The present invention relates to a liquid replenishment container.
Ink replenishment containers for replenishing printers with ink are known. When in use, the ink replenishment container replenishes an ink tank having an ink outlet facing downward with ink. Since the ink replenishment container may take various postures when not in use, ink sealing property is required. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-144281 discloses an ink replenishment container including a moving seal member that functions as a valve body. The moving seal member is housed in an ink outlet portion. The moving seal member is urged toward the tip end of the ink outlet portion by a spring member, and comes into contact with an outlet seal member provided on the inner wall surface of the ink outlet portion to seal an opening. When replenishing ink, a liquid supply portion of the printer is inserted into the ink outlet portion and pushes up the spring member. As a result, the moving seal member retracts and the opening is released from sealing. Ink is replenished to the printer through the opening by passing through an annular gap between the inner wall surface of the ink outlet portion and a moving seal portion.
According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid replenishment container for replenishing a liquid tank including a liquid supply portion protruding in a first direction with a liquid. The liquid replenishment container includes: a container main body capable of storing a liquid; a liquid replenishment nozzle that includes a first side wall and is mountable on the liquid supply portion, the first side wall defining an internal space communicating with the container main body; and a valve body that is provided in the internal space and causes the liquid supply portion to communicate with the internal space when the liquid replenishment nozzle is mounted. The internal space has a first liquid replenishment flow path that is formed between the valve body and the first side wall and is constant in cross-section in the first direction, and a second liquid replenishment flow path that is formed inside the first liquid replenishment flow path and is continuous in the first direction.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
The ink replenishment container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-144281 has room for improvement in ink replenishment efficiency because an ink flow path is limited to the annular space between the inner wall surface of the ink outlet portion and the moving seal portion. This problem is common not only to the ink replenishment container for replenishing the printer with the ink, but also to a liquid replenishment container for replenishing the printer with a liquid other than the ink.
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid replenishment container having improved liquid replenishment efficiency.
The valve body 4 is provided in the internal space 33. The valve body 4 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape having a long axis in the first direction X. Specifically, the valve body 4 includes a substantially cylindrical second side wall 41 and a truncated cone-shaped tip end portion 42 which is connected to the end of the second side wall 41 on the ink tank 52 side and of which the outer diameter decreases toward the tip end. The second side wall 41 forms an inner space 45 having an opening portion 44 on a surface 48 facing the container main body 2. The end surface 43 of the tip end portion 42 is a flat surface with which the tip end of the liquid supply portion 53 of the ink tank 52 abuts. The valve body 4 includes a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) through-holes 46 that penetrate the second side wall 41 and communicate with the inner space 45. The through-hole 46 causes the inner space 45 to communicate with a first liquid replenishment flow path R1 described later.
A spring member 6 is provided in the internal space 33. The spring member 6 is a coil spring, and urges the valve body 4 in the first direction X on the side opposite to the container main body 2. The spring member 6 is supported by an outer peripheral portion 47 provided on the surface 48 of the valve body 4 facing the container main body 2 and a flange portion 35 facing the outer peripheral portion 47. The valve body 4 is arranged substantially coaxially with the cylindrical internal space 33. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The liquid replenishment container 1 includes a first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and a second liquid replenishment flow path R2. The first liquid replenishment flow path R1 is formed between the valve body 4 and the first side wall 31, and is a flow path having a constant cross-section in the first direction X. The first liquid replenishment flow path R1 has a substantially annular flow path in a cross-section orthogonal to the first direction X, and this flow path is constant along the entire length of the second side wall 41 of the valve body 4 in the first direction X. The second liquid replenishment flow path R2 is formed inside the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and extends continuously in the first direction X. This means that the shape of the second liquid replenishment flow path R2 extends continuously in the first direction X, and does not limit the direction in which the ink flows in the second liquid replenishment flow path R2. The second liquid replenishment flow path R2 is formed by the inner space 45 and at least one (four in the present embodiment) through-hole 46. The ink stored in the container main body 2 flows into the internal space 33 through the opening 36 inside the flange portion 35. Some ink flows through the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 between the valve body 4 and the first side wall 31. The remaining ink passes through the second liquid replenishment flow path R2, that is, the inner space 45 and the through-hole 46 of the valve body 4, and joins the first liquid replenishment flow path R1. The ink further flows through the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and is supplied to the ink tank 52 through the gap between the tip end portion 42 of the valve body 4 and the liquid supply portion 53 of the ink tank 52.
Since the liquid replenishment container in the related art (hereinafter referred to as a comparative example) does not include the second liquid replenishment flow path R2, it is difficult to increase the ink flow rate. In the present embodiment, since the second liquid replenishment flow path R2 is provided substantially in parallel with the first liquid replenishment flow path R1, a length of the annular space between inner wall surface 37 of the first side wall 31 and the valve body 4 can be substantially shorten, hence resistance created between the ink and the annular space can be small. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the ink flow rate supplied to the ink tank 52 can be increased as compared with the comparative example. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the replenishment efficiency of the ink supplied to the ink tank 52 and shorten the ink filling time.
The shapes of the inner space 45 and the through-hole 46 are not limited as long as the second liquid replenishment flow path R2 is formed, and may be any shape. For example, the shape of the cross-section of the inner space 45 perpendicular to the first direction X is not limited to a circle, but any shape such as a polygon such as a quadrangle, an ellipse, or a combination thereof can be used. The cross-sectional shape of the inner space 45 does not have to be constant in the first direction X, and may be, for example, a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area decreases as the distance from the opening portion 44 increases. The shape of the through-hole 46 is also not limited. In the present embodiment, the through-hole 46 having a rectangular cross-section is provided, but the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 46 may be a circle, a quadrangle, an ellipse, a square, or a combination thereof. The position of the through-hole 46 is also not limited, but the closer the through-hole 46 is to the ink tank 52, the shorter the ink flow path after the joining of the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and the second liquid replenishment flow path R2, and the ink replenishment efficiency is improved. Therefore, the center of the through-hole 46 in the first direction X is preferably located closer to the tip end side of the liquid replenishment nozzle 3 than the center of the second side wall 41 in the first direction X. For the same reason, the shape of the through-hole 46 is preferably elongated in the first direction X, and more specifically, a maximum length H thereof in the first direction X is preferably larger than a maximum width W thereof in the circumferential direction of the second side wall 41. Although the number of through-holes 46 is not limited, it is preferable to provide the plurality of through-holes 46 evenly in the circumferential direction of the second side wall 41 in order to secure the strength of the valve body 4 and equalize the ink flow. In the present embodiment, four through-holes 46 are provided at intervals of 90 degrees. As the number of through-holes 46 increases, the opening ratio increases and the ink replenishment efficiency improves. However, the effect of the present invention can be achieved even if only one through-hole 46 is provided. The larger the opening ratio of the through-hole 46, the easier it is for ink to flow, but the strength of the valve body 4 decreases. Therefore, the opening ratio of the through-hole 46 is preferably 10% or more to 50% or less, and more preferably 10% or more to 30% or less. The opening ratio is the ratio of the total opening area of the through-hole 46 to the area of the outer peripheral surface (including the through-hole 46) of the second side wall 41.
The deeper the groove 141, the larger the cross-sectional area of the groove 141, and the ink replenishment efficiency can be improved, but this is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of the strength of the valve body 104. The ratio of the depth of the groove 141 to the thickness of the second side wall 41 is preferably 50% or more to 70% or less. The number of grooves 141 is not limited, and at least one groove 141 may be provided. However, as the number of grooves 141 increases, the total cross-sectional area of the grooves 141 increases, and the ink replenishment efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, when the range in which the groove 141 is formed is widened, it is substantially the same as the thickness of the second side wall 41 is reduced, and the strength may be insufficient. The ratio of the total width of the plurality of grooves 141 in the circumferential direction to the circumferential length of the envelope circle on the outer peripheral surface of the second side wall 41 is preferably 50% or more to 80% or less. In the present embodiment as well, the valve body 104 has an inner space 45, but unlike the first embodiment, the inner space 45 does not communicate with the first liquid replenishment flow path R1. The inner space 45 is preferably provided for weight reduction of the valve body 104, but may be omitted. That is, the valve body 104 may be a solid tubular body. In this case, since it is easy to secure the strength of the valve body 104, the depth of the groove 141 can be further increased.
As illustrated in a modification example of
Since the valve body 304 of the present embodiment does not have an inner space 45 unlike the first embodiment and the shaft 344 can have a solid structure, it is easy to secure the strength of the valve body 304. The ink passes through the gap between a first side wall 31 and the upper end portion (plate 342). Some ink flows further downward (that is, through the first liquid replenishment flow path R1). The remaining ink flows downward through the circumferential recess 341 (that is, flows through the second liquid replenishment flow path R2) and joins the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 near the lower end portion (tip end portion 343). As in the second embodiment, the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and the second liquid replenishment flow path R2 are integrated flow paths. A connecting member that connects the plate 342 and the tip end portion 343 is not limited to the shaft 344, and various shapes can be used. For example, the connecting member may be one in which the outer diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the plate 342 increases, and the outer diameter gradually increases as the connecting member approaches the tip end portion 343. Alternatively, an R-shaped or C-shaped build-up portion may be provided at the connection portion between the shaft 344 and the plate 342 and the shaft 344 and the tip end portion 343.
The inner space 45 is divided into the first region 45A and the second region 45B which are independent of each other by a partition plate 441. At least one through-hole 46 includes a first through-hole 46A communicating with the first region 45A and a second through-hole 46B communicating with the second region 45B. The first liquid replenishment flow path R1 is provided between the valve body 404 and the first side wall 31, and is a flow path having a constant cross-section in the first direction X. The second liquid replenishment flow path R2 is formed by the first region 45A and the first through-hole 46A. The ink is supplied to the ink tank 52 through the first liquid replenishment flow path R1 and the second liquid replenishment flow path R2. A part of the annular space between the valve body 404 and the first side wall 31 is a first air discharge flow path R3. A second air discharge flow path R4 is formed by the second region 45B and the second through-hole 46B. Air is discharged from the ink tank 52 through the first air discharge flow path R3 and the second air discharge flow path R4. The first region 45A and the second region 45B do not communicate with each other. The shape and number of the first region 45A and the second region 45B are not limited, but in order to improve the ink replenishment efficiency, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first region 45A is preferably larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 45B.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-026970, filed Feb. 20, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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JP2020-026970 | Feb 2020 | JP | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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8419173 | Hayashi | Apr 2013 | B2 |
9315034 | Ono | Apr 2016 | B2 |
10350896 | Ishizawa et al. | Jul 2019 | B2 |
20120008882 | Justice | Jan 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2018-144281 | Sep 2018 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210261301 A1 | Aug 2021 | US |