JP6938959B2 - Ink replenishment container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank that internally stores ink to be supplied to a recording device, and an ink replenishment system including such an ink replenishment container.

Conventionally, an ink tank in which ink is stored is connected to a recording device that ejects ink to a medium for recording in a state in which ink can be supplied. Then, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank becomes small in such a recording device, ink is replenished to such an ink tank from the outside by using an ink replenishment container (for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-146821

By the way, the ink replenishment work for the ink tank needs to be appropriately performed by suppressing poor ink replenishment, and such replenishment work has been conventionally performed by a user of a recording device. Therefore, in order for the user to properly perform such ink replenishment work, further improvement is required for, for example, an ink replenishment container.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink replenishment container capable of appropriately replenishing ink to an ink tank and an ink replenishment system including such an ink replenishment container. be.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their actions and effects will be described.
The ink replenishment container that solves the above problems is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion. An ink having an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating the ink to be replenished in the ink, and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container main body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink accommodating chamber. An outlet forming portion, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion that seals the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable, and a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened abuts the valve. A positioning portion for positioning with respect to the ink tank is provided, and the positioning portion is located on the side opposite to the side where the container main body portion is located with respect to the valve, and intersects the central axis of the ink outlet. The positioning surface has a positioning surface extending in the direction of the ink tank, and the positioning surface is formed with the part of the ink tank side in a state where the ink inlet flow path portion of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is opened. Contact.

According to this configuration, when the ink replenishment container is moved to the ink tank side and the ink inlet flow path portion of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet to open the valve, the positioning surface of the ink tank precedes the valve. Move to the side. Therefore, for example, if the ink tank side is provided with a configuration capable of guiding the movement of the positioning surface in the direction in which the ink inlet flow path portion is inserted into the ink outlet, the ink inlet flow path portion can be easily guided to the valve. Become. In addition, when the positioning surface of the ink replenishment container comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when replenishing ink to the ink tank, the posture of the ink replenishment container stabilizes in the direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet, so that ink replenishment becomes easy. Therefore, the ink tank can be appropriately replenished with ink.

In the ink replenishment container, the positioning surface is preferably located on the side opposite to the container main body side with respect to the ink outlet in the direction along the central axis of the ink outlet.
According to this configuration, when the ink inlet flow path portion on the ink tank side is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink replenishment container, the positioning surface approaches the ink tank before the ink outlet. Therefore, when the ink replenishment container is brought close to the ink tank, it is easy to prevent the ink outlet from colliding with other members. Further, it is easy to prevent the ink outlet from being damaged and the ink from adhering to other members.

In the ink replenishment container, the positioning surface is preferably formed at the tip of a cylinder portion that opens the ink outlet toward the outside at the end portion of the ink outlet forming portion.
According to this configuration, the positioning surface can be formed together with the ink outlet in the tubular portion which is a part of the ink outlet forming portion, so that the positioning surface is formed in a convex portion or the like provided at a place different from the ink outlet. Can be easily done.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problems is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion. A container main body having an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished in the ink tank and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container main body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink accommodating chamber are formed. An ink outlet forming portion, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion that seals the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable, and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened. The ink outlet is formed in a tubular portion that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion, and the positioning portion intersects the central axis of the ink outlet. A positioning surface extending in the direction of the ink is provided with a gap between it and the outer surface of the cylinder portion, and the positioning surface is such that the ink inlet flow path portion of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is opened. In this state, it comes into contact with the part of the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, the positioning surface extending in the direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side, so that the ink is appropriately supplied in a stable state. Can be replenished. In addition, the ink adhering to the ink outlet and the positioning surface may be drawn into the gap to reduce ink dripping and external contamination.

In the ink replenishment container, the area where the positioning surface comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side on the side far from the ink outlet in the direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet is closer to the ink outlet. It is preferably larger than the area that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, the stability of the posture of the ink outlet can be improved in the ink replenishment state in which the ink inlet flow path portion is inserted into the ink outlet to open the valve.
Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problems is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion. A container main body having an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished in the ink tank and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container main body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink accommodating chamber are formed. An ink outlet forming portion, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion that seals the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable, and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened. The positioning portion comprises a positioning portion for positioning the ink with respect to the ink tank, the positioning portion includes a positioning surface inclined or curved in a direction intersecting the central axis of the ink outlet, and the positioning surface is the ink tank. In a state where the ink inlet flow path portion is inserted into the ink outlet and the valve is open, the ink inlet channel portion comes into contact with the part of the ink tank side.

According to this configuration, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, the ink replenishment container can be positioned in both the direction along the central axis of the ink outlet and the direction orthogonal to the central axis, and the ink replenishment is appropriately performed. be able to.

In the ink replenishment container, the positioning surface is inclined or curved in a direction gradually away from the central axis in a direction from the ink outlet toward the container main body.
According to this configuration, when the ink inlet flow path portion is inserted and removed from the ink outlet, the ink replenishment container can be gradually guided along the inclined or curved positioning surface.

In the ink replenishment container, it is preferable that the positioning portion is provided on at least one of the ink outlet forming portion and the container main body portion exposed to the outside.
According to this configuration, when the ink inlet flow path portion of the ink tank is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink replenishment container, the positioning portion can be easily visually recognized from the outside. Further, when the positioning portion is provided in the externally exposed portion of the container body portion, the container body portion containing the ink is positioned, so that the heavy portion is positioned and the ink replenishment posture is changed. Stabilize.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problems is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion. A container main body having an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished in the ink tank and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container main body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink accommodating chamber are formed. An ink outlet forming portion, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion that seals the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable, and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened. Is provided with a positioning unit for positioning the ink tank, and the positioning unit is provided inside the ink outlet.

According to this configuration, since the positioning portion is protected inside the ink outlet as compared with the case where the positioning portion is provided outside the ink outlet, it can be less likely to be damaged. Further, since the positioning portion is close to the valve inside the ink outlet, the valve can be accurately positioned with respect to the ink tank. Further, even if the ink adheres to the positioning portion, it is located inside the ink outlet, so that it is difficult for the ink to adhere to the outside of the ink replenishment container.

An ink replenishment system that solves the above problems includes an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion, an ink replenishment container having the above configuration, and the ink replenishment container. When the valve is positioned with respect to the ink tank via the positioning portion, it is located between the positioning portion and the portion on the ink tank side, and the positioning portion and the portion on the ink tank side. It is provided with a positioning auxiliary member that mediates contact with the ink.

According to this configuration, when ink is replenished from the ink replenishment container to the ink tank, appropriate positioning can be performed for various ink tanks by using the positioning auxiliary member.

In the ink replenishment system, the positioning assisting member is preferably composed of an ink absorbing material capable of absorbing ink.
According to this configuration, the impact when the positioning portion of the ink replenishment container comes into contact with a part on the ink tank side can be mitigated by the ink absorber. Further, since the ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material, it is possible to reduce dripping and scattering when the ink replenishment container is removed.

Another ink replenishment container that solves the above problems is an ink replenishment container that replenishes ink to an ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion. A container main body having an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink to be replenished in the ink tank and an ink outlet provided at an end of the container main body to allow the ink to flow out from the ink accommodating chamber are formed. An ink outlet forming portion, a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion that seals the ink outlet so as to be openable and closable, and a valve that comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side when the valve is opened. The ink tank is provided with a positioning unit for positioning the ink tank.

According to this configuration, when the positioning portion of the ink replenishment container comes into contact with a part of the ink tank side during ink replenishment, the valve that opens and closes the ink outlet is positioned with respect to the ink tank. Therefore, it becomes easy to replenish the ink, and the ink can be appropriately replenished to the ink tank.
The present disclosure may be realized in the following forms.
[Form 1] An ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion, and an ink tank having the ink inlet flow path portion in an extending direction of the ink inlet flow path portion from the tip of the ink inlet flow path portion. An upper surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the ink inlet flow path portion extends at an outer position, an ink inlet that is a hole that opens in the upper surface, and an ink inlet in which the ink inlet flow path portion is arranged, and the ink inlet flow path portion. An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink into an ink supply unit having a pair of recesses that open on the upper surface along the extending direction and are connected to the ink inlet with the ink inlet in between. a container body that is configured to allow the ink outlet forming portion which is connected to the container body, wherein the ink outlet forming portion, insertable constructed ink outlet of the ink inlet channel portion A tubular portion having a cylinder portion and a convex portion extending in a direction along the central axis of the ink outlet are provided, and the convex portion refers to the ink outlet when viewed from the ink outlet side in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet. has a pair of first portion extending radially centered and a second portion extending from the radially outer end of the first portion of each in a direction crossing the radial direction, the When the direction of the central axis is the vertical direction and the first portion is arranged in the front-rear direction, the second portion extends from the end portion of the first portion to the left and right sides, and a pair of the first portions. And the second portion are configured to be inserted into the pair of concave portions with the ink inlet flow path portion inserted into the ink outlet, and a gap between the tubular portion and the convex portion. Is formed, an ink replenishment container.

The perspective view which shows typically the schematic structure of the recording apparatus in a fluoroscopic state. The perspective view which shows the ink supply unit provided in the housing of a recording apparatus. Similarly, a plan view of the ink supply unit. FIG. 3 is a partially fractured cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially fractured cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. The perspective view of the ink replenishment container of 1st Embodiment. Side view of the ink replenishment container. Front view of the ink replenishment container. Top view of the ink replenishment container. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. A partially broken front view showing an ink replenishment system immediately before the ink replenishment work. Partial break side view showing the ink replenishment system immediately before the ink replenishment work. A partially broken front view showing an ink replenishment system during ink replenishment work. Partial break side view showing an ink replenishment system during an ink replenishment operation. A partially broken front view showing an ink replenishment system in a positioned state. Partial break side view showing an ink replenishment system in a positioned state. A partial perspective view of the ink replenishment container of the second embodiment. The partial plan view of the ink supply unit at the time of ink replenishment in the 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F20-F20 in FIG. A partial perspective view of the ink replenishment container of the third embodiment. A partially broken side view showing an ink replenishment system according to a third embodiment. The partial perspective view of the ink replenishment container of 4th Embodiment. A partial perspective view of the ink replenishment container of the fifth embodiment. The partially broken side view which shows the ink replenishment system in 5th Embodiment. A partially broken side view showing an ink replenishment system according to a sixth embodiment. A partially broken side view showing the ink replenishment system according to the seventh embodiment. The partially broken side view which shows the ink replenishment system in 8th Embodiment. A partially broken side view showing an ink replenishment system according to a ninth embodiment. A partially broken side view showing the ink replenishment system according to the tenth embodiment. The perspective view of the ink supply unit in eleventh embodiment. The partial plan view of the ink supply unit at the time of ink replenishment in 11th Embodiment. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F33-F33 in FIG. 32. A partially broken front view showing an ink replenishment system according to a twelfth embodiment. A partially broken side view showing the ink replenishment system according to the thirteenth embodiment.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the ink replenishment system including the ink tank and the ink replenishment container in the recording device will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording device of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that records (prints) an image or the like on the medium by ejecting ink onto the medium. Further, in the drawing, it is assumed that a recording device having a predetermined height in the vertical direction, a predetermined width in the horizontal direction, and a predetermined depth in the front-rear direction is placed on a horizontal plane. In each figure, the vertical direction along the vertical line, the horizontal direction along the horizontal plane orthogonal to the vertical straight line, and the front-back direction along the horizontal plane perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are indicated by arrows.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 21 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 22 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. Note that FIG. 1 is simply shown in a state in which the inside of the housing 22 of the recording device 21 is seen through. A support base 23 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction is provided in the lower portion of the housing 22 toward the rear so that the upper surface thereof is aligned substantially in the horizontal direction. Paper P, which is an example of the medium, is conveyed toward the front in the conveying direction while being supported by the upper surface of the support base 23. Further, a guide shaft 24 extending in the left-right direction is erected at an upper position of the support base 23 in the housing 22, and a carriage 26 provided with a recording head 25 for ejecting ink on the lower surface side of the guide shaft 24. Is supported. That is, the carriage 26 is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in the left-right direction with respect to the guide shaft 24 in a state where the guide shaft 24 is inserted into the support hole 27 penetrating in the left-right direction.

Further, the drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29 are rotatably supported at positions in the housing 22 near both ends of the guide shaft 24. The output shaft of the carriage motor 30 is connected to the drive pulley 28, and an endless timing belt 31 partially connected to the carriage 26 is wound between the drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29. .. Then, when the carriage 26 is guided by the guide shaft 24 via the timing belt 31 and reciprocates along the left-right direction which is the scanning direction with respect to the paper P by the drive of the carriage motor 30, the carriage 26 is conveyed forward on the support base 23. Ink is ejected from the recording head 25 on the lower surface side of the carriage 26 to the paper P to be printed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at a position on the front side of the housing 22 on the front side of the support base 23, ink from the recording head 25 is transferred from the recording head 25 when being conveyed on the support base 23 in the housing 22. A rectangular discharge port 32 for discharging the paper P recorded by ejection to the front side is open. The discharge port 32 is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped discharge tray 33 capable of supporting the paper P discharged from the housing 22 so as to be able to move forward in the discharge direction. Further, in the discharge port 32, a paper feed cassette 34 capable of accommodating a plurality of sheets of paper P used for recording in a stacked state is mounted on the lower side of the discharge tray 33 so as to be freely inserted and removed in the front-rear direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front surface and the upper surface are rectangular at a position on the front surface of the housing 22 which is on the left-right end side (right end side in FIG. 1) with respect to the discharge port 32. An opening / closing door 35 having a right-angled triangular shape on the right side surface is provided so as to be able to open / close in the front-rear direction with a rotation shaft 36 provided at the lower end thereof along the left-right direction as a rotation center. A window portion 37 made of a rectangular transparent member is formed on the front surface of the opening / closing door 35, and the user can use the inside of the housing 22 (particularly, the back side of the front surface of the opening / closing door 35) with the opening / closing door 35 closed. ) Can be visually recognized.

Ink is supplied to the recording head 25 in the housing 22 of the recording device 21 at a position on the back side of the opening / closing door 35, that is, a position closer to the front surface and closer to the end portion (in this case, closer to the right end portion). Ink supply unit 40 is housed. The ink supply unit 40 is a structure that includes a plurality of (five in this embodiment) ink tanks 41 to 45 and can be handled integrally. As will be described later, the ink supply units 40 are in the ink tanks 41 to 45. Is said to be replenishable with ink.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink supply unit 40 supplies five ink tanks 41 to 45 having a deformed box shape long in the front-rear direction and five ink supplies drawn from the rear surface side of each ink tank 41 to 45. It includes a tube 46 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped ink replenishing adapter 47 that can be assembled in a state in which the ink tanks 41 to 45 are collectively assembled. The ink replenishment adapter 47 has a stepped portion formed in the upper front half of all the ink tanks 41 to 45 in a state where all the ink tanks 41 to 45 are arranged side by side with the thickness direction in the left-right direction. By assembling to 48, it is integrated with ink tanks 41 to 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply tubes 46 drawn out from the ink tanks 41 to 45 are connected to an ink flow path (not shown) formed in the carriage 26, and recording is performed through the ink flow path (not shown). It is connected to the head 25. The ink replenishment adapter 47 may form a part of the housing 22 that covers the ink tanks 41 to 45, or may be integrally formed with the ink tanks 41 to 45.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ink tanks 41 to 45 have an ink chamber 49 capable of storing ink IK inside the ink tanks 41 to 45. In the case of the present embodiment, black ink is stored in the ink chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 located at the right end in the side-by-side direction. Then, color (cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.) ink other than black is stored in the ink chambers 49 of the other ink tanks 42 to 45 arranged on the left side of the rightmost ink tank 41 in the side-by-side arrangement direction. Further, in the ink tanks 41 to 45, the front wall portion that is visible through the window portion 37 on the front surface of the housing 22 is formed of a transparent resin that makes the liquid level of the ink IK in the ink chamber 49 visible. The visible portion 50 is provided. Then, the visual recognition unit 50 shows an upper limit of the upper limit of the liquid level of the ink IK stored in the ink chamber 49 (an example of a guideline for the amount of ink that can be injected without overflowing the ink from the ink inlet 53). A mark 51 and a lower limit mark 52 indicating a guideline for a lower limit (for example, a guideline for promoting ink replenishment) are marked.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the ink tanks 41 to 45, an ink inlet 53 that allows ink to flow into the ink chamber 49 from the outside is provided above the horizontal portion of the step portion 48. The ink inlet 53 includes a needle 56 which has flow paths 54 and 55 communicating the inside and the outside of the ink chamber 49 and is an example of an ink inlet flow path portion extending vertically upward. Inside the cylindrical needle 56, two flow paths 54 and 55 are partitioned by a partition wall formed so as to extend in the vertical direction at the center position in the front-rear direction thereof. Therefore, the flow paths 54 and 55 of the present embodiment are formed so that the height and cross-sectional area of the tip openings are substantially equal. A remaining amount sensor 57 for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in the ink chamber 49 is provided in the lower part of the ink chamber 49 near the rear. The remaining amount sensor 57 may not be provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 is a horizontal surface along a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the extending direction of the needle 56, and the upper surface 58 is up and down to the lower surface 59. A through hole 60 penetrating in the direction is formed as an ink inlet forming portion. The through hole 60 is composed of a circular hole-shaped ink inlet 53 in which the needle 56 is arranged in the center, and a pair of front and rear rectangular holes connected to the front and back of the ink inlet 53, and the lower openings thereof are ink tanks 41 to 45. The needle 56 is blocked by a horizontal portion of a stepped portion 48 projecting upward.

Therefore, in the through hole 60, in the region outside the ink inlet 53 in the radial direction centered on the ink inlet 53, the direction in which the needle 56 extends by a pair of front and rear rectangular holes whose lower opening is closed. A pair of front and rear recesses 61 that open to the upper side are formed as recesses with the vertical lower side as the depth direction so as to be point-symmetrical with respect to the ink inlet 53. That is, in the ink replenishment adapter 47 integrated with the ink tanks 41 to 45, a plurality of regions outside the ink inlet 53 including the needle 56 are point-symmetrical with respect to the ink inlet 53 (in this case, front and rear). Two pairs of recesses 61) will be formed. In this case, the tip of the needle 56 arranged at the center of the circular hole-shaped ink inlet 53 is the upper surface of the ink replenishment adapter 47 which is the opening edge of the through hole 60 including the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61. It is located closer to the ink chamber 49 than 58. That is, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 extends in the direction in which the needle 56 extends, at a position outside the tip of the needle 56 and in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle 56 extends. On the other hand, the lower surface 59 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 functions as a tank engaging portion that collectively engages the plurality of ink tanks 41 to 45 arranged side by side in the left-right direction from above.

Further, in the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, the peripheral portion of the upper opening edge of each through hole 60 is colored in a specific color. That is, the color is the same as the color of the ink stored in the ink chambers 49 of the ink tanks 41 to 45 into which the ink flows through the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60. In this respect, in the peripheral portion of the upper opening edge of each through hole 60 in the ink replenishment adapter 47, the ink tanks 41 to 45 in which the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60 and the ink chamber 49 communicate with each other are stored inside. It functions as the first part to show the information related to the ink to the outside. Incidentally, the peripheral portion of the upper opening of the through hole 60 in which the ink inlet 53 communicating with the ink chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 for storing black ink is arranged is colored black.

Further, on the inner surface of the recess 61 (specifically, the inner surface along the vertical direction), the position on the bottom surface side (that is, the horizontal portion side of the step portion 48) from the upper opening edge of the recess 61 is horizontal. The first concavo-convex portion (first key structure portion) 62 having a characteristic concavo-convex shape in the direction is provided so as to extend along the depth direction of the recess 61 (in other words, the direction of the central axis of the ink inlet 53). ing. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first uneven portion 62 is provided for each ink inlet 53 of a plurality of (five in this embodiment) ink tanks 41 to 45. Therefore, in the ink replenishment adapter 47, in the rectangular recess 61 in each through hole 60 formed at a position corresponding to each ink tank 41 to 45 in the vertical direction, another through hole 60 is formed for each through hole 60. A first concavo-convex portion 62 different from the first concavo-convex portion 62 provided on the inner surface of the recess 61 is formed. That is, these first concavo-convex portions 62 have an ink replenishment container 63 (see FIG. 6 and the like) having an ink outlet 65 (see FIG. 6 and the like) connected to an ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 in which the first concavo-convex portion 62 is formed (FIG. 6). It functions as an identification unit that makes it possible to identify (see 6 etc.). The "position on the bottom surface side of the upper opening edge of the recess 61" means that the position may be slightly retracted to the bottom surface side from the opening edge.

Therefore, next, an ink replenishment container 63, which constitutes an ink replenishment system together with the ink tanks 41 to 45 and replenishes ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45 having a low ink remaining amount, will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the ink replenishment container 63 according to the first embodiment is provided at the cylindrical container main body 64 which is the main body thereof and the tip end of the container main body 64, and is inside the ink replenishment container 63. The ink outlet 65 is provided with an ink outlet forming portion 66 having an opening formed at the tip thereof, which enables the ink to flow out from the ink outlet 65. The ink outlet forming portion 66 of the present embodiment is composed of a container addition portion 67 having a separate structure in which a part of the tip side thereof is added so as to surround the ink outlet 65. The ink outlet forming portion 66 may be provided integrally at the end of the container main body portion 64 or may be provided separately. Further, the container addition portion 67 may not be a separate structure added to the ink outlet forming portion 66, but may be integrally formed on the tip end side of the ink outlet forming portion 66.

The ink outlet 65 of the ink outlet forming portion 66, including the container additional portion 67 around the ink outlet forming portion 66, is covered with a bottomed cylindrical cap 68, so that the ink outlet 65 is concealed from the outside when the ink replenishment container 63 is stored. That is, a male screw portion 69 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical lower end portion of the container addition portion 67, while a female screw portion (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 68. Then, by screwing the female threaded portion of the cap 68 into the male threaded portion 69 of the container additional portion 67, the cap 68 is attached to the tip end portion of the ink replenishment container 63 so as to cover the ink outlet 65.

The entire outer surface of the container addition portion 67 is colored in a specific color. That is, the color is the same as the color of the ink contained in the container body 64 to which the container addition portion 67 is added. In this respect, the container addition portion 67 in the ink replenishment container 63 functions as a second portion for displaying information related to the ink contained in the ink replenishment container 63 to the outside. Incidentally, the outer surface of the container addition portion 67 in the ink replenishment container 63 that houses the black ink is colored black. Further, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) protrusions 70 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the base end portions of the container main body portion 64 and the cap 68 at equal angular intervals (for example, 90 degree intervals). Incidentally, these protrusions 70 are formed to prevent the ink replenishment container 63 having a cylindrical shape from rolling. Further, for example, the container body 64 of the ink replenishment container 63 containing black ink may be formed thicker than the container body 64 of the ink replenishment container 63 containing inks of other colors. In that case, the ink outlet forming portion 66 may have the same thickness and shape as those for black ink and those for inks of other colors.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, ink is formed in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 in the portion above the cylindrical lower end portion in which the male screw portion 69 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container addition portion 67. In the region outside the outlet 65, a convex portion 71 is formed that projects upward in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, which is opposite to the direction in which the container body 64 is located with respect to the ink outlet 65. Has been done. When the tip of the needle 56 on the ink inlet 53 side is inserted into the ink outlet 65, the convex portion 71 can be fitted with the concave portion 61 on the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 as the first fitting portion. It functions as a fitting portion, and is provided so as to form a pair by sandwiching the ink outlets 65 from both sides (front and back in the figure) in the radial direction, similarly to the pair of recesses 61 that sandwich the ink inlet 53 from the front and back. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the convex portion 71 is formed inside the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 64 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 in the ink replenishment container 63.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, on the outer surface of each convex portion 71 (the left and right side surfaces in FIGS. 6 and 9), the first uneven portion (the first concave-convex portion) formed on the inner surface of the concave portion 61 of the ink replenishment adapter 47. A second uneven portion (second key structural portion) 72 that can be engaged with the 1-key structural portion) 62 is formed. The second uneven portion 72 is provided so as to extend along the protruding direction of the convex portion 71 (in other words, the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65), and the convex portion 71 is fitted into the concave portion 61. When the second uneven portion 72 is engaged with the first uneven portion 62, the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is connected to the ink inlet 53 on the ink tanks 41 to 45 side.

Further, between the cylindrical lower end portion on which the male screw portion 69 of the container addition portion 67 is formed and the convex portion 71 on which the second uneven portion 72 is formed, the ink outlet 65 is orthogonal to (intersects) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The planar positioning portion 73 is provided so as to be located outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction when the ink outlet 65 is viewed in the direction of the central axis 85 thereof. That is, the positioning portion 73 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the container addition portion 67 which is a part of the outer surface of the ink replenishment container 63, and is a container rather than the tip of the convex portion 71 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is provided at a position on the main body 64 side. Since the positioning portion 73 is provided in the container addition portion 67 added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 in the ink replenishment container 63, it can be said that the positioning portion 73 is provided on the outside of the ink outlet forming portion 66.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the ink outlet 65 formed in the ink outlet forming portion 66, a valve 74 made of an elastic member such as a silicon film that seals the ink outlet 65 so as to be openable and closable is provided. ing. The valve 74 is provided at a position where the positioning portion 73 is closer to the container main body portion 64 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 (see, for example, FIG. 14). The valve 74 is provided with a plurality of slits 75 (three in the present embodiment) intersecting at equal angle intervals (120 degree intervals as an example) with the center as an intersection, and these slits 75 are ink outlets. It is configured to open the valve by being pushed inward from the outside of the 65. That is, when the tip of the needle 56 on the ink inlet 53 side is inserted into the ink outlet 65, the normally closed valve 74 is expanded inward by the tip of the needle 56 to open the valve.

Then, at that time, the positioning portion 73 abuts on the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 in which the through hole 60 including the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61 is formed outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction, and the ink outlet 65 The valve 74 is positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 to 45 in the direction of the central axis 85 of the above. In this respect, the planar positioning portion 73 functions as a positioning surface extending in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. On the other hand, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 is a positioning portion 73 of the ink replenishment container 63 when the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is opened for ink replenishment to the ink tanks 41 to 45. Is a part of the ink tanks 41 to 45 side to which the ink tanks come into contact with, and functions as a receiving surface for receiving the planar positioning portion 73.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the container body 64 in the ink replenishment container 63 is a bottle-shaped member having an ink storage chamber 76 capable of storing ink IK inside, and is a neck portion at the upper end thereof. A male screw portion 78 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the 77. On the other hand, the ink outlet forming portion 66 provided at the upper end portion of the container main body portion 64 has a large diameter portion 79 located on the outer peripheral side of the neck portion 77 of the container main body portion 64 and ink at a position farthest from the container main body portion 64. It has a small-diameter portion 80 that is a tubular portion that opens an outlet 65 toward the outside, and an intermediate portion 81 that connects between the large-diameter portion 79 and the small-diameter portion 80. Then, the female screw portion 82 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 79 is screwed into the male screw portion 78 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 77 of the container main body portion 64, whereby the ink outlet forming portion 66 is formed. It is attached to the upper end of the container body 64.

Further, the container addition portion 67 added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 of the ink replenishment container 63 so as to surround the ink outlet 65 has a cylindrical lower end portion having a male screw portion 69 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the lower end surface thereof. Consists of a joint portion 83 to be joined to the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 79 of the ink outlet forming portion 66. In the joint portion 83, the surface regions of the inner peripheral surface facing each other in the front-rear direction are in surface contact with the outer surface on the front side and the outer surface on the rear side of the intermediate portion 81 of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and the ink outlet forming portion 66 is in a surface contact state. It is joined to the large diameter portion 79.

Therefore, next, the operation of the ink replenishment system configured as described above will be described below focusing on the operation of replenishing the ink tanks 41 to 45 of the ink supply unit 40 using the ink replenishment container 63. ..

As a premise, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level height of the ink in the black ink ink tank 41 located on the rightmost side of the plurality of horizontally arranged ink tanks 41 to 45 is the visual recognition unit 50. Since the height has been lowered to the height of the lower limit mark 52 marked in the lower part of the above, the case of replenishing the ink tank 41 with ink will be described below. Further, it is assumed that the ink replenishment container 63 used for ink replenishment sufficiently contains black ink, and the cap 68 is removed from the ink replenishment container 63 in advance. Further, the shape of the second uneven portion 72 formed on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 is formed on the inner surface of the concave portion 61 located before and after the ink inlet 53 to the ink tank 41. It is assumed that the shape matches the shape of the uneven portion 62 and that the convex portion 71 can be engaged with the insertion of the convex portion 71 into the concave portion 61.

When replenishing the ink tank 41 with ink, the user first rotates the opening / closing door 35 of the housing 22 forward about the rotation shaft 36 from the closed state shown in FIG. 1 to open the ink tank 41. Then, in the ink supply unit 40, the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 in which the ink inlet 53 is formed into the ink tanks 41 to 45 is exposed to the outside of the housing 22, and the user can reach the desired ink inlet 53. On the other hand, the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 can be connected from above.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user turns the ink replenishment container 63 containing the black ink used for ink replenishment upside down, and the ink outlet 65 is the rightmost through hole in the ink replenishment adapter 47. Hold so that it is located above 60. That is, the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 to be replenished with ink. At this time, the user can see the color (second part) colored in the container addition portion 67 of the ink replenishment container 63 held in his hand and the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 to be replenished with ink at that time. Compare with the color (first part) colored around the upper opening edge of the provided through hole 60. Then, if the respective colors are the same (in this case, blacks), it is confirmed that the ink replenishment container 63 suitable for the current ink replenishment is held in the hand, and the subsequent work in the ink replenishment is started.

Then, the ink replenishment container 63 is lowered from the state shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 is inserted into the concave portion 61 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 integrated with the ink tank 41. Then, by realizing the state in which the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61, the state in which the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 is ensured. In this case, since the concave portion 61 is in a position symmetrical with respect to the needle 56 which is the center of the ink inlet 53, the convex portion 71 can be inserted into any of the concave portions 61. Therefore, it is not necessary to rotate the ink replenishment container 63 around the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 many times to confirm the conforming positional relationship between the concave portion 61 and the convex portion 71, and the user can use the convex portion with respect to the concave portion 61. The insertion work of 71 can be easily performed.

However, at this point, the convex portion 71 is only slightly inserted into the concave portion 61, and the tip of the needle 56 located at the center of the ink inlet 53 also opens the ink outlet 65 slightly protruding from the tip of the convex portion 71. Although it is inserted inside, it does not reach the valve 74 located inside the ink outlet 65. The reason is that, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the convex portion 71 rather than the distance L1 between the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 where the opening edge of the concave portion 61 is located and the upper end of the first uneven portion 62 in the concave portion 61. This is because the distance L2 between the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 is longer. Therefore, when the convex portion 71 is further inserted downward in the depth direction of the concave portion 61 from that state, the second uneven portion 72 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 engages with the first uneven portion 62 on the inner surface of the concave portion 61. It fits. Then, while maintaining the engaged state, when the convex portion 71 is further inserted toward the bottom surface side in the depth direction of the concave portion 61, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65. At that point, the valve 74 is opened.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the tip of the needle 56 pushes the slit 75 upward from below (that is, from the outside to the inside of the ink outlet 65) with respect to the valve 74, thereby pushing the valve 74. The valve is opened. As a result, the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 and the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 are connected, and black ink is replenished from the inside of the ink replenishment container 63 into the ink tank 41. At this time, the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 functions as an ink flow path in which one of the two flow paths 54 and 55 flows ink, and the other flow path serves as an air flow path through which air flows. Function. For example, when the user tries to connect the ink outlet 65 to the ink inlet 53 with the ink replenishment container 63 tilted, the ink flow path is the ink flow path of the two flow paths 54 and 55 due to the difference in the tilting direction. The flow path will also change.

If the second concavo-convex portion 72 does not engage with the first concavo-convex portion 62 after the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61, at that point, the user can use the ink replenishment container 63 of a color other than black. You can recognize that you are trying to insert it by mistake. In this case, if the upper end of the first concavo-convex portion 62 is located at the same height as the opening edge of the recess 61, the engagement of the second concavo-convex portion 72 with the first concavo-convex portion 62 is rejected. Not only that, the insertion of the convex portion 71 into the concave portion 61 is also refused, so that the user may try to insert the convex portion 71 into the concave portion 61 many times and waste work time unnecessarily. be. In this respect, in the present embodiment, since the height of the first uneven portion 62 is lower than the opening edge of the concave portion 61, the convex portion 71 is guided to the bottom surface side in the depth direction of the concave portion 61 when inserted into the concave portion 61. It becomes easy to do it, and it is suppressed that the working time becomes unnecessarily long.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17, when the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side opens the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63. In the ink replenishment container 63, the positioning portion 73 comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, which is a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. That is, the ink replenishment container 63 is brought into contact with the planar positioning portion 73 functioning as a positioning surface extending in a direction orthogonal to (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 and the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47. The valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side.

Further, at that time, since the positioning portion 73 is located outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction, the ink replenishment container 63 is stably maintained in the posture in which the ink outlet 65 is connected to the ink inlet 53. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the positioning portion 73 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, the ink inlet 53 at which the base end of the needle 56 at the ink inlet 53 is located is located. There is a gap between the bottom surface of the ink replenishment container 63 and the tip of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63. Therefore, ink tends to accumulate on the bottom surface of the ink inlet 53 where the base end of the needle 56 is located, but it is also possible to prevent the accumulated ink from adhering to the tip of the ink outlet 65 and contaminating the ink replenishment container 63. NS.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, when the ink replenishment from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tank 41 is completed, the liquid level height of the ink in the ink tank 41 is higher than the upper limit mark 51 of the visual recognition unit 50. If it is still low, the same black ink replenishment container 63 may be used to further replenish the ink up to the upper limit mark 51. The ink replenishment work as described above is also performed for the ink tanks 42 to 45 of colors other than the black ink ink tank 41.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1-1) The ink replenishment container 63 has a planar positioning portion 73 that functions as a positioning surface extending in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41 to 45. , It comes into contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47, which is a part of the ink tanks 41 to 45. Then, since the posture of the ink replenishment container 63 is stable in the direction orthogonal to (crossing) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 to 45, and the ink is ink. It becomes easier to replenish. Therefore, the ink can be appropriately replenished to the ink tanks 41 to 45.

(1-2) Since the valve 74 is composed of a slit valve in which one or more slits 75 are provided in an elastic member made of a silicon film or the like, an ink replenishment container 63 having a simple structure is provided with a small number of parts. can.

(1-3) When the ink replenishment container 63 is connected to the ink tanks 41 to 45 in a state of being tilted along the radial direction in which the two flow paths 54 and 55 are lined up from the direction in which the needle 56 extends, the two flow paths Of 54 and 55, one of the flow paths on the side where the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 approaches first functions as an ink flow path, and the other flow path functions as an air flow path. Therefore, since the user may use any of the two flow paths 54 and 55 as the ink flow path, he / she can quickly perform the ink replenishment work without hesitating to select the flow path to be the ink flow path. It can be carried out.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each subsequent embodiment including this second embodiment, a part of the configuration of the ink replenishment container 63 is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other configurations are almost the same as those of the first embodiment. .. Therefore, hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the second embodiment, the small diameter portion 80, which is an example of a tubular portion in which the ink outlet 65 is opened to the outside at the tip portion of the ink outlet forming portion 66, is a positioning portion. It is configured to function as. That is, the cylindrical small diameter portion 80 has a planar tip surface orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, and the direction in which this tip surface is orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes a positioning surface 84 extending to.

As shown in FIG. 18, the positioning surface 84 is composed of the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 that forms the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, the container body 64 is located on the positioning surface 84 in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the valve 74 located inwardly behind the opening edge of the ink outlet 65 in the small diameter portion 80. It is located on the opposite side of the side. That is, the positioning surface 84 projects from the valve 74 toward the side where the ink flows out from the ink outlet 65 (hereinafter, also referred to as “container tip side”) in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. There is.

Further, the positioning surface 84 is composed of a tip surface which is a portion of the small diameter portion 80 which is the farthest portion from the container main body portion 64 in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. Therefore, the positioning surface 84 is opposite to the side on which the container body 64 is located in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, rather than the ink outlet 65 formed on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. It is located on the tip side of the container, which is the side. The small diameter portion 80, which is a tubular portion in the present embodiment, is a through hole (hereinafter, also referred to as “tank side through hole”) 60 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 integrated with the ink tank 41 (42 to 45). In the above, the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 has a shape that can be fitted to the substantially circular hole-shaped ink inlet 53 located at the center.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 of the second embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the small diameter portion 80 forming the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side is formed. It is inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side from above. That is, the small diameter portion 80 that functions as a positioning portion is inserted into the substantially circular hole-shaped ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 so as to align the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with the central axis of the ink inlet 53 and fit. Will be done.

At this time, in the ink replenishment container 63 that moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 precedes the valve 74 at the inner back of the ink outlet 65. Move to the 42-45) side. Then, the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical small diameter portion 80 in the ink replenishment container 63 is formed on the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the arc surface forming the inner peripheral surface (inner surface) of the ink inlet 53. It slides along the direction. In other words, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the cylindrical small diameter portion (positioning portion) 80, slides on the arc surface forming the inner peripheral surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. It is guided in the direction in which the needle 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65.

Then, in a state where the small diameter portion 80 of the ink replenishment container 63 has the positioning surface 84 at its tip inserted into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60 on the tank side, the ink inlet is being moved toward the bottom of the through hole 60. When the tip of the needle 56 of the 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the small diameter portion 80 of the ink replenishment container 63 further moves toward the bottom of the through hole 60 from that state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 comes into contact with the bottom. That is, the posture of the ink replenishment container 63 is stable because the positioning surface 84 extending in the direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 comes into contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side. do. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2) and (1-3).
(2-1) The ink replenishment container 63 is moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, and the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) is inserted into the ink outlet 65 to valve. When the valve 74 is opened, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the cylindrical small diameter portion (positioning portion) 80, moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side before the valve 74. At that time, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 is guided by the arc surface forming the inner peripheral surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60, and smoothly moves in the direction of inserting the needle 56 into the ink outlet 65. do. As a result, the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 can be easily guided to the valve 74 when the ink is replenished.

(2-2) The ink replenishment container 63 is moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, and the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) is inserted into the ink outlet 65 to valve. When the valve 74 is opened, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the small diameter portion 80 approaches the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) before the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. Therefore, when the ink replenishment container 63 is brought close to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), it is easy to prevent the ink outlet 65 from colliding with other members. Further, thereby, the ink outlet 65 can be protected, and it is easy to prevent the ink from adhering to other members.

(2-3) When the positioning surface 84 abuts on the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the ink replenishment container 63 intersects with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The posture is stable in the direction of ink. Therefore, ink can be easily replenished, and the ink replenishment container 63 can appropriately replenish ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45).

(2-4) In the ink replenishment container 63, since the positioning surface 84 can be formed on the small diameter portion (cylinder portion) 80 which is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 together with the ink outlet 65, the positioning surface 84 is referred to as the ink outlet 65. The structure can be made simpler than forming it on a part of a convex portion or the like provided at another place.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 21, the ink replenishment container 63 of the third embodiment has a container tip in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. The convex portion 71 protruding toward the side is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 has a planar tip surface orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, and the tip surface extends in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes a positioning surface 84.

As shown in FIG. 21, the convex portion 71 is a container in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 rather than the small diameter portion 80 in which the valve 74 is located at the inner back of the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side. It protrudes toward the tip of the container, which is the side opposite to the side where the main body 64 is located. Therefore, the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71, is on the side of the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74 along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65, which is opposite to the side on which the container body 64 is located. It is located on the tip side of the container.

Further, the convex portion 71 is provided on a portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside. That is, the convex portion 71 is provided in the ink replenishment container 63 at a portion outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. The planar shape of the convex portion 71 can be fitted into a substantially rectangular concave portion 61 connected to the substantially circular hole-shaped ink inlet 53 located in the center of the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) from the front-rear direction. It has a nice shape. Then, between the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical small diameter portion 80 and the outer surface of the convex portion 71 facing the outer peripheral surface, the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 and the tip surface (positioning) of the convex portion 71 are formed. A slit-shaped gap 86 is formed in which the ink adhering to the surface 84) can be drawn in by the capillary phenomenon. In the case of the third embodiment, the first uneven portion 62 formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 in the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) in the first embodiment is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 21, when ink is replenished from the ink replenishment container 63 of the third embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80 at the tip of the ink replenishment container 63 are on the tank side. It is inserted into the through hole 60 of the above from above. That is, the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side, and subsequently, the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60.

At this time, in the ink replenishment container 63 that moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 precedes the ink outlet 65 of the small diameter portion 80 and the valve 74 at the inner back thereof. , Moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. Then, the outer surface of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 slides in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the inner surface of the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side. In other words, the positioning surface 84, which is the substantially rectangular tip surface of the convex portion 71, is guided in the direction in which the needle 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65 by sliding on the inner surface of the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60. ..

Then, while the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 is moving toward the bottom of the through hole 60 in a state where the positioning surface 84 at the tip thereof is inserted into the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side, the ink inlet 53 When the tip of the needle 56 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 further moves toward the bottom of the through hole 60 from that state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the bottom. That is, the posture of the ink replenishment container 63 is stable because the positioning surface 84 extending in the direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the bottom of the through hole 60. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

Further, when the ink leaked from the ink outlet 65 flows from the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 toward the outside in the radial direction, the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the small diameter portion 80 and the outside of the convex portion 71 It is drawn into the gap 86 between the side surface by the capillary phenomenon. Therefore, the ink leaked from the ink outlet 65 is prevented from remaining on the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 or adhering to the positioning surface 84 which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71 and solidifying.

According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2), (1-3) and (2-3).
(3-1) The ink replenishment container 63 is moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, and the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) is inserted into the ink outlet 65 to valve. When the valve 74 is opened, the substantially rectangular positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71, moves to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side before the valve 74. At that time, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 is guided to the inner surface of the substantially rectangular concave portion 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side, and smoothly moves in the direction in which the needle 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65. do. As a result, the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 can be easily guided to the valve 74 when the ink is replenished.

(3-2) The ink replenishment container 63 is moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, and the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) is inserted into the ink outlet 65 to valve. When the valve 74 is opened, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 approaches the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) before the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80. Therefore, when the ink replenishment container 63 is brought close to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), it is easy to prevent the ink outlet 65 from colliding with other members. Further, it is easy to prevent the ink outlet 65 from being damaged and the ink from adhering to other members.

(3-3) The ink leaking from the ink outlet 65 and adhering to the tip surface of the small diameter portion 80 and the ink adhering to the positioning surface 84 are drawn into the gap 86 between the small diameter portion 80 and the convex portion 71. As a result, it is possible to reduce ink dripping and external contamination.

(3-4) The convex portion 71 having the positioning surface 84 at the tip is provided at a portion of the ink outlet forming portion 66 exposed to the outside, that is, at a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. ing. Therefore, when the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) is inserted into the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63, the convex portion 71 that functions as the positioning portion and the positioning surface 84 at the tip thereof are formed. Easy to see from the outside.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 23, the ink replenishment container 63 of the fourth embodiment also has the ink outlet 65 from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the third embodiment. The convex portion 71 projecting toward the tip side of the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the above is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in a portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside, and the tip surface thereof is in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes an extending positioning surface 84. A slit-shaped gap 86 is similarly formed between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80.

However, the convex portion 71 in the fourth embodiment is different from the convex portion 71 in the third embodiment, and the shape of the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface thereof, is not substantially rectangular but substantially T-shaped. .. That is, the positioning surface 84 in the fourth embodiment has a portion linearly extending in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 and a portion linearly extending in the radial direction from the outer end portion in the radial direction to the left and right sides, respectively. It has a part that extends linearly. Therefore, the surface region of the positioning surface 84 on the side farther from the ink outlet 65 in the direction intersecting (in this case, orthogonal to) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is larger than the surface region on the side closer to the ink outlet 65. The width in the direction orthogonal to the radiation direction (tangential direction) centered on the ink outlet 65 is large. In other words, the positioning surface 84 in the fourth embodiment is oriented in a direction intersecting (in this case, orthogonal to) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 when inserted into the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45). The area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the side far from the ink outlet 65 is formed to be larger than the area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the side closer to the ink outlet 65. Therefore, the ink replenishment container 63 of the fourth embodiment basically exhibits the same operation and effect as the case of the ink replenishment container 63 of the third embodiment, except for the action and effect based on the difference in the shape of the positioning surface 84. ..

According to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1-2), (1-3), (2-3), (3-1) to (3-4), the following effects are obtained. Obtainable.
(4-1) When the convex portion 71 is inserted into the through hole 60 of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45), the ink outlet 65 intersects (in this case, orthogonally) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60 on the side far from the ink outlet 65 is larger than the area of contact with the bottom of the through hole 60. Therefore, the stability of the posture of the ink outlet 65 can be improved in the ink replenishment state in which the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65 to open the valve 74.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the ink replenishment container 63 of the fifth embodiment is also outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the third and fourth embodiments. A convex portion 71 projecting from the position along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 toward the tip side of the container is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in a portion of the container addition portion 67 that is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside, and the tip surface thereof is in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) with the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It constitutes an extending positioning surface 84. A slit-shaped gap 86 is similarly formed between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80.

However, unlike the convex portion 71 in the third and fourth embodiments, the convex portion 71 in the fifth embodiment has a small diameter portion having a protruding height toward the container tip side in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is lower than 80. That is, the positioning surface 84 in the fifth embodiment is located closer to the base end side of the container, which is the side where the container body 64 is located, in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 than the ink outlet 65 and the valve 74. doing.

As shown in FIG. 25, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 of the fifth embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. Then, the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60. Then, in this case, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is from below before the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 inserts the positioning surface 84 at the tip into the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74.

Then, when the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 moves toward the bottom in the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 from that state, the positioning surface 84 at the tip of the convex portion 71 extends in the vertical direction from the inner surface of the concave portion 61. It comes into contact with the first uneven portion 62 provided in a rib shape. In this respect, the first uneven portion 62 serves as an abutting portion that comes into contact with the positioning surface 84 of the ink replenishment container 63 when the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65 is positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45). Function. Therefore, in the ink replenishment container 63, the positioning surface 84 extending in the direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the tip of the convex portion 71 is aligned with the first uneven portion (contact portion) 62 in the through hole 60. The posture is stable due to contact. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), and (3-4).
(5-1) In the ink replenishment container 63, when the positioning surface 84 abuts on the first uneven portion (contact portion) 62 in the through hole 60 on the tank side when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45). , The posture is stable in the direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. Therefore, ink can be easily replenished, and the ink replenishment container 63 can appropriately replenish ink to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45).

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 26, the ink replenishment container 63 of the sixth embodiment is also from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the third to fifth embodiments. The convex portion 71 protruding toward the tip side of the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in a portion of the container additional portion 67 which is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside, and is similarly slit-shaped between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80. A gap 86 is formed.

However, unlike the convex portion 71 in the third to fifth embodiments, the convex portion 71 in the sixth embodiment is on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side when the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65 is opened. The positioning surface that comes into contact with a part of the convex portion 71 is not formed by the tip surface of the convex portion 71. That is, the convex portion 71 in the sixth embodiment is in a direction in which a part of the outer surface (or outer peripheral surface) facing outward in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65 intersects the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is inclined to. The positioning surface 84 is formed by a part of the outer surface (or outer peripheral surface) of the convex portion 71 inclined in this way. The positioning surface 84 may be curved in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

In this case, the positioning surface 84 is directed toward the container base end side, which is the side opposite to the container tip side (that is, the side where the container body 64 is located) in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is composed of a conical surface or a slope that is inclined in a direction that gradually separates from the central axis 85 of 65. Then, when the convex portion 71 is inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side from the tip, a part of the surface region of the inclined positioning surface 84 exerts a wedge effect on the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It is formed so as to come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 26, when ink is replenished from the ink replenishment container 63 of the sixth embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. Then, the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60. In this case, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60 from below before the inclined positioning surface 84 of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60. The position of the valve 74 is reached, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74. When inserting the small diameter portion 80 into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 is gradually applied along the positioning surface 84 from the state where the inclined positioning surface 84 is applied to the opening edge of the through hole 60. It is also possible to induce.

Then, when the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 moves toward the bottom in the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side from that state, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 becomes the through hole 60. It abuts on the edge of the opening. In this case, the ink replenishment container 63 is positioned with the positioning surface 84 relative to the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side in the direction of gravity along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 and in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity. .. Therefore, the posture of the ink replenishment container 63 is stabilized when the positioning surface 84 inclined on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), and (3-4).
(6-1) The positioning surface 84, which comes into contact with a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side for positioning, is inclined (or curved) in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. Therefore, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), in both the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 (gravity direction) and the direction orthogonal to the central axis 85 (horizontal direction). , The ink replenishment container 63 can be positioned, and ink replenishment can be performed appropriately.

(6-2) When inserting and removing the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 with respect to the ink outlet 65, the ink replenishment container 63 can be gradually guided along the inclined (or curved) positioning surface 84.
(7th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 27, the ink replenishment container 63 of the seventh embodiment also has the ink outlet 65 from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the sixth embodiment. The convex portion 71 protruding toward the tip side of the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided in a portion of the container additional portion 67 which is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside, and is similarly slit-shaped between the convex portion 71 and the small diameter portion 80. A gap 86 is formed.

However, unlike the convex portion 71 in the sixth embodiment, the convex portion 71 in the seventh embodiment has the convex portion 71 on the outer surface when the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. The inclined positioning surface 84 is not formed so as to be able to come into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60. That is, the convex portion 71 has a wedge effect on the upper end of the first concave-convex portion 62 in which the positioning surface 84 on the outer surface thereof functions as a rib-shaped contact portion extending in the vertical direction from the inner surface of the concave portion 61. It is formed so as to exert its contact. The positioning surface 84 may be curved in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, when ink is replenished from the ink replenishment container 63 of the seventh embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the through hole 60 on the tank side is similar to the case of the sixth embodiment. The small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 inside, and subsequently, the convex portion 71 is inserted into the concave portion 61 in the through hole 60. Then, in this case, the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is before the inclined positioning surface 84 of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 abuts on the first uneven portion (contact portion) on the inner surface of the through hole 60. The tip of the ink reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Also in this seventh embodiment, when the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 is positioned from the state where it is applied to the opening edge of the through hole 60. It is also possible to gradually guide along the surface 84.

Then, when the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 moves toward the bottom in the concave portion 61 of the through hole 60 on the tank side from that state, the inclined positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 becomes the through hole 60. It abuts on the first uneven portion (contact portion) on the inner surface. In this case as well, in the ink replenishment container 63, the positioning surface 84 is in the direction of gravity along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the first uneven portion (contact portion) of the through hole 60 on the tank side, and the gravity thereof. Positioned in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction. Therefore, the posture of the ink replenishment container 63 is stabilized when the positioning surface 84 inclined on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 comes into contact with the first uneven portion (contact portion) on the inner surface of the through hole 60. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

According to the seventh embodiment, the same effects as (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), (3-4), (6-1) and (6-2) are obtained. Obtainable.
(8th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 28, the ink replenishment container 63 of the eighth embodiment also has the ink outlet 65 from a position outside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65, as in the case of the sixth embodiment. The convex portion 71 protruding toward the tip side of the container in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink is configured to function as a positioning portion. That is, the convex portion 71 is also provided on a portion of the container addition portion 67 which is a part of the ink outlet forming portion 66 and is exposed to the outside, and is an outer surface (or an outer surface) facing the outside in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. A positioning surface 84 is provided on the outer peripheral surface).

However, unlike the convex portion 71 in the sixth embodiment, the convex portion 71 in the eighth embodiment is inclined in the direction in which the positioning surface 84 provided on the outer surface thereof intersects the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is curved without. The positioning surface 84 also becomes the ink outlet 65 as it faces the container base end side, which is the side opposite to the container tip side (that is, the side where the container body 64 is located) in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. It is composed of a conical surface or a slope curved in a direction gradually away from the central axis 85. Then, when the convex portion 71 is inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side from the tip, a part of the surface region of the curved positioning surface 84 exerts a wedge effect on the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It is formed so as to come into contact with each other. The positioning surface 84 may be inclined in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

As shown in FIG. 28, when ink is replenished from the ink replenishment container 63 of the eighth embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the ink outlet 65 of the small diameter portion 80 is replenished as in the case of the sixth embodiment. The needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 is first inserted, and the valve 74 is opened. After that, the curved positioning surface 84 on the outer surface of the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with the opening edge of the through hole 60 on the tank side, and ink replenishment is performed in that state.

According to the eighth embodiment, the same effects as (1-2), (1-3), (3-3), (3-4), (6-1) and (6-2) are obtained. Obtainable.
(9th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 29, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the ninth embodiment, unlike the case of the first to eighth embodiments, the positioning portion and the positioning surface are the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. It is provided inside the. That is, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the ninth embodiment, in the ink outlet forming portion 66, between the small diameter portion 80 which is a tubular portion forming the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side and the intermediate portion 81 connected to the base end side thereof. A partition wall 87 is formed in the partition wall 87, and the positioning portion is formed by the partition wall 87. A communication hole 88 that communicates the ink outlet 65 with the ink storage chamber 76 is formed through the central portion of the partition wall 87 at a position where the central shaft 85 of the ink outlet 65 passes.

Then, in the partition wall 87, the positioning surface 84 is formed by the wall surface located on the container tip side in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The positioning surface 84 is orthogonal to the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 so that the tip surface of the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side can come into contact with each other in a surface contact state. It is formed in a planar shape extending in the (intersecting) direction.

As shown in FIG. 29, when replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 of the ninth embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the small diameter portion 80 is inserted into the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. When the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink replenishment container 63 is further moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side from that state, the planar positioning surface 84 formed on the partition wall 87 inside the ink outlet 65 becomes a needle (ink inlet flow path). Part) It comes into contact with the tip surface of 56. Therefore, in the ink replenishment container 63, the positioning surface 84 provided inside the ink outlet 65 in a planar shape extending in a direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 is a needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56. The posture stabilizes in contact with the tip surface. As a result, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the needle 56 on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side in the direction of the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65.

According to the ninth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2) and (1-3).
(9-1) Since the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84 are protected inside the ink outlet 65 as compared with the case where the positioning portion 84 and the positioning surface 84 are provided outside the ink outlet 65, they can be less likely to be damaged. Further, since the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84 are close to the valve 74 inside the ink outlet 65, the valve 74 can be accurately positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45). Further, even if ink adheres to the positioning portion (in this case, the partition wall 87) and the positioning surface 84, the ink is located inside the ink outlet 65, so that it is difficult for the ink to adhere to the outside of the ink replenishment container 63.

(10th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 30, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the tenth embodiment, as in the case of the ninth embodiment, the positioning portion and the positioning surface are inside the ink outlet 65 in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet 65. It is provided in. That is, the positioning portion is composed of the partition wall 87 formed between the small diameter portion 80 and the intermediate portion 81 of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and the partition wall 87 is on the container tip side in the direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. The positioning surface 84 is formed by the wall surface located at. Further, a communication hole 88 that communicates the ink outlet 65 with the ink storage chamber 76 is formed through the central portion of the partition wall 87.

However, unlike the positioning surface 84 in the ninth embodiment, the positioning surface 84 in the tenth embodiment is inclined in a direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. That is, the positioning surface 84 is composed of a conical surface or a slope that is inclined in a direction along the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 and gradually away from the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 toward the tip side of the container. .. Then, when the tip surface of the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 that opened the valve 74 abuts from below, a part of the surface region of the inclined positioning surface 84 is the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56. It is formed so as to exert a wedge effect on the surface and abut against it.

According to the tenth embodiment, the same effects as those of (1-2), (1-3) and (9-1) can be obtained.
(11th Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, the ink supply unit 40 constituting the ink replenishment system together with the ink replenishment container 63 of the eleventh embodiment has a structure in which the ink inlet 53 is normally closed. That is, the ink supply unit 40 includes a lever-shaped cap support member 90 for each of the plurality of ink inlets 53. The base end portion of the cap support member 90 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 91 provided on the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 so as to extend in a direction (horizontal direction) intersecting the central axis of the ink inlet 53. Has been done. An elastic cap 92 having a shape that can be fitted to the ink inlet 53 is provided on the tip side of each cap support member 90 with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction. It is in a closed state fitted to.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, when the ink is replenished, the cap support member 90 in which the elastic cap 92 is fitted to the ink inlet 53 and is in a closed state puts a hand on the bent handle portion 93 at the tip thereof. The user tilts the elastic cap 92 into an open state so that it is separated from the ink inlet 53. As shown in FIG. 31, a unit cover 100 that collectively covers the upper parts of the plurality of cap support members 90 may be further opened and closed. Further, the elastic cap 92 is formed of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and the cap support member 90 is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic cap 92, for example, made of polystyrene, ABS resin, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, in the ink replenishment container 63 of the eleventh embodiment, a shoulder portion located on the tip side of the container in the ink outlet forming portion 66 constitutes a positioning portion, and the ink outlet 65 is formed at the shoulder portion. A planar surface extending in a direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 constitutes the positioning surface 84. From the central portion of the positioning surface 84, a small diameter portion 80, which is a tubular portion forming an ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side, projects toward the tip end side of the container.

When replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 of the eleventh embodiment to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), the elastic cap 92 first replenishes the ink inlet 53 of the ink replenishment target ink tanks 41 (42 to 45). The closed cap support member 90 is opened. Then, the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is inserted into the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the opened ink inlet 53. Then, the tip of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53 reaches the position of the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 from below, and the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink replenishment container 63 is further moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side from that state, the positioning surface 84 formed on the shoulder portion of the ink outlet forming portion 66 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap support member 90. The ink supply container 63 and the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 thereof are positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45). That is, the cap support member 90 is located between the positioning surface 84 of the ink replenishment container 63 and a part (through hole 60 or the like) on the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side, and is positioned to mediate the contact between them. Functions as an auxiliary member.

In this case, the positioning surface 84 comes into contact with the elastic cap 92 of the ink inlet 53 of another ink tank (for example, ink tanks 42 and 44) adjacent to the ink tank (for example, ink tank 43) to be replenished with ink. It is the upper surface of the cap support member 90 which is closed by. In this way, by bringing the positioning surface 84 into contact with the upper surfaces of the cap support members 90 on both sides, a wide contact area is secured. Further, when the upper surface 58 of the ink replenishment adapter 47 in which the through hole 60 on the tank side is formed is inclined or has a step, for example, and is not suitable for abutting the positioning surface 84, it is constant. The cap support member 90 having the flat surface portion of the above is used as a positioning auxiliary member.

According to the eleventh embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2) and (1-3).
(11-1) When replenishing ink from the ink replenishment container 63 to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45), various ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) are used by using the positioning auxiliary member (in this case, the cap support member 90). Appropriate positioning can be performed for 45).

(12th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 34, the ink replenishment container 63 of the twelfth embodiment also has other inks adjacent to the ink tanks 41 (42 to 45) to be replenished with ink at the time of ink replenishment, as in the case of the eleventh embodiment. The positioning surface 84 is configured to come into contact with the upper surface of the cap support member 90 that closes the ink inlet 53 of the tank with the elastic cap 92. That is, when the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is inserted into the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the opened ink inlet 53, the needle 56 opens the valve 74. Then, when the ink replenishment container 63 is further moved to the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side from that state, the positioning surface 84 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap support member 90.

However, in the case of the twelfth embodiment, unlike the eleventh embodiment, not the ink outlet forming portion 66 but the shoulder portion of the container main body portion 64 on the container base end side thereof is used as the positioning portion, and the container main body portion thereof. A planar surface extending in a direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65 at the shoulder portion of 64 constitutes the positioning surface 84. Therefore, at the time of ink replenishment, the weight of the container main body 64 having the ink storage chamber 76 is directly applied to the cap support member 90 functioning as the positioning auxiliary member, so that the ink replenishment container 63 is positioned in a stable posture.

According to the twelfth embodiment, the same effects as those of (1-2), (1-3) and (11-1) can be obtained.
(13th Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 35, in the ink replenishment system of the thirteenth embodiment, the tip surface of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the tip side of the ink replenishment container 63 constitutes the positioning surface 84. When replenishing ink, the ink absorber 89 is positioned as a positioning auxiliary member between the positioning surface 84, which is the tip surface of the convex portion 71 inserted into the through hole 60 on the tank side, and the bottom of the through hole 60 on the tank side. It is configured to do. The ink absorbing material 89 is made of an elastic member such as a sponge, and also functions as a cushioning material between the convex portion 71 of the ink replenishment container 63 and the bottom portion of the through hole 60 on the tank side. Further, the ink absorbent 89 also has a function of adjusting the depth of the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 at the time of insertion with respect to the ink outlet 65 by adjusting the thickness thereof.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of (1-2), (1-3) and (11-1).
(13-1) The ink absorbing material 89 can alleviate the impact when the positioning surface 84 of the ink replenishment container 63 comes into contact with a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side. Further, since the ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing material 89, it is possible to reduce dripping and scattering when the ink replenishment container 63 is removed.

The above embodiment may be changed as follows.
-In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the container addition portion 67 may be omitted.
The small diameter portion 80 forming the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side is not necessarily cylindrical but may be a square cylinder depending on the shape of the inner surface of the ink inlet 53 in the through hole 60 on the tank side. However, it is preferable that the ink outlet 65 on the inner peripheral side of the small diameter portion 80 has a circular opening shape.

In the third and fourth embodiments shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, if the height of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the container tip side is more than the small diameter portion 80, the height is the height in the embodiment. Not limited to.

In the fourth embodiment, the shape of the tip surface of the convex portion 71 constituting the positioning surface 84 is the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) on the side far from the ink outlet 65 in the direction intersecting the central axis 85 of the ink outlet 65. If the area of contact with a part of the side is larger than the area of contact with the side close to the ink outlet 65, the area is not limited to the substantially T shape in the embodiment. For example, it may be substantially Y-shaped or triangular.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, if the height of the convex portion 71 protruding toward the container tip side does not protrude from the small diameter portion 80, the height is limited to the height in the embodiment. Not done.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the inclined positioning surface 84 may extend to the tip of the convex portion 71.
In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 27 (and the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 25), the first uneven portion 62 formed on the inner surface of the concave portion 61 as an abutting portion with respect to the positioning surface 84 has a shape other than the rib shape. It may be in the shape of a protrusion.

In the ninth and tenth embodiments shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the positioning surface 84 provided inside the ink outlet 65 may be a concave spherical surface having a communication hole 88 formed in the center.
-In the third to seventh embodiments, the width of the slit-shaped gap 86 is not limited to the width in the embodiment as long as the width is such that the capillary phenomenon is exhibited.

The two flow paths 54 and 55 included in the needle (ink inlet flow path portion) 56 of the ink inlet 53 may have a plurality of flow path configurations other than the two.
The ink replenishment container 63 may have an ink outlet forming portion 66 and a container main body 64 integrally, and the positioning portion and the positioning surface 84 are not in the container addition portion 67 but in the ink outlet forming portion 66 and the container main body 64. It may be provided.

In the eleventh and twelfth embodiments shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the positioning auxiliary member that mediates the contact between a part of the ink tank 41 (42 to 45) side and the positioning portion is provided on the ink outlet forming portion 66. It may be composed of the container addition part 67 to be added.

-In the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the positioning auxiliary member is not limited to the ink absorbing material 89, and may be, for example, a spacer made of resin.
-The valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink replenishment container 63 is not limited to three as long as it has one or more slits 75, and may be provided with a plurality of other slits 75 such as two or four. Further, the valve is not limited to the slit valve provided with the slit 75, and may be a valve having a configuration in which the needle 56 is pushed from below and displaced in the valve opening direction without the slit 75.

21 ... Recording device, 22 ... Housing, 23 ... Support stand, 24 ... Guide shaft, 25 ... Recording head, 26 ... Carriage, 27 ... Support hole, 28 ... Drive pulley, 29 ... Driven pulley, 30 ... Carriage motor, 31 ... Timing belt, 32 ... Discharge port, 33 ... Discharge tray, 34 ... Paper cassette, 35 ... Open / close door, 36 ... Rotating shaft, 37 ... Window, 40 ... Ink supply unit, 41-45 ... Ink tank, 46 ... Ink supply tube, 47 ... Ink replenishment adapter, 48 ... Step part, 49 ... Ink chamber, 50 ... Visual part, 51 ... Upper limit mark, 52 ... Lower limit mark, 53 ... Ink inlet, 54, 55 ... Flow path, 56 ... Needle (ink inlet flow path), 57 ... remaining amount sensor, 58 ... top surface, 59 ... bottom surface, 60 ... through hole, 61 ... recess, 62 ... first uneven part (contact part), 63 ... ink replenishment container, 64 ... Container body, 65 ... Ink outlet, 66 ... Ink outlet forming part, 67 ... Container addition part, 68 ... Cap, 69 ... Male screw part, 70 ... Projection, 71 ... Convex part, 72 ... Second uneven part, 73 ... Positioning part, 74 ... Valve, 75 ... Slit, 76 ... Ink storage chamber, 77 ... Neck, 78 ... Male thread part, 79 ... Large diameter part, 80 ... Small diameter part (cylinder part), 81 ... Intermediate part, 82 ... Female thread part, 83 ... Joint part, 84 ... Positioning surface, 85 ... Central axis, 86 ... Gap, 87 ... Bulk partition, 88 ... Communication hole, 89 ... Ink absorber (positioning auxiliary member), 90 ... Cap support member (positioning auxiliary member) (Member), 91 ... Rotating shaft, 92 ... Elastic cap, 93 ... Handle, 100 ... Unit cover, P ... Paper, IK ... Ink, L1, L2 ... Distance.

Claims (3)

An ink tank having an ink inlet flow path portion and an ink chamber communicating with the ink inlet flow path portion.
An upper surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the ink inlet flow path extends at a position outside the tip of the ink inlet flow path in the direction in which the ink inlet flow path extends.
A hole that opens on the upper surface, and an ink inlet in which the ink inlet flow path portion is arranged, and an ink inlet.
A pair of recesses that open to the upper surface along the direction in which the ink inlet flow path extends and are connected to the ink inlet with the ink inlet interposed therebetween.
An ink replenishment container for replenishing ink to an ink supply unit having
A container body configured to accommodate the ink and
An ink outlet forming portion connected to the container body and
With
The ink outlet forming portion is
A tubular portion having an ink outlet configured so that the ink inlet flow path portion can be inserted, and a tubular portion.
A convex portion extending in a direction along the central axis of the ink outlet is provided.
The convex portion is a pair of first portions extending in the radial direction centered on the ink outlet when viewed from the ink outlet side in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet, and each of the first portions. When it has a second portion extending from an end portion outside the radial direction in a direction intersecting the radial direction, the direction of the central axis is the vertical direction, and the first portion is arranged in the front-rear direction, the said The second portion extends from the end portion of the first portion to the left and right sides, and the pair of the first portion and the second portion have the ink inlet flow path portion inserted into the ink outlet. It is configured to be inserted into the pair of recesses in the state .
A gap is formed between the tubular portion and the convex portion.
Ink replenishment container. The ink replenishment container according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a T shape when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet. The ink replenishment container according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ink outlet forming portion further includes a valve opened by the ink inlet flow path portion inserted from the ink outlet.

Images