Method and apparatus for refilling an ink cartridge
OwnerKenneth Yueninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an easy-to-use refill apparatus for refilling a refillable container. The refill apparatus includes a compressible container containing ink and a compression device that holds the compressible container in alignment with the container to be refilled. In use, the compression device compresses the compressible container thereby causing ink to flow from the compressible container to the refillable container. Decompression of the compressible container removes air out of the refillable container to prevent ink from leaking from the refillable container.
Claims32
A refill apparatus for refilling a refillable container, the refill apparatus comprising:
- a compressible pouch containing ink;
- a compression device for holding the compressible pouch in alignment with the container to be refilled;
- the compression device including first and second members that are moved relative to one another to compress the pouch such that ink flows from the pouch to the container.
A compressible ink pouch capable of holding ink and configured for use with an ink cartridge refill apparatus, the ink pouch comprising:
- first and second ends and a side wall interposed between the first and second ends, the side wall configured to be collapsible;
- and
- a pierceable gasket member secured to the top or bottom end, the gasket providing access to ink within the ink pouch;
- whereby compression of the ink pouch causes ink to exit the ink pouch through the gasket.
A method of refilling an ink cartridge, comprising the steps of:
- inserting an ink refill container into an ink refill housing, the housing comprising a first member and a second member capable of moving relative to one other;
- inserting an ink cartridge into the ink refill housing;
- moving the first and second members relative to one other to compress the ink refill container such that ink flows from the ink refill container to the ink cartridge.
An ink cartridge refill kit comprising:
- a package;
- a compressible ink pouch positioned within the package;
- and
- a compression structure positioned in the package, the compression structure providing contact with opposing outer surfaces of the ink pouch to compress ink out of the ink pouch.
A compressible ink pouch capable of holding ink and configured for use with an ink cartridge refill apparatus, the ink pouch comprising:
- first and second ends and a side wall interposed between the first and second ends, the side wall configured to be collapsible;
- and
- a pierceable gasket member secured to the top or bottom end, the gasket providing access to ink within the ink pouch;
- whereby contacting the first and second ends of the ink pouch compresses ink out of the ink pouch through the gasket when the gasket is pierced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.