Patent ID: 6367666
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink container comprising:a casing; an air vent set in a top portion of the casing; an air bag set within the casing, the air vent enabling air to enter or exit the air bag; an ink reservoir disposed between the air bag and the casing, the ink reservoir storing ink; an ink outlet set in a bottom portion of the casing, the ink outlet connected to the ink reservoir; a fixed piece comprising a first fixed surface fixed inside the casing and a second fixed surface; a helical spring comprising a first end connected to the second fixed surface and a second end; and a restraining plate with a first surface connected to the second end of the helical spring and a second surface pressing on the air bag to clamp the air bag between the second surface of the restraining plate and the casing; wherein ink within the ink container flowing out of the ink outlet causes pressure within the ink container to drop, the air bag expands by accepting external air through the air vent, and the helical spring presses on the air bag by way of the restraining plate to keep the pressure within the ink container lower than a pressure of the external air.