(57) An ink container (1, 51) has an ink-holding space (9a, 89) maintained at substantially
constant negative pressure until the ink contained in the ink-holding space (9a, 89)
has been exhausted. The ink container (1, 51) includes a flexible wall (3, 55) and
an urging member (5, 59, 76). The flexible wall (3, 55) forms a part of the ink-holding
space (9a, 89) and the outer surface of the flexible wall (3, 55) is exposed to the
atmospheric pressure. The urging member (5, 59, 76) takes the form of, for example,
a spring. The urging member (5, 59, 76) is incorporated in the ink-holding space (9a,
89) and urges the flexible wall (3, 55) outwardly of the ink-holding space (9a, 89).
The atmospheric pressure is exerted on the flexible wall (3, 55) so that the flexible
wall (3, 55) is displaceable inwardly of the ink-holding space (9a, 89) as the ink
is supplied from the ink-holding space (9a, 89) to an external device. The urging
member (5, 59, 76) operates substantially in a plastic deformation region thereof.
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