Patent ID: 7334888

Claim:
An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber; a communication chamber through which the ink chamber can communicate with an outside of the ink cartridge; a valve that is movable; a support disposed within the communication chamber, the support including a valve seat and an opening exposing a bottom of the valve at an approximately central portion, wherein the valve seat is adjacent to the valve at an outer periphery of the opening; and an urging device that extends from the valve seat, the urging device directly contacting the valve and urging the valve toward the valve seat; wherein: the valve separates from the valve seat when a predetermined force is applied to the valve; the support and the urging device are formed as a one-piece member and are formed separate from the valve; and the valve includes at least one opening so that ink can flow from a top of the valve to a bottom of the valve when the predetermined force is applied to the valve.