Patent ID: 8911068

Claim:
An ink cartridge comprising: a deformable ink supply bag having an ink supply port; a deformable waste ink collection bag having a fluid gateway; a cartridge housing to accommodate the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag together; and a connecting member having a non-return valve to connect the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag with each other at a section other than the ink supply port and the fluid gateway, wherein the non-return valve prevents ink from flowing from the waste ink collection bag into the ink supply bag, wherein the connecting member comprises: a pressing plate that deforms when contacted by ink; and a supporting pin to support the pressing plate closing an opening formed in the non-return valve on a side of the waste ink collection bag, and wherein the pressing plate that deforms and separates from the connecting member together with the supporting pin when the ink waste contacts the pressing plate.