|
1. An ink cartridge, adapted to be detachably mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:an ink chamber, storing ink;a communication path, communicating the ink chamber with atmospheric air by way of a communication port; anda valve mechanism, disposed at the communication port, and comprising:a valve body, being movable between a first position closing the communication port and a second position opening the communication port, the valve body being configured to be placed in the second position by an external force generated when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus; andan urging member, urging the valve body toward the first position from a side closer to the ink chamber.
2. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve body is formed with a projection extending through the communication port in a direction being away from the ink chamber.
3. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve body is movable in a direction that the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.
4. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communication path includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a connecting path connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.
5. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:a casing body having an opening; anda film sealing the opening,wherein the ink chamber and the communication path are defined by the casing body and the film.
6. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:an atmospheric port at which the communication path is opened to the atmospheric air; andthe valve mechanism opposes the atmospheric port.
7. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:an ink supply port, configured to supply the ink stored in the ink chamber therethrough to the ink jet recording apparatus; andan atmospheric port at which the communication path is opened to the atmospheric air,wherein the ink supply port and the atmospheric port are so arranged that the atmospheric port is located above the ink supply port when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.
8. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 7, wherein the ink supply port is located in one end portion of the ink cartridge in a mounting direction that the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus; andthe atmospheric port is located in the other end portion of the ink cartridge in the mounting direction. |
