Patent ID: 6491387
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for removing dried ink and other residue from the inside of an ink jet printing cartridge reservoir, ink paths and a print head assembly of an ink cartridge in preparation for remanufacturing/recycling, wherein said cartridge includes a top cap portion opposite said print head assembly, said print head assembly includes a print head nozzle plate, said cartridge may include a plurality of color chambers and/or vent plugs, the method comprising the steps of:a. preparing said ink jet cartridge for vacuum impregnation of solvent by: 1. removing said top cap portion of said cartridge, or 2. drilling a hole over each color chamber at said top cap portion, or 3. drilling a hole on a lateral plane of said cartridge reservoir directly above the print head nozzle plate and at said top cap portion, or 4. removing the existing vent plugs, b. placing the prepared cartridge into a vacuum chamber, c. preheating a liquid solvent to a temperature between 100 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, d. in said vacuum chamber, submerging said cartridge completely with the preheated liquid solvent plus an excess amount of the preheated liquid solvent equal to at least the volume of air trapped inside the cartridge, e. sealing said vacuum chamber airtight and mechanically reducing pressure until: 1. all air trapped in said cartridge is replaced fully by the liquid solvent, and 2. atmospheric pressure is reduced enough to cause the liquid solvent to boil for a short period of time, and permitting ambient air to enter the vacuum chamber so that the vacuum chamber return to atmospheric pressure, f. repeating step (e) as necessary to permit: 1. the cartridge to be completely impregnated by the heated liquid solvent, and 2. agitation caused by boiling to fully dislodge dried ink residue and return dried ink to liquid state from said ink cartridge reservoir and said ink paths, g. removing said cartridge from said vacuum chamber and securing said cartridge in a centrifuge apparatus, h. rotating said cartridge at a speed between 500 and 2500 total revolutions per minute until a centrifugal force causes all liquid solvent, ink residue and other debris to be removed from said cartridge, and i. removing said cartridge from said centrifuge apparatus.