# US 2008/0186369 A1 · Remanufactured ink cartridges and methods of making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0186369 A1 - Document ID: US20080186369A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/701,688 - Filed: 2007-02-02 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Inventors: Benjamin A. Lyles - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080186369A1 ## CPC - B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer} - B41J 2/17546: {electronically} - B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure} - B41J 2/17556: {Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract The present invention relates to a process for remanufacturing an ink jet ink cartridge. Specifically, the process relates to remanufacturing ink jet ink cartridges having design features that are designed to prevent the refill or otherwise reuse of the ink cartridge. The design features may include, but be not limited to, a memory device for tracking information relating to the cartridge such that ink may be prevented from flowing from the cartridge when a measured value reaches a threshold value. The present invention relates to a process whereby the memory device is manipulated to allow ink to freely flow from the cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for filling an ink jet ink cartridge with ink comprising the steps of: providing an ink jet ink cartridge comprising a memory device designed to prevent the reuse of the cartridge; opening an access portal in the cartridge to access an interior chamber of the cartridge; providing a negative pressure to the interior chamber of the cartridge; introducing ink into the cartridge; and manipulating the memory device to allow ink to flow from the cartridge in a printing process. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the memory device records the volume of ink flowing from the cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the cartridge contains an amount of remaining ink and further comprising the step of allowing the amount of remaining ink to be removed from the interior chamber of the cartridge prior to introducing the ink into the cartridge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of priming said cartridge to allow the free flow of the ink therefrom in a printing process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4 wherein the step of priming said cartridge comprises balancing a nozzle contained on the cartridge to allow the proper flow of the ink from the cartridge during a printing process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the memory device prevents the reuse of the cartridge by preventing the cartridge from allowing ink to flow therefrom if a threshold volume of ink is recorded to have flowed therefrom during printing processes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the step of opening the access portal in the cartridge comprises drilling a hole in the cartridge to access the interior compartment of the cartridge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the step of opening the access portal in the cartridge comprises opening fill holes utilized to add ink to the cartridge during an original manufacture of the ink cartridge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the step of manipulating said memory device comprises applying electrical signals to the memory device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the step of manipulating said memory device comprises electrically changing data contained within the memory device, wherein said data is selected from the group consisting of ink volume data, a date of manufacture of the ink jet ink cartridge, and a name of a manufacturer of the ink jet ink cartridge. ### Claim 11 An ink jet ink cartridge made by a process comprising the steps of: providing an ink jet ink cartridge comprising a memory device designed to prevent the reuse of the cartridge; opening an access portal in the cartridge to access an interior chamber of the cartridge; providing a negative pressure to the interior chamber of the cartridge; introducing ink into the cartridge; and manipulating the memory device to allow ink to flow from the cartridge in a printing process. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the memory device records the volume of ink flowing from the cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the cartridge contains an amount of remaining ink and further comprising the step of allowing the amount of remaining ink to be removed from the interior chamber of the cartridge prior to introducing the ink into the cartridge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 further comprising the step of priming said cartridge to allow the free flow of the ink therefrom in a printing process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 14 wherein the step of priming said cartridge comprises balancing a nozzle contained on the cartridge to allow the proper flow of the ink from the cartridge during a printing process. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the memory device prevents the reuse of the cartridge by preventing the cartridge from allowing ink to flow therefrom if a threshold volume of ink is recorded to have flowed therefrom during printing processes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the step of opening the access portal in the cartridge comprises drilling a hole in the cartridge to access the interior compartment of the cartridge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the step of opening the access portal in the cartridge comprises opening fill holes utilized to add ink to the cartridge during an original manufacture of the ink cartridge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the step of manipulating said memory device comprises applying electrical signals to the memory device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The ink jet ink cartridge of claim 11 wherein the step of manipulating said memory device comprises electrically changing data contained within the memory device, wherein said data is selected from the group consisting of the ink volume data, a date of manufacture of the ink jet ink cartridge, and a name of a manufacturer of the ink jet ink cartridge. ### Claim 21 A process for filling an ink jet ink cartridge with ink comprising the steps of: providing an ink jet ink cartridge comprising a first memory device designed to prevent the reuse of the cartridge; opening an access portal in the cartridge to access an interior chamber of the cartridge; providing a negative pressure to the interior chamber of the cartridge; introducing ink into the cartridge; and replacing the first memory device with a second memory device. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21 wherein the first memory device records the volume of ink flowing from the cartridge. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21 wherein the cartridge contains an amount of remaining ink and further comprising the step of allowing the amount of remaining ink to be removed from the interior chamber of the cartridge prior to introducing the ink into the cartridge. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21 further comprising the step of priming said cartridge to allow the free flow of the ink therefrom in a printing process. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) An ink cartridge made by the process of claim 21.