# US 10,118,398 B2 · Plug member and liquid container unit

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- Number: US 10,118,398 B2
- Document ID: US10118398B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/633,209
- Filed: 2017-06-26
- Published: 2017-10-12
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-12
- Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation
- Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation
- Inventors: Koji Nishimaki; Naomi Kimura; Shoma Kudo; Shoichi Ishizawa; Yoshiyuki Tanaka; Koji Kawai; Makoto Omuro
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118398B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17536: {Protection of cartridges or parts thereof, e.g. tape}
- B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer}
- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection}
- B41J 2/1754: {with means attached to the cartridge, e.g. protective cap}
- B41J 2/17543: {Cartridge presence detection or type identification}
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J 29/13: Cases or covers
- B65D 39/16: with handles or other special means facilitating manual actuation
- B65D 41/005: {with integral sealing means (B65D41/02 takes precedence)}
- B65D 41/023: {with integral internal sealing means}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

There is provided a plug member that is detachably mounted to a liquid inlet to close the liquid inlet. The plug member comprises a sealing part configured to close the liquid inlet, such that at least part of the sealing part is inserted in the liquid inlet; and a cover part arranged around at least part of circumference of the sealing part.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ink tank having an ink inlet, comprising:
a plug member that is detachably mounted to the ink inlet to close the ink inlet, the plug member including:
a seal portion configured to be inserted into the ink inlet;
a circular projection provided on the seal portion to close the ink inlet when the seal portion is inserted in the ink inlet;
a cylindrical cover body connected to the seal portion; and
a grip portion connected to the cylindrical cover body, the grip portion having at least two surfaces that are opposite to each other, are substantially parallel to a diameter of the cylindrical cover body, and that extend in a direction intersecting with a mounting direction of the plug member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the plug member further includes a mounted part projecting from the cylindrical cover body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ink jet printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a plug member mounting structure, wherein the plug member further includes a mounted part configured to be mounted to the plug member mounting structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The ink jet printing system according to claim 3, wherein the plug member mounting structure is located at a higher position than the ink inlet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The ink jet printing system according to claim 4, wherein the ink tank has an ink identification surface arranged vertically at a lower position than the ink inlet and configured to make the ink level in the ink tank identifiable from outside.

### Claim 6

An ink jet printing system comprising:
an ink tank having an ink inlet; and
a plug member that is detachably mounted to the ink inlet to close the ink inlet, the plug member including:
a seal portion configured to be inserted in the ink inlet;
a circular projection provided on the seal portion to close the ink inlet when the seal portion is inserted in the ink inlet;
a cylindrical cover body connected to the seal portion; and
a grip portion connected to the cylindrical cover body, the grip portion having at least two surfaces that are opposite to each other, are substantially parallel to a diameter of the cylindrical cover body, and that extend in a direction intersecting with a mounting direction of the plug member.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The ink jet printing system according to claim 6, further comprising a cover member configured to be openable and closable, wherein the cover member in a closing position covers the ink inlet.