Liquid container and recording device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a user touches liquid when refilling the liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container, which can be refilled with liquid from the outside, comprises: a housing part that stores the liquid; a filing port, which communicates with the housing part, and through which the container is filled with the liquid; a lid part that can turn centered on a turning shaft between a closed state in which the filling port is closed by insertion of an insertion part into the filling port and an open state where the insertion part is separated from the filling port; and a cover part that covers the insertion part in the open state. When the lid part is in the open state, the insertion part does not protrude from the cover part, when viewed from a shaft direction of the turning shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container and a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from a print head includes a liquid container that contains ink to be supplied to the print head. The liquid container can be refilled with ink from the outside through an inlet.

[0003] As a related technique, a configuration is known in which a plug member is press-fitted into a supply port of a liquid container to prevent leakage of liquid from the liquid container (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-196895 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the above-mentioned document 1, ink inside the container may adhere to the portion of the plug member inserted into the supply port. Therefore, when a user refills the container with ink through the supply port with the plug member removed from the supply port, the user's hands may come into contact with the ink adhering to the plug member and become dirty. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid storage container that can be refilled with liquid from the outside includes a storage section that stores the liquid, an injection port that communicates with the storage section and is used to inject the liquid, a lid section that is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed state in which the injection port is closed by inserting an insertion section into the injection port and an open state in which the insertion section is separated from the injection port, and a cover section that covers the insertion section in the open state. The cover portion is provided on the lid portion, When the lid portion is in the open state, the insertion portion protrudes from the cover portion as viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. When the lid portion is in the closed state, the lid portion does not protrude from the cover portion as viewed in the axial direction. .

[0007] The recording device includes a recording unit that discharges a liquid onto a medium to record, and the liquid container that contains the liquid to be supplied to the recording unit. The recording device comprises a recording section that ejects liquid onto a medium to record, and a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid to be supplied to the recording section, and the liquid storage unit has a first liquid storage container that is the liquid storage container, a second liquid storage container that is the liquid storage container, and a lid cover that covers the lid portion of the first liquid storage container and the lid portion of the second liquid storage container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the recording device when the reading unit is in a closed state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the recording device with the reading unit in an open state. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the liquid storage unit with the lid portion in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lid portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the first embodiment when the lid is in a closed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the lid portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a lid portion of a second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second embodiment when the lid is in an open state, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second embodiment when the lid is in a closed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the liquid storage unit with the lid portion in a closed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lid cover and the lid portion of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fourth embodiment with the lid portion and the lid cover in a closed state. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a lid portion of a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fourth embodiment, with the lid portion in a closed state and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fourth embodiment with the lid portion and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lid cover and the lid portion of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fifth embodiment with the lid portion and the lid cover in a closed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cover portion of a fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fifth embodiment, with the lid portion in a closed state and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a fifth embodiment with the lid portion and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a cover part of a sixth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a view showing the cover of the sixth embodiment from a viewpoint facing the axial direction of the first rotation shaft. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a liquid storage unit according to a sixth embodiment, with the lid portion in a closed state and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a liquid containing unit according to a sixth embodiment, with the lid portion in a first open state and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the liquid storage unit of the sixth embodiment, with the lid portion in the second open state and the lid cover in the open state. [Figure 26]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the liquid storage unit of the sixth embodiment, with the lid portion in a third open state and the lid cover in an open state. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the lid portion and the side wall of the lid cover in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are merely examples for explaining the present embodiment. Because the drawings are examples, the proportions and shapes may not be accurate, the drawings may not match each other, and some parts may be omitted.

[0011] 1. Brief description of the device configuration: 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance of a recording device 10 according to this embodiment. Assuming that the recording device 10 is placed on a horizontal surface, in the figures, the X direction is the direction from left to right, the Y direction is the direction from front to back, and the Z direction is the direction from bottom to top. The X direction may also be referred to as the lateral direction, the Y direction as the depth direction, and the Z direction as the vertical direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to one another.

[0012] The recording device 10 generally comprises a recording unit 1 and a reading unit 2. A liquid storage unit 3 is attached to the recording unit 1. The recording unit 1 is capable of recording by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper, and functions as a printer. Although details are omitted, the recording unit 1 receives a supply of liquid from the liquid storage unit 3 via a liquid flow path (not shown), and performs recording by ejecting the liquid from a nozzle using an inkjet method. The reading unit 2 is a scanner that can optically read a document, and includes a document table, a light source, an image sensor for reading, and the like. Details of the reading unit 2 are also omitted.

[0013] The recording device 10 can be called a multifunction device because it includes the recording unit 1 and the reading unit 2. Of course, the recording device 10 as a multifunction device may also include additional functions, such as a facsimile function or an e-mail communication function, in addition to the recording unit 1 and the reading unit 2. The reading unit 2 also functions as a cover that opens and closes above the recording unit 1. In FIG. 1, the reading unit 2 is closed relative to the recording unit 1, while in FIG. 2, the reading unit 2 is open relative to the recording unit 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a user flips the reading unit 2 up to open it and refills the liquid containing unit 3 with liquid. The recording device 10 may not necessarily include the reading unit 2. In other words, the recording device 10 does not necessarily have to be a multifunction device. The recording unit 1, which performs recording using an inkjet method, may have a carriage that reciprocates and carries a recording head having multiple nozzles. Although the liquid containing unit 3 is not shown mounted on a carriage in each of the figures, the liquid containing unit 3 may also be mounted on a carriage.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid storage unit 3. The liquid storage unit 3 is a collection of multiple liquid storage containers 20. Each liquid storage container 20 has a storage section 21 that stores liquid, an inlet 22 that communicates with the storage section 21 and through which liquid is poured, and a lid 23. The lid 23 is movable between a "closed state" in which the insertion section 31 is inserted into the inlet 22 to close the inlet 22, and an "open state" in which the insertion section 31 is spaced apart from the inlet 22. Due to the structure of the lid 23, the open state of the lid 23 includes not only a state in which the insertion section 31 is spaced apart from the inlet 22 but also a state in which the insertion section 31 is closer to the inlet 22 than the maximum distance state. In FIG. 3, the lid 23 is in the open state. A user can move the lid 23 to the open state to refill the storage section 21 with liquid through the inlet 22. One storage section 21 stores one type of liquid.

[0015] In the example of FIG. 3, four storage sections 21 are lined up in the X direction, and therefore the liquid storage unit 3 is a unit that stores, for example, four colors of ink: CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). Of course, the number of liquid storage containers 20 that make up the liquid storage unit 3 is not limited to four. One liquid storage container 20 included in the liquid storage unit 3 may be referred to as a "first liquid storage container," and one of the liquid storage containers 20 included in the liquid storage unit 3 that is different from the first liquid storage container may be referred to as a "second liquid storage container." The liquid stored in the storage section 21 is mainly ink, but may also store liquids other than ink, such as coating liquid or reaction liquid. Liquid is supplied to the recording section 1 from each of the liquid storage containers 20.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows an example of the lid portion 23 in a perspective view. The lid portion 23 has a long lever 30 and an insertion portion 31 that protrudes from near the tip of the lever 30. One end of the lever 30 opposite the tip is supported by a rotation axis AX1 and is rotatable about the rotation axis AX1. The rotation axis AX1 is an axis parallel to the X direction. In this embodiment, "parallel" does not necessarily mean strictly parallel, but also includes an angular error that may occur in the product. In the liquid storage container 20, the rotation axis AX1 is located behind the injection port 22, and the lid portion 23 is displaced between a closed state and an open state by rotating about the rotation axis AX1.

[0017] Insertion part 31 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and is inserted into injection port 22 to prevent leakage of liquid from injection port 22. Insertion part 31 may also be called a stopper or a cap. At least a portion of insertion part 31 is inserted inside injection port 22. At the tip of lever 30, an operation piece 34 may be formed that is shaped to be easily operated by the user's finger.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the liquid storage unit 3 may have a lid cover 40 that is capable of collectively covering the lid portions 23 behind the lid portions 23 of each liquid storage container 20. The lid cover 40 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX1. The lid cover 40 is also displaceable by the user. The lid cover 40 is basically provided for the purpose of decorating the appearance of the liquid storage unit 3 and for the purpose of preventing incomplete fitting of the lid portions 23 to the respective filler ports 22. In other words, by pressing the lid portions 23 together with the lid cover 40, it is easy to eliminate incomplete fitting of the lid portions 23 to the respective filler ports 22 of the insertion portions 31. The configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an example for explaining the basics of this embodiment, and the configurations of the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 in particular may differ from those of the embodiments described below.

[0019] 2. Description of the cover that covers the insertion part: First to third embodiments will be described below regarding the "cover portion" that covers the insertion portion 31 in the liquid storage container 20. The liquid storage container 20 has a cover portion that covers the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in an open state. When the lid portion 23 is in an open state, the insertion portion 31 does not protrude from the cover portion when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1. In this embodiment, "cover" means to cover so that at least a portion is hidden. For example, a configuration that covers only the direction that is likely to be touched by the user may be used. Furthermore, "covering the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in an open state" does not mean that the insertion portion 31 is prohibited from being covered when the lid portion 23 is in a closed state.

[0020] First embodiment: FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the lid portion 23 according to the first embodiment. The lid portion 23 shown in FIG. 5 differs from those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in that it includes a cover portion 32. According to FIG. 5, the cylindrical cover portion 32 protrudes from the lever 30 beyond the insertion portion 31 so as to cover the outer periphery of the insertion portion 31. In other words, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1, the cover portion 32 protrudes beyond the insertion portion 31. A gap is secured between the insertion portion 31 and the cover portion 32. The cover portion 32 is made of the same resin material as the lever 30. In other words, in FIG. 5, the cover portion 32 is part of the lever 30.

[0021] 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the structure of the first embodiment when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state, taken along a plane perpendicular to the X direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the insertion portion 31 is inserted into the injection port 22, blocking the injection port 22. Therefore, liquid may adhere to the insertion portion 31. Furthermore, the tip of the injection port 22 is inserted into the gap between the insertion portion 31 and the cover portion 32. Because no liquid adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the injection port 22, even if the insertion portion 31 and the cover portion 32 are fitted with the injection port 22 as shown in FIG. 6, no liquid adheres to the cover portion 32.

[0022] 6 to the open state and inject liquid into injection port 22, even if the user approaches insertion portion 31, cover portion 32 prevents the user's hand from touching insertion portion 31, preventing the user's hand from getting dirty. According to Fig. 6, cover portion 32 protrudes more than insertion portion 31. In other words, even when lid portion 23 is in the closed state, insertion portion 31 does not protrude from cover portion 32 when viewed in the axial direction of rotation axis AX1.

[0023] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the lid part 23 according to the first embodiment, which is different from that shown in Figure 5. Regarding Figure 7, differences from Figure 5 will be explained. In the example of Figure 7, the cover part 32 is formed integrally with the insertion part 31 using the same material as the insertion part 31. In other words, the cover part 32 and the insertion part 31, which are integral members, are attached to the lever 30. The example of Figure 7 is the same as the examples of Figures 5 and 6 in that the cover part 32 protrudes beyond the insertion part 31 in both the open and closed states of the lid part 23. The cover portion 32 may be formed as a separate body from both the lever 30 and the insertion portion 31 using a different material.

[0024] Second embodiment: The insertion portion 31 may be configured to protrude from the cover portion 32 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1 when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state. In a configuration in which the cover portion 32 protrudes more than the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state, it is necessary to ensure space so that the cover portion 32 can exist around the injection port 22 without interfering with the surroundings of the storage portion 21, etc., which may result in an increase in the size of the product. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the insertion portion 31 is configured to protrude more than the cover portion 32 when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state, which contributes to a smaller product.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid portion 23 according to the second embodiment. The lid portion 23 shown in FIG. 8 differs from the lid portion 23 shown in FIG. 5 in that the cover portion 32 is attached to the lever 30 via a biasing member 33. The biasing member 33 is, for example, a compression spring. The position of the cover portion 32 when the insertion portion 31 does not protrude from the cover portion 32 is referred to as the "first position," and the position of the cover portion 32 when the insertion portion 31 protrudes from the cover portion 32 is referred to as the "second position." The cover portion 32 can be displaced between the first position and the second position by the expansion and contraction of the biasing member 33, and the biasing member 33 biases the cover portion 32 toward the first position. The biasing member 33 is not limited to a spring, and may be an elastic member such as rubber.

[0026] Fig. 9A shows a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the X direction of the structure of the second embodiment when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, and Fig. 9B shows a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the X direction of the structure of the second embodiment when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state. As shown in Fig. 9A, when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, the cover portion 32 protrudes beyond the insertion portion 31 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 33 and is in the first position. In other words, as in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the cover portion 32 prevents the user from touching the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in the open state.

[0027] 9B, similarly to FIG. 6, the tip of insertion portion 31 is inserted into injection port 22 to block injection port 22, and the tip of injection port 22 is inserted into the gap between insertion portion 31 and cover portion 32. However, in FIG. 9B, the tip of cover portion 32 is pressed against step 22a formed on the outer peripheral surface of injection port 22 below the tip of injection port 22, and biasing member 33 is compressed more than in FIG. 9A. As a result, in FIG. 9B, cover portion 32 does not protrude beyond insertion portion 31 and is in the second position.

[0028] Third embodiment: In the third embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, the lid cover 40 is considered to be a "cover portion" that covers the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in an open state. In the third embodiment, the cover portion 32 provided on the lid portion 23, as described in the first and second embodiments, may or may not be present. The cover portion 32 is not shown in Figure 10 and subsequent figures.

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the liquid storage unit 3. The cover portion of the third embodiment, i.e., the lid cover 40, can be opened and closed relative to the storage portion 21 by rotating about a rotation axis AX4, which is an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX1. The rotation axis AX4 is located behind the rotation axis AX1. In FIG. 10, unlike FIG. 3, all of the lid portions 23 are in a closed state. The lid cover 40 stands upright in both FIGS. 3 and 10, and is in an open state. Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 2, the lid cover 40 is in a position covering the lid portions 23 in a closed state, that is, in a closed state.

[0030] 10, the lid cover 40 has side walls 41 at the left and right ends that protrude forward when the lid cover 40 is in the open state. The left side wall 41 covers the leftmost lid portion 23 from the left side, and the right side wall 41 can cover the rightmost lid portion 23 from the right side. In addition, a portion of the surface of the lid cover 40 that faces forward when the lid cover 40 is in the open state is cut out to form a window 42.

[0031] Figure 11 shows the relationship between the lid cover 40 and the lid portion 23 from a perspective facing the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1. Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lid cover 40, etc. In Figure 11, the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 are both in an open state. Specifically, the lid portion 23 in Figure 11 is in a position where the insertion portion 31 is farthest from the injection port 22, and at this time the operation piece 34 protrudes rearward from the window 42 of the lid cover 40. The insertion portion 31 does not protrude beyond the side wall 41 of the lid cover 40 and is covered by the lid cover 40. Although FIG. 11 shows a configuration in which one lid cover 40 covers a plurality of lid portions 23, a configuration in which one lid cover 40 covers one lid portion 23 with a side wall 41 or the like may also be used.

[0032] According to the third embodiment, the insertion portion 31 of the lid portion 23 in the open state does not protrude beyond the lid cover 40. This means that when the user injects liquid into the injection port 22, the lid cover 40 acts as a guard, making it difficult for the user's hand to come into contact with the insertion portion 31. Also, as shown in FIG. 11 , the window 42 allows the operating piece 34 at the tip of the lid portion 23 to escape to the outside of the lid cover 40, so that the insertion portion 31 is contained within the lid cover 40 so as not to protrude from the side wall 41 without increasing the size of the side wall 41 as much as possible. However, a configuration in which the entire lid portion 23 does not protrude beyond the lid cover 40 is also possible. In FIG. 11 , the lid portion 23 in the open state may be supported from behind by the lid cover 40, or its position may be maintained by a predetermined stopper other than the lid cover 40.

[0033] 3. Summary: As described above, according to the embodiment, liquid storage container 20, which can be refilled with liquid from the outside, includes storage portion 21 that stores liquid, inlet 22 that communicates with storage portion 21 and is used to receive the liquid, lid portion 23 that is rotatable about rotation axis AX1 between a closed state in which insertion portion 31 is inserted into inlet 22 to block inlet 22, and an open state in which insertion portion 31 is spaced apart from inlet 22, and a cover portion that covers insertion portion 31 when lid portion 23 is in the open state. When lid portion 23 is in the open state, insertion portion 31 does not protrude from the cover portion when viewed in the axial direction of rotation axis AX1.

[0034] According to the above configuration, when lid 23 is in the open state, insertion portion 31 does not protrude from the cover portion when viewed in the axial direction of rotation axis AX1. Therefore, when a user injects liquid into injection port 22, the cover portion prevents the user's hands from touching insertion portion 31, preventing the user's hands from getting dirty.

[0035] More specifically, when refilling with liquid, the user removes the insertion portion 31 from the injection port 22 and places a bottle containing the liquid to be refilled into the injection port 22. For details of the bottle, please refer to the bottle 50 shown in FIG. 16 described below as appropriate. When the bottle is placed upright against the injection port 22, the insertion portion 31 removed from the injection port 22 is hidden by the bottle and becomes difficult for the user to see. For this reason, in the past, when a user held the bottle, their hands would often touch the insertion portion 31 and get dirty. In the above-described embodiment, providing a cover can prevent such an incident of the user's hands getting dirty.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the cover portion 32 may be provided on the lid portion 23 . According to the above configuration, by providing the cover portion 32 on the lid portion 23, it is possible to effectively prevent contact with the insertion portion 31. Furthermore, it is possible to simplify the configuration including the cover portion.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the insertion portion 31 may not protrude from the cover portion 32 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1 even when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state. According to the above configuration, the insertion part 31 is covered so as not to protrude from the cover part 32 whether the lid part 23 is in the open state or the closed state. Therefore, when the insertion part 31 is removed from the injection port 22, it is possible to prevent the liquid adhering to the insertion part 31 from splashing around.

[0038] On the other hand, when the lid part 23 is in the closed state, the insertion part 31 may protrude from the cover part 32 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1. According to the above configuration, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the product as described above.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the cover portion 32 is provided on the lid portion 23 via the biasing member 33, and can be displaced by the extension and contraction of the biasing member 33 between a first position in which the insertion portion 31 does not protrude from the cover portion 32 and a second position in which the insertion portion 31 protrudes from the cover portion 32, and the biasing member 33 may bias the cover portion 32 toward the first position. According to the above configuration, the extension and contraction of the biasing member 33 makes it easy to place the cover portion 32 in the first position when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, and to place the cover portion 32 in the second position when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state. Furthermore, if the groove in the gap between the cover portion 32 and the insertion portion 31 is deep, it becomes difficult to clean the gap if ink residue adheres thereto. However, the presence of the biasing member 33 makes it possible to shorten the biasing member 33 and make the groove shallower, thereby facilitating the cleaning. Furthermore, the biasing force of the biasing member 33 makes it easier for the user to move the lid portion 23 from the closed state to the open state.

[0040] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment discloses not only the liquid storage container 20 but also an apparatus having the same. That is, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to grasp a recording apparatus 10 that includes a recording unit 1 that discharges liquid onto a medium to record, and a liquid storage container 20 that stores liquid to be supplied to the recording unit 1.

[0041] The recording device 10 may have a plurality of liquid storage containers 20. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to understand the recording device 10 as including a recording section 1 that ejects liquid onto a medium to record, and a liquid storage unit 3 that stores liquid to be supplied to the recording section 1, and the liquid storage unit 3 has a first liquid storage container and a second liquid storage container as the liquid storage containers 20, and a lid cover 40 that covers the lid section 23 of the first liquid storage container and the lid section 23 of the second liquid storage container. According to the above-described configuration, the lid cover 40 can improve the aesthetic appearance of the area around the lid portions 23 and prevent the lid portions 23 from fitting incompletely to the injection ports 22 .

[0042] According to the above-described embodiment, the cover portion may be openable and closable relative to the storage portion 21 by rotating about an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX1. That is, the cover portion may be the lid cover 40. By providing the cover portion as a separate body from the lid portion 23, as in the case of the lid cover 40, it is possible to prevent ink residue from accumulating between the insertion portion 31 and the cover portion.

[0043] Furthermore, from the configuration in which lid cover 40 is the cover part, it is possible to grasp a recording device 10 including a recording unit 1 that ejects liquid onto a medium to record, and a plurality of liquid storage containers 20 that store liquid to be supplied to the recording unit 1. In other words, the recording device 10 includes a cover part that covers the plurality of liquid storage containers 20, and the liquid storage container 20 has a storage unit 21 that stores liquid, an inlet 22 that communicates with the storage unit 21 and is used to receive the liquid, and a lid part 23 that is rotatable about a rotation axis AX1 between a closed state in which the inlet 22 is blocked by inserting an insertion part 31 into the inlet 22, and an open state in which the insertion part 31 is spaced apart from the inlet 22, the cover part being rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX1, and the insertion part 31 not protruding from the cover part when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1 when the lid part 23 is in the open state. According to the above configuration, by providing one cover portion for a plurality of lid portions 23, it is possible to realize a cover portion that does not allow insertion portion 31 to protrude when lid portion 23 is in the open state.

[0044] The liquid container 20 may further include a locking mechanism that holds the lid 23 in the closed state. Specific examples of the locking mechanism are numerous. For example, a configuration in which the outer diameter of the insertion portion 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the inlet 22 by a predetermined ratio or more, thereby making it difficult for the insertion portion 31 to come out of the inlet 22, can also be considered a locking mechanism. A mechanism that engages the lever 30 with the storage portion 21, separate from the relationship between the insertion portion 31 and the inlet 22, also constitutes a locking mechanism. For example, the locking mechanism can be configured by a protrusion, such as a pin, and a hole that receives the protrusion, which are provided relative to the lever 30 and the storage portion 21. After closing the lid 23, the user engages the protrusion with the hole to lock the lid 23 in the closed state. On the other hand, after disengaging the protrusion with the hole, the user moves the lid 23 from the closed state to the open state. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the lid cover 40 that covers the lid 23 from above in the closed state can also be considered a locking mechanism. By providing the locking portion, it is possible to prevent the lid portion 23 from being unintentionally put into the open state when it is in the closed state.

[0045] 4. Explanation of the mechanism that holds the insertion part facing downward: When the lid 23 of the liquid storage container 20 is in an open state, the lid 23 can be held in a position in which the "protruding direction" of the insertion portion 31 protrudes from the lid 23 faces downward. Regarding the structure for this purpose, fourth to sixth embodiments will be described. It is of course possible to combine the features of the cover and locking portions described so far with the respective embodiments described below, and this is within the scope of disclosure of this specification. The rotation axis AX1 described so far corresponds to the "first rotation axis," and the rotation axis AX4 corresponds to the "fourth rotation axis." Note that, in the process of changing the lid 23 to a position in which the protruding direction faces downward, a state in which the protruding direction is not downward may temporarily occur. Furthermore, "protruding direction facing downward" includes not only a vertically downward state but also a state in which the protruding direction faces downward below the horizontal.

[0046] Fourth embodiment: Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a liquid containing unit 3 according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 12, the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 are both in a closed state. The lid cover 40 of the fourth embodiment is shorter in height when erected than the lid cover 40 shown in Figs. 2, 3, 10, and 11. Therefore, when in the closed state, the lid cover 40 of the fourth embodiment does not reach the position of the insertion portion 31 of the lid portion 23. However, the lid cover 40 may have the same configuration as the lid cover 40 shown in Figures 2, 3, 10, and 11. Also, the lid cover 40 does not have to be provided.

[0047] 13 is a perspective view of the cover 23 according to the fourth embodiment. In the cover 23 of the fourth embodiment, the lever 30 is divided into a first member 35 and a second member 36. The first member 35 is supported on a rotation axis AX1 and is rotatable about the rotation axis AX1. The second member 26, which is located closer to the tip than the first member 35, has an insertion portion 31 and an operating piece 34.

[0048] A rotation axis AX2 parallel to the rotation axis AX1 is interposed between the first member 35 and the second member 36, and the first member 35 and the second member 36 are rotatable about the rotation axis AX2. The rotation axis AX2 corresponds to the "second rotation axis." Therefore, the lever 30 is capable of bending at the rotation axis AX2. In Figures 12 and 13 and Figure 14 described below, the lid portion 23 is not bent. The position of the unbent lid portion 23 is called the straight position. On the other hand, the position of the bent lid portion 23 is called the bent position.

[0049] In FIG. 13, the protrusion direction in which the insertion portion 31 protrudes from the lid portion 23 is indicated by the symbol D. The protrusion direction D is a direction based on the lever 30 of the lid portion 23. Therefore, if the angle of the lever 30 with respect to the rotation axis AX1 changes, the direction of the protrusion direction D also changes. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, if the angle of the second member 36 with respect to the rotation axis AX2 changes, the direction of the protrusion direction D also changes. As can be seen from the figure, the protrusion direction D intersects with the rotation axes AX1 and AX2, specifically, is perpendicular to them. As explained above, the lid portion 23 can be rotated around the rotation axis AX1 between a closed state and an open state. When the lid portion 23 is in the closed state, the protrusion direction D is vertically downward.

[0050] A restricting portion 37 extends toward the second member 36 on the surface of the lever 30 on the side where the insertion portion 31 does not protrude, at the end facing the second member 36 of the first member 35. The restricting portion 37 prevents the surface of the second member 36 on the side where the insertion portion 31 does not protrude from bending inward. Therefore, the lever 30 bends toward the side where the tip of the insertion portion 31 approaches the first member 35, with the rotation axis AX2 as the boundary. When a user lifts the cover 23 by holding the operating piece 34 of the cover 23, the restricting portion 37 acts to make the surface of the second member 36 on the side where the insertion portion 31 protrudes turn inward, easily bending the lever 30. Therefore, the restricting portion 37 can be considered a type of restricting portion that restricts the second member 36 to a position where the protruding direction D faces downward.

[0051] 14 and 15 are perspective views of the liquid storage unit 3 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 14, the lid portion 23 is in a closed state, and the lid cover 40 is in an upright, open state. In FIG. 15, both the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 are in an open state. As shown in FIG. 14, the lid cover 40 has a canopy-shaped tip wall 43 at its tip. The tip wall 43, like the left and right side walls 41, is a wall that protrudes forward when the lid cover 40 is in an open state. With the lid cover 40, the left and right side walls 41 are connected to the tip wall 43 between them, thereby forming a space enclosed by the left and right side walls 41 and the tip wall 43.

[0052] FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the lid cover 40 and the lid portion 23 from a perspective facing the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1. As with FIG. 15, FIG. 16 shows both the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 in an open state. Also, in FIG. 16, a bottle 50 is upside down at the position of the filler port 22 corresponding to the storage portion 21. The bottle 50 contains a liquid such as ink for refilling, and by standing the bottle 50 upright as shown in FIG. 16, the liquid is refilled from the bottle 50 through the filler port 22 into the storage portion 21. In FIG. 16, the lid portion 23 in the open state is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the upright bottle 50.

[0053] As can be seen from Figures 15 and 16, in the fourth embodiment, the lid portion 23 in the open state is held in a folded position in a space surrounded by the side wall 41 and tip wall 43 of the lid cover 40. With the lid portion 23 in the folded position, the first member 35 stands upright and tilts backward. Furthermore, the second member 36 is restricted to a position below the tip wall 43 of the lid cover 40, and therefore remains substantially horizontal. Therefore, in Figures 15 and 16, the lid portion 23 in the open state has the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 facing vertically downward or substantially vertically downward. In Figures 15 and 16, the lid portion 23 in the open state may be supported from behind by the lid cover 40, or the position may be held by a predetermined stopper other than the lid cover 40.

[0054] 16, the lid portion 23 in the folded position may be maintained in a state in which a portion of the tip of the insertion portion 31 is in contact with the first member 35. As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the lid portion 23 is in the open position, the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 is maintained facing downward. Therefore, when injecting liquid into the injection port 22, the user's hand is less likely to come into contact with the insertion portion 31, compared to when the insertion portion is simply positioned near the injection port or facing forward as in the conventional case, and it is easier to avoid the user's hand getting dirty.

[0055] The restricting portion that restricts the second member 36 to a position in which the protruding direction D faces downward is not limited to the restricting portion 37; the lid cover 40 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 also corresponds to such a restricting portion. Furthermore, even if the lid cover 40 is not provided, a visor-like member equivalent to the tip wall 43 may be provided at a predetermined position of the recording unit 1 where the liquid containing unit 3 is disposed, and this member may be regarded as the restricting portion. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the lid portion 23 in the open state can maintain the folded position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Therefore, for example, the first member 35 and the second member 36 of the lid portion 23 may be further connected by an elastic member such as a spring, and the elastic member may be capable of maintaining both the straight position and the folded position by expanding and contracting. Such an elastic member may also be considered a type of restricting portion.

[0056] Fifth embodiment: The lid portion 23 may be movable parallel to a direction intersecting with the protruding direction D. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the liquid storage unit 3 according to the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 17, the lid part 23 and the lid cover 40 are both in a closed state. The lid part 23 of the fifth embodiment is movable along the Y direction, that is, back and forth.

[0057] 18 is a perspective view of the cover 23 according to the fifth embodiment. The cover 23 of the fifth embodiment has grooves 38 for movement in a direction intersecting with the protruding direction D. That is, the cover 23 has grooves 38 formed on the left and right side surfaces of the lever 30 along the longitudinal direction of the lever 30.

[0058] 17, above the storage section 21 and behind the position of the injection port 22, a convex portion 24 is arranged between the lid portions 23 lined up in the X direction. The left and right convex portions 24 of the lid portion 23 are fitted into the left and right grooves 38, so that the lid portion 23 can slide back and forth relative to the convex portions 24.

[0059] 19 and 20 each show a perspective view of a liquid containing unit 3 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 19, the lid portion 23 is in a closed state, and the lid cover 40 is in an upright, open state. In FIG. 20, both the lid portion 23 and the lid cover 40 are in an open state. That is, a user moves the lid portion 23 backward from the closed state shown in FIG. 19 to maintain the lid portion 23 in an open state, as shown in FIG. 20. To change the lid portion 23 from the open state to the closed state, the lid portion 23 is moved forward. As can be seen from FIGS. 19 and 20, in the fifth embodiment, the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 is always vertically downward or approximately vertically downward. According to this fifth embodiment, when pouring liquid into the pouring port 22 with the lid portion 23 in the open state, the user's hands are prevented from coming into contact with the insertion portion 31, and therefore the user's hands do not get dirty.

[0060] The movement of the lid portion 23 in the fifth embodiment does not have to be limited to movement in the front-to-rear direction. It is better for the lid portion 23 to have some play in its range of movement in order to attach and detach the insertion portion 31 to and from the injection port 22. Therefore, the range of movement of the lid portion 23 may be restricted in the front-to-rear direction by the groove 38 and the protrusion 24, and may be expanded up and down or left and right within the range required for the attachment and detachment operation.

[0061] Sixth embodiment: The cover 23 is rotatable between the closed state and the open state about a rotation axis AX1 that intersects with the protruding direction D. Furthermore, the rotation axis AX1 may be rotatable about a rotation axis AX3 that intersects with the rotation axis AX1. The rotation axis AX3 corresponds to the "third rotation axis."

[0062] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the lid 23 according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 22 shows the cover 23 according to the sixth embodiment from a perspective facing the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, one end of the cover 23 opposite the tip of the lever 30 is pivotally supported by the rotation support 70 via the rotation axis AX1. The rotation support 70 is rotatable about a rotation axis AX3 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis AX1. The rotation axis AX3 can be interpreted as being parallel to the Z direction. Therefore, the cover 23 is rotatable about the rotation axis AX1, and is also rotatable together with the rotation support 70 about the rotation axis AX3.

[0063] The rotation support part 70 has a restricting part 71 that interferes with the lever 30 that rotates around the rotation axis AX1. When the cover part 23 rotates around the rotation axis AX1 from a position in which the protruding direction D faces vertically downward, a predetermined part of the lever 30 interferes with the restricting part 71 before the protruding direction D faces horizontally, and the cover part 23 cannot rotate any further around the rotation axis AX1.

[0064] Figures 23, 24, 25, and 26 each show a perspective view of the liquid containing unit 3 according to the sixth embodiment. In Figure 23, the lid portion 23 is in a closed state. In all of Figures 23 to 26, the lid cover 40 is in an open state inclined further rearward than its vertically upright position. In Figures 24 to 26, the lid portion 23 is in an open state. The open state of the lid portion 23 in Figure 24 will be referred to as a first open state, the open state of the lid portion 23 in Figure 25 as a second open state, and the open state of the lid portion 23 in Figure 26 as a third open state.

[0065] The user rotates the lid portion 23 from the closed state about the rotation axis AX1 to the first open state shown in FIG. 24. The first open state may be understood as a state in which the rotation of the lid portion 23 is restricted by the restricting portion 71. Next, the user rotates the lid portion 23 from the first open state by approximately 180° about the rotation axis AX3 to the second open state shown in FIG. 25. The user then lowers the lid portion 23. As a result, as shown in FIG. 26, the lid portion 23 is in the third open state in which the insertion portion 31 is held in contact with a predetermined position on the lid cover 40. To close the lid portion 23, the lid portion 23 is simply shifted from the third open state to the second open state, the first open state, and the closed state.

[0066] As can be seen from Figures 23 to 26, in the sixth embodiment, the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 faces downward at any time when the lid portion 23 is in the closed state, the third open state, or the third open state. According to the sixth embodiment, when the lid portion 23 is in the third open state and liquid is poured into the pouring port 22, the user's hands are prevented from coming into contact with the insertion portion 31, and the user's hands do not get dirty. Note that in Figures 23 to 26, the lid cover 40 may be further laid down so that it is approximately horizontal, so that the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 faces vertically downward when the lid portion 23 is in the third open state.

[0067] 5. Summary: According to the above-described embodiment, the liquid storage container 20, which can be refilled with liquid from the outside, comprises a storage section 21 for storing liquid, an injection port 22 that communicates with the storage section 21 and is used to receive the injection of liquid, and a lid section 23 that can be displaced between a closed state in which the injection port 22 is blocked by the insertion section 31 and an open state in which the insertion section 31 is spaced apart from the injection port 22, and when the lid section 23 is in the open state, the lid section 23 can be held in a position in which the protruding direction D in which the insertion section 31 protrudes from the lid section 23 faces downward.

[0068] According to the above configuration, when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, the lid portion 23 can maintain an orientation in which the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 faces downward. Therefore, when a user injects liquid into the injection port 22, the user's hands can be prevented from touching the insertion portion 31 and becoming dirty. More specifically, when refilling with liquid, the user removes the insertion portion 31 from the injection port 22 and places the bottle 50 containing the liquid to be refilled in the injection port 22. When the bottle 50 is placed upright relative to the injection port 22, the insertion portion 31 removed from the injection port 22 is hidden by the bottle and becomes difficult for the user to see. Therefore, in the past, a user's hand holding the bottle would often touch the insertion portion 31 and become dirty. In the above-described embodiment, by having the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 of the lid portion 23 in the open state facing downward, such an incident of the user's hands becoming dirty can be prevented.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, when the cover portion 23 is in the open state, the protruding direction D may be oriented vertically downward. According to the above configuration, when the cover part 23 is in the open state, the protruding direction D is oriented vertically downward, so that the user can be more effectively prevented from touching the insertion part 31.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the lid portion 23 is rotatable around a first rotation axis that intersects with the protrusion direction D between the closed state and the open state, and has a first member 35 that is rotatable about the first rotation axis, a second member 36 that has an insertion portion 31, and a second rotation axis that is interposed between the first member 35 and the second member 36 and is parallel to the first rotation axis, and the first member 35 and the second member 36 may be rotatable about the second rotation axis. According to the above configuration, when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, the first member 35 is rotated around the first rotation axis, and the second member 36 is bent relative to the first member 35 at the second rotation axis, thereby maintaining the protrusion direction D of the insertion portion 31 facing downward.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, a restricting portion that restricts the second member 36 to a position in which the protruding direction D faces downward may be further provided. According to the above configuration, the restricting portion prevents the protruding direction D of the insertion portion 31 from pointing upward, so that the possibility that the user will touch the insertion portion 31 can be further reduced.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the lid portion 23 may be movable parallel to a direction intersecting with the protruding direction D. According to the above configuration, when the lid portion 23 is displaced from the closed state to the open state, the protrusion direction D of the insertion portion 31 can be kept downward while the displacement is performed, thereby further reducing the possibility that the user will come into contact with the insertion portion 31.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the lid portion 23 may be rotatable between the closed state and the open state around a first rotation axis that intersects with the protrusion direction D, and the first rotation axis may be rotatable around a third rotation axis that intersects with the first rotation axis. According to the above configuration, by combining rotation of the lid portion 23 around the first rotation axis and rotation of the first rotation axis around the third rotation axis, the protrusion direction D of the insertion portion 31 can be maintained downward when the lid portion 23 is in the open state.

[0074] The above-described embodiment discloses not only the liquid storage container 20 but also an apparatus having the same. That is, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to grasp a recording apparatus 10 that includes a recording unit 1 that discharges liquid onto a medium to record, and a liquid storage container 20 that stores liquid to be supplied to the recording unit 1.

[0075] The recording device 10 may have a plurality of liquid storage containers 20. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to understand the recording device 10 as including a recording section 1 that ejects liquid onto a medium to record, and a liquid storage unit 3 that stores liquid to be supplied to the recording section 1, and the liquid storage unit 3 has a first liquid storage container and a second liquid storage container as the liquid storage containers 20, and a lid cover 40 that covers the lid section 23 of the first liquid storage container and the lid section 23 of the second liquid storage container. According to the above-described configuration, the lid cover 40 can improve the aesthetic appearance of the area around the lid portions 23 and prevent the lid portions 23 from fitting incompletely to the injection ports 22 .

[0076] The liquid storage container 20 may be provided with an absorbent material 60 that can come into contact with the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in the open state. The absorbent material 60 is made of a material that absorbs liquid, such as a sponge. By providing such an absorbent material 60, the liquid that adheres to the insertion portion 31 can be absorbed by the absorbent material 60, preventing the surrounding area from becoming dirty.

[0077] Specifically, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 16, an absorbent material 60 may be provided at a predetermined position on the first member 35 that may come into contact with the insertion portion 31 when the cover portion 23 is in the open state. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 20, an absorbent material 60 may be provided at a predetermined position facing the insertion portion 31 when the cover portion 23 is in the open state. As shown by the arrows in FIGS. 23 and 24, an absorbent material 60 may be provided at a predetermined position on the lid cover 40 that may come into contact with the insertion portion 31 when the lid portion 23 is in the third open state.

[0078] As described above, the lid cover 40 is rotatable about the fourth rotation axis, i.e., the rotation axis AX4, which intersects with the protruding direction D. The insertion section 31 may be configured not to protrude from the lid cover 40 when viewed from the axial direction of the fourth rotation axis when the lid section 23 is in the open state. In other words, a configuration in which the protruding direction D of the insertion section 31 is held downward may be combined with a configuration in which the lid cover 40 is regarded as a cover section.

[0079] As an example, a description will be given with reference to the fourth embodiment. Figure 27 shows the lid part 23 and its surroundings shown in Figure 16. The side wall 41 of the lid cover 40 may be shaped to cover the area indicated by the dashed line in Figure 27. By adopting such a shape, in the fourth embodiment, the lid cover 40 covers the insertion part 31 when the lid part 23 is in the open state, thereby more effectively preventing the user from touching the insertion part 31. Although not shown, in the fifth embodiment as well, when the lid portion 23 is in the open state, the insertion portion 31 may be hidden by a part of the lid cover 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX4. Similarly, in the sixth embodiment, when the lid portion 23 is in the third open state, the insertion portion 31 may be hidden by the side wall 41 of the lid cover 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10...recording device, 1...recording section, 2...reading section, 3...liquid storage unit, 20...liquid storage container, 21...storage section, 22...inlet, 22a...step section, 23...lid section, 24...protrusion, 30...lever, 31...insertion section, 32...cover section, 33...urging member, 34...operating piece, 35...first member, 36...second member, 37...regulating section, 38...groove, 40...lid cover, 41...side wall, 42...window, 43...tip wall, 50...bottle, 60...absorbent material, 70...rotation support section, 71...regulating section, AX1, AX2, AX3, AX4...rotation axis, D...projection direction

Claims

1. A liquid storage container that can be refilled with liquid from the outside, a container that contains the liquid; an inlet communicating with the storage portion for receiving an injection of the liquid; a lid portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed state in which the injection port is closed by inserting an insertion portion into the injection port and an open state in which the insertion portion is separated from the injection port; a cover portion that covers the insertion portion in the open state, The cover portion is provided on the lid portion, The insertion portion is When the lid portion is in the open state, it does not protrude from the cover portion as viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, A liquid storage container, characterized in that the lid portion protrudes from the cover portion when viewed in the axial direction when in the closed state.

2. The cover portion is The cover is provided with a biasing member, The insertion portion is displaceable between a first position where the insertion portion does not protrude from the cover portion and a second position where the insertion portion protrudes from the cover portion by expansion and contraction of the biasing member, The liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing member biases the cover portion toward the first position.

3. 3. The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a locking portion that holds the lid portion in the closed state.

4. a recording unit that discharges a liquid onto a medium to record; 4. A recording apparatus comprising: a liquid container according to claim 1, which contains the liquid to be supplied to the recording unit.

5. a recording unit that discharges a liquid onto a medium to record; a liquid containing unit that contains the liquid to be supplied to the recording unit, The liquid storage unit comprises: a first liquid storage container that is the liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a second liquid storage container that is the liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a lid cover that covers the lid portion of the first liquid storage container and the lid portion of the second liquid storage container.

Images