Patent ID: 7008050
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method for refilling a printer ink container for providing ink to an ink jet printhead of an ink jet printing system, the ink container having a sealed housing, a flexible ink reservoir located within the housing, an ink outlet on the housing and in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, with the ink outlet being removably connectable to a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the ink jet printhead of the ink jet printing system upon insertion of the housing into the ink jet printing system, and an air inlet on the housing and in fluid communication with a space between the housing and the ink reservoir, with the air inlet being removably connectable to an air outlet of the ink jet printing system upon insertion of the housing into the ink jet printing system, the method comprising: (a) fluidically coupling an ink fitting to the ink outlet, the ink fitting being in fluid communication with a source of ink; (b) fluidically coupling an air fitting to the air inlet so that the air fitting is in fluid communication with the space in the housing; (c) refilling the ink reservoir with ink from the source of ink through the ink fitting and ink outlet; and (d) establishing a release of air from the space between the housing and the ink reservoir and through the air inlet and air fitting.