System and liquid bottle

Abstract

Provided is a system in which the degree of freedom of design can be increased.　Systems 51 and 80 comprise a liquid bottle 80, an ink tank 100, and a hole part 72. The cylindrical hole part 72 surrounds ports 115, 119 to be connected. The liquid bottle 80 is a projection 94 having connection ports 95, 96 connectable to the ports 115, 119 to be connected, and has a projection 94 insertable into the hole part 72. The outer peripheral surface of the projection 94 has a shape conforming to the inner peripheral surface of the hole part 72 and is not rotationally symmetric with respect to the center C1 of the projection 94.

Description

System and fluid bottles

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system including a liquid bottle and a tank to which the liquid bottle is connected, and the liquid bottle.

[0002] There is a system that includes an ink bottle and an ink tank to which the ink bottle is connected. In this system, the ink bottle has an annular abutment surface that abuts against the upper end of the annular wall of the ink tank when connected to the ink tank, and a circular supply port located at the center of the abutment surface and communicating between the inside and outside of the ink bottle. A needle located at the center of the wall of the ink tank is inserted into the supply port. This replaces the ink in the ink bottle with the air in the ink tank through the needle. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink bottle to the ink tank.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-168790

[0004] In this system, the supply port is located at the center of the abutment surface, so the needle can be inserted into the supply port no matter what direction the ink bottle is facing around an imaginary line that passes through the center of the abutment surface. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the orientation of the ink bottle around the imaginary line when it is connected to the ink tank.

[0005] From the perspective of design freedom, for example, if the supply port is located off-center on the abutment surface, the needle is also located off-center on the wall so that it can be inserted into the supply port. However, because the supply port of the ink bottle is off-center on the abutment surface, the orientation in which the needle can be inserted into the supply port on the ink bottle is limited to one. This makes it difficult for the user to connect the ink bottle to the ink tank because the user must properly orient the ink bottle when connecting the ink bottle to the ink tank. Therefore, the supply port is not located off-center on the abutment surface.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a system and a liquid bottle that allow greater freedom in design.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a system. The system includes a liquid bottle having a connection port and capable of storing a recording liquid, a tank having a connection port connectable to the connection port and storing the liquid supplied from the liquid bottle through the connection port, and a cylindrical hole surrounding the connection port. The liquid bottle has a protrusion having the connection port and capable of being inserted into the hole. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the hole and is not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion.

[0008] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and because it is not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion, there is only one orientation in which the protrusion can be inserted into the internal space of the hole. This allows the user to easily connect the liquid bottle to the tank regardless of the positions of the connection port and the connected port, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the liquid bottle and tank.

[0009] The outer peripheral surface of the projection may have a shape having a first curved surface that bulges outward and a first flat surface that is positioned to sandwich the connection port between the first curved surface and the first flat surface.

[0010] The user can easily grasp the orientation in which the protrusion can be inserted into the internal space of the hole.

[0011] The protrusion may have a recess recessed from one end of the protrusion in an extending direction to the other end opposite the one end. An inner peripheral surface of the recess may be parallel to an outer peripheral surface of the protrusion.

[0012] Since the first curved surface and the first flat surface on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion are emphasized by the recess, the user can more easily grasp the orientation in which the protrusion can be inserted into the internal space of the hole.

[0013] The liquid bottle may have a first rib extending from the first plane in a direction perpendicular to the first plane.

[0014] The user can more easily grasp the orientation in which the protrusion can be inserted into the internal space of the hole.

[0015] The liquid bottle may have a valve located inside the liquid bottle and movable between a closed position that closes the connection port and an open position that is spaced apart from the closed position.

[0016] The valve prevents the liquid from leaking from the inside of the liquid bottle to the outside through the connection port.

[0017] The connection port may have a first nozzle protruding from an outer surface of the tank and communicating the inside and outside of the tank. The valve may be moved from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by the first nozzle connected to the connection port.

[0018] By connecting the first nozzle to the connection port, the user can move the valve from the closed position to the open position, thereby enabling the liquid bottle and tank to be connected quickly.

[0019] The connection port may have a first communication port communicating the interior and exterior of the tank. The connection port may protrude from an outer surface of the protrusion and have a second nozzle communicating the interior and exterior of the liquid bottle, and a second communication port communicating the interior and exterior of the liquid bottle. The first nozzle may be connected to the second communication port in a connection position in which the protrusion is inserted into the internal space of the hole. The second nozzle may be connected to the first communication port in the connection position. The valve closes the second nozzle and the second communication port, and may move from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by the first nozzle connected to the second communication port.

[0020] The first nozzle is connected to the second communication port, and the second nozzle is connected to the first communication port. As a result, liquid in the liquid bottle flows into the tank through one of the first nozzle or the second nozzle, and air in the tank easily flows into the liquid bottle through the other of the first nozzle or the second nozzle. In other words, the flow path through which liquid flows from the liquid bottle to the tank and the flow path through which air flows from the tank to the liquid bottle are easily separated. As a result, gas-liquid exchange, in which liquid and air move back and forth between the liquid bottle and the tank, is smoothly carried out, and the liquid in the liquid bottle is quickly supplied to the tank.

[0021] The first nozzle may protrude obliquely upward and forward from an outer surface of the tank. The second nozzle may be located lower than the first nozzle in the connected position.

[0022] Because the second nozzle is located lower than the first nozzle in the connected position, liquid, which has a higher specific gravity than air, tends to move through the second nozzle. On the other hand, air, which has a lower specific gravity than liquid, tends to move through the first nozzle, which is located above the second nozzle. This makes it easier to separate the flow path through which liquid flows from the liquid bottle to the tank from the flow path through which air flows from the tank to the liquid bottle.

[0023] The valve in the open position may define a first flow path and a second flow path through which fluid can flow between the valve and an inner surface of the liquid bottle. The second flow path may be located above the first flow path in the connected position and have an area larger than an area of ​​the first flow path.

[0024] The air that flows into the liquid bottle from the tank through the first nozzle is lighter than the liquid and therefore easily passes through the second flow path. On the other hand, the liquid in the tank is heavier than air and therefore easily passes through the first flow path. This makes it easier for the air flow path and the liquid flow path in the liquid bottle to be separated, allowing for smoother air-liquid exchange between the liquid bottle and the tank.

[0025] The tip of the first nozzle may be bifurcated in a left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0026] Even if the tip of the first nozzle is pressed at a position offset from the center of the valve, a moment of force is unlikely to act on the valve, making it difficult for the valve to tilt.Even if the tip of the first nozzle abuts against the valve, a gap is secured at the tip of the first nozzle through which air can move, allowing air inside the tank to move smoothly into the liquid bottle through the first nozzle.

[0027] The second nozzle may have a polygonal outer shape. The second communication port may be circular.

[0028] Because the difference between the outer shape of the second nozzle and the shape of the second communication port is clear, the user can easily understand that there is a direction in which the protrusion can be inserted into the internal space of the hole.

[0029] The hole may extend obliquely upward toward the front. An inner circumferential surface of the hole may have a second curved surface that matches the first curved surface and a second flat surface that matches the first flat surface. The second curved surface may be located at a lower portion of the hole.

[0030] In the connected position where the protrusion is inserted into the internal space of the hole, the first curved surface of the protrusion is supported by the third curved surface of the hole, so that the connected position of the liquid bottle is easily maintained.

[0031] The outer surface of the tank may have an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction so as to extend downward toward the front. The first communication port may be located on the inclined surface. The tank may have a second rib that is located forward of the first communication port on the inclined surface, protrudes upward from the inclined surface, and extends in a left-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0032] Even if liquid drips from the second nozzle of the liquid bottle when the second nozzle is removed from the first communication port, the liquid flows along the inclined surface and is then blocked by the second rib. Even if the liquid blocked by the second rib accumulates on the second rib, it flows in the left-right direction along the second rib, preventing the front surface of the tank from becoming soiled by the liquid.

[0033] The tank may have a plurality of storage chambers capable of storing liquid. The holes may be provided corresponding to the respective storage chambers. A key groove into which the first rib can be inserted may be located on the inner circumferential surface of each of the holes. The position of the key groove or the key relative to the inner circumferential surface may differ for each of the holes.

[0034] For example, if the tank has multiple storage chambers corresponding to the colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, by shaping the protrusions on each liquid bottle to correspond to the key grooves or keys of each color, it is possible to prevent a user from connecting the liquid bottle to a tank that stores a color of ink different from the color stored in the liquid bottle.

[0035] The tank may further include a cap that can be attached to a cylindrical wall that surrounds the first communication port and the first nozzle and protrudes from an outer surface of the tank. The cap may include a cylindrical cap body that can be inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical wall and covers an upper portion of the first communication port and the first nozzle, and a semicircular handle that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the cap body inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical wall. The outer surface of the cap body may be shaped to abut liquid-tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall.

[0036] The cap prevents liquid in the tank from leaking to the outside through the gap between the outer surface of the cap body and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. Foreign matter is prevented from entering the tank through the gap between the outer surface of the cap body and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall. The cap has a semicircular disk-shaped gripping portion that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the cap body inserted into the internal space of the hole, making it easy for the user to determine the orientation in which the cap can be inserted into the internal space of the hole.

[0037] The weight of the grip portion may be greater than the weight of the cap body.

[0038] When the cap is placed on the floor, the cap body floats off the floor, making it difficult for the floor to become soiled with liquid.

[0039] The present disclosure relates to a liquid bottle having a connection port connectable to a connection port of a tank and storing a recording liquid to be supplied to the tank through the connection port. The liquid bottle includes a protrusion having the connection port, the protrusion being insertable into a cylindrical hole surrounding the connection port of the tank. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and is not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion.

[0040] The outer circumferential surface of the protrusion has a shape that fits the inner circumferential surface of the hole, and because it is not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion, the protrusion can only be inserted into the internal space of the hole in one direction. This allows the user to easily connect the liquid bottle to the tank regardless of the position of the connection port, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the liquid bottle.

[0041] The liquid bottle may include an annular bottom wall on which the protrusion is located, and a third rib located on the bottom wall at a distance outward from the protrusion, protruding from the bottom wall and surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion.

[0042] Even if liquid drips from the connection port of the liquid bottle, the liquid is retained in the space between the inner peripheral surface of the third rib and the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion, preventing the liquid bottle from becoming soiled by the liquid.

[0043] A plurality of the liquid bottles may be provided. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion may have a shape including a first curved surface that bulges outward and a first flat surface that is continuous with the first curved surface. The protrusion may have a first rib extending from the first flat surface in a direction perpendicular to the first flat surface. The position of the first rib relative to the first flat surface may differ for each liquid bottle.

[0044] For example, if multiple tanks corresponding to the colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, are provided, each tank may have a hole into which a protrusion can be inserted depending on its position relative to the first plane of the first rib, thereby preventing the user from connecting the liquid bottle to a tank that stores a color of ink different from the color stored in the liquid bottle.

[0045] According to the present disclosure, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0046] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the ink tank 100. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink tank set 51. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. 6 is a top view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 7 is a front view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 8 is a right side view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tank cap 127. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the tank cap 127 attached to the annular wall 122. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the tank cap 127 attached to the annular wall 122. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the liquid bottle 80. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the center C1 of the protrusion 94. FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the closed position. FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the open position. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the area S1 of the air flow path G and the area S2 of the ink flow path F. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion 94 according to a modified example. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion 94 according to a modified example. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion 94 according to a modified example. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a tank cap 127 according to a modified example. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a nozzle cap 301 is attached to a liquid bottle 80 capable of filling ink into the ink tank 100 of the printer unit 11. FIG. 24 is a front view of the nozzle cap 301 of a liquid bottle 80 capable of filling ink into the ink tank 100 of the printer unit 11. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the nozzle cap 301 of a liquid bottle 80 capable of filling ink into the ink tank 100 of the printer unit 11. Fig. 26 is a right side view showing a state in which a nozzle cap 301 is attached to a liquid bottle 80 capable of filling ink into the ink tank 100 of the printer unit 11. Fig. 27 is a plan view of the liquid bottle 80 in a state in which the nozzle cap 301 is not attached.

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the following description, a direction from the starting point to the end point of a single arrow is referred to as a "direction," and both directions of a double-headed arrow are referred to as "directions." In other words, a direction is one component of a direction. Upward and downward are each one component of the vertical direction and are opposite to each other. Leftward and rightward are each one component of the horizontal direction and are opposite to each other. Forward and backward are each one component of the front-to-back direction and are opposite to each other. In this embodiment, the vertical direction corresponds to the direction of gravity, and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions correspond to the horizontal direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the up-down direction is defined based on the state or posture of the multifunction device 10 installed in a usable state, the front-rear direction is defined with the side of the multifunction device 10 where the opening 13 is provided as the front side, and the left-right direction is defined when looking at the multifunction device 10 from the front side. The state in Figure 1 is sometimes referred to as the "usage state." The posture in Figure 1 is sometimes referred to as the "usage posture." The front side of the multifunction device 10 where the opening 13 is provided is the front side.

[0049] [Overall Configuration of Multifunction Device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped casing 8. The multifunction device 10 has a scanner unit 9 and a printer unit 11 in the internal space of the casing 8. The scanner unit 9 is located at the top of the internal space of the casing 8. The scanner unit 9 has a scanning function. The printer unit 11 is located below the scanner unit 9 in the internal space of the casing 8. The printer unit 11 has a printing function. The printer unit 11 records images on paper 12 shown in FIG. 2 using an inkjet recording method. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed unit 15, a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport path 65, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, a platen 42, and an ink tank set 51.

[0050] [Feed Tray 20, Discharge Tray 21] As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multifunction device 10, in the center in the left-right direction. The feed tray 20 moves in the front-rear direction through the opening 13 by user operation. As shown in Fig. 2, the feed tray 20 supports a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12. The discharge tray 21 is located above the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 moves in the front-rear direction together with the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheets of paper 12 to be discharged by the discharge roller unit 55.

[0051] [Feed Unit 15] The feed unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported on the feed tray 20 to the transport path 65. As shown in FIG. 2 , the feed unit 15 includes a feed roller 25, a feed arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feed arm 26. The feed roller 25 receives drive from a transport motor (not shown) and rotates in a direction that transports the paper 12 in the transport direction 16. Hereinafter, the rotation of the feed roller 25, transport roller 60, and discharge roller 62 in a direction that transports the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 will be referred to as "forward rotation." The feed arm 26 is rotatably supported on the shaft 27, which is supported on the frame of the printer unit 11. The feed arm 26 is biased to rotate toward the feed tray 20 by its own weight or the elastic force of a spring or the like.

[0052] [Transport Path 65] As shown in FIG. 2 , the transport path 65 refers to a space defined by, for example, an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 that face each other at a predetermined distance. The transport path 65 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20 to the rear of the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 extends from below to above behind the printer unit 11, makes a U-turn, and reaches the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the transport path 65 between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 is located approximately in the center of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 2 .

[0053] [Transport roller unit 54] As shown in Figure 2, the transport roller unit 54 is located upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transport roller unit 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61. The transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 face each other in the vertical direction. The transport roller 60 rotates when the drive of the transport motor is transmitted to it. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. When the transport roller 60 rotates forward due to the forward rotation of the transport motor, the paper 12 is sandwiched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and transported in the transport direction 16.

[0054] [Discharge Roller Unit 55] As shown in Figure 2, the discharge roller unit 55 is located downstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveying direction 16. The discharge roller unit 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63. The discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 face each other in the vertical direction. The discharge roller 62 is rotated by the drive force transmitted from the conveying motor. The spur 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. When the discharge roller 62 rotates forward due to the forward rotation of the conveying motor, the paper 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 and conveyed in the conveying direction 16.

[0055] 2, the recording unit 24 is located between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 faces the platen 42 in the vertical direction, with the transport path 65 in between. The recording unit 24 is located above the transport path 65 in the vertical direction. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3 , the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44. The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The guide rails 43 and 44 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and extend in the left-to-right direction. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism rotates when drive is transmitted from a carriage motor (not shown). When the belt mechanism rotates, the carriage 23 moves left-to-right. The range of movement of the carriage 23 is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3 . The carriage 23 moves to the right and left of the transport path 65 in the left-to-right direction.

[0057] The ink tank 100 and the recording head 39 are connected by an ink tube 32. A control board on which a control unit (not shown) is mounted and the recording head 39 are electrically connected by a flexible flat cable 33. The ink tube 32 and the flexible flat cable 33 each extend from the carriage 23. The ink tube 32 supplies ink stored in the ink tank 100 to the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the carriage 23 carries a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are located on the underside of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink as tiny ink droplets from the nozzles 40. As the carriage 23 moves, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by a platen 42. This causes an image to be recorded on the paper 12.

[0059] 2 and 3, the platen 42 is located between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 faces the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported by the transport roller unit 54 from below.

[0060] [Ink Tank Set 51] As shown in Fig. 4, the ink tank set 51 has an ink tank 100, a tank cover 110, and a tank cap 127. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. Note that the tank cap 127 is omitted from Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the ink tank set 51 is located inside the multifunction device 10. The ink tank set 51 is fixed to the multifunction device 10 so that the user cannot easily remove it from the multifunction device 10. An opening is located on the front surface of the casing 8 of the multifunction device 10, at the right end in the left-right direction. The ink tank set 51 is located behind the opening of the casing 8.

[0061] A cover 70 is provided on the casing 8 so as to be positioned in front of the opening of the casing 8. The cover 70 is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction at the bottom end in the up-down direction. The cover 70 is rotatable from a covering position shown in FIG. 1 in which it covers the opening of the casing 8, to an exposing position in which it exposes the opening of the casing 8 to the outside of the multifunction device 10. In other words, the cover 70 is rotatable from the covering position shown in FIG. 1 in which it covers the ink tank set 51, to an exposing position in which it exposes the ink tank set 51 to the outside of the multifunction device 10. The cover 70 has an opening. Even when the cover 70 is positioned in the covering position, a portion of the ink tank set 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening in the cover 70. Incidentally, when we say that a portion of the ink tank set 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening in the cover 70, we mean that a user can at least see a portion of the ink tank set 51 from outside the multifunction device 10 through the opening in the cover 70, and we do not mean that a portion of the ink tank set 51 is in a state where it protrudes outside the multifunction device 10 through the opening in the cover 70.

[0062] As shown in Figures 5 and 13, the ink tank 100 has four ink chambers 111 inside. The four ink chambers 111 are aligned in the left-right direction. The four ink chambers 111 are separated left-right by partition walls spaced apart in the left-right direction. The partition walls are flat plates extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. Each ink chamber 111 stores one of the different colors of ink: black, yellow, cyan, or magenta. Ink is an example of a recording liquid. The ink chamber 111 is an example of a storage chamber. Note that Figure 13 shows one ink chamber 111.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ink tank 100 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The ink tank 100 has a front wall 101, a right wall 102, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, and a rear wall 106. The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the lower wall 105, and the rear wall 106 define an ink chamber 111 in which ink is stored. The ink tank 100 is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding a resin material. Of the outer walls of the ink tank 100, for example, the lower wall 105 may be a separate molded part. The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the lower wall 105, and the rear wall 106 are translucent to such an extent that the ink level inside the ink tank 100 can be seen from outside the ink tank 100.

[0064] The upper surface of the top wall 104 is composed of multiple surfaces extending in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The top wall 104 has an air vent 112 that connects the ink chamber 111 to the outside. The air vent 112 penetrates the top wall 104 in the up-down direction. The top surface of the top wall 104 has an inclined surface 104A. The inclined surface 104A is located at the front end of the top surface of the top wall 104. The inclined surface 104A faces the front-to-rear direction so that it extends downward as it extends forward. The inclined surface 104A is located from the left end to the right end of the ink tank 100. As shown in Figures 5 and 13, a weir wall 109 is located at the front end of the inclined surface 104A. The weir wall 109 protrudes obliquely upward and forward from the inclined surface 104A. The weir wall 109 extends in the left-right direction from the left end to the right end of the ink tank 100. The weir wall 109 is an example of a second rib.

[0065] An outflow pipe 124 is located on the upper wall 104. The outflow pipe 124 is a circular pipe that extends downward from the upper wall 104 toward the ink chamber 111. The lower end of the outflow pipe 124 is located near the lower wall 105. The opening at the upper end of the outflow pipe 124 is located on the upper wall 104. The ink tube 32 is connected to the upper end of the outflow pipe 124. Ink in the ink chamber 111 flows to the recording head 39 through the outflow pipe 124 and the ink tube 32. When ink is consumed in the ink chamber 111 by ejecting ink from the recording head 39, air flows into the ink chamber 111 through the atmosphere communication port 112.

[0066] A cylindrical annular wall 122 is located at the front end of the upper wall 104, surrounding the tank pipe 115 and the communication port 119. The annular wall 122 extends obliquely upward and forward from the front end of the upper wall 104 in an extension direction that intersects the direction of gravity and the horizontal direction, parallel to the tank pipe 115. The tank pipe 115 protrudes upward beyond the tip of the annular wall 122. The annular wall 122 is an example of a cylindrical wall.

[0067] The tank pipe 115 is located inside the annular wall 122. The tank pipe 115 is a circular pipe that extends obliquely upward and forward from the upper surface of the upper wall 104 along an extension direction that intersects the direction of gravity and the horizontal. The upper end of the tank pipe 115 opens to the outside of the ink chamber 111. The lower end of the tank pipe 115 opens to the inside of the ink chamber 111. The internal space of the tank pipe 115 connects the outside and inside of the ink chamber 111. The tank pipe 115 is located rearward of the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, the axis passing through the center of the tank pipe 115 is located rearward of the axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122 when viewed from the extension direction of the tank pipe 115. The tip of the tank pipe 115 is bifurcated in the left and right directions. The tank pipe 115 is an example of a first nozzle.

[0068] A communication port 119 is located inside the annular wall 122 on the inclined surface 104A. The communication port 119 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the up-down direction. The communication port 119 has a circular shape at the front and a rectangular shape at the rear. In other words, the communication port 119 has a rectangular shape with one front side bulging in an arc shape. The communication port 119 connects the outside and the inside of the ink chamber 111. The communication port 119 is located in front of the tank pipe 115. The communication port 119 is located below the tank pipe 115. In other words, a straight line extending in the extension direction through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extension direction of the tank pipe 115 is located forward of an axis passing through the center of the tank pipe 115 when viewed from the extension direction of the tank pipe 115. The communication port 119 is located forward of the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, a line extending in the extension direction through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extension direction of the annular wall 122 is located forward of an axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122 when viewed from the extension direction of the annular wall 122. The communication port 119 is an example of a first communication port. The tank pipe body 115 and the communication port 119 are examples of a connection port.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4 , the tank cover 110 holds the ink tank 100 while covering the front side of the ink tank 100 from the front. The tank cover 110 has a front wall 201, an upper wall 202, a right wall 203, a left wall 204, a lower wall 205, and an inclined wall 206. The front wall 201 covers the front of the ink tank 100. The front wall 201 has an opening 207. A portion of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207. Note that "a portion of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207" means that a user can at least see a portion of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 from the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207, but does not mean that a portion of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 protrudes to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207.

[0070] The top wall 202 covers a portion of the front side of the top wall 104 of the ink tank 100. The right wall 203 covers a portion of the right wall 102 of the ink tank 100. The left wall 204 covers a portion of the left wall 103 of the ink tank 100. The bottom wall 205 covers the bottom wall 105 of the ink tank 100.

[0071] The inclined wall 206 is connected to the upper end of the front wall 201 and to the front end of the top wall 202. The inclined wall 206 is located above the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100. The inclined wall 206 is located in front of the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100. In other words, the inclined wall 206 is located relative to the annular wall 122 so that the annular wall 122 extends in the direction in which it extends from the front end of the top wall 104. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 intersects with the direction of gravity and the horizontal direction. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 is inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction so as to extend downward as it extends forward. The inclined wall 206 covers a portion of the inclined surface 104A of the top wall 104 of the ink tank 100.

[0072] The inclined wall 206 has four through holes 72 spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each through hole 72 penetrates the inclined wall 206 in the up-down direction. The inner circumferential surface of each through hole 72 is cylindrical and extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the inclined wall 206, i.e., diagonally upward toward the front. That is, each through hole 72 is cylindrical. Note that the term "cylindrical" here refers to a shape in which the inner circumferential surface forms a closed space. The shape of the opening formed by the inner circumferential surface is not necessarily circular. Furthermore, the cylindrical shape is defined regardless of the length of the inner circumferential surface extending in the direction of the opening formed by the inner circumferential surface, in other words, regardless of the thickness of the through hole 72. The inner circumferential surface of each through hole 72 surrounds the annular wall 122 when viewed from diagonally upward toward the front. The four through holes 72 are positioned to correspond to one of the four ink chambers 111. That is, when viewed from diagonally above the front, each of the four through holes 72 overlaps with a corresponding one of the four ink chambers 111. The annular wall 122 and the communication port 119 are exposed to the outside of the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. As shown in Fig. 13, the tank pipe body 115 protrudes to the outside of the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. The inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72 is an example of a hole portion.

[0073] The through hole 72 has a circular front side and a rectangular rear side. In other words, the through hole 72 has a rectangular shape with one front side bulging in an arc shape. Specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72 includes an inner curved surface 72A bulging obliquely downward and forward, a left inner plane 72B connected to the left end of the inner curved surface 72A, a right inner plane 72C connected to the right end of the inner curved surface 72A, and a rear inner plane 72D connecting the rear end of the left inner plane 72B to the rear end of the right inner plane 72C. The inner curved surface 72A is located at the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72. The rear inner plane 72D has a shape in which a central portion of the rear inner plane 72D in the left-right direction bulges obliquely upward and rearward. The inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72 is an example of a hole portion. The inner curved surface 72A is an example of a second curved surface. The posterior inner plane 72D is an example of a second plane.

[0074] A slit 73 extends rearward from a rear inner plane 72D of the through hole 72, connecting the space with the through hole 72. The slit 73 is located in the center of the through hole 72 in the left-right direction, connecting the space with the through hole 72.

[0075] As shown in Figures 4 and 12, keyways 74 are selectively located on the left and right of the slits 73 in the rear inner flat surface 72D of the through hole 72. The keyways 74 extend rearward from the rear inner flat surface 72D of the through hole 72, forming a space continuous with the through hole 72. The presence, position, and shape of the keyways 74 differ among the through holes 72. Specifically, in the leftmost through hole 72 in Figures 4 and 12, one keyway 74 is located to the right of the slits 73, and another keyway 74 is located to the left of the slits 73. The left-right length between the right keyway 74 and the slits 73 is the same as the left-right length between the left keyway 74 and the slits 73.

[0076] 4 and 12 , one key groove 74 is located to the right of the slit 73, and another key groove 74 is located to the left of the slit 73. The length in the left-right direction between the right key groove 74 and the slit 73 is longer than the length in the left-right direction between the left key groove 74 and the slit 73.

[0077] 4 and 12, one key groove 74 is located to the right of the slit 73, and no key groove 74 is located to the left of the slit 73. The length of the right key groove 74 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the key groove 74 in the second through hole 72 from the left.

[0078] 4 and 12, one key groove 74 is located to the right of the slit 73, and another key groove 74 is located to the left of the slit 73. The length in the left-right direction between the right key groove 74 and the slit 73 is shorter than the length in the left-right direction between the left key groove 74 and the slit 73.

[0079] 6 to 12 , the tank cap 127 is a cylindrical member with one end closed. The tank cap 127 is an example of a cap. The tank cap 127 is detachable from the annular wall 122. When the tank cap 127 is removed from the annular wall 122, it is not connected to the ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110 and is completely separated from them. In other words, the ink tank set 51 does not have a holding member such as an arm that holds the tank cap 127, when removed from the annular wall 122, in a state where it is connected to the ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110.

[0080] The tank cap 127 has a main body 128, a rubber member 129, and a grip portion 133. The main body 128 and the grip portion 133 are integrally molded from synthetic resin. The rubber member 129 is made of rubber. The main body 128 has a cylindrical portion 130, a protruding piece 131, and a flat portion 132.

[0081] The tubular portion 130 has a cylindrical shape that opens downward when the tank cap 127 is attached to the annular wall 122. The inner diameter of the internal space of the tubular portion 130 is larger than the outer diameter of the tank pipe body 115.

[0082] A protrusion 131 protrudes from the side surface of the tubular portion 130 to the left in the left-right direction in the mounted position. In addition, a protrusion 131 protrudes from the side surface of the tubular portion 130 to the right in the left-right direction in the mounted position. In other words, a pair of protrusions 131 protrude in opposite directions from the side surface of the tubular portion 130. The protrusions 131 are flat, and the protruding ends are linear in the front-to-rear direction in the mounted position.

[0083] A flat plate portion 132 protrudes rearward in the front-to-rear direction in the mounted posture from the side surface of the tubular portion 130. The flat plate portion 132 extends in the up-down direction. The flat plate portion 132 fits into the slit 73 of the tank cover 110, so that the outer shape of the tank cap 127 determines the mounted posture.

[0084] The rubber 129 is located on the side surface of the tube portion 130 below the protruding piece 131. The rubber 129 has a cylindrical shape. The rubber 129 covers the side surface of the tube portion 130 below the protruding piece 131. The upper end of the rubber 129 abuts against the protruding piece 131.

[0085] The rubber 129 has an abutment portion 136 that extends inward from the opening of the tubular portion 130. The abutment portion 136 abuts against the end face of the opening of the tubular portion 130. The abutment portion 136 abuts against an inner circumferential surface 137 of the tubular portion 130 inside the opening of the tubular portion 130.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10 , a flange 140 extends from the abutment portion 136 toward the inside of the tube portion 130. The abutment portion 136 and the flange 140 define an opening 138 facing downward. The flange 140 extends to the right from the left end of the abutment portion 136 in the left-right direction. The flange 140 extends to the left from the right end of the abutment portion 136 in the left-right direction. The flange 140 is not located at the upper or lower end of the abutment portion 136. The length of the opening 138 in the front-to-rear direction is longer than its length in the left-to-right direction. In other words, the opening 138 is oval-shaped, with a portion of the left-to-right direction of the opening 138 being a straight line. The left-to-right length of the opening 138 is longer than the outer diameter of the tank pipe body 115 of the ink tank 100.

[0087] 7, the rubber 129 has a protrusion 139 that protrudes in an annular shape from the outer peripheral surface of the rubber 129. The outer diameter of the protrusion 139 is larger than the inner diameter of the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100. The rubber 129 attached to the tubular portion 130 can be inserted into the internal space of the annular wall 122 by press-fitting. When inserted into the internal space of the annular wall 122, the tubular portion 130 and the rubber 129 cover the communication port 119 and the upper part of the tank pipe body 115. The protrusion 139 abuts liquid-tightly against the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall 122. The main body 128 and the rubber 129 are an example of a cap main body.

[0088] In the mounted position, the knob portion 133 is located above the tubular portion 130 and the flat plate portion 132. In the mounted position, the knob portion 133 has a semicircular plate shape that protrudes upward from the outer surfaces of the tubular portion 130 and the flat plate portion 132. The diameter of the semicircular plate is approximately the same as the length of the tubular portion 130 and the flat plate portion 132 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the knob portion 133 extends across the tubular portion 130 and the flat plate portion 132 and has an elongated shape in the left-to-right direction.

[0089] The edge of the gripping portion 133, which forms the circumference of the semicircular plate, is a thick portion 134 extending in the left-right direction. A ridge 135 is located extending in the up-down direction from the lower end of the gripping portion 133 toward the thick portion 134. The multiple ridges 135 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The left-right length of the ridges 135 gradually increases from the lower end of the gripping portion 133 toward the thick portion 134. Near the thick portion 134, the left-right length of the ridge 135 is the same as the left-right length of the thick portion 134. The left-right length of the gripping portion 133 other than the thick portion 134 and the ridge 135 is shorter than the length of the thick portion 134.

[0090] The weight of the knob portion 133 is heavier than the combined weight of the main body 128 and the rubber 129. As a result, when one of the pair of protrusions 131 is brought into contact with the floor surface, the knob portion 133 also comes into contact with the floor surface, and the rubber 129 side of the tank cap 127 is raised above the floor surface relative to the protrusions 131. The main body 128 and the rubber 129 are an example of a cap main body. The knob portion 133 is an example of a grip portion.

[0091] [Liquid Bottle 80] The liquid bottle 80 shown in Figure 14 is connected to the ink tank set 51. The liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank set 51 are an example of a system. As shown in Figures 14 and 16, the liquid bottle 80 has a bottle body 81, a bottle cap 82, and a valve 161. The bottle body 81 is cylindrical, with an upper opening 87 that has a smaller diameter than the lower part. The bottle cap 82 is attached to the opening 87, forming a container that stores ink in its internal space.

[0092] The bottle cap 82 has a side wall 93, a bottom wall 92, a protrusion 94, an opening 95, a bottle tube 96, a key member 99, and an annular rib 91. The side wall 93 is a cylindrical wall extending in the vertical direction. The side wall 93 is threadedly coupled to the mouth 87. The bottom wall 92 is an annular wall extending radially inward from the upper end of the side wall 93.

[0093] The protrusion 94 is a cylindrical wall extending upward from the bottom wall 92. The protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. In other words, the shape and size of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 are approximately the same as the shape and size of the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 72. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a circular shape on the front side and a rectangular shape on the rear side. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape in which one side of the front side of the rectangle bulges forward in an arc shape.

[0094] Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has an outer curved surface 94A that bulges forward, a left outer flat surface 94B that connects to the left end of the outer curved surface 94A, a right outer flat surface 94C that connects to the right end of the outer curved surface 94A, and a rear outer flat surface 94D that connects the rear end of the left outer flat surface 94B to the rear end of the right outer flat surface 94C. When the protrusion 94 is inserted into the through-hole 72, the outer curved surface 94A fits into the inner curved surface 72A of the through-hole 72. When the protrusion 94 is inserted into the through-hole 72, the left outer flat surface 94B fits into the right inner flat surface 72C of the through-hole 72. When the protrusion 94 is inserted into the through-hole 72, the right outer flat surface 94C fits into the left inner flat surface 72B of the through-hole 72. The rear outer flat surface 94D is located between the outer curved surface 94A and the opening 95 and bottle tube body 96 (described later) in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 , the posterior outer plane 94D has an upper plane 151, a middle inclined surface 152, and a lower arcuate surface 153. The upper plane 151 is located from the upper end of the protrusion 94 to approximately the center in the up-down direction. The middle inclined surface 152 is continuous with the lower end of the upper plane 151. The middle inclined surface 152 is inclined in the up-down direction so as to extend rearward as it extends downward. The lower arcuate surface 153 is located from the lower end of the middle inclined surface 152 to the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The lower arcuate surface 153 is an arcuate surface that bulges rearward when viewed from above. The posterior outer plane 94D fits into the posterior inner plane 72D of the through-hole 72 when the protrusion 94 is inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 15 , the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is not rotationally symmetrical about the center C1 of the protrusion 94. Rotational symmetry refers to overlapping two or more times when an object is rotated 360 degrees around the center C1. For example, if the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is an equilateral triangle, the protrusion 94 overlaps three times when the protrusion 94 is rotated 360 degrees around the center C1, so the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is rotationally symmetrical about the center C1 of the protrusion 94. In this embodiment, the protrusion 94 overlaps only once when the protrusion 94 is rotated 360 degrees around the center C1, so the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is not rotationally symmetrical about the center C1. Therefore, the orientation in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72 is determined to be unique. The center C1 is the point where the midpoint of the line segment defining the left-right length of the protrusion 94 coincides with the midpoint of the line segment defining the front-rear length of the protrusion 94 when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the center C1 is the point where the midpoint of the line segment L1 connecting the left outer plane 94B and the right outer plane 94C coincides with the midpoint of the line segment L2 connecting the front end of the outer curved surface 94A and the rear outer plane 94D. The outer curved surface 94A is an example of a first curved surface. The rear outer plane 94D is an example of a first plane.

[0096] The protrusion 94 has an upper wall 97 located at its upper end. The upper wall 97 is located slightly below the upper end of the protrusion 94. The upper wall 97 has an upper surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The upper wall 97 is flat and extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. A recess 98 is defined by the upper surface of the upper wall 97 and the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 94. The inner peripheral surface of the recess 98 is parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94.

[0097] The key member 99 extends rearward from a rear outer flat surface 94D on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94. The position and shape of the key member 99 match the position and shape of the key groove 74 of the through-hole 72 to which the liquid bottle 80 is to be connected. In other words, the position and shape of the key member 99 relative to the rear outer flat surface 94D differ for each of the four liquid bottles 80 that store black, yellow, cyan, or magenta ink. Figure 14 shows the key member 99 of a liquid bottle 80 that matches the leftmost through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The key member 99 is an example of a first rib.

[0098] An opening 95 and a bottle pipe 96 are located on the upper surface of the upper wall 97 of the protrusion 94. The opening 95 is located rearward of the center C1 of the protrusion 94. The opening 95 is circular. The opening 95 connects the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 to the outside. The bottle pipe 96 is located forward of the opening 95. The bottle pipe 96 is located forward of the center C1 of the protrusion 94. The bottle pipe 96 is a cylinder, and its internal space connects the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 to the outside. The outer shape of the bottle pipe 96 is a polygon that matches the shape of the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100. That is, the outer shape of the bottle pipe 96 is circular on the front side and rectangular on the rear side. In other words, the outer shape of the bottle pipe 96 is a rectangle with one side on the front side bulging in an arc shape. The opening 95 is an example of a second communication port. The bottle pipe 96 is an example of a second nozzle. The opening 95 and the bottle pipe body 96 are an example of a connection port.

[0099] The annular rib 91 is located on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The annular rib 91 is located outwardly from the protrusion 94 at a distance. The annular rib 91 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The annular rib 91 extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The annular rib 91 surrounds the outer periphery of the protrusion 94. This forms an annular ink holding space 121 defined by the inner periphery of the annular rib 91, the outer periphery of the protrusion 94, and the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The annular rib 91 is an example of a third rib.

[0100] 16 , the valve 161 is located in the internal space of the protrusion 94. The valve 161 has a valve body 161A, a valve seat 161B, and a coil spring 161C. The valve body 161A is flat and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. When viewed from the top and bottom, the valve body 161A has a generally oval shape that conforms to the inner surface of the protrusion 94. The upper surface of the valve body 161A closes the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96 that faces the internal space of the liquid bottle 80.

[0101] The valve seat 161B is located below the valve body 161A. The valve seat 161B is flat and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The valve seat 161B is fixed to the inner surface of the protrusion 94. The coil spring 161C is located between the valve body 161A and the valve seat 161B. The coil spring 161C is compressible in the up-down direction. The lower end of the coil spring 161C is supported on the upper surface of the valve seat 161B. The upper end of the coil spring 161C biases the valve body 161A upward. As a result, the coil spring 161C keeps the upper surface of the valve body 161A in a state where it closes the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96.

[0102] The valve 161 is movable in the vertical direction between a closed position and an open position. As shown in Fig. 16 , the closed position is a position where the upper surface of the valve body 161A closes the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96. As shown in Fig. 17 , the open position is a position where the valve body 161A moves downward from the closed position against the biasing force of the coil spring 161C.

[0103] When the valve 161 is in the open position, it defines an air flow path G and an ink flow path F between it and the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80. The ink flow path F is a flow path through which ink flows. The ink flow path F is defined by the front end surface of the valve 161 in the open position and the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80. The air flow path G is a flow path through which air flows. The air flow path G is defined by the rear end surface of the valve 161 in the open position and the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80. The area of ​​the air flow path G is larger than the area of ​​the ink flow path F. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18 , in a cross section of the liquid bottle 80 taken along a horizontal plane including the valve body 161A in the open position, the area S1 enclosed by the rear end surface of the valve body 161A and the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80 is larger than the area S2 enclosed by the front end surface of the valve body 161A and the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80. The ink flow path F is an example of a first flow path. The air flow path G is an example of a second flow path.

[0104] 23 to 26, when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, a substantially cylindrical nozzle cap 301 is attached to the bottle cap 82. The nozzle cap 301 covers the portion of the bottle cap 82 above the side wall 93. Specifically, the nozzle cap 301 has an inner cylinder 301A and an outer cylinder 301B.

[0105] The inner cylinder 301A has a cylindrical shape that is closed at the top and open at the bottom, extending in the vertical direction. The top surface of the inner cylinder 301A has a circular planar shape that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The top end of the inner cylinder 301A is located slightly above the top end of the bottle tube 96. The bottom end of the inner cylinder 301A is inserted into the annular ink retention space 121. As a result, the inner cylinder 301A covers the protrusion 94 and the bottle tube 96.

[0106] The outer tube 301B covers the outside of the inner tube 301A. The outer tube 301B has a cylindrical shape that extends vertically and is open at both the top and bottom ends. The top end of the outer tube 301B is aligned vertically with the top end of the inner tube 301A. The bottom end of the outer tube 301B is located slightly above the top end of the side wall 93. A small vertical gap between the bottom end of the outer tube 301B and the top end of the side wall 93 exposes a portion of the triangular mark 311 located at the top end of the side wall 93. The outer tube 301B is connected to the inner tube 301A by an annular connecting wall at a position slightly above the annular rib 91. The outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B has a rear outer curved surface 312, a front outer curved surface 313, a right outer flat surface 314, and a left outer flat surface 315.

[0107] The rear outer curved surface 312 is located on the rear side of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The rear outer curved surface 312 extends downward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The lower end of the rear outer curved surface 312 is located higher than the lower end of the outer tube 301B. The rear outer curved surface 312 has an arc-shaped surface 312A and an inclined surface 312B. The arc-shaped surface 312A is an arc-shaped surface that bulges rearward. The inclined surface 312B is connected to the lower end of the arc-shaped surface 312A. The inclined surface 312B is inclined with respect to the arc-shaped surface 312A so that it extends rearward as it extends downward.

[0108] The front outer curved surface 313 is located on the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The front outer curved surface 313 extends downward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The lower end of the front outer curved surface 313 is located higher than the lower end of the outer tube 301B. The front outer curved surface 313 has an arc-shaped surface 313A and an inclined surface 313B. The arc-shaped surface 313A is an arc-shaped surface that bulges forward. The inclined surface 313B is connected to the lower end of the arc-shaped surface 313A. The inclined surface 313B is inclined with respect to the arc-shaped surface 313A so that it extends forward as it goes downward.

[0109] The right outer flat surface 314 is located on the right side of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The right outer flat surface 314 extends downward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 301B. The lower end of the right outer flat surface 314 is located higher than the lower end of the outer tube 301B. The right outer flat surface 314 is a flat surface that extends in the up-down and front-to-rear directions. The rear end of the right outer flat surface 314 protrudes rightward beyond the right end of the rear outer curved surface 312. As a result, a rear rib 314A extending along the up-down direction is located at the rear end of the right outer flat surface 314. The front end of the right outer flat surface 314 protrudes rightward beyond the right end of the front outer curved surface 313. As a result, a front rib 314B extending along the up-down direction is located at the front end of the right outer flat surface 314.

[0110] An upper protrusion 317 and a lower protrusion 318 are located at the upper end of the right outer flat surface 314, protruding from the right outer flat surface 314 and extending linearly along the front-to-rear direction. The upper protrusion 317 is located at the upper end of the right outer flat surface 314. The upper protrusion 317 is located at the center of the right outer flat surface 314 in the front-to-rear direction. The length of the upper protrusion 317 in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than the length of the right outer flat surface 314 in the front-to-rear direction. The lower protrusion 318 is located slightly below and spaced apart from the upper protrusion 317. The lower protrusion 318 is located at the center of the right outer flat surface 314 in the front-to-rear direction. The length of the lower protrusion 318 in the front-to-rear direction is the same as the length of the upper protrusion 317 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0111] A bulging portion 319 is located on the right outer flat surface 314, bulging to the right in a generally arc-like shape. The bulging portion 319 is located from the center to the bottom end of the right outer flat surface 314 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the bulging portion 319 has an upper inclined surface 319A, an arc-shaped surface 319B, and a lower inclined surface 319C. The upper inclined surface 319A is located at the upper end of the bulging portion 319. The upper inclined surface 319A is D-shaped when viewed from above. The upper inclined surface 319A is inclined with respect to the left-right direction so as to extend downward as it extends to the right. The upper inclined surface 319A is a flat surface that expands along the inclination direction. The arc-shaped surface 319B is an arc-shaped surface that bulges to the right. The upper end of the arc-shaped surface 319B is connected to the right end of the upper inclined surface 319A. The lower inclined surface 319C is connected to the lower end of the arc-shaped surface 319B. The lower inclined surface 319C is inclined relative to the arc-shaped surface 319B so as to extend to the right as it extends downward.

[0112] The left outer plane 315 is bilaterally symmetrical to the right outer plane 314. That is, the left outer plane 315 has the same configuration as the rear rib 314A, the front rib 314B, the upper protrusion 317, the lower protrusion 318, and the bulge 319. Therefore, the description of the right outer plane 314 is applicable to the left outer plane 315.

[0113] A lower end portion 320 of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 301B, that is, the lower sides of the rear outer curved surface 312, the front outer curved surface 313, the right outer flat surface 314, and the left outer flat surface 315, are cylindrical.

[0114] The nozzle cap 301 configured as described above prevents ink from leaking out of the liquid bottle 80 from the opening 95 of the protrusion 94 and the bottle pipe 96 .

[0115] Figure 27 is a plan view of the liquid bottle 80 with the nozzle cap 301 removed from the bottle cap 82. As shown in Figure 27, an oval-shaped base portion 86 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction is located and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper wall 97 of the protrusion 94. A circular opening 95 is located on the rear side of the base portion 86. The opening 95 connects the interior and exterior of the liquid bottle 80. A bottle pipe 96 is located on the front side of the base portion 86. The bottle pipe 96 is adjacent to the front of the opening 95. The bottle pipe 96 has a flow path 96A that connects the interior and exterior of the liquid bottle 80. The flow path 96A is circular. The upper end of the bottle pipe 96 is flat.

[0116] The outer peripheral surface of the bottle tube body 96 has a rectangular shape with one front side bulging in an arc. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the bottle tube body 96 has a front arcuate surface 96B, a right outer flat surface 96C, a left outer flat surface 96D, and a rear outer flat surface 96E. The front arcuate surface 96B bulges forward in an approximately arcuate shape. The right outer flat surface 96C is a flat surface that extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The front end of the right outer flat surface 96C is connected to the right end of the front arcuate surface 96B. The left outer flat surface 96D is a flat surface that extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The right end of the left outer flat surface 96D is connected to the left end of the front arcuate surface 96B. The rear outer flat surface 96E is a flat surface that extends in the up-down and left-to-right directions. The right end of the rear outer flat surface 96E is connected to the rear end of the right outer flat surface 96C. The left end of the rear outer planar surface 96E is connected to the rear end of the left outer planar surface 96D.

[0117] The thickness of the corner formed by the left outer flat surface 96D and the rear outer flat surface 96E of the bottle pipe body 96 is greater than the thickness between the front arc surface 96B and the flow path 96A. The thickness of the corner formed by the right outer flat surface 96C and the rear outer flat surface 96E of the bottle pipe body 96 is greater than the thickness between the front arc surface 96B and the flow path 96A.

[0118] [Connecting the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100] The user first determines the orientation in which the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 can be inserted into the leftmost through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. At this time, the outer curved surface 94A and the rear outer flat surface 94D of the protrusion 94 are positioned to sandwich the opening 95 and the bottle tube body 96 in the front-to-rear direction, so the user can easily determine the orientation in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0119] Next, the user inserts the protrusion 94 into the leftmost through-hole 72. At this time, the key member 99 is inserted into the key groove 74 of the through-hole 72. At this time, if the user mistakenly attempts to insert the protrusion 94 into the second-from-the-left through-hole 72, for example, the key member 99 will not enter the key groove 74, preventing the liquid bottle 80 from being connected in the wrong position. At the same time that the key member 99 is inserted into the key groove 74, the bottle tube 96 is inserted into the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100, and the tank tube 115 is inserted into the opening 95 of the liquid bottle 80. At this time, the valve element 161A is pressed diagonally upward and forward by the tank tube 115, moving from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 161C. This connects the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100. In this state, the bottle tube 96 is positioned below the tank tube 115. The air flow path G is located above the ink flow path F and the tip of the tank pipe body 115. An outer curved surface 94A on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is supported by an inner curved surface 72A on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72.

[0120] When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the ink stored in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the ink chamber 111 through the ink flow path F and the internal space of the bottle pipe 96. Furthermore, as the ink flows, air enters the ink chamber 111 from the atmosphere communication port 112 and flows into the liquid bottle 80 through the tank pipe 115. The air that has flowed into the liquid bottle 80 moves upward within the liquid bottle 80 through the air flow path G, which is located above the tip of the tank pipe 115. In this way, so-called gas-liquid substitution occurs, and the ink in the liquid bottle 80 is supplied to the ink chamber 111.

[0121] [Attaching the tank cap 127 to the ink tank set 51] When the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank set 51, the tank cap 127 is attached to the ink tank set 51. The user holds the knob portion 133 of the tank cap 127 and holds the tank cap 127 in a position where the flat portion 132 can be inserted into the slit 73 of the tank cover 110.

[0122] The flat plate portion 132 is inserted into the slit 73 of the tank cover 110 , and the rubber 129 of the tank cap 127 is inserted into the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100 through the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110 .

[0123] 12, by inserting the flat plate portion 132 of the tank cap 127 into the slit 73 of the tank cover 110, the tank cap 127 is placed in an attached position in which the longitudinal direction of the opening 138 of the rubber 129 is aligned with the front-rear direction and intersects with the horizontal direction. In the attached position, the flanges 140 are located to the left and right of the opening 138, but are not located above or below the opening 138.

[0124] 13 , in the attached position, the tank pipe 115 is inserted into the tubular portion 130 of the tank cap 127 through the opening 138 of the rubber 129. There is a gap between the inner circumferential surface 137 of the tubular portion 130 of the tank cap 127 and the tank pipe 115. This makes it difficult for ink adhering to the tank pipe 115 when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to move to the inner circumferential surface 137 of the tubular portion 130.

[0125] However, when the ink droplets adhering to the outer surface of the tank pipe 115 are large, they may fall from the tank pipe 115 and adhere to the inner circumferential surface 137 of the tubular portion 130. The ink droplets adhering to the inner circumferential surface 137 of the tubular portion 130 move downward along the inner circumferential surface 137 due to gravity. Because the flange 140 is not located below the opening 138, the ink droplets adhering to the inner circumferential surface 137 are likely to move through the opening 138 to the inside of the annular wall 122. The ink droplets that have moved to the inside of the annular wall 122 flow into the ink chamber 111 through the communication port 119. If the flange 140 were located below the opening 138, the ink droplets would be blocked by the flange 140, making it difficult for the ink droplets to move through the opening 138 to the inside of the annular wall 122.

[0126] In the process of reaching the mounted position, the protrusions 139 of the rubber 129 slide against the inner surface 123 of the annular wall 122. The abutment portion 136 abuts against the end face of the opening of the tubular portion 130, so the position of the rubber 129 does not shift relative to the tubular portion 130. The liquid-tight abutment of the protrusions 139 of the rubber 129 against the inner surface 123 of the annular wall 122 prevents ink stored in the ink chamber 111 from leaking out of the ink tank 100 through the tank pipe body 115 and the communication port 119.

[0127] [Operation and Effect of the Embodiment] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 72 in the tank cover 110, and is not rotationally symmetrical about the center C1 of the protrusion 94. As a result, the protrusion 94 can only be inserted into the through-hole 72 in one orientation. This allows the user to easily connect the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100, regardless of the positions of the opening 95 and bottle pipe 96 in the liquid bottle 80 and the positions of the tank pipe 115 and communication port 119 in the ink tank 100. This allows for great freedom in the design of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100.

[0128] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape including an outer curved surface 94A that bulges forward and a rear outer flat surface 94D that sandwiches the opening 95 and the bottle tube body 96 in the front-to-rear direction between the outer curved surface 94A and the protrusion 94. This makes it easy for the user to grasp the orientation in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0129] Since the outer curved surface 94A and the rear outer flat surface 94D on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 are emphasized by the recess 98, the user can more easily grasp the orientation in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0130] The liquid bottle 80 has a key member 99 that extends rearward from a rear outer flat surface 94D on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the orientation in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0131] When the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, the valve 161 prevents ink from leaking from the inside of the liquid bottle 80 to the outside through the bottle pipe 96 and the opening 95.

[0132] The user can move the valve 161 from the closed position to the open position by inserting the tank tube 115 into the opening 95 of the liquid bottle 80. This allows the user to quickly connect the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100.

[0133] The tank pipe 115 is inserted into the opening 95, and the bottle pipe 96 is inserted into the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100. As a result, ink in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 through the connected bottle pipe 96 and communication port 119. Meanwhile, air in the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 flows into the liquid bottle 80 through the connected tank pipe 115 and opening 95. In this way, the bottle pipe 96 and the tank pipe 115 separate the flow path through which ink flows from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 and the flow path through which air flows from the ink tank 100 to the liquid bottle 80. As a result, air-liquid exchange, in which ink and air move back and forth between the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100, is carried out smoothly, and ink in the liquid bottle 80 is quickly supplied to the ink tank 100.

[0134] In the connected position where the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the bottle pipe 96 is located lower than the tank pipe 115, so ink, which has a higher specific gravity than air, moves through the bottle pipe 96. On the other hand, air, which has a lower specific gravity than ink, moves through the tank pipe 115, which is located above the bottle pipe 96. This more reliably separates the flow path through which ink flows from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 from the flow path through which air flows from the ink tank 100 to the liquid bottle 80.

[0135] The area S1 of the air flow path G is larger than the area S2 of the ink flow path F. Furthermore, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the air flow path G is located above the ink flow path F. For this reason, air that flows into the liquid bottle 80 from the ink tank 100 through the tank pipe 115 is lighter than ink and therefore passes through the air flow path G. On the other hand, the ink in the liquid bottle 80 is heavier than air and therefore passes through the ink flow path F, which is located below the air flow path G. In this way, the air flow path and the ink flow path within the liquid bottle 80 are separated, allowing for smooth air-liquid exchange between the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100, where ink and air move back and forth.

[0136] When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the tank pipe 115 is inserted into the opening 95 located rearward of the center C1 of the protrusion 94, so the tip of the tank pipe 115 presses against a position offset from the center of the valve disc 161A. This could cause the valve disc 161A to tilt. In the multifunction device 10, the tip of the tank pipe 115 has a bifurcated shape that branches left and right. Therefore, even if the tip of the tank pipe 115 presses against a position offset from the center of the valve disc 161A, a moment of force is unlikely to act on the valve disc 161A. This prevents the valve disc 161A from tilting. When the tip of the tank pipe 115 abuts against the valve disc 161A, a gap through which air can move is secured at the tip of the tank pipe 115, allowing air within the ink tank 100 to move smoothly through the tank pipe 115 into the liquid bottle 80.

[0137] The bottle pipe 96 has a polygonal outer shape. The opening 95 is circular. Therefore, the difference between the outer shape of the bottle pipe 96 and the shape of the opening 95 is clear, so the user can easily understand that there is a direction in which the protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0138] In the connected position where the protrusion 94 is inserted into the through-hole 72, the outer curved surface 94A on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 is supported by the inner curved surface 72A on the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72. This makes it easy to maintain the connected position of the liquid bottle 80.

[0139] When the liquid bottle 80 is removed from the ink tank set 51, there is a possibility that ink may drip from the opening at the tip of the bottle pipe 96. In the multifunction device 10, the ink that drips from the tip of the bottle pipe 96 flows diagonally downward and forward along the inclined surface 104A, and is then blocked by the dam wall 109. Even if the ink that is blocked by the dam wall 109 accumulates on the dam wall 109, it flows in the left-right direction along the dam wall 109. This prevents the front surface of the ink tank 100 from being soiled with ink.

[0140] In the multifunction device 10, for example, if the design of the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 is changed, it is only necessary to change the design of the tank cover 110, which has a through hole 72 into which the protrusion 94 can be inserted, so design changes are easier than changing the design of the entire ink tank set 51.

[0141] The four through-holes 72 in the tank cover 110 have different key grooves 74 in different positions and shapes relative to the rear inner flat surface 72D. The key member 99 on the projection 94 of the liquid bottle 80 can only be inserted into the key groove 74 in the leftmost through-hole 72. This prevents the user from inserting the projection 94 of the liquid bottle 80 into a through-hole 72 that corresponds to an ink chamber 111 that stores a color of ink different from the color stored in the liquid bottle 80.

[0142] When the tank cap 127 is attached to the annular wall, the protrusion 139 of the tank cap 127 abuts liquid-tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the annular wall 122. This prevents ink from the ink chamber 111 from leaking to the outside through a gap between the outer surface of the rubber 129 and the inner circumferential surface of the annular wall 122. This also prevents foreign matter from entering the ink chamber 111 through a gap between the outer surface of the rubber 129 and the inner circumferential surface of the annular wall 122. The tank cap 127 has a cylindrical portion 130 inserted into the through-hole 72 and a semicircular knob portion 133 protruding upward from the outer surface of the flat portion 132, making it easy for the user to determine the orientation in which the tank cap 127 can be inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0143] The weight of the knob 133 is heavier than the combined weight of the main body 128 and the rubber 129. Therefore, when one of the pair of protrusions 131 is brought into contact with the floor, the knob 133 also comes into contact with the floor, and the rubber 129 side of the tank cap 127, rather than the protrusions 131, is raised above the floor. Therefore, when the tank cap 127 is placed on the floor, ink is prevented from adhering to the floor.

[0144] When the bottle tube 96 is removed from the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100, even if ink drips downward from the opening at the tip of the bottle tube 96 along the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94, the ink is retained in the annular ink retention space 121 defined by the inner circumferential surface of the annular rib 91, the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94, and the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. Therefore, even if ink drips from the opening at the tip of the bottle tube 96, the liquid bottle 80 is prevented from being soiled by the ink.

[0145] The position and shape of the key member 99 relative to the rear outer flat surface 94D of each of the four liquid bottles 80, each storing black, yellow, cyan, or magenta ink, are different. This prevents the user from inserting the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 into the through-hole 72 corresponding to the ink chamber 111 storing a color different from the color of ink stored in the liquid bottle 80.

[0146] [Modifications] In the above-described embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a rectangular shape with one front side bulging forward in an arc shape. However, the shape may be any shape as long as it is not rotationally symmetrical about the center C1 of the protrusion 94. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the outer curved surface 94A may be composed of three flat surfaces. Also, as shown in FIG. 20 , the left outer flat surface 94B may be a curved surface bulging leftward, the right outer flat surface 94C may be a curved surface bulging rightward, and the rear outer flat surface 94D may be a curved surface bulging rearward. In this case, the left outer flat surface 94B is a curved surface whose rear end is located to the left of the front end. The right outer flat surface 94C is a curved surface whose rear end is located to the right of the front end. The shape may also be a polygon with sides of different lengths. 21 , the outer curved surface 94A may be composed of two planes, and the lengths of the line segments of the two planes of the outer curved surface 94A, the left outer plane 94B, the right outer plane 94C, and the rear outer plane 94D, may be different. Similarly, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 72 of the ink tank set 51 does not have to be rotationally symmetrical about the center of the through hole 72, and it only has to have a shape that fits the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 that is inserted into the through hole 72.

[0147] In the above-described embodiment, the outer curved surface 94A and the rear outer plane 94D on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 were positioned to sandwich the bottle tube body 96 and the opening 95 in the front-to-back direction, but they may also be positioned to sandwich the bottle tube body 96 and the opening 95 in the left-to-right direction, for example.

[0148] In the embodiment described above, the recess 98 is defined by the upper surface of the upper wall 97 of the protrusion 94 and the inner circumferential surface of the protrusion 94, but this may be omitted. In this case, the upper wall 97 of the protrusion 94 may be located at the upper end of the protrusion 94.

[0149] In the embodiment described above, the key member 99 is located on the rear outer flat surface 94D of the projection 94, but it may be located on the right outer flat surface 94C of the projection 94, for example. In this case, the key groove 74 into which the key member 99 can be inserted is located on the right inner flat surface 72C of the through-hole 72. Also, the key member 99 may be omitted.

[0150] In the embodiment described above, the valve 161 is provided to close the opening of the bottle pipe 96 on the side of the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 and the opening 95, but the valve 161 may be omitted.

[0151] In the embodiment described above, the valve 161 moves from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by the tip of the tank pipe 115 inserted into the opening 95. However, for example, the valve 161 may be moved from the closed position to the open position by a user's operation after the tank pipe 115 is inserted into the opening 95. In this case, the tip of the tank pipe 115 does not have to be inserted into the opening 95.

[0152] In the embodiment described above, the bottle pipe 96 and the communication port 119 are connected by being inserted into the communication port 119, but as long as the ink in the liquid bottle 80 can flow into the ink chamber 111 through the bottle pipe 96 and the communication port 119, it does not have to be inserted into the communication port 119. For example, the tip of the bottle pipe 96 may be located near the communication port 119.

[0153] In the embodiment described above, the liquid bottle 80 has the bottle pipe 96 and the opening 95 as a connection port, and the ink tank 100 has the tank pipe 115 and the communication port 119 as a connection port. However, this is not limiting as long as ink can be supplied from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100. For example, the bottle pipe 96 and the tank pipe 115 may be omitted. In this case, when the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 is inserted into the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110 and the user moves the valve 161 from the closed position to the open position, ink in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the ink chamber 111 through the opening 95 and the communication port 119. Also, for example, the tank pipe 115 and the opening 95 may be omitted. In this case, the valve 161 is omitted. When the bottle pipe 96 is inserted into the communication port 119, ink in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the ink chamber 111 through the bottle pipe 96. In this case, it is preferable that the bottle pipe 96 has two flow paths, one for ink flow and one for air flow. Alternatively, for example, the bottle pipe 96 and the communication port 119 may be omitted. In this case, inserting the tank pipe 115 into the opening 95 moves the valve 161 from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the ink in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the ink chamber 111 through the tank pipe 115. In this case, it is preferable that the tank pipe 115 has two flow paths, one for ink flow and one for air flow.

[0154] In the embodiment described above, the tank pipe 115 protrudes obliquely upward and forward from the upper surface of the top wall 104 of the ink tank 100, but it may also protrude upward from the upper surface of the top wall 104, for example. In this case, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the tank pipe 115 and the bottle pipe 96 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The air flow path G and the ink flow path F are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0155] In the above-described embodiment, the area of ​​the air flow path G is larger than the area of ​​the ink flow path F, but it may be equal to the area of ​​the ink flow path F, for example.

[0156] In the embodiment described above, the tip of the tank pipe 115 has a bifurcated shape that branches off in the left and right directions, but the shape is not limited to this as long as it can press the valve 161. For example, the tip of the tank pipe 115 may have a shape that opens the internal space of the tank pipe 115 only upward, or may be cylindrical.

[0157] In the embodiment described above, the bottle tube 96 has a polygonal outer shape and the opening 95 is circular, but for example, both the outer shape of the bottle tube 96 and the opening 95 may be circular or polygonal.

[0158] In the embodiment described above, the inner surface of the through-hole 72 is cylindrical and extends obliquely upward toward the front, but it may also be cylindrical and extend upward. In this case, the inner curved surface 72A is located at the front of the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72.

[0159] In the embodiment described above, the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100 has an inclined surface 104A that is inclined relative to the front-to-rear direction so as to extend downward toward the front, but the inclined surface 104A may, for example, face upward.

[0160] In the embodiment described above, the dam wall 109 is provided to protrude obliquely upward and forward from the inclined surface 104A, but the shape of the dam wall 109 is not limited as long as it can block the ink flowing along the inclined surface 104A. In addition, the dam wall 109 may be omitted.

[0161] In the embodiment described above, the ink tank set 51 has a tank cover 110 that holds the ink tank 100 while covering the front side of the ink tank 100 from the front, but it is not necessary to have a tank cover 110. In this case, the four through holes 72 are formed in the ink tank 100 so as to correspond to the four ink chambers 111, respectively. Specifically, cylindrical holes are provided in the upper surface of the top wall 104 of the ink tank 100, extending obliquely upward and forward from the front end portion thereof, so as to surround the periphery of each annular wall 122.

[0162] In the embodiment described above, the position of the key groove 74 relative to the inner curved surface 72A differs for each through hole 72, but it may be the same for each through hole 72. Also, the key groove 74 may be omitted. When the key groove 74 is omitted, the key member 99 is omitted.

[0163] In the embodiment described above, the knob portion 133 of the tank cap 127 has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction when the tank cap 127 is attached to the annular wall 122. However, the knob portion 133 may have a shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. Also, the tank cap 127 may be omitted.

[0164] In the above-described embodiment, the weight of the grip portion 133 is heavier than the total weight of the main body 128 and the rubber 129 , but it may be equal to or less than the total weight of the main body 128 and the rubber 129 .

[0165] In the above-described embodiment, the annular rib 91 is provided to protrude upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall 92, but the annular rib 91 may be omitted.

[0166] In the embodiment described above, the position of the key member 99 relative to the rear outer flat surface 94D differs for each liquid bottle 80 that stores black, yellow, cyan, or magenta ink, but it may be the same for each liquid bottle 80. Also, the key member 99 may be omitted. If the key member 99 is omitted, the key groove 74 may be omitted.

[0167] In the embodiment described above, the ink tank 100 having four ink chambers 111 for storing inks of different colors is constructed by integral molding, but it may also be constructed by separately molding a tank having an ink chamber 111 for storing black ink, a tank having an ink chamber 111 for storing yellow ink, a tank having an ink chamber 111 for storing cyan ink, and a tank having an ink chamber 111 for storing magenta ink.

[0168] In the embodiment described above, the protrusion 139 of the rubber 129 of the tank cap 127 abuts the inner surface 123 of the annular wall 122 in a liquid-tight manner, but the protrusion 139 may also abut the end face of the annular wall 122 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0169] As shown in Figure 22, the rubber 129 of the tank cap 127 has protrusions 141 and 142 that protrude annularly from the outer circumferential surface. The protrusions 141 and 142 are positioned such that the protrusion 141 is higher than the protrusion 142. In other words, the protrusions 141 and 142 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The outer diameter of the protrusion 141 is larger than the outer shape of the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The outer diameter of the protrusion 142 is larger than the outer diameter of the end face 143 of the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100.

[0170] When the rubber 129 of the tank cap 127 is inserted into the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100 through the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110, the protrusion 142 of the rubber 129 passes through the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110 and abuts against an end surface 143 of the annular wall 122. The protrusion 141 of the rubber 129 passes through the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110 and abuts against a back surface 144 of the tank cover 110. As the protrusion 141 abuts against the back surface of the tank cover 110, the protrusion 142 is pressed against the end surface 143 of the annular wall 122. As a result, the protrusion 142 abuts against the end surface 143 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0171] Even if a force is applied to the rubber 129 when the convex parts 141, 142 of the rubber 129 pass through the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110, the contact part 136 of the rubber 129 contacts the end face of the opening of the tubular part 130, so the rubber 129 does not shift position relative to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular part 130.

[0172] In the embodiment described above, the flange 140 extends from both the left and right ends of the abutment portion 136, but the flange 140 may be located at only one of the left and right ends of the abutment portion 136.

[0173] In the embodiment described above, the external shapes of the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100 and the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110 are circular on the front side and rectangular on the rear side, but the external shapes are not limited to this. For example, the external shapes of the communication port 119 or the through-hole 72 may be circular or rectangular.

[0174] Furthermore, the tank pipe 115 and the communication port 119 are located inside the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100, but only the tank pipe 115 may be located, or only the communication port 119 may be located. Also, two tank pipes 115 may be located, or two communication ports 119 may be located. Also, the tank pipe 115 may be aligned in the vertical direction rather than facing diagonally upward. The communication port 119 may also face upward. Also, the annular wall 122 may not be facing diagonally upward, but may face upward.

[0175] Also, the key groove 74 of the tank cover 110 may be omitted. Also, the tank cap 127 may be connected to the ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110. That is, the ink tank set 51 may have a holding member formed of an arm or the like that holds the tank cap 127, which has been removed from the annular wall 122, in a state where it is connected to the ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110. Also, the knob portion 133 of the tank cap 127 may be omitted or may have a different shape.

[0176] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51: Ink tank set 72: Through hole (hole portion) 72A: Inner curved surface (second curved surface) 72D: Rear inner flat surface (second flat surface) 74: Key groove 80: Liquid bottle 91: Annular rib (third rib) 92: Bottom wall 94: Protrusion 94A: Outer curved surface (first curved surface) 94D: Rear outer flat surface (first flat surface) 95: Opening (second communication port) 96: Bottle tube body (second nozzle) 98: Recess 99: Key member (first rib) 100: Ink tank (tank) 109: Weir wall (second rib) 110: Tank cover 104A: Inclined surface 111: Ink chamber (storage chamber) 115: Tank tube body (first nozzle) 119: Communication port (first communication port) 122: Annular wall (cylindrical wall) 127: Tank cap (cap) 133: Knob (gripping portion) 161: Valve F: Ink flow path (first flow path) G: Air flow path (second flow path)

Claims

1. A system comprising: a liquid bottle having a connection port and capable of storing recording liquid; a tank having a connected port connectable to the connection port and for storing liquid supplied from the liquid bottle through the connection port; and a cylindrical hole surrounding the connected port, wherein the liquid bottle has a protrusion having the connection port and capable of being inserted into the hole, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion having a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and the system is not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion.

2. The system described in claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a shape having a first curved surface that bulges outward and a first flat surface that is positioned to sandwich the connection port between the first curved surface and the first flat surface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a recess that recesses from one end in the direction in which the protrusion extends to the other end opposite the one end, and the inner peripheral surface of the recess is parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said liquid bottle has a first rib extending from said first plane in a direction perpendicular to said first plane.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said liquid bottle has a valve located inside said liquid bottle and movable to a closed position for closing said connection port and an open position away from said closed position.

6. The system described in claim 5, wherein the connection port protrudes from the outer surface of the tank and has a first nozzle that communicates between the inside and outside of the tank, and the valve moves from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by the first nozzle connected to the connection port.

7. The system described in claim 6, wherein the connected port has a first communication port connecting the inside and outside of the tank, the connection port protrudes from the outer surface of the protrusion and has a second nozzle connecting the inside and outside of the liquid bottle and a second communication port connecting the inside and outside of the liquid bottle, the first nozzle is connected to the second communication port in a connection position in which the protrusion is inserted into the internal space of the hole, and the second nozzle is connected to the first communication port in the connection position, and the valve closes the second nozzle and the second communication port, and moves from the closed position to the open position when pressed by the first nozzle connected to the second communication port.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first nozzle protrudes obliquely upward and forward from the outer surface of the tank, and the second nozzle is positioned lower than the first nozzle in the connected position.

9. The system described in claim 8, wherein the valve in the open position defines a first flow path and a second flow path through which fluid can flow between the valve and the inner surface of the liquid bottle, and the second flow path is located above the first flow path in the connected position and has an area larger than that of the first flow path.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the tip of the first nozzle is bifurcated in a left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said second nozzle has a polygonal outer shape and said second communication port is circular.

12. The system described in claim 8, wherein the hole extends obliquely upward toward the front, the inner peripheral surface of the hole has a second curved surface that matches the first curved surface and a second plane that matches the first plane, and the second curved surface is located at a lower portion of the hole.

13. The system described in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the tank has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction so as to extend downward as it extends forward, the first communication port is located on the inclined surface, and the tank is located forward of the first communication port on the inclined surface and has a second rib that protrudes upward from the inclined surface and extends in a left-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear and up-down directions.

14. The system described in claim 4, wherein the tank has a plurality of storage chambers capable of storing liquid, the holes are provided corresponding to each of the storage chambers, a key groove into which the first rib can be inserted is located on the inner circumferential surface of each of the holes, and the position of the key groove relative to the inner circumferential surface differs for each of the holes.

15. The system described in claim 8, further comprising a cap that can be attached to a cylindrical wall that surrounds the first communication port and the first nozzle and protrudes from the outer surface of the tank, the cap having a cylindrical cap body that can be inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical wall and covers the upper part of the first communication port and the first nozzle, and a semicircular disk-shaped gripping portion that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the cap body inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical wall, the outer surface of the cap body having a shape that liquid-tightly abuts against the inner surface of the cylindrical wall.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the weight of the gripping portion is greater than the weight of the cap body.

17. A liquid bottle having a connection port connectable to a connection port of a tank, for storing recording liquid to be supplied to the tank through the connection port, the liquid bottle having a protrusion having the connection port and capable of being inserted into a cylindrical hole surrounding the connection port of the tank, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion having a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and the liquid bottle being not rotationally symmetrical about the center of the protrusion.

18. A liquid bottle as claimed in claim 17, comprising: an annular bottom wall in which said projection is located; and a third rib located on said bottom wall spaced outwardly from said projection and projecting from said bottom wall to surround said outer circumferential surface of said projection.

19. A liquid bottle as described in claim 17 or 18, wherein a plurality of the liquid bottles are provided, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a shape having a first curved surface that bulges outward and a first plane that is continuous with the first curved surface, the protrusion has a first rib extending from the first plane in a direction perpendicular to the first plane, and the position of the first rib relative to the first plane differs for each of the liquid bottles.

Images