WO2007086848A1 - Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre - Google Patents

Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007086848A1
WO2007086848A1 PCT/US2006/002767 US2006002767W WO2007086848A1 WO 2007086848 A1 WO2007086848 A1 WO 2007086848A1 US 2006002767 W US2006002767 W US 2006002767W WO 2007086848 A1 WO2007086848 A1 WO 2007086848A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sealing assembly
cartridge
reservoir
ink cartridge
ink
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/002767
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Edgard J. Hermes
Patrick E. Hermes
Joseph E. Hermes
Original Assignee
Hermes Edgard J
Hermes Patrick E
Hermes Joseph E
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hermes Edgard J, Hermes Patrick E, Hermes Joseph E filed Critical Hermes Edgard J
Priority to PCT/US2006/002767 priority Critical patent/WO2007086848A1/fr
Priority to GB0815462A priority patent/GB2449034A/en
Publication of WO2007086848A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007086848A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge

Definitions

  • the Invention is an apparatus for refilling cartridges, such as ink cartridges for ink jet printers.
  • the apparatus is adapted to receive the ink cartridge and to hold the cartridge as the cartridge is moved through four stations.
  • the stations are adapted to facilitate the preparation and filling of the ink cartridge.
  • the ink jet printer is an inexpensive and popular peripheral for use in personal computer systems. Ink jet printers also are used in many applications where high quality, inexpensive printing is required, such as fax machines, copiers and word processors.
  • a common type of inkjet technology is "drop on demand.”
  • a motor drive moves a print head across a page or other media to be printed in horizontal strips.
  • a cartridge motor drive rolls the paper in vertical steps. Small droplets of ink are projected through between 300 and 6.00 nozzles onto paper as the nozzles pass over the paper.
  • Printer driver software controls the operation of the nozzles.
  • Piezo technology is an alternative to thermal technology. In piezo technology, vibration of a piezo crystal in response to an electrical signal provides the motive force to project ink from the nozzles. Piezo technology inks can be fast drying solvent-based inks and are not required to have the same heat resistance as thermal printing inks. An ink jet printer can consume a significant quantity of ink.
  • Kits also are available to allow a consumer to refill certain ink jet cartridges. Whenever a consumer handles ink in bulk, the risk of a spill is present. An ink spill is likely to result in staining and damage.
  • the prior art patents and kits do not teach the elements of the present invention. Brief Description of the Invention
  • the Invention is an apparatus for refilling ink cartridges, such as ink cartridges used in ink jet printers.
  • the apparatus includes a table that may receive and hold an empty ink cartridge.
  • the table is rotatable with respect to a base and may be moved to any one of four positions with respect to a base, the four positions corresponding to four stations for four operations.
  • An attachment/removal station is adapted to receive and securely retain a holder to which the empty ink cartridge is attached and to allow removal of the filled ink cartridge from the table.
  • a drilling station includes a drilling guide to locate a drill used to drill an aperture in the ink cartridge to receive a cartridge sealing assembly.
  • a cartridge sealing assembly insertion station is adapted to allow the cartridge sealing assembly to be attached to the ink cartridge.
  • the fluid addition station is adapted to hold a reservoir in position to allow ink to flow into the cartridge through the cartridge sealing assembly.
  • the cartridge sealing assembly acts to sealably receive ink from the reservoir without leakage and to prevent leakage after the cartridge is filled.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the Invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table.
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of a holder for a large ink cartridge.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of a holder for a small ink cartridge.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross section of the cartridge sealing assembly body and sealing material.
  • Fig. 7 is a cross section of the cartridge sealing assembly.
  • Fig. 8 is a cross section of the removable first cap.
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the removable first cap.
  • Fig. 10 is a top view of a cartridge sealing assembly and flange.
  • Fig. 1 1 is a side view of a reservoir.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the Invention.
  • Table 2 is rotatably mounted on a base 4.
  • Member 6 is rigidly attached to base 4.
  • Table 2 may rotate about the member 6.
  • a user may manually depress catch 8 and manually rotating table 2 with respect to base 4.
  • the table has four stops 10, 12, 14, 16 allowing catch 8 selectably to secure table 2 in any of four stations 18, 20, 22, 24 with respect to base 4.
  • the various operations required to fill an ink cartridge 26 are performed at each of the four stations 18, 20, 22, 24.
  • Stop 10 corresponds to attachment/removal station 18.
  • Stop 12 corresponds to drilling station 20.
  • Stop 14 corresponds to cartridge sealing assembly insertion station 22.
  • Stop 16 corresponds to fluid addition station 24.
  • ink cartridge 26 is held on table 2 by holder 28.
  • Holder 28 is tailored to the ink cartridge 26 to be filled and is designed to hold cartridge 26 in the proper position and orientation and at the proper height for the operations of filling the ink cartridge 26 to be successfully performed.
  • Ink cartridge 26 releasably engages with the holder 28.
  • Fig. 4 shows a holder 28 configured to accommodate a smaller ink cartridge 26 than is the holder 28 of Fig. 3.
  • FIG. 2 shows table 2 in the attachment/removal station 18, with attachment connector 30 available for attachment of a holder 28 and ink cartridge 26.
  • Attachment connector 30 may be a snap or bayonet connector or any of the other connectors known in the art.
  • holder 28 is equipped with an absorbent 32 located immediately below the print head 34 of the ink cartridge 26. Absorbent 32 collects any ink or cleaning fluid that leaks from print head 34 during the cleaning or filling of ink cartridge 26.
  • drilling station 20 is for the purpose of drilling an aperture 36 of an appropriate size in an appropriate location on ink cartridge 26.
  • Drill guide 38 is rigidly mounted on member 6, which is in turn rigidly attached to base 4.
  • the drill guide 38 has a hole 39 at a pre-determined location adapted to receive a drill bit 40 of a drill 42.
  • Said drill 42 is used to enlarge a pre-existing hole 36 on the top surface of the ink cartridge or to create a new hole on the top surface of the ink cartridge.
  • Table 2 is rotated until catch 12 locates holder 28 and cartridge 26 in the drilling station 20.
  • Drill guide 38 is then in the correct position to allow drill bit 40 of drill 42 to properly drill aperture 36.
  • the user then drills aperture 36 using drill 42 and drill guide 38, illustrated by Fig. 5.
  • Drill 42 may be a miniature self-powered drill or any suitable drill.
  • cartridge sealing assembly 44 is used to seal the aperture 36 of ink cartridge 26 against leakage of ink, cleaning solution or air, while allowing cleaning fluid and ink to flow into ink cartridge 26.
  • the cartridge sealing assembly 44 has a sealing assembly body 46, a first end 48, a second end 50 and a flange 51.
  • the body 46 is generally conical in shape and approximately 12 mm in length and approximately 8 mm in diameter.
  • the first end 48 corresponds to the apex of the cone and is inserted by the user into the aperture 36.
  • the body 46 of cartridge sealing assembly 44 has an outside surface 52 that sealably engages ink cartridge 26 by any conventional means, including an interference fit, screw or bayonet connection, use of a gasket, use of an adhesive, thermal or friction welding or any of the other means known in the art.
  • the flange 51 firmly contacts the upper surface of ink cartridge 26.
  • Body 46 of cartridge sealing assembly 44 also may be formed as an integral part of ink cartridge 26.
  • the first end 48 of the sealing assembly body 46 is solid, other than a pin-receiving opening 54 through which fluid may flow into the ink cartridge 26.
  • the body defines a sealing assembly body interior 56.
  • a sealing material, which may be a sponge 58 appears in sealing assembly body interior 56 and is held in place by first cap 60.
  • Cap 60 defines a first cap aperture 62 through which fluid may flow into ink cartridge 26.
  • Cap 60 and body 46 compress sponge 58, causing sponge to reasonably seal pin-receiving opening 54 from fluid or air leakage.
  • Sponge 58 is selected to be soft.
  • Sponge 58 in its uncompressed form is a cylinder approximately 6 mm in diameter and 15 mm long.
  • First cap aperture 62 is selectably sealable by second cap 64.
  • FIG. 10 is a top view of the cartridge sealing assembly 44 including flange 51.
  • catch 8 is released from stop 14 and table 2 is manually rotated with respect to base 4 until catch 8 latches with stop 16, corresponding to the fluid addition station 24.
  • An ink cartridge 26 is cleaned using a cleaning fluid and filled with ink at the fluid addition station 24.
  • Fluid addition station 24 includes fluid addition guide 66.
  • Fluid addition guide 66 is rigidly mounted on fluid addition guide arm 68, which in turn is rigidly mounted on member 6.
  • a reservoir 70 has a reservoir body 72 that defines a reservoir interior volume 74 containing a fluid 75.
  • the reservoir body 72 is designed to be releasably retained by the fluid addition guide 66.
  • the fluid addition guide 66 is in the shape of a hollow cylinder that is open at both ends.
  • the reservoir body 72 also is cylindrical and is a sliding fit within the fluid addition guide 66.
  • the reservoir body 72 is retained in the correct position for allowing fluid 75 to flow into the ink cartridge 26 by reservoir stop 76, which is sized so that it will not pass through the fluid addition guide 66.
  • the reservoir interior volume 74 is sized to hold a convenient amount of cleaning fluid or ink, generally 40 cc.
  • the reservoir interior volume 74 is in fluid communication with a valve 78.
  • a hollow pin 80 defines a pin channel 82 and has a pin outside wall 83.
  • the hollow pin 80 is approximately 15 mm in length. When valve 78 is opened, pin channel 82 is in fluid communication with reservoir interior 74.
  • Hollow pin 80 may be attached to reservoir 70 by a threaded connection.
  • Reservoir opening 86 is selectably sealed with a reservoir cap 88.
  • Reservoir cap 88 allows reservoir 70 to be refilled with fluid 75. When closed, reservoir cap 88 seals reservoir opening 86.
  • Reservoir 70 includes a compressible portion 84.
  • Compressible portion 84 is composed of a resilient material and conveniently sized so that a user may pinch compressible portion 84 between the user's thumb and a finger, compressing the compressible portion 84.
  • When reservoir cap 88 is closed pinching of the compressible portion 84 by user increases the pressure within reservoir interior volume 74. If valve 78 is open and reservoir 70 contains only air, the increase in pressure expels air from reservoir interior volume 74 through valve 78 and through channel 82 in hollow pin 80.
  • Compressible portion 84 is configured so that a pinch of compressible portion 84 by a user will eject a graduated amount of air from hollow pin 80.
  • the ink cartridge 26 and holder 28 are placed in the fluid addition station 24 by appropriately rotating table 2 with respect to base 4.
  • Body 72 of reservoir 70 is placed in fluid addition guide 66, which automatically aligns hollow pin 80 and first cap aperture 62 in cartridge sealing assembly 44, mounted on ink cartridge 26.
  • the user pushes hollow pin 80 through first cap aperture 62, through sponge 58, through channel 54 to interior of ink cartridge 26.
  • Hollow pin 80 is sized to extend entirely through cartridge sealing assembly 44 into ink cartridge 26.
  • valve 78 A predetermined amount of fluid 75 is placed in reservoir 70 through opening 86.
  • fluid 75 is cleaning fluid.
  • valve 78 Air flows through reservoir opening 86 and fluid 75 flows through channel 82 in hollow pin 80 into ink cartridge 26. It is desireable to provide a positive air pressure within the ink cartridge 26 when the predetermined amount of fluid 75 has flowed into cartridge 26.
  • the user closes reservoir cap 88 and gently squeezes the compressible portion 84 of reservoir 70, releasing a predetermined amount of air into the cartridge 26. The user, while continuing to squeeze the compressible portion 84, closes valve 78.
  • Fluid 75 is allowed to remain in the cartridge 26 for a predetermined period of time until ink residues are adequately removed. The user then opens valve 78 and cap 88, which permits air to flow into the ink cartridge 26 through reservoir 70 and allows fluid 75 to flow out of ink cartridge 26 through print head 34. Fluid 75 that leaks from print head 34 is collected by absorbent 32.
  • the user may remove the first cap 60 and sponge 58 to allow cleaning fluid to drain out of the cartridge 26.
  • User also may release air into in cartridge 26 by pinching compressible portion 84 when reservoir cap 88 is closed and valve 78 is open to force cleaning fluid from ink cartridge 26.
  • Reservoir 70 is removed from the fluid addition guide 66 and hollow pin 80 is withdrawn from cartridge sealing assembly 44.
  • ink cartridge 26 may be filled with ink.
  • the following ink-filling steps require that the ink cartridge 26 and holder 28 are in the fluid addition station 24, that reservoir 70 is installed in fluid addition guide 66, and that hollow pin 80 is inserted through cartridge sealing assembly 44.
  • Valve 78 is first closed and a predetermined amount of ink is added to reservoir 70.
  • Valve 78 is opened while reservoir cap 88 also is open, allowing ink to flow through the hollow pin 80 and into ink cartridge 26.
  • valve 78 is closed, preventing air from entering the cartridge 26 and thus preventing ink from leaking from the cartridge 26 through the print head 34.
  • the cartridge sealing assembly 44 provides an air-tight seal between the cartridge 26 and the outer wall 83 of hollow pin 80, preventing leakage of air into the cartridge 26 and leakage of ink from the cartridge 26. Any leakage of ink that occurs during filling of the cartridge 26 is collected by absorbent 32.
  • ink is in the cartridge 26, it is desirable to provide a positive air pressure within the cartridge 26.
  • the reservoir cap 88 is closed and the valve 78 is opened. The user will gently squeeze the compressible portion 84 of reservoir 70, forcing a predetermined amount of air into the cartridge 26. The user then will close valve 78 while continuing to squeeze the compressible portion 84.
  • Reservoir 70 is removed from the fluid addition guide 66 and hollow pin 80 is withdrawn from cartridge sealing assembly 44. The opening cut by hollow pin 80 in sponge 58 is sealed by sponge 58, preventing leakage of air or ink through the opening.
  • the ink cartridge 26 now is filled and ready for use.
  • the drilling and cartridge sealing assembly 44 installation procedures need not be repeated for that cartridge 26.
  • Sponge 58 in the cartridge sealing assembly 44 will require periodic replacement to maintain an airtight seal.
  • the present invention is useful for refilling ink cartridges 26 that are not filled with a synthetic foam or similar material.
  • the invention may be used for refilling cartridges that are partially filled with a foam provided that hollow pin 80 is not inserted into the foam.

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une cartouche (26) qui est fixée à une table (2) de station de perçage (20). La table (2) tourne par rapport à une base (4) en passant par une série de stations (18). Les stations (18) comprennent des guides (38) pour localiser une ouverture dans la cartouche d’encre (26) et pour localiser un réservoir de remplissage de la cartouche d’encre (26). Un ensemble de fermeture de cartouche ferme (44) l'ouverture mais laisse passer une aiguille creuse (80) pour remplir la cartouche (26).
PCT/US2006/002767 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre WO2007086848A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/002767 WO2007086848A1 (fr) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre
GB0815462A GB2449034A (en) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Apparatus for refilling ink cartridges

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/002767 WO2007086848A1 (fr) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007086848A1 true WO2007086848A1 (fr) 2007-08-02

Family

ID=38309517

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/002767 WO2007086848A1 (fr) 2006-01-26 2006-01-26 Appareil de remplissage de cartouches d’encre

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2449034A (fr)
WO (1) WO2007086848A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102582258A (zh) * 2011-01-14 2012-07-18 精工爱普生株式会社 容器单元以及液体喷射系统
WO2021234068A1 (fr) * 2020-05-20 2021-11-25 Fill' N Print Procédé de remplissage d'une cartouche d'encre et d'une station de remplissage mettant en œuvre ledit procédé
FR3110487A1 (fr) * 2020-05-20 2021-11-26 Fill' N Print Procédé de remplissage d’une cartouche d’encre pour imprimante

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617692A (en) * 1983-12-30 1986-10-21 Emhart Corporation Tool for drilling and securing screw anchor to a wall
US5721576A (en) * 1995-12-04 1998-02-24 Hewlett-Packard Company Refill kit and method for refilling an ink supply for an ink-jet printer
US5838352A (en) * 1995-11-24 1998-11-17 Smith Corona Corporation Ink cartridge refilling device and station for cartridges and gravity feed ink bottle
US5944228A (en) * 1993-12-29 1999-08-31 Renewable Resources Company Thermoplastic closure for a fluid container and system for refilling a fluid reservoir
US6799610B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-10-05 Kenneth Yuen Method and apparatus for refilling an ink cartridge

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617692A (en) * 1983-12-30 1986-10-21 Emhart Corporation Tool for drilling and securing screw anchor to a wall
US5944228A (en) * 1993-12-29 1999-08-31 Renewable Resources Company Thermoplastic closure for a fluid container and system for refilling a fluid reservoir
US5838352A (en) * 1995-11-24 1998-11-17 Smith Corona Corporation Ink cartridge refilling device and station for cartridges and gravity feed ink bottle
US5721576A (en) * 1995-12-04 1998-02-24 Hewlett-Packard Company Refill kit and method for refilling an ink supply for an ink-jet printer
US6799610B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-10-05 Kenneth Yuen Method and apparatus for refilling an ink cartridge

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102582258A (zh) * 2011-01-14 2012-07-18 精工爱普生株式会社 容器单元以及液体喷射系统
WO2012096180A1 (fr) * 2011-01-14 2012-07-19 Seiko Epson Corporation Unité de récipient et système d'éjection de liquide
US8491109B2 (en) 2011-01-14 2013-07-23 Seiko Epson Corporation Container unit and liquid ejection system
EP2845737A3 (fr) * 2011-01-14 2016-07-20 Seiko Epson Corporation Unité de contenant et système d'éjection de liquide
WO2021234068A1 (fr) * 2020-05-20 2021-11-25 Fill' N Print Procédé de remplissage d'une cartouche d'encre et d'une station de remplissage mettant en œuvre ledit procédé
FR3110487A1 (fr) * 2020-05-20 2021-11-26 Fill' N Print Procédé de remplissage d’une cartouche d’encre pour imprimante
FR3110488A1 (fr) * 2020-05-20 2021-11-26 Fill' N Print Procédé de remplissage d’une cartouche d’encre et d’une station de remplissage mettant en œuvre ledit procédé

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0815462D0 (en) 2008-10-01
GB2449034A (en) 2008-11-05

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