Patent ID: 6170937
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for refilling a printing system ink container that previously exhibited a filled ink condition and now exhibits an at least partially depleted ink condition, the ink container having a housing, an ink reservoir located within the housing and having a fluid outlet and a fill port, the fill port being sealed with an internal plug, a cap having a cavity with two opposing side walls mounted to the housing and enclosing the fill port, and a memory device having contacts mounted to one of the opposing side walls in the cavity for communicating information concerning characteristics of the ink in the ink reservoir and the at least partially depleted ink condition to the printing system, the method comprising the steps of:(a) creating an opening in the fill port;(b) refilling the ink reservoir through the fill port;(c) resealing the opening in the fill port;(d) refurbishing the memory device indicating the at least partially depleted ink condition, such that the memory device provides enabling information to the printing system indicating that the ink reservoir of the ink container has an increased amount of ink so as to enable the printing system to operate.