Liquid container

Abstract

Provided is a liquid container in which liquid is less likely to leak before the liquid container is connected to a tank and in which the connection to the tank is less likely to be released while the liquid container is connected to the tank. An ink bottle 80 includes a bottle body 81 defining an ink storage chamber 147 for storing a liquid for printing and a recess 83A communicating the ink storage chamber 147 with the outside. The ink bottle 80 further includes a valve 161 located inside the bottle body 81 and a coil spring 165 for biasing the valve 161 upward. The bottle body 81 has an annular lip 108. The valve 161 is located at a first position at which the valve 161 seals the recess 83A in a state of being press-fitted into the lip 108. The valve 161 is movable downward from the first position to a second position separated from the lip 108.

Description

Liquid Container

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container in which liquid is stored.

[0002] The liquid bottle described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer wall that defines an internal space, a supply port that communicates the internal space with the outside of the liquid bottle, and a valve that opens and closes the supply port. The liquid bottle described in Patent Document 1 further includes a seal interposed between the supply port and the valve when the supply port is closed, and a coil spring that biases the valve toward the seal. When the liquid bottle is not connected to an ink tank, the valve is brought into contact with the seal by the biasing force of the coil spring. When the liquid bottle is connected to the ink tank, the cylindrical portion of the ink tank presses the valve, and the valve separates from the seal against the biasing force of the coil spring. In a state where the valve is separated from the seal, gas-liquid replacement occurs between the liquid bottle and the ink tank, and ink is supplied from the liquid bottle to the ink tank.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-032681

[0004] The valve may move against the biasing force of the coil spring due to impact or the like when the liquid bottle is being transported. If the valve moves and separates from the seal, ink in the liquid bottle may leak to the outside. To solve this problem, for example, increasing the biasing force of the coil spring is conceivable. However, increasing the biasing force of the coil spring increases the force required to separate the valve from the seal. As a result, the force required to maintain the liquid bottle connected to the ink tank also increases.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a means that makes it difficult for liquid to leak from a liquid container until the liquid container is connected to a tank. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a means that makes it easy to maintain a liquid container connected to a tank when the liquid container is connected to the tank.

[0006] The liquid container according to this disclosure comprises a storage chamber for storing printing liquid, a body that demarcates a flow path connecting the storage chamber to the outside, and a valve located within the body. The liquid container further comprises a biasing member that biases the valve in a first direction. The body has an annular sealing member that surrounds a portion of the flow path. The valve is positioned in a first position that seals the flow path when pressed into the sealing member. The valve is configured to be movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the first position to a second position that is separated from the sealing member.

[0007] The valve is in the first position until the liquid container is connected to the tank. The valve is held in the first position by the biasing force of the biasing member and the contact between the sealing member and the valve. When the valve moves to the second position, it no longer contacts the sealing member, so the valve is held in the second position by applying a force that opposes the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0008] According to this disclosure, before connecting the liquid container to the tank, it becomes difficult for liquid to leak from the flow path, and when connecting, it becomes difficult for the connection between the liquid container and the tank to be released.

[0009] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction printer 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. Figure 3 is a plan view of the printer unit 11 viewed from above. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the ink tank set 51. Figure 5 is an external perspective view of the ink bottle 80. Figure 6 is an external perspective view of the rubber 83 viewed from the upper left rear. Figure 7 is an external perspective view of the rubber 83 viewed from the lower right rear. Figure 8 is an external perspective view of the support member 84 viewed from the lower left rear. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the support member 84 in a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction above the valve 161. Figure 10 is an external perspective view of the valve 161 viewed from the upper left rear. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the first position, in the A-A cross section of Figure 5. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the first position, in the B-B cross section of Figure 5. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the first position, taken along the C-C section of Figure 5. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the third position, taken along the A-A section of Figure 5. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the third position, taken along the B-B section of Figure 5. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 with the valve 161 in the third position, taken along the C-C section of Figure 5. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 connected to the ink tank set 51, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction and including the axis of the bottle body 81. Figure 18(A) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 according to the second embodiment, with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 18(B) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink bottle 80 according to the second embodiment, with the valve 161 in the third position. Figure 19(A) is a cross-sectional perspective view of an ink bottle 80 according to a modification of the second embodiment, with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 19(B) is a cross-sectional perspective view of an ink bottle 80 according to a modification of the second embodiment, with the valve 161 in the third position. Figure 20(A) is a cross-sectional view of an ink bottle 80 according to the third embodiment, with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 20(B) is a cross-sectional view of an ink bottle 80 according to the third embodiment, with the valve 161 in the third position.Figure 20(C) is a cross-sectional view of the ink bottle 80 according to the fourth embodiment with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 20(D) is a cross-sectional view of the ink bottle 80 according to the fourth embodiment with the valve 161 in the third position. Figure 20(E) is a cross-sectional view of the ink bottle 80 according to the fifth embodiment with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 20(F) is a cross-sectional view of the ink bottle 80 according to the fifth embodiment with the valve 161 in the third position. Figure 21(A) is a cross-sectional view and a plan view of the ink bottle 80 according to the first embodiment with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 21(B) is a cross-sectional view and a plan view of the ink bottle 80 according to the first embodiment with the valve 161 in the third position. Figure 22(A) is a cross-sectional view of the valve 161 according to the first embodiment with the valve 161 in the first position. Figure 22(B) is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the first embodiment with the valve 161 in the first position.

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of this disclosure, and the embodiments of this disclosure can be modified as appropriate without altering the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the position in which the multifunction printer 10 and the ink tank set 51 installed in the multifunction printer 10 are positioned horizontally for use will be referred to as the "usage position."

[0011] The vertical direction is defined based on the operating orientation of the multifunction printer 10. The front-to-back direction is defined with the side of the multifunction printer 10 having the opening 13 as the front. The left-to-right direction is defined when viewing the multifunction printer 10 from the front. The vertical direction, the front-to-back direction, and the left-to-right direction are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, in the operating orientation, the vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction correspond to the horizontal direction.

[0012] In the following, the ink bottle 80 is an example of a liquid container. The bottle body 81 is an example of a body. The recess 83A, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A are examples of flow paths. The recess 83A is part of a flow path.

[0013] [First Embodiment] The multifunction printer 10 according to the first embodiment includes a casing 8 that is generally rectangular in shape, as shown in Figure 1. A scanner unit 9 is housed in the upper part of the casing 8. A printer unit 11 is housed in the lower part of the casing 8. The scanner unit 9 reads an image from a document. The printer unit 11 records the image using an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 has a feed tray 20, an output tray 21, and an ink tank set 51.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the casing 8 has an opening 13 located in the center of the front and a cover 70 located to the right of the opening 13. The cover 70 rotates around a pivot axis that extends in the left-right direction at its lower end. The opening at the front of the ink tank set 51 is opened and closed by opening and closing the cover 70.

[0015] [Printer Unit 11] As shown in Figure 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20, a feed unit 15, a transport roller unit 54, a platen 42, a recording unit 24, and an output roller unit 55. The printer unit 11 further includes an output tray 21 and an ink tank set 51. The feed tray 20 and the output tray 21 are inserted into and removed from the printer unit 11 along the front-to-back direction through an opening 13 at the front of the casing 8. The output tray 21 is located above the feed tray 20. The feed tray 20 can hold multiple sheets of paper 12.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 27. The shaft 27 is supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The feeding arm 26 rotates around the shaft 27. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26. The tip of the feeding arm 26 is biased toward the feeding tray 20 by its own weight or by a biasing means such as a spring.

[0017] When the feed arm 26 is biased, the feed roller 25 presses against the paper 12 on the feed tray 20. When the feed roller 25 is rotated while in contact with the paper 12, the paper 12 on the feed tray 20 is fed to the transport path 65.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the transport path 65 is the path for transporting the paper 12 from the feed tray 20 to the output tray 21. From the rear end of the feed tray 20 to the transport roller section 54, the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 define the transport path 65. The transport path 65 extends rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20 along the dashed line 16, and then, at the rear of the printer section 11, it extends upward and makes a U-turn forward. At the top of the printer section 11, the transport path 65 extends forward and reaches the output tray 21 via the transport roller section 54, the recording section 24, and the output roller section 55.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the transport roller section 54 is located at the upper rear of the printer section 11. The transport roller section 54 includes a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 that presses against the transport roller 60 from below. The transport roller 60 is rotationally driven by a transport motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is held between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and transported forward along the transport path 65.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 are located between the transport roller section 54 and the discharge roller section 55 in the transport path 65. The recording unit 24 faces the platen 42. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 that is transported by the transport roller section 54. The recording unit 24 has a carriage 23 and a recording head 39. The carriage 23 is mounted on the recording head 39.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44. Guide rails 43 and 44 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. Guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 moves back and forth along the left-right direction by the drive of a carriage drive motor. The carriage 23 moves the recording head 39 back and forth from a standby position P1 on the left side of the transport path 65 to a maintenance position P2 on the right side of the transport path 65.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the four ink tubes 32 connect the ink tank 100 to the carriage 23. Black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks stored in the ink tank 100 are supplied to the recording head 39 via the four ink tubes 32. The ink may be, for example, pigment ink containing pigments or dye ink containing dyes. Instead of ink, a cleaning solution containing water may be supplied from the ink tank 100 to the recording head 39. Ink and cleaning solution are examples of liquids used for printing.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, multiple nozzles 40 open on the underside of the recording head 39. As the carriage 23 moves, the recording head 39 ejects tiny ink droplets from the nozzles 40 toward the paper 12 on the platen 42.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, a flexible flat cable 33 extends from the carriage 23. The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects the recording head 39 and the controller. The controller is a control board that controls the operation of the multifunction printer 10. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits control signals output from the controller to the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 40 according to the control signals from the controller.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the discharge roller section 55 is located downstream of the recording section 24 in the transport direction in the transport path 65. The discharge roller section 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that presses against the discharge roller 62 from above. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a transport motor. The spur 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The paper 12 is held between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63, which are rotationally driven by the transport motor, and discharged to the discharge tray 21.

[0026] The paper 12 ejected by the ejection roller section 55 is sequentially loaded onto the ejection tray 21. The paper 12 loaded onto the ejection tray 21 is removed from the multifunction printer 10 through the opening 13 of the casing 8.

[0027] [Ink Tank Set 51] As shown in Figure 4, the ink tank set 51 has an ink tank 100 and a tank cover 110. The tank cover 110 covers the front of the ink tank 100 from the front. The internal space of the ink tank 100 is divided into four ink chambers 111 for storing yellow, cyan, magenta, and black inks. The ink stored in the ink chambers 111 is supplied to the recording head 39 via an ink tube 32. At the front end of the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100 are the tank tube 115, the communication port 119, and the annular wall 122.

[0028] The tank tube 115 and the annular wall 122 extend upward and forward from the front end of the upper wall 104. The communication opening 119 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the direction of extension of the tank tube 115. The tank tube 115 is located above and behind the communication opening 119. The annular wall 122 surrounds the tank tube 115 and the communication opening 119. The distance from the upper wall 104 to the tip of the tank tube 115 is longer than the distance from the upper wall 104 to the tip of the annular wall 122.

[0029] The tank cover 110 has a through hole 72 surrounding the annular wall 122. The tank tube 115 protrudes forward and upward from the tank cover 110 through the through hole 72. The lower end of the tank tube 115 opens into the ink chamber. The tank tube 115 and the communication port 119 connect the outside of the ink tank set 51 to the inside of the ink chamber 111. The through hole 72 is shaped to allow the bottle cap 82 of the ink bottle 80, which will be described later, to be inserted.

[0030] [Ink Bottle 80] As shown in Figures 5 and 11, the ink bottle 80 has a bottle body 81, a resin valve 161, and a coil spring 165. The bottle body 81 is an example of the main body. The coil spring 165 is an example of a biasing member. The bottle body 81 has a main container 81A, a bottle cap 82, a rubber 83, and a support member 84. The main container 81A is cylindrical with an open top. As shown in Figure 11, the main container 81A has an opening 87 at its top.

[0031] As shown in Figure 11, the main container 81A partitions the ink storage chamber 147 for storing ink. The ink storage chamber 147 is an example of a storage chamber. The internal space of the opening 87 communicates with the ink storage chamber 147. The upper end of the opening 87 opens upward. The diameter of the opening 87 is smaller than the diameter of the ink storage chamber 147. The bottle body 81 partitions the recess 83A, which will be described later, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A.

[0032] The recess 83A, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A are able to communicate with the outside of the ink bottle 80. The opening 87 is detachably press-fitted and installed into the internal space of the bottle cap 82.

[0033] [Bottle cap 82] As shown in Figure 11, the bottle cap 82 has a side wall 93, a bottom wall 92, a projection 94, a top wall 97, and a projection 88. The side wall 93 is a cylindrical wall extending along the vertical direction. The side wall 93 is fitted onto the opening 87. The bottom wall 92 is an annular wall extending inward from the top of the side wall 93. The projection 94 is a cylindrical wall extending upward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall 92.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the outer surface shape of the projection 94 is such that, when viewed from above, one side of the rectangle bulges out in an arc shape. As shown in Figure 4, the outer surface shape of the projection 94 is similar to the inner surface shape of the through hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The outer surface shape of the projection 94 and the inner surface shape of the through hole 72 are not rotationally symmetric. Therefore, the projection 94 can only be inserted into the through hole 72 when the orientation of the projection 94 and the orientation of the through hole 72 are aligned when viewed from the direction of insertion of the ink bottle 80. As shown in Figure 11, the projection 94 and the opening 87 define a valve housing space 148 in which the valve 161, described later, is housed.

[0035] The upper wall 97 protrudes radially inward from the upper part of the projection 94. An opening 97A is located in the upper wall 97. The opening 97A penetrates the upper wall 97 in the vertical direction. When viewed from above, the opening 97A has an oval shape with its front and rear ends being arc-shaped and its left and right ends extending linearly along the front-to-back direction; in other words, it is a long, rounded rectangle in the front-to-back direction. The projection 88 is a cylindrical wall that protrudes downward from the upper wall 97 and extends along the edge of the opening 97A.

[0036] [Rubber 83] As shown in Figures 5 and 11, the rubber 83 is located in the opening 97A. The rubber 83 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rubber 83 has a base portion 86 and a bottle tube 96. The rubber 83 demarcates the recess 83A, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A. The base portion 86 is a long, rounded rectangle in the front-to-back direction.

[0037] The base portion 86 has a groove 86A, a projection 86B, and annular lips 108 and 109. Lip 108 is an example of a sealing member. As shown in Figure 6, the groove 86A is located on the upper surface of the base portion 86. The groove 86A extends along the periphery of the base portion 86. As shown in Figure 11, the projection 88 of the bottle cap 82 is fitted into the groove 86A.

[0038] The projection 88 holds the rubber 83 while the base portion 86 is pulled outward in the left-right direction. The projection 86B protrudes upward inside the groove 86A. As shown in Figure 5, the projection 86B is a long, rounded rectangle in the front-rear direction. The projection 86B is located inside the opening 97A of the bottle cap 82 and is exposed to the outside.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, the lips 108 and 109 protrude downward from the lower surface of the base portion 86. The lip 108 is a long, rounded rectangular ring shape in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 8, an annular projection 108A is located at the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the lip 108, protruding inward from the inner circumferential surface. As shown in Figure 7, the lip 108 defines the lower end of the recess 83A.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, when viewed from above, the lip 109, the recess 83A, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A are located inside the lip 108. The lip 109 extends downward from the lower surface of the projection 86B at the periphery of the through hole 96A. When viewed from above, the lip 109 is circular. The lip 109 defines the through hole 96A. The lower end of the lip 109 is located above the lower end of the lip 108.

[0041] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the through-hole 95 in the rubber 83 is circular when viewed from above. The through-hole 95 is located at the rear of the rubber 83 in the front-to-back direction. The through-hole 95 penetrates the projection 86B in the vertical direction. The through-hole 95 connects the valve housing space 148 to the outside of the ink bottle 80.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bottle body 96 is a cylindrical body extending upward from the projection 86B. The bottle body 96 is located on the upper surface of the base portion 86, adjacent to the front of the through hole 95. The bottle body 96 has a through hole 96A. The through hole 96A penetrates the bottle body 96 in the vertical direction. The through hole 96A connects the internal space of the ink bottle 80 to the outside.

[0043] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the outer shape of the bottle tube 96, when viewed from above, is a rectangle with one side bulging in an arc shape. The bottle tube 96 is inserted into the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100 along the vertical direction. The shape and size of the outer surface of the bottle tube 96 are approximately equal to the shape and size of the inner surface of the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100. Therefore, the orientation in which the bottle tube 96 can be inserted into the communication port 119 is uniquely determined.

[0044] [Support Member 84] As shown in FIG. 8, the support member 84 includes an upper portion 121, a flange 126, and a lower portion 123. The upper portion 121 is a rectangular cylindrical body elongated in the front-rear direction when viewed from above. The upper portion 121 is an example of an annular wall. The support member 84 is positioned within a valve accommodation space 148, as shown in FIG. 11. The upper portion 121 is an annular wall surrounding a lip 108 of a rubber 83. The support member 84 is fixed to the internal space of a bottle cap 82 by press-fitting the upper portion 121 into the internal space of a projection 94.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 11, an upper end surface 121A of the upper portion 121 abuts against a lower surface of a base portion 86 of the rubber 83 outside the lip 108. The outer peripheral shape of the upper end surface 121A is substantially the same as the outer peripheral shape of the base portion 86 of the rubber 83. The rubber 83 is sandwiched from above and below by an upper wall 97 of the projection 94 and the upper portion 121 of the support member 84. The lip 108 of the rubber 83 is positioned inside the upper portion 121 and abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 121. The upper portion 121 of the support member 84 abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the lip 108.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 121 includes a front inner curved surface 121B bulging forward, and a left inner flat surface 121C connected to the left end of the front inner curved surface 121B. The inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 121 further includes a right inner flat surface 121D connected to the right end of the front inner curved surface 121B, and a rear inner curved surface 121E bulging rearward. The rear inner curved surface 121E connects the rear end of the left inner flat surface 121C and the rear end of the right inner flat surface 121D. The rear inner curved surface 121E is inclined relative to the vertical direction so as to extend rearward as it goes downward. For this reason, the internal space of the upper portion 121 expands rearward as it goes downward.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper portion 121 has left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D and right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D. The left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D are located on the left inner flat surface 121C. The left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D are located on the right inner flat surface 121D. The right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D extend in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the upper portion 121. The right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D extend in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the upper portion 121. The left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D and the right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D are each in the shape of a quadrangular prism. The left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D each have a right surface 453 facing rightward. The right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D each have a left surface 463 facing leftward.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the flange 126 is an annular portion extending radially outward from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 121. As shown in FIG. 11, when viewed from the vertical direction, the outer periphery of the flange 126 surrounds a portion, in the opening 87 of the main body container 81A, that abuts against the support member 84 from below. The outer periphery of the flange 126 is located inside the inner periphery of the side wall 93 of the bottle cap 82. The flange 126 is sandwiched from above and below by the upper surface of the opening 87 of the main body container 81A and the lower surface of the bottom wall 92 of the bottle cap 82.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, the upper portion 121 and the flange 126 are press-fitted into the internal space of the protrusion 94 of the bottle cap 82. Therefore, the support member 84 is fixed to the main body container 81A and the bottle cap 82. The lower portion 123 is a cylindrically shaped portion extending downward from the flange 126. The outer diameter of the lower portion 123 is smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall 93 of the bottle cap 82. The outer diameter of the lower portion 123 is equal to the inner diameter of the opening 87 of the main body container 81A.

[0051] [Valve 161] As shown in Figure 10, the valve 161 has a flat portion 162, a fitting portion 163, and a spring seat 164. As shown in Figure 11, the valve 161 is guided by a support member 84 and is movable vertically within the valve housing space 148. The flat portion 162 can enter inside the upper part 121 of the support member 84. With the flat portion 162 positioned inside the upper part 121 of the support member 84, the valve 161 is guided by the support member 84 and is movable vertically. The flat portion 162 is a flat plate that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the outer surface of the flat portion 162 is a long, rounded rectangle in the front-to-back direction. Specifically, the outer surface of the flat portion 162 has a front outer curved surface 162B that bulges forward, a left outer surface 162C that faces left, and a right outer surface 162D that faces right. The outer surface of the flat portion 162 further has a rear outer curved surface 162E that bulges backward. The left outer surface 162C of the flat portion 162 abuts against the right surfaces 453 of the four left protrusions 45A, 45B, 45C, and 45D. The right outer surface 162D of the flat portion 162 abuts against the left surfaces 463 of the four right protrusions 46A, 46B, 46C, and 46D.

[0053] The upper surface 162A of the flat portion 162 is flat. As shown in Figure 10, the fitting portion 163 is located inward from the outer circumferential surface of the flat portion 162. The upper surface 162A is located around the fitting portion 163. The fitting portion 163 protrudes upward from the upper surface 162A and has an upward tapering shape such that the area of ​​the cross-section along the front-rear and left-right directions gradually decreases. The fitting portion 163 has an upper surface 163A, a side surface 163B, and a side surface 163C.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the outer shape of the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163 is smaller than the outer shape of the upper surface 162A of the flat portion 162. The upper surface 163A is a rounded rectangle similar in shape to the outer shape of the lip 108 of the rubber 83. The outer shape of the upper surface 163A is smaller than the inner shape of the lip 108. The upper surface 163A can come into contact with the lip 109 of the rubber 83. The side surface 163B extends downward from the outer edge of the upper surface 163A.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, side surface 163B is oriented diagonally upward. When viewed from above, the outer circumference of the upper end of side surface 163B is located inside the outer circumference of the lower end of side surface 163B. The lower end of side surface 163B connects to the upper end of side surface 163C. The lower end of side surface 163C is perpendicular to the upper surface 162A. When viewed from above, the outer circumference of the upper end of side surface 163C coincides with the outer circumference of the lower end of side surface 163C.

[0056] As shown in Figure 14, when viewed from above, the outer circumference of the upper end of side surface 163B is located inside the inner circumference of the projection 108A of lip 108. When viewed from above, the inner circumference of projection 108A is located inside the outer circumference of the lower end of side surface 163B. When viewed from above, the inner circumference of projection 108A is located inside the outer circumference of side surface 163C.

[0057] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the side surface 163B is a long, rounded rectangle when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 7, the projection 108A is a long, rounded rectangle when viewed from above. In other words, the side surface 163B and the projection 108A are similar in shape when viewed from above, and the side surface 163B is located in the center of the area within the projection 108A. The distance between the outer circumference of the side surface 163B and the inner circumference of the projection 108A is substantially constant around the entire circumference.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163 is an outer surface that can be exposed to the outside of the ink bottle 80 through the through hole 95. A screw hole 163D is located on the upper surface 163A. The screw hole 163D opens upward. The screw hole 163D has female threads on its inner circumferential surface. The screw hole 163D can be screwed into from the outside of the ink bottle 80 via the through hole 95 and opening 97A on the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163. The screw hole 163D is an example of an operating part.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the spring seat 164 is located on the lower surface of the flat portion 162. The spring seat 164 is in contact with a coil spring 165 that is expandable and contractible in the vertical direction from below. The coil spring 165 biases the valve 161 upward. The upward direction is an example of a first direction.

[0060] [Position of Valve 161] Valve 161 is movable in the vertical direction to a first position, a second position, and a third position. The first position is the position in which the side surface 163C of valve 161 and the annular projection 108A of lip 108 are in liquid-tight pressure contact, as shown in Figures 11 to 13. The second position is the position in which valve 161 is separated downward from the projection 108A of lip 108, as shown in Figure 17. The third position is the position in which the side surface 163B of valve 161 is in liquid-tight pressure contact with the projection 108A of lip 108 from below, as shown in Figures 14 to 16.

[0061] The first position is when the valve 161 is press-fitted into the lip 108 and the side surface 163C is gripped by the projection 108A. In the first position, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 is pressed against the lip 109, sealing the opening of the recess 83A. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rubber 83 demarcates the recess 83A, the through hole 95, and the through hole 96A. The upper part of the through hole 95 is open to the outside through the opening 97A in the upper wall 97 of the bottle cap 82, and the lower part is open to the recess 83A. The upper part of the through hole 96A is open to the outside of the ink bottle 80, and the lower part is open to the recess 83A.

[0062] The lower part of the recess 83A communicates with the ink storage chamber 147. Therefore, when the opening of the recess 83A is sealed, communication between the outside of the ink bottle 80 and the ink storage chamber 147 is blocked. The second position is when the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100 and the valve 161 is pressed down against the tank tube 115 of the ink tank 100. The valve 161 is movable downward from the first position to the second position shown in Figure 11. The downward direction is an example of the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

[0063] In Figure 17, the direction having a forward component and an upward component is an example of the second direction. In the second position, ink is supplied from the ink bottle 80 to the ink tank 100, and air is supplied from the ink tank 100 to the ink bottle 80, enabling gas-liquid exchange. In the third position, the valve 161 is biased by the coil spring 165 and presses against the lip 108. The valve in the third position seals the opening of the recess 83A from below.

[0064] [Effects of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the valve 161 can be press-fitted to a first position within the lip 108. Since the rubber 83 is elastic, when the valve 161 is press-fitted, the lip 108 undergoes elastic deformation. The lip 108 has a projection 108A at the contact position with the valve 161. In addition, the outer circumference of the lip 108 is back-supported by the upper part 121 of the support member 84. For this reason, the lip 108 cannot bend outward.

[0065] Therefore, when the valve 161 is strongly compressed by press-fitting, a large elastic restoring force is generated, increasing the holding load of the valve 161 by the lip 108. In the first position, the valve 161 is biased upward by the coil spring 165 and is also strongly gripped by the projection 108A by the elastic restoring force of the lip 108. This grip suppresses the displacement of the side surface 163C relative to the projection 108A. In addition, the lip 108 elastically deforms to a shape that conforms to the side surface 163C of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161. The side surface 163C has few irregularities and is a curved surface that allows the lip 108 to easily make close contact.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first position, the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 is pressed against the lip 109, and the bottle body 96 is sealed liquid-tight. In other words, the lip 108 and the side surface 163C form a liquid-tight seal. Therefore, even if an external force such as an impact is applied to the ink bottle 80, the valve 161 is unlikely to come off the lip 108. Consequently, even without increasing the biasing force of the coil spring 165, leakage from the ink bottle 80 due to impact or the like is suppressed. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not strong, the force resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 165 in order to hold the valve 161 in the second position does not need to be strong either.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the valve 161 has a screw hole 163D on the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163. As shown in Figure 22(A), the valve in the third position can be moved to the first position by screwing a rod-shaped member having a male thread 163G into the screw hole 163D and pulling it. For example, after refilling the used ink bottle 80 with ink, the valve 161 in the third position can be moved to the first position. Therefore, the reuse of the used ink bottle 80 becomes easier. In addition, ink leakage from the reused used ink bottle 80 can be suppressed.

[0068] [Modification of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 is a rounded rectangle. However, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 may have a shape other than a rounded rectangle. For example, the fitting portion 163 may be cylindrical. In this case, it is desirable that the recess 83A of the rubber 83 be circular when viewed from above or below. When the valve 161 is in the first position, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 causes the lip 108 to elastically deform.

[0069] Therefore, as shown in Figure 21(A), the inner diameter of the projection 108A of the lip 108 and the outer diameter of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 coincide, and both become r3. Also, the outer diameter r1 of the lower part 169 of the valve 161 is larger than the outer diameter r2 of the lip 108. Therefore, the lower part 169 is in close contact with the lip 108 from below. Thus, ink leakage from the ink bottle 80 can be suppressed until the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100. The lower part 169 is an example of a first lower part.

[0070] When the valve 161 is in the third position, as shown in Figure 21(B), the inner diameter r4 of the projection 108A of the lip 108 is smaller than the outer diameter r3 of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161. The inner diameter r4 of the projection 108A is the minimum inner diameter of the projection 108A at the position where the inner diameter of the projection 108A is smallest in the vertical direction. Because the fitting portion 163 is cylindrical, the maximum outer diameter of the fitting portion 163 is equal to the outer diameter r3 of the fitting portion 163. Therefore, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 is biased by the coil spring 165 and comes into close contact with the projection 108A of the lip 108 from below. In this way, ink leakage from the ink bottle 80 can be suppressed.

[0071] In this disclosure, when the length of the inner circumference of the projection 108A changes along the vertical direction, the inner circumference at which the length is smallest is referred to as the minimum inner circumference. When the length of the inner circumference of the projection 108A does not change along the vertical direction, the inner circumference of the projection 108A is referred to as the minimum inner circumference regardless of its position in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when the length of the outer circumference of the side surface 163C changes along the vertical direction, the outer circumference at which the length is largest is referred to as the maximum outer circumference. When the length of the outer circumference of the side surface 163C does not change along the vertical direction, the outer circumference of the side surface 163C is referred to as the maximum outer circumference regardless of its position in the vertical direction.

[0072] The inner circumference of the projection 108A and the outer circumference of the side surface 163C have similar shapes and common orientations when viewed from above and below, and the smallest inner circumference of the projection 108A is located inside the largest outer circumference of the side surface 163C. With this configuration, ink leakage from the ink bottle 80 can be suppressed.

[0073] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 has a screw hole 163D on its upper surface 163A. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 22(B), a projection 163H protruding from the upper surface 163A may be provided. By gripping the projection 163H and pulling the valve 161, the valve in the third position can be moved to the first position. The projection 163H is an example of an operating part.

[0074] Alternatively, the valve 161 may be pulled while negative pressure is applied to the upper surface 163A of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161. In this way, the structure of the valve 161 can be simplified compared to a configuration having a screw hole 163D or a projection for pulling.

[0075] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the valve 161 is made of resin, but instead, an elastic material such as rubber may be used. In this case, the rubber 83 may be made of a less elastic material such as resin. Even if the valve 161 is made of an elastic material, the same effects as described above can be obtained by having the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0076] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the fitting portion 163 protrudes from the flat portion 162. Alternatively, the outer circumferential shape of the fitting portion 163 may match the outer circumferential shape of the flat portion 162. Also, in the first embodiment, an example was described in which the screw hole 163D is located at the center of the opening 97A when viewed from the top and bottom. In addition to this, we can assume a plane that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and is located at the center of the upper surface 163A in the front-rear direction. Using this plane as a plane of symmetry, another screw hole may be added at a position symmetrical to the screw hole 163D. According to this modification, there is no need to worry about the orientation of the valve 161 in the front-rear direction, so the effect of easier assembly is obtained.

[0077] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment of the ink bottle 80, as shown in Figure 18, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 has an annular projection 163E on the outer circumference of the upper end. The annular projection 163E protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of the upper end of the fitting portion 163. Therefore, when viewed from above, the outer circumference of the annular projection 163E is located outside the outer circumference of the side surface 163C of the fitting portion 163. The inner circumference of the projection 108A of the lip 108, when not pressed against the side surface 163C of the fitting portion 163, is located inside the outer circumference of the side surface 163C of the fitting portion 163 when viewed from above. Therefore, the inner circumference of the projection 108A of the lip 108 is located inside the outer circumference of the annular projection 163E.

[0078] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] As shown in Figure 18(A), when the valve 161 is in the first position, the annular projection 163E is located above the projection 108A. The projection 108A is in liquid-tight pressure contact with the side surface 163C below the annular projection 163E. The valve 161 is biased upward by a coil spring. When attempting to move the valve 161 downward relative to the lip 108, the annular projection 163E comes into contact with the projection 108A of the lip 108. To move the valve 161 downward away from the lip 108, it is necessary to elastically deform the projection 108A of the lip 108. Therefore, the force required to move the valve 161 from the first position to the second position becomes large.

[0079] Therefore, even if the ink bottle 80 is subjected to impact or other forces, ink leakage is unlikely to occur. For this reason, it is not necessary to make the biasing force on the valve 161 by the coil spring 165 very strong. As shown in Figure 18(B), in the third position, the annular projection 163E is biased by the coil spring 165 and presses liquid-tightly against the lower part of the projection 108A of the lip 108. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not strong, the force resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 165 in order to hold the valve 161 in the second position does not need to be strong either.

[0080] [Modification of the Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, an example was described in which, when viewed from above, the outer circumference of the annular projection 163E of the valve 161 is located outward from the other parts of the fitting portion 163. However, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the following modifications may also be made. As shown in Figure 19, the valve 161 according to this modification has a groove 163F that extends around the entire circumference of the side surface 163C when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 19(A), when the valve 161 is in the first position, the projection 108A of the lip 108 is press-fitted into the side surface 163C of the fitting portion 163. To move the valve 161 downward from the first position, it is necessary to elastically deform the projection 108A of the lip 108. For this reason, the force required to move the valve 161 from the first position to the second position becomes large.

[0081] Therefore, even without making the biasing force of the coil spring 165 too strong, ink leakage before the connection between the ink bottle 80 and the ink tank 100 is suppressed. As shown in Figure 19(B), when the valve 161 is in the third position, the valve 161 is biased by the coil spring 165 and presses against the lower part of the projection 108A of the lip 108. This suppresses ink leakage from the ink bottle 80.

[0082] [Third Embodiment] In the ink bottle 80 according to the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(A), the rubber 83 has an annular lower part 108B below the projection 108A. The lower part 108B is an example of a second lower part. As shown in Figure 10, the outer circumference of the lower part 169 of the valve 161 is located outward from the outer circumference of the fitting part 163 when viewed from above. The valve 161 is biased upward by a coil spring 165. The inner diameter of the fitting part 163 decreases from one end to the other.

[0083] As shown in Figure 20(A), when the valve 161 is in the first position, the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 is fitted into the projection 108A of the lip 108. Also, the lower part 169 of the valve 161 is fitted into the lower part 108B of the rubber 83. As shown in Figure 20(B), when the valve 161 is in the third position, the projection 108A of the lip 108 is pressed against the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161 from below. Also, the lower part of the lower part 169 of the rubber 83 is pressed against the lower part 169 of the valve 161 from below. The ink bottle 80 is sealed by the pressure of the rubber 83 against the valve 161 from below.

[0084] [Effects of the Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the lower part 169 of the valve 161 is gripped by the lower part 108B of the rubber 83. Therefore, ink leakage from the ink bottle 80 before connection to the ink tank 100 is suppressed even without making the biasing force of the coil spring 165 very strong. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not strong, the force resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 165 in order to hold the valve 161 in the second position does not need to be strong either.

[0085] [Fourth Embodiment] In the ink bottle 80 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(C), the rubber 83 has an annular lower part 108B below the projection 108A. The valve 161 has a body 161A and a movable part 166. The body 161A has a recess 161B that opens upward. The body 161A is an example of a valve body. The recess 161B can accommodate the entire movable part 166. The movable part 166 can extend and retract from the opening of the recess 161B.

[0086] The upper outer circumference of the movable part 166 surrounds the inner circumference of the projection 108A of the lip 108 when viewed from above. The main body 161A has an annular projection 161C that protrudes inward from the periphery of the opening of the recess 161B and extends along the periphery. The movable part 166 has an annular projection 166A that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of its lower end and extends along the outer circumference. When the movable part 166 moves upward relative to the valve 161, the projection 166A of the movable part 166 engages with the projection 161C of the valve 161, preventing the movable part 166 from falling off. The valve 161 is biased upward by a coil spring.

[0087] As shown in Figure 20(C), when the valve 161 is in the first position, the movable part 166 has a projection 166A that engages with a projection 161C. Furthermore, the movable part 166 protrudes from the recess 161B, and its upper part is press-fitted into the projection 108A of the lip 108. When the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the movable part 166 is pressed against the tank tube 115 and enters the recess 161B of the main body 161A. As shown in Figure 20(D), when the valve 161 is in the third position, the movable part 166 is retracted into the recess 161B. In addition, the lower part 108B of the rubber 83 is pressed against the upper part of the main body 161A in a liquid-tight manner. This seals the ink bottle 80 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0088] [Effects of the Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, the movable part 166 of the valve 161 is gripped by the lower part 108B of the rubber 83. Therefore, even if the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not made too strong, ink leakage from the ink bottle 80 before connection to the ink tank 100 is suppressed. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not strong, the force resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 165 in order to hold the valve 161 in the second position does not need to be strong.

[0089] [Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(E), the ink bottle 80 has an O-ring 134 fitted to the upper outer circumference of the fitting portion 163 of the valve 161. The O-ring 134 is an elastic material such as rubber. The O-ring 134 is an example of an elastic material. In this embodiment, the ink bottle 80 has a resin cylindrical body 133 instead of rubber 83. The cylindrical body 133 has a step on its inner surface.

[0090] The inner diameter of the cylindrical body 133 at a position corresponding to the lip 108 of the rubber 83 in the first embodiment is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 133A below the position corresponding to the lip 108 in the first embodiment. When the valve 161 is in the first position, the O-ring 134 is press-fitted into the inner circumferential surface 133A of the cylindrical body 133. The cylindrical body 133 is an example of a sealing member.

[0091] [Effects of the Fifth Embodiment] As shown in Figure 20(F), in the third position, the outer circumference of the O-ring 134 surrounds the inner circumference of the cylindrical body 133 when viewed from above. In the first position, the O-ring 134 is pressed against the inner surface 133A of the cylindrical body 133 by its own elastic restoring force and is gripped by the cylindrical body 133. The valve 161 is biased upward by the coil spring, but ink leakage caused by impacts, etc., is suppressed even if the biasing force is not very strong. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 165 is not strong, the force resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 165 in order to hold the valve 161 in the second position does not need to be strong.

[0092] 80... Ink bottle (liquid container) 81... Bottle body (body) 83A... Recess (flow channel) 95, 96A... Through hole (flow channel) 108... Lip (sealing member) 108A... Protrusion 108B... Lower part (second lower part) 121... Upper part (annular wall) 133... Cylinder (sealing member) 134... O-ring (elastic member) 147... Ink storage chamber (storage chamber) 161... Valve 161A... Body (valve body) 163... Fitting part 163D... Screw hole (operating part) 163E... Protrusion 163F... Groove 163H... Projection (operating part) 165... Coil spring (biasing member) 166... ​​Movable part 169... Lower part (first lower part)

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising: a storage chamber for storing printing liquid and a main body that partitions a flow path connecting the storage chamber to the outside; a valve located within the main body; and a biasing member that biases the valve in a first direction, wherein the main body has an annular sealing member that surrounds a part of the flow path; the valve is located in a first position that seals the flow path when pressed into the sealing member; and the valve is configured to be movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the first position to a second position that is separated from the sealing member.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the valve is configured to be further movable to a third position that contacts the projection of the sealing member.

3. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the inner circumference of the sealing member is circular, the fitting portion of the valve that fits into the sealing member is cylindrical, and the maximum outer diameter of the fitting portion of the valve is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the sealing member.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member has a projection that reduces the inner diameter of the sealing member from one end into which the valve is fitted to the other end.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the fitting portion has a cylindrical projection that protrudes radially, and at the first position, the projection is located closer to the other end than the projection.

6. The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the above-mentioned fitting portion has a cylindrical groove that is recessed in the radial direction, and at the above-mentioned first position, the projection enters the groove.

7. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body has an annular wall surrounding the sealing member when the valve is in the first position.

8. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member is an elastic body that is elastically deformed by the valve at the first position.

9. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the valve has a fitting portion that fits into the sealing member at the first position and a first lower portion located in the second direction of the fitting portion, the sealing member has a projection into which the fitting portion is fitted at the first position and a second lower portion located in the second direction of the projection, and at the first position, the first lower portion is fitted into the second lower portion.

10. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve has an elastic member that presses against the inner circumferential surface of the sealing member at the first position.

11. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve comprises a valve body and a movable part that can extend and retract relative to the valve body, and the movable part engages with the valve body in the first position and protrudes from the valve body and is press-fitted into the sealing member.

12. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the valve has an operating part on an outer surface that is exposed to the outside at the third position.

13. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the operating section has an opening on the outer surface.

14. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the operating part protrudes from the outer surface.

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