LIQUID CONTAINER AND PRINTING APPARATUS

There is provided a liquid container having increased usability over conventional art. The liquid container includes a main body including a storage chamber storing liquid and a nozzle projecting from the main body. In the nozzle, first, second, and third flow paths are formed. The first flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a first opening formed on an edge face constituting a leading edge of the nozzle. The second and third flow paths bring the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a second opening and a third opening formed on the edge face, respectively. In a case where the edge face is viewed from the perpendicular direction of the edge face, the centroid of the third opening is not located on a line connecting the centers of gravity of the first and second openings.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and a printing apparatus.

In general, there are liquid containers each of which is capable of injecting liquid while performing a gas-liquid exchange by being connected to a liquid tank.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-189454 discloses a liquid container in which two openings formed at a leading edge of a nozzle are aligned in an up-and-down direction and from which liquid can be injected while making a gas-liquid exchange by connecting the liquid container to a liquid tank with a mark of the liquid container oriented upward.

However, a user must connect the liquid container disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-189454 to the liquid tank while being conscious of the above-described mark. Further, for some reason, in a case where the liquid container is connected to the liquid tank with the two openings aligned in a nearly horizontal direction, there is a possibility that a gas-liquid exchange at the time of liquid injection, that is, a liquid supply may not be carried out smoothly. This is because a difference in height (that is, a difference in water head pressure) between the two openings is less likely to be made.

The object of the present disclosure is then to provide a liquid container having increased usability over conventional art.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid container comprising a main body including a storage chamber storing liquid; and a nozzle projecting from the main body, wherein in the nozzle, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path are formed, the first flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with an outside through a first opening formed on an edge face constituting a leading edge of the nozzle, the second flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a second opening formed on the edge face, the third flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a third opening formed on the edge face, and in a case where the edge face is viewed from a perpendicular direction of the edge face, a centroid of the third opening is not located on a line connecting a centroid of the first opening and a centroid of the second opening.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising a print head configured to eject liquid to perform printing; a liquid tank connectable to a liquid container; and a tube capable of supplying liquid from the liquid tank to the print head, wherein the liquid container comprises the liquid tank connectable via a nozzle to a liquid container comprising a main body including a storage chamber storing liquid and the nozzle projecting from the main body, wherein in the nozzle, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path are formed, the first flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with an outside through a first opening formed on an edge face constituting a leading edge of the nozzle, the second flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a second opening formed on the edge face, the third flow path brings the storage chamber into communication with the outside through a third opening formed on the edge face, and in a case where the edge face is viewed from a perpendicular direction of the edge face, a centroid of the third opening is not located on a line connecting a centroid of the first opening and a centroid of the second opening, the liquid tank being capable of storing liquid injected from the liquid container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic perspective view of the outer appearance of a printing apparatus11according to the present embodiment.

An up-and-down direction in the present specification is defined relative to the posture of the printing apparatus11usably installed on a horizontal face. A back-and-forth direction in the present specification is defined on the assumption that a face on which an operation panel13of the printing apparatus11is provided is a front face. A left-and-right direction in the present specification is defined by viewing the printing apparatus11from the front.

As shown inFIG.1, an opening/closing lid12is attached to a main body of the printing apparatus11. Behind the opening/closing lid12, there is accommodation space in which a liquid tank set21(seeFIG.2) is accommodated. The opening/closing lid12is rotatable between a closed position (the position shown inFIG.1) where the accommodation space is blocked and an open position where the accommodation space is opened. In a case where the opening/closing lid12is in the open position, a portion of the liquid tank set21(seeFIG.2) is visible from the outside. In the present embodiment, ink is used as an example of liquid to give a description, but liquid usable in the present embodiment is not limited to ink.

Further, the front face of the printing apparatus11is provided with the operation panel13for a user to input various commands and check information on the printing apparatus11. In addition, the printing apparatus11also includes a printing unit (not shown) that prints an image on a print medium such as paper by an inkjet printing method. The printing unit includes a carriage movable in the left-and-right direction as viewed from the front, and a print head. Liquid droplets are ejected from the print head, so that an image is printed on a print medium.

FIG.2is a schematic perspective view of the liquid tank set21according to the present embodiment. In the present example, a bottle41, which is an example of liquid containers, is detachably connected to a liquid tank22included in the liquid tank set21. Hereinafter, the posture of the bottle41at the time of being connected to the liquid tank22will be referred to as a “connection posture.”

As shown inFIG.2, the liquid tank set21includes four liquid tanks22respectively storing different types of liquids (e.g., inks of different colors) to be supplied to the print head. It should be noted that the number of liquid tanks22is not limited to four. A tube23extends from each liquid tank22. The tube23connects the liquid tank set21to the print head. The tube23supplies the print head with liquid stored in each liquid tank22of the liquid tank set21. The four tubes23through which liquids of respective colors circulate are connected to respective liquid tanks22correspondingly. The liquid tank22is formed so as to include resin having translucency to the extent that liquid inside the liquid tank22is visible from the outside. An air communication port24for bringing the inside into communication with air is formed in the liquid tank22.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III inFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.3, the liquid tank22includes a tank storage chamber32that stores liquid. The air communication port24is used to bring the inside of the tank storage chamber32into communication with air. The front face of the liquid tank22is provided with an inclined wall31to which the bottle41can be connected by being inclined. The inclined wall31is inclined rearward from the upper end of the front face of the liquid tank22with respect to a planar direction (the left-and-right direction in the figure) and a perpendicular direction (the up-and-down direction in the figure). An insertion slot portion33for injecting liquid into the tank storage chamber32is formed on the inclined wall31.

In a case where the opening/closing lid12(seeFIG.1) is in the open position, the tank storage chamber32is communicated with the outside of the liquid tank22via the insertion slot portion33. The bottle41is connected to the liquid tank22by a nozzle62(seeFIG.6) of the bottle41being inserted into the insertion slot portion33. The bottle41is connected to the liquid tank22, so that liquid in the bottle41can flow into the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22.

FIG.4is a schematic perspective view of the liquid container (bottle41) according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG.4, the bottle41includes a substantially cylindrical bottle main body42that stores liquid such as ink therein, a bottle cap43attachable to and detachable from the bottle main body42, and a nozzle cap44attachable to and detachable from the bottle cap43.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram of the bottle main body42according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG.5, a bottle opening51is formed at an end of the bottle main body42. A bottle storage chamber52that stores liquid in the bottle main body42is communicated with the outside of the bottle main body42through the bottle opening51. A male thread is formed on an outer peripheral wall near the bottle opening51.

FIG.6is a schematic perspective view of the bottle cap43according to the present embodiment.

The bottle cap43shown inFIG.6is a component attachable to and detachable from the bottle main body42. As shown inFIG.6, the bottle cap43includes a cap main body61and a nozzle62projecting from the cap main body61. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral face of the side wall of the cap main body61. The female thread can be screwed to the male thread of the bottle main body42. The bottle cap43is attached to the bottle main body42by the male thread and the female thread being screwed to each other. Incidentally, the bottle cap43may be formed integrally with the bottle main body42.

In the present embodiment, three openings (a first opening81, a second opening82, and a third opening83) are formed on an edge face63constituting the leading edge of the nozzle62in a projecting direction in which the nozzle62is projected. That is, the three openings are formed on the same plane. Incidentally, the first opening81, the second opening82, and the third opening83will be described later with reference toFIG.8.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII inFIG.6.

As shown inFIG.7, a first flow path71, a second flow path72, and a third flow path73are formed inside the nozzle62. In the present embodiment, each of the first to third flow paths71to73has the same shape and size. In the present example, the shape of each of the first to third flow paths71to73is cylindrical.

FIG.8is an enlarged view of a region VIII shown inFIG.3.

As shown inFIG.8, in the connection posture, the base end of the first flow path71is communicated with the bottle storage chamber52through a fourth opening84. The tip of the first flow path71is communicated with the outside of the nozzle62through a first opening81. Similarly, the base end of the second flow path72is communicated with the bottle storage chamber52through a fifth opening85. The tip of the second flow path72is communicated with the outside of the nozzle62through a second opening82. Similarly, the base end of the third flow path73is communicated with the bottle storage chamber52through a sixth opening86. The tip of the third flow path73is communicated with the outside of the nozzle62through a third opening83.

That is, in the present embodiment, the bottle storage chamber52and the outside of the bottle main body42are communicated with each other only through the first flow path71, the second flow path72, and the third flow path73.

FIG.9is a schematic plan view of the edge face63according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG.9, in the present embodiment, in a case where the edge face63is viewed from the perpendicular direction, the shape of the edge face63is circular. With respect to a virtual line90connecting the centroids of two of the three formed openings, the centroid of the remaining opening is not located on the virtual line90. Here, for convenience of description, the centroid (in the case of a perfect circle, the center) of the first opening81will be referred to as a centroid111, the centroid of the second opening82will be referred to as a centroid112, and the centroid of the third opening83will be referred to as a centroid113to give a description.

In the present example, in a case where the edge face63is viewed from the perpendicular direction, the centroid113of the third opening83is not located on the virtual line90connecting the centroid111of the first opening81and the centroid112of the second opening82. Further, in a case where the edge face63is viewed from the perpendicular direction, not only the centroid111but also the entire third opening83is not located on the virtual line90connecting the centroid111of the first opening81and the centroid112of the second opening82. In the present embodiment, the opening areas of the first opening81, the second opening82, and the third opening83are the same.

Hereinafter, referring toFIGS.3and8again, a description will be given of a liquid supply from the bottle41in the connection posture to the liquid tank22.

As shown inFIGS.3and8, in a case where the bottle41is connected to the liquid tank22by the nozzle62being inserted into the insertion slot portion33, the first opening81, the second opening82, and the third opening83are located within the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22. As a result, the bottle storage chamber52of the bottle41and the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22are communicated with each other through the first flow path71, the second flow path72, and the third flow path73, and liquid is injected into the tank storage chamber32from at least a portion of the flow paths.

As liquid accommodated in the tank storage chamber32decreases in amount, air flows into the tank storage chamber32through the air communication port24. In a case where the liquid in the tank storage chamber32is consumed and new liquid is injected from the bottle41, the air present in the tank storage chamber32flows into the bottle storage chamber52via the second flow path72.

FIGS.10A and10Bare perspective views showing an example of connection postures.FIG.10Ais a diagram showing an example of connection postures in which two openings are located downward in the direction of gravity.FIG.10Bis a diagram showing an example of connection postures different from that inFIG.10A.

First, the case ofFIG.10Awill be described. In the connection posture shown inFIG.10A, the first opening81and the second opening82are arranged relatively downward with respect to the direction of gravity. On the other hand, the third opening83is arranged relatively upward with respect to the direction of gravity.

In this case, liquid stored in the bottle storage chamber52(seeFIGS.3and8) flows through the fourth opening84and the fifth opening85into the first flow path71and the second flow path72, respectively, in relation to a water head difference. The liquid then flows into the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22from the first opening81and the second opening82via the first flow path71and the second flow path72, respectively.

On the other hand, at the time of liquid circulation, air in the tank storage chamber32flows into the third flow path73through the third opening83. The air then flows into the bottle storage chamber52(seeFIGS.3and8) of the bottle41(seeFIG.4) through the sixth opening86via the third flow path73. In the present embodiment, liquid can be injected from the bottle41into the liquid tank22while a gas-liquid exchange is being made as described above.

Next, a description will be given of the case of a connection posture in which the bottle41(seeFIGS.3and8) is rotated about 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown inFIG.10A. In the connection posture inFIG.10B, the second opening82and the third opening83are arranged relatively upward with respect to the direction of gravity. On the other hand, the first opening81is arranged relatively downward with respect to the direction of gravity.

In this case, liquid stored in the bottle storage chamber52(seeFIGS.3and8) flows into the first flow path71through the fourth opening84(seeFIG.8) in relation to a water head difference. The liquid then flows into the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22from the first opening81via the first flow path71.

On the other hand, at the time of liquid circulation, air in the tank storage chamber32flows into the second flow path72and the third flow path73through the second opening82and the third opening83, respectively. The air then flows into the bottle storage chamber52(seeFIGS.3and8) of the bottle41(seeFIG.4) through the fifth opening85and the sixth opening86via the second flow path72and the third flow path73, respectively.

As described above, in the liquid container according to the present embodiment, even in the connection posture in which two openings are at the same height in the horizontal direction, the other opening is always arranged at a height different from those of the two openings. In the present embodiment, liquid can be injected from the bottle41into the liquid tank22while a gas-liquid exchange is being made as described above. All the liquid in the bottle storage chamber52of the bottle41(seeFIGS.3and8) flows into the tank storage chamber32of the liquid tank22, and the gas-liquid exchange is then completed.

Incidentally, the three openings may be in height positions different from each other (high, middle, low), such as the rotational positions betweenFIGS.10A and10B. In this case, the lowest flow path functions as a liquid outflow path, and the highest flow path functions as an air inflow path. The flow path in the middle position is not necessarily used for either liquid outflow or air inflow. Depending on the positions of the openings and the amount of liquid in the bottle storage chamber52at the time of liquid injection, the function may shift from liquid outflow to air inflow during an injection operation. Both liquid outflow and air inflow may occur at the same time through a single flow path, of course. In any case, a smooth gas-liquid exchange can be made.

As described above, in the liquid container according to the present embodiment, a clear water head difference is made among the three flow paths at any rotation angle in an injection posture and each flow path functions as a liquid outflow path or an air inflow path. Thus, a user can connect the liquid container to the liquid tank without being conscious of the positional relationship between an opening through which liquid flows out and an opening through which air flows in and can perform the liquid injection operation reliably and smoothly.

Thus, using the liquid container according to the present embodiment can increase usability as compared with the conventional art. Further, it is not necessary to provide the liquid container with a mark making a user conscious of the positional relationship between openings and it is possible to reduce costs for manufacturing the liquid container. Furthermore, since the numbers of openings and flow paths are greater than in the conventional art, it is possible to relatively reduce liquid injection time.

Second Embodiment

A description will be given below of a second embodiment in the technique according to the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numeral and name are used for a constituent identical to or corresponding to that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is appropriately omitted, and differences are mainly described.

In the present embodiment, the three openings are arranged so that a shape formed by connecting the centroids of the three openings is a regular triangle. The object of the present embodiment is to easily make a water head difference at the time of a liquid injection operation.

FIGS.11A and11Bare diagrams showing an example of the nozzle62according to the present embodiment.FIG.11Ais a schematic plan view of the edge face63of the nozzle62according to the present embodiment.FIG.11Bis a diagram showing the edge face63in a state where the bottle41according to the present embodiment is rotated about 60 degrees clockwise from the state shown inFIG.11A.

As shown inFIG.11A, in the present embodiment, distances between the centroids of the first opening81, the second opening82, and the third opening83are equal to each other. In the present embodiment, the greater a distance from the centroid111to the centroid112, a distance from the centroid112to the centroid113, and a distance from the centroid113to the centroid111are, the greater a water head difference can be made among the three flow paths.

Further, distances from the centroid110of the edge face63of the nozzle62to the centroids111,112, and113are equal to each other. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the position of the centroid of a shape (in the present example, a regular triangle) formed by connecting the centroids111,112, and113coincides with the position of the centroid110.

As shown inFIG.11A, with respect to the virtual line90connecting the centroids of two of the three openings, the centroid of the remaining opening is not located on the virtual line90. As shown inFIG.11B, even in a case where the bottle41is rotated about 60 degrees clockwise from the state shown inFIG.11A, with respect to the virtual line90connecting the centroids of two of the above three openings, the centroid of the remaining opening is not located on the virtual line90.

In such an opening arrangement, it is possible to appropriately keep distances between the three openings from each other. As a result, it is easy to make a water head difference at the time of the injection operation. Thus, using even such a liquid container according to the present embodiment can increase usability as compared with the conventional art.

Third Embodiment

A description will be given below of a third embodiment in the technique according to the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numeral and name are used for a constituent identical to or corresponding to that in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the description thereof is appropriately omitted, and differences are mainly described. The present embodiment is different from the first or second embodiment in that four openings are arranged in the present embodiment. The object of the present embodiment is to reduce liquid injection time.

FIG.12is a schematic diagram of the bottle cap43according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG.12, a fourth flow path74is formed inside the nozzle62formed in the bottle cap43according to the present embodiment. A seventh opening87in the fourth flow path74is formed on the edge face63constituting the leading edge of the nozzle62in the projecting direction. An eighth opening88in the fourth flow path74is formed on the base end side of the nozzle62in the projecting direction.

In the present embodiment, the first opening81, the second opening82, the third opening83, and the seventh opening87are formed on the edge face63. That is, in the present embodiment, the first opening81, the second opening82, the third opening83, and the seventh opening87are located on the same plane.

FIGS.13A and13Bare schematic plan views of the edge face63according to the present embodiment.FIG.13Bis a diagram showing a state where the bottle41according to the present embodiment is rotated about 45 degrees clockwise from the state shown inFIG.13A.

As shown inFIG.13A, in the present embodiment, with respect to the virtual line90connecting the centroids of two of the four openings formed on the edge face63, the centroids of the remaining two openings are not located on the virtual line90.

In a case where the edge face63is viewed from the perpendicular direction, the third opening83and the seventh opening87are not located on the virtual line90connecting the centroid111of the first opening81and the centroid112of the second opening82. Further, distances from the centroid110of the edge face63to the centroid111of the first opening81, the centroid112of the second opening82, the centroid113of the third opening83, and the centroid114of the seventh opening87are all equal. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the position of the centroid of a shape (in the present example, a square) formed by connecting the centroids111,112,113, and114coincides with the position of the centroid110.

As shown inFIG.13B, even in a case where the bottle41is rotated about 45 degrees clockwise from the state shown inFIG.13A, with respect to the virtual line90connecting the centroids of two of the above four openings, none of the remaining two openings and the centroids thereof is located on the virtual line90. In the present example, neither the centroid111nor the centroid113is located on the virtual line90connecting the centroid112and the centroid114.

In such an opening arrangement, even in a case where four or more openings are formed on the edge face63of the nozzle62, not all of the openings are aligned in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, these openings can always maintain a positional relationship in the up-and-down direction with respect to the direction of gravity during the injection operation. Thus, even in a case where a user connects the liquid container to the liquid tank without being conscious of the positional relationship among a plurality of openings formed on the edge face63, it is easy to make a water head difference and a gas-liquid exchange.

Thus, using even such a liquid container according to the present embodiment can increase usability as compared with the conventional art. Further, in a case where two openings are located upward in the direction of gravity, more air can flow in than in the examples shown inFIGS.10A and10Band a gas-liquid exchange can be made more smoothly. As a result, liquid injection time can be reduced.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the above embodiments, the shape of each opening formed on the edge face63is circular. However, the same advantageous result as that according to the above embodiments can be obtained even in a case where the shape of the opening is not circular.

Additionally, the above-described first embodiment, second embodiment, and third embodiment may be modified as appropriate. For example, inFIGS.11A and11B, the shape formed by connecting the centroids of the three openings is a regular triangle but may be an isosceles triangle. InFIGS.13A and13B, the shape formed by connecting the centroids of the four openings is a square but may be a rectangle.

In the example inFIG.7, each of the first to third flow paths71to73has a cylindrical shape. However, the flow paths may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape. The cross-sectional shapes or cross-sectional areas of the three flow paths may be different from each other.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a liquid container having increased usability over the conventional art.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-164270, filed Oct. 12, 2022 which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.