Abstract:
A liquid container attachable to a liquid consuming apparatus includes a supplying portion, a containing portion and a first rigid member. The supplying portion has a supplying opening and supplies a liquid to the liquid consuming apparatus in a state that the liquid container is attached to the liquid consuming apparatus. The containing portion is connected to the supplying portion, the containing portion containing the liquid, the containing portion being made of a flexible sheet material. The containing portion has a first side portion, a bottom portion positioned at a bottom of the containing portion in a state that the liquid container is attached to the liquid consuming apparatus and a first bottom-side sealed portion formed by joining edge portions of the first side portion and the bottom portion. The first rigid member is arranged along the first side portion and over an upper end of the first bottom-side sealed portion. The first rigid member is made of a material of higher rigidity than the flexible sheet material, whereby the first rigid member restricts displacement of the first bottom-side sealed portion in a lateral direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-38360, filed on Feb. 20, 2008, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-27251, filed on Feb. 9, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a liquid container made of flexible sheet, adapted to internally store a liquid for supply to a liquid consuming apparatus. 
     The invention relates primarily to a liquid container suitable as an ink pack for internally storing ink that is to be supplied to an ink-jet printer as the liquid consuming apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Ink packs designed to internally store ink to be supplied to an ink-jet printer, and composed of flexible sheets having liquid outlet member ( 22 ) for feeding the ink to the ink-jet printer are known in the art (see Patent Citation 1 for example). 
     This kind of ink pack has a pair of side wall portions disposed facing one another, and a gusseted portion that defines a gusset between the pair of side wall portions. 
     In an ink pack of this type, the gusseted portion progressively folds in jackknife fashion as the ink inside is consumed; if during this process the fold line jackknifes in such a way as to protrude outward, there will be considerable resistance to folding, resulting in a larger amount of ink that is not ultimately consumed but instead remains left in the ink pack. 
     Particularly where an ink pack is designed with a gusseted portion situated at the bottom, the fold line of the gusseted portion will tend to protrude outward (downward) due to the weight of the ink. 
     According to the teachings of Patent Citation 1, a regulating member ( 17 ) adapted to regulate the folding face from bending outwardly is provided inside the case which houses the ink pack. 
     However, the teachings of Patent Citation 1 require provision of the regulating member, which is inherently superfluous in terms of ink delivery. Moreover, it is not a simple matter to accommodate both the regulating member and the ink pack within the case. 
     Furthermore, because in the initial state the regulating member inwardly indents the gusseted portion, the amount of ink filling the ink pack will be smaller. 
     Another known conventional ink pack is provided with regulating plates ( 11 ) designed to regulate collapse of the pack in a uniform manner as the ink is consumed (Patent Citations 2,  FIG. 3 ). 
     An ink pouch of so-called gusset type embodying this teaching is depicted in model cross section in  FIGS. 9A-D . In the drawing, regulating plates  2  are shown applied to the side faces of a pack (flexible pouch)  1  composed of flexible sheeting. 
       FIG. 9A  depicts a condition in which the pack  1  has been filled with a relatively small amount of ink. In this condition, due to the low weight of the ink inside the pack, the gusseted portion  3  that constitutes the base part will maintain chevron shape with the fold line  3   a  as the apical line. 
     Consequently, as the ink inside the pack is consumed, the ink pack  1  will collapse in such a way that the gusseted portion  3  progressively folds inward as depicted in  FIG. 9B . This is the preferred condition, as the amount of residual ink left inside the pack  1  will be minimized. 
       FIG. 9C  on the other hand depicts a condition in which the pack  1  has been filled with a relatively large amount of ink. In this condition, due to the heavy weight of the ink inside the pack, in the gusseted portion  3  that constitutes the base part of the pack  1 , the bottom will distend downwardly so that the fold line  3   a  forms a downwardly pendant valley part. 
     Thus, as the ink inside the pack is consumed, the gusseted portion  3  will fold up with its fold line  3   a  protruding downward as depicted in  FIG. 9D . This is an undesirable condition, as a large amount of residual ink will be left inside the pack  1 . Such a condition can easily occur if the ink pack is left at high temperature when first used. 
     Thus, according to the teachings of Patent Citation 2, if the ink pack is filled with a large amount of ink to the point that the gusseted portion distends outwardly, the problem of a considerable amount of ink being left behind at completion of use of the ink pack will arise.
     [Patent Citation 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2005-254570   [Patent Citation 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002-361882   

     SUMMARY 
     It is accordingly one object of the present invention to address the above issues and provide a liquid container that minimizes the amount of liquid left behind at completion of use, even if filled with a large quantity of liquid. 
     The liquid container according to a first aspect of the present invention for attaining the stated object has a liquid container pouch of pouch form constructed of flexible sheets; and
         a liquid outlet member held between the pair of flexible sheets to permit extraction of a liquid contained in the liquid container pouch to a liquid consuming apparatus;   wherein the liquid container pouch includes:   a pair of side portions; and   a lower gusseted portion that defines a basal gusset and that includes first bilateral edge portions disposed overlapping individual lower border zones that are situated on the side constituting the lower borders of the pair of side portions during extraction of liquid for use by the liquid consuming apparatus;   the individual lower border zones of the pair of side portions and the individual bilateral first side edge portions of the lower gusseted portion respectively overlap to define two first sealed portions;   the lower gusseted portion has a first fold line extending parallel to the lower border between the first bilateral edge portions and is oriented in a folding direction so as to define a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the liquid container pouch, with the first fold line as the apical line thereof; and   the two first sealed portions are furnished with regulating members adapted to restrain outward expansion thereof by a greater extent than faces other than the two first sealed portions on the pair of side portions.       

     According to this liquid container, regulating members will prevent first sealed portions that are situated to the lower border side of the side wall portions from expanding outward beyond portions of the side wall portions other than the first sealed portions. Thus, with the bilateral edge portions of the lower gusseted portion as support points, moment will act in such a way as to induce folding of the lower gusseted portion into a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the liquid container pouch and having the first fold line as the apical line thereof. 
     This action of moment occurs even where the liquid container pouch has been filled with a large quantity of liquid, with the action continuing uninterrupted until service is complete at the point that the liquid in the liquid container pouch has been totally consumed. 
     Thus, even if this liquid container has been filled with a large quantity of liquid, the lower gusseted portion will fold up correctly under the action of the aforementioned moment as the liquid is progressively consumed. Consequently, this liquid container affords the advantage that even if filled with a large quantity of liquid, the amount of remaining liquid at completion of use can be minimized. 
     Moreover, the need to provide the case with a regulating member separate from the liquid container, as taught in Patent Citation 1, is obviated. 
     In the liquid container according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible for the regulating member to be composed of two plate-like members of higher rigidity than the flexible sheets, adhered overlapping at least individual parts of the two first sealed portions at the individual outside faces of the pair of side portions. 
     By so doing, the lower gusseted portion can be induced to fold up correctly through a simple construction. 
     In another possible mode of the liquid container according to the present invention, the liquid container has an upper gusseted portion that defines an apical gusset and that includes second bilateral edge portions disposed overlapping individual upper border zones that are situated on the side constituting the upper borders of the pair of side portions during extraction of liquid for use by the liquid consuming apparatus; the upper gusseted portion has a second fold line extending parallel to the upper border in the center between the second bilateral edge portions and is oriented in a folding direction so as to define a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the liquid container pouch, with the second fold line as the apical line thereof, and the upper edges of the plate-like members are situated in proximity to the heightwise location of the second fold line when the upper gusseted portion assumes the folded state. 
     With this arrangement, the liquid capacity can be increased commensurately with the provision of the upper gusseted portion. Compare this to the case where the upper gusseted portion is provided, but the upper edges of the plate-like members are situated above the location of the second fold line when the upper gusseted portion assumes the folded state. In this case, as the liquid is progressively consumed, if for some reason the gap between the plate-like members should become too small before the upper gusseted portion folds inward (downward), there is a risk that the upper gusseted portion will have difficulty folding inward (downward). This risk can be eliminated by situating the upper edges of the plate-like members in proximity to the heightwise location of the second fold line when the upper gusseted portion assumes the folded state as described above. 
     Compare this to the case where the upper edges of the plate-like members are situated above the location of the second fold line when the upper gusseted portion assumes the folded state. In this case, in the upper part of the side wall portions the zones not provided with the plate-like members will be larger, and as the liquid is progressively consumed, the side wall portions in these zones may assume an unstable condition which possibly results in wrinkles or the like, posing a risk of an increased amount of liquid remaining at completion of use. 
     On the other hand, by situating the upper edges of the plate-like members in proximity to the heightwise location of the second fold line when the upper gusseted portion assumes the folded state as described above, this risk can be eliminated. 
     Moreover, in this case, during filling, the side wall portions to the upper side from the plate-like members are able to distend outwardly, thus providing commensurate increase in liquid capacity. In the liquid container according to the present invention, the upper edges of the plate-like members can be established at locations overlapping at least individual parts of the two first sealed portions. 
     This arrangement makes it easier for the upper gusseted portion to fold up correctly, while at the same because the side wall portions are supported across their entire vertical extension by the plate-like members, wrinkles etc. are not likely to occur so that the amount of liquid remaining at completion of use can be reduced. 
     In the liquid container according to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid container pouch may include a front border sealed portion in which the liquid outlet member is installed; and a rear border sealed portion extending along a border to the opposite side from the front border sealed portion; with the liquid container pouch in the filled state, each of the pair of side wall portions may include, in a direction parallel to the upper border, a front side sloping portion that slopes and extends out beyond the front border seal, a rear side sloping portion that slopes and extends out beyond the rear border seal, and a flat portion situated between the front and rear sloping portions; and the two plate-like members may be respectively disposed in the flat portions in the pair of side wall portions. 
     With this arrangement, during filling of the liquid container pouch with liquid, the liquid container pouch can distend in a satisfactory manner according to the amount of liquid, despite the presence of the plate-like members. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a liquid container attachable to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container pertaining to the second aspect comprises a supplying portion, a containing portion and a first rigid member. The supplying portion has a supplying opening and supplies a liquid to the liquid consuming apparatus in a state that the liquid container is attached to the liquid consuming apparatus. The containing portion is connected to the supplying portion, the containing portion containing the liquid, the containing portion being made of a flexible sheet material. The containing portion has a first side portion, a bottom portion positioned at a bottom of the containing portion in a state that the liquid container is attached to the liquid consuming apparatus and a first bottom-side sealed portion formed by joining edge portions of the first side portion and the bottom portion. The first rigid member is arranged along the first side portion and over an upper end of the first bottom-side sealed portion. The first rigid member is made of a material of higher rigidity than the flexible sheet material, whereby the first rigid member restricts displacement of the first bottom-side sealed portion in a lateral direction. In this case, moment acts in such a way as the bottom portion is headed to upward, i.e. inward of the containing portion. Therefore, when the remaining liquid in the containing portion is low, it may restrict the possibility of the bottom portion to move downward, i.e. outward of the containing portion. As a result, the amount of remaining liquid in the containing portion at completion of use may be minimized. 
     The above and other objects, characterizing features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description of preferred embodiments presented below along with the attached figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-C  illustrate a liquid pack shown by way of an embodiment of the liquid container according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-B  represent in model form the II-II cross section in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-C  are enlarged sectional views taken along III-III in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 4A-B  show variations of upper portion of liquid pack  10 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration depicting a comparative example, and corresponds to an enlarged sectional view taken along III-III in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view depicting an exemplary ink cartridge adapted to house the liquid pack; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic depicting a first example of an ink-jet printer that employs the ink cartridge  30  described above; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram depicting a second example of an ink-jet printer employing the aforementioned ink cartridge; 
         FIGS. 9A-D  are illustrations for explaining the problem of the conventional technique. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the liquid pack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein should not be construed as unduly limiting the present invention set forth in the appended claims, and not all of the arrangements described hereinbelow are essential as means for solving the problem of the invention. 
     Embodiments 
       FIGS. 1A-C  illustrate a liquid pack shown by way of an embodiment of the liquid container according to the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is a front view,  FIG. 1B  is a bottom view, and  FIG. 1C  is a sectional view depicting the layer structure of the flexible sheet.  FIGS. 2A-B  represent in model form the II-II cross section in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2A  depicts a liquid container pouch  10 A in cross section when filled to full with liquid; and  FIG. 2B  depicts the liquid container pouch  10 A in cross section with some liquid remaining. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1A-C  and in  FIGS. 2A-B , this liquid pack  10  has a liquid container pouch  10 A of pouch form made of flexible sheets  12 ; and a liquid outlet member  10 B retained between the pair of flexible sheets and used for drawing out liquid contained in the liquid container pouch  10 A to a liquid consuming apparatus such as a printer.  FIG. 1A  depicts the liquid pack  10  being used in a condition set up in a liquid consuming apparatus so that liquid may be drawn out from it. In the following description, the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction in the condition of use depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
     The liquid pack  10  of the present embodiment is an ink pack designed to internally store ink for supply to an ink-jet printer as the liquid consuming apparatus. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B , this liquid pack  10  includes a pair of side wall portions  13 ,  13  disposed in opposition to one another; and a lower gusseted portion  14  that defines a basal gusset and that includes first bilateral edge portions  14   a ,  14   a  disposed overlapping individual lower border zones  13   a ,  13   a  that are intended to be oriented towards the side constituting the lower borders of the pair of side portions  13 ,  13  when liquid is being extracted for use by the liquid consuming apparatus. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2A-B , the individual lower border zones  13   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side wall portions  13 ,  13  and the first bilateral edge portions  14   a ,  14   a  of the lower gusseted portion  14  are respectively overlapped and heat bonded to one another to produce two first sealed portions  15 ,  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B , the lower gusseted portion  14  has a first fold line  14   b  extending parallel to the lower border through the center between the first bilateral edge portions  14   a ,  14   a ; and as shown in  FIG. 2B  is oriented in a folding direction so as to define a chevron shape that points inwardly into the liquid container pouch, with the first fold line  14   b  as the apical line. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2A-B , this liquid pack  10  has regulating members  20  adapted to restrain the two first sealed portions  15 ,  15  from outward expansion by a greater extent than faces other than these two first sealed portions  15 ,  15  on the pair of side portions  13 ,  13 . 
     In the present embodiment, an upper gusseted portion  16  that defines an apical gusset may be provided in addition to the lower gusseted portion  14  that defines the basal gusset. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1A , the flexible sheet  12  is a sheet having, for example, a triple-layer structure wherein the three layers are composed of an outer layer  12   a  of PET, nylon or other material with excellent impact resistance; a middle layer  12   b  of aluminum or other material with excellent gas barrier properties; and an inner layer  12   c  of polyethylene or other material with excellent heat bondability. 
     The liquid container pouch  10 A that makes up the liquid pack  10  is constituted as a pouch of gusset type, produced by positioning a pair of the aforementioned flexible sheets  12  that constitute the pair of side wall portions  13 , with their inner layers  12   c  facing each other, positioning the upper gusseted portion  16  and the lower gusseted portion  14 , which are composed of the aforementioned flexible sheets  12  at top and bottom of the side wall portions  13 , so that their inner layers  12   c  face each other, and then heat sealing the juxtaposed faces. The pair of side wall portions  13  are then heat sealed at one border with the liquid outlet member  10 B arranged between the pair of side wall portions  13 , thereby unifying the liquid outlet member  10 B with the liquid container pouch  10 A. 
       FIGS. 3A-C  are enlarged sectional views taken along III-III in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 3A  depicts the liquid container pouch  10 A in cross section when filled to full with liquid; and  FIG. 3B  depicts the liquid container pouch  10 A in cross section with some liquid remaining. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B  and  FIGS. 3A-B , the regulating members  20  are composed of two plate-like members of higher rigidity than the flexible sheets  12 , which are overlapped and adhered to individual parts of the two first sealed portions  13  on the individual outside surfaces of the pair of side wall portions  13 . 
     According to this liquid pack  10 , the plate-like members  20  that serve as the regulating members function to restrain the two first sealed portions  15 ,  15  from outward expansion by a greater extent than faces other than the first sealed portions  15 ,  15  on the pair of side portions  13 ,  13 . 
     Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-B  and  FIGS. 3A-B , with the sealed portions  15  and the lower border zones  13   a  of the lower gusseted portion  14  as support points, moment M will act in such a way as to induce folding of the lower gusseted portion  14  into a chevron shape that points inwardly into the liquid pack  10 , with the fold line  14   b  as its apical line. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 3A , such action of moment will occur where the pack  10  has been filled with a large quantity of liquid; and this action will continue uninterrupted until use is completed at the point that the liquid in pack  10  has been consumed, as depicted in  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 3B . 
     Thus, even if this liquid pack  10  is filled with a large quantity of liquid as depicted in  FIG. 2A , the lower gusseted portion  14  will fold up correctly under the action of the aforementioned moment M as the liquid is progressively consumed, as depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
     Consequently, the liquid pack  10  affords the advantage that even when it is filled with a large quantity of liquid, the amount of remaining liquid at completion of use can be minimized. 
     Another advantage is that the need to provide a separate member that inserts into the lower gusseted portion of the pack, as seen in prior art Patent Citation 1, is obviated. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration depicting a comparative example, and corresponds to an enlarged sectional view taken along III-III in  FIG. 1A . In this comparative example, the aforementioned plate-like member  20  is disposed so as to extend up to the sealed portion  15 . 
     Thus, if the pack of the comparative example is filled with a large quantity of liquid, the sealed portion  15  will open towards the outside as depicted in  FIG. 5 , and there will be substantially no action of moment M maintaining the lower gusseted portion  14  in chevron shape with the fold line  14   b  as its apical line; or if there is such action, the magnitude thereof will be exceedingly small. 
     For this reason, as depicted in  FIG. 9D , as the ink inside the pack is progressively consumed, the lower gusseted portion will fold up with its fold line protruding downward, and a considerable amount of ink will be left in the pack. 
     With the liquid pack  10  of the present embodiment on the other hand, the lower gusseted portion  14  will fold correctly so that remaining ink can be minimized. 
     Since the regulating member  20  is constituted as a plate-like member of greater rigidity than the flexible sheet  12  that is produced by overlapping and adhering to part  15   a  of the sealed portion  15 , the sealed portion  15  can be regulated through a simple arrangement. 
     The plate-like member  20  may also be disposed overlapping the sealed portion  15  down to the lower edge as depicted by a hypothetical line  21  in  FIG. 3A . 
     By so doing, stronger moment M can be achieved in a reliable manner. 
     The plate-like members  20  may also be bent inwardly at the bottom end  22 , as in a modified example depicted in  FIG. 3C . In this case as well, the plate-like member  20  may be disposed overlapping the sealed portion  15  down to the lower edge as depicted by a hypothetical line  21  in  FIG. 3C . 
     With this arrangement, not only will the sealed portion  15  be restrained from outward expansion to a greater extent than the side wall portion  30 , but the sealed portion  15   20  will be restrained at an inward location by the inwardly bent lower end  22  of the plate-like member  20 . By so doing, stronger moment M can be achieved in a reliable manner. 
     In the preceding embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 2B , between upper border zones on the upper border side of the pair of side wall portions  13 , the upper gusseted portion  16  is disposed so as to have symmetrical shape with the lower gusseted portion  14  in relation to the vertical direction. By so doing, liquid capacity can be increased commensurately with the provision of the upper gusseted portion  16 . 
     The cross sectional structure of the upper gusseted portion  16  is identical to that of the lower gusseted portion  14  and as such is omitted from the illustration; however, the liquid pack  10 A herein has an upper gusseted portion  16  that defines an apical gusset and that includes second bilateral edge portions disposed overlapping the individual upper border zones  13   b  that are situated on the side constituting the upper borders of the pair of side portions  13 ,  13  during extraction of liquid for use by the liquid consuming apparatus. As depicted in  FIG. 2B , like the lower gusseted portion  14 , the upper gusseted portion  16  has a second fold line  16   b  that extends parallel to the upper border in the center between the second bilateral edge portions, and is oriented in a folding direction so as to define a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the liquid container pouch  10 A, with the second fold line  16   b  as its apical line. 
     In the present embodiment, the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  will be situated in proximity to the heightwise location of the second fold line  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state, as depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
     Where the upper gusseted portion  16  has been provided, but in contrast to  FIG. 2B , the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  are situated above the aforementioned location (the location depicted in  FIG. 2B ) (see  FIG. 4B ), there is a risk that as the liquid is progressively consumed, for some reason the gap between the plate-like members  20  may become too small before the upper gusseted portion  16  has folded inward (downward). If this should occur, the upper gusseted portion  16  will have difficulty folding inward (downward). 
     In contrast, where the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  are situated at locations in proximity in the vertical direction to the fold line  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state, this risk will be eliminated. 
     Where on the other hand the edges  23 ′ of the plate-like members  20  are situated below the location of the fold line  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state, as depicted by the hypothetical lines  23 ′ in  FIGS. 2A-B , there is a risk of a problem occurring. Specifically, in the upper part of the side wall portions the zones  13   c  not provided with the plate-like members  20  will be larger, and thus as liquid is progressively consumed, the side wall portions in these zones  13   c  may assume an unstable condition possibly resulting in wrinkles or the like, posing a risk of an increased amount of liquid remaining at completion of use. 
     In contrast, where the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  are situated at locations in proximity to the fold line  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state as depicted in  FIG. 2B , this risk will be eliminated. 
     Moreover, where the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  are situated at locations in proximity to the fold line  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state, the side wall portions  13   c  above the upper edges  23  will be able to distend outwardly during filling as depicted by the hypothetical lines  13   d  in  FIG. 2A , thus providing commensurate increase in liquid capacity. 
       FIGS. 4A-B  depict a modified example of the upper part of the liquid pack  10 . As shown in the drawings, the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  may be situated at locations above the lower edge [Translator&#39;s Note: inadvertent error for fold line?]  16   b  when the upper gusseted portion  16  has assumed the folded state. 
     If this arrangement is employed, as discussed previously there will be a risk that as the liquid is progressively consumed, if for some reason the gap between the plate-like members  20  should become too small before the upper gusseted portion  16  has folded inward (downward), the upper gusseted portion  16  will have difficulty folding inward (downward). However, under conditions of normal use, wrinkling etc. of the side wall portions  13  can be prevented, and the amount of liquid remaining at completion of use of the pack can be reduced. 
     As shown by the hypothetical lines  20 ,  23  in  FIG. 4B , the upper edges  23  of the plate-like members  20  may be positioned at least partially overlapping the second sealed portions where the second bilateral edge portions of the upper gusseted portion  16  and the upper border zones  13   b  of the side wall portions  13  have been sealed together. The specific arrangement is substantially identical to turning  FIG. 3  upside down, and thus will not be depicted herein. 
     This arrangement will facilitate correct folding up of the upper gusseted portion  16 , while at the same time because the side wall portions  13  are supported across their entire vertical extension by the plate-like members  20 , wrinkles etc. are not likely to occur so that the amount of liquid remaining in at completion of use of the pack can be reduced. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the lengthwise extension of the plate-like member  20  in relation to the direction of the aforementioned apical line  14   b  will lie within a flat portion  13 A of the side wall portion  13 . 
     Here, the liquid container pouch  10 A has a front border sealed portion  18 A in which the liquid outlet member  10 B is installed, and a rear border sealed portion  18 B extending along a border on the opposite side from the front border sealed portion. With the liquid container pouch  10 A in the filled state, each of the pair of side wall portions  13 ,  13  will include, in a direction parallel to the upper border, a front side sloping portion  13 B that slopes and extends out beyond the front border seal  18 A, a rear side sloping portion  13 C that slopes and extends out beyond the rear border seal  18 B, and the aforementioned flat portion  13 A, which is situated between the front and rear sloping portions  13 B,  13 C. The flat portion  13 A connects at its two ends with the front and rear sloping portions  13 B,  13 C via curving portions  13 D,  13 D. 
     The two plate-like members  20 ,  20  are respectively situated in the flat portions  13 A,  13 A of the pair of side wall portions  13 ,  13 . That is, the plate-like members  20  have length such that they do not reach the curving portions  13 D contiguous with the side wall portions  13 . 
     If the plate-like members  20  were of sufficient length to reach the curving portions  13 D, there would be a risk of the plate-like members  20  hindering distension of the pack  10  when the pack  10  is being filled with liquid. In the present embodiment, the pack  10  can distend in a satisfactory manner when the pack  10  is being filled with liquid, despite the presence of the plate-like members  20 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view depicting an exemplary ink cartridge adapted to house the liquid pack (ink pack). 
     While it is possible for the ink pack  10  to be used installed in an ink-jet printer in the condition illustrated in  FIG. 1A , typically, it will be housed in an ink cartridge  30  as depicted in  FIG. 30 . 
     The ink cartridge  30  has a lower case  31  and an upper case  32 , with the ink pack  10  housed inside a case assembled from the lower case  31  and the upper case  32 . 
       33  and  34  are spacers that are respectively positioned in front and back of the ink pack  10 ; these function as restraining members for restraining the ink pack  10  inside the case. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic depicting a first example of an ink-jet printer that employs the ink cartridge  30  described above. 
     The ink cartridge  30  is installed in a cartridge installation section of a printer  40 , and during the process an ink feed needle  41  provided to the printer  40  will insert into a feed port  11  of the ink pack  10 . 
     The ink inside the ink pack  10  is fed from the ink feed needle  41  to a recording head (in-jet head)  43  through an ink feed line  42 . The ink will be supplied from the ink pack  10  to the recording head  43  due to the hydraulic head difference between the ink pack  10  and the recording head  43 . 
     As illustrated, a damper  44  is provided between the ink pack  10  and the recording head  43 ; however, in the absence of a pressure regulating valve (pressure reduction valve), it will be necessary to prevent the hydraulic head difference feed pressure from bearing directly on the recording head  43 . 
     Accordingly, in this first example, a sub-tank (a flexible pouch of ink pack type) is provided to the ink feed line  42 , a top-up valve  46  is provided on the upstream side thereof, and a feed valve  47  is provided on the downstream side thereof. 
     When ink is to be supplied from the ink pack  10  to the sub-tank, the top-up valve  46  will be opened (the feed valve  47  is closed). 
     Once top-up is complete, the top-up valve  46  is shut off, and the feed valve  478  is opened to feed ink to the recording head  43 . That is, the sub-tank  45  functions as a kind of small-capacity ink cartridge. 
     Where such an arrangement is employed, the hydraulic head difference feed pressure can be prevented from bearing directly on the recording head  43 , even in the absence of a pressure regulating valve (pressure reduction valve). 
     Additionally,  50  denotes a cap adapted to cover the nozzle face of the recording head  43  when the recording head  43  is positioned at the home position;  51  denotes a suction pump used to forcibly suction ink from the nozzles through the cap when the nozzles of the recording head  43  have become clogged, in order to eliminate the clog; and  52  denotes a waste ink absorber for absorbing waste ink from the suction pump  51 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram depicting a second example of an ink-jet printer employing the aforementioned ink cartridge. 
     This second example differs from the preceding first example in that a pressure regulating valve (pressure reduction valve)  48  is provided between the ink pack  10  and the recording head  43 , thereby preventing the hydraulic head difference feed pressure from bearing directly on the recording head  43 , and rendering the sub-tank  45  and the aforementioned valves  46 ,  47  unnecessary. 
     However, there are no adverse effects of providing the sub-tank  45  and the valves  46 ,  47 , and providing the sub-tank  45  means that the sub-tank  45  can be utilized for detecting remaining ink level. 
     While the preferred embodiment of has been described in detail herein, numerous variations will be readily apparent to the practitioner of the art without substantially departing from the novelty and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, such modified examples fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, terms appearing together with different terms of broader or identical meaning in the specification and drawings may be replaced with these different terms, at any point in the specification or drawings. 
     The present invention is not limited to application in ink cartridges for use in ink-jet recording devices, and may be adapted for use in liquid consuming apparatuss of various kinds equipped with a liquid jetting head adapted to eject small amounts of a liquid in drop form. Herein, a drop refers to the state of the liquid as ejected from the liquid consuming apparatus, and includes those of granular, teardrop, or filiform shape having a tail. 
     Specific examples of such liquid consuming apparatuss are, for example, a device equipped with a color matter jetting head, employed in manufacturing color filters for liquid crystal displays and the like; a device equipped with an electrode material (conductive paste) jetting head, employed for forming electrodes in organic EL displays, field emission displays (FED), and the like; a device equipped with a bioorganic substance jetting head, employed in biochip manufacture; a device equipped with a specimen jetting head as a precision pipette; textile printing devices; and microdispensers. 
     In the present invention, a liquid refers to any material that can be jetted from a liquid consuming apparatus. For example, substances of [any] state when in the liquid phase would be acceptable including those of a high- or low-viscosity liquid state, a sol, gel, water, or other inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (molten metal), or substances having the liquid state as one of their states; as well as materials containing solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed into a medium. Typical examples of liquids are the inks described in the preceding embodiments; liquid crystals, and the like. Here, the term ink is used to include typical water based inks and oil based inks, as well as shellac, hot melt inks, and various other kinds of liquid compositions. 
     While the liquid container pertaining to the invention have been shown and described on the basis of the embodiment and variation, the embodiments of the invention described herein are merely intended to facilitate understanding of the invention, and implies no limitation thereof. Various modifications and improvements of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as recited in the appended claims, and these will naturally be included as equivalents in the invention.