WO2004103710A1

WO2004103710A1 - Ink refill method of ink cartridge and device thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2004103710A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Choon Chung; Young Ho Chung; Nam Boo Cho; Hyung Hoo Kim; Kyung Hwa An; Young Choul Shin; Hyung Gun Park; Hyo Jin Kim
Original assignee: Inktec Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-05-20
Filing date: 2004-05-20
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: KR20040101578A; KR100505827B1

Abstract

This invention is relating to a method for filling an ink cartridge with ink and a mechanismthereof, particularly a method for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof. It is characterized by comprising a step in which an outlet of a cylinder filled with ink is airtightly mated with a hole of the ink cartridge, a pressure reduction step in which the cartridge and the cylinder are disposed so that a piston rod provided in the said cylinder may look upward, and then a piston linked with the rod is let to move backward by applying external force in the direction of pulling the said piston rod, and thereby the internal air is let out of the ink cartridge, and a step in which the ink cartridge is filled with the ink of the cylinder by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge by removing the external force applied to the piston rod after completion of the said pressure reduction step. This invention has an effect to enable the ink cartridge to be decompressed and filled rapidly, simply and reliably.

Description

INK REFILL METHOD OF INK CARTRIDGE AND DEVICE THEREOF

[Technical Fieldl The present invention relates to a method, and an apparatus, for filling an ink cartridge with ink. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, and an apparatus, for filling an ink cartridge, which can rapidly, simply and reliably perform the pressure reduction and filling of the ink cartridge.

[Background Art]

The ink cartridges used in inkjet-type printers have been generally disposed or re-used with filling the inks, after one-time use. Said ink cartridges are generally designed to have a body in which at least one ink storage chamber is formed inside and an ink supply port is formed at one lower end to supply the ink to the printer head, and a lid fixed on the upper end of said body with fusion, in which an ink inlet to inject the ink into the ink storage chamber and an air ventilation portion to smoothly ventilate the air are formed. In addition, in the ink storage chamber constituting said ink cartridge a porous sponge is inserted so that it can absorb and hold the ink. However, such sponge may not be inserted selectively depending on the kinds of printers by the manufacturers.

Various types of methods and apparatuses to reuse the ink cartridge by filling the ink into the prior ink cartridges having the above-mentioned constitution have been widely known.

However, in order that the ink can possibly and reliably fill the ink the complex methods and apparatuses ^•andmuch costs have generally been required. Therefore, the use of ink cartridge with directly filling by the users is impractical.

Further, in case of the prior methods and apparatus capable of filling the ink through a simple structure, there are some problems in that bubbles may be formed inside the ink cartridges to improperly practice the printing, or much -inks may -be -discharged outside the cartridge during the filling procedures to lower thefilling efficiency and to stain hands and clothes.

[Disclosure of the invention] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems involved in- the prior methods and apparatuses and thus, is to provide a method, and an apparatus, for filling an ink cartridge with inks, in which the pressure reduction and filling operations of the ink cartridge can be rapidly, simply and reliably practiced by removing the air inside the ink cartridge out of the cartridge to form the inside vacuum pressure by which the ink is filled.

In the aspect of the technical constitution to achieve said purpose, the presentinvention provides the method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in themethod for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a step of binding a hole of the. ink cartridge with an outlet of a cylinder filled with ink in_. the manner that the airtight state is maintained; a pressure reducingstep of disposing the cartridge and the cylinder so that a piston rod provided in the said cylinder is upwardly directed, and then applying an external force in the direction of pulling to backwardly move the piston linked with the rod, thereby discharging the internal air of the ink. cartridge and a step of removing the external force applied to the piston rod after completion of the said pressure reducing step to fill the ink of the cylinder to the inside of the ink cartridge via the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge.

Further, in case where two or more holes are formed on said ink cartridge, the present invention is also characterized in that a step of closing the remaining holes other than one hole for pressure reduction and filling procedures is additionally included.

In addition, a distance of backward moving in the above pressure reducingstep is characterized in that a volume of the vacuumspace formed by backward moving of the piston is established so as to be in the range of one to two times with respect to a volume of inks to be filled inside the said ink cartridge.

Further, the present invention also provides an apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks, characterized in that the apparatus for filling inks in the ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof includes a cylinder .comprising a body having a piston a piston rod linked to the piston .a piston moving pathway formed such that the piston is received therein in the airtightly movable manner and a volume of the vacuum space formed by backward moving of the piston is one to two times with respect to a volume of inks to be filled inside the said ink cartridge and an outlet linked to the said piston moving pathway in the .manner that the_. fluid can be moved, and airtightly combined with the holes of the said ink cartridge. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the apparatus further includes a handle auxiliary member comprising a fitting portion equipped on the said body; a straight linear portion linked to the said fitting portion and formed longitudinally in the direction extended along with the body; and a linking portion which -it-

links mutually the said straight linear portions and is positioned in the backward moving route of the said piston rod.

In addition, it is further characterized in that the body is provided with a pair of the body supporting members which are placed on the outside of the outlet forming portion symmetrically and parallel with each other centering around the outlet.

In addition, when two or more holes are formed in the said ink cartridge, it is characterized that the closuremeans is further included to close the remaining holes other than one hole for performing the pressure reduction and filling.

It is further characterized in that the said closure means is a polyethylene foam tape.

In addition, it is still characterized in that the said closure means is a closing member comprising a spigot for the inlet, which is inserted into the ink inlet of the ink cartridge and having a hole formed through the center thereof; a spigot for the air ventilation portion to be inserted into the air ventilation port of the ink cartridge; and a linkage memberto link said spigots with each other.

It is further characterized in that the said closing memberis made of rubbers or plastics.

In addition, it is characterized in that the said outlet of the cylinder is provided with one or more groove(s) at the end thereof.

[Brief Description of Drawings] Figure 1 is a schematic constructional sectional diagram illustrating the apparatus for filling inks according to the present invention as a whole;

Figure 2 is a cross section diagram of Figure 1 as shown on the right side; Figure 3 is a perspective view specifically illustrating the handle auxiliary member of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional diagram illustrating the modification embodiment of the apparatus for filling inks according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram to show the closing memberas one of the closure means of the present invention and the portion of the ink cartridge equipped with the closing member

Figure 6 is a schematic constructional diagram to show the state of the apparatus for filling inks according to the present invention mounted on the ink cartridge and

Figures 7 and 8 are the illustration of the working according to the present invention.

1, 1A : Cylinder 2 : Ink

3A : Ink supply port 3 : Ink cartridge

10 : Body 12 Piston moving pathway

20A : Assistant outlet 20, 20': Outlet

22, 22A : Grooves 40 Piston rod

50 : Handle auxiliary member 52 Fitting portion

54 : Straight linear portion 56 Linking portion

60 : Body supporting member 70 Closing member

72, 74 : Spigots 76 Linkage member

H : Holes

[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

Hereinafter, it is intended to more specifically explain one preferred embodiment of the present invention on the basis of the drawings as attached.

Figure 1 is a schematic constructional sectional diagram illustrating the apparatus for filling inks according to the present invention as a whole, and Figure 2 is a cross section diagram of Figure 1 as shown on the right side, in which the cylinder filled with the ink therein can be seen.

Said cylinder (1) has a tube-type, more preferably hollow cylindrical-type, body (10), wherein the outlet (20) having narrowed inside and outside diameters is formed on the end at one side of the body (10). In addition, at the end of said outlet (20) one or more groove(s) (22) are radially formed in order to form the flow passage for air and ink in case where the outlet (20) is closely adhered to the valve of the ink cartridge, as described below. It is preferred that the said body (10) is integrally equipped with one pair of the body supporting members (60) having a board shape, which are symmetric and parallel each other centering around the outlet (20) outside the outlet (20)~forming portion. Thus, a distance between the body supporting members (60) is established so that the edge portion formed by the ink supply port of the ink cartridge can be closely inserted between the said body supporting members (60). This can allow the insertion of the edge portion formed by the ink supply port of the ink cartridge in a closely adhered state between the body supporting members (60) when the outlet (20) of the apparatus for filling the ink is fixed by inserting it into the ink supply port of the ink cartridge, thereby improving a stability of the ink filling.

In the inside of the body (10), the piston moving pathway (12) having a square or round-shaped section, which links the end at which the outlet (20) is formed, with the end at another side is provided. Within the said piston moving pathway (12) the piston (30) is received in a airtightly movable manner. In this case, it is preferred that the material for the piston (30) comprises the rubber having elasticity so that the piston can be removed while maintaining a state closely adhered to the piston moving pathway (12).

In addition, one end of the piston rod (40) is linked with the said piston (30), and another end of the said piston rod (40) is longitudinally extended so that it can be projected outside the body (10). Preferably, on the end of the piston rod (40) projected outside the body (10) the handle (42) is provided in the form of a flange, such that it is easy to apply the external force when the piston rod (40) is backwardly moved.

Further, on the surface of the said piston (30) lines (32) colored so as to be differentiated from the other portions are formed, and marks (14) corresponding to the said lines (32) are provided in the body (10) at regular intervals or at previously determined positions, along with a longitudinal direction of the body (10). Preferably, it is preferred to form the marks (14) such that they include the region capable of showingthe level of ink filled inside the body (10) and the region capable of showing the extent to which the air is removed when the air is discharged from the ink cartridge.

In addition, it is preferred that the apparatus for filling inks according to the present invention is constituted such that the handle auxiliary member (50) can be further mounted on the body (10) to assist to more readily conduct the backward moving of the piston (30) by pulling the handle (42). Thus, the holes (16) for fitting the auxiliary memberare formed parallel each other on the end of the body (10) in the direction of the handle (42), and the handle auxiliary member(50) is fitted into the said hole (196) for fitting the auxiliary member.

As more specifically depicted in Figure 3, the said handle auxiliary member (50) is comprised of the construct in the form bended so as to have a given shape from a round rod having a proper mechanical strength, and has the fitting portion (52) which forms the ends at both sides and has a diameter suitable for fitting into the said hole (16) for fitting the auxiliary member the straight linear portions (54) formed longitudinally in the direction extended along with the body (10); and the linking portion (56) for linking mutually the said straight linear portions (54). Particularly, it is preferred that the said linking portion (56) has a shape of the letter 'n' positioned at the moving pathway of the handle (42) to have a shape approximately parallel to the said handle (42). Figure 4 is a schematic sectional diagram illustrating the modification embodiment of Figure 1, which shows that in addition to the outlet (20') of the cylinder (1A) a separate auxiliary outlet (20A) is provided.

The outlet (20') may have a groove (22) as depicted in Figure 1, or may be flat-ended.

In addition, the auxiliary outlet (20A) which is provided by inserting one end thereof into the end of the said outlet (20') has a through hole (24) formed thoroughly in the longitudinal direction. The outline of the said auxiliary outlet (20A) is formed so that the airtight can be maintained when the auxiliary outlet is inserted into the hole of the ink cartridge to be filled with inks, for instance, the ink supply port.

Also, one or more groove(s) (22A) can be radially formed at the end of the auxiliary outlet (20A) in order to form the flow passage for air and ink in case where the end of the said auxiliary outlet (20A) is closely adhered to the valve mounted on the ink supply port.

Of course, one pair of the body supporting members (60) having a board shape, which are symmetric and parallel each other centering around the auxiliary outlet (20A), is integrally provided outside the said outlet (20A).

In addition, when two or more holes are formed in the said ink cartridge, thepresent invention further includes the closure means, for example, a polyethylene foam tape (not shown), to close the remaining holes other than one hole for performing the pressure reduction and filling.

As an alternative embodiment of the said closure means, the closing member(70) made of plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene or rubbers may be provided as shown in Figure 5. Said closing member (70) comprises a spigot (72) for the inlet, which is inserted into the ink inlet (38) of the ink cartridge and having a hole (H) formed through the center thereof; a spigot (74) for the air ventilation portion to be inserted into the air ventilation port (3C) of the ink cartridge; and a linkage member (76) to link said spigots (72) (74) with each other. Further, if necessary, the hole (H) of the said spigot (72) for the inlet may be closed with a tape (not shown).

Further, for supplying the apparatus to the consumers the ends of the outlet (20) and the auxiliary outlet (20A) of the cylinder (1) must be closed with a separate cap so that the ink cannot be exposed to the air.

Withreference to the apparatus of the present invention constituted as mentioned above, the method for filling the ink cartridge with inks is specifically explained below.

First, the ink cartridge for filling the ink and the cylinder (1A) as the apparatus of the present invention are prepared, wherein the said ink cartridge has at least one hole, for instance, the ink supply port, so that the outlet (20) or the auxiliary outlet (20A) of the present invention can be fitted therein while maintaining the airtight. In addition, the ink is filled in the cylinder (1A) thus prepared, in the state of the cylinder containing no air therein. Further, although a separate hole can be formed onthe ink cartridge for fitting the cylinder of the present invention, it is not preferred because during the procedure for forming such hole the ink cartridge may be destroyed or any foreign materials may enter the inside of the ink cartridge.

Subsequently, the step of mounting the cylinder (1A) of the present invention on the prepared ink cartridge is practiced. Figure 6 shows the state of the cylinder (1A), as the apparatus of the present invention, mounted on the ink supply port (3 A) of the ink cartridge (3). That is, the cap (not shown) provided at the end of the auxiliary outlet (20A) is removed, and the auxiliary outlet (20A) is then fitted into the ink supply port (3A) of the ink cartridge (3) so that the airtight condition can be maintained.

Subsequently, the ink cartridge (3) and the cylinder (1A) are positioned in the manner that the piston rod (40) equipped on the said cylinder (1A) is upwardly directed. Of course, after the ink cartridge (3) is positioned such that the ink supply port (3A) of the ink cartridge (3) is upwardly directed, it is preferred to fit the auxiliary outlet (20A) of the cylinder (1A) into the ink supply port (3A), thereby preventing the operation from complication.

Following to this, as shown in Figure 7, when the external forceis applied in the direction of pulling the piston rod (40), the piston linked to the piston rod (40) is moved backwardly, i.e. upwardly, while discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge into the body (10) via the ink supply port (3A), the auxiliary outlet (20A) and the outlet (20'). Simultaneously, the pressure inside the ink cartridge is reduced. At this time, since the air discharged into body (10) is upwardly moved in the direction of the piston (30), only the ink (2) is present in the vicinity of the outlet (20').

Further, for thereduced pressure of the ink cartridge as mentioned above it is preferred that a distance of backward moving of the piston (30) is determined such that a volume of the vacuum space inside the cylinder formed by backward moving of the piston is within the range from the value greater than, to the value less than, the volume of inks to be filled inside the said ink cartridge. More preferably, it is preferred to reduce the pressure by abut 1.5 times.

Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, when the external force applied to the piston rod (40) is removed after said pressure reducing step is completed, the ink which is inside the body (10) is introduced into the ink cartridge by means of the vacuum pressure of the inkcartridge and according to this, the piston (30) is slowly descended.

Of course, if a sufficient amount of the ink is filled inside the said ink cartridge, the descending of the piston (30) is stopped. At this time, it is preferred to present some residual ink inside the body (10), more exactly at the lower part of the outlet (20') in an aspect that the inflow of the air into the ink cartridge is blocked.

In addition, when two or more holes are formed in the said ink cartridge, the remaining holes other than one hole for performing the pressure reduction and filling must be closed.

Further, when the operation to fill the inks is completed, the cylinder (1A) of the present invention is separated from the ink cartridge, which is then mounted on the printer for use. [Industrial Applicability!

As disclosed above, the method and apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the present invention have a good effect that the ink filling operation can be rapidly practiced by a simple method which comprises discharging the air inside the ink cartridge via one cylinder as prepared in the ink-filled state, to reduce the pressure inside the ink cartridge, and then filling the ink by means of the vacuum pressure inside the ink cartridge.

In addition, unnecessary airs present inside the ink cartridge are sufficiently removed to obtain a good print quality.

Claims

[Claims]

1. A method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the method for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a step of binding a hole of the ink cartridge with an outlet of a cylinder filled with ink in the manner that the airtight state is maintained; a pressure reducing step of disposing the cartridge and the cylinder so that a piston rod provided in the said cylinder is upwardly directed, and then applying an external force in the direction of pulling to backwardly move the piston linked with the rod, thereby discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge and a step of removing the external force applied to the piston rod after completion of the said pressure reducing step to fill the ink of the cylinder to the inside of the ink cartridge via the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge.

2. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 1, characterized in that in case where two or more holes are formed on said ink cartridge, a step of closing the remaining holes other than one hole for pressure reductionand filling procedures is additionally included.

3. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 1, characterized in that a distance of backward moving in the pressure reducing step is determined such that a volume of the vacuum space formed by backward moving of the piston is established so as to be in the range of one to two times with respect to a volume of inks to be filled inside the said ink cartridge.

4. An apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks, characterized in that in the apparatus for filling inks in the ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it includes a cylinder comprising a body (lθ)having a piston (30); a piston rod (40) linked to the piston (30) a piston moving pathway (12) formed such that the piston (30) is received therein in the airtightly movable manner and a volume of the vacuum space formed by backward moving of the piston is one to two times with respect to a volume of inks to be filled inside the said ink cartridge; and an outlet linked to the piston moving pathway in the manner that the fluid can be moved, and airtightly combined with the holes of the said ink cartridge.

5. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 4, characterized in that the apparatus further includes a handle auxiliary member (50) comprising a fitting portion (52) equipped on the said body (10) a straight linear portion (54) linked to the said fitting portion (52) and formed longitudinally in the direction extendedalong with the body (10) and a linking portion (56) which links mutually the said straight linear portions (54) and is positioned in the backward moving route of the said piston rod (40).

6. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 4, characterized in that the body (10)is provided with a pair of the body supporting members (60) which are placed on the outside of the outlet forming portion symmetrically and parallel with each other centering around the outlet.

7. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 4, characterized in that in case wheretwo or more holes are formed in the said ink cartridge, the closure means is further included to close the remaining holes other than one hole for performing the pressure reduction and filling.

8. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 7, characterized in that the said closure means is a polyethylene foam tape.

9. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 7, characterized in that the closure means is a closing member (70) comprising a spigot (72) for the inlet, which is inserted into the ink inlet (38) of the ink cartridge and having a hole (H) formed through the center thereof; a spigot (74) for the air ventilationportion to be inserted into the air ventilation port (3C) of the ink cartridge; and a linkage member (76) to link said spigots (72) (74) with each other.

10. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 7, characterized in that the closing member (70) is made of rubbers or plastics.

11. The apparatus for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 4, characterized in that the outlet of the cylinder is provided with one or more groove(s) at the end thereof.