Patent ID: 8465136
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink cartridge refill apparatus, comprising an ink cartridge holder and an ink refill unit matched with each other, the ink cartridge holder having an accommodation chamber therein to accommodate an ink cartridge, the ink refill unit comprising an ink tank and an ink delivery unit, the ink delivery unit being used to deliver ink from the ink tank to the ink cartridge in the accommodation chamber, characterized by: an air extraction mechanism provided on the ink cartridge holder, the air extraction mechanism being used to extract air from the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge holder having a passage for the air extraction mechanism to extract air relative to a nozzle of the ink cartridge, wherein, when the ink refill unit is being pressed down in place relative to the ink cartridge holder, the air extraction mechanism is engaged to be in a state waiting to prime; and, when the ink refill unit is bring detached from the ink cartridge holder, the air extraction mechanism extracts air from the ink cartridge, priming the ink cartridge, wherein the air extraction mechanism is disposed in the accommodation chamber, the air extraction mechanism comprising an air cylinder, a piston and a return spring, the air cylinder being integrally formed with the accommodation chamber, the air cylinder having a bottom formed with an air hole, the passage being disposed on a bottom of the accommodation chamber, the passage communicating with the air hole, the piston being movably disposed in the air cylinder, the return spring acting on the piston to provide an upward return force to the piston, wherein, when the ink refill unit is being pressed down in place relative to the ink cartridge, the piston is being moved down and the air extraction mechanism being in a state waiting to prime; and, when the ink refill unit is being detached from the ink cartridge holder, the air extraction mechanism extracts air from the ink cartridge.