Liquid container

Abstract

Provided is a liquid bottle that quickly supplies ink to an ink tank. A liquid bottle 80 stores ink and is connected to an ink tank 100 to supply ink to the ink tank 100. The liquid bottle 80 includes: a communication port 137 which communicates between the inside and the outside of the liquid bottle 80 and is connected to the ink tank 100; and an air intake port 175 which communicates between the inside and the outside of the liquid bottle 80 and is not connected to the ink tank 100.

Description

liquid container

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container for storing a liquid.

[0002] A known example of a liquid container for storing liquid is the bottle described in Patent Document 1. The bottle in Patent Document 1 has a nozzle that is inserted into an insertion opening of a liquid tank. The nozzle has three flow paths: a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path that extend in the direction in which the nozzle protrudes. Each of the three flow paths connects the inside and outside of the bottle. In the bottle described in Patent Document 1, when the nozzle is inserted into the insertion opening of the liquid tank, the liquid in the bottle flows into the liquid tank through the first flow path. At the same time, air in the tank flows into the bottle through the second and third flow paths. In this way, liquid is supplied from the bottle to the liquid tank while gas-liquid exchange is occurring.

[0003] JP 2024-057490 A

[0004] In the bottle described above, when liquid is supplied from the bottle to the liquid tank, air in the liquid tank flows into the bottle through the long, narrow flow path of the nozzle, making it difficult for the air to move smoothly into the liquid tank, which can easily hinder smooth refilling of the liquid from the bottle to the liquid tank.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a liquid container that allows liquid to be quickly replenished into a tank.

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container. The liquid container stores a recording liquid and is connected to a tank to supply the liquid to the tank. The liquid container includes a first opening that connects the interior and exterior of the liquid container and is connected to the tank, and a second opening that connects the interior and exterior of the liquid container and is not connected to the tank.

[0007] When the liquid container is connected to the tank, liquid flows out from the inside of the liquid container into the tank through the first opening, and air flows into the liquid container from the outside of the liquid container through the second opening. Therefore, when the liquid container is connected to the tank, air flows into the liquid container more easily than when air flows into the liquid container through an elongated flow path such as a nozzle, and liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the tank more quickly.

[0008] The direction in which the second opening faces may have a component in the direction in which the first opening faces.

[0009] When the liquid container is connected to the tank, even if liquid inside the liquid container leaks to the outside through the second opening, the liquid will easily drip down the outer surface of the liquid container and flow into the tank.

[0010] The direction in which the second opening faces may not have a component in the direction in which the first opening faces.

[0011] When the liquid container is connected to the tank, the liquid in the liquid container is less likely to leak to the outside through the second opening.

[0012] The second opening may be located at a higher position than the first opening when the liquid container is connected to the tank.

[0013] When the liquid container is connected to the tank, the difference in head between the first opening and the second opening is increased, so that liquid can be supplied from the liquid container to the tank more quickly.

[0014] The liquid container may further include a valve that closes the first opening.

[0015] When the liquid container is not connected to the tank, the liquid in the liquid container is prevented from leaking to the outside through the first opening.

[0016] The liquid container may further include a third opening communicating the interior and exterior of the liquid container with the tank, and the valve may be moved from a closed position that closes the first opening to an open position that opens the first opening by being pressed by a pressing portion of the tank inserted into the third opening when the liquid container is connected to the tank.

[0017] Since the valve moves from the closed position to the open position when the liquid container is connected to the tank, the user does not need to open or close the valve, which simplifies the liquid refilling process.

[0018] The valve in the closed position may block the first opening and the third opening, and the valve in the open position may open the first opening and the third opening.

[0019] When the liquid container is not connected to the tank, the liquid in the liquid container is prevented from leaking to the outside through the third opening.

[0020] The liquid container may further include a nozzle extending from the first opening and defining a flow path that connects the inside and outside of the liquid container.

[0021] The liquid in the liquid container is easily guided into the tank through the nozzle, and therefore easily flows into the tank.

[0022] The liquid container may include a container body that stores recording liquid, and a first cap that is attached to the container body and has the first opening.

[0023] The first cap may have the second opening.

[0024] Compared to when the second opening is located on the container body, the liquid in the liquid container is less likely to leak to the outside through the second opening.

[0025] The liquid container may further include a second cap attached to the first cap and covering the first opening from the outside.

[0026] Even if the liquid in the liquid container leaks to the outside through the first opening, the liquid is unlikely to be exposed to the outside.

[0027] The first cap may have the second opening, and the second cap may cover the second opening from the outside.

[0028] Even if the liquid in the liquid container leaks to the outside through the second opening, the liquid is unlikely to be exposed to the outside.

[0029] The first cap may have an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of a liquid consuming apparatus that has the tank.

[0030] Since the connected attitude of the liquid container in connection with the tank is easily maintained, liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the tank in a stable state.

[0031] The second opening may be closed by a tape that is peelable from the outer surface of the liquid container.

[0032] When the liquid container is not connected to the tank, the liquid in the liquid container is prevented from leaking to the outside through the second opening. Meanwhile, the user can quickly supply liquid from the liquid container to the tank by peeling the tape off the outer surface of the liquid container.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, the tank can be quickly replenished with liquid.

[0034] 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 perspective view of the liquid bottle 80. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid bottle 80. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the valve 133 is in the closed position. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the valve 133 is in the open position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state where the nozzle cap 301 is attached to the bottle cap 82. FIG. 11 is a view showing the state where the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a liquid bottle 80 of a modified example. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the liquid bottle 80 of a modified example. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the liquid bottle 80 of a modified example. FIG. 15 is a view showing the state where the air intake port 175 of the modified example is covered from the outside by the nozzle cap 301. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a modified liquid bottle 80 connected to an ink tank 100. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a modified liquid bottle 80 connected to an ink tank 100. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a modified liquid bottle 80 connected to an ink tank 100. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a modified liquid bottle 80 connected to an ink tank 100.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example 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, the up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the multifunction device 10 is installed so that it can be used (the state shown in FIG. 1 ), the front-rear direction is defined with the side where the opening 13 is provided as the near side (front), and the left-right direction is defined when viewing the multifunction device 10 from the near side (front). The front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction are perpendicular to one another.

[0036] [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 FIGS. 1 and 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. The multifunction device 10 is an example of a liquid consuming device.

[0037] [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.

[0038] [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.

[0039] [Transport Path 65] As shown in FIG. 2 , the transport path 65 refers to a space defined by, for example, the outer guide member 18 and the 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, passes through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42, and reaches the discharge tray 21. As shown in FIG. 3 , the transport path 65 between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 (see FIG. 2 ) 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 .

[0040] [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.

[0041] [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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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. Ink is an example of a recording liquid. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] [Ink Tank Set 51] As shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank set 51 includes an ink tank 100, a tank cover 110, and a tank cap 127 (see FIG. 1). 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 in the casing 8. A cover 70 is provided for the opening. The cover 70 is rotatable around a rotation axis extending left-right at its lower end in the up-down direction. The cover 70 rotates between a covering position (see FIG. 1) that covers the opening and an exposing position that exposes the opening to the outside of the multifunction device 10.

[0048] [Ink Tank 100] The ink tank 100 has four ink chambers 111 inside. The four ink chambers 111 are lined up 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 that extend in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. Each ink chamber 111 stores one of the different color inks: black, yellow, cyan, or magenta. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank.

[0049] 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. The ink tank 100 has four atmosphere communication ports 112, four outflow pipes 124, four tank pipes 115, four communication ports 119, and four cylindrical annular walls 122 that surround each tank pipe 115 and each communication port 119.

[0050] 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 four air vent ports 112 that connect each ink chamber 111 to the outside. The four air vent ports 112 are aligned at equal intervals in the left-to-right direction. Each air vent port 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 is inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction so as to extend downward as it extends forward. The inclined surface 104A is located from the left end to the right end of the ink tank 100. A dam wall 109 is located at the front end of the inclined surface 104A. The dam 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 .

[0051] Four outlet pipes 124 are located on the upper wall 104. The four outlet pipes 124 are aligned at equal intervals in the left-right direction. Each outlet pipe 124 is a circular pipe extending downward from the upper wall 104 toward each ink chamber 111. The lower end of each outlet pipe 124 is located near the lower wall 105. The opening of the upper end of each outlet pipe 124 is located in the upper wall 104. An ink tube 32 is connected to the upper end of each outlet pipe 124. Ink from each ink chamber 111 flows to the recording head 39 through each outlet pipe 124 and each ink tube 32. When ink is consumed in each ink chamber 111 by ejecting ink from the recording head 39, air flows into each ink chamber 111 through each atmosphere communication port 112.

[0052] Four annular walls 122 are located at the front end of the upper wall 104. The four annular walls 122 are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction. Each annular wall 122 has a cylindrical shape that extends obliquely upward and forward from the front end of the upper wall 104 in an extension direction that intersects the up-down and horizontal directions.

[0053] A tank pipe 115 is located inside each annular wall 122. Each tank pipe 115 is a circular pipe extending obliquely upward and forward from the upper surface of the upper wall 104 in parallel with each annular wall 122 along the extension direction. The tip of each tank pipe 115 protrudes obliquely upward and forward beyond the tip of each annular wall 122. The tip of each tank pipe 115 has a tip opening 116 that opens to the outside of each ink chamber 111. The lower end of each tank pipe 115 opens to each ink chamber 111. The inner surface of each tank pipe 115 defines a gas flow path G1 through which air flows (see FIG. 11 ). Each gas flow path G1 connects the outside and inside of each ink chamber 111. Each tank pipe 115 is located rearward of the center of each annular wall 122. That is, a line passing through the center of the tank pipe 115 in the extension direction is located behind a line passing through the center of the annular wall 122 in the extension direction. The tip of each tank pipe 115 has a bifurcated shape that branches in the left and right directions. Each tank pipe 115 is an example of a pressing portion.

[0054] A communication port 119 is located inside each annular wall 122 on the inclined surface 104A. Each communication port 119 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the up-down direction. Each communication port 119 has a circular front side and a rectangular rear side. In other words, each communication port 119 has a rectangular shape with one front side bulging in an arc. Each communication port 119 connects the outside and inside of each ink chamber 111. Each communication port 119 is located forward of each tank pipe body 115. In other words, a line extending in the extension direction through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extension direction is located forward of a line extending in the extension direction through the center of the tank pipe body 115 when viewed from the extension direction. Each communication port 119 is located forward of the center of each annular wall 122. That is, a line extending in the extension direction that passes through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extension direction is located forward of a line extending in the extension direction that passes through the center of the annular wall 122 when viewed from the extension direction. The communication port 119 is an example of a supply port.

[0055] As shown in Figure 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 visible through the opening 207.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The inclined wall 206 connects the upper end of the front wall 201 and the front end of the top wall 202. The inclined wall 206 is located above the four annular walls 122 of the ink tank 100. The inclined wall 206 is located in front of the four annular walls 122 of the ink tank 100. In other words, the inclined wall 206 is located in a direction relative to the four annular walls 122 that extends in the direction in which the annular walls 122 extend from the front end of the top wall 104. 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.

[0058] 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 along the extension direction. The inner circumferential surface of each through hole 72 surrounds a corresponding annular wall 122 when viewed from the extension direction. Each of the four through holes 72 is positioned to correspond to one of the four ink chambers 111. That is, each through hole 72 overlaps a corresponding ink chamber 111 when viewed from the extension direction. Each annular wall 122 and each communication port 119 are visible through each through hole 72. Each tank pipe 115 protrudes above the outer surface of the inclined wall 206 through each through hole 72. The leftmost through hole 72 has an oval shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction when viewed from above. In other words, the front and rear sides are circular and bulge outward, while the left and right sides are linear and extend in the front-rear direction. The through holes 72 other than the leftmost through hole 72 have a circular front side and a rectangular rear side. In other words, the through holes 72 other than the leftmost through hole 72 have a rectangular shape with one front side bulging out in an arc shape.

[0059] A key groove 74 is located at the rear end of each through hole 72. Each key groove 74 extends rearward from the rear end of each through hole 72, communicating with the corresponding through hole 72 through a space.

[0060] [Tank Cap 127] The tank cap 127 is a cylindrical member with one end closed. The tank cap 127 is detachable from each annular wall 122. FIG. 4 shows the tank cap 127 detached from the annular wall 122. The tank cap 127 is press-fitted into the tip of the annular wall 122 to close the tip opening 116 and communication port 119 of the tank pipe 115. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the ink chamber 111 through the tank pipe 115 and the communication port 119, and prevents ink from leaking from the ink chamber 111.

[0061] [Liquid Bottle 80] The liquid bottle 80 shown in Figures 6 to 8 is connected to the ink tank 100 when the user refills the ink tank 100 with ink. The liquid bottle 80 has a generally cylindrical shape. The liquid bottle 80 has a bottle body 81, a bottle cap 82, a valve 133, and a nozzle cap 301 (see Figure 7). Note that the orientation of the liquid bottle 80 is determined based on Figure 8. The liquid bottle 80 is an example of a liquid container.

[0062] [Bottle Body 81] The bottle body 81 has a bottom wall 84, a first side wall 85, a second side wall 86, and a third side wall 87. The bottom wall 84 is a generally circular wall. The first side wall 85 is a cylindrical wall extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall 84. The second side wall 86 extends upward from the upper end of the first side wall 85 while sloping in a direction that reduces the diameter of the bottle body 81. The third side wall 87 is a cylindrical wall extending upward from the upper end of the second side wall 86. The third side wall 87 has a male thread 90 on its outer circumferential surface.

[0063] The space defined by the bottom wall 84, first side wall 85, second side wall 86, and third side wall 87 is an ink storage chamber 88. Ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 88. The third side wall 87 has an opening 89 at its upper end. The ink storage chamber 88 communicates with the outside of the bottle body 81 through the opening 89. The bottle body 81 is an example of a container body.

[0064] An air intake 175 (see FIG. 6 ) opens into the second side wall 86. The air intake 175 is a through-hole that connects the ink storage chamber 88 to the outside. The air intake 175 is not connected to the ink tank 100. That is, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, there is no direct fluid flow between the air intake 175 and the ink tank 100. The air intake 175 is located on the front side of the second side wall 86. The air intake 175 is located in the center of the second side wall 86 in the up-down direction. The air intake 175 is circular. The air intake 175 opens obliquely upward and forward. The air intake 175 faces both forward and upward. The air intake 175 is closed by tape 176 attached to the outer surface of the second side wall 86. The tape 176 can be removed by the user. The air intake 175 is an example of a second opening.

[0065] [Bottle Cap 82] The bottle cap 82 is attached to the bottle body 81. The bottle cap 82 has a bottom wall 92, a fourth side wall 93, and a protrusion 94. The bottom wall 92 is a generally annular wall. The fourth side wall 93 is a generally cylindrical wall extending downward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 92. The fourth side wall 93 has a female thread (not shown) on its inner circumferential surface. The female thread is threadedly engaged with the male thread 90 of the bottle body 81. The bottle cap 82 is attached to the bottle body 81 by threading the male thread 90 with the female thread.

[0066] The protrusion 94 is a cylindrical wall that protrudes upward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall 92. The protrusion 94 has a communication opening 137 and a communication opening 140. The protrusion 94 is insertable into the leftmost 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 leftmost through-hole 72. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has an oval shape that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above. In other words, the left and right sides have a circular shape that bulges outward, and the front and rear sides have a linear shape that extends along the left-right direction. The size of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 is slightly smaller than the size of the inner peripheral surface of the leftmost through-hole 72. Note that protrusions 94 (see FIGS. 12 and 13 ) having outer peripheral surfaces with shapes different from the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 shown in FIG. 6 can be inserted into through-holes 72 other than the leftmost through-hole 72. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a front flat surface 94A, a rear flat surface 94B, a right curved surface 94C, and a left curved surface 94D.

[0067] The front flat surface 94A is located at the front end of the protrusion 94. The front flat surface 94A is a rectangular flat surface that extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The rear flat surface 94B is located at the rear end of the protrusion 94. The rear flat surface 94B is located at the rear end of the protrusion 94. The rear flat surface 94B is a rectangular flat surface that extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The right curved surface 94C is located at the right end of the protrusion 94. The right curved surface 94C is a curved surface that bulges to the right. The left curved surface 94D is located at the left end of the protrusion 94. The left curved surface 94D is a curved surface that bulges to the left. The lower end of the left curved surface 94D has a left inclined surface 98. The left inclined surface 98 is inclined with respect to the up-down direction so as to extend leftward as it extends downward. The internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 expands to become larger to the left as it extends downward (see FIG. 8).

[0068] A key member 99 extends leftward from the left curved surface 94D. The key member 99 is located at the center of the left curved surface 94D in the front-to-rear direction. The key member 99 extends from the lower end to the upper end of the left curved surface 94D. The protruding end of the key member 99 is located to the right of the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 92. The key member 99 can be inserted into the key groove 74 located at the rear end of the leftmost through-hole 72 in the tank cover 110.

[0069] The protrusion 94 has an upper end wall that separates the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 from the outside. Communication openings 137 and 140 open on the upper surface of the upper end wall of the protrusion 94. The communication openings 137 and 140 are circular. The communication opening 137 is located to the right of the center of the protrusion 94 in the left-right direction. The communication opening 137 is located above the air intake 175 in the up-down direction. The communication opening 137 faces upward. In other words, the direction in which the communication opening 137 faces has an upward component, similar to the air intake 175. A bottle tube 135 is connected to the communication opening 137. The bottle tube 135 is a circular tube that extends upward from the communication opening 137. The communication opening 137 is an example of a first opening. The upper end of the bottle tube 135 has a communication opening 138 that opens upward. The bottle pipe 135 defines an ink flow path F1 that connects the communication port 137 and the communication port 138. The diameter of the ink flow path F1 is equal to the diameter of the gas flow path G1 defined by the tank pipe 115. Note that the diameter of the ink flow path F1 does not have to be equal to the diameter of the gas flow path G1. The bottle pipe 135 is an example of a nozzle. The ink flow path F1 is an example of a flow path.

[0070] The communication port 140 is located to the left of the bottle pipe 135. The communication port 140 connects the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 with the outside. The communication port 140 is an opening through which the tank pipe 115 is inserted when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. The communication port 140 is an example of a third opening.

[0071] [Valve 133] The valve 133 is located in the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94. The valve 133 includes a valve element 133A, a valve seat 133B, and a coil spring 133C. The valve element 133A is flat and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the valve element 133A has a generally elliptical shape that conforms to the inner surface of the protrusion 94. The upper surface of the valve element 133A abuts against the lower surface of the upper end wall of the protrusion 94. The upper surface of the valve element 133A closes the communication ports 137 and 140. The left-right length of the valve element 133A is large enough to completely close the communication ports 137 and 140. The left-right length of the valve element 133A is shorter than the left-right length of the upper end of the protrusion 94. The front-rear length of the valve element 133A is slightly shorter than the front-rear length of the protrusion 94. The valve body 133A is movable in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the protrusion 94.

[0072] The valve seat 133B is located below the valve body 133A. The valve seat 133B is flat and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The valve seat 133B is fixed to the inner surface of the protrusion 94 in the front-rear direction. The coil spring 133C is located between the valve body 133A and the valve seat 133B. The coil spring 133C is compressible in the up-down direction. The lower end of the coil spring 133C is supported on the upper surface of the valve seat 133B. The upper end of the coil spring 133C urges the valve body 133A upward. As a result, the coil spring 133C presses the upper surface of the valve body 133A against the lower surface of the upper end wall of the protrusion 94.

[0073] The valve 133 is movable vertically between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the upper surface of the valve element 133A is pressed upward against the lower surface of the upper end wall of the protrusion 94 by the biasing force of the coil spring 133C (see FIG. 8). In the closed position, the valve element 133A closes the communication ports 137 and 140 of the bottle tube body 135. In the open position, the valve element 133A moves downward from the closed position against the biasing force of the coil spring 133C (see FIG. 9). In the open position, the valve 133 opens the communication ports 137 and 140. In the open position, the left end surface of the valve element 133A and the inner surface of the protrusion 94 define a gas flow path G2 through which air flows. The gas flow path G2 connects the ink storage chamber 88 and the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94.

[0074] 9 , when the valve 133 is in the open position, the right end face of the valve body 133A and the inner surface of the protrusion 94 define an ink flow path F2 through which ink flows. The ink flow path F2 communicates between the ink storage chamber 88 and the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94. The length of the ink flow path F2 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the gas flow path G2 in the left-right direction. In other words, the gas flow path G2 is defined by the left end face of the valve body 133A and the inner surface of the protrusion 94, and is therefore set to be larger than the ink flow path F2.

[0075] 7 and 10, when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, a substantially cylindrical nozzle cap 301 is removably attached to the bottle cap 82. The nozzle cap 301 covers the portion of the bottle cap 82 above the fourth side wall 93. Specifically, the nozzle cap 301 has an inner cylinder 301A and an outer cylinder 301B.

[0076] 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 135. The bottom end of the inner cylinder 301A is close to the top surface of the bottom wall 92. This allows the inner cylinder 301A to cover the protrusion 94 and the bottle tube 135 (see FIG. 8). As a result, even if ink leaks from the ink storage chamber 88 through the communication port 140 and the bottle tube 135, the leaked ink is unlikely to be exposed to the outside.

[0077] The outer cylinder 301B covers the outside of the inner cylinder 301A. The outer cylinder 301B has a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction and is open at both the upper and lower ends. The upper end of the outer cylinder 301B is aligned with the upper end of the inner cylinder 301A in the vertical direction. The lower end of the outer cylinder 301B is close to the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The outer cylinder 301B is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 301A by an annular connecting wall at a position slightly above the upper surface of the bottom wall 92. The nozzle cap 301 is an example of a second cap.

[0078] [Connecting the Liquid Bottle 80 to the Ink Tank 100] First, the user removes the tank cap 127 from the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100 and removes the nozzle cap 301 from the bottle cap 82. Next, the user peels off the tape 176 from the outer surface of the second side wall 86 of the liquid bottle 80 to expose the air intake port 175. Next, the user inserts the protrusion 94 (see FIG. 6 ) of the liquid bottle 80 into the leftmost through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 , the bottle pipe 135 of the liquid bottle 80 is inserted into the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100, and the tank pipe 115 of the ink tank 100 is inserted into the communication port 140 of the liquid bottle 80. The communication port 119 is an example of a supply port. At this time, the valve 133 is pressed diagonally upward by the tip of the tank pipe body 115, moving from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 133C. As a result, the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. The right curved surface 94C of the protrusion 94 is positioned lower than the left curved surface 94D. The front flat surface 94A, rear flat surface 94B, right curved surface 94C, and left curved surface 94D of the protrusion 94 contact the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72, positioning the protrusion 94. This causes the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 94 to engage with the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72. As a result, the liquid bottle 80 is maintained in a connected position with the ink tank 100. The front flat surface 94A, rear flat surface 94B, right curved surface 94C, and left curved surface 94D are examples of engaging portions. The inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72 is an example of an engaged portion.

[0079] When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the communication port 138 of the bottle pipe 135 is positioned in the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100, and the tip opening 116 of the tank pipe 115 is positioned in the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80. Furthermore, when the valve 133 is positioned in the open position, a gas flow path G2 and an ink flow path F2 are formed, connecting the ink storage chamber 88 and the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94. As a result, the ink storage chamber 88 of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 are connected to each other via the ink flow paths F2 and F1, and the gas flow paths G2 and G1. In this manner, the bottle pipe 135 and the communication port 140 are connected to the ink tank 100. Below, the up-down direction of the liquid bottle 80 will be described based on the connected position when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100.

[0080] The bottle pipe 135 extends obliquely downward along an extension direction that intersects the vertical and horizontal directions. The bottle pipe 135 is located below the tank pipe 115. The air intake 175 is located at a higher position than the communication ports 137 and 140. The air intake 175 is located above the communication port 119. The air intake 175 faces in a downward direction, similar to the communication port 137. The communication port 137 is located below the tip opening 116 of the tank pipe 115. The communication port 137 is located below the communication port 140. The gas flow path G2 is located above the tip opening 116 of the tank pipe 115. The ink flow path F2 is located below the gas flow path G2.

[0081] The supply of ink from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 when the liquid bottle 80 is in the connected position will be described below.

[0082] When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, ink in the ink storage chamber 88 flows through the ink flow paths F2 and F1 into the ink chamber 111. At this time, the direction in which the air intake 175 faces has a downward component, so there is a possibility that some of the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 will leak to the outside through the air intake 175. Even if some of the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 leaks to the outside through the air intake 175, because the communication port 119 is located below the air intake 175, the ink will easily drip down the outer surface of the liquid bottle 80 and flow into the ink chamber 111 through the communication port 119.

[0083] As ink flows out of the ink storage chamber 88, air flows into the ink storage chamber 88 from outside the liquid bottle 80 through the air intake 175. At the same time, air from the ink chamber 111 flows into the ink storage chamber 88 through the gas flow paths G1 and G2 and flows out to the outside through the gap between the bottle pipe body 135 and the communication port 119 and the air communication port 112. When all the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 has flowed into the ink chamber 111, ink supply is complete. At this time, the volume of ink flowing out from the ink storage chamber 88 to the ink chamber 111 is approximately the same as the combined volume of the air flowing into the ink storage chamber 88 from outside the liquid bottle 80 through the air intake 175 and the air flowing into the ink storage chamber 88 from the ink chamber 111 through the gas flow paths G1 and G2. In other words, the volume of ink flowing out from the ink storage chamber 88 to the ink chamber 111 is approximately the same as the combined volume of the air flowing into the ink storage chamber 88 from the ink chamber 111 through the gas flow path G1, the air flowing out from the ink chamber 111 to the outside through the air communication port 112, and the air flowing out from the ink chamber 111 to the outside through the gap between the bottle tube body 135 and the communication port 119.

[0084] Alternatively, the user may connect the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 without peeling off the tape 176 from the outer surface of the liquid bottle 80. In this case, ink is replenished to the ink tank 100 by a so-called chicken feed method, in which replacement of ink with air occurs only between the ink storage chamber 88 of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100. In other words, the volume of ink flowing out from the ink storage chamber 88 to the ink chamber 111 is approximately the same as the volume of air flowing into the ink storage chamber 88 from the ink chamber 111 through the gas flow paths G1 and G2.

[0085] [Operation and Effects of the Embodiment] In the above embodiment, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, ink in the ink storage chamber 88 flows into the ink chamber 111 through the ink flow paths F2 and F1. As the ink flows out, air flows into the ink storage chamber 88 from outside the liquid bottle 80 through the air intake 175, and air in the ink chamber 111 flows into the ink storage chamber 88 through the gas flow paths G1 and G2. Therefore, compared to when ink is supplied by a so-called chicken feed method in which air in the ink chamber 111 flows into the ink storage chamber 88 through the elongated gas flow path G1, air flows more easily into the ink storage chamber 88, and ink is supplied from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 more quickly.

[0086] In the above embodiment, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the direction in which the air intake 175 faces has a downward component, similar to the communication port 137. When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the communication port 119 is located below the air intake 175. Therefore, even if some of the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 leaks to the outside through the air intake 175, the ink will easily drip down the outer surface of the liquid bottle 80 and flow into the ink chamber 111 through the communication port 119.

[0087] In the above embodiment, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the air intake 175 is located at a higher position than the communication port 137. Therefore, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the head difference between the communication port 137 and the air intake 175 is large, so ink is quickly supplied from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the liquid bottle 80 has a valve 133 that closes the communication port 137 and the communication port 140, so that when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is less likely to leak to the outside through the communication port 137 and the communication port 140.

[0089] In the above embodiment, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the valve 133 moves from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by the tank pipe 115 inserted into the communication port 140. Therefore, the user does not need to open or close the valve 133 separately from the operation of connecting the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100, making the ink supply operation simple.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the liquid bottle 80 is provided with a bottle pipe 135 that is connected to the communication port 119 when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. Therefore, the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is guided to the ink chamber 111 through the bottle pipe 135, and therefore easily flows into the ink chamber 111.

[0091] In the above embodiment, when the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 is inserted into the through-hole 72 of the tank cover 110, the right curved surface 94C of the protrusion 94 engages with the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 72, thereby maintaining the connected posture of the liquid bottle 80 connected to the ink tank 100. As a result, ink is supplied stably from the ink storage chamber 88 of the liquid bottle 80 to the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the air intake 175 is closed by tape 176 attached to the outer surface of the second side wall 86 of the liquid bottle 80, which prevents ink from the ink storage chamber 88 from leaking to the outside through the air intake 175 when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100. By peeling the tape 176 from the outer surface of the second side wall 86, the user can quickly supply ink from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100.

[0093] [Modifications] In the above embodiment, the bottle pipe 135 is connected to the ink tank 100 by being inserted into the communication port 119. However, as long as ink from the ink storage chamber 88 can flow into the communication port 119 through the bottle pipe 135, the liquid bottle 80 may be connected to the ink tank 100 without the bottle pipe 135 being inserted into the communication port 119. For example, the communication port 138 of the bottle pipe 135 may be positioned above the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100. Even in such a modification, fluid flows directly between the bottle pipe 135 and the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100, so it can be said that the bottle pipe 135 (communication port 137) is connected to the ink tank 100. Furthermore, as long as ink from the ink storage chamber 88 can flow into the communication port 119 through the communication port 137, the bottle pipe 135 may be omitted. In this case, the ink tank 100 may have a tube that extends from the communication port 119 parallel to the tank tube 115 and is inserted into the communication port 137. The tube defines an ink flow path through which ink flows. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the communication port 137 may be omitted. In this case, the tank tube 115 may have two flow paths: an ink flow path through which ink flows and a gas flow path through which air flows. In FIG. 12, the air intake port 175 is located on the rear side of the second side wall 86 of the liquid bottle 80. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the air intake port 175 may be located on the rear flat surface 94B of the protrusion 94. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the communication port 140 is an example of a first opening.

[0094] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 shown in Fig. 12 has a shape that matches the shape of the inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes 72 other than the leftmost through hole 72. The key member 99 shown in Fig. 12 can be inserted into the key groove 74 located at the rear end of the second through hole 72 from the left.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the ink tank 100 has a tank pipe 115 that is inserted into the communication port 140 of the liquid bottle 80. However, the tank pipe 115 may be omitted. In this case, in the liquid bottle 80 shown in FIG. 6 , as ink flows out of the ink storage chamber 88, air flows from the outside of the liquid bottle 80 into the ink storage chamber 88 through the air intake 175, and air also flows from the outside of the liquid bottle 80 into the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 through the communication port 140. The air that flows into the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 flows into the ink storage chamber 88 through the gas flow path G2. In this modification, the communication port 140 is not connected to the ink tank 100. The communication port 140 is an example of a second opening. In this modification, the air intake 175 may be omitted.

[0096] When the tank pipe 115 inserted into the communication port 140 is omitted, the communication port 140 may be omitted. In this case, the valve 133 may be configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position by a user's operation, or may be omitted.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the air intake 175 is located on the outer surface of the second side wall 86 of the liquid bottle 80, but the location is not particularly limited as long as it is not connected to the ink tank 100. For example, the air intake 175 may be located on the left inclined surface 98 of the protrusion 94.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the air intake 175 faces in a direction that has both a forward and an upward component. However, it does not have to have an upward component. In this case, the air intake 175 may be located in a position that is covered from the outside by the nozzle cap 301. For example, the air intake 175 may be located on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94. In FIG. 14 , the air intake 175 is located on the left curved surface 94D of the protrusion 94. The air intake 175 opens diagonally forward and toward the left. The air intake 175 faces in a direction that has both a forward and a leftward component. The air intake 175 connects the internal space 96 of the protrusion 94 to the outside. In this configuration, the air intake 175 is located above the ink storage chamber 88. Therefore, when the liquid bottle 80 is in the position shown in FIG. 14 , ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is less likely to leak to the outside through the air intake 175. In this modification, the bottle cap 82 is an example of a first cap. 15, when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, the air intake 175 is covered from the outside by the nozzle cap 301, so even if ink in the ink storage chamber 88 leaks to the outside through the air intake 175, the ink is unlikely to be exposed to the outside. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, when the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the air intake 175 is located below the through-hole 72 in the tank cover 110, so even if ink in the ink storage chamber 88 leaks to the outside through the air intake 175, the ink is likely to flow into the ink chamber 111 through the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the air intake 175 is provided on the second side wall 86 of the liquid bottle 80, but as shown in Figure 17, it may also be provided on the bottom wall 84 of the liquid bottle 80. In this way, when the liquid bottle 80 is in the connected position where it is connected to the ink tank 100, ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is less likely to leak to the outside through the air intake 175.

[0100] 18, the air intake 175 may be provided in the first side wall 85 of the liquid bottle 80. In Fig. 18, the air intake 175 is located at a position higher than the ink level when the ink storage chamber 88 is filled with the maximum amount of ink when the liquid bottle 80 is in the connected position connected to the ink tank 100. In this way, when the liquid bottle 80 is in the connected position connected to the ink tank 100, ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is less likely to leak to the outside through the air intake 175.

[0101] 19 , the air intake 175 may be located at approximately the center in the height direction of the first side wall 85 of the liquid bottle 80. In this way, it is easier for the user to attach the tape 176 to the outer surface of the liquid bottle 80 compared to when the tape 176 is located on the second side wall 86.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the through-hole 72 into which the protrusion 94 of the liquid bottle 80 is inserted is provided in the tank cover 110, but it may also be provided in the ink tank 100. The through-hole 72 may also be omitted. In this case, the tank cover 110 may also be omitted. In this case, the liquid bottle 80 may be maintained in a connected position in which it is connected to the ink tank 100 by the user holding the liquid bottle 80 in their hand.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the ink tank 100 has, as an example of a pressing portion, the tank pipe 115 that defines the gas flow path G1 through which air flows, but it does not have to be the tank pipe 115 as long as it can press the valve 133 through the communication port 140. In this case, the pressing portion may be a rod-shaped member that extends upward from the top wall 104 of the ink tank 100 in an extension direction that intersects the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the bottle cap 82 is attached to the bottle body 81 by screwing it onto the bottle body 81, but it may also be attached to the bottle body 81 by welding it to the bottle body 81. Also, the bottle cap 82 and the bottle body 81 may be integrally molded.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the valve 133 opens the communication ports 137 and 140 by moving the valve element 133A from the closed position to the open position. However, the valve 133 may open the communication ports 137 and 140 by rotating the valve element 133A. For example, the valve 133 has a slit disposed opposite the communication port 140. The slit is closed when no external force is applied. In this state, the valve 133 closes the communication ports 137 and 140. The slit 171 opens when the tank pipe 115 is inserted into the communication port 140. In this state, the valve 133 opens the communication ports 137 and 140.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the air intake 175 is closed by tape 176, but it may also be closed by a valve. In this case, the valve is configured to be linked to a button provided on the bottle body 81, for example, so that the user can press the button to open the air intake 175. Note that the tape 176 may be omitted.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the liquid bottle 80 is used as the liquid container, but the liquid container is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of storing ink. For example, the liquid container may be one in which the first side wall 85 of the liquid bottle 80 is configured in a bellows shape, thereby allowing the bottle body 81 to easily contract. Furthermore, the liquid container may be, for example, a bag-like container such as a pouch that contracts as ink flows out.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the tubular bottle pipe 135 is used as the nozzle, but the nozzle is not limited to a pipe as long as it can supply ink from the ink storage chamber 88 to the ink chamber 111 in the connected position where the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. For example, the nozzle may be one obtained by cutting the bottle pipe 135 in half in the direction in which the bottle pipe 135 extends.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 72, but the protrusion 94 does not have to have a shape that fits the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 72 as long as it can be inserted into the through-hole 72. In this case, the user can maintain the connected position in which the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100 by holding the liquid bottle 80 in their hand with the protrusion 94 inserted into the through-hole 72.

[0110] In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of the recording liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, instead of ink, examples of the recording liquid may include a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the paper 12 prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out.

[0111] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Multifunction device (liquid consumption device) 72... Through hole (engaged portion) 80... Liquid bottle (liquid container) 81... Bottle body (container body) 82... Bottle cap (first cap) 94C... Right curved surface (engaging portion) 100... Ink tank (tank) 110... Tank cover 115... Tank tube body (pressing portion) 119... Communication port (supply port) 133... Valve 135... Bottle tube body (nozzle) 137... Communication port (first opening) 140... Communication port (third opening) 175... Air intake port (second opening) 176... Tape 301... Nozzle cap (second cap) F1... Ink flow path (flow path)

Claims

1. A liquid container that stores a recording liquid and is connected to a tank to supply the liquid to the tank, the liquid container comprising: a first opening that connects the inside and outside of the liquid container and is connected to the tank; and a second opening that connects the inside and outside of the liquid container and is not connected to the tank.

2. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which said second opening faces has a component in the direction in which said first opening faces.

3. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which said second opening faces does not have a component of the direction in which said first opening faces.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the second opening is located at a higher position than the first opening when the liquid container is connected to the tank.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a valve that closes the first opening.

6. A liquid container as described in claim 5, further comprising a third opening which connects the inside and outside of the liquid container and is connected to the tank, and wherein when the liquid container is connected to the tank, the valve is pressed by a pressing portion of the tank which is inserted into the third opening, thereby moving from a closed position which blocks the first opening to an open position which opens the first opening.

7. A liquid container as set forth in claim 6, wherein the valve in the closed position blocks the first opening and the third opening, and the valve in the open position opens the first opening and the third opening.

8. A liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle extending from said first opening and defining a flow path connecting the interior and exterior of said liquid container.

9. A liquid container according to claim 1, comprising: a container body for storing a recording liquid; and a first cap attached to said container body and having said first opening.

10. The liquid container according to claim 9, wherein the first cap has the second opening.

11. The liquid container according to claim 9, further comprising a second cap attached to said first cap and covering said first opening from the outside.

12. A liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the first cap has the second opening, and the second cap covers the second opening from the outside.

13. A liquid container according to claim 9, wherein the first cap has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of a liquid consuming device having the tank.

14. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second opening is closed by a tape that can be peeled off from the outer surface of the liquid container.

Images