MXPA96001510A - Printer with ink supply and it supply tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises a container in which adjacent compartments are formed by means of compartment walls disposed within the container; the adjacent compartments are in turn divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by means of a dividing wall, thus forming a plurality of equal first chambers and a plurality of equal second chambers in the cartridge, wherein each of the plurality of first chambers houses a corresponding ink absorbing member, characterized in that a lid divided into two portions by means of a hinge is disposed on the upper part of the container, so that the portion of the lid corresponding to, and covering the plurality of second chambers is hermetically sealed to the container, and the portion of the lid corresponding to, and qu e covers the plurality of first cameras can be opened and closed selectively by means of the articulation to be able to access the plurality of first cameras

Description

PRINTER WITH INK SUPPLY AND INK SUPPLY TANK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an ink supply printer that is supplied with ink from an ink supply tank, and more particularly to an ink supply tank that allows continuous supply of ink to the ink. printer head while eliminating the adverse effects of temperature, atmospheric changes, or vibrations. The present invention allows having a greater volume of ink in the ink supply tank, and allows a greater percentage of the ink in the tank to be transferred to the print head. Also, the present invention comprises a tank with transparent sides, such that the user can easily determine the remaining amount of ink, and also elements to dampen unwanted movement of the ink inside the ink supply tank. In addition, the invention relates in general to an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet printer, and more particularly, to a refillable ink tank cartridge, which supplies ink to a registration head of an ink jet. ink jet recording apparatus or the like, a filling pack, a filling tool, an ink jet device, a filling assembly, and a method for filling an ink tank with ink. Different kinds of ink tanks are known for inkjet printers of the prior art. For example, the Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) SHO Number. 63-87242 discloses an ink tank wherein the ink absorbing members made of a porous material are respectively housed in a plurality of chambers. Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. HEI. 6-40043 discloses an ink tank wherein a sealed container is divided by a partition, such that a chamber housing an ink absorbing member and an ink chamber that stores only ink are juxtaposed. In the ink tanks of the aforementioned prior art examples, the ink tanks can store a large amount of ink, so that ink can be supplied to a recording head for a long life of the print head. When the previously loaded ink is consumed, however, this ink tank must be replaced with a new one. The replacement of the cartridge is problematic and has the additional drawback that the replacement process may cause the hands of the user or the like to become soiled with ink. In addition, the disposal of spent ink tanks involves large costs and causes environmental contamination.

In accordance with the above, it is desired to provide an ink tank cartridge for a reusable inkjet printer, which can be refilled quickly and cleanly when the ink in the ink tank is depleted, and surpass the other limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an ink tank is provided for an ink jet printer that can be filled quickly and cleanly, and can subsequently be reused by the user, and a method to refill the tank. The tank is constructed with its interior divided by one or more divisions into a plurality of chambers wherein at least one of these chambers houses an ink absorbing member. The ink tank is also formed with a lid, a portion of which can be opened at least above the chambers of the ink absorbing member. In another embodiment, an ink supply hole is formed in the tank lid to allow filling of the tank through the use of an ink jet device. In a preferred embodiment, the partition is detachably attached to the container. An ink-filling package houses an ink-absorbing member, the ink absorbing member absorbs the ink, and being in a compressed state inside the package. The package includes at least one top wall and one bottom wall, and has a first through hole formed in the top wall, and a second through hole formed in the bottom wall. A respective filler pack may contain an ink absorbing member of different color than another filler pack, the filler pack being removably attached inside a chamber. The ink absorbing member has a volume greater than the capacity of the chamber. At least one of the chambers inside the container does not house an ink absorbing member. A filling hole that can be opened in the lid is formed in a portion corresponding to the empty chamber. An ink supply gate member having a through hole in the bottom of the chamber is disposed and protrudes into the chamber housing the ink absorbing member. The ink absorbing member is compressed in a resilient manner by the ink supply gate member to partially increase the possibility of compression of a portion of the absorbent member in the vicinity of an ink supply gate. A projection extends from the cap and compresses the ink absorbing member toward the ink supply port. An ink jet device has a container for containing ink to be injected into an ink tank. The container allows for visible observation of the ink. A scale is formed that indicates the amount of ink consumed on the container portion. A needle is attached to the container. A scale is formed that indicates the depth of penetration of the needle over the needle. The ink jet injection device, when combined with a packing pack or with an ink absorbing member, forms an ink filling assembly for a recording apparatus. The ink cartridge is refilled by opening the lid and removing the ink absorbing member. The container is rotated in such a way that the chamber containing the ink absorbing member is placed on top of a second chamber. An absorbent ink member is loaded into the first chamber, and ink is supplied to the ink absorbing member. The lid uses the inkjet device, and then the first chamber is closed. In a preferred embodiment, there may be a plurality of chambers having ink-absorbing members, and the ink-absorbing members have a volume greater than the capacity of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the filling tool supply needle is passed through an air vent hole in the lid of a first chamber of an ink tank, the ink tank having a plurality of chambers divided by a division, and the cameras communicate partially with each other by means of a communication hole. The needle of the ink jet device pierces the ink absorbing member, a releasable seal disposed adjacent the second ink chamber that does not have the absorbent member is removed to open an air supply port, the ink absorbent member being filled. with the ink from this camera. The empty chamber, without the absorption member, can also be filled by the injection device through a filling hole formed in the lid above the empty chamber. In another embodiment, a division forming the chambers is removed, and an absorbent ink member is then loaded therein. In accordance with the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved ink cartridge for an ink jet printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high quality and highly reliable ink supply printhead of a simple construction, which is capable of delivering a stable and appropriate amount of ink from an ink tank to the print head, and that is less subject to the influence of changes in the environment, such as temperature or atmospheric variations. In accordance with the foregoing, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved ink tank for an ink jet printer. It is another object of the invention to provide a system having an ink tank that can be refilled, prolonging the life of the ink tank. Still another object of the invention is to prevent the environment from being contaminated by providing an ink tank that can be filled. Another object of the invention is to provide an ink tank wherein only the chamber housing an ink absorbing member can be opened, and wherein the ink absorbing member and other tank chambers can be filled with ink. A further object of the invention is to provide an ink tank wherein a plurality of ink tank chambers respectively house the ink absorbing members, and wherein the ink absorbing members can be filled with ink. A still further object of the invention is to provide an ink tank wherein a division of the ink tank is detachably and slidably attached, so that the amount of ink absorbed contained therein can be adjusted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an ink tank wherein an ink absorbing member is charged in a compressed state. A further object of the invention is to provide an ink tank wherein an ink absorbing member is loaded in a compressed state. Still another object of the invention is to provide a packing pack wherein an ink absorbing member is housed in a storage unit, and wherein the ink absorbing member can be used to fill an exhausted ink absorbing member in a clean manner. . Still a further object of the invention is to provide a filling tool for an ink tank that can fill a plurality of ink tank chambers separately. Still a further object of the invention is to provide a filler assembly comprising a plurality of ink jet devices and an ink absorbing member. Still another object of the invention is to provide a method for filling a plurality of cameras inside an ink tank. Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example and not in a limiting sense. According to the above, the invention comprises the different steps and the relationship of one or more of these steps with respect to each other, and the apparatus that incorporates the construction features, combinations of elements, and configuration of parts that are adopted to carry out these steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a complex understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an apparatus of ink jet type registration according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the ink tank of Figure 2.

Figures 4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps for supplying ink to an ink tank in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps for supplying ink to the ink tank of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps for supplying ink to the ink tank of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps for supplying ink to the ink tank of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an ink filling package constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating the ink fill package of Figure 11, showing the phantom ink gate. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an ink-filling tool and an ink tank constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a constructed ink tank, and that is being filled, in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. Figure 15 is a side elevational view of an ink jet device constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 16 is a fragmented and magnified side elevational view of a supply needle of the ink jet device of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a top plan view of an ink refill assembly constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 of Figure 17.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES A printhead in accordance with the present invention can be used in a four-color printer plotter or in a color image printer, and has ink systems of four colors and ink jets corresponding respectively to the four colors of ink. The four-color printer plotter uses black, red, green, and blue inks, and moves the head or a sheet of printing paper, or both, and then ejects ink as in a conventional inkjet print head, which corresponds to a desired color, against the printing paper, in a prescribed position on it to form an ink spot. In this way the desired characters and figures can be recorded by repeating the previous cycle. The present invention is applicable to inkjet printers of all varieties, including printheads that use heat from heated resistors or the like, or displacement of piezoelectric transducers to project a drop of ink from a camera onto the application of a signal of impression. The ink supply tanks according to the invention can continuously supply ink to these chambers through capillary paths. In a color image printer that uses four-color inks, that is, black, red, green, and blue, a print head scans a sheet of printing paper in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction of the recording paper , to form a line of a point in a scan path, and the printing paper is fed by line steps to register images. In seven-color printers, inks of four colors are used, ie black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the colors red, green, and blue are formed on a sheet of printing paper, overlaying the inks of two of the three desired colors that are not black, registering seven-color color images in this way. The present invention relates primarily to the print head, and in particular to the ink tanks, and the detailed description of the construction of the overall printer will be given only by way of a single example. Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an ink jet type recording apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A print head unit 1 of a type of ink jet is connected to an ink tank 3 through a connecting member 2. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 3 to the print head unit 1 through a hollow needle 2a and an ink supply passage 2b of the connecting member 2, such that the print head unit 1 emits droplets of ink in accordance with the printing signals. The apparatus shown in Figure 1 also includes a lid member 4 disposed in a non-printing area, which cap member abuts against the nozzle plate of the print head unit 1 by means of a pulse mechanism ( not shown) to prevent the nozzle openings from drying out. The cover member 4 is connected through a tube 8 to a suction pump 5, which is operated by a control device 6 for sucking ink from the print head unit 1 through the lid member 4. Apparatus shown in Figure 1 is also provided with an effluent tank 7 connected to an outlet port of the suction pump 5 through a tube 9. The recording head can be of any structure, as described in European Patent Publications Nos. 581,531; 609,863; 584,823, etcetera. Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3, which illustrate an ink tank 1000 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, having a partition 610 disposed in a container 601, to form first and second chamber 611 and 612. In the ink tank 1000, two compartment walls 613A and 613B extend in a direction perpendicular to the partition 610, and are positioned to form three adjacent first identical chambers 611A, 611B, and 611C commonly referred to as 611, and a second chamber 612A, 612B, and 612C, associated respectively with each of the first chambers 611A, 611B, and 611C, is provided, but is not shown in Figure 3. The structure and operation of the compartments 611A-611C are identical, and a representative compartment 611 will be described later for ease of description. The ink absorbing members 615A, 615B, and 615C (collectively 615) are housed in a respective first chamber 611. In each of the ink absorbing members, yellow, magenta, or cyan ink is absorbed by the absorbent member of the ink absorbing member. associated ink 615. Each ink absorbing member 615 is a porous member that can be formed, for example, by foaming a polyurethane material. Each ink absorbing member 615 has a volume that is greater than the capacity of the respective first chamber 611, and therefore, is accommodated in the respective first chamber 611 under compression. An associated ink supply gate member 620A, 620B, or 620C (collectively 620) is disposed at the bottom of the first chamber 611. The first chamber 611 is provided with the ink supply gate member 620, through the which passes an ink supply needle of a registration head (as shown in Figure 1), and engages. The ink supply gate member 620 is formed with a tubular configuration. The upper part 622 of the ink supply gate member 620, which is covered by a filter 621, pushes against the ink absorbing member 615, to slightly compress the ink absorbing member in the vicinity of the ink supply gate member 620, thereby improving the capillary force through which the ink flows. A packing member 624 having an opening 624 'is fitted in a through hole 623 of the ink supply gate member 620, through which the ink supply needle is passed, and forms a liquid-tight seal with the packing member 624. Additional ink is stored in each of the second chambers 612A, 612B, and 612C (collectively 612) communicating with the first chambers .611, respectively, by means of the slot-shaped communication holes. 610 formed in the lower portion of the partition 610. A rib 614 extends around the container 601. A cover 630 is placed over the upper opening of the container 601. The cover 630 seals the second chambers 612, and can be bent as desired. length of a hinge-type portion 631 for the purpose of opening the lid 630. A coupling portion 632 is formed on the periphery of the lid 630, and is directed inwardly. The coupling portion 632 is releasably engaged with the rib 614 formed in the upper part of the container 601, and is directed outward, whereby the upper openings of the first chamber 611 can be selectively closed. air vent hole 633 in the cap 630, such that ambient air of an amount corresponding to the amount of ink consumed, flows into the container 601. In Figure 2, reference numerals 634a and 634b designate the compressors which extend vertically from the inner face of the lid 630, which compress the ink absorbing member 615 against the ink supply gate 620. Each chamber 611A, 611B, and 611C has corresponding compressors 634a and 634b. This configuration will be described in general, but is applicable to each of the similar containers). When the upper opening of the container 601 is closed by the cover 630, the compressors 634A and 634B are forced to partially compress the ink absorbing member 615. The compressor 634a opposing the ink supply gate member 620 is longer than the compressor 634b which is placed away from the gate member of the compressor. ink supply 620. These compressors cooperate with the ink supply gate member 620 to further compress the portion of the ink absorber member 615 adjacent the ink supply gate member 620. During printing, the method of tank use 1000 ink is similar to that of prior art ink tanks. However, when the ink in the container 601 is depleted as a result of the printing operation, the ink tank of the invention can be filled, rather than discarded. The process for filling the container 601 with ink will be described hereinafter in relation to Figures 4a-4c. When filling the ink cartridge, manually pull the cover 630 upwards, in the direction of the arrow to t and open around the articulation type portion 631, which functions as the support, in such a way that the inwardly engaging portion 632 of the cap 630 is uncoupled from the outer rib 614 of the container 601. Subsequently, the cap 630 is moved as indicated by the phantom line of Figure 2, to open the compartment 611A. Subsequently, the spent ink absorbing member 615A can be removed from the first chamber 611A in the direction of the arrow b¿ if necessary,. Next, the container 601 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Cj by 90 °, such that the first chamber 611 is placed above the second chamber 612, as shown in Figure 4 (b). Then, by using an injection device 4000, the second chamber 612 is filled with ink by means of the communication hole 610 'of the division 610 in the direction of the arrow d- ^ As shown in Figure 15, a injection device 4000 includes a container 4100, which may be transparent, and a scale 4200 may be formed thereon. Accordingly, the user can see the amount of ink being injected into the second chamber 612. A needle portion 4300 is coupled to the container portion 4100, and is in fluid communication therewith. Subsequently, the ink absorbing member 615A is inserted into the first chamber 611A, and ink is injected into the ink absorbing member 615A by the injection device 4000 as shown in Figure 4 (c). If the ink absorbing member 615A was not initially removed, ink would be filled in both chambers, while the ink absorbing member 615A would still be in the first chamber 611A. This process would be repeated for each camera 611 that needs padding. Finally, the lid 630 swings in the direction of the arrow Fl and the inwardly engaging portion 632 engages with the outer rib 614 to reset the ink tank to its state shown in Figure 2, thereby ending the Fill job with new ink. Reference is now made to Figures 5 and 6, which illustrate an ink tank constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar reference numerals denote elements similar to those of the first embodiment, and as such, will not be described again herein. The primary difference is a through hole for feeding ink into the ink tank. A through hole 616A is formed in a side wall 616 of the compartment 611A of an ink tank 2000, and a seal 617 is applied thereto. During the filling process, the lid 630 is opened, the spent ink absorbing member 615A is removed, the new ink absorbing member 615A is returned to the tank, and the lid 630 is closed, as described above. right away, the ink absorbing member 615A is filled with ink as described below. First the seal 617 is removed. Then the ink tank 2000 is turned by 90 °, in such a way that the first chamber 611 is above the second chamber 612, as shown in Figure 6, thereby providing access to a open pierced hole 616A. The supply needle 4300 of the injection device 4000 is inserted into the compartment 611A by means of the through hole 616, and subsequently ink is injected into the tank. In a preferred embodiment, the tip of the delivery needle 4300 is first placed in the vicinity of the communication hole 610 ', and ink is injected into the second chamber 612. Subsequently, the supply needle 4300 is slightly retracted, and injected ink in the ink absorbing member 615A, so that ink is effectively supplied to the first and second chambers 611A and 612. Then the through hole 616A is closed by the seal 617. In an alternative embodiment, a sheet of ink can be used. rubber that has a large resilient recovery force in place of the 610 seal. Then the 4300 supply needle would pierce through the sheet and supply ink to the ink tank. Accordingly, it would not be necessary to remove and replace seal 617 in through hole 616A. If the ink absorbing member 615A does not need to be replaced with a new ink absorbing member, ink can be supplied to fill the ink tank through the pierced hole 616A by using the injection device 4000, while the cap 630 remains closed on top of container 601. Reference is now made to Figures 7 and 8 (a) and (b), which illustrate an ink tank 5000 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Similar elements are given similar reference numerals, and are not described here again. A container 6100 is divided into first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A by a partition 6110, and chambers 6120 and 6120A accommodate the ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300, respectively. A lid 6130 is detachably secured to the upper opening of the container 6100, such that the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A open at the same time. A coupling portion 6132, which is formed at the periphery 6130, is coupled in a detachable manner and is directed inwardly, with a rib 6140 that is formed on the container 6100, and is directed outwardly. To refill the ink tank, the inwardly fitting portion 6132 is uncoupled from the outwardly facing rib 6140, and the lid 6130 is removed from the upper part of the container 6100, as shown in phantom. The depleted ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are removed from the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A, and then new ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are loaded into the chambers 6120 and 6120A, respectively. If any of the depleted ink absorbing members 6200 or 6300 is not damaged and can be reused, then this ink absorbing member need not be replaced. As in the first embodiment, the spent ink tank 5000 may not have an ink absorbing member in the second chamber 6120A. Also, during the filling process, the ink member 6300 of the second chamber 6120A can also be replaced, if necessary. Next, the filling of the ink tank shown in Figures 7 and 8 will be described.

In the ink tank 5000, after the ink runs out, the inward engaging portion 6132 of the outer rib 6140 is decoupled, and the lid 6130 is pulled upwards, in the direction of the arrow a3 (Figure 8). a)), such that the lid 6130 of the container 6100 is removed. This movement of the lid 6130 opens the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A of the container 6100. The absorbent ink members 6200 and 6300 are then removed from the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A in the direction of arrow b3 (Figure 8 (a)) if necessary. The new ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are then pushed forcefully into the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A in the direction of the arrows c3 and d3, so that they are accommodated in the chambers 6120 and 6120A under compression (FIG. 8 (b)). Subsequently a sufficient quantity of ink is injected into the ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 by the use of the injection device 4000. Finally, the cover 6130 is lowered in the direction of the arrow e3, in such a way that it makes contact with the opening upper of the container 6100. The inward engaging portion 6132 engages with the outer rib 6140, thereby sealing the cap 6130, and completing the filling process. Reference is now made to Figures 9 and 10, which illustrate an ink tank constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The similar elements of the above modalities are given similar reference numerals, the primary difference being a removable division to define a single camera. The ink tank 5000 includes a partition 6110 'which separates a first chamber 6120 from a second chamber 6120A. The partition 6110 'is detachably and slidably attached to the vessel 6100, as indicated by the phantom line 6110. "The 6110' division can be removed to form a single chamber as a combination of the 6120 and 6120A cameras. shown in Figure 10, to refill the ink tank, after removing the cover 6130, a spent ink absorbent member 6400 is removed, and division 6110 'is also removed in the direction indicated by arrow g. Subsequently, an integrated ink absorbing member 6500 is loaded to fill the container 6100. Ink is then injected into the absorbent member 6500 by the injection device 4000. The lid 6130 is then joined again. Reference is now made to Figures 11 and 12, which illustrate a packing pack 7000 for use in conjunction with the ink tank of the fourth embodiment. The packing pack 700 allows for clean handling of the ink absorbing member 6500. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the filling pack 7000 includes a storage unit 6500 having at least one upper wall 6511 and one lower wall. 6514, and encloses an absorbent member 6500 ink impregnated with ink. The ink absorbing member 6500 has been pre-compressed, and is housed in a cube-shaped hollow storage unit 6510, which is made of an air-impermeable material, which is a lamination of thin plastic sheets or metal foils, as an example. A through hole 6512 is formed in the top wall 6511. The through hole 6512 can be opened by means of a releasable seal 6513. In a similar manner, a through hole 6515 is formed in a bottom wall 6514, and the through hole 6515 is it can be opened by means of a releasable seal 6516. A filling package 7000 is used in the following manner. The division 6110 * of the ink cartridge 6000 is removed from the container 6100, and the releasable seals 6513 and 6516 are removed from the storage unit 6510. The storage unit 6510 is then loaded into the container 6100, and attached to the gate. of ink supply 620 to supply ink to the printer. The storage unit 6510 can be attached to the ink supply gate 620 through the pierced hole 6515 formed in the bottom wall 6514, and a filter 621 which is made of a flexible material, such as plastic (e.g. see reference numeral 621 in Figure 12) to the opening. When compressing the ink absorbing memberVZ. 6500, the compression can be conducted over the entire member, or alternatively, the compression can be conducted in a selective manner in the lateral directions or in the vertical directions. A plural number of storage units 6510 may store a plurality of ink absorbing members 6500, which respectively absorb inks of different colors, such as yellow, magenta, and cyano. The storage units can be joined and separated in a selective manner, in the respective first chamber 611A, 611B, and 611C shown in Figure 3. Reference is now made to Figure 13, which illustrates an ink tank 8000 and the ink filling tool 9000, constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. Similar elements of the above embodiments are indicated by similar reference numerals. An ink tank 8000 has a lid 1300 fixed to a container 1000. The container 1000 is divided into a first chamber 611 and a second chamber 612 communicating with each other through a communication hole 610 '. An ink absorbing member 615 is disposed in the first chamber 611. An air vent hole 1330 is formed in the lid 1300. A filling tool 9000, shown in Figure 34, is used to fill the container 1000. The tool filler 9000 includes a 9100 tank coupled to a supply needle 9200. An air supply port 9300 is formed on top of a fill tank 9100, from which a supply needle 9200 extends vertically downward. The air supply port 9300 is closed by a releasable seal 9400. To fill with ink, the supply needle 9200 pierces an ink absorbing member 615 of a first chamber 611. Subsequently, the releasable seal 9400 is removed as indicated by the phantom line of Figure 34, which opens the air supply port 9300, and allows air to enter the tank 9100. Accordingly, air entering the supply needle 9200 will allow ink to be released through the 9200 supply needle, towards the ink absorbing member 615. In order to allow air to escape into the ink absorbing member 615 when it is being filled with ink, in a preferred embodiment, a small gap is formed between the air vent hole 1330 and supply needle 9200, or another air vent hole is provided in another portion of cover 1300. When degassed ink is used, ink may be supplied to the container 1000 more effectively, since while falling by gravity, the ink will absorb any small air bubbles contained in the ink absorbing member 615. Accordingly, ink can be supplied, which will improve the reliability of the recording head. In a preferred embodiment, an amount of ink that is approximately smaller than half the capacity of the first chamber 611 should be supplied. Reference is made to Figure 14, which illustrates an ink tank constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. Similar elements of the above embodiments are indicated by similar reference numerals, the primary difference between this mode and the ink tank 8000 being a filling hole in the lid on the second chamber. A 10000 ink tank has a first camera 611 of the container 1000 accommodating an ink absorbing member 615. In order to directly supply ink to a second chamber 612 that is adjacent to the first chamber 611, and that does not house the ink absorbing member 615, an orifice is formed of filling 2410 in the lid 2400 fixed to the container 1000. The filling orifice 2410 is selectively closed in a manner that can be opened by a releasable seal 2420. When the ink tank 10000 is going to be filled, the filling hole 2410 is opened by removing the releasable seal 2420. Subsequently, the supply needle 4300 of the injection device 4200 is passed through the filling hole 2410, and ink is supplied to the second chamber 612. In a preferred embodiment , it is preferable to form a small gap between the fill hole 2410 and the supply needle 4300, or to form an air vent hole 10100 in a portion of the cover 2400 of the second chamber 612, to allow air to escape during the filling. Instead of the releasable seal 2420, a rubber sheet having a high resilient recovery force can be used. Then the supply needle 4300 would pierce through the rubber sheet, as shown in Figure 35, and ink would be supplied. Reference is now made to Figures 15 and 16, which illustrate the aforementioned injection device 4000, which has a syringe-shaped configuration. A scale 4200 is formed on the portion of the container 4100 of the injection device 4000, and the scales Mj ^ to M7 are formed on the supply needle 4300 along its longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 16. When using the injection device 4200, the quantity of ink being supplied can be monitored by viewing scale 4200. The depth to which the supply needle 4300 has been inserted into the ink absorbing member can be detected by means of the scales M1 to M7, such that the ink is injected into the ink absorbing member to the desired depth. Accordingly, the ink can be effectively absorbed through the entire volume of the ink absorbing member. Preferably, the injection device 4000 is filled with ink, which has been previously degassed, and is wrapped and stored in an air-impermeable material, such as aluminum or an aluminum laminate, before being used in the process of filling. This improves the print quality by removing any air bubbles that may remain in the ink absorbing member. As required, the degassed ink is stored in a storage package (not shown), which is made of a gas impermeable material. A number of storage packages and an associated vacuum injection device 4000 can be supplied as an ink refill kit. Reference is now made to Figures 17 and 18, which illustrate an ink refill assembly 11000 constructed in accordance with the invention. In the ink refill assembly 11000, inks of different colors are each filled in with a plurality of ink injection devices 4000A, 4000B, 4000C, described in Figure 36. The injection devices are configured on a base plate 11100. An ink absorbing member 12000 can also be placed on the base plate 111000. These components can be covered by a cover sheet 11200 having recesses 11300 to 11600, which correspond to the external shapes of the injection devices 4000 and the ink absorbent member 120d ?, thus constituting the ink refill assembly 11000. When the assembly is to be used, the cover sheet 11200 is removed from the base plate 11100, one of the injection devices 4000 is removed and the ink absorbent member 12000 of the recess, and are used to fill ink. In addition, the ink-ejecting device 4000 containing ink, and the ink-absorbing member 12000, can be packaged separately in separate ink-filling assemblies, rather than being packaged in a single ink-filling assembly. If the black ink tank and the color ink tank have different volumes, a number of ink absorbing members can be provided, each corresponding to the volume of the associated ink tank. These different ink-absorbing members can be provided in the same ink-filling assemblies or in different assemblies. The corresponding ink jet devices would also have a sufficient amount of ink to fill the associated ink tank and the ink absorbing member. As shown above, the ink jet device may be provided with ink already contained therein. However, it is also possible to provide a storage package with ink contained therein, and an empty inkjet device. These can be provided in the same filler set or in different filler sets. It is possible to provide any combination of ink, ink tanks, ink jet devices, and ink absorbing members, without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described above results in the following benefits: (1) the ink tank can be reused. Since the ink or an ink absorbing member can be easily supplied to the chambers separated from one another by a division in the ink tank container, the ink tank can be used again and again for a long time. Since it is not necessary to roof the spent ink tank, moreover, it is prevented from contaminating the environment. Accordingly, the invention is highly effective. (2) The ink filling process is conducted in a clean manner. By opening the lid of the ink tank container, the ink absorbing member can be filled with ink in a clean manner without staining anything outside the ink tank. Alternatively, since ink can be administered by using the ink-jet device or the ink-filling tool without opening the lid of the container, the user is prevented from being soiled by the ink. (3) The ink filling process is conducted in an efficient manner. A precise amount of ink can be delivered effectively to the chamber that houses the ink absorbing member or to the ink, by using a filling pack, an injection device, or a filling assembly. Therefore, the efficiency of the filling work can be improved. Accordingly, it will be seen that the objects stipulated above are obtained in an efficient manner, among which can be seen from the previous description, and since certain changes can be made in the realization of the previous construction and the method stipulated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that the entire subject matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should also be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, may fall between them.

Claims (69)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a first chamber; a second chamber associated with the first chamber; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; and a cap attached to the top of the cartridge, selectively opening at least a portion of the cap, this openable portion of the cap corresponding to at least one of the chambers.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein the portion of the openable lid corresponds to the first chamber containing the ink absorbing member.

3. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein the dividing wall is removably attached within the cartridge.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 3, which further comprises an ink absorbing member contained in the ink tank cartridge when the dividing wall is removed.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, which further comprises an ink supply gate formed in a wall of the first chamber, for transmitting ink to the exterior of the cartridge - and an ink filling package, housing this ink-filling package to an ink-absorbing ink-containing member, this filling package having at least one top wall and a bottom wall, and being formed with a first through hole that can be selectively opened in the top wall, and forming a second selectively traversed traversed through hole formed in the bottom wall, the ink fill pack being digested to be charged in at least the first chamber of the ink tank cartridge, and to receive the ink supply port through the orifice traversed in the lower wall of the ink filling package.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 5, wherein the dividing wall is removably attached within the cartridge, the filling pack being dimensioned to essentially occupy the first and second chambers.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ink absorbing member is in the first chamber, and the volume of the ink absorbing member before insertion in the first chamber is greater than the volume of the first chamber. camera.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, which further comprises an ink supply gate extending through, and projecting from, a wall of the first chamber, containing the ink absorbing member, the ink supply gate transmitting the ink from the ink absorbing member, the ink absorbing member being partially compressed by the ink supply gate in its vicinity.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 8, which further comprises a projection formed on an inner wall of the first chamber, and which is disposed on a surface of the first chamber opposite the ink supply gate, assisting in addition this projection to compress the ink absorbing member against the ink supply gate.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 9, wherein the volume of the ink absorbing member prior to insertion into the first chamber is greater than the volume of the first chamber.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, which further comprises a plurality of the first and second chamber and partition walls, each first chamber being separated from a corresponding second chamber by a partition wall, housing each first chamber to a corresponding ink absorbing member, a portion of the lid being able to open correspondingly to each first chamber.

12. The ink tank cartridge of claim 11, wherein the dividing wall is attached in a detachable manner inside the cartridge.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 12, which further comprises an ink absorbing member contained in the ink tank cartridge when the central dividing wall is removed.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 11, which further comprises an ink supply gate formed in a wall of each of the first chambers, and an ink fill pack, housing this ink fill pack. to an ink-absorbing ink-containing member, this filling package having at least one top wall and a bottom wall, and being formed with a first through hole that can be selectively opened in the top wall, and a second through hole being formed which can selectively be formed in the bottom wall, the ink-filling package being sized to be loaded in at least the first chamber of the ink-tank cartridge, and to receive the associated ink-supply gate through the orifice pierced in the bottom wall of the ink refill pack.

15. The ink tank cartridge of claim 14, wherein the dividing wall is removably attached within the cartridge, the fill package being dimensioned to essentially occupy the first and second chambers.

16. The ink tank cartridge of claim 11, wherein the volume of each of the ink absorbing members prior to insertion into a first chamber is greater than the volume of each of the corresponding first chambers.

17. The ink tank cartridge of claim 11, which further comprises an ink supply gate extending through, and projecting from, a wall of each of the first chambers, transmitting these supply gates. of ink the ink from the ink absorbing members, the ink absorbing member being partially compressed by the ink supply gate in its vicinity.

18. The ink tank cartridge of claim 17, which further comprises a projection formed on an inner wall of each of the first chambers, and which is disposed on a surface of each of the first chambers opposite the gate. of associated ink supply, this projection further aiding to compress the ink absorbing member against the ink supply gate.

19. The ink tank cartridge of claim 17, wherein the volume of each of the ink absorbing members prior to insertion into the first chamber is greater than the volume of each of the corresponding first chambers.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, which further comprises a selectively openable pierced hole formed in a wall of the cartridge through which ink can be injected.

21. The ink tank cartridge of claim 20, wherein the volume of the ink absorbing member prior to insertion into a first chamber is greater than the volume of the first chamber.

22. The ink tank cartridge of claim 20, further comprising an ink supply gate extending through, and projecting from, a wall of the first chamber, the ink supply gate conveying the ink from the ink absorbing member, the ink absorbing member being partially compressed by the ink supply port in its vicinity.

23. The ink tank cartridge of claim 22, which further comprises a projection formed on an inner wall of the first chamber, and which is disposed on a surface of the first chamber opposite the ink supply gate, further assisting this projection to compress the ink absorbing member against the ink supply gate.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 23, wherein the volume of the ink absorbing member prior to insertion into the first chamber is greater than the volume of the first chamber.

25. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ink tank cartridge is constructed to be removably mounted on the recording apparatus, such that its needle is received at the ink supply gate. .

26. An ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a tank body having exterior walls; a first chamber in the tank body defined in part by these outer walls; a second chamber in the tank body defined in part by the outer wall; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; at least one of the outer walls of the tank body being formed with an ink jet gate.

27. The ink tank cartridge of claim 26, wherein the ink jet gate is formed in the first chamber, which stores the ink absorbing member.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 26, wherein the ink jet gate is formed in the second chamber, which is adapted to store ink, and is free of an ink absorbing member, allowing the wall to be division the passage of ink between the first and second cameras.

29. The ink tank cartridge of claim 26, further comprising an ink supply gate extending through, and projecting from, a wall of the first chamber, containing an ink absorbing member. , the ink supply gate transmitting the ink from the ink absorbing member, and the ink absorbing member being partially compressed by the ink supply gate in its vicinity.

30. The ink tank cartridge of claim 29, which further comprises a projection formed on an inner wall of the first chamber, and which is disposed on a surface of the first chamber opposite the ink supply gate, further assisting this projection to compress the ink absorbing member against the ink supply gate.

The ink tank cartridge of claim 29, wherein this cartridge is constructed to be removably mounted on the recording apparatus, such that its needle is received in the ink supply gate.

32. An ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a plurality of cameras; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of these chambers; and a lid attached to the top of the cartridge, at least a portion of the lid being able to open, the openable portion of the lid corresponding to at least one of the chambers.

33. The ink tank cartridge of claim 32, wherein these chambers store at least one color ink.

34. An ink jet type recording apparatus for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; and an ink tank cartridge that can be mounted removably on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus, to deliver ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber associated with the first chamber; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; and a cap attached to the top of the cartridge, selectively opening at least a portion of the cap, this openable portion of the cap corresponding to at least one of the chambers.

35. An ink jet type recording apparatus for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; and an ink tank cartridge removably mountable on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus, for delivering ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: tank that has exterior walls; a first chamber in the tank body defined in part by these outer walls; a second chamber in the tank body defined in part by the outer walls, this second chamber being associated with the first chamber; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; at least one of the outer walls of the tank body being formed with an ink jet gate; and a seal member that seals the ink jet gate, and adapted to allow ink injection through this gate.

36. A system for supplying ink to an ink jet type recording apparatus, and for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink tank cartridge removably mountable on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus for delivering ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber associated with the first chamber; an ink absorbing member stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; and a cap attached to the top of the cartridge, selectively opening at least a portion of the cap, this openable portion of the cap corresponding to at least one of the chambers.

37. A system for supplying ink to an ink jet type recording apparatus, and for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; and an ink tank cartridge removably mountable on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus, for delivering ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: tank that has exterior walls; a first chamber in the tank body defined in part by these outer walls; a second chamber in the tank body defined in part by the outer wall; an absorbing member. of ink stored in at least one of the first and second chambers; a partition wall separating the first chamber from the second chamber; at least one of the outer walls of the tank body being formed with an ink jet gate; and a seal member that seals the ink jet gate, and adapted to allow ink injection through this gate.

38. An ink refill pack for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a housing having an upper wall and a lower wall, and which is formed with a first through hole that can be selectively opened in the top wall, and a second through hole that can be opened in a selective manner formed in the bottom wall; and an ink-absorbing ink-containing member, said ink-absorbing member being retained in the housing in a compressed state, the ink-filling package being configured and sized to be loaded into the ink tank cartridge.

39. The ink-filling package of claim 38, wherein the ink-filling package can be connected in a removable manner through the traversed hole formed in the bottom wall, with an ink supply gate of a cartridge. ink tank.

40. The ink refill pack of claim 38, wherein the refill pack contains a respective ink of a plurality of color inks.

41. An ink refill tool for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: an ink supply needle adapted to be inserted into a chamber of a tank cartridge from ink; and a tank adapted to contain ink and which is formed with an air supply orifice that can be selectively opened in a wall thereof, this tank being in fluid communication with the needle, by which ink is charged to the cartridge ink tank.

42. The ink-filling tool of claim 39, wherein the ink supply needle engages a bottom wall of the tank, and the air supply port is formed in a wall of the tank opposite the supply needle. from ink.

43. An ink jet device for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: an ink supply needle adapted to be inserted in a chamber of a tank cartridge from ink; a container portion in fluid communication with the ink supply needle, this container adapting to contain ink; a first scale indicating the amount of ink remaining in the container portion that forms on the outside of the container portion; and a second scale indicating the insertion distance of the ink supply needle that is formed on the ink supply needle.

44. The ink jet device of claim 43, wherein the container portion is formed of a transparent material.

45. An ink refill assembly for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: one or more ink jet devices, including each of these injection devices of ink an ink supply needle adapted to be inserted into a chamber of an ink tank cartridge, a portion of the container being in fluid communication with the ink supply needle; and at least one ink absorbing member sized to replace an ink absorbing member in the ink tank cartridge.

46. The ink refill assembly of claim 45, wherein the container portion contains ink, a first scale forming indicating the amount of ink remaining in the container portion on the outside of the container portion, and forming a second scale indicating the insertion distance of the ink supply needle onto the ink supply needle.

47. The ink-fill assembly of claim 45, wherein each of the ink-jet devices contains a respective ink of a plurality of color inks.

48. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber associated with the second chamber, these first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through an associated communication hole.; housing an ink absorbing member in at least one first chamber; releasably securing a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, the lid opening on top of the at least first chamber; open the lid; removing an exhausted ink absorbing member, and loading a replacement ink absorbing member in the at least first chamber; rotating the ink tank cartridge such that the first chamber is placed on top of the at least second chamber, and injecting ink into the second chamber with an ink jet device, either before reconfiguring an exhausted ink absorbing member , before loading a replacement ink absorbing member, or after loading a replacement ink absorbing member; injecting ink into the replacement ink absorbing member; and close the lid, sealing the first chamber in this way.

49. The method of claim 48, which further comprises the step of replacing the spent ink absorbing member with a new ink absorbing member having a volume prior to its insertion into a first chamber, greater than the volume of the first. camera.

50. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and when minus a first chamber associated with the at least one second chamber, the first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through a communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in each of the first and second associated chambers; releasably securing a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this lid being removable; remove the lid; injecting ink into each of the ink absorbing members with an injection device; Join the lid, sealing the ink tank cartridge in this way.

51. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber associated with the second chamber, said first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through an associated communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in at least one of the first and second chambers; attaching a cover to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this cover being formed with a sealable hole formed therein in registration with a chamber having an ink absorbing member therein; passing an ink supply needle of an ink filling device through the sealable orifice and into the ink absorbing member; opening a seal located in the ink filling device opposite the ink supply needle; and supplying ink to the ink absorbing member from an ink tank of the ink filling device.

52. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber associated with the second chamber, said first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through an associated communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in each of the first and second associated chambers; releasably securing a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this lid having a sealable orifice in register with the at least one of the second chambers; passing an ink supply needle of an ink jet device through the sealable orifice and into the second chamber; injecting ink into the at least one second chamber, thereby filling in the first and second chambers associated with ink.

53. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber associated with the at least one second chamber, the first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through a communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in one of the first and second associated chambers; fixing a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this lid being formed with a sealable hole formed therein in register with one of each of the first and second associated chambers; passing an ink supply needle of an ink jet device through the fill hole and into one of the associated first and second chambers that is free of an ink absorbing member; and injecting ink into one of the first and second chambers that is free of an ink absorbing member, thereby filling the first and second chambers associated with ink.

54. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge to form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber associated with the at least one second chamber, the first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication with each other through a communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in at least one of the first and second associated chambers; forming a sealable orifice in a side wall of the ink tank cartridge in the compartment containing the ink absorbing member; Attach a cap to the top of the ink tank cartridge; passing an ink supply needle of an ink jet device through the sealable orifice and into the chamber containing the ink absorbing member; and injecting ink into the chamber, thereby filling the ink tank cartridge with ink.

55. The ink-fill assembly of claim 45, wherein each of the ink-jet devices contains sufficient ink to fill the ink-tank cartridge once.

56. The ink-fill assembly of claim 45, wherein each of the ink-jet devices contains a respective ink of a plurality of color inks.

57. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: dividing the interior of an ink tank cartridge with a central dividing wall, this central partition wall being detachably joined inside the ink tank cartridge, to form at least a second chamber and at least a first chamber associated with the second chamber, the first and second associated chambers being in fluid communication one with the other through an associated communication hole; housing an ink absorbing member in at least one of the first and second chambers; releasably securing a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this lid being removable; remove the lid; removing the ink absorbing member from the first chamber; removing the central partition wall of the interior of the ink tank cartridge defined by the first and second associated chambers; loading a second ink absorbing member into the interior of the ink tank cartridge, the second ink absorbing member being dimensioned to occupy substantially all of the interior space of the ink tank cartridge defined by the first and second associated chambers; injecting ink into the second ink absorbing member with an injection device; Replace the cap, sealing the ink tank cartridge in this way.

58. An ink jet device for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: an ink supply needle adapted to be inserted in a chamber of a tank cartridge from ink; and a scale indicating the insertion distance of the ink supply needle formed on the ink supply needle.

59. An ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a chamber for storing an ink absorbing member; a cover attached to the upper part of the chamber, at least a portion of the cover being able to be opened selectively; and forming a wall of the cartridge with a through hole that can be selectively opened through which ink can be injected.

60. An ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a tank body having exterior walls; a chamber for storing an ink absorbing member; at least one of the walls of the tank body being formed with an ink jet gate; and a seal member that seals the ink jet gate, and adapted to allow ink injection through the gate.

61. An ink jet type recording apparatus for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; and an ink tank cartridge that can be removably mounted on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus to deliver ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: a camera for storing an ink absorbing member; a cover attached to the upper part of the cartridge, at least a portion of the cover being able to be opened selectively; and forming a wall of the cartridge with a through hole that can be selectively opened through which ink can be injected.

62. An ink jet type recording apparatus for emitting ink to a recording medium, which comprises: a recording head for ejecting ink; and an ink tank cartridge removably mountable on the registration head of the ink jet type recording apparatus, for delivering ink thereto, the ink tank cartridge further comprising: tank that has exterior walls; a chamber for storing an ink absorbing member; at least one of the walls of the tank body being formed with an ink jet gate; and a seal member that seals the ink jet gate, and adapted to allow ink injection through the gate.

63. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: forming a chamber in the ink tank cartridge; housing an ink absorbing member in the chamber; attaching a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, this lid being formed with a sealable hole formed therein; passing an ink supply needle of an ink filling device through the sealable orifice and into the ink absorbing member; opening a seal located in the ink filling device opposite the ink supply needle; and supplying ink to the ink absorbing member from an ink tank of the ink filling device.

64. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: forming a chamber in the ink tank cartridge; housing an ink absorbing member in the chamber; attaching a lid to the upper part of the ink tank cartridge, at least a portion of this lid being able to open; and injecting ink into the chamber with an ink jet device through the openable portion.

65. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: housing an ink absorbing member in the chamber; forming a sealable orifice in a side wall of the ink tank cartridge in the chamber containing the ink absorbing member; and injecting ink into the chamber with an ink jet device through the sealable orifice.

66. An ink refill pack for use with an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording apparatus, which comprises: a housing having an upper wall and a lower wall, at least one of which can be opened portion of the top wall and at least a portion of the bottom wall; and an ink-absorbing ink-containing member, said ink-absorbing member being retained in the housing in a compressed state, the ink-filling package being configured and sized to be loaded into the ink tank cartridge.

67. The ink-filling package of claim 66, wherein the ink-filling package can be connected in a removable manner through the openable portion formed in the bottom wall, with an ink supply gate. of an ink tank cartridge.

68. The ink refill pack of claim 66, wherein the refill pack contains a respective ink of a plurality of color inks.

69. A method for ink filling an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet type recording device, which comprises the steps of: forming a chamber in the ink tank cartridge formed with a cover that can be open; open the lid; housing an ink-filling package, this ink-filling package comprising: a housing having an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall and at least a portion of the lower wall being able to open; an ink absorbing member containing ink, said ink absorbing member being retained in the housing in a compressed state, the ink filling package being configured and sized to be loaded in the ink tank cartridge; and close the lid. SUMMARY An ink tank cartridge is provided for an ink jet type recording apparatus that can be removed in a removable manner on an ink supply needle of the ink jet type recording apparatus. The ink tank cartridge comprises a first chamber for storing ink, and a second chamber for storing a porous member. A dividing wall separates the first chamber from the second chamber. A lid is attached to the top of the cartridge, and at least a portion of the lid corresponding to at least one of the chambers can be opened to allow ink to be filled into the ink tank cartridge. Alternatively, the cap can be permanently fixed to the top of the ink tank cartridge, and an ink fill hole can be formed in the > lid to allow filling with an ink injection device. The ink tank can also be filled by placing an ink refill pack integrated in the ink tank cartridge. * * * * *