Patent ID: 6172695
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink replenishing apparatus for an ink cartridge of a jet printer, the ink cartridge having an ink storage chamber containing a sponge for soaking up ink, a second chamber communicating with the ink storage chamber and an open output port located in a bottom of the ink cartridge in communication with the second chamber, the apparatus comprising:a) at least one through hole through a top of the ink cartridge, the at least one through hole communicating with the ink storage chamber and having a tapered configuration in which a diameter decreases in a direction toward the ink storage chamber;b) a clamping device for holding the ink cartridge during replenishing, the clamping device having a supporting plate with a resilient pad covering the output port so as to hermetically seal the output port, and a movable clamp plate engaging the top of the ink cartridge whereby the ink cartridge is clamped between the supporting plate and the clamp plate; andc) a squeezable ink supply bottle having a tapered ink-straw with an ink passage therethrough, the ink-straw having a tapered external surface matching the tapered configuration of the at least one through hole such that the ink-straw hermetically seals the at least one through hole when a distal end of the ink-straw extends into the ink storage chamber, whereby repeated squeezing of the ink bottle injects ink into the ink cartridge and removes air therefrom.