Ink container

An ink container includes a storage section configured to store an ink, a supply tube configured to supply the ink stored in the storage section to a printer, a sealing member disposed in the supply tube, and a holding member configured to hold the sealing member. The holding member is detachably attached to the supply tube and has an indication that indicates that a refilling operation was performed.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2022-015483, filed Feb. 3, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an ink container that stores an ink.

2. Related Art

An example of ink containers is described in, for example, JP-A-2021-28120, which describes a cartridge. This cartridge includes a container pack, which is an example storage section for storing an ink, a supply member for supplying the liquid in the container pack to the outside, and a holding member detachably attached to the supply member. The supply member includes a supply tube, a valve element, a sealing member, and a pressing member. The pressing member presses the valve element against the sealing member. The holding member holds the sealing member from the side opposite to the pressing member.

The holding member and the supply member in JP-A-2021-28120 each have a screw mechanism that engage each other. Accordingly, to attach the holding member to the supply member or detach the holding member from the supply member, the holding member has to be rotated multiple times about the supply member, and thus the holding member is unsuitable for refilling. Even if the product has been refilled, the refilled product cannot be distinguished from other products that have not been refilled, and thus users may not recognize that this product is an environmentally friendly refilled product.

SUMMARY

An ink container to solve the above-described problem includes a storage section configured to store an ink, a supply tube configured to supply the ink stored in the storage section to a printer, a sealing member disposed in the supply tube, and a holding member configured to hold the sealing member. The holding member is detachably attached to the supply tube and has an indication that indicates that a refilling operation has been performed.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink container will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The ink container is attached to a printer. The printer is, for example, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting an ink onto a paper sheet, which is an example medium. In the drawings, it is assumed that a printer11is installed on a horizontal plane, and the Z-axis denotes the direction of gravity and the X-axis and the Y-axis denote directions along the horizontal plane. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.

Printer

As illustrated inFIG.1, the printer11may include a casing12and an operation panel13. The operation panel13is used by users to operate the printer11. The operation panel13may include a touch panel and/or may include buttons (not illustrated).

The printer11may include a container15, an attachment section16, a front cover17, a medium storage section18, a discharge tray19, a print head20, and a carriage21. The container15is detachably attached to the attachment section16. The container15holds an ink container23. The ink container23is attachable to and detachable from the container15that has been detached from the attachment section16. Attaching the container15to the attachment section16enables the ink in the ink container23held by the container15to be supplied to the printer11. The printer11may include one or more containers15.

Ink may be supplied to the printer11from a plurality of ink containers23. The ink containers23may be held in one container15or in a plurality of containers15. The printer11according to the embodiment includes four containers15, and each container15holds one ink container23. The ink containers23may store different inks. For example, different inks may be inks of different colors such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

The front cover17is openable and closable, for example, by being rotated. The front cover17that is in a closed position illustrated inFIG.1covers the attachment section16and the containers15attached to the attachment section16. When the front cover17is moved to an open position (not illustrated), the attachment section16and the containers15are exposed and the container15can be attached and detached.

The medium storage section18stores sheets of a medium25. The carriage21holds the print head20in a movable manner. The print head20, while being moved, performs printing by ejecting an ink onto the medium25supplied from the medium storage section18. The printed medium25is discharged onto the discharge tray19.

The printer11may include a supply needle27as illustrated inFIG.2. The printer11according to the embodiment includes the same number of supply needles27as the number of the ink containers23, which are attachable to one or more containers15. The supply needle27is disposed at the back of the attachment section16. When the supply needle27is inserted into the ink container23attached to the attachment section16, the ink in the ink container23is supplied to the outside.

Ink Container

In the drawings, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are provided with reference to the orientation of the ink containers23attached to the printer11.

The ink container23includes a storage section29and a supply member30as illustrated inFIG.2. The ink container23may include a supporting member31. The storage section29stores an ink. The storage section29according to the embodiment is a pouch comprising a plurality of film members. For example, the storage section29may be formed by bonding four sides of two sheets of rectangular film members. The storage section29may have a gusset. The supply member30according to the embodiment is attached to the storage section29such that the supply member30is held between two film members.

The supporting member31supports the supply member30. The supporting member31may include one or more cylinders33and one or more hook portions34. The supporting member31according to the embodiment includes two cylinders33, that is, a circular cylinder33and an elliptic cylinder33. The cylinders33are inserted into positioning holes35in the supply member30to position the supply member30and the supporting member31. The supporting member31according to the embodiment includes three hook portions34. These three hook portions34hold the positioned supply member30such that the supply member30is caught from three sides.

Supply Member

The supply member30includes a supply tube37and a holding member38as illustrated inFIG.3. The holding member38is detachably attached to the supply tube37.

The holding member38is movable in an attachment direction AD and a detachment direction WD. More specifically, the holding member38that is in a moving position MP with respect to the supply tube37illustrated inFIG.3is movable in the attachment direction AD and the detachment direction WD.

The attachment direction AD is a direction in which the holding member38that has been detached from the supply tube37moves toward the supply tube37. The holding member38that has been detached from the supply tube37is moved in the attachment direction AD and attached to the supply tube37. The detachment direction WD is opposite to the attachment direction AD. The detachment direction WD is a direction in which the holding member38is detached from the supply tube37. The holding member38that has been attached to the supply tube37is moved in the detachment direction WD and detached from the supply tube37. The attachment direction AD and the detachment direction WD according to the embodiment are parallel to the Y-axis.

The holding member38is rotatable in a first circumferential direction D1 or a second circumferential direction D2 in a state in which the holding member38is attached to the supply tube37, as illustrated inFIG.4. The first circumferential direction D1 is the clockwise direction inFIG.4. The second circumferential direction D2 is the counterclockwise direction inFIG.4. The second circumferential direction D2 is opposite to the first circumferential direction D1.

The holding member38is rotated in the first circumferential direction D1 from the moving position MP inFIG.3to the attachment position AP inFIG.5, as illustrated inFIG.3andFIG.5. The holding member38is rotated in the second circumferential direction D2 from the attachment position AP inFIG.5to the moving position MP inFIG.3. In this operation, the angle of rotation of the holding member38is less than 360 degrees. For example, the angle of rotation of the holding member38may be less than 180 degrees. In other words, the holding member38may be switched between the moving position MP and the attachment position AP within one complete rotation or a half rotation of the holding member38. The holding member38according to the embodiment is switched between the moving position MP and the attachment position AP when the holding member38is rotated by about 45 degrees.

The supply member30includes a sealing member40as illustrated inFIG.6. The supply member30may include a valve element41and a pressing member42. The supply member30may include a supply path43, a supply port44, a first support surface45, and a second support surface46. The supply port44is open at a tip37tof the supply tube37.

The supply path43is a flow path through which an ink flows in the supply tube37. An upstream end of the supply path43communicates with the inside of the storage section29. The supply port44is a downstream end of the supply path43and communicates with the supply path43. When the ink container23is attached to the attachment section16, the supply needle27is inserted into the supply tube37through the supply port44, enabling the supply tube37to supply the ink in the storage section29to the printer11.

The first support surface45supports the sealing member40. The first support surface45is provided in the supply tube37. The first support surface45is provided in the supply path43. The second support surface46supports the pressing member42. The second support surface46is provided in the supply tube37. The second support surface46is provided in the supply path43.

The sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42are disposed in the supply tube37. The sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42are disposed in the middle of the supply path43. The sealing member40according to the embodiment is disposed between the valve element41and the holding member38.

The valve element41is made of, for example, an elastic material. The valve element41according to the embodiment is made of rubber. The pressing member42presses the valve element41to press the valve element42against the sealing member40. The pressing member42includes, for example, a spring.

The sealing member40may have a first sealing end40f, a second sealing end40s, and an insertion hole48as illustrated inFIG.7. The first sealing end40fis an end portion of the sealing member40and is in contact with the first support surface45. The second sealing end40sis an end portion opposite to the first sealing end40fin the sealing member40.

The first sealing end40fof the sealing member40is configured to be in contact with the valve element41. The sealing member40comes into contact with the valve element41to block the supply tube37. The sealing member40blocks the supply tube37, thereby suppressing leakage of the ink from the supply tube37from occurring. The sealing member40is made of, for example, an elastic material. The sealing member40according to the embodiment is made of rubber.

The insertion hole48is a hole into which the supply needle27is inserted. The insertion hole48extends through the sealing member40from the first sealing end40fto the second sealing end40s. Accordingly, the sealing member40has a tubular shape. When the ink container23is attached to the attachment section16, the supply needle27is inserted into the insertion hole48. A minimum inner diameter of the insertion hole48is smaller than an outer diameter of the supply needle27. The sealing member40is in contact with the inserted supply needle27.

In response to the supply needle27inserted into the insertion hole48pressing the valve element41, the valve element41moves away from the sealing member40, thereby enabling the sealing member40and the valve element41to release the blockage of the supply tube37. As a result, the ink can be supplied from the storage section29to the printer11through the supply tube37and the supply needle27.

Holding Member

The holding member38holds the sealing member40as illustrated inFIG.7. The holding member38is attached to the supply tube37to hold the sealing member40. The holding member38according to the embodiment holds the sealing member40from the second sealing end40s. The holding member38is made of, for example, resin.

The holding member38may include an external cylinder50, an internal cylinder51, and a coupling section52. In this embodiment, one end of the external cylinder50in the attachment direction AD is referred to as a first outer end50fand the other end is referred to as a second outer end50s. In this embodiment, one end of the internal cylinder51in the attachment direction AD is referred to as a first inner end51fand the other end is referred to as a second inner end51s. The first inner end51fand the second outer end50saccording to the embodiment are also ends of the holding member38.

The coupling section52couples the external cylinder50and the internal cylinder51. More specifically, the coupling section52couples the first outer end50fof the external cylinder50and a central portion of the internal cylinder51in the attachment direction AD. The holding member38may include a supply hole54defined by the internal cylinder51. The supply hole54is a hole into which the supply needle27is inserted. When the ink container23is attached to the attachment section16, the supply needle27is inserted into the supply hole54.

When the holding member38is attached to the supply tube37, the internal cylinder51enters the insertion hole48from the second sealing end40s. During the attachment, the second inner end51sof the internal cylinder51comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole48. More specifically, the holding member38holds the sealing member40such that the internal cylinder51presses and widens the sealing member40, thereby pressing the sealing member40against the supply tube37. The external cylinder50is located outside the supply tube37in a state in which the holding member38is attached to the supply tube37. The holding member38holds the supply tube37and the sealing member40in the radial direction by using the external cylinder50and the internal cylinder51. The radial direction according to the embodiment is a radial direction with respect to a central axis A of the supply tube37. The central axis A according to the embodiment is parallel to the Y-axis.

The holding member38may have an opening56, a notch57, and a convex portion58as illustrated inFIG.8. The holding member38may have one or more openings56, one or more notches57, and one or more convex portions58. The holding member38according to the embodiment has four openings56, four notches57, and four convex portions58.

The four openings56are equally spaced in the first circumferential direction D1. Each opening56is provided at least in the coupling section52and extends through the coupling section52. The openings56according to the embodiment extend through the coupling section52and the external cylinder50. The four openings56according to the embodiment divide the coupling section52into four. Each opening56has a first surface56fand a second surface56sthat are aligned in the first circumferential direction D1 and face each other; that is, the holding member38according to the embodiment has a plurality of first surfaces56fand a plurality of second surfaces56s. The first surfaces56fface in the first circumferential direction D1. The second surfaces56sface in the second circumferential direction D2.

The notches57are formed in the external cylinder50. The notches57are recessed from the second outer end50sin the detachment direction WD. The notches57enable the external cylinder50to elastically deform. The notches57according to the embodiment are located between the openings56in the first circumferential direction D1.

The convex portions58are formed in the internal cylinder51. The convex portions58protrude outward from the first inner end51fin the radial direction. The convex portions58are provided at the same positions as the openings56in the first circumferential direction D1. In other words, the convex portions58and the openings56are aligned in the attachment direction AD.

The convex portion58has a third surface58tas illustrated inFIG.9. The third surface58tfaces in the attachment direction AD. The third surface58tis located between the first inner end51fand the opening56in the attachment direction AD; that is, the third surface58tis located between the first surface56fand the first inner end51f. The third surface58tis located between the second surface56sand the first inner end51f.

The holding member38has a protrusion60that comes into contact with the supply tube37. The holding member38may include one or more protrusions60. The protrusions60may be equally spaced in the first circumferential direction D1. The holding member38according to the embodiment includes four protrusions60. The protrusions60may be provided in the second outer end50s. The protrusions60protrude inward from the external cylinder50. The protrusions60are provided between the notches57arranged in the first circumferential direction D1. In this embodiment, at least part of one opening56, at least part of one convex portion58, and at least part of one protrusion60are located at the same position in the first circumferential direction D1. In other words, the convex portion58, the opening56, and the protrusion60are aligned in the attachment direction AD.

Supply Tube

The supply tube37has an outer surface62as illustrated inFIG.10. The outer surface62may have a first outer surface62a, a second outer surface62b, a third outer surface62c, a fourth outer surface62d, and a fifth outer surface62e.

The supply tube37has one or more guide portions64and one or more stop portions65. The supply tube37may have one or more regulating sections66. The regulating section66may have a first rib68and a second rib69. The supply tube37may have one or more recesses70. The guide portion64and the stop portion65are aligned in the first circumferential direction D1 in the outer surface62of the supply tube37. One guide portion64and one stop portion65may be provided per regulating section66. The guide portion64, the stop portion65, the regulating section66, and the recess70are provided in the outer surface62.

The regulating section66according to the embodiment is a concave portion formed at a position away from the tip37tof the supply tube37in the attachment direction AD. The supply tube37may have a plurality of regulating sections66. The supply tube37according to the embodiment has two guide portions64, two stop portions65, two regulating sections66, and two recesses70. The regulating sections66and the recesses70are provided alternately in the first circumferential direction D1.

The first outer surface62ais an outer surface of the regulating section66and the recess70. The second outer surface62b, the third outer surface62c, and the fourth outer surface62dare inner surfaces of the regulating section66. The fifth outer surface62eis an inner surface of the recess70. The fifth outer surface62emay be a curved surface.

The second outer surface62b, the third outer surface62c, and the fourth outer surface62dare aligned in the first circumferential direction D1. The first outer surface62a, the second outer surface62b, the third outer surface62c, and the fourth outer surface62dare located differently in the radial direction. The first outer surface62ais the outermost surface. The fourth outer surface62dis the innermost surface. The fourth outer surface62dis away from the first outer surface62ain the radial direction compared with the second outer surface62band the third outer surface62c. The second outer surface62bis located between the first outer surface62aand the fourth outer surface62din the radial direction. The third outer surface62ccouples the second outer surface62band the fourth outer surface62d. The third outer surface62cis tilted with respect to the first circumferential direction D1.

The first rib68according to the embodiment is a step between the first outer surface62aand the second outer surface62bin the first circumferential direction D1. The second rib69according to the embodiment is a step between the fourth outer surface62dand the first outer surface62ain the first circumferential direction D1. Each of the first rib68and the second rib69according to the embodiment has a surface substantially vertical with respect to the first outer surface62a. The first rib68is located at one end of the regulating section66and the second rib69is located at the other end of the regulating section66in the first circumferential direction D1.

The guide portion64guides the movement of the protrusion60in the attachment direction AD and the detachment direction WD. The guide portion64may have a guide surface71and a guide wall72. The guide surface71is located in the detachment direction WD with respect to the second outer surface62b. The guide surface71couples the first outer surface62aand the second outer surface62b. The guide surface71is tilted with respect to the central axis A. The guide surface71forms obtuse angles with respect to the first outer surface62aand the second outer surface62b. In this embodiment, one guide portion64has one guide surface71and two guide walls72. The two guide walls72are disposed at respective ends of the guide surface71in the first circumferential direction D1. One guide wall72of the two guide walls72may have the same plane as the first rib68.

The stop portion65according to the embodiment is a step between the fourth outer surface62dand the first outer surface62ain the detachment direction WD. The stop portion65is located in the detachment direction WD with respect to the fourth outer surface62d. The stop portion65according to the embodiment has a surface substantially vertical with respect to the first outer surface62a.

As illustrated inFIG.11andFIG.12, the regulating section66regulates the moving range of the protrusion60in the first circumferential direction D1 to a range from a first position P1 inFIG.11to a second position P2 inFIG.12. The first rib68comes into contact with the protrusion60located in the first position P1 and regulates the movement of the protrusion60in the second circumferential direction D2. When the holding member38is in the moving position MP, the protrusion60located in the regulating section66is located in the first position P1. The second rib69comes into contact with the protrusion60located in the second position P2 and regulates the movement of the protrusion60in the first circumferential direction D1. When the holding member38is in the attachment position AP, the protrusion60located in the regulating section66is located in the second position P2.

The protrusion60that is located in the first position P1 and the guide portion64are aligned in the detachment direction WD as illustrated inFIG.13. The protrusion60that is located in the second position P2 and the stop portion65are aligned in the detachment direction WD. The stop portion65comes into contact with the protrusion60to regulate the movement of the holding member38in the detachment direction WD as illustrated inFIG.9.

Refill

The ink container23can be refilled. Refilling in this embodiment means filling a used ink container23with ink. An ink container23used by a user is collected and refilled by a technician. The refilled ink container23is used by the user or another person.

At least one of the holding member38, the sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42of the ink container23as illustrated inFIG.6may be replaced. Such part replacement may be performed at the time of refilling. To replace a part, first the holding member38is detached from the supply tube37.

The holding member38before the detachment operation is in the attachment position AP as illustrated inFIG.5. For example, the technician moves a jig (not illustrated) in the attachment direction AD to align the jig to the opening56. In this state, the jig is turned in the second circumferential direction D2 and the jig presses the first surface56f, thereby turning the holding member38in the second circumferential direction D2. The jig according to the embodiment is turned by about 45 degrees to change the position of the holding member38from the attachment position AP to the moving position MP.

As illustrated inFIG.12, when the holding member38is in the attachment position AP, in this embodiment, two protrusions60of the four protrusions60are located within the regulating sections66, and the other two protrusions60are located within the recesses70.

As illustrated inFIG.11, when the holding member38is switched to the moving position MP, the two protrusions60of the holding member38in the regulating sections66come into contact with the first ribs68, regulating the turn in the second circumferential direction D2. Accordingly, the two protrusions60in the regulating sections66are located in the first positions P1 and are aligned with the guide portions64in the detachment direction WD.

In this state, the two protrusions60positioned in the recesses70run on the first outer surfaces62a, thereby elastically deforming the external cylinder50. Accordingly, turning the holding member38in the second circumferential direction D2 requires a force larger than that for turning the holding member38in the first circumferential direction D1.

Next, the jig presses the third surface58tin the detachment direction WD as illustrated inFIG.3. More specifically, the jig moves in the detachment direction WD in the state in which part of the jig is aligned with the third surface58t, and thereby the holding member38is detached from the supply tube37. In this operation, the protrusion60in the first position P1 is moved from the second outer surface62bto run on the first outer surface62avia the guide portion64.

After the holding member38is detached from the supply tube37, the sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42can be removed via the supply port44. All or some of the holding member38, the sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42may be replaced.

To attach the holding member38to the supply tube37as illustrated inFIG.3, the jig is moved in the attachment direction AD with the jig holding the holding member38. For example, the jig may hold the convex portion58. The jig attaches the holding member38, which is in the moving position MP with respect to the supply tube37, to the supply tube37.

In this embodiment, two protrusions60of the four protrusions60pass the guiding sections64and enter the regulating sections66as illustrated inFIG.11. The other two protrusions60move along the first outer surfaces62aand move across the recesses70.

After the holding member38is attached to the supply tube37, the jig turns in the first circumferential direction D1 as illustrated inFIG.3. The jig turning in the first circumferential direction D1 presses the second surface56s, thereby turning the holding member38in the first circumferential direction D1. The jig according to the embodiment is turned by about 45 degrees to switch the position of the holding member38from the moving position MP to the attachment position AP.

When the holding member38is switched to the attachment position AP, the two protrusions of the holding member38in the regulating sections66come into contact with the second ribs69, regulating the turn in the first circumferential direction D1 as illustrated inFIG.12. Accordingly, the two protrusions60in the regulating sections66are located in the second positions P2 and are aligned with the stop portions65in the detachment direction WD; that is, the two protrusions60come into contact with the stop portions65to regulate the movement of the holding member38in the detachment direction WD.

The two protrusions60located on the first outer surface62aenter the recesses70, and thereby the inner surface of the external cylinder50comes into contact with the outer surface62of the supply tube37. Accordingly, in the attachment position AP, the movement of the holding member38in the radial direction is regulated.

The jig is detached from the holding member38attached to the supply tube37. Next, the ink container23is refilled with an ink. Ink refilling may be performed without replacing parts. Ink refilling is performed by inserting a refill needle into the supply tube37. The configuration of the refill needle is similar to that of the supply needle27and its illustration is omitted.

The refill needle is inserted into the supply hole54and the insertion hole48as illustrated inFIG.7, similarly to the supply needle27. The refill needle presses the valve element41to release the blockage of the supply tube37. In this state, an ink is sent through the refill needle and the supply path43to the ink container23. The storage section29stores the sent ink. When the refill needle is removed, the valve element41comes into contact with the sealing member40to block the supply tube37. This completes the refilling.

The holding member38attached to the supply tube37has an indication that indicates that a refilling operation has been performed. The indication according to the embodiment is a color of the holding member38. For example, the holding member38may be molded by using a colored resin as a raw material such that the entire holding member38is colored. In this embodiment, the color of the entire holding member38serves as the indication, and thus the reference numeral of the indication is omitted.

The color is a color that can be visually identified by a person such as a technician, a user, or the like. Different colors include not only different hues, such as white, black, blue, or yellow, but also colors having different transmittance, such as transparency, and different shades. In other words, one example holding member38may be colorless and transparent.

The color of the holding member38attached to the supply tube37in manufacturing the ink container23may be the same as the color of the supply member30. In a refilling operation, the holding member38may be replaced with a holding member38that has a color different from that of the supply member30. In another case, the color of the first holding member38may be different from that of the supply member30, and the color of the holding member38after replacement may be the same as the color of the supply member30.

By using the same color for the holding member38and the supply member30before replacement or after replacement, the holding member38can be compared with the supply member30, and the difference in color of the holding members38can be more readily recognized. For example, the holding members38may be readily recognized when the color of the holding member38attached at the time of manufacture and the color of the supply member30are white, and the color of the holding member38attached at the time of refilling is a color close to white, such as gray.

This indication may be the number of refilling operations. In this embodiment, the color of the holding member38indicates the number of refilling operations. The color of the holding member38attached in a refilling operation may be changed depending on the color of the holding member38that has been previously attached. For example, the color of the holding member38first attached to the supply tube37may be white. When the ink container23to which the white holding member38has been attached is refilled, the technician may replace the white holding member38with a gray holding member38. When the ink container23to which the gray holding member38has been attached is refilled, the technician may replace the gray holding member38with a black holding member38. In this case, the gray holding member38indicates that refilling has been performed once. The black holding member38indicates that refilling has been performed twice.

The color of the holding member38may indicate the maximum refill number. For example, when the holding member38is changed from white to gray, and then to black in this order and the refill number is two, the black holding member38indicates that the refilling of the maximum number of times has been made.

The color of the holding member38may indicate parts to be replaced. In other words, the color of the holding member38may indicate parts that do not require replacement. For example, the frequency of replacement of the sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42may be different. For example, the sealing member40and the valve element41may be replaced every time, whereas the pressing member42may be replaced every two times. When the holding members38of white, gray, and black are attached in this order, the white holding member38indicates that the sealing member40and the valve element41need to be replaced together with the replacement with the gray holding member38. In other words, the white holding member38indicates that the pressing member42does not require replacement. The gray holding member38indicates that the sealing member40, the valve element41, and the pressing member42require replacement.

Operations of Embodiment

Operations according to the embodiment will be described. A used ink container23is refilled and a holding member38is replaced. Accordingly, the indication of the replaced holding member38enables the user to visually recognize whether or not the ink container23has been refilled.

Advantages of Embodiment

Advantages of the embodiment will be described.

1. The holding member38is detachably attached to the supply tube37, and thus the holding member38can be readily replaced when a refilling operation is performed. The holding member38has an indication indicating that a refilling operation has been performed, enabling the user to recognize that this product has been refilled.

2. The indication is the number of refilling operations. The holding member38has an indication indicating the number of refilling operations, and thus the number of refilling operations can be readily managed.

3. The indication is a color of the holding member38. The color enables the user to recognize that this product has been refilled.

4. The holding member38is turned in the first circumferential direction D1 or the second circumferential direction D2 so as to be attached to or detached from the supply tube37, and thus the holding member38can be replaced without being rotated multiple times.

Modifications

This embodiment may be modified and implemented as follows. The embodiment and the following modifications may be combined with each other within a technically consistent scope.

First Modification

An indication74may be a concave portion or a convex portion on the holding member38as illustrated inFIG.14andFIG.15. The indication74may be a convex portion protruding from the surface or a concave portion recessed from the surface. The indication74may be formed on the external cylinder50having the largest surface area of all the surfaces of the holding member38. The indication74on the external cylinder50enables a conspicuous indication74. The indication74may be circular as illustrated inFIG.14or bar-shaped as illustrated inFIG.15. The indication74may be straight, curved, or wavy. The indication74may be formed in a ring shape in the circumferential direction. The indication74may indicate the number of refilling operations by using the number of concave portions and convex portions, the shapes of concave portions and convex portions, or a color of concave portions or convex portions.

More specifically, at the time of manufacturing, a holding member38that has no indication74may be attached. In other words, the holding member38having an indication74with no concave portion and no convex portion may indicate that the number of refilling operations is zero; that is, the holding member38having an indication74with no concave portion and no convex portion may indicate that the ink container23has not been refilled. When the ink container23is refilled, the holding member38may be replaced with a holding member38that has one more concave portion or convex portion than the number of concave portions and/or convex portions on the previously attached holding member38. According to the method, the number of refilling operations can be indicated by the number of concave portions and convex portions. The indication74according to the first modification is concave portions and/or convex portions on the holding member38, enabling the user to recognize that this product has been refilled when the user touches the indication74.

Second Modification

The indication74may be a code that includes a one-dimensional symbol as illustrated inFIG.16. The indication74may be a code that includes a two-dimensional symbol as illustrated inFIG.17. Such a code may be a concave portion or a convex portion on the holding member38. The code may include information about refilling, information about the ink container23, and information about an ink to be stored. The information about refilling may include, for example, the number of refilling operations, the dates of refilling operations, and the names of technicians who performed refilling operations. The information about the ink container23may include the date of manufacture of the ink container23, the expiration date of the ink container23, and the manufacturer. The information about the ink may include the color of the ink, and the type of the ink. The indication74according to the second modification is a code, enabling the holding member38to provide coded information, and thus the ink container23can be readily managed.

Other Modifications

The indication74may be a numeral, a mark, a character, a pattern, or a picture provided on the holding member38. Numerals may include Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and other numerals. Characters may include Braille characters. A Braille character formed of six dots is also a code including a two-dimensional symbol.

The indication74may be a concave portion and/or a convex portion provided on the holding member38, or may be formed by printing, baking, engraving, cutting, melting, or other methods. The indication74may be a separate member that can be attached to the holding member38. For example, the indication74may be a label that can be attached to the holding member38. The indication74may be a plate that can be fit into the holding member38.

The indication74may be marked on a detached holding member38, and the marked holding member38may be attached to the supply tube37. In other words, the holding member38may be used without replacement. The indication74may be marked on a holding member38in a state in which the holding member38is attached to the supply tube37. The ink container23may be refilled without parts replacement.

The holding member38may include a plurality of indications74of the same type. For example, indications74may be provided in areas between notches57on the external cylinder50. The holding member38may include a plurality of indications74of different types. For example, the holding member38may be marked with a color indicating that a refilling operation has been performed and a numeral indicating the number of refilling operations.

The indication74may be provided at any position on the holding member38. For example, the indication74may be provided at at least one of the external cylinder50, the internal cylinder51, and the coupling section52. The indication74may be provided on the inner side of the holding member38.

The number of refilling operations may be indicated by a position of the indication74. The holding member38may be colored with a plurality of colors as the indication74. For example, the color of the external cylinder50of the holding member38may be partially changed. For example, the colors of the external cylinder50and the internal cylinder51of the holding member38may be changed. The number of refilling operations may be indicated by a combination of colors.

The indication74may indicate that a refilling operation has been performed; that is, a holding member38having no indication74may be attached to an ink container23that has not been refilled and a holding member38having an indication74may be attached to an ink container23that has been refilled.

The supply member30may include a film. Such a film may be attached to the holding member38or a supply tube37by, for example, thermal welding. The film attached to the holding member38may block, for example, the supply hole54. The film attached to the supply tube37may block, for example, the supply port44. Such a film may be provided in the middle of the supply path43. The film suppresses leakage of the ink from the supply tube37from occurring. When the ink container23is attached to the attachment section16, the film may be torn by the supply needle27.

The supply tube37may include a recess70also in the stop portion65. More specifically, the stop portion65may regulate the movement of the protrusion60, which is located in the recess70in the attachment position AP, in the detachment direction WD. The stop portion65provided in the recess70reduces the occurrence of accidental detachment of the holding member38, for example, when an impact is applied to the holding member38.

Any ink that adheres to a medium25for printing onto the medium25may be selected for the ink. Example inks may include inks in which particles of a functional material composed of a solid material such a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, and inks that contain a variety of compositions, such as water-based inks, oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot melt inks.

Supplementary Notes

Technical concepts understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications and their advantages will be described below.

A. An ink container includes a storage section configured to store an ink, a supply tube configured to supply the ink stored in the storage section to a printer, a sealing member disposed in the supply tube, and a holding member configured to hold the sealing member. The holding member is detachably attached to the supply tube and has an indication that indicates that a refilling operation has been performed.

In this configuration, the holding member is detachably attached to the supply tube, and thus the holding member can be readily replaced in a refilling operation. The holding member has an indication indicating that a refilling operation has been performed, enabling the user to recognize that this product has been refilled.

B. In the ink container, the indication may indicate the number of refilling operations. In this configuration, the indication indicates the number of refilling operations. The holding member has an indication indicating the number of refilling operations, and thus the number of refilling operations can be readily managed.

C. In the ink container, the indication may be a color of the holding member. In this configuration, the indication is a color of the holding member, enabling the user to visually recognize that this product has been refilled.

D. In the ink container, the indication may be a concave portion or a convex portion on the holding member. In this configuration, the indication is a concave portion or a convex portion on the holding member, enabling the user to recognize that this product has been refilled when the user touches the indication.

E. In the ink container, the indication may be a code including a one-dimensional symbol or a two-dimensional symbol. In this configuration, the indication is a code, enabling the holding member to provide coded information, and thus the ink container can be readily managed.