Abstract: A valve mechanism includes a particular wall having a first opening formed therethrough, and a tube member including a particular surface which contacts the particular wall, and a central axis. The valve mechanism also includes a lid member configured to selectively cover and uncover the first opening, and a flexible inner wall positioned in an interior of the tube member. The flexible inner wall extends from the tube member to the lid member in a direction which intersects the central axis, and the flexible inner wall has a second opening formed therethrough. Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of the flexible inner wall in a particular plane is bent, and the central axis lies on the particular plane.

Abstract: An ink supply system includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, and a tube having a first opening and a second opening formed therein. 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. The first opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the first end of the tube, and the second opening is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the tube via the second opening of the tube. The cartridge mounting portion includes a projection configured to be inserted into the second opening of the tube via the second end of the tube. A diameter of the second opening is less than an outer diameter of the projection.

Abstract: There is provided an ink cartridge including a first ink chamber, a second ink chamber, an ink-flow check portion and a pressure control portion. The first ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The second ink chamber is in fluid communication with the first ink chamber via a first path, the second ink chamber defining therein a volume. The ink-flow check portion is configured to allow the ink to flow from the first ink chamber to the second ink chamber and block the ink from flowing from the second ink chamber to the first ink chamber. The pressure control portion is configured to control an internal pressure of the second ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case including an ink chamber configured to store ink therein, and a particular face facing an exterior of the case and having a first opening formed therethrough. The ink cartridge also includes an ink supply portion extending from a particular portion of the particular face in a particular direction, in which the particular portion surrounds the first opening, and the ink supply portion has a tube shape. The ink supply portion includes a particular chamber formed therein, an end wall having a second opening formed therethrough, and a peripheral wall extending from the end wall. The ink supply portion is configured to supply ink from the ink chamber to the exterior of the case via the particular chamber and the second opening.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber and a wall, an air communication portion having a first opening, and an ink supply portion having a second opening. The air communication portion includes a first lid member that moves between a first position not covering the first opening, and a second position covering the first opening, and a first biasing member that applies a first biasing force to the first lid member. The ink supply portion includes a second lid member that moves between a third position not covering the second opening and a fourth position covering the second opening, and a second biasing member that applies a second biasing force to the second lid member. When the first lid member is in the second position and the second lid member is in the fourth position, the first biasing force is less than the second biasing force.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case, and the case includes an ink chamber configured to store ink therein, and a particular face facing an exterior of the case and having a first opening formed therethrough. The case also includes an engaging portion positioned at the particular face, and a particular wall extending from a particular portion of the particular face. The particular portion surrounds the first opening, and the particular wall has a tube shape. The particular wall includes an end defining a second opening opposite the first opening. The ink cartridge also includes an elastic member positioned at the end of the particular wall, and a cap. The cap includes an end wall having an third opening formed therethrough, a peripheral wall surrounding each of the elastic member and a portion of the particular wall, and an engaging member extending from the peripheral wall and engaging the engaging portion.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case including an ink chamber configured to store ink therein, and a particular face facing an exterior of the case and having a first opening formed therethrough. The ink cartridge also includes an ink supply portion extending from a particular portion of the particular face in a particular direction, in which the particular portion surrounds the first opening, and the ink supply portion has a tube shape. The ink supply portion includes a particular chamber formed therein, an end wall having a second opening formed therethrough, and a peripheral wall extending from the end wall. The ink supply portion is configured to supply ink from the ink chamber to the exterior of the case via the particular chamber and the second opening. Moreover, the ink cartridge includes a plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: An ink supply system includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, and a tube having a first opening and a second opening formed therein. 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. The first opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the first end of the tube, and the second opening is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the tube via the second opening of the tube. The cartridge mounting portion includes a projection configured to be inserted into the second opening of the tube via the second end of the tube. A diameter of the second opening is less than an outer diameter of the projection.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber and a wall, an air communication portion having a first opening, and an ink supply portion having a second opening. The air communication portion includes a first lid member that moves between a first position not covering the first opening, and a second position covering the first opening, and a first biasing member that applies a first biasing force to the first lid member. The ink supply portion includes a second lid member that moves between a third position not covering the second opening and a fourth position covering the second opening, and a second biasing member that applies a second biasing force to the second lid member. When the first lid member is in the second position and the second lid member is in the fourth position, the first biasing force is less than the second biasing force.

Abstract: A valve mechanism includes a particular wall having a first opening formed therethrough, and a tube member including a particular surface which contacts the particular wall, and a central axis. The valve mechanism also includes a lid member configured to selectively cover and uncover the first opening, and a flexible inner wall positioned in an interior of the tube member. The flexible inner wall extends from the tube member to the lid member in a direction which intersects the central axis, and the flexible inner wall has a second opening formed therethrough. Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of the flexible inner wall in a particular plane is bent, and the central axis lies on the particular plane.