzle, and has a large - diameter portion 861 and a small - diameter portion 862.

[0066] The large - diameter portion 861 is a substantially cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface 861A and an annular flat surface 861B. The outer peripheral surface 861A extends in the separation direction z21 from the bottom surface 851 and protrudes upward from the upper surface 841. The outer peripheral surface 861A is separated inwardly in the radial direction r21 from the annular wall 85 over the entire circumferential direction θ2. The annular flat surface 861B extends inwardly in the radial direction r21 by approximately the same distance from the protruding end of the outer peripheral surface 861A. The annular flat surface 861B is annular in the second plan view and is substantially parallel to the upper surface 841.

[0067] The small-diameter portion 862 is a substantially cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface 862A, annular flat surfaces 862B and 862C, and an annular inclined surface 862D. The outer peripheral surface 862A protrudes in the separation direction z21 from the inner edge of the annular flat surface 861B and has a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral surface 861A. The annular flat surface 862B is annular in a second plan view and extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 841 from the protruding end of the outer peripheral surface 862A inward in the r21 direction by approximately an equal distance. The annular flat surface 862C is the front end surface of the neck portion 86 in the separation direction z21 and is annular in a second plan view. The annular flat surface 862C is an example of a front end surface and is connected to the annular flat surface 862B via the annular inclined surface 862D at a position that is farther inward in the r21 direction and farther in the separation direction z21 than the annular flat surface 862B.

[0068] The neck portion 86 defines a flow path 862F through which the ink stored in the storage chamber 87 passes. As shown in FIG. 7, the flow path 862F is continuous with the storage chamber 87 at the end in the proximity direction z22 and is continuous with an outlet 862E (an example of an opening) formed in the annular flat surface 862C at the end in the separation direction z21. In the flow path 862F, the portion surrounded by the large-diameter portion 861 has a larger diameter than the portion surrounded by the small-diameter portion 862 (see FIG. 7(B)). The outlet 862E is circular in a second plan view. The outlet 862E has a slightly larger diameter than the needle 44 (see FIG. 4) and allows the ink that has passed through the flow path 862F to flow out to the outside of the bottle 200A.

[0069] In the embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces 861A and 862A, the annular flat surfaces 861B, 862B, and 862C, the annular inclined surface 862D, and the outlet 862E are coaxial with the axis Ax2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the axis of at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces 861A and 862A, the annular flat surfaces 861B, 862B, and 862C, the annular inclined surface 862D, and the outlet 862E does not have to be coaxial with the axis Ax2. In the embodiment, the outlet 862E is circular in a second plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outlet 862E may have a shape other than circular in a second plan view.

[0070] [Relationship between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86] In FIG. 7, the annular wall 85 is located around the neck portion 86 at an outward distance r22 from the neck portion 86, and partitions a cylindrical space 86A between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86. In the separation direction z21, the tip of the annular wall 85 is farther from the bottom portion 81 than the tip of the neck portion 86. In the placement posture, the tip (i.e., the upper end) of the annular wall 85 is located above the annular flat surface 862B (i.e., the tip surface) of the neck portion 86.

[0071] [Key member 88, first rib 881, second rib 882, third rib 883] In FIG. 6(B), the bottle body 8 further includes a key member 88. The key member 88 projects perpendicularly in the separation direction z21 from the upper surface 841, the bottom surface 851, and the annular flat surface 861B at a position between the annular wall 85 and the small-diameter portion 862. In the placement posture, the upper end of the key member 88 is closer to the upper surface 841 than the upper end of the annular wall 85. The key member 88 includes a first rib 881, a second rib 882, and a third rib 883 that are fitted or loosely fitted to the fitted portion 46.

[0072] The first rib 881 is connected to each of the small-diameter portion 862 and the annular wall 85. As the first rib 881, three first ribs 881A to 881C are illustrated in FIG. 6(B). Each of the first ribs 881A to 881C projects perpendicularly in the separation direction z21 from the bottom surface 851 and the annular flat surface 861B. The inner end and the outer end of each of the first ribs 881A to 881C are integral with the small-diameter portion 862 and the annular wall 85. The protruding end surfaces of each of the first ribs 881A to 881C extend substantially parallel to the upper surface 841 at a position closer to the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 than the annular flat surface 861B in the axial direction z2.

[0073] The first ribs 881A and 881B have a shape that is rotated relative to each other by about 180° in the circumferential direction θ2 of the axis Ax2. The protruding end surfaces of the first ribs 881A and 881B are flush with the annular flat surface 862B. During ink replenishment, the first rib 881A has a dimension that can be inserted into the gap between the ribs 464 and 465 (see FIG. 4(A)) from above, and the first rib 881B has a dimension that can be fitted into the gap between the ribs 462 and 463 (see FIG. 4(A)) in the axial direction z2 from above.

[0074] The first rib 881C is spaced apart by an angle Dθ4 (see Fig. 8(A)) in the clockwise direction θ21 in the circumferential direction θ2 with respect to the first rib 881A in the second plan view. Dθ4 is larger than Dθ5 and Dθ6 described later. The protruding end face of the first rib 881C is positioned in a direction z22 slightly closer to the annular flat surface 862B in the axial direction z2 and forms a step with the annular flat surface 862B. The first rib 881C has dimensions such that it can be fitted into the notch 468A (see Fig. 4(A)) from above during ink replenishment.

[0075] The second rib 882 is connected to the small-diameter portion 862 but not to the annular wall 85. In Fig. 6(B), one second rib 882A is illustrated as the second rib 882. The second rib 882A linearly extends outward in the r22 direction along the annular flat surface 861B from a position spaced apart by an angle Dθ5 (see Fig. 8(A)) in the θ21 direction with respect to the first rib 881A on the outer peripheral surface 862A. The second rib 882A also linearly extends outward in the r22 direction along the annular flat surface 861B from a position spaced apart by an angle Dθ6 (see Fig. 8(A)) in the θ21 direction from the first rib 881A on the outer peripheral surface 862A. Dθ5 is greater than zero, and Dθ6 is greater than Dθ5. The second rib 882A extends in an arc shape along the outer edge of the annular flat surface 861B between the angles Dθ5 and Dθ6. The protruding end face of each second rib 882A in the separation direction z21 extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 841, but is positioned in a direction z22 slightly closer to the annular flat surface 862B and forms a step with the annular flat surface 862B. The width of the second rib 882A is substantially constant over the entire region in the direction in which the second rib 882A extends. The second rib 882A has dimensions such that it can be loosely fitted into the partial annular space 46D during ink replenishment.

[0076] The third rib 883 is not connected to the small-diameter portion 862 but is connected to the annular wall 85. In FIG. 6(B), one third rib 883A is illustrated as the third rib 883. The third rib 883A is located at a distance r22 outward from the small-diameter portion 862. The third rib 883A extends in an arc shape in a second plan view along the outer edge of the annular flat surface 861B within a range from an angle Dθ7 (see FIG. 8(A)) to an angle Dθ8 in the counterclockwise direction θ22 in the circumferential direction θ2 with reference to the first rib 881. Dθ7 is greater than zero, and Dθ8 is greater than Dθ7. The third rib 883A extends outward in the direction r22 from both ends in the circumferential direction θ2 to the annular wall 85 and is connected to the annular wall 85. The protruding end face of the third rib 883A in the separation direction z21 extends parallel to the upper surface 841 and is located in the closer direction z22 than the end face 852. This protruding end face has a step within a range from an angle Dθ9 (see FIG. 8(A)) to an angle Dθ10 in the direction θ22 with reference to the first rib 881. Dθ9 is greater than Dθ7. Dθ10 is greater than Dθ9 and less than Dθ8. The width of the third rib 883A is substantially constant over the entire region in the direction in which the third rib 883A extends. The third rib 883A has a dimension that can be loosely fitted into the portion between the ribs 462 and 4610 in the outer space 46E during ink replenishment.

[0077] [Male screw 854, recesses 855A, 855B] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the bottle body 8 has a male screw 854 on the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. The male screw 854 protrudes outward in the direction r22 from the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. The male screw 854 has a spiral shape that moves in the closer direction z22 while rotating around the axis Ax2 from a position that is separated by a distance Dz3 (see FIG. 4(B)) in the closer direction z22 from the end face 852 on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 85. The distance Dz3 is an example of the third dimension and is longer than the distance Dz1. Recesses 855A and 855B (examples of recesses) are formed in the male screw 854. The recess 855A is formed by cutting out at least a part of the portion of the male screw 854 that is outward in the direction r22 from the first rib 881A. The recess 855A is recessed toward the first rib 881A with respect to a virtual line c1 (see the broken line in FIG. 6(B)) obtained by virtually extending the apex of the male screw 854.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 8(A), positions P41 and P42 are respectively defined at positions slightly separated from the first rib 881A in directions θ21 and θ22. Positions P51 and P52 are respectively defined at positions separated from positions P41 and P42 in directions θ21 and θ22. A line segment L11 is defined that connects position P41 at the foot of the thread of the male screw 854 and position P51 at the top of this thread. A line segment L12 is defined that connects position P42 at the foot of the thread of the male screw 854 and position P52 at the top of this thread. In the second plan view, a recess 855A is formed by cutting out a portion surrounded by the outer peripheral surface 853, the virtual line c1, and the line segments L11 and L12 in the male screw 854.

[0079] The recess 855B has a shape obtained by rotating the recess 855A by 180° in the circumferential direction θ2.

[0080] [Valve mechanism 89] In Fig. 7(B), the bottle body 8 further includes a valve mechanism 89 in the flow path 862F. The valve mechanism 89 includes a rubber part 891, a support member 892, a valve body 893, and a coil spring 894.

[0081] The rubber part 891 has a bottomless cylindrical shape and is inserted into the flow path 862F coaxially with the axis Ax2. When inserted, the outer peripheral surface and one end surface of the rubber part 891 are in close contact with the inner surface of the small-diameter part 862. The inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 891 has approximately the same diameter as the outlet 862E, except for the other end. The other end of this inner peripheral surface projects slightly in both the inward direction r21 and the approaching direction z22. As a result, the other end of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber part 891 has a slightly smaller diameter than the outlet 862E and the needle 44 (see Fig. 4). The dimension of the rubber part 891 in the axial direction z2 is shorter than that of the neck part 86.

[0082] The support member 892 is, for example, an integrally molded product made of resin, and is attached to the flow path 862F so that the rubber portion 891 is in close contact with the small-diameter portion 862. The support member 892 has four side portions 892A and a bottom portion 892B. In FIG. 7(B), only three side portions 892A are shown for the sake of illustration. Each side portion 892A is fixed at a position closer to the rubber portion 891 in the proximity direction z22 on the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 862. The tip of each side portion 892A abuts against the other end surface of the rubber portion 891. The side portions 892A are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction θ2, and extend along the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 862 from the tip toward the accommodation chamber 87. As is clear from FIG. 9(B), the bottom portion 892B is substantially cross-shaped in the second plan view, and extends radially from a position near the axis Ax2 away from the other end surface of the rubber portion 891 in the proximity direction z22 toward the end portions of the side portions 892A in the proximity direction z22, and is connected to them. Each side portion 892A and the bottom portion 892B partition the accommodation space. The accommodation space is generally cylindrical and accommodates the valve body 893 and the coil spring 894.

[0083] The valve body 893 and the coil spring 894 are accommodated in the accommodation space of the support member 892. The valve body 893 is accommodated so as to be movable in the axial direction z2 within the accommodation space. The valve body 893 is circular in the second plan view and has substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical accommodation space. The coil spring 894 is a torsion coil spring and is positioned between the bottom portion of the support member 892 and the valve body 893 within the accommodation space. The coil spring 894 abuts against the valve body 893 within the accommodation space and biases the valve body 893 in the separation direction z21. Thereby, when the valve body 893 does not receive the contact force from the needle 44 in the proximity direction z22, the valve body 893 is in close contact with the other end surface of the rubber portion 891, and the ink in the accommodation chamber 87 does not leak from the outlet 862E.

[0084] [Bottles 200B to 200D] Bottles 200B to 200D are the same as bottle 200A except for the following points. In each of bottles 200B to 200D, the key member is constituted by at least one kind or a combination of two kinds of the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib similar to the first rib 881, the second rib 882, and the third rib 883. Here, the combinations of the ribs including the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib are different from each other in bottles 200A to 200D. The three-dimensional shapes of the key members of bottles 200B to 200D are different from each other and also different from the three-dimensional shape of the key member 88. The three-dimensional shape of the key member is determined by the dimensions and / or positions of the ribs in the axial direction z2, the circumferential direction θ2, and the radial direction r2, or the number of ribs. In addition, bottles 200B, 200C, and 200D are different from bottle 200A in that they contain inks of colors C, M, and Y. Bottles 200B to 200D may be different from bottle 200A in terms of the ink capacity.

[0085] [Bottle cap 9] As is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottle cap 9 is a single member and is detachable from the bottle body 8. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "bottle cap 9" means the bottle cap 9 attached to the bottle body 8. In FIG. 8(B), the bottle cap 9 includes a top wall 91, a side wall 92, and an internal thread 93.

[0086] [Top wall 91] As shown in FIG. 5, the top wall 91 is a substantially disk-shaped wall coaxial with the axis Ax1. In FIG. 8(B), the top wall 91 has two outer main surfaces 911 and inner main surfaces 912 spaced apart in the axial direction z2. The inner main surface 912 is located in the closer direction z22 than the outer main surface 911.

[0087] [Engaging portion 913 (an example of a sealing portion), engaging portion 914 (an example of an annular abutting portion)] On the inner main surface 912, the engaging portion 913 protrudes in the approaching direction z22 from a position closer to the axial center Ax1. The engaging portion 913 has a substantially annular shape in the second plan view. The engaging portion 913 is in liquid-tight contact with the annular flat surface 862C of the bottle body 8 over the entire circumferential direction θ2. Thereby, in the attached state of the bottle cap 9, the engaging portion 913, together with the top wall 91, seals the outlet 862E.

[0088] On the inner main surface 912, from a position closer to the side wall 92 than the engaging portion 913, the engaging portion 914 protrudes in the approaching direction z22. The engaging portion 914 has a substantially annular shape in the second plan view. The engaging portion 914 is in liquid-tight contact with the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 over the entire circumferential direction θ2. Thereby, in the attached state of the bottle cap 9, the engaging portion 914, together with the top wall 91, seals the opening of the cylindrical space 86A (see FIG. 6).

[0089] The engaging portions 913 and 914 may be made of the same material as the top wall 91 and may be integral with the top wall 91. Not limited to this, the engaging portions 913 and 914 may be made of a material more flexible than the top wall 91, such as rubber or elastomer, and may be separate from the top wall 91.

[0090] [Side wall 92, female thread 93] As shown in FIG. 8(B), the side wall 92 is a generally cylindrical wall extending in the approaching direction z22 from the outer edge of the inner main surface 912, and has an inner peripheral surface 921 and an outer peripheral surface 922 spaced apart in the radial direction r1. The inner peripheral surface 921 has a slightly larger diameter than the outer peripheral surface 853 (see FIG. 6) of the annular wall 85. The female screw 93 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 921 and can be screwed with the male screw 854 of the bottle body 8. The bottle cap 9 is placed on the annular wall 85 from above, and thereby, the side wall 92 is located outward in the radial direction r22 from the outer peripheral surface 853. When the bottle cap 9 is rotated in the circumferential direction θ2 in this state and the male screw 854 is screwed with the female screw 93, the ends in the approaching direction z22 of the side wall 92 substantially contact the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 over the entire circumference. The state where the ends of the side wall 92 substantially contact the upper surface 841 is the attached state where the bottle cap 9 is attached to the bottle body 8. By screwing the female screw 93 of the bottle cap 9 with the male screw 854 formed on the bottle body 8, the bottle cap 9 can be easily and surely attached to the bottle body 8. Also, even if the bottle 200A drops, it is difficult for the bottle cap 9 to be detached from the bottle body 8.

[0091] After the male screw 854 is screwed with the female screw 93, the ends (i.e., extending ends) in the approaching direction z22 of the side wall 92 substantially contact the upper surface 841 over the entire circumference and stop in the axial direction z2. The dimension of the side wall 92 in the axial direction z2 is determined so that the extending end of the side wall 92 contacts the upper surface 841 in the attached state. At least the shape of the engaging portion 913 and the dimensions of the engaging portion 913 in the axial direction z2 and the radial direction r2 are determined so that the engaging portion 913 contacts the annular flat surface 862C in the attached state. At least the shape of the engaging portion 914 and the dimensions of the engaging portion 914 in the axial direction z2 and the radial direction r2 are determined so that the engaging portion 914 contacts the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 in the attached state.

[0092] [Ink Refill from Bottle 200A to Tank 4A] When replenishing the ink in the bottle 200A into the tank 4A, the operator moves the housing cover 2 on the MFP 100 from the shielding position P11 to the exposed position P12 (see Fig. 1), moves the tank cover 52A from the covering position P31 (see Fig. 1(B)) to the exposed position P32 (see Fig. 3(A)), and moves the cap 6A from the closed position P21 (see Fig. 3(A)) to the open position P22 (see Fig. 5(A)). The operator removes the bottle cap 9 on the bottle 200A from the bottle body 8 (see Fig. 5(B), Fig. 6(A)).

[0093] Next, as can be understood from Fig. 9, the operator turns the outlet 862E of the bottle 200A downward and brings the key member 88 (see Fig. 6) close to the key hole 48 (see Fig. 4) provided on the MFP 100. Even when the outlet 862E is turned downward, since the valve body 893 is in close contact with the rubber portion 891 by the biasing force of the coil spring 894, the ink in the storage chamber 87 does not leak out of the bottle 200.

[0094] Next, the operator aligns the key member 88 with the key hole 48. By this alignment, the end face 852 of the annular wall 85 is located directly above the outer space 46E. Also, the lower end of the first rib 881A is directly above the gap formed by the ribs 464, 465, the lower end of the first rib 881B is directly above the gap formed by the ribs 462, 463, and the lower end of the first rib 881C is directly above the notch 468A. The lower end of the second rib 882A is directly above the partial annular space 46D, and the third rib 883A is located directly above the portion between the ribs 462, 4610 in the outer space 46E. The outlet 862E of the bottle 200A is located directly above the upper end of the needle 44 of the tank 4A.

[0095] In the process until the alignment is completed, the operator turns the recesses 855A, 855B of the bottle 200 to the left and right. Thereby, even if the operator cannot visually recognize the key member 88, the lower ends of the first ribs 881A, 881B can be positioned approximately directly above the ribs 462 to 465. This facilitates the alignment.

[0096] After the alignment is completed, the operator moves the key member 88 downward within the key hole 48. Specifically, the first rib 881A descends between the ribs 464 and 465, and the first rib 881B descends between the ribs 462 and 463. The vicinity of the outer end of the first rib 881C descends into the notch 468A. The second rib 882A descends into the partial annular space 46D. The third rib 883A descends to the portion between the ribs 462 and 4610 in the outer space 46E. The outer peripheral surface 862A descends within the cylindrical space 46A while contacting the inner ends of the respective ribs 462 to 466 and the inner peripheral surface of the rib 467.

[0097] There may be a case where the operator cannot lower the key member 88 within the key hole 48. One of the factors is that the lower end of the first rib 881A is mistakenly aligned directly above the gap formed by the ribs 462 and 463, and the lower end of the first rib 881B is mistakenly aligned directly above the gap formed by the ribs 464 and 465. In this case, due to reasons such as the lower end of the first rib 881C interfering with the upper end of the rib 469, the key member 88 does not descend within the key hole 48. Therefore, the operator rotates the bottle 200A 180° in the circumferential direction θ2 to align the lower ends of the first ribs 881A and 881B to the correct positions. After that, the operator moves the key member 88 downward within the key hole 48.

[0098] During the process of the key member 88 descending within the key hole 48, the needle 44 is inserted from the outlet 862E of the bottle 200A into the flow path 862F and approaches the valve body 893. After the upper end of the needle 44 contacts the lower end of the valve body 893, the valve body 893 begins to rise against the biasing force of the coil spring 894 due to the contact force received from the upper end of the partition wall 443 of the needle 44. When the annular flat surface 862C enters the annular space 46B, the annular flat surface 862B contacts the contact surface 461A, and the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 reaches the upper surface 43 in the outer space 46E, the key member 88 of the tank 4A fits into the key hole 48 of the bottle body 8, and the connection of the bottle body 8 to the tank 4A is completed.

[0099] At the time of connection completion, the contact surface 461A contacts the annular flat surface 862B of the small-diameter portion 862 located in the cylindrical space 46A. The inner ends of the ribs 462 to 466 and the inner peripheral surface of the rib 467 contact the outer peripheral surface 862A of the small-diameter portion 862 in the cylindrical space 46A over the entire range in the vertical direction z1. The rib 467 further contacts the inner peripheral surface of the third rib 883A from the inward r21 side. At the time of connection completion (an example of the connected state), the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 contacts the upper surface 43 at a position inward r21 from the protruding wall 45. Therefore, even if the operator releases the hand from the bottle body 8, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottle body 8 is supported by the upper surface 43, the protruding wall 45, and the fitted portion 46 of the keyhole 48 and stands upside down with almost no inclination with respect to the vertical direction z1.

[0100] At the time of connection completion, the valve body 893 opens the flow path 862F by the contact force from the tip of the partition wall 443. Since the tip of the partition wall 443 protrudes above the upper ends of the flow paths 441 and 442, a gap is formed between the valve body 893 and each of the flow paths 441 and 442. Through these gaps, the storage chamber 87 of the bottle body 8 and the storage chamber 47 of the tank 4A communicate with each other via the flow paths 441, 442, and 862F. That is, the bottle body 8 and the tank 4A are connected so that ink can flow out from the storage chamber 87 to the storage chamber 47.

[0101] Ink may adhere to the surface of the neck portion 86 or the like. In the process of the neck portion 86 approaching the contact surface 461A in the cylindrical space 46A, the ink leaking from between the neck portion 86 and the contact surface 461A flows into the partial annular spaces 46C and 46D, or flows out to the outer space 46E through the gaps between the ribs 462 and 463 and the gaps between the ribs 464 and 465. Further, the ink overflowing from the partial annular spaces 46C and 46D flows out to the outer space 46E through the notches 468A and 469A.

[0102] Immediately after the connection is completed, gas-liquid replacement starts between the bottle 200A and the tank 4A. In the gas-liquid replacement, the ink in the storage chamber 87 flows into the storage chamber 47 through the flow paths 862F and 441. In the gas-liquid replacement, air flows from the atmosphere communication hole of the tank 4A into the storage chamber 47, and this air flows into the storage chamber 87 through the flow paths 442 and 862F. The amount of ink flowing out from the storage chamber 87 to the storage chamber 47 and the amount of ink flowing into the storage chamber 87 from the storage chamber 47 are approximately the same. When the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 47 reaches the lower end of the flow path 442 or the ink in the storage chamber 87 runs out, the gas-liquid replacement ends. In this way, the ink in the bottle 200A is replenished to the tank 4A.

[0103] After the ink replenishment is completed, the operator pulls out the key member 88 and the neck portion 86 of the bottle 200A upward from the key hole 48 and the needle 44 of the tank 4A. In the process of the neck portion 86 rising relative to the needle 44, the valve body 893 first maintains a state of abutting against the upper end of the partition wall 443 of the needle 44 by the biasing force of the coil spring 894. After the valve body 893 abuts against the small-diameter portion 862 of the neck portion 86, it separates from the upper end of the partition wall 443.

[0104] After that, the operator attaches the bottle cap 9 to the bottle body 8 (see FIGS. 5(B) and 6(A)). Thereby, the ink remaining in the storage chamber 87 of the bottle 200A is stored. The operator moves the housing cover 2 in the MFP100 from the exposed position P12 to the shielded position P11 (see FIG. 1), moves the tank cover 52A from the exposed position P32 (see FIG. 3(A)) to the covered position P31 (see FIG. 1(B)), and moves the cap 6A from the open position P22 (see FIG. 5(A)) to the closed position P21 (see FIG. 3(A)). When replenishing the ink in the bottle 200A to the tank 4A at another opportunity, the operator replenishes the ink in the same procedure as described above.

[0105] [Prevention of incorrect connection of bottles 200B to 200D to the tank 4A] When an operator tries to wrongly connect any one of bottles 200B to 200D to the key hole 48 of the tank 4A, the shape and position of at least one of the ribs 462 to 4610 constituting the key hole 48 do not match the key members of the bottles 200B to 200D. As a result, the key members may not be inserted into the key hole 48. Thereby, the operator can quickly recognize that a wrong bottle 200B to 200D is being fitted to the tank 4A. Also, it is quickly prevented that wrong ink is replenished to the tank 4A.

[0106] Also, when an operator tries to wrongly fit any one of bottles 200B to 200D to the key hole 48 of the tank 4A, the shape and position of at least one of the ribs 462 to 4610 constituting the key hole 48 may not match the key members of the bottles 200B to 200D in the vertical direction z1. In this case, since the bottles 200B to 200D do not move downward, the operator can recognize that a wrong bottle 200B to 200D is being fitted to the tank 4A. Also, it is prevented that wrong ink is replenished to the tank 4A.

[0107] [Function and Effect of Embodiment] In ink replenishment, since the outlet 862E of the bottle body 8 faces downward, ink is likely to adhere around the outlet 862E. Therefore, during the process of placing the bottle 200A in the mounting posture after ink replenishment, this ink accumulates between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86 along the outer surface of the neck portion 86. As a result, during subsequent ink replenishment, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the operator's fingers or the placement area of the bottle 200A (such as on a desk). Also, in the attached state where the bottle cap 9 is attached to the bottle body 8, since the engaging portion 913 seals the outlet 862E, the ink accumulated between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86 does not flow back to the outlet 862E. Further, in the attached state, since the opening of the cylindrical space 86A (see FIG. 6) is sealed by the engaging portion 914, it is prevented that the ink in the cylindrical space 86A adheres to the outer surfaces of the base portion 84, the shoulder portion 83, and the body portion 82 along the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. Also, it is prevented that ink adheres to the side wall 92 of the bottle cap. Thus, it becomes difficult for ink to adhere to the operator's fingers or the placement area of the bottle 200A.

[0108] By cutting the male screw 854, recesses 855A and 855B are formed at two locations on the outer peripheral surface 853. The recesses 855A and 855B are used by the operator as indicators showing the positions of the first ribs 881A and 881B, which are part of the key member 88, during alignment in ink replenishment. Such recesses 855A and 855B make it easier for the operator to align the key member 88 with the keyhole 48.

[0109] The key member 88 is formed in the cylindrical space 86A and is not formed on the outer peripheral surface 853 of the annular wall 85. A male screw 854 is formed on such an outer peripheral surface 853. Therefore, the key member 88 does not affect the screwing of the male screw 854 and the female screw 93. Thereby, the bottle cap 9 can be easily and surely attached to the bottle body 8.

[0110] The key member 88 is formed in the cylindrical space 86A and loosely fits into the key hole 48 formed in the tank 4A. The number of ribs constituting the key member 88 and the key hole 48, the three-dimensional shape, and the position of the ribs can be changed for each of the bottles 200A to 200D. Therefore, the operator can identify the types of the bottles 200A to 200D based on the shape of the key member 88.

[0111] In ink replenishment, the ink adhering to the neck portion 86 is likely to drip from the neck portion 86. However, the tip of the annular wall 85 protrudes in the separation direction z21 from the tip of the neck portion 86. Therefore, when the bottle body 8 is tilted so that the direction of the outlet 862E is reversed, even if the ink drips, it is likely to fall into the annular wall 85. Further, when the bottle body 8 drops from, for example, a desk, the annular wall 85 collides with the floor or the like before the neck portion 86, so that the neck portion 86 can be protected from the impact.

[0112] The operator can replenish the ink in the tank 4A a plurality of times using the bottle 200A. In each ink replenishment, as can be understood from FIG. 9, since the outlet 862E of the bottle body 8 is directed downward, the ink is likely to adhere to the periphery of the outlet 862E. In the process of placing the bottle 200A in the placement posture after the ink replenishment, this ink accumulates in the cylindrical space 86A between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86 along the outer surface of the neck portion 86. In the next ink replenishment, when the outlet 862E is directed downward, the ink in the cylindrical space 86A moves downward toward the upper surface 43 of the tank 4A. However, at the time of completion of the connection, the end surface 852 of the annular wall 85 abuts on the position inward r21 from the protruding wall 45 on the upper surface 43. Therefore, the ink does not accumulate in the outer space 46E and does not leak outward r22 from the protruding wall 45 on the upper surface 43, and does not flow down along the outer surface of the tank 4A including the upper surface 43.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the distance Dz1 of the protruding wall 45 and the distances Dz2 and Dz3 in the annular wall 85 are in the relationship of Dz2 > Dz3 > Dz1. Under this relationship, the left and right distances of the connecting plates 73 and 74 are made slightly longer than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 853 (see FIG. 6) of the annular wall 85, so that the three-dimensional shape of the protruding wall 45 is miniaturized without the protruding wall 45 interfering with the male screw 854.

[0114] [Modified Example] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, the main body 41, the bottle main body 8, and the bottle cap 9 according to the modified example will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the embodiment, and the components corresponding to those described in the embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the respective descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0115] [Main body 41, curved plates 71, 72, connecting plates 73, 74] In FIG. 10(A), the upper ends of the curved plates 71, 72 and the connecting plates 73, 74 are different from the embodiment in that they are located slightly above the upper end of the needle 44.

[0116] The connecting plate 74 is different from the embodiment in that ribs 741, grooves 742, and slits 743 are arranged in this order from the front to the back.

[0117] The rib 741 projects vertically leftward from a position in front of the needle 44 on the inner surface of the connecting plate 74. The rib 741 is continuous between the upper and lower ends of the connecting plate 74 and extends straight up and down. The rib 741 is thin in the front-rear direction and has a rectangular plate shape that is elongated vertically in a first front view.

[0118] The groove 742 is located to the right as viewed from the needle 44, is continuous between the upper and lower ends of the connecting plate 74, and extends linearly up and down. The groove 742 is recessed rightward from the inner surface of the connecting plate 74. The depth and width of the groove 742 are substantially constant throughout the region between the upper and lower ends of the groove 742.

[0119] The slit 743 is continuous between a position slightly above the lower end of the connecting plate 74 and the upper end of the connecting plate 74 and extends linearly up and down. The distance between both ends of the slit 743 in the vertical direction z1 is substantially the same as the distance between both ends of the rib 813 (see FIG. 11) in the axial direction z2. Hereinafter, the distance between both ends in the vertical direction z1 and the distance between both ends in the axial direction z2 will each be simply referred to as the height. The width of the slit 743 is substantially constant over the entire region between the upper and lower ends of the slit 743.

[0120] In FIG. 10, the connecting plate 73 differs from the embodiment in that it consists of an inner plate 75 and an outer plate 76 that extend vertically and horizontally. The inner plate 75 faces the outer plate 76 laterally at a position slightly closer to the needle 44 than the outer plate 76. A slit 731 and a rib 732 are formed in the inner plate 75.

[0121] The slit 731 is located on the left when viewed from the needle 44, continuous between a position slightly above the lower end of the inner plate 75 and the upper end of the inner plate 75, and extending linearly vertically. The slit 731 is approximately the same height as the rib 815 (see FIG. 11). The width of the slit 731 is substantially constant throughout the entire area between the upper and lower ends of the slit 731.

[0122] The rib 732 projects perpendicularly to the right from a position behind the needle 44 on the inner surface of the inner plate 75. The rib 732 is continuous between the lower end and the upper end of the inner plate 75 and extends straight vertically. The rib 732 has the same plate-like shape as the rib 741 of the connecting plate 74. The protruding end face (i.e., the right side face) of the rib 732 extends vertically and horizontally and is slightly inclined with respect to the left-right direction x1.

[0123] In FIG. 10(A), the curved plate 71 differs from the embodiment in that a convex portion 711 is formed. The convex portion 711 is located generally in front of the needle 44 and away from the needle 44, and is located near the center of the curved plate 71 in the circumferential direction θ1. The convex portion 711 is generally rectangular in a first plan view and projects rearward from the inner surface of the curved plate 71. The rear end face of the convex portion 711 is arc-shaped in a first plan view. The right and left side faces of the convex portion 711 are flat surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to the left-right direction x1. The convex portion 711 is continuous between the upper and lower ends of the curved plate 71 and extends linearly vertically, except for a portion 712 at the rear right corner in a first plan view. The portion 712 is generally parallelogram-shaped in a first plan view, continuous between the lower end of the curved plate 71 and a position below the upper end of the curved plate 71, and extending vertically.

[0124] The protruding wall 45, together with the ribs 741, 732, the grooves 742, the slits 743, 731, the convex portions 711 and the portions 712, defines a keyhole 48 that is open upward. The keyhole 48 is an example of a fitting portion or a tank recess. The bottle 200A described later is connected to the keyhole 48 during ink replenishment. At this time, the keyhole 48 engages with the key member 88 formed on the bottle 200A side, but does not engage with the key members of the other bottles 200B to 200D.

[0125] [Annular wall 85] In FIG. 11, the annular wall 85 is different from the embodiment in that it has connecting plates 856, 857 and curved plates 858, 859. The end face of the annular wall 85 in the separating direction z21 is further different from the embodiment in that it is not annular.

[0126] The connecting plates 856, 857 are formed of straight flat plates in a second plan view and face each other in the radial direction r2 with the neck portion 86 interposed therebetween. During ink replenishment, the connecting plate 856 is located to the left of the connecting plate 74 (see FIG. 10(A)) of the protruding wall 45, and the connecting plate 857 is located to the right of the connecting plate 73 (see FIG. 10) of the protruding wall 45.

[0127] The curved plates 858, 859 have an arc shape on a virtual circle c2 (see FIG. 11(B)) in a second plan view and face each other in the radial direction r2 with the neck portion 86 interposed therebetween. The virtual circle c2 is a circle centered on the axis Ax2 in the second plan view and is slightly smaller in diameter than the upper surface 841. Specifically, the planar shape of the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84 is substantially circular. The curved plate 858 extends in the separating direction z21 from a position along the virtual circle c2 on the upper surface 841. The curved plate 859 extends in the axial direction z2 at a position obtained by rotating the position occupied by the curved plate 858 on the upper surface 841 by approximately 180° in the circumferential direction θ2 of the axis Ax2. The curved plate 858 is connected to each of one ends of the connecting plates 856, 857 that are close to each other in the circumferential direction θ2. The other ends of the connecting plates 856, 857 are connected to each other by the curved plate 859. During ink replenishment, the curved plate 858 has a shape that overlaps immediately after the curved plate 71 (see FIG. 10) of the protruding wall 45, and the curved plate 859 has a shape that overlaps immediately before the curved plate 72 (see FIG. 10) of the protruding wall 45.

[0128] In FIG. 11, ribs 811 to 813 project vertically outward from the outer surface of the connecting plate 856 toward the outside of the annular wall 85. Among the ribs 811 to 813, rib 811 is located closest to the curved plate 858, and rib 813 is located closest to the curved plate 859. The ribs 811 to 813 are continuous between both ends in the axial direction z2 of the connecting plate 856 and extend linearly in the axial direction z2. The ribs 811 to 813 are approximately at the same height as the slit 743 in the tank 4A. In a second plan view, the ribs 811 to 813 do not protrude from the upper surface 841 of the base portion 84. Specifically, the maximum distance between both ends in the protruding direction of rib 811 is shorter than the distance between both ends in the protruding direction of rib 741. When comparing the distances in the radial direction r2 from the axis Ax2 to the protruding end of rib 811 and to the outer peripheral surface of the curved plate 858, in order to avoid interference with the bottle cap 9, the distance to this protruding end (an example of the first distance) is shorter than the distance to this outer peripheral surface (an example of the second distance). Rib 811 abuts against the rib 741 (see FIG. 10) on the tank 4A side from the rear when the connection is completed. At this time, the protruding end (i.e., the left end) of rib 741 abuts against the connecting plate 856 from the right. Rib 812 fits into the groove 742 when the bottle 200A and the tank 4A are connected. At this time, the protruding end of rib 812 abuts against the bottom of the groove 742 from the left. Rib 813 is inserted into the slit 743 when the connection is completed. A part of the protruding end of rib 813 is cut out and forms a part of a male screw 814 (see FIG. 11(A)) described later.

[0129] In FIG. 11, ribs 815 and grooves 816 are formed on the outer surface of the connecting plate 857. The rib 815 projects vertically outward from the annular wall 85 from a position closer to the curved plate 858 than the groove 816 on this outer surface. The protruding end of the rib 815 does not protrude outward by r22 from the upper surface 841 in the second plan view. The rib 815 is approximately the same height as the slit 731 (see FIG. 10). Specifically, each end of the rib 815 and the connecting plate 857 in the proximity direction z22 is at the same position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11(A), the end of the rib 815 in the separation direction z21 is slightly closer to the proximity direction z22 than the end of the connecting plate 857 in the separation direction z21. That is, the distance in the axial direction z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of the rib 815 in the separation direction z21 is shorter than the distance in the axial direction z2 from the upper surface 841 to the end of the connecting plate 857 in the same direction. Note that the separation direction z21 is the vertical direction z1 in the placement posture, and the end in the separation direction z21 is the upper end in the placement posture. When the connection is completed, the rib 815 is inserted into the slit 731, and the end of the rib 815 in the separation direction z21 abuts against the lower end of the slit 731. The groove 816 is continuous between both axial ends of the connecting plate 857 and extends linearly in the axial direction z2. The groove 816 is recessed from the outer surface to the inner surface of the connecting plate 857. The bottom surface of the groove 816 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ2 in the first plan view. The width of the groove 816 is substantially constant between both axial ends of the connecting plate 857. The rib 732 (see FIG. 10) is fitted into the groove 816 during ink replenishment, and at this time, the protruding end of the rib 732 abuts against the bottom of the groove 816 from the left side.

[0130] In FIG. 11, on each outer peripheral surface of the curved plates 858 and 859 near the central portion in the axial direction z2, another part of the male screw 814 is formed. A part of the male screw 814 is also formed on the rib 813. That is, the male screw 814 is divided between the protruding end surface of the rib 813 and the curved plates 858 and 859. Such a male screw 814 is screwed with the female screw 93 formed on the bottle cap 9.

[0131] On the outer surface of the curved plate 858, a groove 817 is formed. The groove 817 is continuous between both axial ends of the curved plate 858 at the central portion in the circumferential direction θ1 of the curved plate 858 and linearly extends in the axial direction z2. The groove 817 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the curved plate 858 toward the inner peripheral surface. The bottom surface of the groove 817 is parallel to the circumferential direction θ2 in the first plan view. The width and depth of the groove 817 are substantially constant between both axial ends of the curved plate 858 except for the portion of the rib 818 described later. Specifically, the depth of the groove 817 is the same as the front-rear dimension of the convex portion 711, and the width of the groove 817 is the same as the maximum value of the left-right dimension in the convex portion 711. A rib 818 is formed in the groove 817. The rib 818 extends from one side surface (clockwise direction in FIG. 11) in the circumferential direction θ2 in the groove 817. The rib 818 extends in the radial direction r2 and the circumferential direction θ2 between both ends in the radial direction r2 of the groove 817. The rib 818 is substantially the same shape as the portion 712 (see FIG. 10) on the tank 4A side in the second plan view and is a thin plate shape in the axial direction z2. The end surface of the rib 818 in the separation direction z21 is separated from the end in the separation direction z21 of the groove 817 by the height of the portion 712 (see FIG. 10) in the proximity direction z22.

[0132] When the connection is completed, the groove 817 fits into the convex portion 711 (see FIG. 10). At this time, the end surface of the rib 818 in the separation direction z21 abuts against the portion 712 from above.

[0133] The annular wall 85, together with the ribs 811 to 813, 815, 818 and the grooves 816, 817, forms a key member 88 that fits into the keyhole 48 (see FIG. 10). In the embodiment, the key member 88 was located between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86. However, in this modified example, the key member 88 is not located between the annular wall 85 and the neck portion 86, but is located on the outer surface of the annular wall 85.

[0134] [Seat portion 865, seat surface 865A] In FIG. 11, the neck portion 86 is different from the embodiment in that it includes a seat portion 865 having a seat surface 865A. The seat surface 865A has an annular shape that surrounds the entire circumference of the neck portion 86 on the outside in the second plan view. The seat surface 865A is a plane parallel to the radial direction r2. Specifically, the seat surface 865A extends outward in the radial direction r22 from the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 86 that is separated from the tip surface in the proximity direction z22 toward the annular wall 85. That is, the seat surface 865A is closer to the annular wall 85 in the radial direction r2 than the tip surface of the neck portion 86, and is closer to the upper surface 841 and the accommodation chamber 87 in the axial direction z2 than the tip surface of the neck portion 86. Also, in the placement posture of the bottle body 8, the seat surface 865A faces upward at a position below the neck portion 86. The seat surface 865A is continuous with the inner surfaces of the connecting plates 856 and 857 and the bottom wall of the groove 817, but is not continuous with the inner surfaces of the curved plates 858 and 859. The width of the seat surface 865A in the radial direction r2 is the minimum width W11 between the neck portion 86 and the bottom wall of the groove 817.

[0135] [Bottle cap 9] In FIG. 12, the bottle cap 9 is different from the embodiment in that it further includes an annular protruding piece 94.

[0136] The annular protruding piece 94 is a generally cylindrical wall that extends in the proximity direction z22 from a position outward in the radial direction r22 from the engaging portion 913 on the inner main surface 912 and from a position inward in the radial direction r21 from the side wall 92. The inner peripheral surface of the annular protruding piece 94 has substantially the same diameter as the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 86. The thickness of the annular protruding piece 94 is the dimension in the radial direction r1 between this inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. This thickness is substantially constant over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction θ1 and is slightly smaller than the minimum width W11 between the neck portion 86 and the groove 817. The annular protruding piece 94 abuts and fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 86 of the bottle body 8 in the attached state of the bottle cap 9.

[0137] In the process of screwing the male screw 814 into the female screw 93 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "screwing process"), the inner peripheral surface of the annular protruding piece 94 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 86 while rotating around the axis Ax2. After the screwing process, the end (i.e., the extending end) 941 of the annular protruding piece 94 in the approaching direction z22 abuts against the seating surface 865A over the entire circumference. Due to the abutment between the end 941 and the seating surface 865A, the final position where the bottle cap 9 is screwed onto the bottle body 8 is determined, and the screwing of the bottle cap 9 stops in the axial direction z2. The dimension of the annular protruding piece 94 in the axial direction z2 is determined in advance so that the end 941 abuts against the seating surface 865A in the mounted state. Further, when the bottle cap 9 is in the final position, the inner main surface 912 abuts against the end surface of the annular wall 85 in the separating direction z21. Thereby, the bottle cap 9 hermetically seals the space inside the annular wall 85.

[0138] [Other Modification Examples] In the embodiment, the inks of the aforementioned four colors were stored in the tanks 4A to 4D. However, a pretreatment liquid (another example of a liquid) that the recording head 322 discharges onto the paper S prior to ink discharge may be stored in the tanks 4A to 4D in image recording. Alternatively, the tanks 4A to 4D may store water (yet another example of a liquid) used for cleaning the recording head 322.

[0139] In the embodiment, the printer unit 3 was capable of recording full-color images on the paper S. However, without being limited thereto, the printer unit 3 may be capable of recording only monochrome images on the paper S. In this case, the tank set 31 includes the tank 4A, the holding member 51A, the cap 6A, and the tank cover 52A.

[0140] In the embodiment, the keyhole 48 was provided in the tank 4A. However, without being limited thereto, the keyhole 48 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 511A of the holding member 51A.

[0141] In the embodiment, the three-dimensional shapes of the key member 88 and the key hole 48 were different from each other for each ink color. However, not limited thereto, the three-dimensional shapes of the key member 88 and the key hole 48 may be different from each other for each type (i.e., model) of the MFP 100.

[0142] In the embodiment, each of the key member 88 and the fitted portion 46 was composed of ribs or notches protruding in the separation direction z21 with respect to the upper surface 841. However, not limited thereto, each of the key member 88 and the fitted portion 46 may be composed of, among others, a long slit in the proximity direction z22 with respect to the upper surface 841, or a recess recessed in the circumferential direction θ2 or the radial direction r2.

[0143] In the embodiment, the bottle body 8 includes the recesses 855A and 855B, and the recesses 855A and 855B were formed by cutting out portions that were rotationally moved by 180° with respect to each other in the male screw 854. However, not limited thereto, the bottle body 8 may include two convex portions instead of the recesses 855A and 855B. The two convex portions protrude outward in the radial direction r22 from portions that are rotationally moved by 180° with respect to each other on the outer peripheral surface 853.

Explanation of Signs

[0144] 3 ··· Printer unit 31 ··· Tank set 4A to 4D ··· Tanks 41 ··· Main body 43 ··· Upper surface 44 ··· Needle 441, 442 ··· Flow paths 443 ··· Partition wall 45 ··· Protruding wall 71, 72 ··· Curved plates 73, 74 ··· Connecting plates 46 ··· Fitted portion 47 ··· Storage chamber 48 ··· Key hole 200A to 200D ··· Bottles 8 ··· Bottle body 84 ··· Base portion 841 ··· Upper surface 85 ··· Annular wall 851 ··· Bottom surface 852 ··· End face 853 ··· Outer peripheral surface 854 ··· Male thread 86 ··· Head part 861 ··· Large-diameter part 862 ··· Small-diameter part 862A ··· Outer peripheral surface 862B, 862C ··· Annular flat surface 87 ··· Accommodation chamber 88 ··· Key member 9 ··· Bottle cap 91 ··· Top wall 92 ··· Side wall 93 ··· Female thread

Claims

1. A liquid supply device comprising a liquid storage bottle having a bottle body with an internal space for storing a liquid, and a tank having a storage chamber for storing the liquid, wherein the bottle body has an upper surface, a nozzle protruding upward from the upper surface and having an opening formed in a tip surface, an annular wall spaced from the nozzle and located around the nozzle, the annular wall protruding upward from the upper surface, and the tank has a tank body, a protruding wall provided integrally with the tank body and protruding from a tank upper surface of the tank body to define a tank recess, a communication pipe located in the tank recess and having a first flow path and a second flow path for communicating the storage chamber with the outside, and the bottle body is connected such that the liquid can flow out from the internal space of the bottle body to the storage chamber of the tank by inserting the annular wall into the tank recess and inserting the communication pipe into the opening of the nozzle, the liquid supply device in which the annular wall is located inside the protruding wall in a connected state where the bottle body is connected to the tank.

2. the bottle body further has a key member located in a space between the nozzle and the annular wall, and the tank further has a fitting portion located in the tank recess and fitting with the key member, the liquid supply device according to claim 1.

3. A liquid supply device comprising a liquid storage bottle having a bottle body with an internal space for storing a liquid, and a tank having a storage chamber for storing the liquid, wherein the bottle body has an upper surface, a nozzle protruding upward from the upper surface and having an opening formed in a tip surface, an annular wall spaced from the nozzle and located around the nozzle, the annular wall protruding upward from the upper surface, and a key member located in a space between the nozzle and the annular wall, and the tank has a tank body, a protruding wall protruding from a tank upper surface of the tank body to define a tank recess, a communication pipe located in the tank recess and having a first flow path and a second flow path for communicating the storage chamber with the outside, and a fitting portion located in the tank recess and fitting with the key member, and the bottle body is connected such that the liquid can flow out from the internal space of the bottle body to the storage chamber of the tank by inserting the annular wall into the tank recess and inserting the communication pipe into the opening of the nozzle. A liquid supply device in which, in a connected state where the bottle body is connected to the tank, the annular wall is located inside the protruding wall.

4. A plurality of the tanks are provided for each color of the liquid to be stored, the fitting portion is at a different position or has a different shape for each of the plurality of the tanks, The liquid supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the key member is at a position or has a shape that can be fitted to the fitting portion of the corresponding tank.

5. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first dimension by which the annular wall protrudes from the upper surface is larger than a second dimension by which the protruding wall protrudes from the upper surface of the tank.

6. The liquid storage bottle further has a cap that is screwed onto a screw portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the annular wall, The liquid supply device according to claim 5, wherein a third dimension from the screw portion of the annular wall to an upper end of the annular wall is larger than the second dimension.

Images