Method and apparatus for filling ink-jet cartridge

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for filling ink-jet cartridges with ink. Ink-jet cartridges are commonly refilled with ink while under a vacuum, to facilitate completely filling a reservoir or foam insert within the cartridge. However, when the cartridge is subsequently submitted to atmospheric pressure, a significant amount of ink is suctioned out of the cartridge, creating a mess and leaving the cartridge less than full. The instant invention results in a fully refilled ink cartridge, without leaking ink, by timed release of the vacuum during the ink filling process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.