Ink storage bottle and ink replenishment system

Abstract

To provide a liquid storage bottle capable of pouring out liquid while suppressing remaining of content liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid storage bottle 20 has a bottle body 21 and a nozzle 22 pouring out liquid stored in the bottle body 21. Inside the nozzle 22, first and second fluid channels 24, 25 which open outside on the tip side of the nozzle 22 and run parallel to each other, and a communication passage 26 which opens inside the bottle body 21 on a base end side of the nozzle 22 and communicates with the first and second fluid channels 24, 25 are formed. An inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is inclined inward toward the first and second fluid channels 24, 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Ink a storage bottle and Ink a replenishment system.

Background Art

[0002] Some liquid tanks used in liquid ejection devices that eject liquids such as ink can be replenished with liquid from a separately prepared liquid storage bottle. In such a liquid storage bottle for liquid replenishment, it is required to prevent the liquid to be replenished from leaking out unexpectedly and soiling the user's hands or the surroundings. Patent Document 1 describes a liquid storage bottle having a bottle body and a bottle cap rotatably attached to the bottle body. The bottle cap is rotatable between a sealed state in which the opening of the bottle body is sealed to block the pouring out of the liquid from the bottle body and an open state in which the opening of the bottle body is opened to allow the pouring out of the liquid from the bottle body. Thus, in the liquid storage bottle described in Patent Document 1, by setting it to the open state only when replenishing the liquid tank with liquid and to the sealed state otherwise, it is possible to suppress the unexpected leakage of the liquid to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the liquid storage bottle described in Patent Document 1, even if an attempt is made to pour out all the liquid content, there may be cases where liquid remains inside due to the structure. Therefore, when removing the liquid storage bottle from the liquid tank after liquid replenishment, the liquid remaining inside may drip from the bottle and adhere to the user's hands or the surroundings, soiling them. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to be able to pour out the liquid while suppressing the remaining of the liquid of the content. Ink and a storage bottle Ink and a replenishment system are provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, the Ink storage bottle of the present invention Of the liquid ejection device is a storage bottle that is replenished into a liquid tank Ink and includes a bottle body and a nozzle for pouring out Ink contained in the bottle body. Inside the nozzle, first and second fluid passages that open to the outside on the tip side of the nozzle and are parallel to each other, and a communication passage that opens to the inside of the bottle body on the base end side of the nozzle and communicates with the first and second fluid passages are formed. The inner peripheral surface of the communication passage is inclined inward toward the first and second fluid passages. Ink Also, the Extension direction replenishment system of the present invention includes a liquid tank and the above Ink storage bottle that stores the liquid to be replenished into the liquid tank Ink and has Ink the storage bottle.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the liquid can be poured out while suppressing the remaining of the liquid of the content.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, as an example of the liquid storage bottle and the liquid replenishment system of the present invention, the case where it is used to replenish ink as a liquid to a liquid ejection device will be described, but the uses of the liquid storage bottle and the liquid replenishment system are not limited to this.

[0009] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a main part of the liquid ejection device of this embodiment. The liquid ejection device 200 has a feeding unit 1, a conveying unit 2, a ejection unit 3, a liquid supply unit 4, and a display unit 5. The feeding unit 1 has a feeding roller 10 that separates and supplies the recording media one by one from a stack of sheet-like recording media stored in a tray to the conveying unit 2. The conveying unit 2 has a conveying roller 11 and a paper discharge roller 12 that convey the recording media supplied from the feeding unit 1. Between the conveying roller 11 and the paper discharge roller 12, a platen 13 that supports the conveyed recording media from below is arranged. The ejection unit 3 is located above the platen 13 and has a carriage 14 that reciprocates in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording media, and a liquid ejection head 15 mounted on the carriage 14 that ejects a liquid such as ink. The ejection unit 3 can record an image on the recording media supported by the platen 13 by ejecting the liquid by the liquid ejection head 15 based on the image information.

[0010] The liquid supply unit 4 has a liquid tank 16 and a flexible supply tube 17 that connects the liquid tank 16 and the liquid ejection head 15 via a liquid flow path 101. The liquid tank 16 has an accommodation chamber 100 inside for accommodating the liquid, a tank body 160 formed with an injection port 106 for injecting the liquid into the accommodation chamber 100, and a tank cap 105 that can be attached to the tank body 160 to seal the accommodation chamber 100. The liquid accommodated in the accommodation chamber 100 is supplied to the liquid ejection head 15 via the supply tube 17 from the liquid flow path 101 according to the amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head 15. At this time, air in the same amount as the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head 15 flows into the accommodation chamber 100 in the liquid tank 16 through an air communication port 102 provided on the upper surface of the tank body 160. In this embodiment, four-color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) ink is used as the liquid, and the liquid tank 16 and the supply tube 17 are provided for each color of the ink. Note that the color of the liquid to be used is not limited to four colors, and it may be one color or two or more colors. Also, in this embodiment, the liquid tank 16 is accommodated inside the main body of the liquid ejection device 200, but the position of the liquid tank 16 is not limited to this as long as the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejection head 15, and it may be outside the main body of the liquid ejection device 200. The display unit 5 displays information (such as the operating state, operation items, and menus) necessary for operating the liquid ejection device 200, and also displays a message prompting the user to replenish the liquid in the liquid tank 16.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state when the liquid is replenished in the liquid ejection device shown in FIG. 1. The user tilts forward and opens the cover 7 provided on the front surface of the liquid ejection device 200, removes the tank cap 105 attached to the liquid tank 16 to be replenished with liquid, and exposes the injection port 106. Then, using the liquid storage bottle 20 containing the liquid to be replenished, the liquid tank 16 is replenished with liquid through the exposed injection port 106.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is an exploded cross-sectional view of the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment. Both show a cross-section including the central axis of the bottle. FIG. 5(c) is a plan view of the inside of the nozzle constituting the liquid storage bottle of the present embodiment as viewed from the base end side. The liquid storage bottle 20 is a cylindrical container for replenishing the liquid tank 16 with liquid, and constitutes the liquid replenishment system of the present embodiment together with the liquid tank 16. The liquid storage bottle 20 includes a bottle body 21 for storing liquid, a nozzle 22 for pouring out the liquid stored in the bottle body 21, and a cap 23 that can be attached to the nozzle 22 so as to seal the tip of the nozzle 22. At the upper part of the bottle body 21, a bottle neck portion 21a having a male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface is provided, and at the lower part of the nozzle 22, a cylindrical nozzle neck portion 22a having a female thread formed on the inner peripheral surface protrudes. The nozzle 22 is fixed to the bottle body 21 by screwing the female thread of the nozzle neck portion 22a and the male thread of the bottle neck portion 21a. An annular rib 23a is provided on the bottom surface of the cap 23 (the surface facing the tip of the nozzle 22) so as to cover the tip of the nozzle 22 when the cap 23 is attached to the nozzle 22.

[0013] Inside the nozzle 22, two fluid passages 24 and 25 that are parallel to each other and a communication passage 26 that communicates with them are formed. The two fluid passages 24 and 25 open to the outside at the tip side of the nozzle 22, and as shown in FIG. 5(c), they are formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "central axis") C of the liquid storage bottle 20, that is, the nozzle 22 (and the bottle body 21). However, if the two fluid passages 24 and 25 are formed at positions facing each other across the central axis C, the distance between the two in the vertical direction can be maximally separated in the optimal liquid replenishment posture described later, which is preferable in terms of promoting the gas-liquid exchange action. Therefore, the formation positions of the fluid passages 24 and 25 do not necessarily have to be symmetric with respect to the central axis C as long as they are at positions facing each other across the central axis C. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) respectively show cross-sections including the central axes of the two fluid passages 24 and 25. The communication passage 26 opens into the inside of the bottle body 21 at the base end side of the nozzle 22 and has an inner peripheral surface that inclines inward toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25. More specifically, it has an inner peripheral surface that is continuously connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 without a step. In other words, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 has a shape like two truncated cones joined together into one, and has a shape that smoothly connects to the inner peripheral surfaces of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 at the apex portions of the respective truncated cones. Here, the "inclination" means being at a predetermined inclination angle θ1 (0° < θ1 < 180°) with respect to the central axis C, and in a cross-section including the central axis C, it includes not only the case of linearly inclining but also the case of curvilinearly inclining. Also, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the "inclination angle" refers to the inclination angle with respect to the central axis C.

[0014] At the upper part of the bottle body 21, there is a contact wall 27 that protrudes annularly from the inner peripheral surface and contacts the nozzle 22 when the nozzle 22 is fixed to the bottle body 21. The contact wall 27 is inclined inward upward and has a frustum-shaped inner peripheral surface that is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 without a step. The inclination angle θ2 of the inner peripheral surface at this time can be arbitrarily set so as to avoid a sharp taper from the inside of the bottle body 21 to the communication passage 26 of the nozzle 22. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the contact wall 27 is not limited to a form that linearly inclines in a cross section including the central axis C, and may be curvedly inclined like the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid replenishing operation by the liquid replenishing system of the present embodiment. The tank body 160 of the liquid tank 16 is generally formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an adapter 30 into which the nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 20 can be inserted is formed on an inclined surface 163 formed between the upper surface 161 and the side surface 162 thereof. The adapter 30 protrudes cylindrically from the peripheral edge of the injection port 106 for injecting liquid into the storage chamber 100 and has an inner peripheral surface that can be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 20. In the liquid replenishing operation, the user holds the liquid storage bottle 20 and inserts and fits the nozzle 22 of the liquid storage bottle 20 into the adapter 30 of the liquid tank 16, whereby the liquid storage bottle 20 is held by the liquid tank 16. At this time, the liquid (not shown) in the liquid storage bottle 20 flows downward toward the nozzle 22, passes through one of the two fluid passages 24 and 25, and is injected into the storage chamber 100 in the liquid tank 16. At the same time, the air (gas) in the storage chamber 100 is sent into the liquid storage bottle 20 through the other of the two fluid passages 24 and 25. By such a gas-liquid exchange action, the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 is replenished to the liquid tank 16. After the replenishment of the liquid is completed, the user removes the liquid storage bottle 20, and the liquid replenishing operation is completed.

[0016] In the present embodiment, as described above, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 in the nozzle 22 is inclined inwardly toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25. Therefore, when the liquid storage bottle 20 is tilted, almost no depression that can serve as a liquid storage portion is formed inside the nozzle 22. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the nozzle 22 and the adapter 30 are fitted to each other and the liquid storage bottle 20 is held by the liquid tank 16, the region located at the lowermost position of the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is inclined downward toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25. Therefore, also in the above-described liquid replenishing operation, almost no depression that can serve as a liquid storage portion is formed inside the nozzle 22. Accordingly, when replenishing the liquid from the liquid storage bottle 20 to the liquid tank 16, the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 can be poured out almost without leaving any. As a result, when the liquid storage bottle 20 is removed from the liquid tank 16 after the liquid replenishing operation is completed, it is possible to suppress the liquid from dripping from the liquid storage bottle 20 and adhering to the user's hand or the surroundings.

[0017] When the liquid storage bottle 20 is tilted, it is preferable that no depression that can serve as a liquid storage portion is formed not only inside the nozzle 22 but also between the nozzle 22 and the bottle body 21. For this purpose, the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the bottle body 21 are preferably continuous without a step as described above. In other words, the opening diameter of the proximal end side of the nozzle 22 and the opening diameter of the bottle body 21 are preferably substantially the same. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the bottle body 21 preferably includes a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a frustum-shaped inner peripheral surface that are continuous without a step as shown in the drawing. Thereby, when the liquid storage bottle 20 is tilted, it is also possible to suppress the formation of a depression that can serve as a liquid storage portion in the bottle body 21. Also, when the liquid storage bottle 20 is held by the liquid tank 16, the inclination angle θ3 of the region located at the lowest position on the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably larger than the inclination angle θ4 of the inclined surface 163 with respect to the horizontal plane (although different from the state shown in FIG. 6). Thereby, the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 can be made to flow easily toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25, and the liquid replenishability to the liquid tank 16 can be enhanced. From such a viewpoint, the adapter 30 does not necessarily have to be provided on the inclined surface 163 of the tank body 160, and may be provided, for example, on a surface parallel to the horizontal plane of the tank body 160, that is, on the upper surface 161.

[0018] In the liquid replenishment operation described above, which of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 flows through is determined by the influence of gravity. That is, the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 easily flows through the fluid passage in which the opening on the communication passage 26 side is located lower when the liquid storage bottle 20 is held by the liquid tank 16 among the two fluid passages 24 and 25. However, in the present embodiment, both the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 30 are cylindrical, and therefore, even when the two are fitted together, the nozzle 22 can rotate with respect to the adapter 30. Therefore, for example, in a state where the nozzle 22 is positioned such that the two fluid passages 24 and 25 face each other in the horizontal direction, the gas-liquid exchange action between the liquid tank 16 and the liquid storage bottle 20 may decrease, and smooth liquid replenishment may be hindered. Therefore, after inserting the nozzle 22 into the adapter 30, it is preferable to rotate the adapter 30 to position the nozzle 22 in an optimal liquid replenishment posture where the two fluid passages 24 and 25 face each other vertically across the central axis C. This enables more reliable gas-liquid exchange between the liquid tank 16 and the liquid storage bottle 20, realizing smooth liquid replenishment. To facilitate such positioning, positioning marks visible to the user may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 30, respectively. Note that FIG. 6 shows the state where the first fluid passage 24 is positioned below the second fluid passage 25, but the reverse may also be true, that is, the second fluid passage 25 may be positioned below the first fluid passage 24.

[0019] FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are plan views of the inside of the nozzle, each showing a modified example of the communication passage of the present embodiment, and correspond to FIG. 5(c). In the above-described embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuously connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 without a step. However, as long as it is inclined inward toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 may be in the shape of a frustum of a cone with a smaller inner diameter toward the two fluid passages 24 and 25. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 may be in the shape of a frustum of a cone where the upper bottom surface and the lower bottom surface are not similar figures. As shown in FIG. 7(b), it may be a frustum of a cone with an elliptical upper bottom surface 26a and a circular lower bottom surface, or as shown in FIG. 7(c), it may be a frustum of a cone with an oval upper bottom surface 26a and a circular lower bottom surface. However, in the case of the modification shown in FIG. 7, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuous with the inner peripheral surfaces of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 via steps (step surfaces) 26a, respectively. Therefore, for example, if the two fluid passages 24 and 25 are positioned so as to face each other in the horizontal direction, a slight depression that can serve as a liquid reservoir is formed between the communication passage 26. Thus, regardless of the posture of the liquid storage bottle 20, the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 preferably has a shape in which two truncated cones are joined together to form one, in that almost no depression that can serve as a liquid reservoir is formed inside the nozzle 22.

[0020] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a liquid storage bottle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8(b) is a plan view of the inside of the nozzle of this embodiment as viewed from the base end side, and they are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), respectively. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid replenishment operation by the liquid replenishment system of this embodiment. Hereinafter, for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given in the drawings and the description thereof is omitted, and only the configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

[0021] The liquid storage bottle 20 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the two fluid passages 24 and 25. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional areas of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 are the same, but in this embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first fluid passage 24 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the second fluid passage 25. Also, in the first embodiment, the distances from the central axis C of the nozzle 22 to the central axes of the two fluid passages 24 and 25 are the same, but in this embodiment, the distance d2 to the central axis of the second fluid passage 25 is larger than the distance d1 to the central axis of the first fluid passage 24. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as a flow path through which the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 flows during liquid replenishment, the first fluid passage 24 having a large flow path cross-sectional area is selected. That is, the nozzle 22 fits into the adapter 30 only at a specific circumferential position such that the two fluid passages 24 and 25 face each other in the vertical direction and the first fluid passage 24 is located below the second fluid passage 25. As a method for restricting the circumferential position of the nozzle 22, for example, a method of forming an engaging portion (e.g., a convex portion) on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 and forming an engaging portion (e.g., a concave portion) engageable therewith on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 30 can be mentioned.

[0022] Thus, in the liquid replenishment operation of the present embodiment, not only is it easier to discharge the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 through the first fluid passage 24 having a large flow path cross-sectional area, but also it becomes easier to take in air into the liquid storage bottle 20 through the second fluid passage 25 located more upward. As a result, the gas-liquid exchange action between the liquid tank 16 and the liquid storage bottle 20 is further promoted, and the liquid tank 16 can be replenished with liquid more efficiently. Further, in the present embodiment, since the nozzle 22 fits into the adapter 30 only in the optimal liquid replenishment posture, there is no need to rotate the nozzle 22 after inserting it into the adapter 30 in order to adjust the circumferential position of the nozzle 22 with respect to the adapter 30. Therefore, the user can perform the liquid replenishment operation without touching the liquid storage bottle 20, thereby reducing the risk of the user's hands and the surroundings being soiled with the liquid. In the cross-section shown in FIG. 8(a), the inclination angle θ5 in the region where the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the first fluid passage 24 and the inclination angle θ6 in the region where the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the second fluid passage 25 may be the same. However, by making the former smaller than the latter, in the above-described optimal liquid replenishment posture, the liquid in the liquid storage bottle 20 can flow more easily from the communication passage 26 toward the first fluid passage 24, and the liquid replenishability to the liquid tank 16 can be enhanced. In this regard, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ5 in the region where the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the first fluid passage 24 is smaller than the inclination angle θ6 in the region where the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the second fluid passage 25. In other words, in the cross-section including the central axes of the two fluid passages 24 and 25, the angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the first fluid passage 24 is preferably smaller than the angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the second fluid passage 25.

[0023] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are plan views showing modified examples of the nozzle of the present embodiment, and are views of the nozzle seen from the tip side. In order to regulate the circumferential position of the nozzle 22 with respect to the adapter 30, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 may be an elliptical cylinder, and accordingly, the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 30 may also be an elliptical cylinder. In this case, the two fluid passages 24 and 25 are formed in the nozzle 22 such that the planes including their respective central axes are parallel to the major axis direction of the ellipse, and the adapter 30 is provided on the inclined surface 163 such that the plane including its central axis and the major axis of the ellipse is parallel to the vertical direction. However, in such a configuration, there is a possibility that the nozzle 22 may be fitted to the adapter 30 in a state where it is upside down with respect to the optimal liquid replenishment posture in which the first fluid passage 24 is located below the second fluid passage 25. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(b), an engaging portion 28 formed of a recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle 22, and correspondingly, it is preferable that an engaging portion formed of a convex portion engageable with the engaging portion 28 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 30. Thereby, the nozzle 22 can be fitted to the adapter 30 in the correct vertical posture. Alternatively, positioning marks may be provided on each of the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 30 so that the user can visually recognize the optimal liquid replenishment posture.

Explanation of Signs

[0024] 20 Liquid storage bottle 21 Bottle body 22 Nozzle 24, 25 Fluid passages 26 Communication passage

Claims

1. An ink container bottle for containing ink to be replenished in a liquid tank of a liquid ejection device, having a bottle body and a nozzle for discharging the ink contained in the bottle body. Inside the nozzle, first and second fluid passages that open to the outside at the tip side of the nozzle and are parallel to each other, and a communication passage that opens to the inside of the bottle body at the base end side of the nozzle and communicates with the first and second fluid passages are formed. The ink container bottle, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the communication passage is inclined inward in a direction of extension of the first and second fluid passages.

2. The ink container bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage is continuously connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second fluid passages without a step.

3. The ink container bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage has a frustum shape and is continuously connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second fluid passages via steps.

4. The ink container bottle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second fluid passages are formed at positions facing each other with the central axis of the nozzle interposed therebetween.

5. The ink container bottle according to claim 4, wherein a flow path cross-sectional area of the first fluid passage is larger than a flow path cross-sectional area of the second fluid passage in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

6. The ink container bottle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a distance from the central axis of the nozzle to the central axis of the second fluid passage is larger than a distance from the central axis of the nozzle to the central axis of the first fluid passage in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

7. The ink container bottle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage and the inner peripheral surface of the first fluid passage is smaller than an angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage and the inner peripheral surface of the second fluid passage in a cross-section including the central axes of the first and second fluid passages.

8. The ink container bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bottle body has an inner peripheral surface that is continuously connected to the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage without a step.

9. The ink container bottle according to claim 8, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the bottle body is composed of a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a frustum-shaped inner peripheral surface that are continuously connected to each other without a step.

10. An ink replenishment system having a liquid tank and the ink container bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for containing ink to be replenished in the liquid tank.

11. The liquid tank has a tank body and an adapter provided on an inclined surface connecting the upper surface and the side surface of the tank body, protruding cylindrically from the peripheral edge of an injection port for injecting ink, and having an inner peripheral surface that can be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle. When the nozzle and the adapter are fitted to each other, the region located at the lowermost position of the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage is inclined downward toward the first and second fluid passages. The ink replenishing system according to claim 10.

12. The inclination angle of the region of the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal plane. The ink replenishing system according to claim 11.

13. When viewed from the extending direction, the inner peripheral surface of the adapter and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle are each elliptical. The adapter is provided on the inclined surface such that a plane including the central axis of the adapter and the major axis of the elliptical shape when the adapter is viewed from the extending direction is parallel to the vertical direction. The first and second fluid passages are formed in the nozzle such that planes including the central axes of the first and second fluid passages are parallel to the major axis direction of the elliptical shape. The ink replenishing system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A first engaging portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle, and a second engaging portion engageable with the first engaging portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter. The ink replenishing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. Marks for positioning the nozzle with respect to the adapter are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle and the inner peripheral surface of the adapter, respectively. The ink replenishing system according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. The liquid tank is housed inside the liquid ejecting device. The ink replenishing system according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

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