A process for preparing and packaging an ink jet cartridge in a package container is disclosed. The ink jet cartridge is filled with ink and has an outer frame, a discharge port for discharging the ink and an electrical connecting portion through which a recording signal is supplied to discharge the ink through the discharge port. The package container includes a recess member having a recess portion in which the ink jet cartridge is received, a cap member joined to the recess member to close the recess portion, and a rib for supporting the outer frame of the ink jet cartridge. The rib is provided on the recess member and/or the cap member, and supports the ink jet cartridge so that the discharge port and/or the electrical connecting portion are prevented from contacting the recess member and the cap member. The process includes the steps of providing the ink jet cartridge filled with ink, providing the package container, positioning the ink jet cartridge filled with ink in the recess member of the package container and closing the recess member in which the ink jet cartridge is positioned with the cap member.
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/053,670 filed Apr. 29, 1993, now abandoned, which is a division of application Ser. No. 07/825,771 filed Jan. 21, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,425 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/617,252 filed Nov. 21, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/463,467 filed Jan. 11, 1990, abandoned.
Printhead container and method. The container comprises an enclosure surrounding a printhead body having an ink channel terminating in a nozzle orifice. The ink channel has ink therein. The enclosure is capable of being pressurized to a predetermined internal pressure. The internal pressure acts on the ink to retain the ink in the channel, so that the ink is prevented from flowing along the channel and through the orifice. A one-way valve is in communication with the interior of the enclosure for ingress of a pressurizing medium into the interior of the enclosure, while avoiding reverse flow through the valve in order to allow sustained pressurization of the enclosure. Moreover, a support frame disposed in the enclosure may be provided, the frame defining a well sized to matingly receive the printhead body for constraining movement of the printhead body during transport of the enclosure.
