Abstract:
A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. A method of filling such a liquid container includes the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP-2007-071952, which was filed on Mar. 20, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to methods of filling a liquid container. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A known liquid container, such as an ink cartridge, is configured to be removably mounted to a known recording apparatus, such as an ink-jet recording apparatus. The known liquid container has a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein, and a liquid supply opening configured to supply liquid from the interior of the liquid chamber to the exterior of the liquid container. When the liquid container is mounted to the recording apparatus, liquid stored in the liquid chamber is supplied to a recording head of the known recording apparatus through the liquid supply opening. 
         [0006]    The liquid container has a valve configured to selectively open and close the liquid supply opening. The valve is stored in a cylindrical storage chamber which is partitioned from the liquid chamber by a portioning wall. The storage chamber is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber via an opening formed through the partitioning wall. When the liquid chamber is filled with liquid during the manufacture of the liquid container, the interior of the storage chamber may not be filled with the liquid, and air may remain in the interior of the storage chamber adjacent to the liquid supply opening. When liquid is supplied from the liquid chamber to the recording head, the air in the interior of the storage chamber may enter the recording head, which may cause defective liquid discharge from the recording head. Therefore, there is a need to remove air from a space adjacent to the liquid supply opening. 
         [0007]    In order to remove air from the space adjacent to the liquid supply opening, in a known method, the liquid chamber is filled with liquid after the interior of the liquid chamber is depressurized. With this method, the amount of air remaining in the space adjacent to the liquid supply opening may be reduced. Nevertheless, even in this method, it is difficult to remove all or substantially all of the air in the space adjacent to the liquid supply opening. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Therefore, a need has arisen for methods of filling a liquid container, such as an ink cartridge, which overcome these and other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that when the liquid container is filled with liquid, air is removed from the space adjacent to the liquid supply opening. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid container comprises a liquid chamber at least partially defined by at least one first wall, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one second wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. The first opening allows liquid communication between the liquid chamber and the liquid supply chamber, and the third opening allows liquid communication between the liquid supply chamber and an exterior of the liquid container. A method of filling such a liquid container comprises the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber. 
         [0010]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a liquid container comprises a liquid chamber at least partially defined by at least one first wall, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one second wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. The second opening is positioned between the first opening and the second opening, the first opening allows liquid communication between the liquid chamber and the liquid supply chamber, and the third opening allows liquid communication between the liquid supply chamber and an exterior of the liquid container. A method of filling such a liquid container comprises the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation;, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) are a front-face, perspective view and a rear-face perspective view of an ink cartridge, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, left side view of the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, right side view of the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partial, cross-sectional view of an ink supply chamber of the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) are enlarged, left side and right side views of a lower portion of the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ), respectively. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view of a check valve to be disposed in the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of an ink supply valve mechanism to be disposed in the ink cartridge of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) are cross-sectional views of the ink supply valve mechanism of  FIG. 7  when the ink cartridge is filled with ink and when ink is supplied from the interior of the ink cartridge to the exterior of the ink cartridge, respectively. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 9(   a )-( c ) are schematics depicting a process of filling the ink cartridge with ink. Specifically,  FIG. 9(   a ) depicts a state in which the ink supply chamber is partially filled with ink;  FIG. 9(   b ) depicts a state in which the ink supply chamber is entirely filled with ink; and  FIG. 9(   c ) depicts a state in which the ink supply chamber and an ink chamber are filled with ink. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Embodiments of the present invention and their features and technical advantages may be understood by referring to  FIGS. 1-9(   c ), like numerals being used for like corresponding portions in the various drawings. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid container, e.g., an ink cartridge  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, may have a substantially flat, hexahedron shape. A width of the ink cartridge, as indicated by an arrow  51 , may be relatively short, and each of a height of the ink cartridge  10 , as indicated by an arrow  52 , and a depth of the ink cartridge  10 , as indicated by an arrow  53 , may be greater than the width of the ink cartridge  10 . The ink cartridge  10  may comprise a front face  102 , a rear face  101  opposite the front face  102 , top face  103 , a bottom face  104  opposite the top face  103 , a left side face  105 , and a right side face  106  opposite the left side face  105 . Each of the top face  103  and the bottom face  104  is connected to the front face  102  and the rear face  101 , and each of the left side face  105  and the right side face  106  is connected to the front face  102 , the rear face  101 , the top face  103 , and the bottom face  104 . The front face  102 , the rear face  101 , the top face  103 , the bottom face  104 , the left side face  105 , and the right side face  106  may be parallel to the opposing face and may be perpendicular to the other faces. Each of the area of the left side face  105  and the area of the right side face  106  may be greater than each of the area of the front face  102 , the area of the rear face  101 , the area of the top face  103 , and the area of the bottom face  104 . The ink cartridge  10  may be configured to be installed in a printer (not shown) from the front face  102  in an upright state shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the ink cartridge  10  may comprise a main body  100 , a movable member  90 , an air intake valve mechanism  131 , and the ink supply valve mechanism  200 . Each of the main body  100 , the movable member  90 , the air intake valve mechanism  131 , and the ink supply valve mechanism  200  may comprise at least one resin material, e.g., nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. Because the ink cartridge  10  does not comprise a metal, the ink cartridge  10  may be burned after the ink cartridge  10  is disposed. The ink cartridge  10  may further comprise a case (not shown) covering the main body  100  or a protector (not shown) covering the ink supply valve mechanism  200 . 
         [0024]    The main body  100  may comprise a frame  110 . Moreover, each of the left side face  105  and the right side face  106  may comprise a film  70  (shown in  FIG. 1 , but not shown in  FIGS. 2-5(   b )), e.g., a translucent film. 
         [0025]    The frame  110  may comprise a translucent material, such as transparent or semi-transparent resin material e.g. polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene, or combinations thereof, to allow light to pass therethrough, and the frame  110  may be manufactured using injection-molding. The frame  110  may comprise an ink introduction portion  150 , a translucent portion  140 , an ink supply chamber  120 , and an air intake chamber  130 . 
         [0026]    The frame  110  may comprises an outer peripheral wall  111  extending from the left side face  105  to the right side face  106 . The outer peripheral wall  111  may have a substantially square or rectangular perimeter extending along the front face  102 , the top face  103 , the rear face  101 , and the bottom face  104  and forms a space inside. An opening  114   a  may be formed on the left side face  105  of the frame  110 , and an opening  114   b  may be formed on the right side face  106 . 
         [0027]    The films  70  may be connected to e.g., welded, to the left side face  105  and the right side face  106  of the peripheral wall  111 , respectively, via ultrasonic welding, and the opening  114   a  and the opening  114   b  may be covered by the respective films  70 , such that the outer peripheral wall  111  and the films  70  defines the ink chamber  170 . Alternatively, the films may be omitted, and the frame  110  may have a parallelepiped, container shape, such that the frame  110  defines the ink chamber  170  therein. 
         [0028]    The ink introduction portion  150  may be positioned in the rear face  101  of the frame  110  below a middle portion of the rear face  101 . The ink introduction portion  150  may be configured to introduce ink into the interior of the ink chamber  170  when the ink cartridge  10  is manufactured. 
         [0029]    The translucent portion  140  may be positioned at the front face  102  of the frame  110  and may extend from the ink chamber  170 . An amount of ink stored in the ink chamber  170  may be optically or visually detected via the translucent portion  140 . The translucent portion  140  is integral with the frame  110 , and comprises the same material as the frame  110 , e.g., the translucent portion  140  comprises a translucent resin material to allow light to pass therethrough. 
         [0030]    The translucent portion  140  projects outward from a center portion of the front face  102  of the frame  110  in a direction away from the ink chamber  170 . The translucent portion  140  may comprise five rectangular walls and may have a substantially a hollow box shape. For example, the translucent portion  140  may comprise a front wall  140   a , a pair of side walls  140   b , top wall  140   c , and bottom wall  140   d . The front wall  140   a  may extend parallel to the front face  102  and may be separated from the front face  102  by a predetermined distance. The pair of side walls  140   b  may be connected to the front face  102  and the front wall  140   a , the top wall  140   c  may be connected to top ends of the front wall  140   a  and the side walls  140   b , and the bottom wall  140   d  may be connected to bottom ends of the front wall  140   a  and the side walls  140   b . Moreover, the width of the front wall  140   a  may be less than the width of the front face  102 . 
         [0031]    When the ink cartridge  10  is mounted to the printer, the translucent portion  140  may be sandwiched between a light-emitting element (not shown) and a light-receiving element (not shown) of an optical sensor (not shown), e.g. photo interrupter, mounted to the printer. Light emitted by the light-emitting element may pass through the side walls  140   b  and may be received by the light-receiving element. 
         [0032]    The translucent portion  140  may have an inner space  142  formed therein, which may be defined by the front wall  140   a , the side walls  140   b , the top wall  140   c  and the bottom wall  140   d . The inner space  142  may be configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the ink chamber  170 , e.g., there is no wall positioned between the inner space  142  and the ink chamber  170 . A signal blocking portion  92  of the movable member  90  may be configured to selectively enter and move out of the inner space  142  based on an amount of ink within the ink chamber  170 . 
         [0033]    The movable member  90  may be used in detecting whether the ink chamber  170  has a sufficient amount of ink therein. The movable member  90  may comprise the signal blocking portion  92  at one end thereof, and a float portion  93  at the other end thereof. The movable member  90  may be pivotably supported at a rib  94  extending upright from the widthwise center of the outer peripheral wall  111 . The specific gravity of the float portion  93  may be less than the specific gravity of ink stored in the ink chamber  170 . The float portion  93  may have a hollow formed therein, and may float on ink, such that the float portion  93  moves upward and downward based on the amount of ink within the ink chamber  170 , and the movable member  90  pivots based on the movement of the float portion  93 . The rib  94  may be positioned at the outer peripheral wall  111  adjacent to the corner of the front face  102  and the bottom face  104 . The rib  94  may comprise a supporting portion  97  configured to pivotably support the movable member  90 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the ink chamber  170  stores a sufficient amount of ink therein, the movable member  90  may be positioned, such that the signal blocking portion  92  is positioned in the inner space  142 . For example, the signal blocking portion  92  may contact the bottom wall  140   d  of the translucent portion  140  and remain within the inner space  142 . Moreover, when the ink chamber  170  does not store a sufficient amount of ink therein, the float portion  93  may move downward, and the signal blocking portion  92  may move out of the inner space  142 . Accordingly, whether the ink chamber  170  is storing a sufficient amount of ink therein may be detected by monitoring whether the signal blocking portion  92  is positioned within the inner space  142 . For example, an optical sensor, such as a photo interrupter, may be used to monitor whether the signal blocking portion  92  is positioned within the inner space  142 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a circular opening  132  may be formed in an upper portion of the front face  102  of the frame  110  above the translucent portion  140 . A cylindrical air intake chamber  130  may be positioned in the interior of the frame  110  extending from the opening  132  towards the ink chamber  170 . The air intake chamber  130  may be positioned separately from the ink chamber  170 , and may be defined by a cylindrical wall  138 . An end of the air intake chamber  130  opposite the circular opening  132  may be in fluid communication with the ink chamber  170  via a bypass  260 . The air intake chamber  130  may be configured to store the air intake valve mechanism  131  therein. 
         [0036]    The air intake valve mechanism  131  may be configured to selectively open and close the opening  132 , and the air intake valve mechanism  131  may comprise a valve body  137 , a spring  136 , a sealing member  133 , a rod  134  and a cap  135 . The valve body  137  may be urged by the spring  136  in a direction to close the opening  132 . The rod  134  may project from the front face  102 . When the rod  134  may be pushed towards the air intake chamber  130  against the urging force of the spring  136 , the opening  132  is opened. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the bypass  260  may extend from the cylindrical wall  138  of the air intake chamber  130  towards the rear face  101  along the right side face  106 . The bypass  260  may be positioned separately from the ink chamber  170 , and may be connected at one end to the air intake chamber  130 . The other end of the bypass  260  may have an opening  264  which may be formed in the vicinity of the corner of the rear face  101  and the top face  103 , and the opening  264  may be opened to the ink chamber  170 . The bypass  260  may be configured to discharge air in the ink chamber  170  from the opening  132  to the exterior of the ink cartridge  10 , and to draw air from the exterior of the ink cartridge  10  into the interior of the ink chamber  170  via the opening  132 . 
         [0038]    The outer peripheral wall  111  may comprises an upper wall  262  defining an upper portion of the ink chamber  170 . The upper wall  262  may have a groove  263  formed therein. The groove  263  may be formed in an outer end of the upper wall  262  on the right side face  106  side. The film  70  may be welded to the upper wall  262  to cover the groove  263 , and the bypass  260  may be defined by the groove  263 , the film  70 , and the upper wall  262 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a circular opening  122  may be formed in a lower portion of the front face  102  of the frame  110  below the translucent portion  140 . The ink supply chamber  120  may be positioned in the interior of the frame  110  extending from the opening  122  towards the ink chamber  170  along the depth direction, as indicated by the arrow  53 . The liquid chamber  170  may comprise a communication chamber  175 , and the communication chamber  175  may be positioned adjacent to the ink supply chamber  120  at an end of the ink supply chamber  120  opposite from the opening  122 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the ink supply chamber  120  may be positioned outside the outer peripheral wall  111 . On the other hand, the communication chamber  175  may be positioned inside the outer peripheral wall  111 . The outer peripheral wall  111  may comprise a partitioning wall  179  which partitions the communication chamber  175  and the ink supply chamber  120 . The partitioning wall  179  may have a communication opening  181  formed therethrough. The communication chamber  175  and the ink supply chamber  120  may be in fluid communication via the communication opening  181 . 
         [0041]    The ink supply chamber  120  may be defined by a cylindrical wall  124 , and the end of the ink supply chamber  120  opposite the opening  122  may be defined by the partitioning wall  179 . The ink supply chamber  120  may comprise a cylindrical valve storage section  126  positioned adjacent to the partitioning wall  179  and connected to the communication opening  181 . The ink supply chamber  120  may be configured to store the ink supply valve mechanism  200 , and the valve storage section  126  may be configured to store a check valve  190 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   b ), the wall  124  may have an opening  272  formed therethrough. The opening  272  may be positioned between the circular opening  122  and the communication opening  181 . The ink supply chamber  120  may be in fluid communication with a particular liquid path  270  via the opening  272 . The opening  272  may penetrate through the wall  124  from the ink supply chamber  120  towards the right side face  106  of the ink cartridge  10  in the direction perpendicular to the paper plane of  FIG. 5(   b ). 
         [0043]    A partitioning wall  273  may extend from the wall  124  towards the right side face  106  to surround the opening  272 . The partitioning wall  273  may partition the opening  272  from the ink chamber  170 , and may partially define a portion of the particular liquid path  270 . The partitioning wall  273  may open at the bottom thereof, and may surround the left and right sides and the upper side of the opening  272 . The film  70  may be welded to the partitioning wall  273  on the right side face  106  side. 
         [0044]    The peripheral wall  111  may comprise a bottom wall  118 , and the bottom wall  118  may define a lower portion of the ink chamber  170 . The films  70  may be welded to the outer ends of a partitioning wall  177 , the outer ends of the partitioning wall  179 , and the outer ends of the bottom wall  118  on the sides of the side faces  105  and  106 , and the partitioning wall  177 , the partitioning wall  179 , the bottom wall  118 , and the films  70  may define the communication chamber  175  therein. The capacity of the communication chamber  175  may be less than the capacity of the ink supply chamber  120 . The communication chamber  175  may become narrower when approaching from the ink supply chamber  120  to the ink chamber  170 . 
         [0045]    The cylindrical ink supply chamber  120  may have an axial center line  176  in the depth direction, as indicated by the arrow  53 . The communication opening  181  may be aligned with the axial center line  176  of the ink supply chamber  120 . 
         [0046]    The partitioning wall  177  may surround the communication opening  181 . More specifically, the partitioning wall  177  may have a semi-arcuate shape spanning between the partitioning wall  179  and the bottom wall  118 . The partitioning wall  177  may have a communication opening  182  formed therethrough at a position connected to the bottom wall  118 . The communication chamber  175  may be in fluid communication with a main portion of the ink chamber  170  via the communication opening  182 . The communication opening  182  may be offset from an axial center liner  176  of the ink supply chamber  120 . 
         [0047]    The communication opening  182  may be defined by a cutout formed through an outer end of the partitioning wall  177  on the left side face  105  side and the film  70  welded to the outer end. The communication opening  182  may have a rectangular shape. The communication opening  182  may have a triangle shape, a semi-circular shape, a substantially circular shape, or a substantially oval shape. The area of the communication opening  182  may be less than each of the area of an ink supply opening  210  and the area of the communication opening  181 . Consequently, when ink flows out from the ink supply opening  210 , the flow rate of the ink at the communication opening  182  may be greater than the flow rate the ink at the ink supply opening  210  and the communication opening  181 . Therefore, all or substantially all of the air bubbles may not remain at a position in the vicinity of the communication opening  182 . 
         [0048]    A recess  117  maybe formed in a bottom inner surface  171  of the ink chamber  170 . The recess  117  may be formed by depressing the bottom wall  118  partly into the recessed shape. The communication hole  182  may be positioned in a recessed space  119  defined by the recess  117 . With this configuration, ink may be supplied to the communication chamber  175  from the main portion of the ink chamber  170  without air entering into the communication opening  182  until the ink surface in the ink chamber  170  is lowered to reach the communication opening  182 . In an embodiment, the recess  117  may be formed only on the left side face  105  side of the rib  94 , and may not be formed on the right side face  106  side of the rib  94 . 
         [0049]    In an embodiment, fluid communication between the communication chamber  175  and the main portion of the ink chamber  170  may be achieved only via the communication opening  182 , and fluid communication between the communication chamber  175  and the ink supply chamber  120  may be achieved only via the communication opening  181 . Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink supply valve mechanism  200  opens an ink supply opening  210 , ink stored in the ink chamber  170  may flow from the recess  117  via the communication opening  182  into the communication chamber  175 , and flow from the communication chamber  175  via the communication opening  181  to the ink supply chamber  120 , as indicated by a broken arrow  45  in  FIG. 5(   a ). Then, the ink may flow from the ink supply chamber  120  via the ink supply opening  210  to the outside of the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0050]    The ink introduction portion  150  may be formed integrally with the frame  110 . The ink introduction portion  150  may comprise a cylindrical ink introduction chamber  152  and ink introduction opening  159 . The ink introduction opening  159  may be formed in the rear face  101  of the frame  110  below a middle portion of the rear face  101 . The ink introduction chamber  152  may extend from the ink introduction opening  159  towards the ink chamber  170 . An end of the ink introduction chamber  152  opposite the ink introduction opening  159  may be defined by the outer peripheral wall  111 . Ink may be introduced into the interior of the ink introduction chamber  152  via the ink introduction opening  159 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   a ), a side wall defining the ink introduction chamber  152  may have a communication opening  153  formed therethrough on the left side face  105  side. The interior and the exterior of the ink introduction chamber  152  are in fluid communication via the communication opening  153 . 
         [0052]    The partitioning wall  156  may extend from the side wall of the ink introduction chamber  152  towards the left side face  105 . The partitioning wall  156  may partition the communication opening  153  from the ink chamber  170 . The partitioning wall  156  may have a substantially U-shape to surround the communication opening  153 , and may extend upward in the direction, as indicated by the arrow  52 . The film  70  may be welded to an outer end of the partitioning wall  156  on the left side face  105  side. A further liquid path  158  may be defined by the partitioning wall  156  and the film  70 . 
         [0053]    The outer peripheral wall  111  may comprise an inclined wall  164  above the ink introduction chamber  152 . The inclined wall  164  may be inclined downward from the rear face  101 . The inclined wall  164  may have an opening  161  formed therethrough in the vertical direction, as indicated by the arrow  52 . The partitioning wall  156  may extend to the inclined wall  164 , and an end of the partitioning wall  156  may be connected to the inclined wall  164  at a surrounding area of the opening  161 , such that the further liquid path  158  extends through the inclined wall  164 . 
         [0054]    A partitioning wall  157  may extend from the inclined wall  164 . The partitioning wall  157  may comprise a first wall  157   a  extending from the inclined wall  164  upward in the direction, as indicated by the arrow  52 , and having a L shape when seen from the top. The partitioning wall  157  also may comprise a second wall  157   b  connected to the upper end of the first wall  157   a  and extending in parallel with the inclined wall  164  towards the rear end  101 . The partitioning wall  157  may partition the opening  161  from the ink chamber  170 . The film  70  may be welded to an outer end of the partitioning wall  157 , and an outer end of the inclined wall  164  on the left side face  105  side. A still further liquid path  166  may be defined by the partitioning wall  157 , the inclined wall  164 , and the film  70 . The second wall  157   b  may have a communication opening  154  formed therethrough at an end of the second wall  157   b  on the rear face  101  side. The ink chamber  170  and the still further liquid path  166  may be in fluid communication via the communication opening  154 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   b ), the particular liquid path  270  may extend on the right side face  106  side from the ink introduction chamber  152  to the ink supply chamber  120 . The particular liquid path  270  may be positioned separately from the ink chamber  170 . The outer peripheral wall  111  may have an opening  275  formed therethrough at a position defining the end of the ink introduction chamber  152  opposite the ink introduction opening  159 . The particular liquid path  270  may extend downward from the opening  275  towards the bottom face  104  side, and then extend substantially in parallel with the bottom face  104  towards the front face  102 . An end of the particular liquid path  270  may be connected to the opening  272 . The particular liquid path  270  may be in fluid communication with the ink supply chamber  120  via the opening  272 . The particular liquid path  270  may extend from the ink introduction portion  150  to the ink supply chamber  120 , positioned externally from the ink chamber  170 , and the ink introduction portion  150  and the ink supply chamber  120  may be in fluid communication via the particular liquid path  270 . The lower portion of the ink chamber  170  may separate the ink introduction portion  150  from the communication opening  181 . 
         [0056]    The bottom wall  118  of the outer peripheral wall  11  may have a groove  277  formed therein adjacent to and along the bottom inner surface  171  of the ink chamber  170 . The groove  277  may be formed in an outer end of the bottom wall  118  on the right side face  106  side. The film  70  may be connected to, e.g., welded to, the bottom wall  118  to cover the groove  277 , and the particular liquid path  270  may be defined by the groove  277 , the film  70 , and the bottom wall  118 . 
         [0057]    When ink is introduced via the ink introduction opening  159 , the ink may flow into a first path extending from the ink introduction chamber  152  through the communication opening  153 , the further liquid path  158 , the still further liquid path  166 , and the communication opening  154  to the ink chamber  170 , as indicated by an arrow  49  in  FIG. 5(   a ), and the ink also may flow into a second path extending from the ink introduction chamber  152  through the opening  275 , the particular liquid path  270 , and the opening  272  to the ink supply chamber  120 , as indicated by an arrow  47  in  FIG. 5(   b ). When the ink enters the ink supply chamber  120 , air in the ink supply chamber  120  may flow into a third path extending from the ink supply chamber  120  through the opening  181 , the communication chamber  175 , and the opening  182  to the ink chamber  170 , as indicated by an arrow  48  in  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ). 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the check valve  190  may be configured to allow air to flow through the communication opening  181  from the communication chamber  175  to the ink supply chamber  120  and from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175  when the check valve  190  is in air, and the check valve  190  also may be configured to allow ink to flow through the communication opening  181  from the communication chamber  175  to the ink supply chamber  120 , but to prevent ink from flowing through the communication opening  181  from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175  when the check valve  190  is in liquid. 
         [0059]    The check valve  190  may comprise a valve body  191 , a valve seat  192  configured to support the valve body  191 , and a cover  193  covering the valve body  191 . Each of the valve body  191 , the valve seat  192 , and the cover  193  may comprise at least one resin such as polypropylene, silicon rubber or the like. 
         [0060]    The valve body may comprise a disc  241  and a shaft  240  extending from the center of the disc  241  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the disc  241 . The cover  193  may be configured to be fitted into the valve storage section  126  (see  FIG. 4 ). The cover  193  may have a cylindrical shape having a circular bottom and a peripheral wall  246  extending from the edge of the bottom. The bottom of the cover  193  may have an opening  245  formed therethrough. The shaft  240  of the valve body  191  may be inserted into the opening  245  such that the shaft portion  240  is movable with respect to the opening  245  and fluid passes through the opening  245 . An inner diameter of the peripheral wall  246  of the cover  193  may greater than the outer diameter of the disc  241  of the valve body  191 , and the disc  241  may be stored within the cover  193 . The cover  193  and the valve seat  192  may enclose the disc  241 . 
         [0061]    The disc  241  may be a thin round resilient member. When the disc  241  resiliently contacts the bottom of the cover  193  at the surrounding area of the opening  245 , the opening  245  may be closed by the disc  241 . Consequently, fluid communication through the opening  245  may be blocked. When the disc  241  separates from the bottom of the cover  193 , the opening  245  may be opened. Consequently, fluid communication through the opening  245  may be allowed. 
         [0062]    The valve seat  192  may comprise a valve seat base  194  and a valve body receiving portion  195 . The valve seat base  194  may have a round, disc shape. The valve seat base  194  may comprise a bottom surface  199  configured to contact the ink supply valve mechanism  200 . The valve seat  192  also may comprise two ribs  197  extending from the bottom surface  199 . A top portion  332  (see  FIG. 7 ) of a second spring  206   b  may be stored in a space  197   a  surrounded by the ribs  197 . The outer peripheral surface of the top portion  332  may contact the inner surfaces of the ribs  197 , and consequently, the movement of the second spring  206   b  in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the movement of the ink supply valve mechanism  200  may be restricted. The valve seat base  194  may have a plurality of openings  196  formed therethrough from the bottom surface  199  to the surface opposite the bottom surface  199 . 
         [0063]    The valve body receiving portion  195  may comprise a plurality of ribs extending from the surface of the valve seat base  194  opposite from the bottom surface  199 . The plurality of ribs of the valve body receiving portion  195  may be configured to contact the disc  241 . A plurality of grooves  198  may be formed between adjacent ribs of the valve body receiving portion  195 . The openings  196  may be connected to the grooves  198 . When the disc  241  contacts the ribs of the valve receiving portion  195 , the openings  196  may not be closed. 
         [0064]    With this configuration, when ink attempts to flow from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175 , a first surface  242  of the disc  241  may be pressed by the ink which has passed through the openings  196 , such that the disc  241  moves toward the cover  193  and contacts the bottom of the cover  193 , which prevents the fluid communication through the opening  245 . Consequently, ink is prevented from flowing into the communication chamber  175 . When ink attempts to flow from the communication chamber  175  to the ink supply chamber  120 , a second surface  243  of the disc  241  may be pressed by the ink, such that the disc  243  may separate from the bottom of the cover  193 . Consequently, the opening  245  may be opened, and flow of ink from the communication chamber  175  to the ink supply chamber  120  may be allowed. 
         [0065]    In contrast, when air attempts to flow from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175 , the air which has passed through the openings  196  towards the cover  193  may press the first surface  242  of the disc  241  towards the cover  193 . Nevertheless, because air is lighter than ink and the viscosity of air is less than the viscosity of ink, the pressing force may be relatively small and may be less than the sliding resistance between the valve body  191  and the cover  193 . Therefore, the disc  241  may not move toward the cover  193 . The air may flow over the disc  241  from the first surface  242  side to the second surface  241  side and flow into the opening  245 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the ink supply valve mechanism  200  may comprise a cap  205 , a sealing member  204 , a valve body  207 , a first spring  206   a , a slider  208 , and a second spring  206   b  positioned in this order. The cap  205 , the sealing member  204 , the valve body  207 , the first spring  206   a , the slider  208 , and the second spring  206   b  may comprise at least one resin such as polyacetal, silicon rubber, or the like. 
         [0067]    The valve body  207 , the first spring  206   a , the slider  208 , and the second spring  206   b  may be stored in the ink supply chamber  120 . The cap  205  may be mounted to the surrounding area of the circular opening  122  sandwiching the sealing member  204  therebetween. 
         [0068]    The cap  205  may have an opening  214  formed therethrough, and the sealing member  204  may have an opening  215  formed therethrough. When the cover  205  is mounted to the surrounding area of the opening  122 , the ink supply opening  210  may be defined by the openings  214  and  215 . A pipe  65  (see  FIG. 8 ) of the printer may be configured to be inserted through the ink supply opening  210  into the ink supply chamber  120 . The ink supply opening  210  may be aligned with the axial center line  176  of the ink supply chamber  120 . The center line  176  maybe aligned with an axial direction  58  of the ink supply valve mechanism  200 . 
         [0069]    The pipe  65  may comprise at least one resin and may be connected to a recording head (not shown) of the printer via a flexible tube (not shown). The sealing member  204  may comprise a rubber. The sealing member  204  may have an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the ink supply chamber  120  and the shape of the circular opening  122 . The sealing member  204  may comprise a first cylindrical portion  218  fitted in the ink supply chamber  120  and a second cylindrical portion  219  contacting the surrounding area of the opening  122 . The opening  215  may be formed through the centers of the first cylindrical portion  218  and the second cylindrical portion  219 . The pipe  65  may be configured to be inserted into the opening  215 . The diameter of the opening  215  may be slightly less than the outer diameter of the pipe  65 . When the pipe  65  is inserted into the opening  215 , the outer peripheral surface of the pipe  65  may press against a portion of the sealing member  204  defining the opening  215 . Consequently, ink may be prevented from leaking between the pipe  65  and the sealing member  204 . 
         [0070]    The cap  205  may be configured to guide the ink pipe  65  into the ink supply chamber  120 . The cap  205  may comprise a disk-shaped wall  222 , and a cylindrical wall  224  extending from the outer edge of the wall  222 . The wall  222  may have the opening  214  formed therethrough. The wall  224  may have a plurality, e.g., two, of the elongated openings  226  formed therethrough. The cylindrical wall  124  of the ink supply chamber  120  may have claws extending outwardly, and the claws may be inserted into the elongated openings  226 , which positions the cap  205  with respect to the cylindrical wall  124 . 
         [0071]    The valve body  207  may comprise a disk-shaped wall  228  and a cylindrical wall  229  extending from the outer edge of the wall  228 . The wall  228  may have a plurality e.g., four, of the openings  230  aligned in the circumferential direction of the wall  228 . The openings  230  may be positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the wall  228 . When the wall  228  contacts the sealing member  204 , a center portion of the wall  228  may close the opening  215 . 
         [0072]    The valve body  207  may have an inner space defined by the wall  228  and the wall  229 . The first spring  206   a  may be stored in the inner space of the valve body  207 . The wall  228  may contact and support the first spring  206   a . The valve body  207  may comprise a plurality, e.g., two, of strips  231  extending from the end of the wall  229  in the axial direction  58 , and hooks  232  provided at ends of the strips  231 . The hooks  232  may be configured to engage a bottom wall  233  of the slider  208 , such that the valve body  207  and the slider  208  are coupled. 
         [0073]    The valve body  207  may be configured to slide in ink supply chamber  120  in the depth direction, as indicated by the arrow  53 , with a gap between the wall  229  and the inner surface of the ink supply chamber  120 . 
         [0074]    Each of the first spring  206   a  and the second spring  206   b  may have a bowl shape or a hollow, conical shape, and may comprise an annular bottom portion  331 , an annular top portion  332 , and a body portion  333  connected to the bottom portion  331  at one end and connected to the top portion  332  at the other end. The body portion  333  may be configured to be bent and deformed when a load is applied to the first spring  206   a  or the second spring  206   b  in the axial direction  58 . Each of the springs  206   a  and  206   b  may comprise silicon rubber. 
         [0075]    The slider  208  may be configured to support the first spring  206   a  and the second spring  206   b , and may comprise the disk-shaped bottom wall  233  and a cylindrical wall  234  extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall  233  in the opposite two directions, respectively. The bottom wall  233  and the wall  234  may define two inner spaces  235   a  and  235   b  positioned adjacent to each other in the axial direction  58 . The inner space  235   a  may receive the first spring  206   a , and the inner space  235   b  may receive the second spring  206   b.    
         [0076]    The outer diameter of the wall  234  of the slider  208  may be less than the inner diameter of the wall  229  of the valve body  207 , such that the slider  208  is stored in the inner space of the valve body  207 . The slider  208  may be slidably supported in the inner space of the valve body  207  in the axial direction  58 . 
         [0077]    The bottom wall  233  may have an opening  236  formed through the center portion thereof. The slider  208  may have a plurality of cutouts formed therethrough extending from the end of the wall  234  to the bottom plate  233  in the axial direction  58 . The strips  231  of the valve body  207  may be configured to be inserted into the cutouts of the wall  234 , and the hooks  232  may be configured to be engaged with the bottom plate  233 , such that the slider  208  and the valve body  207  are coupled, storing the first spring  206   a  therebetween. When the valve body  207  and the slider  208  are pressed toward each other in the axial direction  58 , the first spring  206   a  may be compressed in the axial direction  58 , and then when the pressure is released, the first spring  206   a  may expand, such that the valve body  207  and the slider  208  return to their original positions. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 8(   a ), when ink is introduced via the ink introduction opening  159  in a state in which the ink supply opening  210  is closed, i.e., the circular opening  122  is closed, by the ink supply valve mechanism  200 , a fluid path, e.g., a path of ink or air, or both, may be formed as indicated by the arrow  98 . The fluid path may pass through the particular liquid path  270 , the opening  272 , the openings  196  of the valve seat  192 , the opening  245  of the cover  193 , the communication chamber  175  and the communication opening  182 . 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 8(   b ), when the pipe  65  is inserted into the ink supply chamber  120  from the ink supply opening  210 , a distal end of the pipe  65  may press the valve body  207  against the urging force of the first spring  206   a  and the second spring  206   b . Consequently, the valve body  207  may separate from the sealing member  204 , and the ink supply opening  210  may be opened, i.e., the circular opening  122  may be opened. The pipe  65  may have an opening  66  formed therethrough adjacent to the distal end of the pipe  65 . Therefore, when the valve body  207  separates from the sealing member  204 , the ink supply chamber  120  may be in fluid communication with the interior of the pipe  65  through the opening  66 . 
         [0080]    When the valve body  207  separates from the sealing member  204 , a fluid path, e.g., a path of ink or air, or both, may be formed, as indicated by the arrow  99 . The fluid path  99  may pass through the opening  245  of the cover  193 , the openings  196  of the valve seat  192 , the interior of the first spring  206   a , the opening  236  of the slider  208 , the interior of the second spring  206   b , the openings  230  of the valve body  207 , and the opening  66  of the pipe  65 . The fluid also may pass through the opening  245  of the cover  193 , the openings  196  of the valve seat  192   b , the gap between the valve body  207  and the inner surface of the ink supply chamber  120 , and the opening  66  of the pipe  65 . 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 9(   a ) through  9 ( c ), when the ink cartridge  10  is filled with ink, the ink cartridge  10  may be positioned in a predetermined orientation, e.g., such that the front face  102  of the ink cartridge  10  faces downward and the rear face  101  face upward, and the circular opening  122  and the communication opening  181  are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of gravitational force. The ink supply opening  210  may be closed, i.e., the circular opening  122  may be closed. Then, the air intake valve mechanism  131  may be operated to open the opening  132  to the atmosphere, such that the ink chamber  170  is in fluid communication with the atmosphere via the opening  264 , the bypass  260 , and the opening  132 . Then, ink may be introduced via the ink introduction opening  159 . Referring to  FIG. 9(   a ), ink may flow into the ink supply chamber  120  through the second path as indicated by the arrow  47 , i.e., through the opening  275 , the particular liquid path  270 , and the opening  272 . When ink enters the ink supply chamber  120 , air in the ink supply chamber  120  may flow into the ink chamber  170  through the third path, as indicated by the arrow  48 , i.e., through, the check valve  190 , the opening  181 , the communication chamber  175 , and the opening  182 . Ink also may flow into the ink chamber  170  through the first path, as indicated by the arrow  49 , i.e., through the communication opening  153 , the further liquid path  158 , the still further liquid path  166 , and the communication opening  154 . 
         [0082]    In this embodiment, because the front face  102  faces downward, the first path as indicated by the arrow  49  extends upward. On the other hand, the second path, as indicated by the arrow  47  extends downward. Consequently, most of the ink introduced via the ink introduction opening  159  may flow into the second path, as indicated by the arrow  47 . 
         [0083]    Air in the ink supply chamber  120  may be replaced by ink, and when ink is further introduced, referring to  FIG. 9(   b ), the ink supply chamber  120  may be entirely filled with ink. At this time, the check valve  190  may be operated, and thereby fluid communication between the ink supply chamber  120  and the communication chamber  175  via the check valve  190  may be prevented. Therefore, after the ink supply chamber  120  is entirely filled with ink, all the ink introduced via the ink introduction opening  159  may flow into the ink chamber  170  via the first path, as indicated by the arrow  49 . When ink enters the ink chamber  170 , air in the ink chamber  170  may flow out of ink chamber  170  to the exterior of the ink cartridge  10  via opening  264 , the bypass  260 , and the opening  132 . Then, referring to  FIG. 9(   c ), ink may be continuously introduced to until the amount of air in the ink chamber  170  is reduced to a predetermined amount. After that, the air intake valve mechanism  131  may be operated to close the opening  132  and a rubber plug may be press fitted into the ink introduction chamber  152  of the ink introduction portion  150 . A predetermined amount of air may remain in the ink chamber  170 . 
         [0084]    As described above, ink may flow into the ink supply chamber  120  directly through the second path as indicated by the arrow  47 , and hence air in the ink supply chamber  120  may be transferred to the ink chamber  170  almost completely. Therefore, almost no air may remain in the ink supply chamber  120 . 
         [0085]    When the ink supply chamber  120  is entirely filled with ink, the check valve  190  may be operated, and ink may flow into the ink chamber  170  only via the first path indicated by the arrow  49 . Because the first path is relatively short and has a relatively smaller flow resistance, ink may be quickly introduced into the ink chamber  170 . 
         [0086]    In another embodiment, the check valve  190  may be replaced by a valve member configured to regulate flow of ink through the communication opening  181  from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175 . For example, the valve member may be configured such that flow rate of ink through the communication opening  181  from the ink supply chamber  120  to the communication chamber  175  is ten times less than flow rate of ink through the communication opening  180  from the communication chamber  175  to the ink supply chamber  120 . In such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge  10  is filled with ink, the ink cartridge  10  may be positioned in a predetermined orientation, such that the front face  102  of the ink cartridge  10  faces downward and the rear face  101  faces upward, and ink introduced via the ink introduction opening  159  may flow into the ink chamber  170  via the second and third paths, as indicated by the arrows  47  and  48 , as well as the first path as indicted by the arrow  49  after the ink supply chamber  120  is entirely filled with ink. 
         [0087]    In another embodiment, no valve element may be positioned at the communication opening  181 . In such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge  10  is filled with ink, the ink cartridge  10  may be positioned such that the front face  102  of the ink cartridge  10  faces downward and the rear face  101  faces upward, ink introduced via the ink introduction opening  159  may flow into the ink chamber  170  via the second and third paths, as indicated by the arrows  47  and  48 , as well as the first path as indicted by the arrow  49  after the ink supply chamber  120  is entirely filled with ink. 
         [0088]    In another embodiment, the present invention may be applied also to liquid containers configured to store liquid other than ink, e.g., liquid fuel. 
         [0089]    While the invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and the described examples are considered merely as exemplary of the invention, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the flowing claims.