Liquid container and liquid ejection apparatus

A liquid container includes a container body including a storage chamber configured to store a liquid and a supply port configured to supply the liquid to the storage chamber, and a plug member to seal the supply port, the plug member including a body portion located outside the storage chamber and the supply port and a plug portion located inside the storage chamber and the supply port. The plug portion has a press-fitted portion to be press-fitted into the supply port and a leading end portion exposed to the storage chamber, an axial line of the plug portion is perpendicular to an opening surface of the supply port, and a leading end surface of the leading end portion is an inclined surface inclined with respect to a surface of the plug portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid container capable of containing a liquid and to a liquid ejection apparatus including the liquid container.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a typical liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid such as a fluid and a liquid container that stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head. The liquid in the liquid container is supplied to the liquid ejection head via a tube and a liquid flow path.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-20497 discloses a liquid ejection apparatus that injects a liquid from an injection port provided in a large-capacity liquid container into a liquid ejection head, unlike the above-mentioned liquid ejection apparatus that supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head via the tube and the liquid flow path. The liquid container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-20497 includes the injection port for injecting the liquid and a plug member that prevents leakage of the liquid from the injection port. The plug member is structured to be detachable from the injection port. When the liquid is to be injected, the plug member is detached from the injection port and, otherwise, the plug member is attached to the injection port so as to prevent the liquid from leaking to the outside.

When the liquid is injected into the liquid container, the liquid may adhere to the periphery of the injection port included in the liquid container. When the plug member is attached to the injection port with the liquid adhering to the periphery of the injection port, the liquid adhering to the periphery of the injection port may contaminate the plug member. In addition, when the liquid ejection apparatus is moved with the liquid being stored in the liquid container, due to shaking of the liquid, the liquid in the liquid container may also adhere to the plug member.

The plugs member is press-fitted in the injection port of the liquid container and, when the plug member is detached, a force against a frictional force acting on a press-fitted portion of the plug member is applied to the plug member to detach the plug member.

As a result, due to an impact when the plug member is detached from the injection port, the liquid adhering to the plug member may be scattered to the outside. In addition, after unplugging, the liquid adhering to the plug member may adhere to a hand of a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in view of the problem described above, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid container including a plug member that can reduce a possibility that, when the plug member is detached to open the liquid container, a liquid is scattered or contaminates a hand of a person.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is provided a liquid container including a container body including a storage chamber configured to store a liquid and a supply port configured to supply the liquid to the storage chamber, and a plug member configured to be detachable from the container body so as to seal the supply port, the plug member including a body portion located outside the storage chamber and the supply port in the container body in an attached state where the plug member is attached to the container body and a plug portion located inside the storage chamber and the supply port in the attached state, wherein the plug portion has a press-fitted portion to be press-fitted into the supply port in the attached state and a leading end portion exposed to the storage chamber on a leading end side of the press-fitted portion in the attached state, in the attached state, an axial line of the plug portion is perpendicular to an opening surface of the supply port, and in the attached state, a leading end surface of the leading end portion is an inclined surface inclined with respect to a surface of the plug portion which is perpendicular to the axial line, and the inclined surface is inclined such that a side of the inclined surface located below in a vertical direction protrudes, in a direction of the axial line, from a side of the inclined surface located above in the vertical direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is provided a liquid ejection apparatus including a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid, and the liquid container as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a description will be given below of preferred embodiments of a technology disclosed in the present application. However, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positioning, and the like of components described below are to be appropriately changed in accordance with a configuration of an apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following description. Particularly to a configuration or a step not illustrated or stated, a technique well-known or publicly known in the technical field of concern is applicable. In addition, depending on a case, a repeated description may be omitted.

First Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, a description will be given of the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism portion of a liquid ejection apparatus200to which the present embodiment is applicable.FIG.2is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the liquid ejection apparatus200along a line A-A inFIG.1. Note that, for convenience of description,FIG.2illustrates each of members in a different size or omits illustration of the member.

The liquid ejection apparatus200includes a feeding unit1, a transport unit2, an ejection unit3, a supply unit4, and a display unit5. The feeding unit1uses a feed roller10to separate each one of sheet-shaped print media from a bundle of the print media and supplies the separated print medium to the transport unit2. The transport unit2includes, between a transport roller11and a sheet discharge roller12, a platen13provided on a side downstream of the feeding unit1in a transport direction to hold the print medium. The transport unit2transports the print medium fed from the feed roller10by using the transport roller11, the sheet discharge roller12, and the like.

The ejection unit3uses a liquid ejection head15mounted on a carriage14to eject a liquid toward the print medium. The print medium transported by the transport unit2is supported by the platen13from below in a vertical direction. Then, from the liquid ejection head15located above in the vertical direction, the liquid is ejected to form an image based on image information. A liquid container16is capable of containing the liquid therein, while the supply unit4is configured to be capable of supplying the liquid from a storage chamber (reservoir)100of a container body111to the liquid ejection head15via a flow path101and flexible supply tubes17.

In the present embodiment, the liquid is ink and, more specifically, the four supply tubes17through which inks in different colors (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) flow extend from the liquid container16to be connected in a bundled state to the liquid ejection head15.

When the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head15is ejected from an ejection port of the liquid ejection head15, the liquid equal in an amount to the ejected liquid is supplied from the liquid container16to the liquid ejection head15. Then, into the liquid container16, air equal in an amount to the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head15flows from an atmosphere communication port102provided above the container body111in the vertical direction. The display unit5is used to notify a user of a state of the apparatus during an operation or perform display when the user selects among operations.

FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating the liquid ejection apparatus200to be refilled with the liquid from a liquid refill container201. As illustrated in the figure, in the liquid ejection apparatus200in the present embodiment, when the liquid is supplied, the user opens a container cover7and supplies the liquid from the liquid refill container201into the storage chamber100via a supply port106included in the liquid container16. To the supply port106, a plug member105configured to be detachable from the container body111and seal the supply port106is attached. When the storage chamber100is to be refilled with the liquid from the liquid refill container201, the user detaches the plug member105from the supply port106. Note that the liquid container16is not limited to such a configuration as used in the present embodiment in which the liquid container16is embedded in an apparatus main body of the liquid ejection apparatus200. As long as the liquid can be supplied from the liquid container16to the liquid ejection head15, the liquid container16may also be configured to be provided outside the main body of the liquid ejection apparatus200.

FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating the liquid container16of the liquid ejection apparatus200. The liquid container16in the present embodiment includes the container body111including the storage chamber100and the supply port106, and the plug member105. The container body111is molded from a synthetic resin such as polypropylene and has a substantially cuboid outer shape. The container body111has a front wall1010, a right wall1020, a left wall1030, an upper wall1040, and a lower wall1050. The front wall1010includes an upright wall1010A extending from the lower wall1050in a substantially up-down direction and an inclined wall1010B (an example of an outer wall) connected to an upper end of the upright wall1010A and inclined with respect to each of the up-down direction and a front-rear direction. The inclined wall1010B is inclined on a rear side of the upright wall1010A and formed with the supply ports106for the liquid.

Meanwhile, a rear surface of the container body111is open. Then, a film1060is welded to respective rear end portions of the right wall1020, the left wall1030, color separation walls1021,1022, and1023, the upper wall1040, and the lower wall1050to seal the container body111and form a rear wall corresponding to the rear surface. In other words, the film1060forms the rear wall of the container body111. Of the configuration described above, the storage chamber100that stores the liquid is formed.

An upper surface of each of the plug members105and each of the inclined walls1010B have respective marks1070A and1070B engraved therein. The engraved marks1070A and1070B function as indices for aligning a direction of each of the plug members105when the user closes the supply port provided in the inclined wall1010B with the plug member105. Note that, instead of or in addition to the engraved marks1070A and1070B, any marking can be used as long as the marking can be used when the user aligns the direction of the plug member105. For example, it may be possible to change a color of a portion of the plug member105, stick a seal thereto, or provide a portion of the plug member105and a portion of the supply port106with a pair of a depressed portion and a protruding portion that are interengaged with each other.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a plug member905in a comparative example, whileFIG.6Ais a diagram illustrating a cross section of the plug member105in the present embodiment. Note thatFIG.6Ais a cross-sectional view of the plug member105along a line V-V′ inFIG.4, whileFIG.5illustrates a cross section of the plug member905corresponding to the cross-sectional view inFIG.6A.FIGS.6B,6C, and8A to12also illustrate cross sections of the plug members corresponding to the cross-sectional view inFIG.6A.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the plug member905includes a body portion905C located outside the storage chamber100and the supply port106in an attached state where the plug member905is attached to the supply port106and a plug portion905D inserted in the supply port106to close the supply port106. The plug member905is attached, while being elastically deformed such that the supply port106is held between jutting portions of the plug member905in the up-down direction. The body portion905C of the plug member905includes a covering portion905B covering an opening surface of the supply port106and a protruding portion905A protruding from the covering portion. The protruding portion905A serves also as a knob portion to be picked up by the user when the plug member905is to be detached from the supply port106. The user pulls the protruding portion905A in a direction of an arrow909to pull out the plug member905from the supply port106and thereby open the supply port106. Note that, in the following description, the protruding portion is referred to also as the “knob portion”.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the knob portion905A is formed so as to protrude from an upper surface904of the covering portion905B extending along the opening surface of the supply port106in a state where the plug member905is attached to the supply port106.

In a case where a back surface907of the plug member905in the comparative example is substantially horizontal with respect to the opening surface of the supply port106, when ink108has adhered to the back surface907, the ink108is likely to drip when the user pulls out the plug member905from the supply port106. Consequently, the dripped ink108may adhere to a finger of the user or the like.

To prevent this, the plug member105in the present embodiment has a configuration in which, in the cross section illustrated inFIG.6A, a back surface107is provided to be inclined from one inner peripheral surface of the supply port106toward another inner peripheral surface of the supply port106.FIG.7illustrates a perspective view of the plug member105in a state where the supply port106is closed with the plug member105, as illustrated inFIG.6A. As illustrated inFIGS.6A and7, a knob portion105A protrudes from an upper surface104. Note that a state where the knob portion105A “protrudes” refers to a state where the knob portion105A protrudes from the upper surface104to an extent that allows the user to pick up the knob portion105A or apply a force to the knob portion105A.

An axial line105CP of the plug member105is a straight line extending through a center of a plug portion105D described below when viewed from the opening surface of the supply port106. As illustrated inFIG.6A, the supply port106is formed of an outer opening106D open to the outside of the container body111, an inner opening106E open to the storage chamber100, and an inner peripheral surface106C connecting the outer opening106D and the inner opening106E. Note that an opening surface having the outer opening106D of the supply port106and an opening surface having the inner opening106E of the supply port106correspond to the opening surface of the supply port perpendicular to the axial line105CP.

Referring toFIGS.6A and7, a further description will be given of the plug member105. In an attached state where the plug member105is attached to the container body111so as to seal the supply port106, the plug member105includes a body portion105C including the knob portion105A located outside the storage chamber100and the supply port106of the container body111and a covering portion105B. The covering portion105B comes into contact with an edge portion of the outer opening106D of the supply port106. In addition, the plug member105includes the plug portion105D to be inserted into the supply port106. As illustrated inFIG.7, the plug portion105D is a member having a substantially cylindrical shape. The plug portion105D has a press-fitted portion105E to be press-fitted into the supply port106and a leading end portion105F exposed to the storage chamber100on a leading end side of the press-fitted portion105E.

In the attached state where the plug member105is attached to the container body111, the press-fitted portion105E indicates a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the plug portion105D which corresponds to a first region to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106. Meanwhile, in the attached state where the plug member105is attached to the container body111, the leading end portion105F indicates a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion105D which corresponds to a second region to be exposed to the storage chamber100on the leading end side of the first region.

In the cross-section inFIG.6A, when viewed from the axial line105CP, a gravity direction lowest point107A of inclination of the back surface107serving as a leading end surface of the plug member105is located on the same side as that of a gravity direction lowest point106A at the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106. Meanwhile, when viewed from the axial line105CP, a gravity direction highest point107B of the inclination of the back surface107is located on the same side as that of a point106B corresponding to the gravity direction lowest point106A at the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106. In the following description, a gravity direction lowest point of the inclination of the back surface107when the plug member105is viewed in the cross section illustrated inFIG.6Ais referred to also as a “back surface lowest point”, while a gravity direction highest point of the inclination of the back surface107is referred to also as a “back surface highest point”.

The back surface107of the plug member105is a surface inclined with respect to a surface of the plug portion105D perpendicular to the axial line105CP. The back surface107is inclined such that, in the attached state where the plug member105is attached to the container body111, a side thereof (upper surface lowest point) located below in the vertical direction protrudes in a direction of the axial line105CP from a side thereof (back surface highest point) located above in the vertical direction.

The cross section illustrated inFIG.6Ais a cross section along the vertical direction including the axial line105CP of the plug portion105D in the attached state. In this cross section, a first virtual line107D connecting the back surface lowest point107A serving as a lowest end point of the back surface107serving as the leading end surface and a point of contact with the gravity direction lowest point106A serving as a lowest end point of the inner opening106E in the leading end portion105F is set. In addition, a vertical virtual line107C extending upward from the back surface lowest point107A in the vertical direction is set. Then, an angle formed between the first virtual line107D and the vertical virtual line107C is assumed to be A. Meanwhile, a second virtual line107E connecting the back surface lowest point107A of the back surface107and the gravity direction highest point107B serving as a highest end point of the back surface107is set. Then, an angle formed between the second virtual line107E and the vertical virtual line107C is assumed to be B. At this time, an inclined shape of the back surface107is provided so as to satisfy (Angle A)≥(Angle B). The back surface lowest point107A is provided to be located below the gravity direction lowest point106A at the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106in the gravity direction.

Also, in the attached state where the plug member105is attached to the container body111, a side of the back surface107located below (side with the back surface lowest point107A) is located on the side of the storage chamber100rather than on the side of the inner opening106E of the supply port106. Meanwhile, a side of the back surface107located above (side with the back surface highest point107B) is located on the side of the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106rather than on the side of the inner opening106E of the supply port106.

With the back surface107having such an inclined shape, since the inner opening106E is located below the outer opening106D as illustrated inFIG.6A, the ink108adhering to the back surface107is likely to collect at the back surface lowest point107A on the gravity direction side of the inclined surface.

FIGS.6B and6Care diagrams sequentially illustrating a process in which the plug member105in the state inFIG.6Ais pulled out. In the state inFIG.6A, when the user pulls the knob portion105A in a direction of an arrow109, the plug member105begins to be pulled out. At this time, the plug member105moves in the direction of the arrow109with a side surface of the plug portion105D rubbing against the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106. In addition, due to a surface tension between the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106and the ink108collected at the back surface lowest point107A, the plug member105is gradually pulled out, while the ink108adheres stepwise to the inner peripheral surface106C of the supply port106(FIG.6B).

Then, when the plug member105is completely pulled out of the supply port106, an amount of the ink108adhering to the back surface107is smaller (FIG.6C) than that in a plugged state (FIG.6A). As a result, the plug member105can reduce ink scattering and ink dropping when the user pulls out the plug member105from the supply port106.

Note that the inclination of the back surface107may also be parallel to the opening surface of the supply port106. However, as illustrated inFIG.6A, the back surface107is preferably inclined from the opening surface of the supply port106. By providing the back surface107with such an inclination, when the ink108has adhered to the back surface107, the ink108drops in the gravity direction to be likely to collect at the back surface lowest point107A.

In addition, the inclination of the back surface107is preferably formed so as to satisfy (Angle A)≥(Angle B). This allows the ink108adhering to the surface (back surface107) (on the angle B side) extending from the back surface highest point107B to the back surface lowest point107A to be more likely to exert a force in the gravity direction against the surface tension than the ink108adhering to the surface on the angle A side (the side surface of the plug member105). Consequently, the ink108is relatively unevenly concentrated on the surface on the angle A side of the straight line107C extending through the back surface lowest point107A in the vertical direction to serve as a boundary. As a result, when the plug member105is pulled out, it is possible to more efficiently move the ink108adhering to the back surface107to the supply port106and reduce the amount of the ink adhering to the back surface107.

Second Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, in a cross section illustrated inFIG.8A, a region of the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106located on the back surface lowest point107A side of the back surface107of a plug member205according to the present embodiment which is located at least below in the vertical direction is formed with liquid wiping portions110each having a depressed shape. The liquid wiping portions110are formed on the same side as that with the back surface lowest point107A when viewed from the axial line105CP of the plug member205. Note that, inFIG.8A, the liquid wiping portions110are formed at two positions on the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106, but it may also be possible that the liquid wiping portion110is formed at one position or the liquid wiping portions110are formed at a plurality of positions. As will be described below, when the plug member205is attached/detached to/from the container body111, the liquid wiping portions110slidably moves against a region of the leading end portion105F of the plug portion105D in the attached state which is located on the side of the storage chamber100rather than on the side of the supply port106to wipe off the liquid.

Each of the liquid wiping portions110can be formed by cutting, after the container body111is molded, the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106. Alternatively, each of the liquid wiping portions110can also be formed by, e.g., molding the supply port106as two parts obtained by dividing the container body111when viewed from above in the vertical direction and joining together the individual parts by secondary molding.

As long as the liquid adhering to the leading end portion105F of the plug portion105D can be wiped off, a range in which the liquid wiping portions110are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106can be determined as appropriate. Accordingly, each of the liquid wiping portions110may also be formed around the entire periphery of the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106.

FIGS.8B and8Care diagrams sequentially illustrating a process in which the plug member205in the state inFIG.8Ais pulled out of the supply port106, similarly toFIGS.6B and6C. In the state inFIG.8A, when the user pulls the knob portion105A in the direction of the arrow109in the figure, the plug member205begins to be pulled out. At this time, the plug member205moves in the direction of the arrow109with the side surface of the plug portion105D rubbing against the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106and against the liquid wiping portions110formed in the inner peripheral surface. Since the plug member205is attached to the supply port106while being elastically deformed, in the process in which the plug member205is pulled out, portions of the side surface of the plug member205which are located at the liquid wiping portions110are deformed toward the liquid wiping portions110. Consequently, the ink108adhering to the plug member205is wiped off by the liquid wiping portions110. As a result, an amount of the ink108adhering to the back surface107of the plug member205decreases to be smaller than in the case of the first embodiment (FIG.8C).

Third Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the following description, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, in a cross section illustrated inFIG.9A, liquid wiping portions210each having a protruding shape are formed instead of the liquid wiping portions110in the second embodiment. The liquid wiping portions210are formed on the same side as that with the back surface lowest point107A when viewed from the axial line105CP of the plug member205. Note that, inFIG.9A, the liquid wiping portions210are formed at two positions on a plug member305, but it may also be possible that the liquid wiping portion210is formed at one position or the liquid wiping portions210are formed at a plurality of positions.

FIGS.9B and9Care diagrams sequentially illustrating a process in which the plug member305in the state inFIG.9Ais pulled out of the supply port106, similarly toFIGS.8B and8C. In the state inFIG.9A, when the user pulls the knob portion105A in the direction of the arrow109, the plug member305begins to be pulled out. At this time, the plug member305moves in the direction of the arrow109with the side surface of the plug portion105D rubbing against the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106and against the liquid wiping portions210formed at the inner peripheral surface. Since the plug member305is attached to the supply port106while being elastically deformed, in the process in which the plug member305is pulled out, portions of the side surface of the plug member305which are located at the liquid wiping portions210are deformed toward the liquid wiping portions210. Consequently, the ink108adhering to the plug member305is wiped off by the liquid wiping portions210. As a result, an amount of the ink108adhering to the back surface107of the plug member305decreases to be smaller than in the case of the first embodiment (FIG.9C).

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the following description, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, in a cross section illustrated inFIG.10A, a plug member405includes a knob portion405A. The knob portion405A is formed so as to protrude from a covering portion405B of the plug member405in a direction parallel to an upper surface404. In the cross section inFIG.10A, on a side opposite to the knob portion405A with respect to a covering portion center line405CP of the plug member405, a supporting portion405E capable of connecting the covering portion405B and a member other than the plug member405is formed. The connection of the supporting portion405E to the member other than the plug member405can prevent the plug member405from falling out of the container body111and the liquid ejection apparatus200. Examples of the member connected to the supporting portion405E include a wire connecting the supporting portion405E to the container body111. As long as it is possible to prevent the plug member405from falling out, various modes can be used for the connection of the supporting portion405E to the other member.

FIGS.10B and10Care diagrams sequentially illustrating a process in which the plug member405in a state inFIG.10Ais pulled out of the supply port106, similarly toFIGS.6B and6C. In the state inFIG.10A, when the user pulls the knob portion405A in a direction of an arrow409(rotation direction), the plug member405begins to be pulled out. At this time, the plug member405moves in the direction of the arrow409with a side surface of a plug portion405D rubbing against the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106and against the liquid wiping portions110formed in the inner peripheral surface (FIG.10B). Since the plug member405is attached to the supply port106while being elastically deformed, in the process in which the plug member405is pulled out, portions of the side surface of the plug member405which are located at the liquid wiping portions110are deformed toward the liquid wiping portions110. Consequently, when the plug member405is pulled out in the direction of the arrow409, the ink108adhering to the plug member405is wiped off by the liquid wiping portions110. As a result, an amount of the ink108adhering to the back surface107of the plug member405decreases to be smaller than in the case of the first embodiment (FIG.10C).

As described above, with the liquid ejection apparatus according to each of the embodiments, it is possible to provide a liquid container capable of reducing a possibility that, when a plug member of the liquid container is pulled out to open the container, a liquid is scattered or adheres to a hand of a person, and a liquid ejection apparatus including the container.

While the embodiments related to the technology disclosed in the present application have been described heretofore, the description of the embodiments made above is merely an example for describing the technology disclosed in the present application, and the technology disclosed in the present application can be implemented by appropriately modifying or combining the embodiments within a scope not departing from the gist of the invention. A description will be given of a modification of the embodiments describe above.

First Modification

The liquid wiping portions110or210in the embodiments described above are not limited to the shapes described above, and may appropriately have any shapes which allow the plug member to be deformed and rub against the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106in the process in which the plug member is pulled out of the supply port106. For example, the liquid wiping portions110and210may also have such R-shaped shapes as those of liquid wiping portions310illustrated inFIG.11and liquid wiping portions410illustrated inFIG.12. The shapes of the liquid wiping portions may be selectively determined appropriately on the basis of materials forming the plug member and the wall portion of the supply port, hardnesses thereof, and the like.

When the respective shapes of the liquid wiping portions in the embodiments described above and the present modification are compared to each other, the liquid wiping portions having the depressed shapes such as those in the second and fourth embodiments provide the frictional force between the plug member and the inner peripheral surface of the supply port which is smaller than when the liquid wiping portions have the protruding portions. Accordingly, from the viewpoint of ease of unplugging the plug member, the liquid wiping portions preferably have the depressed shapes. Meanwhile, when the liquid wiping portions have the protruding shapes, the frictional force between the plug member and the inner peripheral surface of the supply port is larger than when the liquid wiping portions have the depressed shapes, but an effect of wiping off an accordingly larger amount of the ink is obtained. With regard to whether the liquid wiping portions are to have R-shaped shapes or angular shapes also, it can be said that, when importance is given to the ease of unplugging the plug member, the liquid wiping portions preferably have the R-shaped shapes and, when importance is given to the amount of the ink to be wiped off, the liquid wiping portions preferably have the angular shapes.

According to the present modification also, by providing the back surface107of each of the plug members505and605with inclination, the adhering ink108is likely to collect at a specified location (e.g., the back surface lowest point107A). The collected ink108is wiped off by the liquid wiping portions310and410formed in and at the inner peripheral surface of the supply port106, and an amount of the ink wiped off is larger than that when no liquid wiping portion is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a liquid container that can reduce the possibility that, when the plug member of the liquid container is pulled out to open the liquid container, the liquid scatters or adheres to a hand of a person, and a liquid ejection apparatus including the container.

With the technology disclosed in the present application, it is possible to provide the liquid container that can reduce the possibility that the liquid is scattered from the liquid container and the possibility that the liquid from the plug member adheres to a hand of a person, and the liquid ejection apparatus including the liquid container.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-072461, filed on Apr. 22, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.