EP0567308A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for ink refill of a reservoir in a print cartridge
Assignee: Lexmark International Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An ink refill device includes a body (18) having a chamber (19) with ink (20) therein. The chamber has one wall (22) formed of a frangible material. The body has a needle (27) for communicating the chamber with a reservoir (11), which has a foam (12) of a controlled porosity therein, in a print cartridge (14) when the needle is inserted in a vent (15') of the reservoir to fill the same. Breaking of the frangible wall of the chamber with the needle extending downwardly enables ink to flow from the chamber at a controlled flow rate to the reservoir in the cartridge. In a preferred embodiment the needle has one or more notched openings (29) adjacent its distal end to increase its surface area through which ink flows, to increase flow of ink to the reservoir. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney Oral Aulick
- 👤 Bradley Leonard Beach
- 👤 Terence Edward Franey
- 👤 James Michael Mrvos
- 👤 David Gerard Vella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:54
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17506
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An ink refill device (10) for refilling an ink reservoir (11) in a print cartridge (14) of an inkjet printer, including: a body (18) having a chamber (19) therein, said chamber having ink (20) therein to partially fill said chamber; said body having a needle (27) communicating with said chamber, said needle extending from said body for communication with a said reservoir of a print cartridge; and means for selectively enabling communication of the ambient with the portion of said chamber having no ink therein so that the said portion of said chamber having no ink therein is at the pressure of the ambient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An ink refill device (10) for refilling an ink reservoir (11) in a print cartridge (14) of an inkjet printer, including: a body (18) having a chamber (19) therein, said chamber having ink (20) therein to partially fill said chamber; said body having a needle (27) communicating with said chamber, said needle extending from said body for communication with a said reservoir of a print cartridge; and means for selectively enabling communication of the ambient with the portion of said chamber having no ink therein so that the said portion of said chamber having no ink therein is at the pressure of the ambient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said selectively enabling means includes said chamber (19) having at least a portion of one of its walls (22) formed of a frangible material that can be selectively broken in the portion of said chamber having no ink therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, in which said one wall (22) of said chamber is formed of a frangible material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
37 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which said needle (27) has at least one notched surface area (29) adjacent its distal end (28') through which ink in said chamber (19) can flow.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
21 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which said needle (27) has a tapered distal end (42).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A kit for refitting a reservoir (11) in a print cartridge (14) for use in an ink jet printer with liquid ink, comprising: a body (18) having a chamber (19) partially filled with ink; a needle (27) supported by said body and communicating with said chamber; said needle being sized to enter a vent (15') of the print cartridge; and a stand (32) to support the print cartridge with said needle in the vent, with said chamber above the print cartridge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A kit for refitting a reservoir (11) in a print cartridge (14) for use in an ink jet printer with liquid ink, comprising: a body (18) having a chamber (19) partially filled with ink; a needle (27) supported by said body and communicating with said chamber; said needle being sized to enter a vent (15') of the print cartridge; and a stand (32) to support the print cartridge with said needle in the vent, with said chamber above the print cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A kit according to claim 6, wherein said chamber (19) has at least a portion of one of its walls (22) formed of a frangible material that can be selectively broken in the portion of said chamber having no ink therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A kit according to claim 7, in which said one wall (22) of said chamber (19) is formed of a frangible material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A kit according to any of claims 6 to 8, including a cap (30) overlying any open area of said needle (27) adjacent its distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A kit according to claim 11, wherein: said needle (27) has a hub (28) adjacent said body for enabling attachment of said needle to said body; and a cover (31) overlying said cap (30) and said needle, said cover cooperating with said hub to retain said cover in its overlying position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A kit according to any of claims 6 to 10, in which said needle (27) has at least one notched surface (29) adjacent its distal end (28') through which ink in said chamber (19) can flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit according to any of claims 6 to 10, in which said needle (27) has a tapered distal end (42).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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