JP2020163824A - Ink bottle and package - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ink bottle which is so configured that a desired ink bottle can be selected, and a package thereof.SOLUTION: An ink bottle 51 is used for a printer comprising a head, plural ink tanks, a housing, and a visible part for visual recognition of the plural ink tanks from the exterior of the housing. The ink bottle comprises an identification part 61 for identifying a kind of an ink to be accommodated, the identification part has plural projections 62 corresponding to the number of the ink tanks, the plural projections are so located as to imitate arrangement of the ink tanks visually recognized through the visible part, and are configured from a large projection 63 with the largest amount of projection and a small projection 64 with an amount of projection smaller than the amount of projection of the large projection. The large projection is provided at a position corresponding to a position of the ink tank which accommodates an ink of a kind same as that of the ink to be accommodated in the identification part, and the small projection is provided at a position corresponding to a position of the ink tank which accommodates an ink of a kind different from that of the ink to be accommodated in the identification part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to ink bottles and packages.

Patent Document 1 describes an ink bottle used for a printer including a plurality of ink tanks. Ink bottles are used to inject ink into the ink tank. When injecting ink into an ink tank, it is necessary to select an ink bottle that contains the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink tank. That is, it is necessary to select the ink tank and the corresponding ink bottle.

Usually, in an ink bottle, product information is written on the surface thereof, or the ink bottle is made of a translucent or transparent resin. Therefore, the user selects a desired ink bottle by, for example, confirming the product information or confirming the color of the ink to be contained through the ink bottle.

JP-A-2018-144239

For users with low vision and color blindness, it may be difficult to check the product information of the ink bottle and the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle through the ink bottle. Therefore, in the case of such an ink bottle, it may be difficult for a user with low vision and a user with color blindness to select a desired ink bottle.

An ink bottle for solving the above problems includes a head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the above. An ink bottle used in a printer including a visual recognition unit for visually recognizing an ink tank from the outside of the housing, the identification unit includes an identification unit for identifying the type of ink to be stored, and the identification unit is the ink. It has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number of tanks, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tanks visually recognized through the visual recognition unit, and the large protrusion having the largest protrusion amount and the large protrusion. It is composed of small protrusions having a protrusion amount smaller than the protrusion amount of the protrusions, and the large protrusions are provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores the same type of ink as the ink to be stored in the identification unit. The small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores ink different from the ink to be stored in the identification unit.

A package for solving the above problems includes a head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the inks. A package for accommodating an ink bottle used in a printer including a visual recognition unit for visually recognizing the tank from the outside of the housing, and comprising an identification unit for identifying the type of ink contained in the ink bottle. The identification unit has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number of the ink tanks, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tanks visually recognized through the visual recognition unit, and the protrusion amount is the largest. The large protrusion is composed of a large protrusion and a small protrusion whose protrusion amount is smaller than the protrusion amount of the large protrusion. The large protrusion stores the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle in the identification unit. The small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank, and the small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank containing ink different from the ink contained in the ink bottle in the identification unit.

The front view which shows one Embodiment of a printer. The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of an ink bottle. A perspective view of the ink bottle with the cap removed. Perspective view of the cap. Top view of the ink bottle. A side view of the ink bottle when the identification part is viewed from the front. The perspective view which shows the 1st modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the first modification. The side view of the ink bottle in the 1st modification. The perspective view which shows the 2nd modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the second modification. The side view of the ink bottle in the 2nd modification example. The perspective view which shows the 3rd modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the third modification example. The side view of the ink bottle in the 3rd modification example. The perspective view which shows the 4th modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the fourth modification example. The side view of the ink bottle in the 4th modification example. The perspective view which shows the 5th modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the fifth modification example. The side view of the ink bottle in the 5th modification example. The perspective view which shows the 6th modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the sixth modified example. The side view of the ink bottle in the 6th modification. The perspective view which shows the 7th modification example of an ink bottle. Top view of the ink bottle in the seventh modification example. The side view of the ink bottle in the 7th modification example. The front view which shows the modification example of a printer. The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the package which accommodates an ink bottle. The front view which shows the state which attached the 1st label to the 8th modification example of an ink bottle. The front view which shows the state which attached the 2nd label to the 8th modification example of an ink bottle. The front view which shows the state which attached the 3rd label to the 9th modification example of an ink bottle. The front view which shows the state which attached the 4th label to the 9th modification example of an ink bottle. Development view of the first lower label. Development view of the second lower label. Development view of the third lower label. Development view of the fourth lower label. The front view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification. The rear view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification example. The left side view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification example. The right side view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification example. The plan view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification. The bottom view of the ink bottle in the eighth modification example. The perspective view of the ink bottle in the 8th modification. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink bottle in the eighth modification with the cap removed. The rear view which shows the state which attached the 2nd label to the ink bottle in 8th modification example. The left side view which shows the state which attached the 2nd label to the ink bottle in the 8th modification example. The right side view which shows the state which attached the 2nd label to the ink bottle in the 8th modification example. The development view which shows the 1st modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 2nd modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 3rd modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 4th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 5th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 6th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 7th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 8th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the 9th modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the tenth modification example of the first lower label. The development view which shows the eleventh modification example of the 1st lower label. The development view which shows the twelfth modification example of the first lower label. The development view which shows the 5th label. The front view which shows the modification example of the package which accommodates an ink bottle. Top view of the package containing the ink bottle in the modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink bottle, an embodiment of a package containing an ink bottle, and an embodiment of a printer in which an ink bottle is used will be described with reference to the drawings. The printer prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink onto paper, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 has a first lid 13 and a second lid 14 that open and close. In FIG. 1, the first lid 13 and the second lid 14 are closed. By opening the first lid 13, the inside of the housing 12 is exposed. By opening the second lid 14, the inside of the housing 12 is exposed. The first lid 13 and the second lid 14 of the present embodiment are located on the upper part of the housing 12.

The printer 11 includes an operation unit 15. The operation unit 15 is located on the front surface of the housing 12. The operation unit 15 has a display screen 16 and an operation button 17. The display screen 16 displays information about the printer 11. The user operates the printer 11 through the operation unit 15.

The printer 11 includes a head 18 for ejecting ink. The head 18 is housed in the housing 12. An image is printed on the paper 99 by the head 18 ejecting ink onto the paper 99. The printed paper 99 is discharged to the outside of the housing 12 through a discharge port 19 that opens on the front surface of the housing 12. On the front surface of the housing 12, the discharge port 19 is located below the operation unit 15.

The printer 11 of the present embodiment includes a carriage 21 on which the head 18 is mounted. The carriage 21 scans against paper 99. That is, the printer 11 of this embodiment is a serial printer. The printer 11 may be a line printer in which the head 18 is provided in a long length.

When the first lid 13 is opened, the head 18 and the carriage 21 are exposed. Therefore, the head 18 and the carriage 21 can be maintained by opening the first lid 13. Further, by opening the first lid 13, the jam of the paper 99 that occurs in the housing 12 can be cleared.

The printer 11 includes a cassette 22 that houses paper 99 before printing. The cassette 22 of the present embodiment is located below the operation unit 15. The head 18 ejects ink onto the paper 99 supplied from the cassette 22. The printer 11 may be capable of supplying the paper 99 from the back surface of the housing 12 opposite to the front surface. The paper 99 is conveyed in the housing 12 by, for example, a roller or a belt.

The printer 11 includes an ink tank 24 that houses ink supplied to the head 18. The ink tank 24 is housed in the housing 12. The ink tank 24 of the present embodiment is located to the right of the cassette 22 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front.

The ink tank 24 has a refill port 25 for refilling ink. When the second lid 14 is opened, the replenishment port 25 is exposed. That is, by opening the second lid 14, the ink tank 24 can be replenished with ink through the replenishment port 25.

A plurality of ink tanks 24 are provided. In this embodiment, four ink tanks 24 are provided. The plurality of ink tanks 24 are arranged so as to be arranged side by side when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. When the printer 11 is viewed from the front, the first ink tank 31, the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34 are located in this order from left to right. That is, in the printer 11 of the present embodiment, of the four ink tanks 24, the ink tank 24 provided at the position closest to the cassette 22 is the first ink tank 31, and the ink tank provided at the position farthest from the cassette 22. Reference numeral 24 denotes a fourth ink tank 34.

The first ink tank 31, the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34 each contain different types of ink. For example, the first ink tank 31 contains black ink. The second ink tank 32 contains cyan ink. The third ink tank 33 stores magenta ink. The fourth ink tank 34 stores yellow ink.

In the present embodiment, the width of the first ink tank 31 is slightly larger than the width of the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34. Therefore, the volume of the first ink tank 31 is slightly larger than the volumes of the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34. Since the black ink is frequently used, the first ink tank 31 is a large-capacity ink tank 24.

The printer 11 includes a visual recognition unit 26 for visually recognizing a plurality of ink tanks 24 from outside the housing 12. The visual recognition unit 26 exposes a part of the ink tank 24 located in the housing 12. The ink tank 24 is made of a transparent or translucent resin material. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink tank 24 by visually recognizing a part of the ink tank 24 through the visual recognition unit 26.

The visual recognition unit 26 of this embodiment is located on the front surface of the housing 12. The visual recognition unit 26 may be configured as, for example, a window. In this case, the visual recognition unit 26 has an opening formed on the front surface of the housing 12 and a transparent transparent member fitted in the opening. The transparent member is, for example, glass, plastic, or the like. The visual recognition unit 26 may be configured as a simple opening.

A plurality of visual recognition units 26 of the present embodiment are provided according to the number of ink tanks 24. That is, four visual recognition units 26 of this embodiment are provided. The plurality of viewing units 26 are arranged so as to be arranged side by side when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. When the printer 11 is viewed from the front, the first viewing unit 41, the second viewing unit 42, the third viewing unit 43, and the fourth viewing unit 44 are located in this order from left to right. That is, of the four viewing units 26, the viewing unit 26 provided at the position closest to the cassette 22 is the first viewing unit 41, and the ink tank 24 provided at the position farthest from the cassette 22 is the fourth viewing unit 44. is there.

The first viewing unit 41 exposes the first ink tank 31. The second viewing unit 42 exposes the second ink tank 32. The third viewing unit 43 exposes the third ink tank 33. The fourth viewing unit 44 exposes the fourth ink tank 34. The first viewing unit 41, the second viewing unit 42, the third viewing unit 43, and the fourth viewing unit 44 of the present embodiment are provided so as to have a rectangular shape extending vertically when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. ing. Therefore, the shape of the ink tank 24 visually recognized through the visual recognition unit 26 is a rectangular shape extending vertically. The visual recognition unit 26 may have a large opening for exposing the first ink tank 31, the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34 together.

In the ink tank 24, a scale 27 as an index indicating the remaining amount of ink to be stored may be displayed on a part of the ink tank 24 exposed by the visual recognition unit 26. By displaying the scale 27, the remaining amount of ink can be visually recognized more accurately.

Next, an ink bottle used in the printer 11 including a plurality of ink tanks 24 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ink bottle 51 includes, for example, a container body 52 that stores ink and a cap 53 that can be attached to and detached from the container body 52. In FIG. 2, the cap 53 is attached to the container body 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, the container body 52 has an injection unit 54 for injecting ink. The injection unit 54 has an injection port 55 for ink to flow out from the container body 52. When the injection unit 54 is inserted into the replenishment port 25 of the ink tank 24, the ink contained in the container body 52 can be injected into the ink tank 24.

The injection portion 54 is exposed when the cap 53 is removed. When the cap 53 is attached to the container body 52, the injection portion 54 is covered with the cap 53. A male screw 56 for attaching the cap 53 is formed on the injection portion 54.

In the ink bottle 51 of the present embodiment, the posture in which the injection port 55 faces upward is a stable posture. That is, the ink bottle 51 is stable in a posture in which the cap 53 attached to the container body 52 is located above the container body 52. Therefore, the ink bottle 51 is usually stored or displayed in this stable posture. When injecting ink into the ink tank 24, the ink bottle 51 is in a posture in which the injection port 55 faces downward. In the following description, it is assumed that the ink bottle 51 is in a stable posture. Depending on the form of the ink bottle 51, a stable posture may be obtained even if the injection port 55 is not facing upward.

As shown in FIG. 4, a female screw 57 is formed on the inner circumference of the cap 53. The cap 53 is attached to the container body 52 by fitting the male screw 56 and the female screw 57.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink bottle 51 includes an identification unit 61 for identifying the type of ink to be contained. In the present embodiment, the identification unit 61 is located on the side surface of the container body 52.

The identification unit 61 has a plurality of protrusions 62 corresponding to the number of ink tanks 24. In this embodiment, four protrusions 62 are provided. The protrusion 62 of the present embodiment is provided so as to protrude from the side surface of the container body 52.

As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of protrusions 62 are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tank 24 visually recognized through the visual recognition unit 26. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the protrusions 62 when the identification unit 61 is viewed from the front imitates the arrangement of the ink tank 24 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. Therefore, when the identification unit 61 is viewed from the front, the protrusions 62 are arranged side by side.

The plurality of protrusions 62 are composed of a large protrusion 63 having the largest protrusion amount and a small protrusion 64 having a protrusion amount smaller than that of the large protrusion 63. In the present embodiment, the large protrusion 63 is configured so that the amount of protrusion from the peripheral surface of the container body 52 is larger than that of the small protrusion 64. The protrusion amount of the protrusion 62 is the length from the base end to the tip end of the protrusion 62. In the present embodiment, the distance from the peripheral surface of the container body 52 to the tip of the protrusion 62 is the protrusion amount of the protrusion 62.

The large protrusion 63 is provided in the identification unit 61 at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank 24 that stores the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. The small protrusion 64 is provided in the identification unit 61 at a position corresponding to an ink tank 24 containing ink different from the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. That is, the positions of the large protrusions 63 on the plurality of protrusions 62 when the identification unit 61 is viewed from the front are the ink bottles 51 in the plurality of ink tanks 24 which are visually recognized through the visual recognition unit 26 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. Corresponds to the position of the ink tank 24 that stores the same type of ink as the ink that is stored in.

In the present embodiment, when the identification portion 61 is viewed from the front, one protrusion 62 located on the leftmost side is a large protrusion 63, and the other three protrusions 62 are small protrusions 64. That is, the large protrusion 63 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first ink tank 31 located on the leftmost side of the plurality of ink tanks 24 that are visually recognized through the viewing unit 26 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front. Therefore, it is understood that the ink contained in the ink bottle 51 of the present embodiment is the same type as the ink contained in the first ink tank 31. As described above, the position of the large protrusion 63 on the identification unit 61 indicates the type of ink contained in the ink bottle 51.

In the identification unit 61 of the present embodiment, the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74 are located in this order from left to right when the identification unit 61 is viewed from the front. What are the positions of the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74, and the positions of the first ink tank 31, the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34? , There is a correspondence relationship. That is, the first protrusion 71 is a protrusion 62 corresponding to the first ink tank 31. The second protrusion 72 is a protrusion 62 corresponding to the second ink tank 32. The third protrusion 73 is a protrusion 62 corresponding to the third ink tank 33. The fourth protrusion 74 is a protrusion 62 corresponding to the fourth ink tank 34.

In the present embodiment, the protrusion 62 has a shape that imitates the shape of the ink tank 24 that is visually recognized through the viewing unit 26. The shape of the visual recognition portion 26 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front is a rectangular shape extending vertically. Therefore, when the printer 11 is viewed from the front, the shape of the ink tank 24 that is visually recognized through the viewing unit 26 is also a rectangular shape that extends vertically. That is, in the present embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 62 when the identification portion 61 is viewed from the front is a rectangular shape extending vertically.

Based on the width of the first viewing unit 41 being slightly larger than the width of the second viewing unit 42, the third viewing unit 43, and the fourth viewing unit 44, the width of the first projection 71 is the width of the second projection 72, the third. It is slightly larger than the width of the protrusion 73 and the fourth protrusion 74. By imitating the shape of the ink tank 24 visually recognized through the viewing unit 26 by the protrusion 62, the user can easily recognize the correspondence between the protrusion 62 and the ink tank 24.

In the ink bottle 51 of the present embodiment, the first protrusion 71 is a large protrusion 63, and the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74 are small protrusions 64. When the first protrusion 71 is a large protrusion 63 as in the present embodiment, the ink bottle 51 corresponds to the first ink tank 31. For example, when the second protrusion 72 is a large protrusion 63, the ink bottle 51 corresponds to the second ink tank 32. When the third protrusion 73 is a large protrusion 63, the ink bottle 51 corresponds to the third ink tank 33. When the fourth protrusion 74 is a large protrusion 63, the ink bottle 51 corresponds to the fourth ink tank 34.

By touching the identification unit 61, the user can grasp the arrangement of the large protrusions 63 and the small protrusions 64 in the identification unit 61. The user corresponds to the ink bottle 51 and the ink tank 24 by grasping which of the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74 is the large protrusion 63. I can grasp the relationship. As a result, the user can identify the type of ink contained in the ink bottle 51.

The large protrusion 63 may contain a fragrance reminiscent of the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. In this way, the user can identify the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51 by smelling the scent of the fragrance contained in the large protrusion 63. For example, in the case of the ink bottle 51 containing black ink, the large protrusion 63 contains a fragrance having the scent of seaweed. In the case of the ink bottle 51 containing cyan ink, a mint-scented fragrance is contained in the large protrusion 63. In the case of the ink bottle 51 containing the yellow ink, the large protrusion 63 contains a fragrance having a banana scent. In the case of the ink bottle 51 containing magenta ink, the large protrusion 63 contains a fragrance having a scent such as roses and strawberries.

The large protrusion 63 may contain a perfume ink containing the perfume. The perfume ink is an ink obtained by mixing microcapsules containing perfume oil with water-based ink. In this way, for example, when the user rubs the large protrusion 63 with a finger, the microcapsules are destroyed and the scent is emitted from the large protrusion 63. As a result, the possibility that the scent due to the fragrance is mixed with other scents can be reduced as compared with the case where the scent is always emitted from the large protrusion 63.

The surface of the large protrusion 63 may be textured. By doing so, the position of the large protrusion 63 can be more easily grasped.
Next, the action and effect of the above embodiment will be described.

(1) The large protrusion 63 is provided in the identification unit 61 at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank 24 that stores the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. The small protrusion 64 is provided in the identification unit 61 at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank 24 that stores ink different from the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. By doing so, the user can grasp the arrangement of the large protrusion 63 and the small protrusion 64 by touching the identification unit 61. By grasping the position of the large protrusion 63 on the identification unit 61, it is possible to grasp the ink tank 24 containing the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. That is, it is possible to grasp which ink tank 24 the ink bottle 51 corresponds to. Thereby, the desired ink bottle 51 can be selected.

(2) The large protrusion 63 contains a fragrance reminiscent of the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51. In this way, the user can recall the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51 by smelling the scent of the fragrance contained in the large protrusion 63. Thereby, the color of the ink can be identified. Therefore, the desired ink bottle 51 can be selected by the sense of touch and smell.

(3) The large protrusion 63 contains a perfume ink containing a perfume. In this way, when the user rubs the large protrusion 63 with a finger, a scent reminiscent of the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51 is emitted from the large protrusion 63. Therefore, the possibility that the scent due to the fragrance is mixed with other scents can be reduced as compared with the case where the scent is always emitted from the large protrusion 63.

(4) The surface of the large protrusion 63 is textured. By doing so, the position of the large protrusion 63 can be more easily grasped.
This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range. For example, the ink bottle 51 can adopt any form of the container body 52, the cap 53, and the identification unit 61 from the above embodiment and the modified examples shown below.

As a first modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.
As a second modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.

-As a third modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. In this modification, the identification unit 61 is provided on the peripheral surface of the cap 53.
As a fourth modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18.

As a fifth modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21.
As a sixth modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 22, 23, and 24.

-As a seventh modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 25, 26, and 27.
-As shown in FIG. 28, the printer 11 may include five or more ink tanks 24. In this modification, in addition to the first ink tank 31, the second ink tank 32, the third ink tank 33, and the fourth ink tank 34, the printer 11 is to the left of the cassette 22 when viewed from the front. A plurality of ink tanks 24 are provided at the positions. Specifically, the printer 11 includes four ink tanks 24 to the right of the cassette 22 and three ink tanks 24 to the left of the cassette 22 when the printer 11 is viewed from the front.

When the printer 11 is viewed from the front, in the plurality of ink tanks 24 located to the left of the cassette 22, the fifth ink tank 35, the sixth ink tank 36, and the seventh ink tank are in order from right to left. 37 is located. When the first lid 13 is opened, the replenishment ports 25 of the fifth ink tank 35, the sixth ink tank 36, and the seventh ink tank 37 are exposed.

The printer 11 includes a fifth viewing unit 45 that exposes the fifth ink tank 35, a sixth viewing unit 46 that exposes the sixth ink tank 36, and a seventh viewing unit 47 that exposes the seventh ink tank 37. .. Therefore, the ink bottle 51 used in the printer 11 includes seven protrusions 62.

The printer 11 may be configured to include two or three ink tanks 24. In the case of the printer 11 having two ink tanks 24, the ink bottle 51 used for the printer 11 has two protrusions 62. In the case of the printer 11 having three ink tanks 24, the ink bottle 51 used for the printer 11 has three protrusions 62.

-As shown in FIG. 29, the package 81 containing the ink bottle 51 may include the identification unit 61. Since the package 81 to be accommodated includes the identification unit 61, one embodiment, a first modification example, a second modification example, a third modification example, a fourth modification example, a fifth modification example, a sixth modification example, and the like. Even if the ink bottle 51 in the seventh modification is not provided with the identification unit 61, the type of ink contained in the ink bottle 51 can be identified. The package 81 shown in the present embodiment houses the ink bottle 51 used in the printer 11 shown in FIG. 28.

Package 81 is, for example, a box. The package 81 of the present embodiment includes a main body portion 82 for accommodating the ink bottle 51 and a hanging portion 83 for suspending the main body portion 82. The main body 82 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The hanging portion 83 extends from the main body portion 82. The main body 82 is hung by hooking, for example, a hook in the hole 84 formed in the hanging portion 83.

The identification unit 61 is provided on the side surface of the main body 82, for example. The identification portion 61 may be provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 82, or may be provided on the hanging portion 83. In addition to the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74, the identification unit 61 corresponds to the fifth ink tank 35, the fifth protrusion 75, and the sixth ink tank 36. It has 6 protrusions 76 and a 7th protrusion 77 corresponding to the 7th ink tank 37. Based on the fact that the first ink tank 31 and the fifth ink tank 35 are arranged apart from each other in the printer 11, the first protrusion 71 and the fifth protrusion 75 are arranged apart from each other in the identification unit 61.

By touching the identification unit 61, the user can identify the type of ink contained in the ink bottle 51 contained in the package 81. In the case of the package 81 containing the ink bottle 51 used in the printer 11 in the above embodiment, the identification portion 61 included in the package 81 includes the first protrusion 71, the second protrusion 72, the third protrusion 73, and the fourth protrusion 74. Have.

The identification unit 61 may be provided on the container body 52 or the cap 53 of the ink bottle 51. The identification portion 61 may be provided in the main body portion 82 or in the hanging portion 83 in the package 81. The position of the identification unit 61 is not limited. The position of the identification unit 61 is not limited to the ink bottles 51 of the first modification to the seventh modification, not limited to the ink bottle 51 of the above embodiment.

-In the ink bottles 51 of the first modified example to the seventh modified example, the form of the injection unit 54 may be the same as or different from the above embodiment.
-The package 81 is not limited to a box, but may be a bag, for example.

Further, as an eighth modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. In this modification, the identification unit 61 is provided on the peripheral surface of the cap 53.
FIG. 30 is a front view showing a state in which the first label 110 is attached to the eighth modification of the ink bottle 51. A predetermined character string is described on the first label 110. Here, a predetermined character string is indicated as "x". At this time, the back surface of the first label 110, that is, the surface of the first label 110 facing the ink bottle 51 may be plain or a predetermined character string may be described.
In the labels and packages 81 other than the first label 110 shown in FIGS. 30 and later, the predetermined character string is indicated as “x” as in the case of the first label 110. Further, in the labels and packages 81 other than the first label 110 shown in FIGS. 30 and later, the back surface may be plain or a predetermined character string may be described as in the case of the first label 110.

Further, in the first label 110, the portion shaded by dots indicates the difference in brightness with respect to the other portion. Specifically, the brightness of the portion shaded by dots is lower than the brightness of the portion not shaded. Similarly, in the labels and packages 81 other than the first label 110 shown in FIGS. 30 and later, the portion shaded by dots indicates that the brightness is lower than that of the portion not shaded. However, the shading used in the drawings of FIGS. 30 and 30 and thereafter is only an example of means for expressing the difference in brightness.

Further, the first label 110 includes a first upper label 111 and a first lower label 112. The first lower label 112 has an ink color corresponding portion 200 indicating the color of the ink. Although characters indicating the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle 51 are described in the ink color corresponding unit 200, such characters may not be described. For example, the plain area may only be colored with a color corresponding to the ink contained in the ink bottle 51.
The positional relationship between the first upper label 111 and the first lower label 112 is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 30. For example, when the cap 53 is rotated with respect to the container body 52, the positional relationship between the first upper label 111 and the first lower label 112 changes.

FIG. 31 is a front view showing a state in which the second label 120 is attached to the eighth modification of the ink bottle 51. The second label 120 includes a second upper label 121 and a second lower label 122. The second lower label 122, like the first lower label 112, has an ink color corresponding portion 200.
The positional relationship between the second upper label 121 and the second lower label 122 is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 31. For example, when the cap 53 is rotated with respect to the container body 52, the positional relationship between the second upper label 121 and the second lower label 122 changes.

The first label 110 corresponds to the photo black ink. However, the first label 110 may correspond to inks of other colors such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. In that case, the parts such as "photo black" and "PB" in the ink color corresponding unit 200 are changed to those corresponding to other colors.
The second label 120 corresponds to the matte black ink. In the second label 120, a diagonal line is added to a predetermined area including the ink color corresponding portion 200. The second label 120 may also correspond to inks of other colors like the first label 110.

Further, as a ninth modification example of the ink bottle 51, the form of the ink bottle 51 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. In this modification, the identification unit 61 is provided on the peripheral surface of the cap 53.
FIG. 32 is a front view showing a state in which the third label 130 is attached to the ninth modified example of the ink bottle 51. The third label 130 includes a third upper label 131 and a third lower label 132. The third lower label 132, like the first lower label 112, has an ink color corresponding portion 200.
The positional relationship between the third upper label 131 and the third lower label 132 is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 32. For example, when the cap 53 is rotated with respect to the container body 52, the positional relationship between the third upper label 131 and the third lower label 132 changes.

Further, FIG. 33 is a front view showing a state in which the fourth label 140 is attached to the ninth modification example of the ink bottle 51. The fourth label 140 includes a fourth upper label 141 and a fourth lower label 142. The fourth lower label 142 has an ink color corresponding portion 200 like the first lower label 112.
The positional relationship between the fourth upper label 141 and the fourth lower label 142 is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 33. For example, when the cap 53 is rotated with respect to the container body 52, the positional relationship between the fourth upper label 141 and the fourth lower label 142 changes.

The third label 130 corresponds to the photo black ink, but like the first label 110, it may correspond to the ink of another color.
Further, although the fourth label 140 corresponds to the matte black ink, it may correspond to the ink of another color like the second label 120.

FIG. 34 is a developed view of the first lower label 112, and FIG. 35 is a developed view of the second lower label 122. Such a label is attached to the container body 52 of the ink bottle 51 in the eighth modification.

FIG. 36 is a developed view of the third lower label 132, and FIG. 37 is a developed view of the fourth lower label 142. Such a label is attached to the container body 52 of the ink bottle 51 in the ninth modification. The third lower label 132 and the fourth lower label 142 have a barcode area 202. The barcode area 202 is an area on which a predetermined barcode is printed.

38 to 43 are six views of the ink bottle 51 in the eighth modification, and show a state in which the label is not attached to the ink bottle 51. 38 is a front view, FIG. 39 is a rear view, FIG. 40 is a left side view, FIG. 41 is a right side view, FIG. 42 is a plan view, and FIG. 43 is a bottom view.

44 and 45 are perspective views of the ink bottle 51 in the eighth modification, and show a state in which the label is not attached to the ink bottle 51. FIG. 44 shows the ink bottle 51 with the cap 53 attached, and FIG. 45 shows the ink bottle 51 with the cap 53 removed. In the perspective views of FIGS. 44 and 45, the back side of the ink bottle 51 (not shown) has a shape symmetrical to the front side of the illustrated ink bottle 51.

46 to 48 are views of the ink bottle 51 in the eighth modification as viewed from various directions, and show a state in which the second label 120 is attached to the ink bottle 51. 46 is a rear view, 47 is a left side view, and FIG. 48 is a right side view, and each view corresponds to FIG. 31. The plan view and the bottom view are the same as when the label is not attached to the ink bottle 51. In addition, in FIGS. 46 to 48, the label attached to the ink bottle 51 may be the first label 110.

FIG. 49 is a development view showing a first modification example of the first lower label 112. In the first modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is offset upward from the example of FIG. 34.
FIG. 50 is a development view showing a second modification example of the first lower label 112. In the second modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is higher than the example of FIG. 34 and offset downward from the first modification.
FIG. 51 is a development view showing a third modification example of the first lower label 112. In the third modification example, the central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is outlined. However, the central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 may be a color other than white.

FIG. 52 is a development view showing a fourth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the fourth modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is offset upward from the example of FIG. 34. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear.
FIG. 53 is a development view showing a fifth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the fifth modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is higher than the example of FIG. 34 and offset downward from the fourth modification. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear.
FIG. 54 is a development view showing a sixth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the sixth modification, the central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is outlined. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear. The central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 may be a color other than white.

FIG. 55 is a development view showing a seventh modification example of the first lower label 112. In the seventh modification example, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is offset upward from the example of FIG. 34. Further, the outline of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34.
FIG. 56 is a development view showing an eighth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the eighth modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is higher than the example of FIG. 34 and offset downward from the seventh modification. Further, the outline of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34.
FIG. 57 is a development view showing a ninth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the ninth modification example, the central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is outlined. Further, the outline of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34. The central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 may be a color other than white.

FIG. 58 is a development view showing a tenth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the tenth modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is offset upward from the example of FIG. 34. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear. Further, the contour of the ink color corresponding portion 200 other than the left end is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34.
FIG. 59 is a development view showing an eleventh modification example of the first lower label 112. In the eleventh modification, the position of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is higher than the example of FIG. 34 and offset downward from the tenth modification. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear. Further, the contour of the ink color corresponding portion 200 other than the left end is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34.
FIG. 60 is a development view showing a twelfth modification example of the first lower label 112. In the twelfth modification example, the central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is outlined. Further, the shape of the ink color corresponding portion 200 is different from the example of FIG. 34, and the left end portion is linear. Further, the contour of the ink color corresponding portion 200 other than the left end is a curve without distortion unlike the example of FIG. 34. The central portion of the ink color corresponding portion 200 may be a color other than white.

In FIGS. 49 to 60, various modified examples of the ink color corresponding portion 200 are shown by taking the first lower label 112 as an example. However, the second lower label 122 can be changed in the same manner as the first lower label 112. That is, also in the second lower label 122, various changes may be made to the ink color corresponding portion 200 as shown in FIGS. 49 to 60.

FIG. 61 is a development view showing the fifth label 150. The fifth label 150 has an ink color corresponding portion 200 and a barcode area 202, similarly to the third lower label 132 and the fourth lower label 142. The fifth label 150 can be attached to various ink bottles 51. For example, the fifth label 150 can be attached to the ink bottle 51 in the ninth modification as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.

FIG. 62 is a front view showing a modified example of the package 81 accommodating the ink bottle 51, and FIG. 63 is a plan view of the package 81 in the modified example. The package 81 shown in this modification can accommodate the ink bottle 51 in the ninth modification as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. However, the package 81 in the modified example may accommodate another ink bottle 51.
Similar to the example of FIG. 29, the package 81 in the modified example has a main body 82 for accommodating the ink bottle 51, a hanging portion 83 for suspending the main body 82, and a hole 84 formed in the hanging portion 83. And an identification unit 61. Further, the package 81 in the modified example has an ink color corresponding portion 200 like the fifth label 150 and the like.

The position, size, and range of the identification unit 61 shown in the above embodiments and modifications are not limited to those described above. For example, the size of the identification unit 61 may be enlarged N times or reduced to 1/N. At this time, N is an integer of 2 or more.

The technical idea and its action and effect grasped from the above-described embodiment and modification are described below.
(A) The ink bottle includes a head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the ink tanks. An ink bottle used in a printer including a visual recognition unit for visually recognizing the ink from outside the housing, the identification unit includes an identification unit for identifying the type of ink to be stored, and the identification unit is the ink tank. It has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tank visually recognized through the visual recognition unit, and the large protrusion having the largest protrusion amount and the large protrusion It is composed of small protrusions having a protrusion amount smaller than the protrusion amount, and the large protrusions are provided in the identification unit at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores the same type of ink as the ink to be stored. The small protrusions are provided at the identification unit at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores ink different from the ink to be stored.

According to this configuration, the user can grasp the arrangement of the large protrusions and the small protrusions by touching the identification unit. By grasping the position of the large protrusion in the identification unit, it is possible to grasp the ink tank containing the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle. That is, it is possible to grasp which ink tank the ink bottle corresponds to. This makes it possible to select the desired ink bottle.

(B) In the ink bottle, the large protrusion may contain a fragrance reminiscent of the color of the ink to be contained.
According to this configuration, the user can recall the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle by smelling the scent of the fragrance contained in the large protrusion. Thereby, the color of the ink can be identified. Therefore, the desired ink bottle can be selected by the sense of touch and smell.

(C) In the ink bottle, the large protrusion may contain a perfume ink containing the perfume.
According to this configuration, when the user rubs the large protrusion with a finger, a scent reminiscent of the color of the ink contained in the ink bottle is emitted from the large protrusion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the scent due to the fragrance is mixed with other scents, as compared with the case where the scent is always emitted from the large protrusion.

(D) In the ink bottle, the surface of the large protrusion may be textured.
According to this configuration, the position of the large protrusion can be more easily grasped.

The package (E) includes a head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the ink tanks. A package that houses an ink bottle used in a printer including a visual recognition unit for visual recognition from outside the housing, and includes an identification unit for identifying the type of ink contained in the ink bottle. The portion has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number of the ink tanks, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tanks visually recognized through the visual recognition portion, and the protrusion amount is the largest. The ink tank is composed of a protrusion and a small protrusion having a protrusion amount smaller than the protrusion amount of the large protrusion, and the large protrusion stores ink of the same type as the ink contained in the ink bottle in the identification unit. The small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank, which is different from the ink contained in the ink bottle, in the identification unit.

According to this configuration, the same effect as that of the ink bottle can be obtained.

11 ... Printer, 12 ... Case, 13 ... 1st lid, 14 ... 2nd lid, 15 ... Operation unit, 16 ... Display screen, 17 ... Operation button, 18 ... Head, 19 ... Discharge port, 21 ... Carriage, 22 ... Cassette, 24 ... Ink tank, 25 ... Refill port, 26 ... Visual part, 27 ... Scale, 31 ... 1st ink tank, 32 ... 2nd ink tank, 33 ... 3rd ink tank, 34 ... 4th ink tank, 35 ... 5th ink tank, 36 ... 6th ink tank, 37 ... 7th ink tank, 41 ... 1st visibility unit, 42 ... 2nd visibility section, 43 ... 3rd visibility section, 44 ... 4th visibility section, 45 ... 5th visual unit, 46 ... 6th visual unit, 47 ... 7th visual unit, 51 ... ink bottle, 52 ... container body, 53 ... cap, 54 ... injection unit, 55 ... injection port, 56 ... male screw, 57 ... Female screw, 61 ... identification part, 62 ... protrusion, 63 ... large protrusion, 64 ... small protrusion, 71 ... first protrusion, 72 ... second protrusion, 73 ... third protrusion, 74 ... fourth protrusion, 75 ... fifth protrusion , 76 ... 6th protrusion, 77 ... 7th protrusion, 81 ... package, 82 ... main body, 83 ... hanging part, 84 ... hole, 99 ... paper, 110 ... first label, 120 ... second label, 130 ... 3rd label, 140 ... 4th label, 150 ... 5th label, 200 ... ink color corresponding part, 202 ... bar code area.

Claims (5)

A head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the ink tanks are visually recognized from outside the housing. An ink bottle used in a printer equipped with a visual recognition unit for
Equipped with an identification unit for identifying the type of ink to be stored
The identification unit has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number of ink tanks.
The plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tank that is visually recognized through the visual recognition portion, and a large protrusion having the largest protrusion amount and a small protrusion having a protrusion amount smaller than the protrusion amount of the large protrusion. Consists of
The large protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores the same type of ink as the ink to be stored in the identification unit.
The ink bottle is characterized in that the small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores ink different from the ink to be stored in the identification unit. The ink bottle according to claim 1, wherein the large protrusion contains a fragrance reminiscent of the color of the ink to be contained. The ink bottle according to claim 2, wherein the large protrusion contains a perfume ink containing the perfume. The ink bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface of the large protrusion is textured. A head for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink tanks for accommodating ink supplied to the head, a housing for accommodating the head and the plurality of ink tanks, and a plurality of the ink tanks are visually recognized from outside the housing. A package that houses an ink bottle used in a printer equipped with a visual unit for
An identification unit for identifying the type of ink contained in the ink bottle is provided.
The identification unit has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the number of ink tanks.
The plurality of protrusions are arranged so as to imitate the arrangement of the ink tank that is visually recognized through the visual recognition portion, and a large protrusion having the largest protrusion amount and a small protrusion having a protrusion amount smaller than the protrusion amount of the large protrusion. Consists of
The large protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores the same type of ink as the ink contained in the ink bottle in the identification unit.
The package is characterized in that the small protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the ink tank that stores ink different from the ink contained in the ink bottle in the identification unit.