A method and a holder for refilling ink cartridges to be used in ink jet printing devices and the like

Abstract: Method for refilling an ink cartridge (1) to be used in ink jet devices and the like wherein the ink cartridge (1) is conventionally provided near one end with one or more outlet openings (4) for delivering ink during use of the ink cartridge, and near an opposite end being provided with an opening (7) for introducing ink into the ink cartridge (1). The ink cartridge is placed on a bottom of a holder (9) provided with a resilient material with its end having outlet opening(s), thereby securing the ink cartridge in the holder (9) in such a manner, that the outlet opening(s) (4) is (are) sealed by the resilient material, after which ink is introduced into the holder (9) through the filling hole (7).

Description: A method for refilling an ink cartridge to be used in ink jet devices and the like, said ink cartridge near one end being provided with one or more outlet openings for delivering ink during use of the ink cartridge, and near an opposite end being provided with a filling hole for introducing ink into the ink cartridge. Such cartridges are used in large numbers in for example printing devices of the so-called ink jet type, which are for example marketed by Hewlett Packard under the type designation HP 51626A en HP 51608A. The ink cartridge is thereby provided with one or more outlet openings near one end, through which one or more ink jets are delivered during use. The users of such ink cartridges aim at making it possible to refill the cartridge with ink with a view to saving costs and reducing environmental pollution (after all fewer empty ink cartridges are disposed of), so that several ink loads can be processed with one and the same ink cartridge. It is desirable thereby that such an ink cartridge can be stored for a shorter or longer period before and after being refilled, and that the ink cartridge may be despatched in the holder, which functions as a package, and that it is not necessary to refill the empty cartridge directly and/or to use the cartridge immediately after refilling. This is especially of importance to large-scale users, who generally aim at receiving the empty cartridges at a central location, refilling the cartridges and returning the refilled cartridges to the users. In order to realise this a possibility must be created to seal the aforesaid ink outlet opening(s) again, among other things in order to prevent the ink in said openings from drying up and thus blocking up the openings. The object of the invention is to obtain a method wherein such refilling can be realized in an effective manner. According to the invention this can be achieved in that the ink cartridge is placed on a bottom of a holder provided with a resilient material with its end provided with said outlet opening(s), thereby securing said ink cartridge in the holder in such a manner, that the outlet opening(s) is (are) sealed by said resilient material, after which ink can be introduced into the ink cartridge through the filling hole. When using the method according to the invention sealing of the outlet opening(s) provided in the ink cartridge can be effected in a simple manner. This makes it possible to store an empty ink cartridge in the holder without any risk of undesirable blocking up of the outlet openings. Furthermore the ink cartridge can be stored in the holder for a prolonged period, and possibly be despatched therein without any problem, before putting the ink cartridge into use again in a printing device or the like. When using the method according to the invention it is also readily possible to seal a vent hole which may be located near the outlet opening(s), such as for example used in the Hewlett Packard ink cartridge type HP 51626A, before refilling takes place, so as to prevent ink from flowing out of said vent hole during refilling. A particularly suitable holder for carrying out the method according to the invention is according to a further aspect obtained when the holder is provided with upright walls and with a bottom provided with a resilient material, as well as with means for securing an ink cartridge in the holder. In this way an inexpensively produced holder can be realized, which can be used several times for accommodating ink cartridges to be refilled, and which may also function as a suitable storage means for refilled ink cartridges. The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference the accompanying Figures. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an ink cartridge known per se. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a holder intended for accommodating an ink cartridge. Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a combination of a holder and an ink cartridge fitted therein. The ink cartridge 1 illustrated in Figure 1, which is known per se, comprises a housing 2 of at least substantially rectangular section, which is near its bottom end provided with a protruding part 3 having a smaller, but likewise at least substantially rectangular section. A nozzle plate 4 having one or more outlet openings is provided in the bottom of said part 3. With some embodiments of such ink cartridges a vent hole 5 is furthermore provided in the bottom part lying higher than the nozzle 4. At its upper side the ink cartridge 1 is closed by a cover 6, in whose upper wall an opening 7 is provided for refilling the cartridge, as well as a vent hole 8 in some cases. According to the invention a holder 9 as shown in Figure 2 is used for refilling such a cartridge, said holder having an at least substantially rectangular section, the dimensions being such that the ink cartridge 1 can be fitted therein in the manner shown in Figure 3. The bottom 10 of the holder is stepped in a similar manner as the bottom end of the ink cartridge 2, and it is covered with a layer 11 of a resilient material, for example synthetic foam. In order to be able to place the holder in a stable position one end of the bottom 10, which is located opposite the part of the holder intended for receiving the protruding part 3 of the bottom end of the ink cartridge 2, is provided with a projecting base portion 12, whose bottom end lies in the same plane as the bottom part 10, which is located near the part of the holder 9 receiving the protruding part 3 of the ink cartridge 2. As will furthermore be apparent from Figure 2, guide ribs 14 are fitted to the bottom ends of the side walls 13, which extend upwards from the bottom 10, forming the holder 9, said guide ribs ensuring that the bottom end of the ink cartridge 1 is correctly located and secured in the holder 9. As is furthermore illustrated in Figure 2 holes 15 are provided in two opposite side walls of the holder 9, near the upper end of the holder 9. When the ink cartridge 1 is placed in the holder for refilling, the bottom end of the ink cartridge 1 can be pressed against the layer 11 of a resilient material with some force, into a position in which a pin 16 can be passed through the holes 15, which pin will abut against an upper surface of the ink cartridge 1, as shown in Figure 3, so that the ink cartridge 1 will be secured in the holder 9, whilst the bottom surface of the cartridge is pressed against the layer 11 of a resilient material with some force. Thus the opening(s) forming part of the nozzle 4, and also the vent hole 5 which is possibly provided, are sealed by means of said resilient material. Following this ink may be supplied to the cartridge 1 through the filling hole 7 again. If it is desired to use the cartridge immediately after refilling again, the cartridge can be taken out of the holder 9 after removal of the pin 16. When it is desired, however, to store the cartridge thus filled for some time, the holder 9 may be covered at its upper side by means of a cover 17 to be placed on the holder 9, which may be detachably secured to the upper edge of the holder 9, for example by means of a usual snap lock. Possibly the cover 17 is also provided with a layer of a resilient material at its inner side, near the holes 8 and 7, so as to seal the openings 7 and 8 in an effective manner. From the foregoing it will be apparent that by using the above-described holder according to the invention used ink cartridges can be refilled in a quick and simple manner, without any risk of ink flowing out of the holder and/or of the ink drying up near the outlet opening(s) or the like in case of prolonged storage. Furthermore the holders 9, with the ink cartridges provided therein, can readily be placed in a stable position, so that the holders are particularly suited for storing the filled ink cartridges.

Claims: A method for refilling an ink cartridge to be used in ink jet devices and the like, said ink cartridge near one end being provided with one or more outlet openings for delivering ink during use of the ink cartridge, and near an opposite end being provided with a filling hole for introducing ink into the ink cartridge, characterized in that the ink cartridge is placed on a bottom of a holder provided with a resilient material with its end having said outlet opening(s), thereby securing said ink cartridge in the holder in such a manner, that the outlet opening(s) is (are) sealed by said resilient material, after which ink can be introduced into the ink cartridge through said filling hole. A holder for carrying out the method according to the claim 1, wherein the holder is provided with upright walls and with a bottom provided with a resilient material, as well as with means for securing an ink cartridge in said holder. A holder according to claim 2, characterized in that guides for locating the ink cartridge in the holder are provided at the inner sides of said upright walls. A holder according to claim 2, characterized in that passages are provided in two opposite walls of the holder, near the upper ends of said walls, for passing through a pin intended for securing an ink cartridge in the holder. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the holder can be closed with a cover, which is formed such that when mounted on the holder the cover abuts against the upper end of the ink cartridge.

Inventors: SMETS HUBERTUS ANTONIUS JOHANN, SMETS, HUBERTUS ANTONIUS JOHANNES
Applicants: SMETS HUBERTUS ANTONIUS JOHANN, SMETS, HUBERTUS ANTONIUS JOHANNES
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B41J2
IPC codes: B41J2