Patent attributes
An ink cartridge includes a communication path coupled to an ink supply portion and configured to dispense ink from an interior of an ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber via an opening, and the communication path has a center line. The ink cartridge also includes a movable member which has a signal blocking portion provided at a first end of the movable member, ant the signal blocking portion is disposed within an inner space of a translucent portion. The movable member also includes a float provided at a second end of the movable member opposite the first end of the movable member, and the float is disposed within the ink chamber and has a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of the ink within the ink chamber. Moreover, the float is configured to move between a first position and a second position based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber. When the float is in the first position the float is unaligned with the center line of the communication path, and the float is aligned with the communication path when the float is at one of the second position and an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
