Patent ID: 8272722
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink cartridge comprising: a case defining an ink chamber therein, wherein the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and the case comprises a particular wall having an opening formed therethough; an ink supply portion configured to dispense ink from an interior of the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber; a sealing portion positioned at the particular wall, wherein at least a predetermined portion of the sealing portion is configured to selectively cover at least a first portion of the opening; and a protrusion positioned at the particular wall, wherein the protrusion is configured to selectively cover a second portion of the opening, and a predetermined portion of the protrusion is configured to be selectively connected to the predetermined portion of the sealing portion, wherein, when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the protrusion in a predetermined direction the protrusion is configured to move from a first position in which the predetermined portion of the protrusion is connected to the predetermined portion of the sealing portion to a second position in which the predetermined portion of the protrusion is separated from at least a portion of the predetermined portion of the sealing portion to uncover at least one portion of the second portion of the opening, such that the interior of the ink chamber is in air communication with the exterior of the ink chamber via the at least one portion of the second portion of the opening, and wherein, when the protrusion is in the first position, the protrusion is positioned outside the case and extends away from and beyond the particular wall of the case.