Patent ID: 6048054
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apparatus for replenishing a color ink-jet printing cartridge with ink of a plurality of colors, the apparatus comprising:the color ink-jet printing cartridge having a plurality of ink storage chambers, each storage chamber containing an ink absorber, the ink absorber having a capillary ink holding force D;a color ink cartridge having at least one wall defining a plurality of replenishing ink storage chambers adapted to hold replenishing ink of a plurality of colors; anda plurality of relay cores, each relay core including a plurality of capillary tubes having a capillary ink holding force d, the relay core having a first end connected to a respective replenishing ink storage chamber and a second end adapted to connect to the ink-jet printing cartridge such that the plurality of capillary tubes provide fluid communication between the respective replenishing ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge and the ink absorber in the respective ink storage chamber of the printing cartridge;wherein the capillary ink holding force d is less than the capillary ink holding force D.