Technical field
[0001]
　The present invention relates to an ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied into the recording apparatus, the ink supply system and such ink supply system including such an ink supply container about the adapter for the ink supply to be used in.
BACKGROUND
[0002]
　Conventionally, in a recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink onto the medium, the ink tank storing the ink therein is connected in a state capable of supplying ink. When the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank in such a recording apparatus becomes little, the ink is replenished with ink supply container from the outside to such an ink tank (for example, Patent Document 1) .
CITATION
Patent Document
[0003]
Patent Document 1: JP 2001-146021 JP
Summary of the Invention
Problems that the Invention is to Solve
[0004]
　Incidentally, supplying work of the ink to the ink tank, where it is necessary to perform properly while suppressing the supply failure of the ink, such supplying work was done by the user of the recording apparatus from the prior art. Therefore, in order to supply work such ink is suitably performed by the user, for example, further improvement in the ink supply container or the like has been demanded.
[0005]
　The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its object is the ink supply container can be properly replenish ink to the ink tank, the ink supply system and such inks comprising such an ink supply container to provide an adapter for the ink supply to be used in the replenishment system.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006]
　Hereinafter referred to as the means and effects in order to solve the above problems.
　Ink supply container for solving the above-mentioned problems, an ink supply container for supplying ink to the ink inside the ink tank capable of storing, the container body having an ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank If the provided at the end of the container body, an ink outlet forming portion in which the ink outlet to enable outflow of the ink from the ink chamber is formed, provided on the ink outlet forming portion, the ink and the valve for openably sealing the outlet, wherein the ink outlet forming portion, outside of the ink outlet forming portion, and, the container main body side than the valve in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet includes a positioning unit to a position, the positioning unit may be positioned relative to the ink tank the valve portion of the ink tank side and in contact when the valve is opened .
[0007]
　According to this configuration, when ink supply to the ink tank from the ink supply container, the valve is to be opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the ink tank, a possibility occurring when the valve is displaced when being opened can suppress troubles such as ink leakage and ink supply failure, can be replenished properly ink the ink tank.
[0008]
　Further, in the ink supply container, the valve, the ink outlet one or more slits in the elastic member for sealing is provided, is opened by the slit is spread from the outside to the inside of the ink outlet it is preferable that a configuration that.
[0009]
　According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an ink supply container having a simple structure with a small number of parts.
　Further, in the ink supply container, the positioning portion, when viewed the ink outlet in the direction of its central axis, it is preferably provided so as to be positioned radially outward of the ink outlet.
[0010]
　According to this configuration, when ink supply to the ink tank from the ink supply container, an ink supply container comes into contact in a state positioned radially outward of the ink outlet for some positioning portion of the ink tank side Therefore, it is possible to perform the ink supply in a stable posture.
[0011]
　Further, in the ink supply container, wherein the positioning part is preferably formed by a separate member from said ink outlet forming portion.
　According to this configuration, it is possible to those ink tanks, to optimize the positioning unit in accordance with the design aspects of the ink supply container.
[0012]
　On the other hand, the ink supply system that solves the above problems, an ink storage chamber capable of storing ink, and a needle extending a flow communicating passage between the inside and the outside of the ink storage chamber, in the direction of extension of the needle and a receiving surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle extends in a position outside from a tip of the needle, the ink tank to which the receiving surface constitutes the portion of the ink tank side, of the arrangement comprising an ink supply container, wherein the ink supply container, when the needle is to open the valve by inserting a tip into the ink in the outlet, wherein the positioning unit comes into contact with the receiving surface.
[0013]
　According to this configuration, when by inserting a needle of the ink tank to the ink outlet of the ink supply container to open the valve, the positioning portion of the ink supply container to the receiving surface of the ink tank relative to the contact with the valve needle since determining the positional relationship, it is possible to appropriately opening the valve by hand, it is possible to suppress the generation of the ink supply failure.
[0014]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink tank, the region where the outer side of the needle in the radial direction around the needle has a recess which opens in the direction in which said needle extends, said ink supply container, in a region to be the outside of the ink outlet in radial direction around the ink outlet, the needle preferably has the recess and can be fitted protrusion when inserting the tip into the ink within the outlet.
[0015]
　According to this configuration, since the convex portion of the ink supply container in the recess of the ink tank is not needle inserted into the ink outlet while no fitting, it is possible to suppress the incompatible connection between the ink tank and the ink supply container.
[0016]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink supply container, outside of the ink outlet forming portion, and the positioning in the position at which the container main body side of the convex portion in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet preferably comprises a part.
[0017]
　According to this configuration, after suppressing incompatible connection between the ink tank and the ink supply container, the needle insertion state of the ink tank to the ink outlet of the ink supply container can be secured in a suitable positioned state.
[0018]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink tank, it is preferable that the tip of the needle is located in the ink storage chamber side of the receiving surface.
　According to this configuration, the needle of the ink tank, because it does not protrude outward from the receiving surface the tip, even when the ink at the tip of the needle is attached, Ya user's hand that the ink and ink supplying work It can be reduced risk of adhering to the ink supply container.
[0019]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink tank, the flow path of said needle comprises two flow paths distal opening of the respective flow paths are arranged side by side in a radial direction around the needle, when the one flow path to function as an ink flow path for circulating the ink is preferably other flow path functions as an air passage for circulating the air.
[0020]
　According to this arrangement, when connecting the ink supply container from an inclined state along the radial direction two channels from a direction of extension of the needle arranged on the ink tank, the ink supply reservoir of the two flow paths ink exit one flow path on the side close to the above functions as an ink flow path, the other flow paths serves as an air passage. Therefore, the user, since any of the flow path of the two flow paths may be an ink flow path, no case that the pick wondering flow path to the ink flow path, be carried out rapidly ink supplying work it can.
[0021]
　Further, another ink supply system that solves the above problems, an ink storage chamber capable of storing ink, and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, radial direction around the ink inlet in enabling an ink tank having a recess formed in a region to be the outside of the ink inlet, an ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber It provided with an ink outlet for an outer become the recessed region matable-formed projections of the ink outlet in radial direction around the ink outlet, an ink supply container having the said the ink tank is provided with a first uneven portion at a position which is a bottom surface side of the opening edge of the recess in the inner surface of said recess, said ink supply container, engages with said first concave-convex portion of the ink tank The second concave-convex portion capable provided on the convex portion.
[0022]
　According to this configuration, fitting the convex portion of the ink supply container in the recess of the ink tank by engaging the second concave-convex portion of the outer surface of the convex portion to the first concave-convex portion of the inner surface of the recess, ink that the ink supply container and adapted to the tank is connected the user can recognize. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the incompatible connection between the ink tank and the ink supply container, since it is first roughened portion in a position to be the bottom side of the opening edge of the recess in the inner surface of the recess of the ink tank, the ink supply container, liable to be induced on the bottom side from the opening side of the concave portion of the convex portion of the ink tank, it is possible to perform the insertion operation easily.
[0023]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink tank, the depth direction of the concave portion is a direction of the central axis of the ink inlet, the first uneven portion along the depth direction of the recess on the inner surface of the recess provided to extend Te, the ink supply container, the protrusion is fitted in the recess, when the second concave-convex portion is engaged with the first uneven portion, wherein the ink outlet is the ink inlet it is preferably connected to.
[0024]
　According to this configuration, the concave portion of the second concave-convex portion of the outer surface of the convex portion in the ink supply container to the first concave-convex part provided so as to extend along the depth direction of the recess in the inner surface of the recess of the ink tank by and engaged with the fitting convex portion to be easily recognize the connection direction of the ink outlet of the ink supply reservoir to the ink inlet of the ink tank.
[0025]
　In the above ink supply systems, the depth direction of the recess in the ink tank is preferably a direction from up to down and intersects the horizontal direction in a state in which the ink inlet to be connected to the ink outlet .
[0026]
　According to this configuration, in the state of being connected to the ink outlet of the ink supply reservoir to the ink inlet of the ink tank, it is possible to suppress that the ink is returned from the ink outlet of the ink supply reservoir to the ink chamber, the ink tank from the ink supply container the supplying operation of the ink to be able to properly carry out.
[0027]
　Further, yet another ink supply system for solving the above-centered and the ink storage chamber capable of storing ink, and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, the ink inlet radiation a plurality of first fitting portion formed so as to be point symmetrical about the ink inlet in a region where the outer side of the ink inlet in a direction, and an ink tank equipped with an ink to be supplied to said ink tank and capable of accommodating ink chamber, an ink outlet that allows the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber, wherein the first fitting on the outside and a region of the ink outlet in radial direction around the ink outlet and includes a second fitting part that are fittable formed parts, and the ink supply container provided with a, a.
[0028]
　According to this configuration, the ink supply container, even if the have the second fitting portion is fitted to the ink inlet on one of the plurality of first mating formed in point symmetry about the ink container, that since the ink outlet of the ink supply container can be connected to the ink inlet of the ink tank, at the time of ink supply can be performed easily connection work for the ink tank of the ink supply container.
[0029]
　Further, yet another ink supply system for solving the above-centered and the ink storage chamber capable of storing ink, and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, the ink inlet radiation a first fitting portion formed in a region to be the outside of the ink inlet in a direction, and an ink tank and an ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, from the ink chamber an ink outlet to enable outflow of the ink, the second fitting portion formed to be fitted with a region to be the outside of the ink outlet of the first fitting portion in the radial direction around the ink outlet If, and an ink supply container wherein the ink tank has a first portion indicating information relating to the ink stored in said ink reservoir chamber, said ink supply container, the ink accommodating chamber housing A second portion indicating the information relating to the ink that, said second portion and said first portion, fitting the second fitting portion of the ink supply container to the first fitting portion of said ink tank It is provided in viewable a position from the outside when engaged.
[0030]
　According to this configuration, the ink supply container when connected to the ink tank to replenish the ink, whether ink supply is adapted easily by viewing a first portion and a second portion It can be confirmed.
[0031]
　Further, yet another ink supply system for solving the above-centered and the ink storage chamber capable of storing ink, and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, the ink inlet radiation a recess formed in a region to be the outside of the ink inlet in a direction, and an ink tank and an ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber an ink outlet to enable, and a convex portion that is the recess fittable formed in a region where the outer side of the ink outlet in radial direction around the ink outlet, an ink supply container having a a wherein the ink supply container, wherein the convex portion projects in the opposite direction to the ink accommodating chamber than said ink outlet in a direction of the central axis of the ink outlet.
[0032]
　According to this configuration, at the time of ink supply, since the ink supply container is protruding toward the convex portion than the ink outlet, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink outlet peripheral portion of the user's hand or the ink tank touch, ink the occurrence of contamination due to adhesion can be suppressed.
[0033]
　Conversely, the ink chamber in the direction of the central axis than the convex portion of the ink outlet is also possible to project in opposite directions. In that case, it is easy to visually recognize the ink outlet when the ink supply.
[0034]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink supply container, said convex portion projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the It is preferred.
[0035]
　According to this configuration, the user is liable to recognize the protrusion when viewed ink supply container, easily fitted against the concave portion of the ink tank projections of the ink supply container when the ink supply.
As a result, it is possible to reduce erroneous connection of the ink supply container to the ink tank.
[0036]
　In the above ink supply systems, the ink supply container, wherein the convex portion wherein the ink accommodating chamber in the radial direction around the ink outlet is formed inside the outer peripheral surface of the container body which is provided it is preferable.
[0037]
　According to this arrangement, when connecting the ink outlet of the ink supply reservoir to the ink inlet of the ink tank, the convex portion of the ink supply container can be made difficult in the way.
　Furthermore, ink supply adapter for solving the aforementioned problems is a adapter for ink supply which connects between the ink supply container and said ink tank when replenishing ink to the ink tank from the ink supply container, an ink and they can engage in a state in which the batch tank engagement part for a plurality of ink tank having an ink storage chamber capable of storing, into said ink reservoir chamber of the ink that flows out from the ink outlet of the ink supply container a plurality of ink inlets provided in each of the ink tank so as to allow the inflow, provided for each of the plurality of the ink inlet, can identify the ink supply container having the ink outlet connectable to the ink inlet and a plurality of identifying portions to.
[0038]
　According to this configuration, the ink tank on which a generic common structures, if they by a plurality of ink tanks in bulk state engage the tank engaging portion of the replenishment adapter, ink refill when the ink supply container erroneous installation capable of suppressing structure can be easily realized in the.
[0039]
　Further, another ink refill adapter to solve the above problems, in the state of supplying the ink to the ink tank from the ink supply container, an adapter for the ink supply to be mounted on the ink tank, the ink the ink an ink inlet channel portion provided on the ink tank so as to allow flow into the ink storage chamber provided in the tank can be inserted, an inlet forming portion surrounding at least part of the periphery of the ink inlet channel portion is engageable with resulting tank side positioning portion provided in the ink tank, and the adapter-side positioning portion relative to the ink tank to position the adapter the ink supply, ink can be connected to the ink inlet channel portion an identification unit which allows identifying the ink supply container having an outlet, comprising a.
[0040]
　According to this arrangement, since the adapter for the ink refill is positioned with respect to the ink tank, the displacement between the inlet forming portion provided in the ink inlet channel section and the ink refill adapter provided in the ink tank is suppressed It is. Thus, through the adapter for the ink supply, it can be appropriately replenished ink to the ink tank from the ink supply container.
[0041]
　Also, in the adapter for the ink supply, a plurality of the inlet forming portion and the identification portion corresponding to a plurality of the inlet forming portion, and a plurality of said adapter side positioning portion, that but formed integrally preferred .
[0042]
　According to this configuration, since the inlet forming portion and the identification portion and the adapter side positioning portion are formed integrally, can be easily manufactured the adapter for ink replenishment as compared with the case of forming these separately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043]
[1] a perspective view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of a recording apparatus in perspective state.
[2] a perspective view showing an ink supply unit provided in the housing of the recording apparatus.
[Figure 3] Similarly plan view of the ink supply unit.
[Figure 4] a partially cutaway side view of a 4-4 taken along line in FIG.
[5] a partially cutaway side view of a 5-5 taken along line in FIG.
[6] a perspective view of an ink supply container in which a cap is removed.
[7] a side view of the ink supply container.
[8] a front view of the ink supply container.
[9] a plan view of the ink supply container.
[10] 10-10 sectional view along line in FIG.
[11] 11-11 sectional view along line in FIG.
[12] partially cutaway front view showing a state of the ink supplying operation immediately before with respect to the ink tank.
[13] partially broken side view showing a state of the ink supplying operation immediately before with respect to the ink tank.
[14] partially cutaway front view showing a state in the ink supplying operation for the ink tank.
[15] partially broken side view showing a state in the ink supplying operation for the ink tank.
[16] partially cutaway front view showing a state where the positioning portion of the ink supply container is in contact with the receiving surface of the ink tank side at the time of ink supply.
[17] partially broken side view showing a state where the positioning portion of the ink supply container is in contact with the receiving surface of the ink tank side at the time of ink supply.
[18] a perspective view of a composite machine having a recording device of the second embodiment.
[19] a perspective view of the MFP illustrating a state of supplying ink to the ink tank.
[20] a perspective view showing a state in which remove the housing of the ink supply unit.
[21] a partial perspective view of the ink tank.
[22] a partial plan view of the ink tank.
[23] a partial perspective view of the ink supply unit.
[24] a partial plan view of the ink supply unit.
[25] a perspective view from the lower surface side of the adapter for ink replenishment.
[26] a bottom view of the adapter for ink replenishment.
[Figure 27] F27-F27 sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 23.
[Figure 28] F28-F28 sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 23.
[29] a side view of the ink supply container modification.
[30] a front view of the ink supply container modification.
[31] a perspective view of an ink supply container other variations.
[32] a perspective view of the ink supply unit of the modification.
[33] a perspective view of the adapter for the ink supply variations.
[34] a partial perspective view of the ink supply container modification.
[Figure 35] ink outlet and a plan view of the second concave-convex portion of the modification.
[Figure 36] partial sectional view of the ink supply container and the cap of the modification.
[Figure 37] schematic cross-sectional view of the ink outlet and the sealing portion of the modification.
[38] a cross-sectional view showing an ink outlet forming portion.
[39] The ink outlet forming section, cross-sectional view showing the valve and the holder.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044]
　(First Embodiment)
　Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The recording apparatus of this embodiment, by ejecting ink to a medium, a printer of an ink jet type which records images such as (printing) on a medium.
[0045]
　As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 21 has a housing 22 of rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length is oriented crosswise. Incidentally, FIG. 1 illustrates in a simplified manner in a transparent state the housing 22 in the recording device 21. At the bottom of the rearward in the housing 22, support 23 to the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction is provided with its upper surface substantially as to extend along the horizontal direction. Paper P, which is an example of the medium, while being supported on the upper surface of the support 23, is conveyed toward the front as a conveying direction. Also, the upper position of the support 23 in the housing 22, the guide shaft 24 extending along the lateral direction is bridged, the carriage 26 having a recording head 25 for ejecting ink on the lower surface side to its guide shaft 24 There has been support. That is, the carriage 26, with the guide shaft 24 into the supporting hole 27 penetrating in the lateral direction is inserted, and is supported to freely reciprocate in the lateral direction with respect to the guide shaft 24.
[0046]
　At a position corresponding to the vicinity of both ends of the guide shaft 24 in the housing 22, a drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29 are rotatably supported respectively. Together with the output shaft of the carriage motor 30 is coupled to the drive pulley 28, and a portion is wound around the timing belt 31 of endless coupled to the carriage 26 between the drive pulley 28 and the driven pulley 29 . The conveyance, when the reciprocating along the lateral direction as the scanning direction carriage 26 by driving the carriage motor 30 with respect to the paper P while being guided by the guide shaft 24 via the timing belt 31, the upper support 23 to the front ink is ejected to the sheet P from the recording head 25 on the lower surface side of the carriage 26 to the paper P being.
[0047]
　Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front side and a position of the support 23 at the front side of the housing 22, the upper support 23 from the recording head 25 when the paper P is conveyed in the housing 22 rectangular outlet 32 ​​for discharging the paper P perform recording by ejecting the ink on the front side is open. The discharge port 32, the discharge tray 33 of supportable rectangular plate a sheet P discharged from within the housing 22 is provided infested freely forward a discharge direction. Also within the outlet 32, a plurality of which can accommodate paper feed cassette 34 to the paper P in a stacked state to be used for recording on the lower side of the discharge tray 33 is mounted removably inserted in the front-rear direction.
[0048]
　Further, as shown in FIG. 1, (in FIG. 1, the right end side) lateral direction end portion side than the discharge opening 32 a front of the housing 22 to a position, the front and upper surface a rectangular shape door 35 the right side forms a right triangle is provided to be freely opened and closed in the longitudinal direction a rotation axis 36 extending along the left-right direction provided on the lower end as the center of rotation. The front surface of the door 35, a window portion 37 formed of a rectangular transparent member is formed, the user inside the housing 22 with closed door 35 (in particular, the back side of the front surface of the door 35 ) so that the can be visually recognized.
[0049]
　In the housing 22 of the recording apparatus 21, the back and a position of the door 35, that is, and the end closer (in this case, right end portions closer) and a position in front toward the supply ink to the recording head 25 the ink supply unit 40 that is housed. The ink supply unit 40, a plurality are integrally handleable and structs contains ink tanks 41-45 of (five in this embodiment), as described later, the respective ink tanks 41-45 ink is capable replenished.
[0050]
　As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink supply unit 40 includes five ink tanks 41-45 long substantially box-shaped in the longitudinal direction, the five ink supply drawn from the rear side of the ink tanks 41-45 the tube 46 is configured to include the ink refill adapter 47 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape to be assembled with their ink tanks 41-45 while the batch. The ink supply adapter 47, in a state in which all of the ink tanks 41-45 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction in the lateral direction, the upper half portions of all of the ink tanks 41-45 cutout formed stepped portion by assembled to 48, it is integrated with an ink tank 41-45. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply tube 46 led out from the ink tanks 41-45 are connected to an ink flow path formed in the carriage 26 (not shown), through the ink flow channel recording It is connected to the head 25. The ink refill adapter 47 may constitute a part of the housing 22 for covering the ink tanks 41-45, the ink tanks 41-45 and may be integrally formed.
[0051]
　As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ink tanks 41-45 has an ink reservoir chamber 49 capable of storing ink IK therein. In this embodiment, black ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 located at the right end in the side-by-side direction. The color other than black ink storage chamber 49 of the other ink tanks 42-45 arranged on the left side of the right end of the ink tank 41 side by side direction (cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.) ink is stored. Further, the wall portion before the ink tanks 41-45 is visible through the front of the window portion 37 of the housing 22, a transparent resin that allows viewing the liquid level of the ink IK in the ink storage chamber 49 visible part 50 is provided which is formed. Then, its visible part 50, shows the upper limit of the indication of the liquid surface of the ink IK is stored in the ink storage chamber 49 (eg injectable ink amount indication without overflowing the ink from the ink inlet 53) the upper limit marks 51 and lower guide (e.g., a guide prompting the replenishment of the ink) lower mark 52 indicating the are marked.
[0052]
　As shown in FIG. 4, the ink inlet 53 in the upper horizontal portion of the step portion 48 that allows the inflow of the ink into the ink chamber 49 from outside in the ink tanks 41-45 are provided. The ink inlet 53 is configured to include a needle 56 extending vertically upward with a passage 55 for communicating the inside and the outside of the ink storage chamber 49. The flow path 54, 55 of the needle 56 is composed of two flow paths 54, 55 which are arranged in the radial direction, each of the tip opening is centered on the needle 56, one of the two flow paths 54, 55 the flow path 54 of (right side in FIG. 4), the other than the flow passage 55 of (in FIG. 4 left), the distal opening of the height and low cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is larger. Note that the rearward lower portion of the ink storage chamber 49, the remaining amount sensor 57 for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in the ink storage chamber 49 is provided. Incidentally, the remaining amount sensor 57 may not be provided.
[0053]
　As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ink supply adapter 47, the upper surface 58 is a horizontal plane along a direction direction perpendicular (crossing) of extension of the needle 56, the vertical to the bottom surface 59 on its upper surface 58 through holes 60 penetrating in the direction is formed as an ink inlet forming portion. The through hole 60 has an ink inlet 53 of the circular hole-shaped needle 56 is placed in the center, a pair of rectangular holes before and after continuing around the ink inlet 53, the lower side of the opening the ink tanks 41-45 thereof the needle 56 upwards is closed by a horizontal portion of the step portion 48 projecting from the.
[0054]
　Therefore, in the through-hole 60, in a region where the outer side of the ink inlet 53 in the radial direction around the ink inlet 53, a pair of rectangular holes before and after blocked the opening of the lower, the extending direction of the needle 56 pair of recesses 61 before and after opening the upper is is depression formed as a depth direction vertically downward so as to be point symmetrical about the ink inlet 53. That is, in the ink supply adapter 47 integral with the ink tank 41-45 in a region to be the outside of the ink inlet 53 includes a needle 56, a plurality (in this case forming a point symmetry about the ink inlet 53 in the front and rear so that the recess 61 of the two) in a pair is formed. Incidentally, in this case, the tip of the needle 56 which is arranged in the center of the ink inlets 53 of the circular hole shape, the upper surface of the ink supply adapter 47 serving as the opening edge of the through hole 60 that contains the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61 than 58, it is located in the ink storage chamber 49 side. That is, the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 extends in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the needle 56 and the direction from the tip of the needle 56 needle 56 extends outside the position. Meanwhile, the lower surface 59 of the ink supply adapter 47 functions as a tank engagement part engaged from above by them collectively for a plurality of ink tanks 41-45 which is side by side in the lateral direction.
[0055]
　Further, of the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47, the peripheral portion of the upper opening edge of each through hole 60 is colored to a specific color. That is colored inks of the same color of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 49 of the ink tank 41-45 that flows through the ink inlet 53 of the through hole 60. In this regard, the peripheral portion of the upper opening edge of each through-hole 60 in the ink refill adapter 47, the ink tanks 41-45 which ink inlet 53 and ink storage chamber 49 of the through hole 60 communicates is stored inside the information relating to the ink is functioning as a first part shown to the outside. Incidentally, the peripheral portion of the upper opening of the through hole 60 to the ink inlet 53 communicating with the ink storage chamber 49 of the ink tank 41 for storing the black ink is disposed is colored black.
[0056]
　Further, in the inner surface of the recess 61 (the inner surface in particular along the vertical direction), the bottom side of the upper opening edge of the recess 61 (i.e., the horizontal portion side of the step portion 48) in a position, the horizontal first uneven portion exhibiting characteristic irregularities in the direction (first key structure portion) 62, (in other words, the direction of the central axis of the ink inlet 53) the depth direction of the recess 61 is provided so as to extend along the ing. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first concave-convex portion 62, a plurality provided for each ink inlet 53 (in this embodiment, five) is the ink tanks 41-45. Therefore, the ink supply adapter 47, the rectangular recess 61 in the through holes 60 formed on each corresponding position in the vertical direction and each of the ink tanks 41-45, another through hole for each through hole 60 60 It is first uneven portion 62 with different form the first uneven portion 62 provided on the inner surface of the recess 61 of the. That is, the first concave-convex portion 62 of the ink supply container 63 having an ink outlet 65 which is connected to the ink inlet 53 in the through-hole 60 of the first concavo-convex portion 62 that is formed (see FIG. 6, etc.) (FIG. see 6, etc.) and functions as an identification unit to be identified. The "position where the bottom side of the upper opening edge of the recess portion 61" means that may be a position retracted to the bottom side even slightly than the opening edge.
[0057]
　Therefore, next, it constitutes an ink supply system with the ink tanks 41-45, described ink supply container 63 for supplying the ink to the ink tanks 41-45 the residual amount of ink has become low.
[0058]
　As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the ink supply container 63 includes a cylindrical container body 64 made its mainly provided at the distal end portion of the container body 64, the outflow of ink from the ink supply vessel 63 the ink outlet 65 to allow it comprises an ink outlet forming portion 66 which are opened in the tip, and a container attachment unit 67 which is added to surround the ink outlet 65 to the ink outlet forming portion 66.
The ink outlet 65 of the ink outlet forming portion 66, that is covered by the container attachment unit 67 a bottomed cylindrical cap 68 including the surrounding, during storage of the ink supply container 63, it is concealed from the outside. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion forming a cylindrical container attachment unit 67 while externally threaded portion 69 is formed, on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 68 are internally threaded portion (not shown) is formed, the container attachment unit 67 by screwing the internal thread portion of the cap 68 to the male screw portion 69, the cap 68 is attached so as to cover the ink outlet 65 to the distal end portion of the ink supply container 63.
[0059]
　Incidentally, the container attachment unit 67, the entire outer surface thereof is colored to a specific color. That is colored the same color of ink the container attachment unit 67 is accommodated in the container main body 64 to be added. In this regard, the container attachment unit 67 in the ink supply container 63 functions as a second portion indicating the information relating to ink the ink supply container 63 is housed inside the outside. Incidentally, the outer surface of the container attachment unit 67 in the ink supply container 63 for accommodating the black ink is colored black. Further, on the outer circumferential surface of each of the proximal end portion of the container body 64 and the cap 68, the projection 70 of the plurality at equal angular intervals (90 degree intervals, for example) (four in this embodiment) is formed. Incidentally, the projections 70 and is formed in order to rolling prevention of the ink supply container 63 having a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, for example, the ink supply container the container body 64 of the 63 housing the black ink may be thicker than the container body 64 of the ink supply container 63 for containing ink of other colors. In that case, the ink outlet forming portion 66 is black ink and other color inks for a common thickness of may be shaped.
[0060]
　Further, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the upper portion than the cylindrical lower end male screw portion 69 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container attachment unit 67, the ink in the radial direction around the ink outlet 65 in a region to be the outside of the outlet 65, protrusion 71 that projects upward on the opposite direction to the container body 64 than the ink outlet 65 in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 is formed. The convex portion 71 is operated to insert the tip of the ink inlet 53 side of the needle 56 into the ink outlet 65 in, fittable second recesses 61 of the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 as a first fitting portion functions as a fitting part, is provided an ink outlet 65 in the same manner as a pair of recesses 61 which sandwich the ink inlet 53 from the front and back in pairs across the front and rear. Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the convex portion 71 is formed inside the outer peripheral surface of the container body 64 in the radial direction around the ink outlet 65 in the ink supply container 63.
[0061]
　As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the outer surface (left and right side surfaces 6 and 9) of each convex section 71, first uneven portion formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 of the ink supply adapter 47 (the 1 key structure portion) 62 and engageable with the second concave-convex portion (second key structure portion) 72 is formed. The second concave-convex portion 72 (in other words, the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65) protruding direction of the convex portion 71 is provided so as to extend along the the convex portion 71 with fitted in the recess 61, when engaging the second concave-convex portion 72 to the first concave-convex portion 62, to connect the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 into the ink inlet 53 of the ink tanks 41-45 side.
[0062]
　Between the convex portion 71 male thread portion 69 and a cylindrical lower portion formed second concave-convex portion 72 is formed of the container attachment unit 67, perpendicular to the center axis of the ink outlet 65 (intersection) the positioning portion 73 of planar shape is provided so as to be positioned radially outward of the ink outlet 65 when viewed ink outlet 65 in the direction of its central axis. That is, the positioning unit 73 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the container attachment unit 67 is a part of the outer surface of the ink supply container 63, the container main body from the tip of the convex portion 71 in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 parts are provided on the 64 side a position. Then, the positioning unit 73, since it is provided on the container attachment unit 67 to be added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 in the ink supply container 63, the ink outlet forming portion 66 is a configuration of another member, and the ink It said to be a configuration provided on the outside of the outlet forming portion 66.
[0063]
　Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the ink outlet 65 formed in the ink outlet forming portion 66, is provided a valve 74 made of an elastic member, for example, a silicon film or the like to seal openably the ink outlet 65 ing. Incidentally, the valve 74 is in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65, and are (for example, see FIG. 14) which is provided at a position where the container body portion 64 side toward the positioning portion 73. Then, this valve 74, the slits 75 are provided a plurality (three in this embodiment) intersecting at equal angular intervals (120 degree intervals, for example) the center as the intersection, their slits 75 ink outlet and it is configured to open by the outer 65 is spread inward. That is, the valve 74 is a normally closed valve, when the tip of the ink inlet 53 side of the needle 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65 in to open the valve pressed and expanded inside the tip of the needle 56.
[0064]
　Then, this time, the contact with the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 radial positioning portion 73 outside the through hole 60 including the ink inlet 53 and the recess 61 is formed in the ink outlet 65 equivalents, ink outlet 65 the valve 74 is positioned relative to the ink tanks 41-45 in the central axis direction of the. In this regard, the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47, the positioning of the ink supply container 63 when the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 for ink supply to the ink tanks 41-45 is opened part 73 is a part of the abutting ink tanks 41-45 side, functions as a receiving surface for receiving the positioning portion 73 of planar shape.
[0065]
　Incidentally, the valve 74 may be formed as shown in FIG. 38 and 39. The ink outlet forming portion 66, as shown in FIG. 38, a valve 74, and the holder 102 is provided. The valve 74 is sealed openably seal the ink outlet 65. In the ink outlet forming portion 66, the valve 74 is provided on the outlet flow path 93, it is sealed openably seal the ink outlet 65 from the outlet flow channel 93. The valve 74 is composed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, external force seals the ink outlet 65 in a state that does not act. Connecting pipe of the ink tanks 41-45 (needle) 56 is inserted into the ink outlet 65, further connecting pipe 56 by opening the valve 74 when the pressing force acting on the valve 74. The connection pipe from the ink outlet 65 (needle) 56 is an external force acting is canceled by the unplugged valve 74 when the valve 74 is closed.
[0066]
　The valve 74 and the holder 102, as shown in FIG. 39, and is configured to be separable from the ink outlet forming portion 66. That is, the ink outlet forming portion 66, the valve 74 and holder 102 are formed separately from each other. The valve 74 is inserted into outlet flow path 93 from the coupling portion 91 side of the ink outlet forming portion 66. Holder 102 is a member for restricting the detachment of the valve 74, as shown in FIG. 38, provided on the coupling portion 91 side of the valve 74. Holder 102 is inserted in the outlet flow path 93 from the coupling portion 91 side of the ink outlet forming portion 66. The valve 74 is held between the flange portion 103 of the holder 102 and the ink outlet forming portion 66. Accordingly, the ink outlet forming portion 66, the valve 74 and the holder 102 are assembled together. Incidentally, the flange portion 103 is a wall extending from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 92 in the inner diameter direction of the cylindrical portion 92. Opposite side of the coupling portion 91 side of the flange portion 103 corresponds to the end face 94.
[0067]
　10 and FIG. 11, the container body 64 in the ink supply container 63 is a member having a bottle shape having an ink storage chamber 76 capable of accommodating ink IK therein, neck of the upper part the outer peripheral surface of the 77 male thread portion 78 is formed. On the other hand, the ink outlet forming portion 66 provided at the upper end of the container body 64 includes a large diameter portion 79 located on the outer peripheral side of the neck 77 of the container body portion 64, the ink in the position farthest from the container body portion 64 a small-diameter portion 80 forming the outlet 65, and an intermediate portion 81 connecting between the large-diameter portion 79 and small diameter portion 80.
Then, the internal thread portion 82 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 79, by screwing the male screw portion 78 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck 77 of the container body portion 64, the ink outlet forming portion 66 It is attached to the upper end of the container body 64.
[0068]
　The container attachment unit 67 which is added to surround the ink outlet 65 to the ink outlet forming portion 66 in the ink supply container 63, a cylindrical lower end male screw portion 69 formed on its outer peripheral surface, the lower end surface the constitutes a joint portion 83 joined to the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 79 of the ink outlet forming portion 66. The joint portion 83 among the surface facing area in the front-rear direction of the circumferential surface of the ink outlet forming portion 66 of the front of the middle portion 81 of the outer surface and the rear outer surface and the surface contact with it of the ink outlet forming portion 66 that It is joined to the large-diameter portion 79.
[0069]
　Therefore, next, the operation of the configuration ink supply system as described above, will be described in the following in view of the effect of the time of replenishing the ink in the ink tanks 41-45 of the ink supply unit 40 by using the ink supply container 63 .
[0070]
　Incidentally, as a premise, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level is visible part 50 of the ink in the ink tank 41 of the black ink located rightmost among the plurality of ink tanks 41-45 which are disposed side by side for a decrease to the height of the lower-limit mark 52 marked on the bottom, in the following, it shall be described a case where the ink supplied to the ink tank 41. Further, the ink supply container 63 used in the ink supply shall black ink is sufficiently contained, from the ink supply container 63, it is assumed that the advance cap 68 is removed. Further, the first concave-convex shape of the second concave-convex portion 72 formed on the outer surface of convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 is formed on the inner surface of the recess 61 located around the ink inlet 53 of the ink tank 41 consistent with the shape of the part 62, it is assumed that possible with engaging the insertion of the protrusion 71 with respect to the recess 61.
[0071]
　Now, when performing the ink supply to the ink tank 41, first the user, the door 35 of the housing 22 is rotated forward around the rotation axis 36 from the closed state shown in FIG. 1 to an open state. Then, the ink supply unit 40, the upper surface 58 of the ink tank 41 to the ink supply adapter 47 in which the ink inlets 53 are formed of 45 is exposed to the outside of the housing 22, the user, to the desired ink inlet 53 it is possible to connect the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 from above.
[0072]
　Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user, the ink supply container 63 accommodating the black ink used in the ink supply in the upside down, the rightmost holes ink outlet 65 in the ink refill adapter 47 It held so as to be positioned above the 60. In other words, to align the central axis of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 and the central axis of the ink inlets 53 of the ink tank 41 of the ink supply target. In this case, the user has a color that is colored on the container attachment unit 67 of the ink supply container 63 held in the hand (second portion), the ink inlet 53 of ink tank 41 is an ink supply subject at that time colored on the upper side of the opening edge around the provided through holes 60 compare the in which the color (first part). Then, (in this case, black each other) each color are the same if, confirms that holds the ink supply container 63 adapted to this ink supply in hand, the process proceeds to subsequent work in ink supply.
[0073]
　Then, lowering the ink supply container 63 from the state shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, to insert the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 into the recess 61 of the ink tank 41 and the integral ink refill adapter 47. Then, the realization of the insertion state of the convex portion 71 with respect to the recess 61, coincident state of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 with respect to the center axis of the ink inlet 53 is ensured. Incidentally, the recess 61 in this case because of the positional state of point symmetry with respect to the needle 56 which is the center of the ink inlet 53, the convex portion 71 is set to be insertable to any of the recesses 61. Therefore, the ink supply container 63 is not necessary to ascertain the matched positional relationship between the center axis line in the center is rotated several times a recess 61 and a protrusion 71 of the ink outlet 65, the user, the convex portion 71 with respect to the concave portion 61 the insertion work can be easily done.
[0074]
　However, at this time, only the convex portion 71 is slightly inserted into the recess 61, the tip of the needle 56 in the center of the ink inlets 53, the opening of the ink outlet 65 which is slightly protruded from the distal end of the convex portion 71 although is inserted within, not reached until the valve 74 located in the inner back of the ink outlet 65. This is because, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the protrusion 71 than the distance L1 between the upper end of the first concave-convex portion 62 of the upper surface 58 and the recess 61 of the ink supply adapter 47 to position the opening edge of the recess 61 towards the distance L2 between the valve 74 of the ink outlet 65 and is because long. Accordingly, engaging convex portion 71 from that state when the further inserted downward a depth direction of the recess 61, the first concave-convex portion 62 of the inner surface of the second concave-convex portion 72 is recess 61 of the outer surface of the convex portion 71 to focus. Then, to its while maintaining the engagement, further when the protrusion 71 is inserted toward the bottom side in the depth direction of the recess 61, the position of the valve 74 of the tip of the needle 56 is ink outlet 65 of the ink inlets 53 lead, thereby opening the valve 74.
[0075]
　That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, to the distal end of the needle 56 the valve 74, the upper slit 75 from below (i.e., from the outside to the inside of the ink outlet 65) by pushing, the valve 74 to an open state. As a result, it is connected with the needle 56 of the ink inlets 53 of the ink outlet 65 and ink tank 41 of the ink supply container 63, supplied from the ink supply vessel 63 of the black ink into the ink tank 41 is performed. At this time, the needle 56 of the ink inlets 53 of the two lies flow paths 54 and 55, one of the channel previously tip opening is touched against the ink drained from the ink outlet 65 by opening the valve 74 serves as an ink flow path for circulating the ink, the other flow paths serves as an air passage for circulating the air. For example, if a user tries to connect the ink outlet 65 to ink inlet 53 in a state of tilting the ink supply container 63, the direction of the difference tilting thereof, serving as an ink flow path of the two flow paths 54, 55 the flow path is also subject to change.
[0076]
　In the case where the after inserting the convex portion 71 in the recess 61 and the second concave-convex portion 72 is not engaged with the first uneven portion 62, at which point, the user of the ink supply container 63 of other colors than black trying to insert the wrong area can be recognized. In this case, if if the upper end of the first concave-convex part 62 with the configuration are located at the same height as the opening edge of the recess 61, the engagement of the second concave-convex portion 72 is rejected to the first concave-convex portion 62 that not only that, to be rejected also the insertion of the convex portion 71 with respect to the recess 61, the user inserts the insertion convex portion 71 of the recess 61 attempts several times, also become unnecessarily spending useless work time is there. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the height of the first concave-convex portion 62 is lower than the opening edge of the recess portion 61, guided to the bottom side in the depth direction of the recess 61 when the convex portion 71 to be inserted into the recess 61 is easily, it is prevented that the working time becomes unnecessarily long.
[0077]
　Further, FIG. 14, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the valve 74 in the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 needle 56 of the ink tank 41 side of the ink inlet 53 is opened, the ink supply container 63 positioning portion 73 abuts against the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 which is part of the ink tank 41 side. That is, the ink supply container 63, by the contact of the upper surface 58 of the positioning portion 73 and the ink supply adapter 47, positioned in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 valve 74 to the ink tank 41 side of the needle 56 It is opened in a state of being.
[0078]
　Further, in this case, the positioning unit 73 for positioning radially outwardly of the ink outlet 65, the ink supply container 63 is a posture in which to connect the ink outlet 65 to ink inlet 53 is stably held. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the positioning portion 73 of the ink supply container 63 to the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 is in contact with an ink inlet 53 which the proximal end of the needle 56 in the ink inlet 53 is located and there is a gap between the tip of the ink outlet 65 of the bottom surface and the ink supply container 63. Therefore, it easily accumulate ink on the bottom of which are positioned proximal of the needle 56 of the ink inlet 53, is also avoided soiling that way the ink supply container 63 has ink adheres to the tip of the ink outlet 65 to accumulate that.
[0079]
　Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, when the ink supply from the ink supply reservoir 63 to the ink tank 41 has been completed, than the upper limit mark 51 of the viewing portion 50 of the ink liquid surface height in the ink tank 41 If still low, it may be subjected to further further annex ink replenishment to the upper limit mark 51 with the ink supply container 63 of the same black. The ink supplying work as described above is also performed when for ink tanks 42-45 other colors other than the ink tank 41 of the black ink.
[0080]
　According to the first embodiment has the advantages described below.
　(1) when the ink supply from the ink supply reservoir 63 to the ink tanks 41-45, the valve 74 is opened in a state of being positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41-45. Therefore, it is possible to suppress problems such as ink leakage and ink supply failure with possibly occurring when the valve 74 when the valve is opened misaligned, it is possible to appropriately replenish ink to the ink tanks 41-45.
[0081]
　(2) valve 74, because one or more slits 75 in the elastic member made of a silicon film or the like is constituted by a slit valve disposed, it is possible to provide the ink supply container 63 having a simple structure with a small number of parts.
[0082]
　(3) when the ink supply from the ink supply reservoir 63 to the ink tanks 41-45, the ink supply container 63 is located radially outward of the ink outlet 65 to a portion positioning portion 73 of the ink tanks 41-45 side since comes into contact in a state, it is possible to perform the ink supply in a stable posture.
[0083]
　(4) Since the positioning unit 73 in the ink supply container 63 is provided on the container attachment unit 67 of the member separate from the ink outlet forming portion 66, the ink tanks 41-45, in accordance with the design aspects of the ink supply container 63 positioned the part 73 can be obtained by optimization.
[0084]
　(5) when the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 by inserting the needle 56 of the ink tank 41-45 to open the valve 74, the ink supply that acts as a receiving surface of the ink supply container 63 in the ink tanks 41-45 the positioning portion 73 of the ink supply container 63 to the upper surface 58 of the use adapter 47 determines the relative positional relationship between the valve 74 and the needle 56 abuts. Therefore, the valve 74 proper can be opened by the needle 56, it can suppress the occurrence of ink supply failure.
[0085]
　(6) at the time the ink supply, since the needle 56 is not inserted into the ink outlet 65 in a state where the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 into the recess 61 of the ink tanks 41-45 is not engaged, the ink tanks 41-45 and the ink supply it is possible to suppress the incompatible connection with the container 63.
[0086]
　(7) the ink supply container 63, on the outside of the ink outlet forming portion 66, and a position the container body 64 side than the protrusion 71 in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65, provided with a positioning portion 73. Therefore, after suppressing the incompatible connection between the ink tanks 41-45 and the ink supply container 63, ensuring the insertion degree of the needle 56 of the ink tank 41-45 with respect to the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 in the proper positioning state it can.
[0087]
　(8) Further, the needle 56 of the ink tank 41 to 45, because the tip does not protrude outward from the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 serving as a receiving surface of the positioning portion 73 of the ink supply container 63, the needle 56 even if the ink on the tip is attached, it can be reduced the risk that the ink adheres to the user's hand or the ink supply container 63 to perform the ink supply work.
[0088]
　(9) When connecting the ink supply container 63 from the state inclined along the radial direction two flow paths 54 and 55 from the direction of extension of the needle 56 is arranged on the ink tanks 41-45, two flow paths 54, the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 of the 55 one of the flow path on the side close to the above functions as an ink flow path, the other flow paths serves as an air passage. Therefore, the user, since any of the flow path of the two flow paths 54, 55 may be an ink flow path, no case that the pick wondering flow path to the ink flow path, a fast ink supplying work It can be carried out.
[0089]
　(10) in the recess 61 of the ink tanks 41-45 together with fitting the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63, the second concave-convex portion 72 of the outer surface of convex portion 71 to the first concave-convex portion 62 of the inner surface of the recess 61 by engaged, that the ink supply container 63 adapted to the ink tanks 41-45 are connected users can recognize. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the incompatible connection between the ink tanks 41-45 and the ink supply container 63. Moreover, because of the first concave-convex portion 62 to the position where the bottom side of the opening edge of the recess 61 in the inner surface of the recess 61 of the ink tanks 41-45, the ink supply container 63, the convex portion 71 of the ink tanks 41 to likely to be induced on the bottom side from the opening side of the recess 61 of the 45, it is possible to perform the insertion operation easily.
[0090]
　(11) protruding in the ink supply container 63 relative to the first concavo-convex portion (first key structure portion) 62 provided so as to extend along the depth direction of the recess 61 in the inner surface of the recess 61 of the ink tanks 41-45 the second concave-convex portion of the outer surface 72 of section 71 (the second key structure portion) can be brought into engagement with the engagement convex portion 71 of the recess 61. As a result, it easily recognize the connection direction of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 to the ink inlet 53 of the ink tanks 41-45.
[0091]
　(12) Since the recess 61 provided on the outside of the radial direction of the ink inlet 53 is a direction in which the depth direction toward the vertically downward, the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 into the ink inlet 53 of the ink tanks 41-45 in a state of being connected, it is possible to suppress the ink returns to the ink chamber 76 from the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63. As a result, it is possible to properly carry out the supplying work of ink to the ink tanks 41-45 from the ink supply container 63.
[0092]
　(13) an ink supply container 63, a plurality of formed point-symmetrically the convex portion (second fitting portion) 71 around the ink inlet 53 in the ink tanks 41-45 recess (first fitting) 61 even when fitted to any, it can be connected to the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63 into the ink inlet 53 of the ink tanks 41-45. Therefore, at the time of ink supply can be performed easily connection work for the ink tanks 41-45 ink supply container 63.
[0093]
　(14) color colored peripheral portion of the ink inlet 53 of ink supply adapter 47 in the ink tanks 41-45 functions as a first part indicating information relating to the ink that is stored in the ink chamber 49, ink color colored container attachment unit 67 of the supply container 63 serves as a second portion indicating the information relating to the ink that the ink chamber 76. Therefore, the ink supply container 63 when connected to the ink tank 41-45 perform replenishment of the ink, first whether the ink to be supplied is adapted in the ink tanks 41-45 portion and the ink supply container 63 It can be easily confirmed by visually checking the second portion side.
[0094]
　(15) an ink supply container 63, the convex portion 71 of the ink storage chamber 76 in the radial direction around the ink outlet 65 is formed inside the outer peripheral surface of the container body 64 provided, the ink tank 41 when making the ink inlet 53 of ~ 45 connected to the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63, the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 can be made difficult in the way.
[0095]
　(16) an ink supply adapter 47, after they engage the lower surface in the state (the tank engagement part) 59 side that collectively for a plurality of ink tanks 41-45, each ink tanks 41-45 and a first irregular portion (identifying unit) 62 a plurality of which allows identifying the ink supply container 63 having an ink outlet 65 connectable to the ink inlet 53 of the. Therefore, the ink tanks 41-45 on which the generic common structures, ask them to a plurality of ink tanks 41-45 collectively state engaging the lower surface 59 of the tank engaging portion of the ink supply adapter 47 if, erroneous mounting can be suppressed structure of the ink supply container 63 can be easily realized during ink supply.
[0096]
　(Second Embodiment)
　will now be described with reference to the drawings a second embodiment of the recording apparatus. In this second embodiment, the positioning between the ink tank and the ink supply adapter is different from the case of the first embodiment. Since in other respects is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and redundant description by the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration is omitted.
[0097]
　As shown in FIG. 18, the MFP 14 includes a recording device 21, and an image reading device 15 for covering the upper side of the recording device 21 arranged in the recording apparatus on the 21, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. On the front side of the recording apparatus 21 (the front side), an operation unit 16 such as a button for performing various operations of the MFP 14, a display unit 17 for displaying the information of the recording device 21 and the MFP 14, the operation panel 18 having are provided. Furthermore, on the right side of the operation panel 18, an ink supply unit 40 it is provided.
[0098]
　As shown FIG. 19, the image reading apparatus 15, the rear mounted via a rotation mechanism 19 such as a hinge provided on the (rear side). The image reading apparatus 15 is openable and closable with respect to the recording apparatus 21, to pivot between a closed position shown in FIG. 18, and an open position shown in FIG. 19. When positioning the image reading apparatus 15 to the open position, the unit cover 100 and the elastic cap 92 of the ink supply unit 40 is opened and closed. When replenishing the ink in the ink tanks 41-45 (see FIG. 20), as shown in FIG. 19, is positioned the image reading apparatus 15, the unit cover 100 and the elastic cap 92, the open position, the ink supply container 63 the connection to the ink supply adapter 47 and the ink tanks 41-45. That is, the ink refill adapter 47 is in a state of supplying the ink to the ink tanks 41-45 from the ink supply container 63 is mounted so as to be positioned on the ink tanks 41-45. In other words, ink supply adapter 47 connects between the ink supply container 63 and the ink tanks 41-45 when replenishing ink to the ink tanks 41-45 from the ink supply container 63.
[0099]
　As shown in FIG. 20, the ink supply unit 40, the amount that can accommodate inks are two different ink tanks 41-45 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction in the left-right direction.
Note that the storage amount is large ink tank 41, accommodating a small amount of ink tanks 42-45, the configuration although different thicknesses are the same. Therefore, those in the ink tanks 41-45, duplicate description by the same reference numerals for structure common.
[0100]
　Now, the needle 56 is formed so as to protrude upward from the top surface 111 of the ink tanks 41-45. Then, the side surface 112 of the viewing portion 50 side that intersects the top surface 111 (front side), the tank-side positioning portion 113 is provided so as to protrude toward the front. Tank-side positioning portion 113 of the ink tanks 41-45, substantially located at the same position in the vertical direction, the interval of the tank-side positioning portion 113 in the ink tanks 41-45 adjacent is substantially the same.
[0101]
　The top surface 111 of the ink tank 41 to 45, a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, capable of absorbing absorber 123 ink are provided. The absorbent material 123, a plurality (in this embodiment six) are formed circular hole 123a of the. The absorbent material 123, together with inserting the respective needle 56 into the circular hole 123a, of the film 124 for sealing the opening of the ink tank 41 to 45 so as to fold the portion extending above the top surface 111 attached to the ink tank 41-45 Te. Further, the absorbent material 123 may be sized to cover the entire top surface 111 (see FIG. 28).
[0102]
　21, as shown in FIG. 22, the tank-side positioning portion 113 includes a bottom wall 114 which is provided so as to protrude from the side surface 112 to the position below the top surface 111 and erected from the bottom wall 114 upward It includes a pair of side walls 115. Then, the tank-side positioning portion 113 is provided so as to open toward the front and upward.
[0103]
　Further, in the top surface 111 of the ink tanks 41-45, the position of the front end adjacent the tank side positioning portion 113, projecting of the projecting portion 116 for supporting the ink supply adapter 47 is provided. Further, the projecting portion 116 is also provided at the rear end of the top surface 111. In other words, protrusions 116 are provided in a pair sandwich the needle 56 into position in the longitudinal direction of both ends of the top surface 111.
[0104]
　As shown in FIG. 22, the cylindrical needle 56, in the longitudinal direction of the center position, the partition wall 117 extending along the vertical direction is formed. Then, the flow path 54 and 55 are partitioned by the partition wall 117. Therefore, flow path 54, 55 of the present embodiment is formed to be approximately equal height and cross-sectional area of ​​the distal end opening. Also, the needle 56, the ink is provided on the ink tanks 41-45 to allow flow into the ink tanks 41-45 to provided the ink chamber 49.
[0105]
　Next, a description will be given of the ink supply for the adapter 47.
　As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the ink supply adapter 47 includes an inlet forming portion 119 surrounding at least part of the periphery of the needle 56 which is an example of an ink inlet channel portion. The inlet forming part 119, the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47, (the same number of five ink tanks 41-45 in this embodiment) a plurality in the lateral direction are lined provided. Inlet forming part 119 of the present embodiment is a recess having a bottom, the shape is substantially the same in plan view and the through hole 60 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the ink supply adapter 47 includes a first uneven portion 62 which is an example of the identification unit to allow identifying the ink supply container 63 having an ink outlet 65 connectable to the needle 56. The first concave-convex portion 62 of the present embodiment, the convex portions are provided so as to stand from the bottom surface of the inlet forming portion 119.
[0106]
　As shown in FIG. 24, the bottom surface of each inlet forming part 119, the needle 56 can be inserted through hole 120 is formed. The diameter of the insertion hole 120 is larger than the diameter of the needle 56, between the needle 56 and the insertion hole 120, a gap is provided. Therefore, when the ink leaks from the ink supply reservoir 63 and the needle 56 is absorbed by the absorbent material 123 through the gap between the leaked ink insertion hole 120 and the needle 56.
[0107]
　25, as shown in FIG. 26, the lower surface 59 of the ink supply adapter 47, the adapter-side positioning portion 121 for positioning the ink refill adapter 47 is provided to the ink tanks 41-45. Adapter-side positioning portion 121 is engageable with the tank-side positioning portion 113 provided on the ink tanks 41-45, the front position than the insertion hole 120, the ink tank 41 in a plurality in the lateral direction (in this embodiment the same number to 45 are five) are side by side arranged. Further, the lateral direction of the spacing of a plurality of adapter side positioning portion 121 is substantially equal to the lateral direction of the spacing of the tank-side positioning portion 113 provided in the ink tanks 41-45.
[0108]
　Further, the lower surface 59 of the ink supply adapter 47 is a pair of ribs 122 provided at a distance in the longitudinal direction are provided side by side a plurality of sets in the left-right direction (5 pairs in this embodiment). Longitudinal spacing of the pair of ribs 122, the size of the top surface 111 of the ink tank 41-45 is substantially equal. Then, the adapter-side positioning portion 121 and the rib 122 are provided one on each side of the lateral direction of one through hole 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, the distance B between the center line A and the adapter side positioning portion 121 along the longitudinal direction through the center of the insertion hole 120, and the distance C between the center line A and the rib 122 substantially equal. Further, the corner of the adapter-side positioning portion 121 and the rib 122 are chamfered.
[0109]
　As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the ink supply adapter 47 includes a plurality of inlet forming part 119, a first uneven portion 62 corresponding to a plurality of inlet forming part 119, a plurality of adapter side positioning portion 121, a plurality of sets of ribs 122 are formed integrally.
[0110]
　Next, the operation of the ink supply adapter 47 configured as described above.
　27, as shown in FIG. 28, so inserting the needle 56 into the insertion hole 120 of the ink refill adapter 47, when mounting the ink refill adapter 47 to the ink tank 41-45, the adapter-side positioning portion 121 is a tank It engages the side positioning portion 113. Specifically, the adapter side positioning portion 121 is positioned in the left-right direction by entering between the side wall 115 of the tank-side positioning portion 113. The ink refill adapter 47, rib 122 by sandwiching the ink tanks 41-45 from front and rear sides are positioned in the front-rear direction. The ink refill adapter 47 is positioned with respect to the ink tanks 41-45 are secured by screws (not shown) to the housing 22.
[0111]
　Furthermore, absorbent material 123 provided between the top surface 111 of the ink refill adapter 47 and the ink tank 41 to 45, may be provided for the respective ink tanks 41-45. Furthermore, absorbent material 123, which may be provided to extend from the top surface 111 of the ink tanks 41-45 to the side 112 (only a portion corresponding to the ink tank 45 in FIG. 27 shown).
[0112]
　According to the second embodiment, the above first embodiment (1) can be obtained the following effects in addition to the effects of ~ (16).
　(17) for ink supply adapter 47 to the ink tanks 41-45 are positioned, the position of the inlet forming portion 119 provided on the needle 56 and the ink refill adapter 47 provided to the ink tank 41-45 deviation is suppressed. Thus, through the ink supply adapter 47 can be appropriately replenished ink to the ink tanks 41-45 from the ink supply container 63.
[0113]
　(18) Since the inlet forming part 119 and the first concave-convex part 62 and the adapter side positioning portion 121 is formed integrally, can be easily manufactured ink refill adapter 47 as compared with the case of forming these separately .
[0114]
　The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
　- Figure 29 and, as shown in FIG. 30, the ink supply container 63 also includes a container body portion 64 from the front end of the ink outlet 65 of the protrusion 71 in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65 protrude on the opposite side good. Possibility According to this configuration, at the time of ink supply, since the direction of the convex portion 71 protrudes from the ink outlet 65 in the ink supply container 63, the ink outlet 65 to the peripheral portion of the user's hand or the ink supply container 63 touches the can be reduced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of contamination by deposition of ink.
[0115]
　· As shown in FIG. 31, the ink supply container 63, the position at which the container main body portion 64 side than the valve 74 in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet 65, the ink tank 41 when the ink supply to the ink tanks 41-45 if a portion of the ~ 45 side and the contact with the valve has a positioning unit 73 for positioning the ink tanks 41-45 may not convex portion 71. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a recess 61 in the ink tank 41-45 side.
[0116]
　- as in a modification shown in FIG. 32, the ink supply unit 40 may have a structure in which the ink inlet 53 is normally is closed. That is, the ink supply unit 40 of this modification has a lever-shaped cap supporting member 90 for each of a plurality of ink inlets 53. Proximal end of the cap support member 90 is rotatably pivot shaft 91 provided so as to extend in a direction (horizontal direction) intersecting the central axis of the ink inlet 53 to the upper surface 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 support It is. Elastic cap 92 in which the shape to be fitted to the ink inlet 53 to the distal end side than the center in the longitudinal direction of the cap support member 90 is provided, the cap support member 90 is usually, the elastic cap 92 to the ink inlet 53 in mated closed state. At the time of ink supply, the cap support member 90 the elastic cap 92 is in a fitted closed to the ink inlet 53, the user who put his hand on the handle portion 93 is bent at the tip, the elastic cap 92 is an ink inlet 53 is tilted to the open state is moved away from. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 32, it may be further provided openably a unit cover 100 collectively covering the upper plurality of cap support member 90. The elastic cap 92 is formed of an elastic material such as elastomer, the cap support member 90 made of, for example, polystyrene, ABS resin or the like, are formed at higher elastic cap 92 of rigid material.
[0117]
　- as in a modification shown in FIG. 33, the ink supply adapter 47 may be attached to the ink supply unit 40 so as to be movable with respect to the ink tanks 41 to 44. That is, the ink refill adapter 47 has a fixed portion 125 which is fixed to the housing 22, a displaceable displacement portion 126 relative to the ink tanks 41 to 44, the connecting portion connecting the fixed portion 125 and the displacement portion 126 and a 127. The connecting portion 127 is deformable, displaceable portion 126 is displaceable in a direction intersecting the vertical direction the needle 56 extends. Therefore, the displacement unit 126 can ink supply reservoir 63 to the inlet forming part 119 is displaced in engagement, thereby relatively moving the ink supply container 63 and the needle 56. Therefore, the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63, since the needle 56 can be caused to easily align, thereby reducing the possibility of ink leakage.
[0118]
　- as in a modification shown in FIG. 34, it may be formed a groove 129 at the tip of the ink outlet 65. Furthermore, between the tip and the positioning portion 73 of the ink outlet 65, at least one so as to extend along the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 80 (in this modification, two) may be formed annular protrusion 130 of the. By providing the groove section 129, when allowed to stand ink supply container 63 supplemented with ink to the ink tanks 41-45, it can reduce the possibility that drips from the ink outlet 65. Further, by providing the annular protrusion 130, even if the ink had dripping from the ink outlet 65, it is possible to block the ink.
[0119]
　- as in a modification shown in FIG. 35, divided into regions E of the plurality of convex portions 71 formed as a pair (six in this variation) along a straight line D passing through the center of the ink outlet 65, for each area E the provided identification protrusions 132a ~ 132c may constitute a second concave-convex portion 72. Note that the second concave-convex portion 72 is constituted by three identifiers protrusions 132a ~ 132c in this modified example. Specifically, a first identification protrusion 132a is long to the side surface of the protrusion 71 from the straight line D, a shorter than the first identification protrusion 132a second identification protrusion 132b, the second identification protrusion 132b the third may be formed a second concave-convex portion 72 in an arbitrary combination of the identification protrusion 132c is shorter than. By increasing the number and type of identification protrusions 132a ~ 132c of area E, to increase the pattern of the second concave-convex portion 72 can be accommodated in accordance with the amount and type of ink.
[0120]
　- as in a modification shown in FIG. 36, the small diameter portion 80 may be formed of transparent or semitransparent material. Further, an inner surface of the small diameter portion 80, the surface of the ink containing chamber 76 side of the valve 74 may be a rough surface 80a of irregularities attached by, for example embossing. Rough surface 80a, because tends to remain high ink wettability, can easily recognize the color of the ink from the outside of the small-diameter portion 80.
[0121]
　- Figure 36, as in the modification shown in FIG. 37, the cap 68 is mounted so as to be in contact with the mounting surface 134 of the ink supply container 63, are mounted state. Further, the cap 68 is in the mounted state, has an annular sealing portion 135 for sealing the ink outlet 65. The inner surface 135a of the sealing portion 135 is formed obliquely so as to spread as the tip. Then, the cap 68 is in the mounted state, the inner surface 135a is in contact with the corner 136 of the ink outlet 65 to seal the ink outlet 65. Therefore, even when the cap 68 is attached loosely engaged with respect to the mounting surface 134, thereby reducing the possibility that ink leaks from the ink outlet 65 by contact with the inner surface 135a and the corner 136. Incidentally, the corner 136 is a portion where two surfaces facing different directions cross, may be curved.
[0122]
　Ink refill adapter 47, first uneven portion 62, the adapter side positioning portion 121, of the ribs 122 may be formed at least one separately. Also, among the ribs 122 provided on front and rear sides, it may not be provided forward of the rib 122. Ribs 122 of the rear side, may be positioned ink refill adapter 47 in the longitudinal direction by at least one provided sufficient that, the rear rib 122 and the adapter side positioning portion 121. Furthermore, it may not be provided with ribs 122.
[0123]
　Tank side positioning portion 113 and the adapter side positioning portion 121, if the positioning of the ink refill adapter 47 to the ink tank 41-45 engage each other, the shape can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the tank-side positioning portion 113, a stepped portion formed around the needle 56, the adapter-side positioning portion 121 may be a recess or a hole surrounding the stepped portion. Tank-side positioning portion 113 and the adapter side positioning portion 121, by providing a position close to the needle 56, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the inlet forming portion 119 relative to the needle 56.
[0124]
　Ink supply container 63, the convex portion 71 may protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the container body 64 of the ink storage chamber 76 is provided in the radial direction around the ink outlet 65. According to this configuration, the user is liable to recognize the protrusion 71 when viewed ink supply container 63, with respect to the ink tanks 41-45 side of the recess 61 a convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 during the ink replenishing easily fitted Te. As a result, it is possible to reduce erroneous connection of the ink supply container 63 to the ink tanks 41-45.
[0125]
　- ink supply reservoir the ink tanks 41-45 is as an indication of information related to ink the first portion and the ink supply container 63 is provided to accommodate the respective ink tanks 41-45 as an indication of the information relating to the ink reservoir second part provided for each 63 may be character information and the shape information in addition by the colored information. Moreover, it is not the configuration relating to the first and second portions.
[0126]
　If ink tank 41 to a plurality of recesses 61 on the side 45 is provided, the convex portion 71 of the ink supply container 63 side may be a single configuration. The recess 61 if a plurality, but not necessarily arranged in point symmetry around the ink inlet 53.
[0127]
　Ink tanks 41 to a plurality of recesses 61 of the side 45, if made in point-symmetric positions, in addition to a pair of recesses 61 in 180 degree point symmetry, luster 3 120 degree point symmetry, four 90-degree point symmetrical etc., it may be the arrangement of a plurality of other points symmetrical.
[0128]
　- Of the recess 61 and the convex portion 71 is fitted at the time of ink supply, the convex portion 71 provided in the ink tanks 41-45 side as a first fitting portion, the ink supply container 63 side a recess 61 as a second fitting portion it may be provided.
[0129]
　If - the depth direction of the recess 61 of the ink tanks 41-45 side than that along the direction of extension of the needle 56 located in the center of the ink inlets 53, not necessarily limited to those directed vertically downward, vertical direction and the diagonal or in a direction intersecting the. However, in order to suppress ink leakage to the depth direction of the recess 61 along the horizontal direction it is not preferable.
[0130]
　- first concave-convex portion 62 of the inner surface of the recess 61, the height of the tip may be not more than the height of the opening edge of the recess 61.
　If the identification unit to allow identifying the ink supply container 63 having an ink outlet 65 connectable, to the ink inlets 53 of the ink tanks 41-45 are provided separately, the first uneven portion 62 of the inner surface of the recess 61 the second concave-convex portion 72 of the outer surface of the convex portion 71 may not necessarily.
[0131]
　· Two flow paths 54, 55 needle 56 has an ink inlet 53 may be both of the tip opening is flush, or may be a plurality of flow paths configurations other than two.
　Ink supply container 63, the convex portion 71 and the positioning unit 73, rather than to the container attachment unit 67 to be added to the ink outlet forming portion 66, may be directly formed on the ink outlet forming portion 66. That is, the container attachment unit 67 is not a configuration that is added to the ink outlet forming portion 66 may be configured to be integrally formed with the ink outlet forming portion 66.
[0132]
　And positioning unit 73 in the ink supply container 63, if the region to be the outside of the ink outlet 65 in radial direction around the ink outlet 65, one not from the outside of a plurality of radial direction around the ink outlet 65 radiation it may be configured to be provided in the outward direction.
[0133]
　- valve of the ink outlet 65 of the ink supply container 63, if one or more slits 75 may be one slit 75 of the other plurality book has provided such two or four is not limited to three. Further, not limited to the slit valve where the slit 75 is provided, without a slit 75, the needle 56 is pushed from below may be a valve arrangement which is displaced in the opening direction.
[0134]
　Positioning unit 73 in the ink supply container 63 is not limited to a planar shape, so long as it abuts against the upper surface (receiving surface) 58 of the ink supply adapter 47 when the ink supply, the one or more projection-shaped or rib-shaped ones But good.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0135]
　40 ... ink supply unit, 41-45 ... ink tank, 46 ... ink supply tube, 47 ... ink supply adapter, 48 ... step portion, 49 ... ink storage chamber, 50 ... visible part, 53 ... ink inlets, 54 and 55 ... passage, 56 ... needle (ink inlet channel portion), 57 ... remaining sensors, 58 ... upper surface (receiving surface), 59 ... lower surface (tank engaging portion), 60 ... through hole, 61 ... recess (first fitting portion), 62 ... first concavo-convex portion (identification unit), 63 ... ink supply reservoir, 64 ... container body, 65 ... ink outlet, 66 ... ink outlet forming portion, 67 ... container attachment unit, 69 ... male screw portion , 70 ... projection, 71 ... projection (second engagement portion), 72 ... second concave-convex portion, 73 ... positioning portion, 74 ... valve, 75 ... slit, 76 ... ink chamber, 91 ... coupling portion, 92 ... the cylindrical portion, 93 ... outlet passage, 94 ... end surface, 102 ... holder 103 ... flange portion, 113 ... tank side positioning portion, 119 ... inlet forming portion, 121 ... adapter side positioning portion, IK ... ink.

The scope of the claims
[Requested item 1]
　An ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink tank capable of storing the ink therein,
　and a container body having an ink chamber capable of containing ink to be supplied to said ink tank,
　an end of the container body provided, an ink outlet forming portion in which the ink outlet is formed to allow the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber,
　provided in the ink outlet forming portion, a valve for sealing the ink outlet openably ,
comprising a,
　the ink outlet forming portion, outside of the ink outlet forming portion, and comprises a positioning unit to the valve position at which the container main body portion than in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet, the ink supply container positioning portion, characterized in that the positioning with respect to the ink tank the valve portion of the ink tank side and in contact when the valve is opened.
[Requested item 2]
　The valve has a feature in that the ink outlet one or more slits in the elastic member for sealing is provided, a configuration in which the slit is opened by being spread from the outside to the inside of the ink outlet ink supply container according to claim 1.
[Requested item 3]
　The positioning portion, when viewed the ink outlet in the direction of its central axis, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that are provided so as to be positioned radially outside of the ink outlet ink supply container.
[Requested item 4]
　The positioning portion, the ink supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is constituted by a separate member from said ink outlet forming portion.
[Requested item 5]
　Ink and the ink storage chamber capable of storing and a needle extending a flow communicating passage between the inside and the outside of the ink storage chamber, at a position outside from the tip of the needle in the direction of extension of the needle needle and a receiving surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which extends, an ink tank in which the receiving surface constitutes the portion of the ink tank,
　according to any one of claims 1 to 4 an ink supply container,
provided with,
　the ink supply container, when the needle is to open the valve by inserting a tip into the ink in the outlet, characterized in that the positioning unit comes into contact with the receiving surface ink supply system to be.
[Requested item 6]
　Said ink tank, the region where the outer side of the needle in the radial direction around the needle has a recess which opens in the direction in which said needle extends,
　said ink supply container is centered on the ink outlet radiation in a region to be the outside of the ink outlet in a direction, to have the concave portion and fittable protrusions when said needle is to insert the tip into the ink in the outlet
　ink supply of claim 5, wherein system.
[Requested item 7]
　Wherein the ink supply container, outside of the ink outlet forming portion, and is characterized in that it comprises the positioning unit in a position to be the container body side than the protruding portion in the direction of the central axis of the ink outlet ink supply system according to claim 6.
[Requested item 8]
　The ink tank, the ink supply system according to any one of claims 5 to claim 7, the tip of the needle, characterized in that located in the ink storage chamber side of the receiving surface.
[Requested item 9]
　The ink tank, the flow path of said needle is composed of two channels arranged side by side in the radial direction of the distal end opening of each flow path is around said needle, flowing one flow path of the ink ink supply system according to any one of claims 5 to claim 8 the other flow path, characterized in that functions as an air passage for circulating the air in the case of functioning as an ink flow path for.
[Requested item 10]
　Said ink supply container according to claim 6 or, wherein the convex portion projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the ink supply system of claim 7.
[Requested item 11]
　Claim 6, wherein the ink supply container, wherein said convex portion is formed on the inner side than the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the or ink supply system according to claim 7.
[Requested item 12]
　And ink capable of storing ink storage chamber, the ink and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the storage chamber, a recess in the radial direction is formed in a region to be the outside of the ink inlets around the ink inlet When an ink tank having a
　radiation centered and ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, an ink outlet that allows the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber, the ink outlet an ink supply container having, said recess fittable-formed protrusions on the outside and a region of the ink outlet in the direction,
comprising a
　said ink tank, the opening edge of the recess in the inner surface of the recess includes a first uneven portion at a position to be the bottom side than
　the ink supply container, and characterized in that said first concave-convex part engageable with the second concave-convex portion of the ink tank provided in the projecting portion make Ink supply system.
[Requested item 13]
　The ink tank is the direction of the central axis depth direction of the ink inlet of the recess, is provided as the first concavo-convex portion extending along the depth direction of the recess on the inner surface of the recess,
　the ink supply container, the protrusion is fitted in the recess, when the second concave-convex portion is engaged with the first uneven part, and wherein the ink outlet is connected to said ink inlet ink supply system of claim 12,.
[Requested item 14]
　The depth direction of the recess in the ink tank, according to claim 13, characterized in that from above and intersects the horizontal direction in a state in which the were connects the ink outlet to the ink inlet is a direction directed downward the ink supply system.
[Requested item 15]
　Said ink supply container according to claim 12 to, wherein the convex portion projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the 14 ink supply system according to any one of the.
[Requested item 16]
　Said ink supply container according to claim 12, wherein the convex portion is formed on the inner side than the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the ink supply system according to any one of the ~ 14.
[Requested item 17]
　And ink capable of storing ink storage chamber, an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, the ink inlet in a region to be the outside of the ink inlet in radial direction around the ink inlet a plurality of first fitting portion formed so as to be point symmetrical about the ink tank with a
　ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, wherein from the ink chamber an ink outlet to enable outflow of ink, and a second fitting portion formed to be fitted with a region to be the outside of the ink outlet of the first fitting portion in the radial direction around the ink outlet an ink supply container having a
ink supply system, characterized in that it comprises a.
[Requested item 18]
　And ink capable of storing ink storage chamber, an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the ink storage chamber, the formed in the region to be the outside of the ink inlet in radial direction around the ink inlet a first fitting portion, and an ink tank with a
　ink and capable of accommodating the ink accommodating chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, an ink outlet that allows the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber, the ink outlet a second fitting portion formed to be fitted with a region to be the outside of the ink outlet of the first fitting portion in the radial direction around an ink supply container having the the
comprising a
　said ink tank having a first portion indicating information relating to the ink stored in said ink reservoir chamber,
　said ink supply container has a second portion indicating the information relating to the ink accommodated in the ink accommodating chamber ,
　the first Min and the second portion, that is provided in the visible and a position from the outside when the second fitting portion of the ink supply container is fitted to the first fitting portion of said ink tank ink supply system according to claim.
[Requested item 19]
　And ink capable of storing ink storage chamber, the ink and an ink inlet that allows the flow of ink into the storage chamber, a recess in the radial direction is formed in a region to be the outside of the ink inlets around the ink inlet When an ink tank with a
　centered and ink capable of accommodating ink chamber to be supplied to said ink tank, an ink outlet that allows the outflow of the ink from the ink chamber, the ink outlet a convex portion which is the recess fittable formed in a region where the outer side of the ink outlet in the radial direction, and the ink supply container provided with a,
with a,
　the ink supply container, wherein the convex portion is the ink outlet ink supply systems is the in the direction of the central axis of the ink the ink accommodating chamber than the outlet, characterized in that protrudes in the opposite direction.
[Requested item 20]
　Wherein the ink supply container, in claim 19, wherein the convex portion projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the ink supply system described.
[Requested item 21]
　Wherein the ink supply container, according to claim 19, wherein the convex portion is formed on the inner side than the outer peripheral surface of the ink outlet container body for the ink accommodating chamber is provided in the radial direction around the ink supply system as claimed in.
[Requested item 22]
　An ink refill adapter for connecting between the ink tank and the ink supply container when replenishing ink to the ink tank from the ink supply container,
　an ink to a plurality of ink tank having an ink storage chamber capable of storing the they and the tank engaging portion engageable while the batch, for
　providing for each of the ink tank so as to allow entry into the ink storage chamber of the ink that flows out from the ink outlet of the ink supply container a plurality of ink inlets which are,
　provided for each of the plurality of the ink inlet, a plurality of identification portions which can be identified the ink supply container having the ink outlet connectable to the ink inlet,
characterized in that it comprises adapter for ink supply to.
[Requested item 23]
　A state of supplying the ink to the ink tank from the ink supply container, wherein a adapter for ink supply which is mounted on the ink tank,
　the ink so as to allow flow into the ink storage chamber provided in the ink tank wherein the ink inlet passage portion provided in the ink tank can be inserted, the ink inlet passage portion inlet forming portion surrounding at least part of the periphery of,
　the tank-side positioning portion engages provided in the ink tank are possible, and the adapter-side positioning part with respect to the ink tank to position the adapter the ink supply,
　an identification unit which allows identifying the ink supply container having an ink outlet connectable to the ink inlet channel portion ,
　adapter for ink refill, characterized in that it comprises a.
[Requested item 24]
　A plurality of the inlet forming portion,
　and the identification portion corresponding to a plurality of the inlet forming portion,
　ink according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of said adapter side positioning portion, but by being formed integrally supply adapter.