Patent Publication Number: US-9403370-B2

Title: Liquid discharge apparatus, liquid cartridge, and liquid discharge system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-071157 filed on Mar. 31, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a liquid discharge apparatus jetting a liquid, a liquid cartridge installed in the liquid discharge apparatus, and a liquid discharge system including the liquid discharge apparatus and the liquid cartridge. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As one example of liquid discharge apparatuses, there is known an ink jet printer having, for example, an ink jet head, and a cartridge installation portion connected with the ink jet head via a tube. An ink cartridge is detachably installed in the cartridge installation portion. Via the tube, the ink jet head is supplied with ink in the ink cartridge installed in the cartridge installation portion. The ink supplied to the ink jet head is jetted from a plurality of nozzles to a sheet of recording paper. 
     The cartridge installation portion has an ink connection portion and an atmosphere connection portion connected with the ink cartridge. With the atmosphere connection portion connected with the ink cartridge, an ink chamber of the ink cartridge comes to communicate with the atmosphere. In this state, with the ink connection portion connected with the ink cartridge, it is possible for the ink in the ink chamber to flow out from the ink connection portion. 
     The atmosphere connection portion has an opening in communication with the ink cartridge, an opening (atmosphere communication port) in communication with the atmosphere, and a space linking those two openings. The atmosphere communication port is provided with a semipermeable membrane. This semipermeable membrane allows a gaseous matter (air) to pass through but does not allow the ink to pass through. 
     With respect to such an ink jet printer, when the printer is inclined with the ink cartridge being installed, then the ink is liable to flow out from the ink cartridge into the space of the atmosphere connection portion. In this case, because the atmosphere communication port of the atmosphere connection portion is provided with the semipermeable membrane not allowing the ink to pass through, the ink is prevented from leaking out from the atmosphere communication port. 
     SUMMARY 
     Many printers are designed such that the plurality of nozzles of the ink jet head may be positioned above the ink connection portion of the cartridge installation portion when any of the printers assumes an ordinary posture in use for recording images or the like on the recording paper. By virtue of this, when the printer assumes the ordinary posture in use, a negative pressure acts on the ink in the nozzles due to a difference in height between the nozzles and the ink connection portion. Therefore, the ink is less likely to leak out from the nozzles because only a slight vibration happening to the printer has broken the meniscus of the ink in the nozzles. 
     Nevertheless, when the printer is transported to another place or the like for making a physical move, repairing, or the like, it is conceivable to move the printer with the ink cartridge installed but in a different posture from the ordinary posture in use. Because the printer has changed in posture, when the plurality of nozzles of the ink jet head come to be positioned below the ink connection portion of the cartridge installation portion, then the ink is liable to leak out from the nozzles because conversely a positive pressure acts on the ink in the nozzles. 
     In this respect, with respect to the ink jet printer described above, when the printer is inclined, with the semipermeable membrane provided on the atmosphere communication port of the atmosphere connection portion, the ink is prevented from flowing out from the atmosphere communication port. However, when the printer is inclined to assume the posture in which the nozzles are positioned below the ink connection portion, it is not decisively known whether the ink has flowed into the atmosphere connection portion to adhere constantly to the semipermeable membrane or the ink has further covered the entire area of the semipermeable membrane. According the knowledge of the inventor, when the printer is inclined, if part of the semipermeable membrane is opened (to allow air to pass through), then because the ink cartridge is kept in communication with the atmosphere, the ink may possibly flow out from the ink cartridge toward the ink jet head. Therefore, as described earlier, in the situation for the positive pressure to act on the ink in the nozzles, the ink is more likely to leak out from the nozzles. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present teaching to restrain a liquid from flowing out from a liquid cartridge to a liquid jet head when a liquid discharge apparatus is changed in posture with the liquid cartridge being installed, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking out from nozzles of the liquid jet head. 
     According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a liquid. discharge apparatus configured to discharge first liquid, including: 
     a liquid jet head in which a plurality of nozzles are formed to jet the first liquid; and 
     a liquid supply unit configured to supply the first liquid to the liquid jet head, and including:
         a liquid connection portion through which the first liquid is supplied to the liquid jet head, and   an atmosphere connection portion through which the first liquid in the liquid supply unit is communicated with the atmosphere;       

     wherein the atmosphere connection portion includes:
         a containment portion which communicates with the liquid retaining chamber in the liquid cartridge and in which an atmosphere communication port is formed,   an atmosphere communication membrane provided in the containment portion to block the atmosphere communication port and to allow only gaseous matters to pass through, and   a second liquid contained in the containment portion, of which amount is set such that the second liquid does not cover an entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes a first posture in which the nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned above the liquid connection portion, and that the second liquid covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes a second posture in which the nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned below the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion, and
 
wherein the atmosphere connection portion is configured to let the second liquid depart from a least apart of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the first posture, and the atmosphere connection portion is also configured to let the second liquid cover the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the second posture.
       

     According to the present teaching, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the first posture, in the atmosphere connection portion, the second liquid does not cover the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane so that the atmosphere communication port is opened. Therefore, the liquid retaining chamber of the liquid cartridge is in communication with the atmosphere. Accordingly, it is possible for the first liquid to flow out from the liquid cartridge to the liquid jet head. Further, the first posture of the liquid discharge apparatus refers to the posture when the first liquid is supplied from the liquid cartridge to the liquid jet head such that the liquid may be jetted from the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head. Further, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the first posture, the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned above the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion such that due to the difference in height, a negative pressure arises inside the liquid jet head. Hence, it is less likely to break the meniscus of the nozzles so as to cause the liquid to flow out from the nozzles. 
     On the other hand, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the second posture different from the first posture, the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned below the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion. Therefore, due the above difference in height, conversely a positive pressure acts on the liquid in each nozzle. Hence, it is more likely to break the meniscus of the nozzle so that the liquid is liable to flow out from the nozzle. According to the present teaching, however, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the second posture, the second liquid covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane of the atmosphere connection portion. By virtue of this, because the communication is shut off between the atmosphere and the liquid retaining chamber of the liquid cartridge, it is not possible for the liquid in the liquid cartridge to flow out to be supplied to the liquid jet head. Accordingly, even if the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned below the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion, the liquid is still prevented from flowing out from the nozzles. 
     According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a liquid cartridge to be installed in a liquid discharge apparatus including a liquid jet head having a plurality of nozzles jetting a first liquid, the liquid cartridge including: 
     a cartridge body in which a liquid retaining chamber is formed to retain the first liquid; 
     a liquid supply portion provided in the cartridge body and configured to supply a liquid to the liquid discharge apparatus; and 
     an atmosphere communication portion provided in the cartridge body to cause the liquid retaining chamber in the cartridge body to communicate with the atmosphere, 
     wherein the atmosphere communication portion includes:
         a containment portion which communicates with the liquid retaining chamber in the cartridge body and in which an atmosphere communication port is formed,   an atmosphere communication membrane provided in the containment portion to block the atmosphere communication port, and   a second liquid contained in the containment portion; and
 
wherein the atmosphere communication portion is configured to let the second liquid depart from at least a part of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid cartridge assumes a first cartridge posture, and is configured to let the second liquid cover the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane under a condition that the liquid cartridge assumes a second cartridge posture.
       

     According to the present teaching, when the liquid cartridge assumes the first cartridge posture, because the second liquid is apart from the atmosphere communication membrane, the liquid retaining chamber in the liquid cartridge is in communication with the atmosphere such that it is possible for the liquid to flow out from the liquid supply portion. On the other hand, when the liquid cartridge assumes the second cartridge posture, the second liquid covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane. That is, because the liquid retaining chamber of the liquid cartridge is shut off from the atmosphere, it is not possible for the liquid to flow out from the liquid supply portion. Therefore, when the liquid cartridge assumes the second cartridge posture, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing out from the liquid cartridge. 
     According to a third aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a liquid discharge system including: 
     the liquid cartridge according to the second aspect of the present teaching; 
     a liquid jet head having a plurality of nozzles to jet the first liquid; and 
     a liquid jet head having a plurality of nozzles to jet the first liquid; and 
     a cartridge installation portion being connected with the liquid jet head and configured to install the liquid cartridge, 
     wherein the liquid cartridge installed in the cartridge installation portion assumes the first cartridge posture under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes a first posture in which the nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned above the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion, whereas the liquid cartridge installed in the cartridge installation portion assumes the second cartridge posture under a condition that the liquid discharge apparatus assumes a second posture in which the nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned below the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion. 
     According to the present teaching, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the first posture, the liquid cartridge assumes the first cartridge posture and, in the atmosphere communication portion of the liquid cartridge, the atmosphere communication port is opened. Therefore, the liquid retaining chamber in the liquid cartridge is in communication with the atmosphere. Accordingly, it is possible for the first liquid to flow out from the liquid cartridge to the liquid jet head. Further, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the first posture, the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned above the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion. Therefore, even if some vibration is exerted thereon, it is still less likely to break the meniscus of the nozzles on that the liquid is less likely to flow out from the nozzles. 
     On the other hand, when the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the second posture, the plurality of nozzles of the liquid jet head are positioned below the liquid connection portion of the cartridge installation portion. According to the present teaching, however, if the liquid discharge apparatus assumes the second posture, then the liquid cartridge assumes the second cartridge posture and, on this occasion, the second liquid covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane in the atmosphere communication portion of the liquid cartridge. By virtue of this, the communication is shut off between the atmosphere and the liquid retaining chamber of the liquid cartridge. Hence, it is not possible for the liquid to flow out from the liquid supply portion of the liquid cartridge. That is, because the liquid is no longer supplied to the liquid jet head, the liquid is prevented from flowing out from the nozzles of liquid jet head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printer (printer system) with an ink cartridge installed therein, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the inside of the printer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a lateral view of the main part of the printer assuming a first posture for ordinary use; 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and a cartridge installation portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a lateral view of the main part of the printer assuming a second posture; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of an atmosphere connection body when the printer assumes the first posture; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the atmosphere connection body when the printer assumes the second posture; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a part of the ink cartridge including an atmosphere communication portion, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid containment portion of an atmosphere communication body on the ink cartridge side when the printer assumes the first posture; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid containment portion of the atmosphere communication body on the ink cartridge side when the printer assumes the second posture; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an atmosphere connection portion according to a modification of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an atmosphere connection portion according to another modification; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an atmosphere connection portion according to still another modification; 
         FIG. 12  is a lateral view of the main part of the printer assuming a third posture which turns the first posture upside down; 
         FIGS. 13A to 13C  are cross-sectional views of an atmosphere connection portion according to still another modification; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the printer including ink tank. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION THE EMBODIMENTS 
     &lt;First Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a first embodiment of the present teaching will be explained. In the first embodiment, one print system  100  (the liquid discharge system of the present teaching) is constructed from a printer  1  (the liquid discharge apparatus of the present teaching), and four ink cartridges  10  (the liquid cartridge of the present teaching) installed in the printer  1 . 
     In the following explanation on a configuration of the print system  100  constructed from the printer  1  and the ink cartridges, when the printer  1  assumes a posture for ordinary use (also to be referred to as a first posture, below) in recording images and the like as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upward and downward directions, the leftward and rightward directions, and the frontward and rearward directions are defined, respectively, as the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction. Further, when the printer  1  changes in posture, then as will be explained later on, the direction changes from that in the first posture, but it will be described each time an explanation is made on the posture of the printer  1 . 
     &lt;A Schematic Configuration of the Printer&gt; 
     First, a schematic configuration of the printer  1  will be explained. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the printer  1  has a printer casing  2 , a cover  3  fitted on the printer casing  2  in a swingable manner, and a printer portion  4  adapted to record images on recording paper P. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in a front portion of the printer casing  2 , a paper discharge portion  5  is formed to open in the front side. A paper feed cassette  6  is arranged below the paper discharge portion  5  to contain the recording paper P. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the printer portion  4  is contained in the printer casing  2 . The recording paper P in the paper feed cassette  6  is taken out by an unshown paper feed mechanism to supply the printer portion  4 . The printer portion  4  records images on the recording paper P supplied by the paper feed mechanism. The recording paper P with the images recorded in the printer portion  4  is discharged from the paper discharge portion  5 . 
     An inclined surface  2   a  is formed in such a portion of the printer casing  2  as at the front side of the cover  3 , and an operation panel  7  is arranged on the inclined surface  2   a.    
     Further, a lid  8  is fitted in such a portion of the printer casing  2  at the right side of the paper discharge portion  5 . A holder  9  is arranged on the rear side of the lid  8 . The holder  9  includes four cartridge installation portions  11  in which ink cartridges  10  are installed respectively for four colors (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta). Further, an explanation will be made later on detailed configurations of the ink cartridges  10 , and the cartridge installation portions  11  of the holder  9  to install the ink cartridges  10  therein. 
     The cover  3  is arranged above the printer casing  2  to cover the internal mechanisms such as the printer portion  4  and the like contained within the printer casing  2 . Further, the cover  3  is fitted on the printer casing  2  at its rear end portion to be able to swing or pivot upward and downward or to turn up and down. By virtue of this, on the occasion of releasing a paper jam, maintenance and inspection, or the like, it is possible to uncover the inside of the printer casing  2  by pivoting the cover  3  upward. Further, although a detailed explanation is omitted, the cover  3  is provided with a scanner portion  12  including an image scanner adapted to read in images and the like recorded on a document. That is, the printer  1  in the first embodiment is configured as a multifunction peripheral capable of carrying out printing, scanning, photocopying, etc. 
     Next, the printer portion  4  will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 2 , an unshown paper feed mechanism supplies the printer portion  4  with the recording paper P contained in the paper feed cassette  6  from the rear side one sheet by one sheet. The printer portion  4  has a platen  13 , a carriage  14 , a sub-tank  15 , an ink jet head  16 , two conveyance rollers  17  and  18 , a cap  19 , and the like. 
     The platen  13  is arranged in the printer casing  2  to assume a horizontal posture. The recording paper P is positioned on the upper surface of the platen  13 . Above the platen  13 , two guide rails  20  and  21  are provided to extend in parallel with a scanning direction. The carriage  14  is connected to a carriage drive motor  23  via an endless belt  22 . When the belt  22  is driven by the carriage drive motor  23 , the carriage  14  moves in a left-right direction (also to be referred to as the scanning direction) along the two guide rails  20  and  21  in a region facing the recording paper P on the platen  13 . 
     The sub-tank  15  is mounted on the carriage  14 . The sub-tank  15  is connected with the four cartridge installation portions  11  of the holder  9  via four tubes  24 , and supplied respectively with the four color inks from the holder  9 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sub-tank  15  has a body member  26  in which an ink channel  28  is formed to include a damper chamber  25 , and a flexible film  27  attached to the body member  26  to cover the damper chamber  25 . Along with the carriage  14  moving in the scanning direction, when a pressure variation of ink I occurs in the ink channel  28  in the sub-tank  15 , the film  27  deforms with the damper chamber  25 . In this manner, along with the carriage  14  moving in the scanning direction, the pressure variation of the ink I is damped by the film  27  of the damper chamber  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the ink jet head  16  (the liquid jet head of the present teaching) is fitted on the lower end of the sub-tank  15 . The ink jet head  16  has a plurality of nozzles  30  formed in its lower surface (to be referred to as an ink jet surface  16   a,  below). Further, the ink jet head  16  has an ink channel  31  in communication with the plurality of nozzles  30 . The ink channel  31  is in communication with the ink channel  28  in the sub-tank  15  to be supplied with the ink from the sub-tank  15 . Further, the ink jet head  16  includes an actuator (not depiced) adapted to impart jet energy respectively to the ink in the plurality of nozzles  30 . The actuator is not limited to any particular configuration. However, it is possible to adopt, for example, a piezoelectric actuator, a bubble jet actuator or the like which utilizes a distortion occurring in a piezoelectric element when an electric voltage is applied thereto. In the first embodiment, a piezoelectric actuator is adopted. This actuator causes the ink jet head  16  to jet the ink individually from the plurality of nozzles  30  by imparting the jet energy respectively to the ink in the plurality of nozzles  30 . 
     Further, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , when the printer  1  assumes the first posture which is the posture for ordinary use as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink jet head  16  is positioned above an ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11  in connection with the ink cartridge  10 . Therefore, this difference in height causes a negative pressure to act on the ink in the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet head  16 . Hence, even if a little vibration is exerted on the ink jet head  16 , it is still less likely to break the meniscus of each nozzle  30  so as to cause the ink to flow out from the nozzles  30 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the two conveyance rollers  17  and  18  are arranged in the front and rear sides to interpose the platen  13  and carriage  14  therebetween. A transport motor (not depicted) synchronizes the conveyance rollers  17  and  18  with each other and drives the both to rotate. The conveyance rollers  17  and  18  cooperate to convey the recording paper P positioned on the platen  13  in a frontward direction (also to be referred to as a conveyance direction). 
     The cap  19  is arranged in a position on the right side of the platen  13  to face the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink jet head  16  when the carriage  14  comes to this position. The cap  19  is driven to move up and down by a cap raising and lowering mechanism (not depicted), and thus is separable from and contactable with the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink jet head  16 . Further, a suction pump(not depicted) is connected to the cap  19 . 
     The cap  19  mainly plays the following two roles. First, it resolves jet defection of the nozzles  30  of the ink jet head  16 . It is possible for the cap  19  to come to contact closely with the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink jet head  16  to cover the plurality of nozzles  30  so as to let the suction pump carry out suction. At this time, the ink jet head  16  discharges dusts, air bubbles and/or thickened ink in the nozzles  30  and ink channel  31  from the plurality of nozzles  30 , together with the ink. The other role of the cap  19  is to restrain the ink from drying in the plurality of nozzles  30  by a close contact with the ink jet surface  16   a  to cover the plurality of nozzles  30  when the ink jet head  16  is not in use. 
     The printer portion  4  explained earlier records images on the recording paper P in the following manner. First, it moves the carriage  14  in the scanning direction while respectively jetting the ink from the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet head  16  to the recording paper P on the platen  13 . Further, the printer portion  4  causes the two conveyance rollers  17  and  18  to convey the recording paper P in the conveyance direction by a predetermined length. By alternately repeating the ink jet operation of the ink jet head  16  and the conveyance of the recording paper P with the conveyance rollers  17  and  18 , desired images are recorded on the recording paper P. 
     &lt;Configuration of the Ink Cartridges&gt; 
     Next, a detailed configuration of the ink cartridges  10  will be explained. Further, because the four (four-color) ink cartridges  10  have the same configuration, one of them is taken as the representative for the explanation. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the ink cartridge  10  has a cartridge body  32 , an ink supply portion  33 , and an atmosphere communication portion  34 . 
     The cartridge body  32  is a cuboid shaped member formed of a synthetic resin material. Inside the cartridge body  32 , an ink retaining chamber  35  (the liquid retaining chamber of the present teaching) is formed to retain the ink (indicated by the letter “I” in  FIG. 3 ). Further, in an unused ink cartridge  10 , the ink retaining chamber  35  is also not filled entirely with the ink I but, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , there is some air in an upper part of the ink retaining chamber  35 . The ink supply portion  33  and the atmosphere communication portion  34  are both provided in a wall portion  32   a  of the cartridge body  32  on the rear side. The ink supply portion  33  is fitted in a lower portion of the wall portion  32   a  whereas the atmosphere communication portion  34  is fitted in an upper portion of the wall portion  32   a.    
     The ink supply portion  33  has a cylindrical ink supply body  36 , and an ink supply valve  37  contained in the ink supply body  36 . The ink supply body  36  has an internal passage in communication with a lower portion of the ink retaining chamber  35 . The ink supply valve  37  is provided for opening and closing the passage in the ink supply body  36 . The atmosphere communication portion  34  has a cylindrical atmosphere communication body  38 , and an atmosphere communication valve  39  contained in the atmosphere communication body  38 . The atmosphere communication body  38  has an internal passage in communication with an upper portion of the ink retaining chamber  35  filled with the air. Further, the atmosphere communication valve  39  is provided to open and close the passage in the atmosphere communication body  38 . 
     &lt;A Configuration of the Cartridge Installation Portions of the Holder&gt; 
     Next, a detailed configuration of the cartridge installation portions  11  of the holder  9  will be explained. The holder  9  has the four cartridge installation portions  11  in which the four (four-color) ink cartridges  10  are installed respectively. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the four cartridge installation portions  11  are arranged to align in the left-right direction. Further, the four cartridge installation portions  11  also have the same configuration just as the aforementioned ink cartridges  10 . Therefore, one of the four cartridge installation portions  11  is taken as the representative for the explanation. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the cartridge installation portion  11  has a case member  40 , an ink connection portion  43  (the liquid connection portion of the present teaching), and an atmosphere connection portion  44 . 
     The case member  40  has an approximate U-shape with an open front side. The aforementioned ink cartridge  10  is inserted into the case member  40  from the front side. The ink connection portion  43  and the atmosphere connection portion  44  are provided in such a wall portion  40   a  of the case member  40  as positioned on the far side (the rear side) according to the insertion direction. The ink connection portion  43  is fitted in a lower portion of the wall portion  40   a  while the atmosphere connection portion  44  is fitted in an upper portion of the wall portion  40   a,  to project respectively toward the inside of the case member  40 . 
     The ink connection portion  43  has a cylindrical ink connection body  45 . The ink connection body  45  has a tapered fore-end portion away from the wall portion  40   a  of the case member  40 . The ink connection portion  43  is connected with the sub-tank  15  (see  FIG. 3 ) via the tube  24  connected to the wall portion  40   a  of the case member  40 . The atmosphere connection portion  44  also has a cylindrical atmosphere connection body  46 . Just as the ink connection body  45 , the atmosphere connection body  46  also has a tapered fore-end portion away from the wall portion  40   a  of the case member  40 . Further, the atmosphere connection body  46  has such a base end portion at the side of the wall portion  40   a  as in communication with the atmosphere. 
     When the ink cartridge  10  is inserted into the case member  40  of the cartridge installation portion  11 , then the fore-end portion of the ink connection body  45  is pressed into the ink supply body  36  of the ink supply portion  33  of the ink cartridge  10 . At this time, the fore-end portion of the ink connection body  45  opens the ink supply valve  37  in the ink supply body  36 . This causes a lower space of the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  to communicate with the ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11 . Further, the fore-end portion of the atmosphere connection body  46  is pressed into the atmosphere communication body  38  of the atmosphere communication portion  34  of the ink cartridge  10 . The fore-end portion of the atmosphere connection body  46  opens the atmosphere communication valve  39  in the atmosphere communication body  38  to cause an upper space of the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  to communicate with the atmosphere. 
     Further, the ink cartridge  10  is usually dispatched with the internal ink retaining chamber  35  depressurized at a lower pressure than the atmosphere pressure. Therefore, when the ink cartridge  10  is installed into the cartridge installation portion  11 , and when the ink connection portion  43  comes to communicate with the ink retaining chamber  35  earlier than the atmosphere connection portion  44  causes the ink retaining chamber  35  to communicate with the atmosphere, then the ink is liable to flow back into the ink cartridge  10  on the side of the ink jet head  16 . Hence, it is preferable that the ink connection portion  43  comes to communicate with the ink retaining chamber  35  at the same time as the atmosphere connection portion  44  causes the ink retaining chamber  35  to communicate with the atmosphere, or that the communication with the atmosphere comes first. 
     In such a state, when the ink is consumed because the ink jet head  16  jets the ink from the plurality of nozzles  30 , then as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the ink in the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  is supplied to the sub-tank  15  and the ink jet head  16  via the ink supply portion  33 , the ink connection portion  43 , and the tube. 
     &lt;The Problem of Ink Leaking Out from the Nozzles Due to Posture Change of the Printer&gt; 
     When the aforementioned printer  1  (the print system  100  including the ink cartridges  10 ) assumes the horizontal first posture which is the posture for ordinary use, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink et head  16  are positioned above the ink supply portion  33  of the ink cartridge  10  (the ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11 ). Therefore, in the first posture, due to the difference in height between the ink jet surface  16   a  and the ink supply portion  33 , a negative pressure acts on the ink in each nozzle  30 . Hence, even when the ink jet head  16  is vibrated or in a like manner, it is still less likely to break the meniscus of the nozzle  30  so as to cause the ink to flow out from the nozzle  30 . 
     Nevertheless, when the printer  1  is transported to another place for making a physical move, repairing, or the like, it is conceivable to change the posture of the printer  1  with the ink cartridges  10  being installed. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the printer  1  is rotated 90 degrees from the horizontal first posture to assume a vertical second posture for the front part in the first posture (the part where the paper discharge portion  5  is provided in  FIG. 1 ) to locate on the upper side. On this occasion, the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet head  16  are positioned below the ink supply portion  33  of the ink cartridge  10  (the ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11 ). Hence, due to the difference in height as mentioned earlier, a positive pressure acts on the ink in each nozzle  30 . At this time, because it is more likely to break the meniscus of the nozzle  30 , the ink is liable to flow out from the nozzle  30 . Further, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , with respect to the printer  1  in the first embodiment, when the ink jet head  16  is not in use, the cap  19  covers the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet surface  16   a.  However, even when the cap  19  covers the plurality of nozzles  30 , as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 5 , the ink is still liable to leak out from the interspace between the ink jet surface  16   a  and the cap  19 . Further, when the printer  1  has assumed the second posture as it is for a long time, then the cap  19  is liable to be internally full of the ink which has since leaked out from the nozzles  30 . When the ink leaks out from the nozzles  30  to exceed the inner volume of the cap  19 , then the ink will overflow from the cap  19 . 
     In order to prevent such kind of problems from happening, the printer  1  of the first embodiment shuts off the communication between the ink cartridge  10  and the atmosphere in the atmosphere connection portion  44  of the cartridge installation portion  11  when the printer  1  assumes the second posture. This prevents the ink from flowing out from the ink cartridge  10  to the ink jet head  16 . 
     &lt;A Detailed Configuration of the Atmosphere Connection Portion&gt; 
     As described earlier on, the atmosphere connection portion  44  has the cylindrical atmosphere connection body  46  (corresponding to the containment portion of the present teaching). As depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the cylindrical atmosphere connection body  46  has a tapered fore-end portion at which a connection port  46   a  is formed to connect with the atmosphere communication portion  34  of the ink cartridge  10 . The tapered angle of the tapered end portion is set such that the sealing liquid  48  as described below can not reach the connection port  46   a  to overflow from the connection port  46   a,  when the printer  1  assumes the first posture depicted in  FIG. 3 . The atmosphere connection body  46  has an internal space in communication with the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  via the connection port  46   a.    
     An atmosphere communication port  46   b  is formed at the base end of the atmosphere connection body  46 . Further, the atmosphere connection body  46  is provided with an atmosphere communication membrane  47  to block the atmosphere communication port  46   b.  The atmosphere communication membrane  47  is a porous membrane having minute holes, and is made of a fluoroethylene resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, or the like. The atmosphere communication membrane  47  allows gaseous matters to pass through but does not allow liquids to pass through, and is also referred to as a semipermeable membrane or a gas-liquid separation membrane. 
     A sealing liquid  48  (corresponding to the second liquid of the present teaching) is contained in the internal space of the atmosphere connection body  46 . There is only a small amount of the seating liquid  48  inside the atmosphere connection body  46 , for example, just ⅕ or so of the inner volume of the atmosphere connection body  46 . The sealing liquid  48  may be any kind of liquid such as, for example, the same as the ink to be jetted from the nozzles  30 . In the first embodiment, however, the sealing liquid  48  is supposed to be a liquid different from the ink (corresponding to the first liquid of the present teaching) retained in the ink cartridge  10 . 
     The ink jetted from the nozzles  30  is a mixture of a liquid constituent and a solid constituent in which a color material of black or the like (the solid constituent) is mixed. into a solvent (the liquid constituent) whose primary constituent is water. In contrast to this, the sealing liquid  48  is also a mixture of the same solvent and color material as the ink, but the content of the color material is lower than the ink. Further, while the color material of an ink usually includes a dye and/or a pigment, the color material in the first embodiment may be any of a dye and a pigment. A dye dissolves in a waterborne solvent, whereas a pigment does not dissolve in a waterborne solvent but exists dispersedly in the solvent. In this manner, while the existent form in a solvent is different between a dye and a pigment, any of the dye color material and the pigment color material is treated as “mixed” in a solvent in the first embodiment. 
     When the printer  1  assumes the first posture in  FIG. 3 , as depicted in  FIG. 6A , the atmosphere connection body  46  assumes such a posture as to extend in a horizontal direction. On this occasion, the sealing liquid  48  stays in a bottom part of the atmosphere connection body  46  to locate below the connection port  46   a  and the atmosphere communication port  46   b.  That is, the sealing liquid  48  stays away from and thus does not contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  such that the atmosphere communication membrane  47  is not blocked by the sealing liquid  48 . Therefore, the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  is in communication with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication membrane  47  such that it is possible for the ink in the ink retaining chamber  35  to flow out from the ink supply portion  33 . 
     Further, when the printer  1  assumes the first posture as in  FIG. 6A , the sealing liquid  48  may contact with part of the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . On such an occasion, however, the sealing liquid  48  impedes air from flowing in from the atmosphere communication port  46   b  to the degree of contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . Hence, when the ink jet head  16  has a large amount of ink consumption, then it is conceivable that there is some delay in the ink supply from the ink cartridge  10  to the ink jet head  16 . From this point of view, when the printer  1  assumes the first posture, it is desirable for the sealing liquid  48  completely not to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . 
     On the other hand, when the printer  1  assumes the second posture in  FIG. 5 , as depicted in  FIG. 6B , the atmosphere connection body  46  assumes such a posture as to extend vertically such that the tapered fore-end portion may locate on the upper side. On this occasion, the seating liquid  48  stays in a lower part of the atmosphere connection body  46  (an end part where the atmosphere communication port  46   b  is formed). By virtue of this, the sealing liquid  48  covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  (the entire area for the part of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  to cover the atmosphere communication port  46   b ) on as to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . Therefore, because the sealing liquid  48  shuts off the atmosphere communication of the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10 , it is not possible for the ink in ink retaining chamber  35  to flow out from the ink supply portion  33 . 
     By virtue of this, when the printer  1  assumes the second posture, even when the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet head  16  are positioned below the ink supply portion  33  of the ink cartridge  10  (the ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11 ), it is still not possible for the ink to flow out from the ink supply portion  33  to the ink jet head  16 . By virtue of this, the ink is prevented from flowing out from the plurality of nozzles  30 . 
     Further, in the first embodiment, as the sealing liquid  48  adapted to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  47 , such a mixture is used that a smaller amount of a solid constituent than the ink is mixed into the same liquid constituent as the ink. That is, because the ink and the sealing liquid  48  are made of the same material, the sealing liquid  48  has an advantage in manufacturing cost and the like. 
     However, when the sealing liquid  48  comes many times to adhere to the atmosphere communication membrane  47 , then the color material, which is the solid constituent included in the sealing liquid  48 , is liable to stick to the atmosphere communication membrane  47  such that the atmosphere communication membrane  47  may increase in the resistance against air ventilation and, furthermore, clogging may occur. In this regard, because the sealing liquid  48  has a smaller content of the color material than the ink, even when the sealing liquid  48  adheres to the atmosphere communication membrane  47 , the color material is still less likely to stick to the atmosphere communication membrane  47 , and thus clogging is less likely to occur in the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . 
     Further, the sealing liquid  48  may be made of the same liquid constituent only as the ink, that is, it may not include the color material of the solid constituent. In such a case, even when the sealing liquid  48  comes many times to adhere to the atmosphere communication membrane  47 , because the solid constituent never sticks thereto, clogging also never occurs in the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . However, when the color material is not contained in the sealing liquid  48 , then because the sealing liquid  48  is transparent, there is a demerit that at the stage of manufacturing or repairing, it is more difficult to determine whether or not the sealing liquid  48  is present in the atmosphere connection portion  44 . 
     In addition, the color material of the ink may include other functions than giving a. particular color to the ink. For example, the solvent of the ink may affect a member in contact with the ink (for example, the cartridge body  32  of the ink cartridge  10 ) to exfoliate the contact surface of the member, etc. In order to prevent this from happening, the color material may incorporate such a constituent as to restrain the solvent from affecting the member in contact with the ink. In such a case, likewise, it is preferable to mix the color material into the solvent also for the sealing liquid  48  so as to restrain the solvent from affecting the liquid contact member. 
     Further, when the printer  1  is rotated 90 degrees from the first posture in the opposite direction from the second posture, then as understood from  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the sealing liquid  48  is liable to fall down from the connection port  46   a  of the atmosphere connection body  46  so as to flow into the ink cartridge  10 . Therefore, it is preferable to give cautions to users and the servicemen in charge of repair through the instruction manual, a sticker attached on the printer casing  2  and the like for the printer  1 , such that the printer  1  may be turned from the horizontal first posture to the vertical second posture but should not assume the opposite vertical posture from the second posture. 
     &lt;Second Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present teaching will be explained. In the second embodiment, however, the same reference numerals and signs are assigned to the components of sufficiently similar configurations to those in the first embodiment described above, and the explanation therefor will be omitted as appropriate. Further,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5  used in the first embodiment will also be used in the second embodiment for explaining the posture of the printer. 
     In the print system  100  in the first embodiment described above, the atmosphere connection portion  44  of the cartridge installation portion  11  is provided with a system for shutting off the atmosphere communication of the ink cartridge  10  when the printer  1  assumes the second posture. In the second embodiment, the atmosphere communication portion of the ink cartridge is provided with the same system. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , an ink cartridge  50  has an atmosphere communication portion  54  adapted to cause an ink retaining chamber  56  in a cartridge body  52  to communicate with the atmosphere. Further, the atmosphere communication portion  54  includes an atmosphere communication body  55  having a valve containment portion  57  and a liquid containment portion  58 . An atmosphere communication valve  59  is contained in the valve containment portion  57 . When the ink cartridge  50  is inserted into the cartridge installation portion  11  (see  FIG. 3 ), the atmosphere connection portion  44  of the cartridge installation portion  11  opens the atmosphere communication valve  59 . The liquid containment portion  58  is arranged on the left side of the valve containment portion  57 , that is, on the side of the ink retaining chamber  56 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a wall portion  60  on the front side separates the liquid containment portion  58  from the ink retaining chamber  56  in the cartridge body  52 . A connection port  58   a  is formed in the wall portion  60  to let the ink retaining chamber  56  communicate with the internal space of the liquid containment portion  58  via the connection port  58   a.  Further, a wall portion  61  on the rear side separates the liquid. containment portion  58  from the valve containment portion  57 . An atmosphere communication port  58   b  is formed in the wall portion  61  such that the internal space of the liquid containment portion  58  may communicate with the internal space of the valve containment portion  57  via the atmosphere communication port  58   b  and, furthermore, may communicate with the atmosphere. 
     On the wall portion  61  on the rear side of the liquid containment portion  58  (corresponding to the containment portion of the present teaching), an atmosphere communication membrane  63  is provided to block the atmosphere communication port  58   b . Just as the atmosphere communication membrane  47  in the first embodiment, the atmosphere communication membrane  63  does not allow liquid to pass through but allows only gaseous matters to pass through. A sealing liquid  65  is contained in an internal space of the liquid containment portion  58 . Just as the sealing liquid  48  in the first embodiment, the sealing liquid  65  is made by mixing a color material into the same solvent as that of the ink. The sealing liquid  65  has a smaller content of the color material, than the ink. 
     When the printer  1  assumes the first posture depicted in  FIG. 1 , the ink cartridge  50  assumes a first cartridge posture in which the ink supply portion  33  and the atmosphere communication portion  54  both turn sideways. On this occasion, as depicted in  FIG. 8A , the sealing liquid  65  in the liquid containment portion  58  stays on a wall portion  62  which is the bottom of the atmosphere communication body  55 , to locate below the connection port  58   a  and the atmosphere communication port  58   b.  That is, the sealing liquid  65  stays away from and does not contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  63  such that the atmosphere communication membrane  63  is not blocked by the sealing liquid  65 . In this state, the ink retaining chamber  56  of the ink cartridge  50  is in communication with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication membrane  63  such that it is possible for the ink in the ink retaining chamber  56  to flow out from the ink supply portion  33  toward the ink jet head  16 . 
     On the other hand, when the printer  1  assumes the second posture depicted in  FIG. 5 , the ink cartridge  50  assumes a second cartridge posture in which the ink supply portion  33  and the atmosphere communication portion  54  both turn to the downside. On this occasion, as depicted in  FIG. 8B , the sealing liquid  65  in the liquid containment portion  58  stays on the wall portion  61  which is the bottom of the atmosphere communication body  55  and, by virtue of this, the sealing liquid  65  covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane  63  so as to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  63 . Therefore, because the sealing liquid  65  shuts off the atmosphere communication of the ink retaining chamber  56  of the ink cartridge  50 , the ink in ink retaining chamber  56  will no longer flow out from the ink supply portion. 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the sealing liquid  65  is contained in the liquid containment portion  58  of the ink cartridge  50 , separated from the ink retaining chamber  56 . That is, even when the ink in the ink retaining chamber  56  is consumed and little of the ink remains, being completely independent from the remaining ink, the sealing liquid  65  keeps on staying in the liquid containment portion  58 . That is, regardless of the remaining ink in the ink cartridge  50 , it is possible for the sealing liquid  65  to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  63 . 
     Further, just as the first embodiment described earlier on, as the sealing liquid  65  adapted to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  63 , because such a mixture is used that a smaller amount of the color material (the solid constituent) than the ink is mixed into the same liquid constituent as the ink, there is an advantage in manufacturing cost and the like. Further, because the sealing liquid  65  has a smaller content of the color material than the ink, the color material is less likely to stick to the atmosphere communication membrane  63 , and thus clogging is less likely to occur in the atmosphere communication membrane  63 . 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the ink cartridge  50  is provided with a structure capable of sealing up the atmosphere communication membrane  63 . Therefore, even after being removed from the printer  1 , the ink cartridge  50  still has the following effects. That is, more or less of the ink may still remain in the ink cartridge  50  being used up. Therefore, after removing the ink cartridge  50  from the printer  1 , when the ink cartridge  50  resumes such a posture as to turn the ink supply portion  33  to the downside (the second cartridge posture), then it is possible for the remaining ink to drop down from the ink supply portion  33 . In this regard, in the second embodiment, when the ink cartridge  50  assumes the second cartridge posture, the sealing liquid  65  seals up the atmosphere communication membrane  63  in the atmosphere communication portion  54 . That is, in the second cartridge posture, because the atmosphere communication of the ink retaining chamber  56  is shut off, even when the ink supply portion  33  turns to the downside, the remaining ink is still less likely to drop down. 
     Next, explanations will be made on a few modifications having applied various changes to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Further, while the following explanations may be made by exemplifying modifications of the first embodiment, it is also possible to apply the same changes to the second embodiment. Further, in the following explanations, the same reference numerals and signs are assigned to the components of similar configurations to those in the first embodiment (or the second embodiment), and the explanation therefor will be omitted as appropriate. 
     &lt;First Modification&gt; 
     The sealing liquids are not limited to those described in the first and second embodiments. For example, as mentioned a little earlier on, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may be completely the same as the ink. 
     Alternatively, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may have a liquid constituent different from the ink. The sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) of the atmosphere connection portion  44  of the cartridge installation portion  11  (or the atmosphere communication portion  54  of the ink cartridge  50 ) is in constant contact with air. Therefore, it is conceivable that after a long period of time, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may decrease in quantity through volatilization. In some cases, it is also conceivable that the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may finally vanish away through volatilization. Therefore, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may have such a liquid constituent with a lower volatility than the ink solvent. For example, when a solvent of which primary constituent is water is used for the ink, then glycerin of which volatility is lower than water may be mixed more into the liquid constituent of the sealing liquid than into the ink. In this manner, as the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) has a lower volatility than the ink, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) becomes less likely to vanish away through volatilization. By virtue of this, it is possible to maintain the sealing function of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ) for a long period of time. 
     &lt;Second Modification&gt; 
     When the printer  1  assumes the second posture, it is desirable for the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) not to depart from the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ) but to constantly cover the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ). However, it is conceivable that some vibration may he exerted on the printer  1  in transportation or the like to cause the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) to undulate and thus temporarily depart from the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ). 
     Therefore, as depicted in  FIG. 9  for example, when the printer  1  assumes the second posture, an atmosphere communication membrane  47 A may have a downward convex shape. Hence, the atmosphere communication membrane  47 A may be formed into a convex shape from the beginning to keep an outward convex shape regardless of the posture of the printer  1 . Alternatively, the atmosphere communication membrane  47 A may be configured to become downwardly convex by letting its central portion droop because of its own weight and the weight of the sealing liquid  48  when the printer  1  assumes the second posture. In this form, the sealing liquid  48  is stably retained in the inside of the convex atmosphere communication membrane  47 A. Therefore, even when some vibration is exerted on the sealing liquid  48 , the sealing liquid  48  is still less likely to depart from the atmosphere communication membrane  47 A, thereby preventing the atmosphere communication membrane  47  from exposure. 
     &lt;Third Modification&gt; 
     When the printer  1  assumes the first posture, and when the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) is also in contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ), then air is prevented from flowing in from the atmosphere communication port  46   b  ( 58   h ). Therefore, when the printer  1  assumes the first posture, it is preferable for the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) not to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ). Further, when the printer  1  is not in use, even when the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) is not in contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ), it is still conceivable that due to some vibration and the like when the printer  1  is in operation, the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) may undulate and thus come to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ). Then, when the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) includes a solid constituent such as a color material and the like, and when the sealing liquid  48  ( 65 ) has many changes to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ), then the solid constituent is liable to stick to a part of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  ( 63 ) to increase the resistance against air ventilation and, finally, to give rise to clogging of that part. 
     Hence, as depicted in  FIG. 10  for example, a recess  71  may be formed in a portion  70  which is the bottom of an atmosphere connection body  46 B when the printer  1  assumes the first posture. In this configuration, when the printer  1  assumes the first posture, the sealing liquid  48  is retained in the recess  71  of the atmosphere connection body  46 B. Therefore, in case that some vibration or the like is exerted, the sealing liquid  48  is prevented from moving in the atmosphere connection body  46 B so as to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . Further, when a large quantity of the sealing liquid  48  is there, and thus overflows from the recess  71 , then the overflowed part is likely to contact with the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . Therefore, it is preferable for the sealing liquid  48  to have a smaller quantity than the inner volume of the recess  71 . 
     &lt;Fourth Modification&gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 11 , a liquid outflow prevention membrane  72  may be provided on the connection port  46   a  of an atmosphere connection body  46 C, which is the communication part with the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10 , to allow gaseous matters alone to pass through so as to prevent the sealing liquid  48  from flowing out to the ink cartridge  10 . It is possible to use the same material as the atmosphere communication membrane  47  for the liquid outflow prevention membrane  72 . In this manner, by providing the liquid outflow prevention membrane  72  on the connection port  46   a  of the atmosphere connection body  46 C, even when the printer  1  is supposed to assume the vertical posture turning the second posture upside down (the posture in which the paper discharge portion  5  in  FIG. 1  is on the downside), the sealing liquid  48  in the atmosphere connection body  46 C is still prevented from flowing out to the ink cartridge  10  to vanish away. Further, because the liquid outflow prevention membrane  72  allows gaseous matters to pass through, the liquid outflow prevention membrane  72  never impedes the ink retaining chamber  35  of the ink cartridge  10  from the communication with the atmosphere. 
     &lt;Fifth Modification&gt; 
     It is possible for the printer  1  to assume other postures than the first posture and the second posture described above. As depicted in  FIG. 12  for example, in addition to the first posture and the second posture, the printer  1  is further supposed to possibly assume a third posture which turns the first posture upside down (the upside is turned 180 degrees to the downside). In the third posture, just as in the second posture, the plurality of nozzles  30  of the ink jet surface  16   a  of the ink jet head  16  are positioned below the ink supply portion  33  of the ink cartridge  10  (the ink connection portion  43  of the cartridge installation portion  11 ). Therefore, when the printer  1  assumes the third posture, because the ink is liable to leak out from each of the nozzles  30 , it is preferable to shut off the atmosphere communication of the ink cartridge  10 . 
     With respect to the above description, as depicted in  FIG. 13A , the atmosphere communication port  46   h  and the atmosphere communication membrane  47  may be provided in such an end portion (a rear end portion here) of a wall portion  73 , which is the ceiling portion of an atmosphere connection body  46 D when the printer  1  assumes the first posture, as on one side according to the front-rear direction. Further, the “rear side” in  FIG. 13A  is, as understood from  FIG. 13B , directed to the “lower side” when the printer  1  assumes the second posture. 
     First, as depicted in  FIG. 13B , when the printer  1  assumes the second posture, the end portion of the wall portion  73  of the atmosphere connection body  46 D, where the atmosphere communication membrane  47  is provided, becomes a lower end portion of the atmosphere connection body  46 D. Therefore, the atmosphere communication membrane  47  is sealed up by the sealing liquid  48  retained in the lower end portion of the atmosphere connection body  46 D. Further, in  FIG. 13B , in order to let the sealing liquid  48  cover the entire area of such a part of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  as covering the atmosphere communication port  46   b,  the sealing liquid  48  contained in the atmosphere connection body  46 D needs to have a volume not less than an inner volume V (the volume hatched by the diagonal lines) of the atmosphere connection body  46 D from the bottom to the upper end of the atmosphere communication port  46   h  indicated by the two-dot chain line L. 
     Further, as depicted in  FIG. 13C , when the printer  1  assumes the third posture turning the first posture upside down, because the wall portion  73  of the atmosphere connection body  46 D becomes a bottom portion, the sealing liquid  48  retained in the bottom portion covers the entire area of the atmosphere communication membrane  47  to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . 
     In this manner, it is possible for the configuration of  FIGS. 13A to 13C  to shut off the atmosphere communication of the ink cartridge by letting the sealing liquid  48  block the atmosphere communication membrane  47  whether the printer  1  assumes the second posture or the third posture turning the first posture upside down. 
     Further, in  FIG. 6A  of the first embodiment, the wall portion of the atmosphere connection body  46  on the right side is provided with the atmosphere communication port  46   b  and the atmosphere communication membrane  47  when the printer  1  assumes the first posture. In the first embodiment, based on the same concept as in the configuration of  FIGS. 13A to 13C , it is desirable to provide the atmosphere communication port  46   b  and the atmosphere communication membrane  47  in, especially; an upper end part of the wall portion on the right side in  FIG. 6A . By virtue of this, with the configuration of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , whether the printer  1  assumes the second posture or the third posture turning the first posture upside down, it is still possible for the sealing liquid  48  to seal up the atmosphere communication membrane  47 . 
     In the above description, the printer  1  includes four cartridge installation portions  11  in which ink cartridges  10  are installed respectively for four colors (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta). However, the present teaching is not limited to such configurations. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 14 , in place of the ink cartridges  10  and the cartridge installation portions  11 , the printer  1  may include an ink tank  110  of a large capacity which is refillable with ink and which is fixed to the printer  1  such that it can not be removed easily from the printer  1 . An internal space of the ink tank  110  is partitioned into four ink chambers  111 B,  111 M,  111 C, and  111 Y which are adjacent in the scanning direction. Inlets  112 B,  112 M,  112 C, and  112 Y for allowing the ink to flow into the ink chambers  111 B,  111 M,  111 C, and  111 Y are formed in the four ink chambers  111 B,  111 M,  111 C, and  111 Y, respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to refill the ink into the ink chamber  111 B,  111 M,  111 C, and  111 Y. In this case, the atmosphere communication portion  34  can be adopted to the ink tank  110 , in the same way. 
     In the first and second embodiments and their modifications explained above, the present teaching is applied to an ink jet printer which jets ink to recording paper to print images and the like thereon. However, the present teaching may also be applied to any liquid discharge apparatus used for various purposes other than printing images and the like. For example, it is also possible to apply the present teaching to liquid discharge apparatuses which jet an electrically conductive liquid to a substrate to form a conductive pattern on a surface of the substrate. 
     As described above, according to the present teaching, the sealing liquid seals up the atmosphere communication membrane. Here, the liquid does not have a certain shape but can freely change its shape according to the container&#39;s shape. According to the present teaching, because the sealing liquid is used, no matter how the containment portion changes in shape, the sealing liquid can still change its shape according to the shape of the containment portion. Therefore, it is possible to determine the shape of the containment portion in a comparatively free manner. Further, according to the present teaching, because it is possible to take such a convenient or easy configuration as to enclose the sealing liquid into the containment portion, it is not necessary to form a complicated shape of the component including the containment portion.