Abstract:
An ink container incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes an ink pack formed by adhering perimeters of multiple flexible films together to contain ink therein, the ink pack having at least one hole formed in a perimeter thereof and a case to hold the ink pack therein, formed by fitting together multiple members. A first member of the multiple members has a projecting portion insertable into the at least one hole formed in the ink pack. A second member of the multiple members has a recessed portion with a slot shape arranged to which the projecting portion of the first member corresponds. The multiple members are fit together by slidably moving the projecting portion of the first member to the recessed portion of the second member in a longitudinal direction of the case.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    Example embodiments of the present patent specification relate to an ink container and an image forming apparatus incorporating the ink container, and more particularly, to an ink container including an ink pack formed by multiple flexible films for containing ink therein and a case formed by multiple members to hold the ink pack therein, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the ink container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, or multifunction printers having at least one of copying, printing, scanning, and facsimile functions, typically form an image on a recording medium (e.g., a sheet) by a liquid discharging method. Thus, for example, a liquid discharging head discharges liquid (e.g., an ink droplet) onto a conveyed sheet, and the liquid is then adhered to the sheet to form an image on the sheet. 
         [0003]    Such image forming apparatuses generally employ either a serial-type image forming apparatus or a line-type image forming apparatus. 
         [0004]    A serial-type image forming apparatus feeds recording media of paper intermittently in a sub-scanning direction, and, when the recording media are stopped, moves a recording head, which includes the liquid discharging head thereon, on the recording media in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. In the serial type image forming apparatus, a recording head is mounted on a carriage that moves reciprocally along a guide rail disposed perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is transported, and recording is carried out while reciprocating the recording head along the guide rail. 
         [0005]    By contrast, in the line-type image forming apparatus, a recording head that is as wide as the recording medium is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium is transported, and recording is carried out line by line. 
         [0006]    These image forming apparatuses employ ink cartridges to store ink for supplying the ink to the recording head. These ink cartridges are of various types, as described below. 
         [0007]    One proposed type of an ink cartridge includes a cartridge case and an ink bag accommodated in the cartridge case. The cartridge case has an opening formed corresponding to an opening formed on the ink bag. A ring-shaped projecting portion that projects outward from an outer surface of a perimeter of the opening of the case is formed around the opening of the case. The outmost part of the opening of the case is positioned relatively outward from a leading edge of the opening of the ink bag. 
         [0008]    The ink cartridge of this proposed approach is assembled by one ink pack with ink therein, two cartridge cases, and two screws by slidably fitting the two cases together and fixing with the two screws only. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge with a certain amount of ink contained in the ink bag falls, the configuration gives relatively small damage to the case, and thereby prevents ink leakage from the ink bag containing the ink therein. Further, the configuration does not employ a snap-fit mechanism, which can expect high reusability. 
         [0009]    However, the ink cartridge of this proposed approach may increase an amount of ink contained in the ink bag. When an ink cartridge is made relatively large and heavy due to an increase in amount of ink and when an ink cartridge falls from a higher place to give a greater impact force to the ink cartridge, the impact can wobble the ink pack in the case, which can result in damage to the ink pack to cause ink leakage. 
         [0010]    Another proposed approach of an ink cartridge provides an ink cartridge including a rigid case accommodating an ink pack formed by adhering respective perimeters of flexible films together. 
         [0011]    The rigid case includes a recessed portion and a rib. The recessed portion corresponds to a cross section of the ink pack raised to a pillow-like shape due to ink filled therein. The rib is formed to nip the perimeter of the ink pack. The recessed portion maintains the ink pack in a substantially constant shape to prevent high deformation due to vibration and/or fall, and the rib positions and fixes the ink pack in the rigid case. According to this configuration, the ink pack can be removed easily by detaching the rigid case from the ink cartridge. 
         [0012]    However, since the ink cartridge of this proposed approach cannot slidably fit the two cases together, if the ink cartridge becomes relatively large and heavy due to an increase in amount of ink and if the ink cartridge falls from a higher place and receives a greater impact force, the two cases may need to be more fixedly adhered to each other and need additional screws, which can increase manufacturing costs. In addition, an increase in claws used for engaging the two cases may increase steps or processes in preparing for reusing the ink cartridge. 
         [0013]    To enable multiple printing for one replacement, there is market demand for an ink container capable of containing a large amount of ink. It is preferable that such ink container is collected for reuse for maintenance of global environment purposes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    Example aspects of the present patent specification have been made in view of the above-described circumstances. 
         [0015]    Example aspects of the present patent specification provide an ink container having high resistance to impact, thereby being capable of containing a large amount of ink and highly reusable. 
         [0016]    Other example aspects of the present patent specification provide an image forming apparatus that incorporates the above-described ink container. 
         [0017]    In one exemplary embodiment, an ink container includes an ink pack formed by adhering perimeters of multiple flexible films together to contain ink therein, the ink pack having at least one hole formed in a perimeter thereof, and a case to hold the ink pack therein, formed by fitting together multiple members. A first member of the multiple members has a projecting portion insertable into the at least one hole formed in the ink pack. A second member of the multiple members has a recessed portion with a slot shape arranged at a position corresponding to the projecting portion of the first member. The multiple members are fit together by slidably moving the projecting portion mounted on the first member to the recessed portion arranged on the second member in a longitudinal direction of the case. 
         [0018]    The ink pack may include multiple edges on the perimeter. A first edge of the multiple edges may have an opening therein to discharge ink. A second edge of the multiple edges may have a hole therein. The projecting portion of the first member of the case and the recessed portion of the second member of the case may be formed on positions corresponding to the hole formed in the second edge of the ink pack. 
         [0019]    The multiple edges of the ink pack may include four edges that have the opening and the second edge having the hole disposed facing each other. 
         [0020]    The above-described ink container may further include a reinforcing member having an annular plate shape, being disposed on an upper film of the flexible films on the perimeter in the vicinity of the hole of the ink pack. 
         [0021]    The above-described ink container may further include a reinforcing member having an annular plate shape, being sandwiched between the flexible films on a perimeter of the hole of the ink pack. 
         [0022]    Further, in one exemplary embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes the above-described ink container, and a cartridge holder holding the ink container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present patent specification; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a schematic structure of an image forming device of the image forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the image forming device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating of an ink cartridge incorporated in the image forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of  FIG. 4 , taken along A-A line of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating an ink pack included in the ink cartridge; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an ink pack according to an example embodiment of this patent specification; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an ink pack according to an example embodiment of this patent specification. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    In describing exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of the present patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. 
         [0033]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, in particular to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , an image forming apparatus  100  according to an example embodiment is explained. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the image forming apparatus  100 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  are views for explaining detailed descriptions are given of the image forming device  1  of the image forming apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a schematic structure of the image forming device  1 , and  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the image forming device  1  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    The image forming apparatus  100  includes an image forming device  1 , a paper tray  2 , an output tray  3 , a cartridge holder  4 , an operation display part  5 , a front cover  6 , and ink cartridges  10 . 
         [0036]    The image forming apparatus  100  further includes a feed roller  43 , a separation pad  44 , a guide  45 , a counter roller  46 , a conveyance guide  47 , a pressing member  48 , a conveyance belt  51 , a conveyance roller  52 , a tension roller  53 , a charging roller  56 , a separator  61 , output rollers  62  and  63 , a duplex unit  71 , and a bypass tray  72 . 
         [0037]    The image forming device  1  includes a left side plate  21 A, a right side plate  21 B, a back side plate  21 C, a guide rod  31 , a stay  32 , a carriage  33 , recording heads  34 , head tanks  35 , supply tubes  36 , a maintenance-restoration mechanism  81 , and an ink collection unit  88 . 
         [0038]    The recording heads  34  include recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D. The head tanks  35  include head tanks  35 A,  35 B,  35 C, and  35 D. 
         [0039]    The pressing member  48  includes a leading edge pressing roller  49  (depicted in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0040]    The maintenance-restoration mechanism  81  includes caps  82 , a wiper blade  83 , and a preliminarily discharged droplet receiver  84 . The caps  82  include caps  82 A,  82 B,  82 C, and  82 D. The ink collection unit  88  includes openings  89 . 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the paper tray  2  is attached to the image forming device  1  to load papers thereon to feed to the image forming device  1 . The paper tray  2  includes a sheet loading portion  41  (depicted in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0042]    The output tray  3  is detachably attachable to the image forming device  1  of the image forming apparatus  100  to stock output papers on each of which an image is recorded or formed. The cartridge holder  4  is disposed on one end portion on a front surface of the image forming device  1 , adjacent to the paper tray  2  and the output tray  3 , and holds ink containers or ink cartridges that contain ink as liquid for recording. The operation display part  5  having operation buttons and displays is arranged on a top surface of the cartridge holder  4 . 
         [0043]    The ink cartridges  10  function as main tanks and are provided in the cartridge holder  4 . The ink cartridges  10  include ink cartridges  10 K,  10 C,  10 M, and  10 Y in which black, cyan, magenta, and yellow recording liquids or inks are contained, respectively. The ink cartridges  10  can be loaded by pushing from a front side to a back side of the image forming device  1 . The front cover or cartridge cover  6  is mounted on the front surface side of the cartridge holder  4  to open and close when the ink cartridges  10  are attached to or detached from the image forming device  1 . 
         [0044]    The image forming apparatus  100  can be any of a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a plotter, and a multifunction printer including at least one of copying, printing, scanning, plotter, and facsimile functions. In this non-limiting example embodiment, the image forming apparatus  200  functions as a serial-type printer for discharging liquid (e.g., ink or an ink droplet) to form an image on a recording medium (e.g., a recording sheet). 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the guide rod  31  and the stay  31  serve as guide members for guiding the carriage  33 . For example, the guide rod  31  and the stay  32  support the carriage  33  in such a manner that the carriage  33  slides and moves on the guide rod  31  and the stay  32  in a main scanning direction. A main scanning motor, not shown, moves the carriage  33  via a timing belt in the main scanning direction as shown in a bidirectional arrow in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    The recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D are mounted on the carriage  33  and serve as liquid discharging heads for discharging yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ink droplets, respectively. In each of the recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D, two nozzle rows, each of which is formed of multiple nozzles, extend in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, so that the multiple nozzles discharge ink droplets downward. 
         [0047]    The recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D includes respective nozzle rows for discharging yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ink droplets, respectively. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus  100  may include two recording heads with two nozzle rows for each for discharging yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ink droplets, in given combination. For example, in one recording head, one nozzle row discharges black ink droplets and another nozzle row discharges cyan ink droplets. In the other recording head, one nozzle row discharges magenta ink droplets and another nozzle row discharges yellow ink droplets. Yet alternatively, the image forming apparatus  100  may include a single recording head in which four nozzle rows, each of which includes multiple nozzles, discharge yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ink droplets, respectively. 
         [0048]    An inkjet head forming a head of each of the recording heads  34  may include a pressure generator for generating pressure to compress ink contained in a pressing liquid chamber, such as a piezoelectric actuator, a thermal actuator, a shape-memory-alloy actuator, a static actuator. The piezoelectric actuator includes piezoelectric elements. The thermal actuator uses phase changes due to liquid film boiling with electrothermal conversion elements such as heat resistance elements. The shape-memory-alloy actuator uses metal phase change due to temperature changes. The static actuator uses static electricity. 
         [0049]    The head tanks  35  including the head tanks  35 A,  35 B,  35 C, and  35 D are mounted on the carriage  33  and correspond to the nozzle rows of the recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D to supply inks in corresponding colors to the recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D. The ink cartridges  10 K,  10 C,  10 M, and  10 Y contain black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively. 
         [0050]    Alternatively, the image forming apparatus  100  may include six head tanks with nozzle rows for each for discharging ink droplets in an order of yellow, magenta, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow for the purpose of preventing color change between an original image and a printed image based on the original image. 
         [0051]    The cartridge holder  4  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) further includes a supply pump unit  24  that supplies the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks from the ink cartridges  10 K,  10 C,  10 M, and  10 Y to the head tanks  35 A,  35 B,  35 C, and  35 D via the supply tubes  36 , respectively. 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the paper tray  2 , the sheet loading portion  41  (e.g., a pressure plate) loads sheets  42 . The feed roller  43 , having a half-moon-like shape, separates a sheet  42  from other sheet  42  loaded on the sheet loading portion  41  and feeds the separated sheet  42  toward the guide  45 . The separation pad  44  opposes the feed roller  43  and includes a material having an increased friction coefficient. The separation pad  44  is pressed against the feed roller  43 . The feed roller  43  and the separation pad  44  serve as a sheet supplier. 
         [0053]    The guide  45  guides the sheet  42  fed by the sheet supplier toward the counter roller  46 . The counter roller  46  feeds the sheet  42  toward the conveyance guide  47 . The conveyance guide  47  guides the sheet  42  toward the pressing member  48 . The leading edge pressing roller  49  of the pressing member  48  presses the sheet  42  against the conveyance belt  51 . The conveyance belt  51  serves as a conveyer that conveys the sheet  42  to electrostatically attract the sheet  42  at a position opposing the recording heads  34 . Thus, the sheet  42  fed by the sheet supplier is sent to a position under the recording heads  34 . 
         [0054]    The conveyance belt  51 , having an endless loop belt-like shape, is looped over the conveyance roller  52  and the tension roller  53  to rotate in a direction of rotation R (e.g., a sub-scanning direction). The charging roller  56  serves as a charger for charging a surface of the conveyance belt  51 . The charging roller  56  contacts a surface layer of the conveyance belt  51  and is driven and rotated by rotation of the conveyance belt  51 . 
         [0055]    A sub-scanning motor, not shown, drives and rotates the conveyance roller  52  via a timing belt so that the conveyance roller  52  rotates the conveyance belt  51  in the direction of rotation R as indicated by arrow shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0056]    The separator  61  and the output rollers  62  and  63  serve as an output device for discharging the sheet  42  bearing an image formed by the recording heads  34 . For example, the separator  61  separates the sheet  42  from the conveyance belt  51 . The output rollers  62  and  63  discharge the sheet  42  onto the output tray  3  provided under the output roller  62 . 
         [0057]    The duplex unit  71  is detachably attachable to a rear portion of the image forming apparatus  100 . The duplex unit  71  receives the sheet  42  fed by the conveyance belt  51  rotating backward, reverses the sheet  42 , and feeds the sheet  42  toward a nip portion formed between the counter roller  46  and the conveyance belt  51 . A top surface of the duplex unit  71  serves as the bypass tray  72 . 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the maintenance-restoration mechanism  81  is disposed in a non-printing region provided in one end of the image forming device  1  in the main scanning direction in which the carriage  33  moves. The maintenance-restoration mechanism  81  serves as a maintenance-restoration device for maintaining and restoring a condition of the nozzles of the recording heads  34 . In the maintenance-restoration mechanism  81 , the caps  82 A,  82 B,  82 C, and  82 D cap nozzle surfaces of the recording heads  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D, respectively. The cap  82 A serves as a vacuum and wetting cap and the caps  82 B,  82 C, and  82 D serve as a wetting cap. The wiper blade  83  wipes the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads  34 . The preliminarily discharged droplet receiver  84  receives ink droplets discharged preliminarily and thereby not used for forming an image on the sheet  42  to discharge ink droplets having an increased viscosity. 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the ink collection unit  88  (e.g., a preliminarily discharged droplet receiver) is disposed in another non-printing region provided in another end of the image forming device  1  in the main scanning direction in which the carriage  33  moves. The ink collection unit  88  serves as a liquid collection container for receiving ink droplets discharged preliminarily and thereby not used for forming an image on the sheet  42  to discharge ink droplets having an increased viscosity during an image forming operation and the like. In the ink collection unit  88 , the openings  89  are arranged along the nozzle rows of the recording heads  34 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the following describes an image forming operation performed in the image forming apparatus  100  having the above-described structure. The feed roller  43  and the separation pad  44  feed sheets  42  loaded on the paper tray  2  one by one upward toward the guide  45 . The guide  45  guides the sheet  42  in a substantially vertical direction toward the nip portion formed between the counter roller  46  and the conveyance belt  51 . The counter roller  46  and the conveyance belt  51  nip the sheet  42  and feed the sheet  42  toward the conveyance guide  47 . The conveyance guide  47  guides a leading edge of the sheet  42  toward the leading edge pressing roller  49 . The leading edge pressing roller  49  presses the sheet  42  against the conveyance belt  51  so that the conveyance belt  51  turns a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet  42  by about 90 degrees. 
         [0061]    When conveyance belt  51  turns the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet  42 , the conveyance belt  51  attracts the sheet  42 , and the rotating conveyance belt  51  conveys the sheet  42  in the sub-scanning direction. 
         [0062]    While the carriage  33  moves, the recording heads  34  are driven according to an image signal. For example, the recording heads  34  discharge ink droplets onto the sheet  42  stopped on the conveyance belt  51  to form an image of one line. After the conveyance belt  51  conveys the sheet  42  for a given amount, the recording heads  34  form an image of a next one line. When the recording heads  34  receive an image formation completion signal or a signal indicating that a trailing edge of the sheet  42  reaches an image forming region, the image forming operation is finished, and the sheet  42  is output onto the output tray  3 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , descriptions are given of the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating of the ink cartridge  10  and  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge  10  shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along A-A line of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0065]    The ink cartridge  10  that serves as an ink liquid holder includes an ink pack  200  and a case  500 . 
         [0066]    The ink pack  200  contains liquid ink therein, and includes laminating films  210  and  220 , a perimeter  230 , an ink supply opening  240 , and two holes  250 . 
         [0067]    The perimeter  230  includes four edges  231 ,  232 ,  233 , and  234 . 
         [0068]    The ink supply opening  240  includes a tube part  241  and a groove  242 . 
         [0069]    The case  500  accommodates the ink pack  200  therein, and includes a base part  300  and a cover part  400 . 
         [0070]    The base part  300  includes a bottom face  310 , a side face  320 , an engaging part  330 , two claw stoppers  340 , two screw holes  350 , and two projecting parts  360 . The two projecting parts  360  have respective basal parts  361  and stand parts  362 . 
         [0071]    The cover part  400  includes a top face  410 , a side face  420 , an engaging part  430 , two claws  440 , two screw holes  450 , and two recessed parts  460 . The two recessed parts  460  are slot-shaped and have respective basal parts  461  and two hollow parts  462 . 
         [0072]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the laminating films  210  and  220  are flexible and rectangular shaped sheets, and the perimeter  230  is arranged around the laminating films  210  and  220 . The perimeter  230  of the laminating films  210  and  220  are welded to form the ink pack  200  for containing liquid ink  260  therein. The perimeter  230  includes four edges  231 ,  232 ,  233 , and  234 . The edge  231  forms a short line on which the ink supply opening  240  made of polyethylene resin is mounted. The tube part  241  of the ink supply opening  240  is cylindrical shaped and has the groove  242  formed therearound. 
         [0073]    The edge  232  is arranged to face the edge  231  and forms the two holes  250  thereon, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the base part  300  and the cover part  400  are connected to form a substantially cubic box so as to contain the ink pack  200  inside the case  500 . The base part  300  and the cover part  400  can be made of polyethylene resin, for example. 
         [0075]    The bottom face  310  is rectangular shaped, and the side face  320  stands vertically on the bottom face  310 . 
         [0076]    The engaging part  330  is formed in a recessed manner on the side face  320  to receive the groove  242  of the ink supply opening  240  of the ink pack  200  so that the tube part  241  can be disposed in a projecting manner. 
         [0077]    The two claw stoppers  340  connect the cover part  400  with the base part  300 . 
         [0078]    The two screw holes  350  are formed for internal thread to receive two screws  510 . 
         [0079]    The stand parts  362  having a cylindrical shape are formed on the respective basal parts  361  having a larger diameter of a cylindrical shape. Such projecting parts  360  are inserted to the corresponding recessed parts  460  through the holes  250  of the ink pack  200 . 
         [0080]    The top face  410  is rectangular shaped, and the side face  420  stands vertically on the top face  410 . The side face  320  and the side face  420  are connected so that the bottom face  310  and the top face  410  are disposed to face each other. 
         [0081]    The engaging part  430  is formed in a recessed manner on the side face  420  to receive the groove  242  of the ink supply opening  240  of the ink pack  200  so that the tube part  241  can be disposed in a projecting manner. 
         [0082]    The claws  440  are engaged with the respective claw stoppers  340  of the base part  300  by sliding and fitting the cover part  400  to the base part  300  in a direction X indicated in  FIG. 4 . By so doing, the cover part  400  is fixedly engaged with the base part  300 . 
         [0083]    The screw holes  450  are formed to allow the two screws  510  to be inserted therethrough. 
         [0084]    The recessed parts  460  have an elongate hole or a slotted hole into which the projecting parts  360  are inserted via the holes  250  formed on the ink pack  200 . 
         [0085]    The basal parts  461  of the recessed parts  460  have an elongate hole or a slotted hole and formed in a row on the top face  410  and the side face  420 . The hollow parts  462  of the recessed parts  460  with an elongate hole or a slotted hole are formed on the respective basal parts  461  to receive the stand parts  362  of the projecting parts  360  are inserted thereto. The hollow parts  462  of the recessed parts  460  are formed to extend in an identical direction so that the cover part  400  is slidably fitted to the base part  300  in the direction X in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0086]    To fit the base part  300  and the cover part  400  together, the claws  440  are slidably moved toward the claw stoppers  340  corresponding to the claws  440  in the direction X in  FIG. 4  so that the base part  300  and the cover part  400  can be positioned in directions Y and Z in  FIG. 4 . The two screws  510  are then inserted into the screw holes  450  and the screw holes  350  to fix the base part and the cover part  400  to each other. Since the hollow parts  462  serve as long holes extending in the direction X, the base part  300  and the cover part  400  can slidably mode in the direction X while the stand parts  362  are inserted into the hollow parts  462 , so as to engage the claws  440  and the claw stoppers  340 . 
         [0087]    Before fitting the base part  300  and the cover part  400 , the ink pack  200  is placed between the base part  300  and the cover part  400 . The groove  242  of the ink supply opening  240  is sandwiched between the engaging part  330  of the base part  300  and the engaging part  430  of the cover part  400 . The stand parts  362  of the projecting parts  360  are inserted into the holes  250  formed on the edge  232 , and is then inserted into the hollow parts  462  of the recessed parts  460 . By so doing, the edge  232  of the ink pack  200  is fixedly held in the vicinity of the holes  250  between the basal parts  361  of the projecting parts  360  and the basal parts  461  of the recessed parts  460 , and therefore the ink pack  200  is surely held. 
         [0088]    As described above, in the ink cartridge  10  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification, the ink pack  200  are held by the base part  300  and the cover part  400  at the ink supply opening  240  and the edge  232 , which may not cause ink leakage due to drop impact. Therefore, the ink cartridge  10  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification can provide high resistance to impact and contain a large amount of ink. Further, the base part  300  and the cover part  400  of the ink cartridge  10  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification can be easily disassembled by unscrewing the screws  510 , and the ink pack  200  can be easily removed. Accordingly, the ink cartridge  10  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification can provide high reusability. 
         [0089]    In the above-described example embodiment, these two holes  250  are formed on the ink pack  200  to fix to the base part  300  and the cover part  400 . However, any number of holes other than the two holes  250  can be formed on the ink pack  200 . 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a description is given of an ink pack  201  according to another example embodiment of this patent specification. 
         [0091]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating the ink pack  201 . Elements or parts of the ink pack  201  according to this example embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the ink pack  200  according to the above-described example embodiment and the descriptions thereof are omitted or summarized. 
         [0092]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the ink pack  201  of this example embodiment includes a perimeter  230 A having four edges  231 ,  232 ,  233 A, and  234 A. The edge  231  forms a short line on which the ink supply opening  240  is mounted. The edges  232 ,  233 A, and  234 A form holes  250 A,  250 B, and  250 C, respectively. The base part  300  and the cover part  400  of the ink pack  201  form projecting parts and recessed parts, respectively, to correspond to the holes  250 A,  250 B, and  250 C, through which the projecting parts and the recessed parts are engaged. 
         [0093]    With the above-described structure, the ink pack  201  according to this example embodiment can achieve a higher resistance to impact for the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a description is given of an ink pack  202  according to another example embodiment of this patent specification. 
         [0095]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ink pack  202  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification. Elements or parts of the ink pack  202  according to this example embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the ink pack  200  according to the above-described example embodiment and the descriptions thereof are omitted or summarized. 
         [0096]    The ink pack  202  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a reinforcing member  710  to reinforce holes formed on the ink pack  202  for higher resistance to impact to the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0097]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the reinforcing member  710  has an annular plate shape and is mounted in the vicinity of the hole  250  formed on the edge  232  of the upper laminating film  210 , which is adhered to the lower laminating film  220  to form the ink pack  202 . 
         [0098]    Since the hole  250  is reinforced with the reinforcing member  710  in the above-described structure, the ink pack  202  according to this example embodiment can achieve a higher resistance to impact for the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a description is given of an ink pack  203  according to another example embodiment of this patent specification. 
         [0100]    FIG . 8  is a cross-sectional view of the ink pack  203  according to an example embodiment of this patent specification. Elements or parts of the ink pack  203  according to this example embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the ink pack  200  according to the above-described example embodiment and the descriptions thereof are omitted or summarized. 
         [0101]    The ink pack  203  shown in  FIG. 8  includes a reinforcing member  720  to reinforce holes formed on the ink pack  203  for higher resistance to impact to the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0102]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the reinforcing member  720  has an annular plate shape and is sandwiched between the holes  250  formed on the edges  232  of the upper laminating film  210  and the lower laminating film  220 , which are adhered to each other to form the ink pack  203 . 
         [0103]    Since the hole  250  is reinforced with the reinforcing member  720  in the above-described structure, the ink pack  203  according to this example embodiment can achieve a higher resistance to impact for the ink cartridge  10 . 
         [0104]    The exemplary embodiments of the present patent specification are explained. However, the present patent specification in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0105]    The above-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative, and numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of the present patent specification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 
         [0106]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present patent specification are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present patent specification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 
         [0107]    This patent specification claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2008-104347 filed on Apr. 14, 2008 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents and disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.