Patent ID: 8087765

Claim:
An ink supply system comprising: an ink cartridge comprising: an ink chamber configured to store ink; a tube having a first opening and a second opening formed therein, wherein the second opening is continuous with the first opening, the first opening extends from a first end of the tube, and the second opening extends from a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube, wherein the first opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the first end of the tube, and wherein the second opening is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the tube via the second end of the tube; and a valve configured to move between a first position in which the valve covers the first opening and a second position in which the valve uncovers the first opening; and a cartridge mounting portion configured to receive the ink cartridge, wherein the cartridge mounting portion comprises a projection configured to be inserted into the second opening of the tube via the second end of the tube when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, and a diameter of the second opening is less than an outer diameter of the projection.