Patent ID: 6010211
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink cartridge for a printer comprising:a housing having therein a storage space for containing ink, a first opening in the housing for dispensing said ink, and a second opening in the housing for allowing a supply of air into an air-intake area inside the housing;a closing element positioned in the first opening through which an ink supplying coupling is made with a print head of the printer;a chamber within the housing having a significantly smaller volume than the storage space, said chamber being in fluid communication with the first opening;an intermediary wall positioned between the chamber and the storage space, the intermediary wall having an opening therein and a protrusion extending from the intermediary wall;a pressure reduction valve adapted to regulate ink flow between the storage space and the chamber, the valve including a first membrane having an outer peripheral edge tightly connected to the intermediary wall, said first membrane further defining a bore disposed adjacent said protrusion; and,a spring adapted to bias an outer peripheral edge of said bore against the protrusion of the intermediary wall.