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AssigneePMS GmbH Production + Recycling von Bueromaschinenzubehoer
InventorsPeter Schwenk, Christoph Henzler
Estimating the term…
A device for refilling a print cartridge (100) of an ink jet printer comprising a receptacle (4) with a sealing element (7), in which the print cartridge (100) can be seated with close tolerance. The sealing element (7) is positioned against the ink nozzle (103) provided on the underside of the housing (101) and is brought into tight sealing engagement by means of a locking element (5) which engages with an edge of the casing of the print cartridge (100). In addition, a hollow needle carrier (18) with a hollow needle (17) is provided, which can be seated upon the print cartridge (100) or as the case may be, the receptacle (4). The hollow needle (17) penetrates through a bore hole (106) of the print cartridge (100) into the ink supply chamber on the inside of the print cartridge (100). A refill cartridge (200) can be stuck onto the hollow needle (17). With the help of this device, print cartridges can simply and safely be refilled. The refill process can run unattended, as soon as the refill cartridge (200) closure cap (210) is removed.
A device for refilling a print cartridge (100, 100'), said print cartridge comprising a casing, an ink nozzle at a lower surface, a bore hole at an upper surface, and an ink chamber within said print cartridge, said device comprising:
A kit for refilling a print cartridge (100, 100') of an ink jet printer, said print cartridge comprising a casing, an ink nozzle at a lower surface, a bore hole at an upper surface, and an ink chamber within said print cartridge, said kit comprising:
A process for filling a print cartridge (100) with the use of a kit,
A process for refilling a print cartridge (100') with the use of a kit,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Ink cartridges: outer structure
Ink cartridges: inner structure
Typewriters
Term ended 15 Aug 2014 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
The invention is concerned with a device for refilling the print cartridge of an ink jet printer, a kit for refilling the print cartridge of an ink jet printer, and a process for refilling the print cartridge of an ink jet printer.
Until the present, print cartridges for ink jet printers have as a rule been produced as expendable, one-way products. After depletion of the ink supply the print cartridge is simply thrown away and replaced by a new one. This is undesirable for ecological reasons since the used print cartridges are substantially completely functional and besides this include a number of valuable components, such as for example the ink nozzle, through which the ink is ejected, or the contact ribbon, which carries the electrical signals for controlling of the spraying of the ink, these parts having a life which substantially exceeds the span of time for a single use.
Proposals have already been made to fill this type of print cartridge by appropriate measures and thereby to extend the life span.
The invention is now described by means of two illustrative embodiments. They are shown in schematic representation:
FIG. 1 Exploded diagram of the device in a first illustrative embodiment inclusive of refill cartridge,
FIGS.2-6 Various process stages for the preparation of the refill process using the device according to FIG. 1,
The invention is based on the idea of providing a device into which the print cartridge to be filled can be introduced. By means of supplemental elements, which are tailored to the individual print cartridge, and which can be mounted on the print cartridge or, as the case may be, receptacle, the filling openings and the ink nozzle are securely sealed, while at the same time an entryway to the ink supply chamber is produced. For this, a receptacle with sealing elements is provided, in which the print cartridge, with close sideways tolerances and with a downwardly directed ink nozzle, can be inserted. The ink nozzle is directed against the sealing element and is brought into a leakproof arrangement by means of a locking element. A hollow needle carrier can be mounted upon the so installed print cartridge. The hollow needle carrier includes a hollow needle, which is insertable into a borehole provided in the lid area of the print cartridge and into the inside of the print cartridge and therewith in the ink supply chamber. This establishes a communicating connection to a refill cartridge, which can be seated at the top of the needle.
This basic version of the device is conceived for such print cartridges, which essentially comprise a single filling opening, for example, in the area of the lid. By the sealing of the ink nozzle, no ink can be extruded therefrom, and soiling of the substrate no longer occurs. Further, the introduction of ink is made particularly simple, since upon the sticking of the refill cartridge on to the hollow needle, the ink supply flows by itself, assisted by atmospheric pressure and capillary action, into the ink supply chamber. A further manual manipulation is not required. After the refill cartridge has been allowed to empty, the same need merely be pulled off of the hollow needle and the hollow needle carrier be removed from the print cartridge. The print cartridge is then ready for immediate use.
For print cartridges, which have additional openings, for example in the vicinity of the ink nozzle, there are contemplated additional embodiments of the invention. Since these print cartridges are, beyond this, characterized by having varying geometries, it is advantageous to be able to insert an adaptor into the receptacle, so that the device can be employed for a variety of varying print cartridges. In this case, the supplemental sealing elements can be introduced into the adaptor, so that it can be ensured that the correct arrangement of sealing elements and refill openings is attained.