Patent ID: 12187040

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. First Embodiment

1.1. Outline of Printing System

Referring toFIG.1, the overall configuration of a printing system1including a printer2according to a first embodiment will be described. As illustrated inFIG.1, the printing system1is configured as a multifunctional device including the printer2configured to print on a print medium M and a scanner4configured to read an image formed on an original medium. The printer2has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The scanner4is disposed above the printer2and is supported by support portions3disposed at the opposite ends of the printer2in the longitudinal direction. The printer2includes a restricting member59. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped printer2(the short side direction of the print medium M) is referred to as an X direction, the lateral direction of the printer2(the long side direction of the print medium M) is referred to as a Y direction, and the height direction of the printer2is referred to as a Z direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is referred to as +direction, and the base side of the arrow indicating the direction is referred to as −direction. The printer2is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the application concerned. The +Z direction is an example of the vertically above in the present application. The +X direction is an example of a direction from the side case member to a third member in the present application.

An operating portion5is provided at the end of the scanner4in the +Y direction. The operating portion5includes a plurality of operation buttons and a display panel. In this embodiment, the operating portion5is configured to perform a recording operation in the printer2and an image reading operation in the scanner4.

A medium receiving tray6is provided on the top of the printer2. In this embodiment, the medium receiving tray6is configured to receive a print medium M discharged from the interior of the printer2in an inclined orientation (seeFIG.2). Specifically, the medium receiving tray6is configured to be inclined upward (+Z direction) in the −Y direction, which is a print medium M discharge direction.

InFIG.2, the thick line indicated by sign R1indicates the transport path of the print medium M transported along a medium transport path8. InFIG.3, the thick line indicated by sign R3indicates the transport path of the print medium M transported along a straight path11. As indicated by the thick line R1inFIG.2, the medium transport path8from the medium housing portion7to the medium receiving tray6has a curved reverse path10that is reversed in the +Z direction while curving from a recording portion9downstream in the transport direction. As indicated by the thick line R3inFIG.3, the medium transport path8from the medium housing portion7to the medium receiving tray22has the straight path11extending from the recording portion9to the front of the apparatus downstream in the transport direction.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the printer2includes the medium housing portion7at the end in the −Z direction. In this embodiment, the long side of the print medium M with the maximum size of the medium housing portion7is set to the depth direction (Y direction) of the apparatus, and the short side of the print medium M with the maximum size is set to the width direction (X direction) of the apparatus.

A pickup roller12is provided on the medium housing portion7in the +Z direction. The pickup roller12is rotatable about a rotation shaft13. The pickup roller12comes into contact with the print medium M housed in the medium housing portion7to transport the uppermost print medium M housed in the medium housing portion7downstream in the transport direction along the medium transport path8.

A medium reversing portion14is provided downstream from the pickup roller12on the medium transport path8. The medium reversing portion14includes a reversing roller15and driven rollers16a,16b,16c, and16ddisposed around the reversing roller15and rotated following the reversing roller15.

The print medium M fed by the pickup roller12is then fed to a transport roller pair17provided downstream in the transport direction through the medium reversing portion14. The recording portion9is disposed downstream from the transport roller pair17in the transport direction. The recording portion9is provided with a carriage18. The carriage18is configured to move in the +X direction and the −X direction, below which a recording head19that ejects ink in the −Z direction is mounted. The ink is an example of the liquid in this application. The recording head19is an example of the liquid ejecting unit in this application. The direction in which the carriage18moves is sometimes referred to as scanning direction X.

A medium support portion20is disposed at an area below and facing the recording head19. The medium support portion20supports the lower surface of the print medium M transported to the area facing the recording head19by the transport roller pair17. The recording head19ejects ink to the print medium M supported by the medium support portion20to record an image on the print medium M.

A discharge roller pair21is disposed downstream from the recording head19in the transport direction. A medium receiving tray22is disposed downstream from the discharge roller pair21in the transport direction. The medium receiving tray22can be switched between a guide orientation in which the print medium M is guided from the recording portion9to the curved reverse path10(seeFIG.2) and a medium receiving orientation in which the print medium M discharged by the discharge roller pair21(seeFIG.3). When the medium receiving tray22is in the guide orientation, the curved reverse path10that reverses while curving from the recording portion9in the +Z direction downstream in the transport direction is formed (seeFIG.2). When the medium receiving tray22is in the medium receiving orientation, the straight path11that extends from the recording portion9downstream in the transport direction toward the front of the apparatus is formed (seeFIG.3).

InFIG.2, a curved reverse path formed portion23is provided downstream from the medium receiving tray22in the guide orientation, specifically, in the +Z direction. The curved reverse path formed portion23constitutes the curved reverse path10that curves and reverses the print medium M.

The print medium M transported from the recording portion9downstream by the discharge roller pair21is guided to the curved reverse path formed portion23by the medium receiving tray22in the guide orientation. The curved reverse path formed portion23curves and reverses the print medium M, with the printed surface on which printing was performed by the recording portion9inside, and discharges the print medium M through an outlet25toward the medium receiving tray6via a discharge roller24provided downstream from the curved reverse path formed portion23. At that time, the print medium M is discharged onto the medium receiving tray6, with the surface printed at the recording portion9down.

The scanner4includes a scanner casing31, a cover33, a platen34, and a scanning unit35. The cover33is rotatably mounted to the scanner casing31. The cover33is configured to cover the platen34in its closed state and to expose the platen34in its open state. The scanning unit35can scan an image on an original medium placed on the platen34.

1.2. Outline of Printer

FIG.1is a perspective view of the printing system1, when the opening and closing cover45is disposed at a closed position P1, illustrating a state in which the opening and closing cover45is fixed to the side case member42with the restricting member59.FIG.4is another perspective view of the printing system1viewed at the opposite side fromFIG.1, illustrating a state in which the opening and closing cover45is disposed at an open position P2.FIG.5is another perspective view of the printing system1, illustrating a state in which ink is poured from refill containers58into ink tanks51.FIG.6is an enlarged perspective view of a portion where the refill containers58and the ink tanks51are coupled, illustrating caps53in a closed position P3.FIG.7is another enlarged perspective view of the portion where the refill containers58and the ink tanks51are coupled, illustrating caps53in the closed position P3and cap53in the open position P4.FIG.8is another enlarged perspective view of the portion where the refill containers58and the ink tanks51are coupled, illustrating a state in which ink is poured from the refill containers58into the ink tanks51. InFIGS.4to8, the opening and closing cover45is not fixed to the side case member42with the restricting member59.

Referring next toFIG.1andFIGS.4to8, the printer2according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. As illustrated inFIG.1, the printer2according to this embodiment includes a printer casing30that houses the medium housing portion7in which the print media M are stored (seeFIG.2), components for transporting the print media M, a component (recording head19) for recording an image on the print media M, and components that contain ink (ink tanks51). The printer casing30includes an outer case40constituting the exterior of the printer2. The outer case40includes a housing case50(seeFIG.7) in which the ink tanks51are housed. In other words, the recording head19and the ink tanks51are housed in the outer case40.

The outer case40houses the recording head19and the ink tanks51and includes upper case members41disposed in the +Z direction (vertically above) and a side case member42crossing the upper case member41and disposed in the −X direction. The surface of each upper case member41in the +Z direction is a surface41aof the upper case member41, and the surface of the side case member42in the −X direction is a surface42aof the side case member42. The upper case members41are disposed around the medium receiving tray6. Specifically, the upper case members41are disposed in the +X direction, in the −X direction, in the +Y direction, and in the −Y direction with respect to the medium receiving tray6.

The printer2includes four ink tanks51at the right corner of the printer2in front view. The ink tanks51are disposed in the printer casing30(the outer case40) and outside the carriage18. In other words, the printer2according to this embodiment is a so-called off-carriage printer in which the ink tanks51are disposed outside the carriage18.

The four ink tanks51include an ink tank51BK containing black ink, an ink tank51C containing cyan ink, an ink tank51M containing magenta ink, and an ink tank51Y containing yellow ink. The ink tank51Y, the ink tank51M, the ink tank51C, and the ink tank51BK are disposed in order in the +X direction, and the ink tank51Y is disposed near the side case member42. The ink tanks51are an example of the liquid container in this application.

The inks of four colors contained in the four ink tanks51are used in recording full color images, such as pictures and illustrations. The black ink contained in the ink tank51BK is used in recording black and white images, such as characters and markers. Since the black ink is used more than the other inks, the ink tank51BK is configured to contain a larger amount of ink than the other ink tanks51C,51M, and51Y.

As illustrated inFIG.5, a refill container58A for pouring black ink into the ink tank51BK has a larger capacity than a refill container58B for pouring the other inks into the respective other ink tanks51C,51M, and51Y. The refill containers58for pouring ink into the ink tanks51include a refill container58A with a large capacity containing black ink and refill containers58B with a small capacity containing the other inks (cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink).

Referring back toFIG.1, the opening and closing cover45, which is an example of the opening and closing member in this application, is disposed above the ink tanks51. The opening and closing cover45is mounted to the upper case member41and is rotatable about the end in the −Y direction. Specifically, the opening and closing cover45is mounted to the upper case member41(the outer case40) and is rotatable between the open position P2(seeFIG.4) at which ink can be poured from the refill containers58into the ink tanks51and the closed position P1at which the opening and closing cover45covers the ink tanks51. The open position P2is an example of the open position at which ink can be poured to the liquid container in this application, and the closed position P1is an example of the closed position at which the liquid container is covered in this application.

The opening and closing cover45includes a first member46disposed in the +Z direction (vertically above) at the closed position P1and a second member47crossing the first member46. At the closed position P1, the surface of the first member46in the +Z direction is a surface46aof the first member46, and the surface of the second member47in the −X direction is a surface47aof the second member47. The surface46aof the first member46is an example of the surface of the opening and closing member in this application and an example of the surface of the first member in this application. The surface47aof the second member47is an example of the surface of the second member in this application.

In the printer2, the surface46aof the first member46is flush with the surface41aof the upper case member41at the closed position P1. Specifically, the position of the surface46aof the first member46in the Z direction and the position of the surface41aof the upper case member41in the Z direction are the same, and the surface46aof the first member46and the surface41aof the upper case member41are disposed in the same plane (X-Y plane). This configuration forms no unnecessary protrusions and depressions on the printer2in the +Z direction, decreasing the dimension of the printer2in the Z direction to decrease the height of the printer2as compared with a case in which the printer2has unnecessary protrusions and depressions in the +Z direction, thereby making the printer2compact.

Furthermore, the surface47aof the second member47is flush with the surface42aof the side case member42. Specifically, the position of the surface47aof the second member47in the X direction and the position of the surface42aof the side case member42in the X direction are the same, and the surface47aof the second member47and the surface42aof the side case member42are disposed in the same plane (Y-Z plane). This configuration does not form unnecessary protrusions and depressions on the printer2in the −x direction, decreasing the dimension of the printer2in the x direction to reduce the width of the printer2as compared with a case in which the printer2has unnecessary protrusions and depressions in the −x direction, thereby making the printer2compact.

For example, even if the surfaces of two members are not disposed in the same plane to form a level difference between the surfaces of the two members, if the level difference is small, the two members are regarded as being flush with each other. For example, even if the surfaces of two members have inclination or unevenness, if the inclination or unevenness is slight, the two members are regarded as being flush with each other. In other words, when the surfaces of two members are regarded as being substantially disposed in the same plane, the two members are regarded as being flush with each other.

In the printer2according to this embodiment, the color of the surface46aof the first member46and the color of the surface41aof the upper case member41are the same, and the color of the surface47aof the second member47and the color of the surface42aof the side case member42are the same. For example, when the color of the surface46aof the first member46and the color of the surface41aof the upper case member41are black, and the color of the surface47aof the second member47and the color of the surface42aof the side case member42are white, the printer2is of a sophisticated design based on white and black. In addition, disposing the surface46aof the first member46and the surface41aof the upper case member41in the same plane, and disposing the surface47aof the second member47and the surface42aof the side case member42in the same plane to reduce unnecessary unevenness allows the printer2to have a sophisticated shape (design) while reducing the size of the printer2.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the end (side) of the side case member42in the +Z direction is recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank51Y. The end (side) of the side case member42recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank51Y is a side42b. A space in the +Z direction with respect to the side42bof the side case member42recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank51Y is a cutout43. In other words, the portion of the side42bof the side case member42is a portion of the side case member42in which the cutout43is provided. Thus, the side case member42has the cutout43near the ink tank51Y.

As shown inFIG.1, when the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1at which the ink tank51is covered, the second member47of the opening and closing cover45is disposed in the cutout43. For example, if the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, and the opening and closing cover45does not include the second member47, a member (for example, the ink tank51) disposed in the outer case40is visible, and foreign substances easily enters the outer case40through the cutout43of the side case member42. In this embodiment, when the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the cutout43of the side case member42is closed by the second member47of the opening and closing cover45, reducing the possibility that foreign substances enter the outer case40.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, in addition to the main body containing ink, each ink tank51includes the cap53and an inlet52through which ink is poured from the refill container58. The cap53can be switched between the open position P4at which the inlet52is opened and the closed position P3at which the inlet52is closed, with the end in the −Y direction as its rotation axis. When the cap53is disposed at the closed position P3, the cap53seals the inlet52to prevent the ink contained in the ink tank51from being dried. The cap53is an example of the second opening and closing member in this application. The open position P4is an example of the open position at which the inlet is opened in this application. The closed position P3is an example of the closed position at which the inlet is sealed in this application.

The end of the cap53in the +Y direction is provided with a tab54protruding in the +Z direction. When the cap53is disposed at the closed position P3at which the inlet52is sealed, the tab54protrudes in the +Z direction from the side42bof the side case member42(the portion of the side case member42in which the cutout43is provided) in plan view seen from the side case member42, that is, from the −X direction. The end of the cap53in the +Y direction is an example of one end in this application.

The user rotates the cap53using the tab54to dispose the cap53at the open position P4at which the inlet52is opened, and then pours ink from the refill container58into the ink tank51. After the pouring of ink into the ink tank51ends, the user rotates the cap53using the tab54to dispose the cap53to the closed position P3at which the inlet52is sealed. The protrusion of the tab54from the side42bof the side case member42in the +Z direction allows the user to easily hold the cap53as compared with a case in which the tab54is disposed in the −Z direction with respect to the side42bof the side case member42, making it easy for the user to pour ink from the refill container58into the ink tank51.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the side case member42includes an opening44in which the restricting member59is inserted. At the end of the second member47adjacent to the ink tank51, a protrusion48protruding toward the ink tank51is provided. The protrusion48is also a component of the opening and closing cover45. When the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the second member47is disposed in the cutout43of the side case member42, and the protrusion48disposed at the second member47is disposed on the +X side with respect to the side case member42. In other words, when the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the second member47is disposed so as to seal the cutout43, and the protrusion48provided at the second member47overlaps with the side case member42in plan view seen from the side case member42.

At a portion at which the protrusion48and the side case member42overlap in plan view seen from the side case member42when the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the protrusion48has an oblong opening49, and the side case member42has an oblong opening44. When the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the opening49of the protrusion48and the opening44of the side case member42have the same shape and overlap in plan view seen from the side case member42.

As illustrated inFIG.4, a reinforcing member38is joined to the opposite side of the second member47from the side case member42. In other words, the opening and closing cover45includes the reinforcing member38joined to the opposite side of the second member47from the side case member42. When the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the reinforcing member38overlaps with the protrusion48in plan view seen from the side case member42. The reinforcing member38has an opening39with the same shape as the shape of the opening49of the protrusion48. When the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the opening39of the reinforcing member38overlaps with the opening49of the protrusion48and the opening44of the side case member42in plan view seen from the side case member42.

The first member46, the second member47, and the protrusion48, which are components of the opening and closing cover45, are made of resin. The reinforcing member38is sheet metal. The constituent material of the reinforcing member38is metal (for example, iron). The reinforcing member38therefore has higher mechanical strength than the second member47and the protrusion48. For this reason, when the reinforcing member38is joined to the opposite side of the second member47from the side case member42, the reinforcing member38increases the mechanical strength of the second member47and the protrusion48, enhancing the mechanical strength of the opening and closing cover45. Thus, the opening and closing cover45includes the reinforcing member38that increases the mechanical strength of the opening and closing cover45.

As shown inFIG.1, when ink is not to be poured from the refill containers58into the ink tanks51, the restricting member59is attached to the side case member42into the opening39of the reinforcing member38(not shown inFIG.1) in addition to the opening44of the side case member42and the opening49of the protrusion48of the second member47(not shown inFIG.1). In other words, the restricting member59is inserted into the reinforcing member38in addition to the second member47and the side case member42. As shown inFIG.6, when ink is to be poured from the refill containers58into the ink tanks51, the restricting member59is removed from the side case member42. Thus, when the restricting member59is attached to the side case member42, the opening and closing cover45is locked to the side case member42by the restricting member59, making it impossible to put the opening and closing cover45at the open position P2. When the restricting member59is detached from the side case member42, the locking of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42is released, making it possible to put the opening and closing cover45at the open position P2. Furthermore, since the restricting member59is inserted into the reinforcing member38in addition to the second member47and the side case member42, the mechanical strength of the opening and closing cover45is increased by the reinforcing member38. This prevents the opening and closing cover45from being broken even if a large force is exerted on the restricting member59, and the locking of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42with the restricting member59is maintained with stability.

An example of the restricting member59is Kensington Lock®. The restricting member59includes a first restricting member59ahaving a laterally long end that can pass through the openings39,44, and49and a second restricting member59bhaving an and that can be inserted into the openings39,44, and49(seeFIG.1). When the opening and closing cover45is disposed at the closed position P1, the longitudinal end of the first restricting member59ais passed through the openings39,44, and49to attach the first restricting member59ato the second member47and the opening and closing cover45. When the first restricting member59ais then rotated, the opening and closing cover45is locked to the side case member42by the first restricting member59aat the closed position P1. Next, the end of the second restricting member59bis inserted into the openings39,44, and49to attach the second restricting member59bto the second member47and the side case member42. This makes it impossible to rotate the first restricting member59ato pull out the first restricting member59afrom the second member47and the side case member42.

Lastly, a padlock (not shown) is attached to the keyhole59cof the restricting member59to lock the first restricting member59aand the second restricting member59bwith the padlock. This makes it impossible to release the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42, causing the opening and closing cover45to be locked at the closed position P1. When the padlock is detached from the restricting member59, the second restricting member59bis pulled out from the second member47and the side case member42, and the first restricting member59ais pulled out from the second member47and the side case member42, the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42is released, and the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the closed position P1is released, allowing the opening and closing cover45to be shifted from the closed position P1to the open position P2. Thus, the printer2according to this embodiment includes the restricting member59that is inserted into the second member47and the side case member42to restrict the opening and closing of the opening and closing cover45.

When ink is ejected from the recording head19to record an image on the print medium M, and the ink contained in the ink tank51is consumed, so that the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank51is decreased, the user detaches the padlock from the restricting member59to release the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42into the open position P2and pours ink from the refill container58into the ink tank51. After the pouring of the ink into the ink tank51ends, the user disposes the opening and closing cover45at the closed position P1, locks the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42with the restricting member59, attaches the padlock to the restricting member59, and manages the padlock so that the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42is not released by another user.

This configuration allows only a specific user who manages the padlock to release the lock of the opening and closing cover45to the side case member42to pour ink from the refill container58into the ink tank51and prevents another user from pouring ink from the refill container58into the ink tank51.

The printer2uses two kinds of ink (inks of four colors), as described above. If an inexperienced user who is unfamiliar with ink pouring work performs ink pouring work, work mistakes such as pouring inappropriate ink into the ink tank51are likely to occur. For example, the work mistake of pouring yellow ink into the ink tank51C for cyan ink is likely to occur. A mistake in the ink pouring work can cause the problem of deteriorating an image formed on the print medium M and the problem of clogging the ink channel from the ink tank51to the recording head19. A mistake in the ink pouring work can be reduced, and a problem caused by the work mistake can be reduced by only a specific user who is familiar with the ink pouring operation performing the ink pouring work.

FIGS.5to8illustrate a case in which yellow ink is poured from the refill container58B into the ink tank51Y, and black ink is poured from the refill container58A into the ink tank51BK.FIG.8illustrates a portion where the refill containers58and the ink tanks51inFIG.5are coupled in an enlarged view to clearly illustrate a state in which the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y are coupled and a state in which the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled.

When inks (yellow ink and black ink) are to be poured from the refill containers58A and58B into the ink tanks51Y and51BK, respectively, the caps53are switched from the closed position P3to the open position P4to open the inlets52of the ink tanks51Y and51BK to make it possible to pour corresponding inks from the refill containers58A and58B into the ink tanks51Y and51BK, as shown inFIG.7. Next, as shown inFIGS.5and8, the refill containers58A and58B containing corresponding inks are attached to the ink tanks51Y and51BK, and the corresponding inks are poured from the refill containers58A and58B into the ink tanks51Y and51BK, respectively.

As shown inFIGS.7and8, the printer2according to this embodiment includes a wall member55and a beam member56positioned on the opposite side of the ink tanks51from the side case member42, that is, in the +X direction with respect to the ink tanks51. The wall member55and the beam member56are opposed to the cutout43of the side case member42. The wall member55is disposed in the +X direction with respect to the ink tank51BK. The four ink tanks51are housed between the wall member55and the side case member42. The wall member55and the side case member42constitute part of the housing case50in which the ink tanks51are housed. The beam member56is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the ink tank51BK. The beam member56is long in the Y direction. The beam member56constitutes part of the housing case50in which the ink tanks51are housed and enhances the mechanical strength of the housing case50. The beam member56is an example of the third member of this application.

When black ink is to be poured from the refill container58A into the ink tank51BK, the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled to each other, with an end of the refill container58A inserted in the inlet52of the ink tank51BK. The beam member56is disposed near a portion where the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled and is recessed in the direction from the side case member42toward the beam member56(+X direction) at the position where the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled. In other words, the beam member56has a recessed portion57recessed in the +X direction at the portion where the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled. Providing the recessed portion57recessed in the +X direction at the portion where the refill container58A and the ink tank51BK are coupled allows the ink tank51BK to be disposed nearer to the beam member56than a case in which the recessed portion57recessed in the +X direction is not provided, thus decreasing the interval between the ink tank51BK and the beam member56(the dimension in the X direction). This decreases the dimension of the printer2in the X direction, thereby making the printer2compact. Furthermore, in addition to the beam member56, the wall member55is also disposed near the ink tank51to decrease the interval between the ink tank51and the wall member55(the dimension in the X direction), thereby reducing the size of the printer2.

When the yellow ink is to be poured from the refill container58B into the ink tank51Y, the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y are coupled, with an end of the refill container58B inserted in the inlet52of the ink tank51Y. In this embodiment, the side case member42has the cutout43. Therefore, even if the ink tank51Y is disposed near the side case member42, the refill container58B does not contact the side case member42in a state in which the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y are coupled, allowing the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y to be properly coupled.

If the ink tank51Y is disposed near the side case member42without the cutout43, the refill container58B comes into contact with the side case member42, with the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y coupled, making it impossible to properly couple the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y. This causes, when yellow ink is poured into the ink tank51Y from the refill container58B, a problem in which the yellow ink spills out of the ink tank51Y. For this reason, the configuration in which the side case member42does not have the cutout43, the distance between the refill container58B and the inlet52of the ink tank51Y needs to be long to prevent the interference between the refill container58B and the side case member42in the X direction of the printer2. In this embodiment, providing the side case member42withe cutout43allows the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y to be properly coupled even if the distance between the refill container58B and the inlet52of the ink tank51Y is decreased. This allows yellow ink to be properly poured into the ink tank51Y, preventing a problem in which the yellow ink spills out of the ink tank51Y.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, part of the refill container58B is disposed outside the side case member42through the cutout43of the side case member42, with the refill container58B and the ink tank51Y coupled. In other words, when yellow ink is to be poured into the ink tank51Y from the refill container58B, part of the refill container58B is disposed outside the side case member42through the cutout43. In pouring yellow ink from the refill container58B into the ink tank51Y, the disposition of part of the refill container58B outside the side case member42through the cutout43allows the ink tank51Y to be disposed near the side case member42as compared with a case in which the refill container58B is disposed inside the side case member42. This decreases the interval between the ink tank51Y and the side case member42(the dimension in the X direction) to decrease the dimension of the printer2in the X direction, reducing the size of the printer2.

Thus, the printer2according to this embodiment is configured such that the side case member42has the cutout43. This allows the refill container58and the ink tank51to be properly coupled even if the ink tank51is disposed near the side case member42, allowing ink to be properly poured from the refill container58into the ink tank51. In addition, disposing part of the refill container58outside the side case member42through the cutout43allows the ink tank51to be disposed near the side case member42, decreasing the dimension of the printer2in the X direction, thereby reducing the size of the printer2.

2. Second Embodiment

FIG.9is a perspective view of a printer100according to a second embodiment.FIG.10is another perspective view of the printer100according to this embodiment.FIG.9illustrates a state in which a maintenance cover114is closed so as to be disposed at a closed position P5at which an ink tank152is covered.FIG.10illustrates a state in which the maintenance cover114is opened so as to be disposed at an open position P6at which ink can be poured from a refill container158into the ink tank152. The printer100is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus in this application. The maintenance cover114is an example of the opening and closing member in this application. The closed position P5is an example of the closed position at which the liquid container is covered in this application. The open position P6is an example of the open position at which liquid can be poured from the refill container into the liquid container in this application. The ink tank152is an example of the liquid container in this application.

The printer2according to the first embodiment is a so-called off-carriage printer in which the ink tanks51are disposed outside the carriage18. The printer100according to this embodiment is a so-called on-carriage printer in which the ink tank152is mounted on a carriage122. The printer2according to the first embodiment is a full-color printer in which inks of four colors (black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink) are contained. The printer100according to this embodiment is a monochrome printer in which ink of one color (black ink) is contained. These are the main differences between the printer100according to this embodiment and the printer2according to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.9and10, the printer100according to this embodiment will be described in outline with a focus on the differences from the printer2according to the first embodiment. The printer100according to this embodiment is a monochrome printer in which ink of one color (black ink) is contained but may be a full-color printer in which inks of four colors are contained. In the case where the printer2according to the first embodiment or the printer100according to this embodiment contains inks of multiple colors, the number of colors of the inks is not limited to four and may be greater or less than four.

As shown inFIG.9, the printer100includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing112. On the top of the casing112, an operation panel116is provided. The operation panel116is provided with a plurality of operation buttons including a power button117and an ink pour button118. The casing112has an upper surface112A disposed in the +Z direction. The casing112is an example of the outer case in this application, an example of the upper case member in this application, and an example of the side case member in this application. The upper surface112A of the casing112is an example of the surface of the upper case member in this application.

In this embodiment, the upper case member in this application and the side case member in this application are made of the same member (the casing112). In contrast, in first embodiment, the upper case member in this application and the side case member in this application are made of different members (the upper case member41and the side case member42). This is another difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment.

The printer100includes, in the +Z direction, a feed cover113positioned at the rear (−Y direction) and the maintenance cover114positioned at the front (+Y direction) openably and closably. The surface of the maintenance cover114in the +Z direction is an upper surface114A. The feed cover113and the maintenance cover114are mounted to the casing112and are rotatable with respect to the casing112. The upper surface114A of the maintenance cover114is an example of the surface of the opening and closing member in this application.

The maintenance cover114is rotatable between the open position P6at which ink can be poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152(seeFIG.10) and the closed position P5at which the ink tank152is covered. At the closed position P5at which the maintenance cover114covers the ink tank152, the upper surface114A of the maintenance cover114is flush with the upper surface112A of the casing112. Specifically, the position of the upper surface114A of the maintenance cover114in the Z direction and the position of the upper surface112A of the casing112in the Z direction are the same, and the upper surface114A of the maintenance cover114and the upper surface112A of the casing112are disposed in the same plane (X-Y plane). This configuration forms no unnecessary protrusions and depressions of the printer100in the +Z direction, decreasing the dimension of the printer100in the Z direction to decrease the height of the printer100as compared with a case in which the printer100has unnecessary protrusions and depressions in the +Z direction, thereby making the printer100compact.

The feed cover113is openable/closable about an end in the +Y direction. When the feed cover113is opened, a feeding portion120in the casing112is exposed, and the user places the print medium M on a mount120A of the feeding portion120. The feeding portion120feeds the print media M set on the mount120A one by one. The feeding portion may also be configured to feed the print media M contained in a cassette detachably mounted to the casing112one by one.

The printer100includes a discharge cover150at the front (+Y direction). The discharge cover150is mounted to the casing112and is rotatable with respect to the casing112. When the discharge cover150is opened, an outlet121(indicated by broken lines) is exposed. During printing, the discharge cover150is opened, and the print media M printed in the casing112are discharged through the outlet121.

The casing112houses a carriage122movable in the scanning direction X. The carriage122is equipped with a recording head123, which is an example of a liquid ejecting unit configured to eject ink onto the print medium M, and a liquid container151(the ink tank152) containing ink to be supplied to the recording head123. The recording head123and the liquid container151(the ink tank152) mounted on the carriage122are movable in the scanning direction X together with the carriage122.

The recording head123ejects ink onto the print medium M to record an image on the print medium M. The liquid container151is a case in which the ink tank152is housed and includes an opening and closing cover (not shown) rotatable between an open position at which ink can be poured into the ink tank152and a closed position at which the ink tank152is covered. The liquid container151dese not have to include the opening and closing cover. The ink tank152is positioned above the recording head123and includes an inlet153for pouring ink from the refill container158and a cap154for sealing the inlet153.

The printer100includes a moving mechanism125that moves the carriage122. The moving mechanism125includes a guide shaft (not shown) that supports the carriage122so that it can move in the scanning direction X, a pair of pulleys126disposed at the opposite ends in the scanning direction X, an endless timing belt127wound around the pair of pulleys126, and a carriage motor128that rotatably drives one of the pulleys126to rotate the timing belt127forward and reversely. The carriage122is fixed to part of the endless timing belt127.

The casing112houses a transporter (not shown) that transports the print medium M. The transporter transports the print medium M fed by the feeding portion120in a transport direction Y crossing the scanning direction X. The transport direction Y is a direction (+Y direction) parallel to the direction in which the print medium M is transported at the position facing the recording head123.

During not printing, the carriage122waits at a home position HP set at one end in the scanning direction X (an end in the −X direction). When the carriage122is disposed at the home position HP, the user can visually recognize the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank152through a window129. Also when the carriage122is disposed at an ink pouring position P8(seeFIG.10), the user can visually recognize the surface of the liquid in the ink tank152through the window129. The ink pouring position P8is a position at which the carriage122is disposed when ink is to be poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152. In this embodiment, the ink pouring position P8is positioned in the −X direction with respect to the home position HP.

When the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank152decreases, and ink is to be poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152, the user opens the maintenance cover114and operates the ink pour button118to move the carriage122to the ink pouring position P8. When the carriage122is disposed at the ink pouring position P8, the refill container158for pouring ink into the ink tank152can be attached. Specifically, when the carriage122is disposed at the ink pouring position P8, and the opening and closing cover of the liquid container151and the cap154of the ink tank152are opened, the refill container158for pouring ink into the ink tank152can be attached.

FIG.10illustrates a state in which the refill container158and the ink tank152are coupled via the inlet153. As shown inFIG.10, the user disposes the carriage122at the ink pouring position P8, opens the opening and closing cover of the liquid container151and the cap154of the ink tank152, and then couples the refill container158and the ink tank152to each other.

The side of the casing112in the +Z direction is recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank152at the ink pouring position P8. The side of the casing112recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank152at the ink pouring position P8is a side112C. The portion of the casing112recessed in the −Z direction near the ink tank152at the ink pouring position P8, that is, a space in the casing112in the +Z direction with respect to the side112C is a cutout143. In other words, the printer100according to this embodiment is configured such that the casing112, which is an example of the side case member, has the cutout143near the ink tank152, which is an example of the liquid container.

When ink is to be poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152, the refill container158and the ink tank152are coupled, with an end of the refill container158inserted in the inlet153of the ink tank152. In this embodiment, the casing112has the cutout143. Therefore, even if the ink tank152at the ink pouring position P8is disposed near the casing112, the refill container158does not contact the casing112in a state in which the refill container158and the ink tank152are coupled, allowing the refill container158and the ink tank152to be properly coupled. Since the refill container158and the ink tank152are properly coupled, ink can be properly poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, part of the refill container158is disposed outside the casing112through the cutout143of the casing112, with the refill container158and the ink tank152coupled. In other words, when ink is to be poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152, part of the refill container158is disposed outside the casing112through the cutout143. In pouring ink from the refill container158into the ink tank152, the disposition of part of the refill container158outside the casing112through the cutout143allows the ink tank152to be disposed near the casing112as compared with a case in which the refill container158is disposed inside the casing112. This decreases the interval (the dimension in the X direction) between the ink tank152and the casing112to decrease the dimension of the printer100in the X direction, making the printer100compact.

Thus, the printer100according to this embodiment is configured such that the casing112has the cutout143. This allows the refill container158and the ink tank152to be properly coupled even if the ink tank152is disposed near the casing112, allowing ink to be properly poured from the refill container158into the ink tank152. In addition, disposing part of the refill container158outside the casing112through the cutout143allows the ink tank152to be disposed near the casing112, decreasing the dimension of the printer100in the X direction, thereby reducing the size of the printer100.