Patent Application
20230405995
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a liquid container.
There is known a printing apparatus that discharges ink stored in an ink tank from a printhead to a print medium, thereby printing an image. If the remaining ink amount in the ink tank decreases, the user replenishes ink to the ink tank. If the replenishing work is quickly performed, convenience of the user improves. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-69717 discloses an ink tank including a channel in which ink flows, and a channel used to remove air. Gas-liquid exchange is performed between an ink tank and a replenishing bottle by the two channels.
However, the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-69717 has room for improvement in terms of the flow-in speed of ink from the replenishing bottle to the ink tank.
The present invention provides a technique for improving the flow-in speed of a liquid from a replenishing bottle to a liquid container.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising a liquid container, wherein the liquid container comprises: a storage portion configured to store a liquid to be supplied to a discharge head that discharges the liquid; a first channel configured to be inserted into a replenishing bottle, which is configured to replenish the liquid to the storage portion, and to communicate with the replenishing bottle; and a second channel between the first channel and the storage portion, the second channel including, at an end portion on a side of the first channel, a first shape portion having a sectional shape common to a part of a sectional shape of the first channel.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but limitation is not made an invention that requires all such features, and multiple such features may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant description thereof is omitted.
“1. Outline of Printing Apparatus”
Note that “printing” includes not only forming significant information such as characters and graphics but also forming images, figures, patterns, and the like on print media in a broad sense, or processing print media, regardless of whether the information formed is significant or insignificant or whether the information formed is visualized so that a human can visually perceive it. In addition, although in this embodiment, sheet-like paper is assumed as a “print medium”, cloth, a plastic film, and the like may also be used.
The printing apparatus 1 includes a conveyance roller 11 extended in the X direction. The conveyance roller 11 conveys a sheet-like print medium 100 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The conveyance roller 11 is rotated by a conveyance motor (not shown) that is a driving source for the conveyance roller. When the conveyance roller 11 rotates, the print medium 100 is conveyed on a platen 12.
Ink tanks 2Bk, 2C, 2M, and 2Y (to be referred to as ink tanks 2 hereinafter generically or without distinction) are liquid containers in which liquid inks are stored. In this embodiment, the ink tank 2 is a stationary type container fixed in the printing apparatus 1. If the remaining ink amount decreases, a user replenishes ink to the ink tank 2 using a replenishing bottle 5 (to be described later) without detaching the ink tank 2 from the printing apparatus 1.
Inks of different types are stored in the four ink tanks 2. In this embodiment, inks of different colors are stored in the ink tanks 2. More specifically, black ink is stored in the ink tank 2Bk, cyan ink is stored in the ink tank 2C, magenta ink is stored in the ink tank 2M, and yellow ink is stored in the ink tank 2Y. Note that the types of inks are not limited to four types, as in this embodiment, and one type of ink may be used, or a plurality of types other than the four types may be used. The number of ink tanks 2 need only be equal to or more than the number of types of inks.
The printing apparatus 1 includes a carriage 14. The carriage 14 is a support member that supports a printhead 13A and a printhead 13B. The carriage 14 according to this embodiment can move in the X direction (main scanning direction) with the printhead 13A and the printhead 13B mounted thereon. The printhead 13A and the printhead 13B each perform printing by discharging ink to the print medium 100. The printhead 13A discharges cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink supplied from the ink tanks 2C, 2M, and 2Y via tubes 16. The printhead 13B discharges black ink supplied from the ink tank 2Bk via the tube 16. The tube 16 is provided for each ink type, and the number of tubes 16 is four in this embodiment.
The lower surface of each of the printheads 13A and 13B includes a discharge surface with a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink. The discharge surface is arranged to face the platen 12. Each nozzle is provided with, for example, an electrothermal transducer (heater). When the electrothermal transducer is energized, it is heated to foam ink, and the ink is discharged by the foaming energy. A structure that discharges ink using a piezoelectric element in place of the electrothermal transducer may be used.
The carriage 14 is guided by a guide member 15 and reciprocally moved in the X direction by the driving force of a driving unit (not shown). The driving unit includes, for example, a driving pulley and a driven pulley which are arranged apart in the X direction, an endless belt wound around the pulleys, and a carriage motor that is a driving source for rotating the driving pulley. The carriage 14 is connected to the endless belt. When the endless belt is made to travel, the carriage 14 moves in the X direction.
In the process of the movement of the carriage 14, ink is discharged from each of the printhead 13A and the printhead 13B to the print medium 100 on the platen 12, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes called print scanning. A printing operation is performed by alternately repeating a print medium conveyance operation by the conveyance roller 11 and print scanning.
As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is a serial type inkjet printing apparatus in which the printhead 13A and the printhead 13B are mounted on the carriage 14 that reciprocally moves in the X direction. However, the present invention can also be applied to another printing apparatus such as an inkjet printing apparatus including a so-called full-line printhead in which a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge ink are provided in a region corresponding to the width of a print medium.
“2. Ink Tank”
<2-1. Outline>
The ink tanks 2C, 2M, and 2Y are containers having the same structure. The ink tank 2Bk is a container that substantially has the same structure as the ink tanks 2C, 2M, and 2Y and has a larger capacity than these. For this reason, the ink tank 2Bk is a container having a larger width in the X direction than the ink tanks 2C, 2M, and 2Y. The ink tank 2Bk is arranged at the left end in the front portion of the printing apparatus 1. The ink tank 2Bk is made of a translucent material, and the user can visually recognize the remaining amount of stored ink. The ink tanks 2C to 2Y are arranged side by side in the Y direction at the right end in the front portion of the printing apparatus 1. The ink tanks 2C to 2Y are also made of a translucent material. The user can visually recognize the remaining amount of stored ink.
The structure of the ink tanks 2 will be described using the ink tank 2C as a representative.
The ink tank 2C has an L outer shape as a whole. The ink tank 2C includes a main body 21, and left and right sealing members 20a and 20b. The main body 21 is a container main body including a top portion 21a, a front portion 21b, and the left and right side portions 21c and 21d, and is a hollow structure made of a resin. The sealing members 20a and 20b according to this embodiment are flexible films and are fixed to the side portions 21c and 21d of the main body 21 by adhesion or welding. The sealing members 20a and 20b cover and seal openings and grooves of the side portions 21c and 21d of the main body 21. All the main body 21 and the sealing members 20a and 20b are translucent members. These members may be colored transparent or colorless transparent.
A needle 22 projects upward from the top portion 21a of the ink tank 2C. The needle 22 is a tubular member formed integrally with the main body 21 and extending in the Z direction, and forms a channel used to inject replenishing ink from the outside into the ink tank 2C. A detachable cap 4 is attached to the distal end (upper end) of the needle 22.
A tubular outlet portion 26 is formed on the rear portion of the ink tank 2C. The outlet portion 26 is the outlet for the ink stored in the ink tank 2C, and is a liquid outlet used to make the ink flow to the printhead 13A. The tube 16 is connected to the outlet portion 26, and the ink stored in the ink tank 2C is supplied from the outlet portion 26 to the printhead 13A via the tube 16.
A lower limit indicator 24b roughly indicating the lower limit of a remaining amount serving as an ink replenishing timing and an upper limit indicator 24a roughly indicating the upper limit when replenishing ink are formed on the front portion 21b. The upper limit indicator 24a and the lower limit indicator 24b are formed by the shape of the main body 21 (by forming a concave portion or a convex portion) or by printing a chart.
An engaging portion 23a is formed on the front portion 21b of the ink tank 2C, and an engaging portion 23b is formed on the rear portion. The engaging portions 23a and 23b engage with engaging portions (not shown) formed on the housing (not shown) of the printing apparatus 1, thereby fixing and positioning the ink tank 2C.
The ink tank 2C includes, on the side of the bottom portion, a storage portion 25 that stores ink. The storage portion 25 is defined by a space opening to the side portion 21d of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20b. The storage portion 25 communicates with the needle 22 via channels 31 and 32. The channels 31 and 32 are defined by grooves opening to the side portion 21c of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20a. The outlet portion 26 is formed to be higher than the liquid surface of ink when a maximum amount of ink is stored in the storage portion 25.
The storage portion 25 and the outlet portion 26 communicate with the other via a channel 29a. The channel 29a is defined by a groove opening to the side portion 21c of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20a. Ink stored in the storage portion 25 is supplied to the printhead 13A via the channel 29a, the outlet portion 26, and the tube 16.
An air communicating port 27 is formed in the front portion 21b that is the front side portion of the ink tank 2C. The air communicating port 27 opens to the front side of the ink tank 2C in the Y direction. Since an upward opening is not formed, a foreign substance hardly closes the air communicating port 27. The air communicating port 27 communicates with the storage portion 25 via buffer chambers 28a to 28e and channels 29b to 29f. Even if the ink tank 2C is placed in a posture different from that in use time, the ink in the storage portion 25 is prevented from leaking from the air communicating port 27.
The buffer chambers 28a and 28b are defined by spaces opening to the side portion 21c of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20a. The buffer chambers 28c to 28e are defined by spaces opening to the side portion 21d of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20b. The channel 29c is defined by a groove opening to the side portion 21d of the main body 21 and the sealing member 20b. The channels 29d to 29f are defined by grooves opening to the side portion 21c and the sealing member 20a.
One of the two end portions of the channel 29b opens to the storage portion 25, and the other opens to the buffer chamber 28b. The storage portion 25 and the buffer chamber 28b communicate via the channel 29b. One of the two end portions of the channel 29c opens to the buffer chamber 28a, and the other opens to the buffer chamber 28b. The buffer chamber 28a and the buffer chamber 28b communicate via the channel 29c. One of the two end portions of the channel 29d opens to the buffer chamber 28a, and the other opens to the buffer chamber 28c. The buffer chamber 28a and the buffer chamber 28c communicate via the channel 29d. One of the two end portions of the channel 29e opens to the buffer chamber 28c, and the other opens to the buffer chamber 28d. The buffer chamber 28c and the buffer chamber 28d communicate via the channel 29e. One of the two end portions of the channel 29f opens to the buffer chamber 28d, and the other opens to the buffer chamber 28e. The buffer chamber 28d and the buffer chamber 28e communicate via the channel 29f. The buffer chamber 28e communicates with the air communicating port 27.
If the printing apparatus 1 is left stand for a long time in a posture other than that in use time, and the atmospheric pressure/temperature changes in that state, it is considered that air in the ink tank 2C expands or shrinks. A mechanism that suppresses ink leakage from the air communicating port 27 in this state will be described using, as an example, a state in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the storage portion 25 for storing ink.
Assume a case where the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with the sealing member 20a located on the lower side and the sealing member 20b located on the upper side. The ink liquid surface is located on the lower side of the channel 29b that makes the storage portion 25 and the buffer chamber 28b communicate. Since the interior of the ink tank 2C communicates with the exterior of the ink tank 2C, the ink never flows from the channel 29b into the buffer chamber 28b. For this reason, the ink never leaks from the air communicating port 27.
Next, assume a case where the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with the sealing member 20a located on the upper side and the sealing member 20b located on the lower side. The ink liquid surface is located at a position higher than the channel 29b that makes the storage portion 25 and the buffer chamber 28b communicate. Hence, the ink flows from the storage portion 25 to the buffer chamber 28b. Also, since the buffer chamber 28b communicates with the buffer chamber 28a via the channel 29c, the ink flows to the buffer chamber 28a via the channel 29b, the buffer chamber 28b, and the channel 29c. However, the end portion of the channel 29d that makes the buffer chamber 28a and the buffer chamber 28c communicate is located on the surface covered with the sealing member 20a. Hence, the ink does not flow to the next channel 29d and the buffer chamber 28c unless the buffer chamber 28a is filled with the ink. Since the buffer chambers 28c and 28d have similar configurations, the risk that the ink leaks from the air communicating port 27 is low.
Next, assume a case where the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with its top and bottom portions being inverted. Since the ink liquid surface is located at a position higher than the channel 29b that makes the storage portion 25 and the buffer chamber 28b communicate, the ink flows to the buffer chamber 28b. In this posture, the end portion of the channel 29c in the buffer chamber 28b is located on the upper side of the buffer chamber 28b. For this reason, the ink does not flow to the buffer chamber 28a via the channel 29c unless the buffer chamber 28b is filled with the ink. Since the buffer chambers 28a and 28c have similar configurations, the risk that the ink leaks from the air communicating port 27 is low.
Next, assume a case where the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with its front portion located on the lower side. In this posture, the ink tank 2C is in a posture with the air communicating port 27 facing downward. Since the channel 29b is located on the lower side of the ink liquid surface, the ink flows to the buffer chamber 28b via the channel 29b. In this posture, the end portion of the channel 29c in the buffer chamber 28b is located on the upper side of the buffer chamber 28b. For this reason, the ink does not flow to the buffer chamber 28a via the channel 29c unless the buffer chamber 28b is filled with the ink. In addition, even if the buffer chamber 28b is filled with the ink, an ink amount that causes the ink liquid surface in the storage portion 25 to be located on the lower side of the channel 29b can be stored in other buffer chambers. Hence, the risk that the ink leaks from the air communicating port 27 is low.
Finally, assume a case where the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with its rear portion located on the lower side. The ink tank 2C is in a posture with the air communicating port 27 facing upward. This posture is the same as that when the printing apparatus 1 is in a posture with the sealing member 20a located on the upper side and the sealing member 20b located on the lower side. That is, the ink does not flow to the next buffer chamber 28c unless the buffer chamber 28a is filled with the ink. Since the buffer chambers 28c and 28d have similar configurations, the risk that the ink leaks from the air communicating port 27 is low.
As described above, in this embodiment, even if the printing apparatus 1 is left stand for a long time in a posture different from that in use time, and the atmospheric pressure/temperature changes, the risk of ink flow-out can be reduced, and ink leakage from the air communicating port 27 can be suppressed.
<2-2. Channel Structure>
The structures of the needle 22 and the channels 31 and 32 will be described with reference to
The needle 22 has a cylindrical outer shape extending in the Z direction. The internal space of the needle 22 is divided by a partition wall 220, and a channel 221 and a channel 222 are formed. The partition wall 220 is a plate on the X-Z plane. Both the channels 221 and 222 are channels extended in the Z direction, and their channel direction is the Z direction. The distal end (upper end) of the needle 22 has a mountain shape. Both the opening portions (the opening portions on the side of the replenishing bottle 5) of the distal ends (upper ends) of the channels 221 and 222 open obliquely with respect to the channel direction. In other words, the end face of the formation portion of the channel 221 and the end face of the formation portion of the channel 222 in the needle 22 tilt at an angle within the range of 30° to 60° with respect to the X-Y plane. This suppresses formation of a liquid film of ink in the opening portions due to the surface tension of ink and improve the flow of ink at the time of ink replenishing.
As shown in
The channel 31 and the channel 32 are extended in the Z direction and are adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The channel 31 and the channel 32 are partitioned by a partition wall 30 in the Y direction. The partition wall 30 is a plate on the X-Z plane, which is formed continuing to the partition wall 220 of the needle 22.
The channel 31 is formed between the channel 221 and the storage portion 25 and communicates with these. The channel 31 includes, at the end portion on the side of the storage portion 25, an opening portion 31a opening to the storage portion 25. In addition, the channel 221 opens to an upper end face 31b.
The channel 31 is defined by the partition wall 30, an inner wall surface 31c facing the partition wall 30, the sealing member 20a, and an inner wall surface (the bottom portion of the groove) 31d facing the sealing member 20a. The channel 31 includes a shape portion 33 formed at the end portion on the side of the channel 221. The partition wall 30 and the inner wall surface 31c are parallel. The sectional shape (the sectional shape on the X-Y plane) of the channel 31 orthogonal to the channel direction is a rectangular shape except the portion of the shape portion 33. On the upper end face 31b, the channel 221 opens at a position closer to the inner wall surface 31d than the sealing member 20a.
The width of the channel 31 in the X direction changes depending on the position in the Z direction. The channel 31 has a width W1 in a region R1 on the side of the needle 22, and a width W3 (<W1) in a region R3 on the side of the storage portion 25. The regions R1 and R3 are each a uniform portion having the same width. In an intermediate region R2, the width in the X direction continuously changes. The region R2 is a changing portion whose width decreases along with approach to the storage portion 25. A width W21 of the channel 31 in the Y direction is the same at an arbitrary position in the Z direction.
The shape portion 33 is formed at the end portion (the end portion on the side of the channel 221) of the channel 31. The shape portion 33 has a sectional shape common to a part of the sectional shape of the channel 221. More specifically, in the shape portion 33, a sectional shape having an arc concentric with respect to the center axis CT, which is common to a part of the arc of the fan shape that is the sectional shape of the channel 221, is formed continuously from the channel 221. The shape portion 33 is formed downward from the upper end face 31b in the Z direction within the range of a section P1.
When viewed in the X direction, the shape portion 33 is formed to the far side from a position apart by a distance L from the side portion 21c of the main body 21. The arc portion of the sectional shape of the channel 221 is an arc within the range of about 180°, and the arc of the sectional shape of the shape portion 33 is an arc within the range of about 90°. Within the range of 90°, the inner wall surface of the channel continues from the channel 221 to the channel 31.
As is apparent from
In a section P2 of the section P1, the portion of the shape portion 33 having an arc sectional shape gradually becomes small downward in the Z direction. When the shape is gradually made to match from the shape portion 33 to the inner wall surface 31d, generation of the resistance to the flow of ink can be reduced.
Next, the channel 32 is defined by the partition wall 30, an inner wall surface 32c facing the partition wall 30, the sealing member 20a, and an inner wall surface (the bottom portion of the groove) 32d facing the sealing member 20a. The channel 32 includes a shape portion 34 formed at the end portion on the side of the channel 222. The partition wall 30 and the inner wall surface 32c are parallel. The sectional shape (the sectional shape on the X-Y plane) of the channel 32 orthogonal to the channel direction is a rectangular shape except the portion of the shape portion 34. On an upper end face 32b, the channel 222 opens at a position closer to the inner wall surface 32d than the sealing member 20a.
The width of the channel 32 in the X direction changes depending on the position in the Z direction. The channel 32 has a width W11 in a region R11 on the side of the needle 22, and a width W13 (<W11) in a region R13 on the side of the storage portion 25. The regions R11 and R13 are each a uniform portion having the same width. In an intermediate region R12, the width in the X direction continuously changes. The region R12 is a changing portion whose width decreases along with approach to the storage portion 25. A width W22 of the channel 32 in the Y direction is the same at an arbitrary position in the Z direction.
The shape portion 34 is formed at the end portion (the end portion on the side of the channel 222) of the channel 32. The shape portion 34 has a sectional shape common to a part of the sectional shape of the channel 222. More specifically, in the shape portion 34, a sectional shape having an arc concentric with respect to the center axis CT, which is common to a part of the arc of the fan shape that is the sectional shape of the channel 222, is formed continuously from the channel 222. The shape portion 34 is formed downward from the upper end face 32b in the Z direction within the range of a section P11.
When viewed in the X direction, the shape portion 34 is formed to the far side from a position apart by the distance L from the side portion 21c of the main body 21. The arc portion of the sectional shape of the channel 222 is an arc within the range of about 180°, and the arc of the sectional shape of the shape portion 34 is an arc within the range of about 90°. Within the range of 90°, the inner wall surface of the channel continues from the channel 222 to the channel 32.
As is apparent from
In a section P12 of the section P11, the portion of the shape portion 34 having an arc sectional shape gradually becomes small downward in the Z direction. When the shape is gradually made to match from the shape portion 34 to the inner wall surface 32d, generation of the resistance to the flow of ink can be reduced.
When the channel 31 and the channel 32 are compared, W1=W11, W3<W13, the length of R2 in the Z direction >the length of R12 in the Z direction, and the length of R3 in the Z direction >the length of R13 in the Z direction. Note that the channel 31 and the channel 32 have the same length in the Z direction. In addition, W21<W31.
When the entire capacity is compared between the channel 31 and the channel 32, the entire capacity of the channel 32 is larger than that of the channel 31. When the sectional area (on the X-Y plane) at an arbitrary position in the Z direction is compared between the channel 31 and the channel 32, the sectional area of the channel 32 is larger than that of the channel 31. Also, the opening area of the opening portion 31a <the opening area of an opening portion 32a. The change of the sectional area at the boundary between the channel 222 and the channel 32 is larger than the change of the sectional area at the boundary between the channel 221 and the channel 31.
When the shape portion 33 and the shape portion 34 are compared, the length of the section P1 in the Z direction <the length of the section P11 in the Z direction. When viewed in the X direction, both the shape portions 33 and 34 are formed to the far side from the position apart by the distance L from the side portion 21c of the main body 21, and the sectional area of the channel 221 is larger than the sectional area of the channel 222. Hence, the contour length of the sectional shape of the shape portion 33 common to the channel 221 (the arc length within the range of about 90° in
When the set of the channel 221 and the channel 31 of the needle 22 and the set of the channel 222 and the channel 32 of the needle 22 are compared, these have the following characteristics. A larger amount of ink readily flows through the channel 221 because its sectional area is larger than that of the channel 222. On the other hand, the ink amount that the channel 31 can hold is small because the sectional area and the capacity of the channel 31 are smaller than those of the channel 32. A liquid film is readily formed on the opening portion 31a of the channel 31 due to generation of a surface tension because the opening area is smaller than that of the opening portion 32a of the channel 32.
“3. Replenishing Bottle”
The replenishing bottle 5 includes a storage portion 51 that stores ink, and a closing member 52 fixed to an end portion of the storage portion 51. The storage portion 51 is a container having a cylindrical shape with one end portion open, and the closing member 52 is fixed to the storage portion 51 to close the open end portion.
An insertion hole 53 configured to receive the needle 22 is formed in the closing member 52. The insertion hole 53 communicates with the storage portion 51 via a valve 55. A seal member 54 is provided around the insertion hole 53. The valve 55 includes an opening/closing member 55a that is movably provided, and a spring 55b configured to bias the opening/closing member 55a in a closing direction. By the bias of the spring 55b, the opening/closing member 55a is located at a closing position where the opening/closing member 55a contacts the seal member 54 to block the communication between the insertion hole 53 and the storage portion 51.
An ink replenishing work using the replenishing bottle 5 will be described. Here, a case where cyan ink is replenished to the ink tank 2C will be described. The user prepares the replenishing bottle 5 that stores cyan ink. The user also detaches the cap 4 from the needle 22 of the ink tank 2C. As shown in
When the ink replenishing ends, the replenishing bottle 5 is detached from the ink tank 2C. The detachment work is done in accordance with a procedure reverse to that at the time of attachment. When the replenishing bottle is pulled up from the state shown in
“4. Flow of Ink in Replenishing”
A behavior that ink flows from the replenishing bottle 5 to the storage portion 25 via the channels 221 and 222 of the needle 22 and the channels 31 and 32 in the state shown in
If closing of the channel 31 occurs, to solve the negative pressure in the replenishing bottle 5, air flows from the channel 32 that is not closed into the replenishing bottle 5, and the ink builds up in the channel 31, as shown in
In this embodiment, a liquid film by a surface tension is intentionally formed on the opening portion 31a at the initial stage, thereby implementing smooth and stable ink injection. To avoid formation of a liquid film by a surface tension at an unintended point, for example, the channels 221 and 222 are made to open obliquely at the distal end of the needle 22. This makes it difficult to form a liquid film of ink. In addition, the sectional area of the channel 221 is made larger than that of the channel 222, thereby allowing a larger amount of ink from the replenishing bottle 5 to flow into the ink tank 2 and improving the speed. Here, in this embodiment, R1<R11 holds concerning the length in the Z direction, and a relationship W3<W13 holds. That is, viewed from the needle 22, the channel 32 has a portion in which the sectional area or space is enlarged, as compared to the channel 31. In this enlarged portion, flowing ink may generate a vortex and lose energy, and its flow may be impeded. When the channel 31 is used as the distribution path of ink, and the channel 32 is used as the distribution path of air, the efficiency of ink flow-in to the ink tank 2 can be improved.
In the above-described embodiment, a shape portion 33 is provided in a channel 31, and a shape portion 34 is provided in a channel 32. However, the shape portion may be provided only in one of the channel 31 and the channel 32. In this case, the shape portion may be provided only in the channel 31 in which ink continuously flows.
In the above-described embodiment, an ink tank 2 has been exemplified as a liquid container, and a printing apparatus 1 including printheads 13A and 13B that discharge ink has been exemplified as an application purpose. However, the present invention can also be applied to a liquid container that stores a liquid other than ink or the application purpose of an apparatus including a discharge head that discharges a liquid other than ink.
The above-described embodiments disclose the following inventions of items.
The invention of Item 1 below is disclosed as an invention for providing a technique for mainly improving the flow-in speed of a liquid from a replenishing bottle to a liquid container.
The invention of Item 2 below is disclosed as an invention for providing a technique for mainly suppressing liquid leakage from an air communicating port when a printing apparatus is installed in a posture different from use time or due to the influence of an external atmospheric pressure/temperature change.
Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
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 Applications No. 2022-093094, filed Jun. 8, 2022, and No. 2022-169397, filed Oct. 21, 2022, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-093094 | Jun 2022 | JP | national |
| 2022-169397 | Oct 2022 | JP | national |
