Patent ID: 6736495
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of liquid replenishment to a printhead mounted on a carriage of a printer, comprising:providing a print cartridge having a printhead, a handle and a liquid reservoir, with said printhead on the print cartridge and in communication with the liquid reservoir, and with an inlet port valve incorporated as part of the handle; initially filing the print cartridge reservoir with liquid through an inlet hole separate from said inlet port valve; providing a liquid supply with an outlet valve, said liquid supply mountable off the carriage; installing the print cartridge on the carriage with the inlet port valve accessible without having to remove the print cartridge from the carriage; coupling the inlet port valve to the outlet valve to allow continuous fluid communication from the liquid supply to the printhead; subsequently refilling the print cartridge reservoir from said liquid supply through said inlet port valve; and after said coupling, preventing any disconnection of the fluid communication during active operation of the printer when the liquid supply is being ejected from the printhead as well as during dormant periods before and after said active operation.