Patent ID: 8403466
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A wide format printer ink cartridge refill station, the station comprising: a controller comprising a computer, a user interface, and ink fill operation software; a series of ink reservoirs, each ink reservoir containing ink; a series of ink fill needles, each needle comprising a tubular fill conduit having a source end and a distal end, a fill coupler provided at the source end, a blunt tip formed at the distal end of the fill conduit, and at least one discharge aperture located through a sidewall of the fill conduit and proximate the blunt tip; a series of ink fill stations, each station comprising a flexible tube having a needle coupler disposed at a distal end for removable connection of the ink fill needle; and a series of ink pumps, each ink pump providing ink transfer from the respective ink reservoir to a respective ink fill station by way of a ink source conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the respective ink fill pump and an ink station source conduit providing fluid communication between the ink fill pump and the respective ink fill station, wherein, in use, each ink fill needle is attached in fluid communication with a respective ink fill station by coupling the ink fill needle with the respective needle coupler.