Ink jet printer cartridge refilling method and apparatus
OwnerShahar Turgemaninventor
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a method and system for refilling printer ink cartridges. The method and system refill the cartridge while under a vacuum, and provide a positive displacement, peristaltic pump that is automatically operated a precise amount of time to ensure that the proper amount of ink is added to the cartridge. In addition, the filling pump's operation is periodically paused during the refilling process to ensure that air within the foam sponge that retains the ink typically in most printer cartridges can migrate out of the sponge.
Claims20
A method of refilling a printer ink cartridge, the method comprising:
- placing the cartridge in a vacuum chamber;
- reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to between 0.4 to 0.9 millibars below atmospheric;
- adding an amount of ink during a first time period while the cartridge is under a vacuum;
- repeating the adding step until a required amount of ink has been added to the cartridge.
A computerized system for refilling an ink cartridge, comprising:
- a general purpose computer that executes program code;
- a database stored on the computer, wherein the database comprises ink cartridge information;
- a user interface for receiving ink cartridge information;
- a vacuum chamber;
- a vacuum pump that can draw a suction on the vacuum chamber to reduce pressure in the vacuum chamber to between 0.4 to 0.9 millibars below atmospheric;
- a positive displacement ink filling pump under control of the computer;
- and
- one or more software modules comprising program code that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to:
- receive cartridge identifying information from the user interface;
- run the ink filling pump to add ink to the cartridge during a first time period;
- and
- repeat the running step until a required amount of ink has been added to the cartridge.
Program code stored on media that automates the process of refilling printer ink cartridges, wherein the code, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
- receive cartridge identifying information from user input;
- add ink to the cartridge for a first time period and pause for a second time period;
- and
- repeat the add and pause steps until a required amount of ink has been added to the cartridge;
- wherein the first and second time periods depend upon cartridge identifying information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.