Patent ID: 6158848
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A refilling device for an ink cartridge having at least one refilling opening in an upper portion and a lower portion having a cylindrical hole in which is located a regulating bead, an air vent opening and a maze passage in fluid connection with the air vent opening and the cylindrical hole, the refilling device comprising:a) a rubber member having an outer surface and an inner surface;b) at least one refilling hole extending through the rubber member between the inner and outer surfaces, the at least one refilling hole comprising a cylindrical portion extending inwardly from the outer surface and a frusto-conical portion extending from the cylindrical portion to the inner surface, a cross-sectional dimension of the frusto-conical portion increasing in a direction toward the inner surface, a largest diameter of the frusto-conical portion being greater than a diameter of one of the air vent opening and refilling opening; and,c) a layer of adhesive material on at least a portion of the inner surface adhesively bonding the rubber member to the ink cartridge such that the refilling hole is aligned with one of the air vent opening and the at least one refilling opening in the ink cartridge.