GB2461419A - A jig for refilling an ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for refilling an ink cartridge having a frustoconical formation (14, Fig.3) around a breather hole (12, Fig.3). The apparatus comprises a jig 18 locatable on the cartridge. The jig 18 includes a through hole 26 to guide a drill through the breather hole (12, Fig.3), the drill being of such a size as to substantially remove the formation (14, Fig.3). The cartridge can then be washed through the hole formed, and subsequently refilled with ink. The jig 18 may include a plurality of through holes 26, 28, 30, 32 to permit a plurality of refill holes to be drilled. The plurality of through holes 26, 28, 30, 32 may correspond to the locations of different compartments in a cartridge e.g. a multicoloured cartridge, thereby permitting refilling of each compartment.

Description

Ink Cartridge Refijjjjg This invention concerns a method of refilling ink cartridges, and particularly but not exclusively ink cartridges for ink jet printers, and also apparatus usable in such a method.

Ink jet cartridges are often refilled with ink following use. Prior to refilling the cartridges generally require washing and subsequently drying.

1 0 The particular steps required in the refilling process depend on the nature and structure of the respective cartridges. Often it is possible to carry out washing of a cartridge and subsequent refilling using holes provided for use in the original filling of the cartridge.

1 5 This is not though possible with some cartridge types. For instance with some cartridges a lid is mounted thereon following filling. Small diameter breather holes may be provided in the cartridge. Upstanding internal formations, which may for instance be conical or frustoconical, may be provided around the breather holes. These formations make it difficult to fully dry the interior of such cartridges following washing, and any remaining water can have deleterious effects on the subsequent use of a refilled cartridge.

Drying is often carried out using centrifuges, and such formations prevent moisture below the formations from draining out of the breather holes.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of refilling an ink cartridge which cartridge includes one or more upstanding internal formations around a respective breather hole, the method including drilling a refill hole of greater diameter than the breather hole into the cartridge through the or a breather hole, the drilling being such as to substantially remove the respective upstanding formation.

Following drilling the cartridge may be washed through the refill hole.

The refill hole may be drilled using a jig to locate the hole.

A plurality of refill holes may be drilled. Where the cartridge has a plurality of compartments, a refill hole may be drilled into each compartment.

The invention further provides a method of refilling an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer, the method being according to any of the preceding four paragraphs.

The invention still further provides apparatus for use in the refilling of an ink cartridge, the apparatus including a jig with a through hole in a required location for a refill hole to be drilled therethrough into a cartridge.

1 5 The jig may include a plurality of through holes to permit a plurality of refill holes to be drilled.

Through holes may be provided in the jig which correspond to the locations of different compartments in a cartridge, to permit refilling of each compartment.

The jig may be configured to slidingly locate on a part of an ink cartridge. A recess may be provided in the jig which slidingly accepts said part of an ink cartridge.

One or more openings or recesses may be provided in the jig to receive upstanding formations on the outside of the cartridge.

The jig may be made of stainless steel.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of a jig according to the present invention, and also one which is usable in a method according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view along the line X-X of the jig of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of part of an ink cartridge.

Fig. 3 shows a part of an ink cartridge for an ink printer. The cartridge has a side wall 10 through which a breather hole 12 is provided. A frusto conical formation 14 is provided on the internal side of the wall 10 around the breather hole 12. The formation 14 means that if drying the cartridge using a centrifuge following washing, it would be difficult if not impossible to remove further water from the cartridge, once the water level is below the top of the formation 14. The present invention will provide a refill hole 16 as illustrated by the broken lines coaxial with the breather hole 12, and of a size to remove the formation 14.

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Figs. 1 and 2 show a jig 18 usable in forming the refill holes 16. The jig 18 is in the form of a rectangular plate with a rectangular recess 20 cut into it.

The recess 20 has corner reliefs 22 formed by circular cut outs centred on the corners of the recess 20.

Four through holes 24 are provided in the jig 18, within the recess 20.

As shown in Fig. 1 a first of the through holes 26 is provided centrally and towards the lower end of the jig 18. The second and third through holes 28, are provided in a line a little above the centre of the jig 18. The fourth hole 32 is provided spaced a little above the second and third holes 28, 30 and midway therebetween.

As shown in Fig. 1, a semi-circular cut out 34 is provided through the jig 18 above the second to fourth holes 28, 30, 32. An elongate cut out 36 with rounded ends is provided extending transversely across the recess 20 towards the bottom thereof.

In use the rear of a cartridge is located in a sliding fit in the recess 20.

The cut outs 34, 36 permit respectively shaped and positioned formations on the cartridge to extend thereinto. Refill holes can be drilled through those of the through holes 26, 28, 30, 32 as required. For instance with a black cartridge, the first hole 26 would be coaxial with a breather hole 12 and formation 14, and a refilling hole would therefore be formed at this point removing the formation 14. A refill hole would probably also be provided through the fourth hole 32 to permit optimum ink distribution, though a breather hole 12 may not necessarily have been provided in the cartridge 1 5 coaxial therewith.

For a colour cartridge the second hole 28 may be used to provide a refill hole into a yellow compartment, the third hole 30 into a cyan compartment and the first hole 26 into a magenta compartment. A similar arrangement could be provided for a photograph cartridge, but with the respective compartments being light cyan, photo black and light magenta.

The breather hole 12 or holes described above may in use be covered by a label which will be removed prior to drilling. Following drilling of the refill holes the interior of the cartridge would be washed with a flushing solution and deionising water. The cartridge could then be dried in a centrifuge, and removal of the formation or formations 14 permits fluid to pass out of the refill holes 16. The cartridge can then be refilled as required through the respective holes 26, 28, 30, 32. A label will then be placed over the holes. A formation of recesses in the surface of the cartridge extending from the respective ones of the holes 26, 28, 30, 32 will permit breathing therethrough.

There is thus described a method of, and an apparatus for, readily refilling ink cartridges which include a formation around a breather hose, which otherwise would cause problems with drying. The method and apparatus are relatively straightforward and can thus be carried out inexpensively.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the jig may take a different form and a different pattern of through holes may be provided dependent on the lay out of breather holes and/or compartments in the cartridge. The cut outs may take a 1 0 different form or be dispensed with as required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any 1 5 patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (9)

1. Claims: - 1. Apparatus for use in the refilling of an ink cartridge, the apparatus including a jig with a through hole in a required location for a refill hole to be drilled therethrough into a cartridge.
2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the jig includes a plurality of through holes to permit a plurality of refill holes to be drilled.
3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which through holes are provided in the jig which correspond to the locations of different compartments in a cartridge, to permit refilling of each compartment.
4. 4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the jig is configured to slidingly locate on a part of an ink cartridge.
5. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which a recess is provided in the jig which slidingly accepts said part of an ink cartridge.
6. 6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which one or more openings or recesses are provided in the jig to receive upstanding formations on the outside of the cartridge.
7. 7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the jig is made of stainless steel.
8. 8. Apparatus for use in the refilling of an ink cartridge, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. 9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.