Patent ID: 7887172
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A liquid container comprising: a case having a liquid reservoir portion defined therein, and having a particular face at which an atmospheric introduction opening is positioned; an atmospheric release valve positioned in the case and configured to selectively open the atmospheric introduction opening to allow the liquid reservoir portion to communicate with the atmosphere via the atmospheric introduction opening and close the atmospheric introduction opening to prevent the liquid reservoir portion from communicating with the atmosphere via the atmospheric introduction opening, wherein the atmospheric release valve comprises an operation portion extending from an inside of the case to an outside of the case via the atmospheric introduction opening in a first direction; a covering member attached to the case to cover the atmospheric introduction opening and configured to move relative to the case in a second direction and a third direction opposite the second direction, wherein each of the second direction and the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the covering member comprises a cam protrusion, wherein, when the covering member moves in the second direction, the cam protrusion applies a force to the operation portion to move the operation portion in a fourth direction opposite the first direction such that the atmospheric release valve opens the atmospheric introduction opening; and a preventing unit positioned in the casing and configured to selectively allow the atmospheric release valve to open the atmospheric introduction opening and prevent the atmospheric release valve from opening the atmospheric introduction opening in accordance with an orientation in which the case is positioned.