Liquid storing body including a stirring member

Provided is a liquid storing body for preventing a liquid containing a sedimentous component with a predetermined concentration or more from being supplied to a liquid jetting apparatus. An ink tank is provided with an ink storing part in which an opening provided on a side surface of a case is sealed with a film. An ink injection port is formed in an upper portion wall of the case. A plug member is provided with a sealing part that can seal the ink injection port, an operation part that is inserted in an ink reservoir chamber via the ink injection port, and a stirring portion provided at the lower end of the operation part. Ink in the ink storing part can be stirred by a user moving the plug member up and down with their hand.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid storing body for supplying a liquid containing a sedimentous component such as pigment to a liquid jetting apparatus.

2. Related Art

Inkjet printers (liquid jetting apparatus) that use pigment ink (liquid) are known. In pigment ink, pigment is dispersed as particles in a solvent, and therefore if an ink tank or an ink pack (liquid storing body) storing the pigment ink is left for a long period of time, the pigment settles in the ink tank or the ink pack. As a result, the concentration of the pigment in the ink tank or the ink pack varies depending on the height, leading to a nonuniform concentration state.

If the concentration is not uniform in the ink tank or the ink pack, there is a risk that high-concentration ink with a pigment concentration that is higher than in the uniform concentration state is supplied to the inkjet printer. If the high-concentration ink is supplied to the inkjet printer, print density is increased, and deterioration of image quality occurs, in some cases. In addition, because an increase in pigment concentration increases the viscosity of the pigment ink, if the high-concentration ink is supplied to the inkjet printer, clogging or the like easily occurs in the ink nozzle of the inkjet head.

In JP-A-2010-184424 and JP-A-2012-76422, inkjet printers provided with a means for stirring pigment ink in an ink tank or ink pack are disclosed. In the inkjet printer in JP-A-2010-184424, an ink tank provided with a plurality of ink containers (sub tanks) is fixed to a carriage to which a print head is mounted. Each of the ink containers has stirring balls therein, and the stirring balls move in the container along with the reciprocal movement of the carriage, thereby stirring the pigment ink in the container. In addition, in the inkjet printer of JP-A-2012-76422, electrodes are installed at positions at which they face each other with a main tank for storing pigment ink sandwiched therebetween. An electric field is generated between the electrodes by applying an alternating-current voltage to the electrodes, and the pigment ink undergoes convection due to the electrostatic attraction acting on the pigment particles, and is stirred.

JP-A-2010-184424 and JP-A-2012-76422 are examples of related art.

The configurations of JP-A-2010-184424 and JP-A-2012-76422 have a means for stirring pigment ink, but these configurations require a driving source and a power supply. Specifically, the configuration of JP-A-2010-184424 requires a driving source for reciprocally moving the carriage in order to stir the ink. In addition, the configuration of JP-A-2012-76422 requires electrodes and a power supply in order to stir the ink. Therefore, the configurations are complicated.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a liquid storing body that can eliminate sedimentation of a sedimentous component with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid storing body of an aspect of the invention includes: a liquid storing part that is capable of storing a liquid containing a sedimentous component; a liquid supply part that is capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storing part to a liquid jetting apparatus; an opening portion provided at an upper portion of the liquid storing part; and a stirring member having an operation part that is inserted into the liquid storing part via the opening portion, and a stirring portion arranged in the liquid storing part.

According to this aspect of the invention, the stirring member is inserted in the opening portion of the liquid storing part, and therefore by a user appropriately moving this stirring member up and down using their hand, it is possible to stir the liquid with the stirring portion and generate a convection flow in the liquid storing part. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the concentration difference of the liquid in the height direction with a simple structure. It is thus possible to avoid the deterioration of printing quality and ink nozzle clogging due to high-concentration ink being supplied to an inkjet head.

In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that in the case where the liquid storing body further includes a plug member that is mountable to the opening portion, the operation part is supported by the plug member. Accordingly, the operation part can be supported in a stable manner by mounting the plug member to the opening portion. Here, “supported” includes both the state in which the operation part is attached or fixed to the plug member, and the state in which the operation part is supported so as to be able to move relative to the plug member. For example, a configuration is possible in which the plug member has a through hole that extends therein in a direction of a central axis of the plug member, and the operation part can slide along the through hole. With such a configuration, the stirring member can be moved up and down without attaching or detaching the plug member.

In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid storing body of another aspect of the invention includes: a liquid storing part that is capable of storing a liquid containing a sedimentous component; a liquid supply part that is capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storing part to a liquid jetting apparatus; an opening portion provided at an upper portion of the liquid storing part; and a plug member that is mountable to the opening portion, wherein the plug member includes a sealing part that can seal the opening portion, an operation part supported by the sealing part and inserted in the liquid storing part, and a stirring portion arranged in the liquid storing part.

According to this aspect of the invention, the plug member that is mounted to the opening portion of the liquid storing part is provided with the stirring portion and the operation part, and therefore the stirring portion can be appropriately moved up and down by the user moving the operation part with their hand, thereby stirring a liquid and generating a convection flow in the liquid storing part. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the concentration difference of the liquid in the height direction. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the deterioration of printing quality and ink nozzle clogging due to high-concentration ink being supplied to the inkjet head.

In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the opening portion is an injection port for injecting the liquid into the liquid storing part. Accordingly, there is no need to provide an opening, besides the injection port, in which a member provided with the stirring portion and the operation part is arranged. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to eliminate the concentration difference of the liquid in the height direction.

In this case, it is desirable that a flow path for guiding inflow of the liquid is provided on the operation part. Accordingly, for liquid injection, it is possible to inject the liquid along the flow path of the operation part. Therefore, it is possible to reduce air bubble inflow that occurs during liquid injection.

In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that a grasping part is provided at the upper end of the operation part. Accordingly, the user can hold the grasping part and move the operation part. Therefore, it is easy to move the operation part and stir the liquid.

In this case, it is desirable that a vertically stretchable elastic member is arranged so as to be able to abut on the grasping part between the grasping part and the opening portion. Accordingly, if the grasping part is moved in the stretching direction of the elastic member, the grasping part is biased toward the pre-movement position due to the elastic return force of the elastic member for returning to its reference size. Therefore, the operation part and the stirring portion can be easily moved up and down, making it easy to stir the liquid.

In addition, in this case, a configuration is possible in which the liquid storing body further includes: a case body that stores the liquid storing body; and a lid member attached to the case body in an openable and closable manner, wherein the lid member compresses the elastic member via the grasping part when the lid member is in a closed state. Accordingly, it is possible to move the operation part and the stirring portion up and down in conjunction with the opening/closing operations of the lid member, without pressing down the grasping part separately.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the liquid storing body further includes: a restriction part that restricts the operation part from coming out of the opening portion. Accordingly, the operation part is prevented from coming out of the opening portion of the liquid storing part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the member provided with the operation part and the stirring portion from being lost. In this case, the restriction part can be provided on the operation part. Alternatively, the restriction part can also be provided in the opening portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An ink tank (liquid storing body), which is an embodiment of the invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1Ais an explanatory view schematically showing an ink tank of a first embodiment to which the invention is applied, andFIG. 1Bis a cross-sectional view of the ink tank taken along a cross sectional line A-A inFIG. 1A. In addition,FIG. 1Cis an explanatory view showing the ink tank in the state in which a plug member is lifted. An ink tank1(liquid storing body) of the first embodiment is mounted to an inkjet printer (liquid jetting apparatus) provided with an inkjet head (print head), and supplies pigment ink to the inkjet head. Three directions X, Y and Z shown inFIG. 1are directions that are orthogonal to one another, and the direction Z is the vertical direction. Regarding the three directions X, Y and Z, the direction of an arrow indicates the + direction (positive direction), and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates the − direction (negative direction). Moreover, a +Z direction indicates the upward side of the vertical direction, and a −Z direction indicates the downward side of the vertical direction.

The ink tank1is provided with an ink storing part4(liquid storing part) constituted by a resin case2and a flexible film3that seals an opening provided on a side of the case2. In the case2, an ink supply part6(liquid supply part) is formed to which an ink supply flow path (not illustrated) on the inkjet printer side is connected. As shown inFIG. 1A, the ink tank1is mounted to the inkjet printer in a posture in which the ink supply part6is positioned at a lower end of the case2in the vertical direction Z.

The case2has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with a bottom portion wall2athat is the surface in the −Z direction, an upper portion wall2bthat is the surface in the +Z direction, a side wall2cthat is the surface in a −X direction, a side wall2dthat is the surface in a +X direction, and a side wall2ethat is the surface in a +Y direction. A cylindrical portion7and an atmospheric air communication part8that protrude in the +Z direction are formed in the upper portion wall2bof the case2. A through hole that passes through the cylindrical portion7is an ink injection port9(opening portion) that puts the interior and the exterior of the case2into communication. The cylindrical portion7is formed at the end of the upper portion wall2bon the −X direction side. Note that the position of the cylindrical part7can be appropriately changed.

As shown inFIG. 1B, the case2is provided with a recess10that is surrounded by five surfaces, namely, the bottom portion wall2a, the upper portion wall2b, the side wall2c, the side wall2d, and the side wall2e, and that is open in a −Y direction. The film3is formed of a synthetic resin (e.g., nylon, or polypropylene), and is joined to the edge of the recess10by a joining method such as welding. An ink reservoir chamber11surrounded by the case2and the film3is formed in the ink storing part4. The ink reservoir chamber11is connected to the ink supply flow path on the inkjet printer side via the ink supply part6provided in the bottom portion of the case2. Therefore, pigment ink in the ink reservoir chamber11can be supplied to the inkjet head through the ink supply flow path.

The ink tank1is provided with a plug member20that is mountable to the ink injection port9. The plug member20is provided with a sealing part30capable of sealing the ink injection port9, an operation part40that is inserted into the ink reservoir chamber11via the ink injection port9, and a stirring portion50provided at the lower end of the operation part40. The sealing part30is provided with a columnar small diameter portion31that is in contact with the interior of the cylindrical portion7, and a large diameter portion32that is provided at the upper end of and coaxially with the small diameter portion31. The sealing part30is provided with a through hole33extending in the direction of the central axis of the small diameter portion31and the large diameter portion32. The operation part40is provided with an operation rod41extending linearly, and a grasping portion42formed at the upper end of the operation rod41. The stirring portion50extends in a plate shape from the lower end of the operation rod41in a direction intersecting the operation rod41. The stirring portion50may be formed integrally with the operation part40, or may be obtained by fixing a member different from the operation part40to the operation part40. The operation part40is assembled to the sealing part30such that the upper end portion of the operation rod41is inserted in the through hole33, and the grasping portion42protrudes out from the upper end of the through hole33and is fixed to the sealing part30. Therefore, the plug member20is an integral member as a whole.

The plug member20can be moved to a closed position at which the ink injection port9is sealed with the sealing part30(seeFIG. 1A), and an open position at which the sealing part30is removed from the ink injection port9and is lifted up (seeFIG. 1C). At the closed position, the small diameter portion31is in contact with the interior of the cylindrical portion7, and the large diameter portion32abuts on the upper end of the cylindrical portion7from above. In this state, the operation rod41of the operation part40is supported by the sealing part30and extends in the vertical direction Z in the ink reservoir chamber11. The stirring portion50is positioned near the bottom portion of the ink reservoir chamber11, and extends substantially horizontally from the lower end of the operation rod41along the bottom portion wall2a. At the open position, the operation rod41is lifted integrally with the sealing part30, and thus the stirring portion50rises in the ink reservoir chamber11to a height that is in accordance with the rising amount of the sealing part30.

Here, the concentration of the pigment ink that is supplied to the inkjet head has a proper range, and pigment ink stored in the ink reservoir chamber11has a pigment concentration that is within the proper range in the state in which there is no sedimentation of the pigment component. When a long period of time passes without printing being performed, the pigment component settles, leading to a state in which the concentration varies depending on the height in the ink reservoir chamber11. As a result, a high-concentration ink layer in which ink with a pigment concentration that exceeds the proper range is accumulated is formed in the bottom portion of the ink reservoir chamber11. At the closed position, the stirring portion50of the plug member20is positioned in the high-concentration ink layer. It is possible to hold the grasping portion42and move the plug member20up and down, and at this time, the stirring portion50moves up and down in the ink reservoir chamber11. Accordingly, the ink in the ink reservoir chamber11is stirred, and a convection flow is generated between lower high-concentration ink and upper low-concentration ink. As a result, the high-concentration ink and the low-concentration ink are mixed, and the concentration difference of the ink depending on the height is eliminated or reduced.

In this manner, the ink tank1of the first embodiment makes it possible for the user to appropriately hold the grasping portion42with their hand and move the plug member20up and down, and cause the upper ink and the lower ink to undergo convection by moving the stirring portion50up and down in the ink reservoir chamber11. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to reliably eliminate or reduce the concentration difference of the ink due to the sedimentation of the pigment component. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the deterioration of printing quality and ink nozzle clogging due to high-concentration ink being supplied to the inkjet head.

FIG. 2is an explanatory view schematically showing an ink tank of Variation 1. The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the first embodiment, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. An ink tank1A (liquid storing body) of Variation 1 is provided with the ink storing part4(liquid storing part) constituted by the case2and the film3, and a plug member20A that is mountable to the ink injection port9formed on the cylindrical portion7protruding from the upper portion wall2bof the case2. The plug member20A is provided with the sealing part30capable of sealing the ink injection port9, the operation part40having the operation rod41that is fixed to the sealing part30and is inserted into the ink storing part4through the ink injection port9, the stirring portion50provided at the lower end of the operation rod41, and a restriction portion60provided on the operation rod41at a position between the stirring portion50and the sealing part30.

It is sufficient that the restriction portion60has a shape that does not allow it to pass through the ink injection port9, and can be formed to have a shape of a disk having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion7, for example. The restriction portion60is formed at a position nearer to the stirring portion50than to the sealing part30. The plug member20A of Variation 1 can prevent the operation rod41and the stirring portion50from coming out of the ink injection port9because the restriction portion60functions as a retaining portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plug member20A from being lost. In addition, the restriction portion60is arranged at a position close to the lower end of the operation rod41, and thus the stirring portion50can be lifted to the upper portion of the ink storing part4. Therefore, it is possible to move the stirring portion50up and down a large amount, and thus avoid the situation in which the restriction portion60hinders the stirring of the ink.

FIG. 3Ais an explanatory view schematically showing an ink tank of Variation 2, andFIG. 3Bis a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B inFIG. 3A. The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the first embodiment, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. An ink tank1B (liquid storing body) of Variation 2 is provided with an ink storing part4B (liquid storing part) constituted by a case2B and the film3, and the plug member20that is mountable to an ink injection port9B formed in the upper portion wall2bof the case2B. The plug member20is provided with the sealing part30capable of sealing the ink injection port9B, the operation part40having the operation rod41that is fixed to the sealing part30and is inserted into the ink reservoir chamber11via the ink injection port9B, and the stirring portion50provided at the lower end of the operation rod41.

In Variation 2, a restriction part61is fixed inside the ink injection port9B formed in the cylindrical portion7. The dimension of the cylindrical portion7in the vertical direction Z is greater than that of the small diameter portion31, and the restriction part61is positioned below the small diameter portion31that is in contact with the interior of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion7when the upper portion of the ink injection port9B is sealed with the sealing part30. The restriction part61is a member that has a semicircular cross section and is in contact with the interior of the cylindrical portion7, and is provided with a recess62obtained by cutting out a semicircular portion that overlaps, in the vertical direction Z, the through hole33formed in the sealing part30in the state in which the sealing part30seals the ink injection port9B. The operation rod41is supported by coming in contact with the interior of the recess62when passing through the ink injection port9B, and slides along the recess62when the plug member20moves up and down.

The restriction part61prevents the stirring portion50provided at the lower end of the operation rod41from coming out of the ink injection port9B when the plug member20is lifted up. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plug member20provided with the operation part40and the stirring portion50from being lost. In addition, when stirring the ink by moving the plug member20up and down, the restriction part61can support the operation rod41, and thus the postures of the operation rod41and the stirring portion50can be stabilized. Note that the restriction part61may be formed integrally with the cylindrical portion7, or a member different from the cylindrical portion7may be fixed inside the cylindrical portion7as in this example.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare explanatory views schematically showing an ink tank of Variation 3, whereFIG. 4Ais an explanatory view showing the state in which ink is being injected into the ink injection port9, andFIG. 4Bis a partial perspective view of an operation rod (an enlarged view of an area C inFIG. 4A). The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the first embodiment, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. In an ink tank1C of Variation 3, the ink injection port9is formed in the upper portion wall2bof the case2constituting the ink storing part4(liquid storing part), and a plug member20C is mounted to the ink injection port9. The plug member20C is provided with the sealing part30, an operation rod41C that is fixed to the sealing part30and is inserted into the ink storing part4, the grasping portion42arranged at the upper end of the sealing part30, and the stirring portion50provided at the lower end of the operation rod41.

The operation rod41C of Variation 3 has a semicircular cross section as shown inFIG. 4B, and the outer periphery thereof is provided with a flat surface43that faces the +X direction. A flow path groove44extending linearly over the entirety of the region from the upper end to the lower end of the operation rod41C is formed in the flat surface43. When injecting the ink into the ink injection port9, the sealing part30is removed from the ink injection port9, and the plug member20C is lifted up, as shown inFIG. 4A. At this time, the operation rod41C is in an inclined posture such that the flow path groove44faces obliquely upward. The ink to be injected from an ink bottle100into the ink injection port9is then injected onto the flow path groove44.

In such a mode, the injected ink travels along the flow path groove44and reaches the liquid surface of the ink in the ink storing part4, and therefore it is possible to reduce the inflow of air bubbles into the ink in the ink storing part4during the ink injection. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a defect due to air bubbles being mixed with the ink supplied to the inkjet head side through the ink supply part6.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5is an explanatory view schematically showing an ink tank of a second embodiment. The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the first embodiment, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. An ink tank1D (liquid storing body) of the second embodiment is provided with the ink storing part4(liquid storing part) constituted by the case2and the film3, a plug member20D that is mountable to the ink injection port9formed in the upper portion wall2bof the case2, a stirring member70supported by the plug member20D, and an elastic member71. The plug member20D has the shape of only the sealing part30separated from the plug member20of the first embodiment, and is provided with the small diameter portion31and the large diameter portion32through which the through hole33is formed. The stirring member70has the shape of only the operation part40and the stirring portion50separated from the plug member20of the first embodiment, and is provided with the operation rod41, the grasping portion42provided at the upper end of the operation rod41, and the stirring portion50extending in a plate shape from the lower end of the operation rod41.

In the second embodiment, the operation rod41is not fixed to the plug member20D, and the operation rod41can slide along the through hole33of the plug member20D. The elastic member71is a stretchable member such as a coil spring. The elastic member71is arranged along the upper end portion of the operation rod41, and is arranged between the grasping portion42and the large diameter portion32. It is sufficient that the elastic member71is a member that is mountable between the grasping portion42and the large diameter portion32, and that generates elastic force in a direction of returning to the reference length when compressed or stretched, and, a member such as a sponge may be used.

The ink tank1D of the second embodiment makes it possible to move the stirring member70up and down by sliding the operation rod41relative to the plug member20D in the state in which the ink injection port9is sealed with the plug member20D. Therefore, it is possible to stir the ink in the ink reservoir chamber11without removing the plug member20D, while the ink injection port9is maintained in a sealed state. In addition, when sliding the operation rod41along the through hole33, the elastic member71abuts on the grasping portion42and stretches, and thus the stirring member70is biased by the elastic force of the elastic member71via the grasping portion42. Therefore, it is possible to cause the stirring member70to vibrate up and down due to the elastic force of the elastic member71. Accordingly, the stirring of the ink using the stirring member70can be easily performed.

Note that in the second embodiment, the restriction portion60of Variation 1 may be provided on the operation rod41. The restriction part61of Variation 2 may also be provided in the ink injection port9. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the plug member20D and the stirring member70from being lost.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6is an explanatory view schematically showing an ink tank of a third embodiment. The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the above embodiments, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. An ink tank1E (liquid storing body) of the third embodiment is provided with an ink storing part4E (liquid storing part) constituted by a case2E and the film3. The ink storing part4E is provided with the cylindrical portion7and a minor diameter cylindrical portion80that protrude in the +Z direction (upward) from the upper portion wall2bof the case2E, and the atmospheric air communication part8. The ink injection port9is formed in the cylindrical portion7. The ink storing part4E is also provided with a through hole that passes through the minor diameter cylindrical portion80, and this through hole is an opening portion81that puts the interior and the exterior of the case2E into communication. The minor diameter cylindrical portion80and the atmospheric air communication part8are positioned at the end of the upper portion wall2bon the +X direction side. Note that the positions of the cylindrical portion7and the minor diameter cylindrical portion80can be appropriately changed.

The ink tank1E is provided with a plug member20E that is mounted to the cylindrical portion7and seals the ink injection port9. The plug member20E is provided with a small diameter portion31E that is in contact with the interior of the cylindrical portion7, and a large diameter portion32E that abuts on the upper end of the cylindrical portion7. The ink tank1E is also provided with a stirring member82that is inserted from the opening portion81of the minor diameter cylindrical portion80into the ink storing part4E, and an elastic member83. The stirring member82is provided with the operation part40provided with the operation rod41and the grasping portion42, and the plate-shaped stirring portion50extending from the lower end of the operation rod41in a direction intersecting the operation rod41(the +X direction inFIG. 6). The operation rod41is in contact with the interior of the opening portion81, and can slide up and down along the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion81. The elastic member83is a member similar to the elastic member71of the second embodiment, and is mounted between the minor diameter cylindrical portion80and the grasping portion42along the upper end portion of the operation rod41.

In the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, a user can appropriately hold the grasping portion42with their hand and move the stirring member82up and down. Therefore, it is possible to cause the ink to undergo convection by moving the stirring portion50up and down in the ink reservoir chamber11, and thereby eliminate or reduce the concentration difference of the ink depending on the height. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to avoid the deterioration of printing quality and ink nozzle clogging due to high-concentration ink being supplied to the inkjet head. In particular, in the third embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the stirring member82is inserted from the opening portion81that is different from the ink injection port9, and thus it is possible to avoid the situation where the stirring member82hinders ink injection into the ink injection port9. In addition, there is no need to attach/detach the plug member20E for stirring the ink, and thus the stirring of the ink is easy. Furthermore, it is possible to cause the stirring member82to vibrate using the elastic force of the elastic member83, and thus the stirring of the ink is easy. Note that the elastic member83may be omitted.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare explanatory views schematically showing an ink tank of a fourth embodiment, whereFIG. 7Ashows the state in which a lid member of an outer case is open, andFIG. 7Bshows the state in which the lid member of the outer case is closed. The same reference signs are assigned to portions the same as in the above embodiments, thereby omitting description thereof, and different reference signs are assigned to only different portions and description thereof will be given below. An ink tank1F (liquid storing body) of the fourth embodiment is the ink tank1D of the second embodiment that is stored in an outer case90. The outer case90is provided with a case body91that is open at the upper end, and a lid member92attached thereto so as to be able to open and close the opening of the case body91. The lid member92is able to vertically open and close by pivoting centered on a shaft93provided at the opening edge of the case body91in the +X direction. The ink tank1E is stored in the case body91, such that the ink injection port9is arranged at the end of the upper portion wall2bin the +X direction. The ink supply part6provided in the bottom portion of the ink tank1F is connected to the ink supply flow path (not illustrated) that is inserted from outside into the case body91.

In the ink tank1F of the fourth embodiment, in the state in which the lid member92is closed (seeFIG. 7B), the lid member92abuts on the grasping portion42provided at the upper end of the stirring member70, and the stirring member70is being pressed down via the grasping portion42. Therefore, in this state, the elastic member71is in a compressed state, and the stirring portion50is positioned near the bottom portion of the ink reservoir chamber11. However, when the lid member92is opened, as shown in FIG.7A, the grasping portion42rises due to the elastic force of the elastic member71, the stirring member70moves upward, and therefore the stirring portion50rises from the bottom portion of the ink reservoir chamber11. When the lid member92is closed again, the elastic member71is compressed again, and the stirring portion50is lowered to near the bottom portion of the ink reservoir chamber11.

The ink tank1F makes it possible to move the stirring member70up and down due to the opening/closing operations of the lid member92and the elastic force of the elastic member71in this manner. Therefore, the stirring member70can be moved up and down in conjunction with the opening/closing operations of the lid member92, without pressing down the grasping portion42separately. In addition, in the state in which the lid member92is open, similarly to the above embodiments, it is also possible to move the stirring member70up and down by the user pressing it down with their hand, and thereby stir the ink.

Variations of First to Fourth Embodiments

(1) The mode of the stirring portion50that stirs ink by moving up and down in the ink reservoir chamber is not limited to merely a plate shape, and another mode can be adopted. For example, a mode may be adopted in which a through hole is formed in the stirring portion50, and a mode of a comb-like shape may be adopted. A mode may also be adopted in which a shaft body extending linearly, and a blade extending in a direction intersecting the shaft body are provided. A mode may also be adopted in which propeller-shaped blade members rotatably attached to a shaft body are provided.

(2) The configurations of Variations 1 to 3 (the restriction parts60and61, and the flow path groove44) may be applied to the second and fourth embodiments. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the mode of the ink tank that is arranged in the outer case90may be the mode of the ink tank1E of the third embodiment instead of the mode of the ink tank1D of the second embodiment. In this case, it is desirable that the ink tank1E is arranged such that the minor diameter cylindrical portion80is positioned below the free end of the lid member92.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-043266, filed Mar. 5, 2015, is expressly incorporated by reference herein.