Patent Description:
Among liquid tanks used in liquid ejecting apparatuses such as inkjet printing apparatuses, there is a liquid tank that can be replenished with liquid. For example, by using a liquid storage container including a discharge port for pouring the liquid, the liquid tank can be replenished with the liquid from the liquid storage container through the discharge port. In this type of liquid storage container, in order to prevent smearing of the surroundings and the hand of a user, a valve with a slit is provided at a front end of the discharge port, and leakage of the liquid is thereby forcedly stopped (see <CIT> (hereinafter, referred to as Document <NUM>)).

Document <NUM> describes a container which includes a discharge port main body and a cover capable of opening and closing the discharge port by covering it and in which a valve with a slit is provided inside the discharge port main body. Document <NUM> describes a configuration in which the discharge port is sealed with the cover before the cover is completely closed, and then, completely closing the cover causes a protrusion formed in the cover to be inserted into the valve and open the slit portion of the valve.

In the configuration described in Document <NUM>, in the case where the liquid storage container is in storage, the protrusion is inserted in the slit of the valve, and the valve is in an open state. Thus, the liquid storage container is sealed only at the portion between the cover and the discharge port main body. In the case where the size of the discharge port main body is large in this configuration, there is a possibility that the impact resistance decreases, and that the liquid leaks from the sealing portion due to impact of dropping or the like. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further liquid storage containers sealed in similar manner and without having a groove structure in the cover portion.

<CIT> discloses a liquid container according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention in its first aspect provides a liquid storage container as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same configurations in the description are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the arrangement of constituent elements relative to one another, the shapes of the constituent elements, and the like that are described in the embodiments are merely examples.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an outer appearance of a liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment. The liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a serial inkjet printing apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a case <NUM> and liquid tanks <NUM> arranged inside the case <NUM>. Each liquid tank <NUM> stores an ink that is liquid to be ejected to a print medium (not illustrated).

<FIG> is a perspective view of an internal configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> includes a conveyance roller <NUM> used to convey the print medium (not illustrated), a carriage <NUM> provided with a print head <NUM> configured to eject the liquid, and a carriage motor <NUM> used to drive the carriage <NUM>. The print medium is not limited to a particular medium as long as an image can be formed on the medium with the liquid ejected from the print head <NUM>. For example, paper, cloth, the label surfaces of optical discs, plastic sheets, OHP sheets or the like can be given as print media.

The liquid is stored in the liquid tanks <NUM> and is supplied to the print head <NUM> via a liquid distribution passage <NUM> to be ejected from the print head <NUM>. In the embodiment, inks of four colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are used as the liquid, and four liquid tanks 12a to 12d for the respective colors that store the inks of the respective colors are provided as the liquid tanks <NUM>. In the following description, in the case where the individual liquid tanks, distinguished from one another, are referred, alphabets are added at the ends, for example, liquid tanks 12a to 12d. In the case where any one of the liquid tanks is referred to, the liquid tank is referred to as the liquid tank <NUM>. The liquid tanks 12a to 12d for the respective colors are arranged in a front face portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> inside the case <NUM>.

<FIG> is an example of an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in which the liquid tanks 12b to 12d are housed, and <FIG> is a plan view corresponding to the perspective view illustrated in <FIG>. Each liquid tank <NUM> includes a liquid tank main body <NUM> used to store the liquid and a communication flow passage <NUM> communicating with a liquid storage chamber in the liquid tank main body <NUM>. The liquid tank <NUM> includes a tank cover <NUM> (see <FIG>) configured to be attachable to cover the communication flow passage <NUM> and seal the storage chamber in the liquid tank main body <NUM> in occasions other than an occasion of liquid replenishment. In the case where the liquid tank <NUM> is replenished with the liquid, a discharge port of a liquid storage container <NUM> (see <FIG>) is inserted into the communication flow passage <NUM> and the liquid is poured into the liquid tank <NUM>. The liquid storage chamber is sealed with the tank cover <NUM> in occasions other than the occasion of liquid replenishment, and thus it is possible to reduce evaporation of the liquid in the liquid tank <NUM>. The communication flow passage <NUM> includes two flow passages extending parallel to each other in the vertical direction in an interior thereof and is configured to allow the liquid in the liquid storage container <NUM> to be poured into the liquid tank by means of gas-liquid exchange. A socket <NUM> is provided in a portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM> where the discharge port of the liquid storage container <NUM> is to be inserted. The socket <NUM> is provided with protruding portions <NUM> protruding inward from an inner peripheral wall of the socket <NUM>. The socket <NUM> is provided for each liquid tank <NUM>, and the shapes of the protruding portions <NUM> vary among the sockets <NUM> to suppress erroneous insertion of the liquid container. The protruding portions <NUM> are rotationally symmetric by <NUM>° with respect to the center axis of the communication flow passage <NUM>.

<FIG> is an elevation view of an outer appearance of the liquid storage container <NUM> which is a liquid container used to replenish the liquid tank <NUM> with the liquid. The liquid storage container <NUM> in <FIG> includes a bottle <NUM> that is a storage portion (main body portion) configured to store the liquid, a nozzle <NUM> coupled to the bottle <NUM>, and a cap <NUM> attachable to and detachable from the nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is a discharge port member having a function of an outlet for the case where the liquid stored in the bottle <NUM> is discharged. The cap <NUM> is a cover portion that is attached to the nozzle <NUM> to shield the interior of the liquid storage container <NUM> (specifically, the bottle <NUM>) from the outside air. Methods of coupling the bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> to each other include a method of sealing a space between the bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> by inserting a flexible part, a method of forming both of the bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> with resin parts and welding the two parts together, and the like. The bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> may be an integral part.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a part configuration view of the liquid storage container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view in which the parts in the part configuration view of the liquid storage container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are coupled to one another. The bottle <NUM> of the liquid storage container <NUM> includes a bottle welding portion 21a formed in an upper portion and a liquid storage portion 21b formed in a lower portion. The nozzle <NUM> includes a discharge port 22a through which the liquid is discharged, a nozzle thread portion 22b in which a male thread structure is formed on the outside, and a nozzle welding portion 22c in which a welding surface is formed on the inside or a bottom surface. The cap <NUM>, which is the cover portion, is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the nozzle <NUM>, which is the discharge port member, and can open and close the discharge port 22a. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the like can be given as examples of the material forming the bottle <NUM>. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the like can be given as the material forming the nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is joined to the bottle <NUM> by welding the nozzle welding portion 22c to the bottle welding portion 21a. In the case where the bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> are joined by being welded to each other, the bottle <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> are preferably made of the same type of material. A seal <NUM> having an opening, a valve <NUM> configured to open and close the opening of the seal <NUM>, a spring <NUM> configured to bias the valve <NUM>, and a holder <NUM> configured to fix the spring <NUM> are included inside the nozzle <NUM>.

In the case where the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage container <NUM> to the liquid tank <NUM>, the communication flow passage <NUM> of the liquid tank <NUM> is inserted into an opening of the nozzle <NUM> of the liquid storage container <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> of the liquid storage container <NUM> is provided with recess portions configured to engage with the protruding portions <NUM> of the socket <NUM> in the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM>, and the liquid storage container <NUM> is aligned in the case where the communication flow passage <NUM> is inserted into the opening of the nozzle <NUM>. Then, the liquid in the liquid storage container <NUM> is supplied to the storage chamber of the liquid tank main body <NUM> via the communication flow passage <NUM> by means of hydraulic head difference.

The seal <NUM> which is an orifice portion having an opening into which the communication flow passage <NUM> is to be inserted is arranged in a front end (upper end) of the nozzle <NUM>. Then, the valve <NUM>, which is a valve element of the liquid stop valve, is biased toward the opening with the spring <NUM>, thereby the gap between the seal <NUM> and the valve <NUM> is closed, and the liquid storage container <NUM> is sealed. In the embodiment, the spring <NUM> is used as a biasing mechanism, and the holder <NUM> fixed in an inner space of the nozzle <NUM> holds the spring <NUM>. The seal <NUM> is formed of a flexible member made of rubber, elastomer, or the like. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the like can be given as the material forming the valve <NUM>. Stainless steel (SUS) and the like can be given as the material forming the spring <NUM>. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the like can be given as the material forming the holder <NUM>. Welding and the like can be given as a method of fixing the holder <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>.

In the case where the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage container <NUM> to the liquid tank <NUM>, the communication flow passage <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle <NUM> through the opening of the seal <NUM>, thereby opening the valve <NUM>. Then, as described above, the liquid in the liquid storage container <NUM> is supplied to the storage chamber of the liquid tank main body <NUM> via the communication flow passage <NUM> by means of hydraulic head difference. Note that, as illustrated in <FIG>, a protrusion 23f or the like may be provided in the cap <NUM> to open the valve <NUM> in cap-opening and cap-closing. In the case where the pressure in the liquid storage container <NUM> is higher than the outside air pressure, this configuration can suppress rushing of the liquid into the liquid tank <NUM> and overflowing of the liquid from the liquid tank <NUM> in supplying of the liquid to the liquid tank <NUM>.

In the embodiment, as an example of a method of attaching the cap <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>, there is given a method of screwing the cap <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, there is a method of screwing the cap <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM> by using the nozzle thread portion 22b in which a male thread structure is formed on the outside of the nozzle <NUM> and a cap thread portion 23a in which a female thread structure is formed on the inside of a lower portion of the cap <NUM>. Attaching the cap <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM> causes a cap sealing portion 23b and part of the discharge port 22a to be fitted to each other and allows the liquid storage container <NUM> to be sealed. Conversely, there may be used a cap <NUM> in which a male thread portion is formed and a nozzle <NUM> in which a female thread portion is formed. In a state where the cap <NUM> is completely attached to the nozzle <NUM>, and the liquid storage container <NUM> is sealed, the liquid storage container <NUM> may be maintained in a state where the valve <NUM> is opened by the protrusion 23f or the like.

Moreover, as the method of attaching the cap <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>, instead of screwing, a fitting portion other than the sealing portion may be provided. For example, there may be employed a configuration such as an externally-fitted cover in which a cap <NUM> is fitted to the outside of a nozzle <NUM> or an internally-fitted cover in which a cap <NUM> is fitted to the inside of a nozzle <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM> of the liquid storage container <NUM> in the embodiment is provided with the recess portions configured to engage with the protruding portions <NUM> of the socket <NUM> in the liquid ejecting apparatus <NUM>. This configuration can prevent, in the case where a liquid tank <NUM> is replenished with liquid from a liquid storage container <NUM>, erroneous pouring into a wrong liquid tank <NUM>. Meanwhile, providing the recess portions in the nozzle <NUM> as described above and other factors increase the size of the nozzle <NUM> in some cases. In the case where the size of the nozzle <NUM> is increased, there is a possibility that impact resistance decreases and the liquid leaks from the sealed portion due to impact of dropping or the like. Accordingly, in the embodiment, a configuration that mitigates the impact is provided in the cap <NUM>. Description thereof is given below.

<FIG> are views of the structures of caps <NUM> in the embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cap <NUM> and a perspective view of the cap <NUM> from above. In the embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, a circular groove structure 23e is arranged on the top face of the outside of the cap <NUM>. The outside of the cap <NUM> refers to the side configured to be in contact with the outside air in the case where the cap <NUM> is attached to the nozzle <NUM>. The groove structure 23e is continuously formed all around the center of the cap <NUM>. Arranging the groove structure <NUM> e between the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> and the sealing portion (cap sealing portion 23b) at which the cap <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> are fitted to each other allows the groove structure 23e to mitigate an impact acting to a portion near the cap outer periphery due to dropping or the like. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the impact propagating to the sealing portion and suppress leakage of the liquid. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the cap <NUM> in a state where the cap <NUM> is attached to the nozzle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the case where the fitting surface of the sealing portion (cap sealing portion 23b) extends in the vertical direction in the state where the liquid storage container <NUM> is standing upright, the groove structure 23e functions effectively against an impact in a direction perpendicular to the fitting surface.

<FIG> are views of other examples of groove structures 23e. As illustrated in <FIG>, the groove structure 23e may be provided on the top face of the inside of the cap <NUM>. The inside of the cap <NUM> refers to the side configured to be in contact with the nozzle <NUM> in the case where the cap <NUM> is attached to the nozzle <NUM>. Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG>, the groove structure 23e may be provided on both of the outside (groove structure 23e1) and the inside (groove structure 23e2) of the cap <NUM>. In all cases, the groove structure 23e is provided between the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> and the sealing portion (cap sealing portion 23b) at which the cap <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> are fitted to each other. Note that <FIG> illustrates an example in which the groove structure 23e2 on the inside of the cap <NUM> is arranged closer to the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> than the groove structure 23e1 on the outside of the cap <NUM>. However, conversely, the groove structure 23e1 on the outside of the cap <NUM> may be arranged closer to the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> than the groove structure 23e2 on the inside of the cap <NUM>. Moreover, the shape of the groove structure 23e may be a polygonal shape as illustrated in <FIG>. Furthermore, the groove structure 23e does not have to be continuous all around the center as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, the groove structure 23e may be discontinuously formed around the center of the cap <NUM>. Moreover, the width of the groove structure 23e may be uniform along the entire groove structure 23e or may be partially different. Furthermore, the depth of the groove structure 23e may also be uniform along the entire groove structure 23e or may be partially different. In the case where the cap <NUM> is provided with multiple groove structures 23e, the groove structures 23e may have the same width and the same depth or may have different widths and different depths.

<FIG> is a view of another example of the cap <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a cylindrical structure 23c configured to be in contact with the nozzle <NUM> may be arranged directly below the groove structure 23e. The cylindrical structure 23c thus arranged can make the thickness of the cap <NUM> uniform, disperse an impact acting to an outer portion of the cap <NUM>, and mitigate the impact propagating to the fitting portion between the nozzle <NUM> and the cap <NUM>. Moreover, the cylindrical structure 23c can suppress scattering of droplets to the outside that may occur in opening of the cap <NUM>.

As described above, in the embodiment, there is used the cap <NUM> including the groove structure 23e between the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> and the sealing portion between the nozzle <NUM> and the cap <NUM>. Providing the groove structure 23e can mitigate the impact acting to a portion near the outer periphery of the cap <NUM> using the groove structure 23e, reduce the impact propagating to the sealing portion which is the contact portion, and suppress the leakage of the liquid.

Although the example in which the liquid storage container is used to replenish the liquid tank of the liquid ejecting apparatus with the liquid is described in the above embodiment, the liquid storage container may be a container used to replenish a liquid tank of any apparatus with liquid. Moreover, although the example in which the ink is used as the liquid stored in the liquid storage container is described, the liquid storage container may store any kind of liquid.

Claim 1:
A liquid storage container (<NUM>) for storing liquid with which a liquid tank (<NUM>) of an inkjet printing apparatus (<NUM>) is to be replenished, comprising:
a discharge port member (<NUM>) including a discharge port (22a) through which liquid stored in a storage portion (<NUM>) can be discharged;
a cover portion (<NUM>) configured to be attachable to the discharge port member (<NUM>) and to be capable of opening and closing the discharge port (22a); characterised by
a sealing portion (23b) formed of a contact portion between the cover portion (<NUM>) and the discharge port member (<NUM>), wherein
the cover portion (<NUM>) includes a groove structure (23e), arranged in a top face of an outer portion of the cover portion and/or in a top face of an inner portion of the cover portion, and around the center of the cover portion (<NUM>) between an outer periphery of the cover portion (<NUM>) and the sealing portion (23b).