US5802818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refilling ink jet cartridges
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-03-20
•
Granted: 1998-09-08
•
Expires: 2017-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet cartridge is refilled by establishing a fill opening extending from an outer portion of the cartridge into an interior ink bladder of the cartridge, applying pressure to sides of the cartridge to provide a decreased volume of the interior ink bladder, transferring ink into the interior ink bladder through the fill opening while maintaining the decreased volume, sealing the fill opening, and relieving pressure on the sides of the cartridge to provide an increased volume of the interior ink bladder. The fill opening can be established using a poker. Transferring ink can include using a squeeze bottle filled with ink. Pressure can be applied to the sides of the cartridge with a clamp similar to a #100 binder clip manufactured by Office Mate International Corporation of Edison, N.J. The fill opening can be sealed with a set screw or a ball cork along with pressure-sensitive tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul F. Doll
- 👤 Michael A. Andreottola
- 👤 Shaun Flanagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:27
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17506
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of refilling an ink jet cartridge having an interior ink bladder, comprising the steps of: establishing a fill opening extending from an outer portion of the cartridge into the interior ink bladder; applying pressure to sides of the cartridge to provide a decreased volume of the interior ink bladder; transferring ink into the interior ink bladder through the fill opening while maintaining the decreased volume; sealing the fill opening; and relieving pressure on the sides of the cartridge to provide an increased volume of the interior ink bladder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of refilling an ink jet cartridge having an interior ink bladder, comprising the steps of: establishing a fill opening extending from an outer portion of the cartridge into the interior ink bladder; applying pressure to sides of the cartridge to provide a decreased volume of the interior ink bladder; transferring ink into the interior ink bladder through the fill opening while maintaining the decreased volume; sealing the fill opening; and relieving pressure on the sides of the cartridge to provide an increased volume of the interior ink bladder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing a fill opening includes using a poker to make a hole in a refill plug of the cartridge and to push a ball-cork seal of the cartridge into the interior ink bladder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transferring ink into the interior ink bladder comprises the steps of: providing a squeeze bottle filled with ink, the squeeze bottle having a neck portion with a diameter less than the fill opening; placing the neck portion into the fill opening; and squeezing the bottle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring ink into the interior ink bladder comprises the steps of: providing a squeeze bottle filled with ink, the squeeze bottle having a neck portion with a diameter less than the fill opening; placing the neck portion into the fill opening; and squeezing the bottle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of applying pressure to sides of the cartridge comprises the steps of: providing a clamp having pair of jaws that are normally closed by a spring-like force and having a pair of clamp handles, attached to the jaws, for counteracting the spring-like force to open the jaws in response to the clamp handles being moved closer together; moving the clamp handles closer to provide open jaws; placing the open jaws onto an edge of the cartridge; and releasing the clamp handles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing a clamp includes providing a #100 binder clip manufactured by Office Mate International Corporation of Edison, N.J.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying pressure to sides of the cartridge comprises the steps of: providing a clamp having pair of jaws that are normally closed by a spring-like force and having a pair of clamp handles, attached to the jaws, for counteracting the spring-like force to open the jaws in response to the clamp handles being moved closer together; moving the clamp handles closer to provide open jaws; placing the open jaws onto an edge of the cartridge; and releasing the clamp handles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing a clamp includes providing a #100 binder clip manufactured by Office Mate International Corporation of Edison, N.J.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the step of sealing the fill opening comprises the steps of: providing a set screw having a diameter slightly larger than the fill opening; and screwing the set screw into the fill opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the set screw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sealing the fill opening comprises the steps of: providing a set screw having a diameter slightly larger than the fill opening; and screwing the set screw into the fill opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the set screw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the step of sealing the fill opening comprises the step of: placing a ball cork into the fill opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the step of placing the ball cork in the fill opening includes placing a ball cork made of stainless steel, plastic, or rubber in the fill opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the ball cork.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the ball cork.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sealing the fill opening comprises the step of: placing a ball cork into the fill opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of placing the ball cork in the fill opening includes placing a ball cork made of stainless steel, plastic, or rubber in the fill opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the ball cork.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: covering the opening by applying pressure-sensitive tape over the ball cork.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |