Abstract:
A portable refillable marker-fluid cartridge comprising a marker-chamber, a marker-fluid applicator extending from out of the cartridge wherein the marker fluid applicator is in fluid communication with the marker-chamber, a filling mechanism configured to open from a delivery tube being pushed theretowards, thereby allowing the marker fluid to pass into the marker-chamber, and at least one seal-ring configured to minimize leak of the marker-fluid out of the marker-chamber.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to refillable markers. In particular, the invention relates to systems and methods for filling refillable marker-fluid cartridges from fillers of marker-fluid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Markers such as pens, paint brushes, printers and the like are used to leave recordable traces upon surfaces. Typically, the recordable traces are left by the application of a marker-fluid, such as paint, an ink or the like onto the surface. 
         [0003]    Traditional chalk for blackboards is messy and white board pens have gradually replaced the chalk. However, when the ink is used up the entire pen can only be discarded, causing a great waste of resources and environmental pollution, but also greatly increasing the cost of the pen. CN96202527 to Qiu Jinsheng describes a model for an automatic ink-suction erasable whiteboard pen. However, it is not leak-proofed and thus is messy and wasteful, both from ink spillage and ink evaporation. 
         [0004]    The amount of marker-fluid carried by the marker is limited and therefore, as marker-fluid is applied to the surface, the supply of marker-fluid in the marker is periodically exhausted. When insufficient marker-fluid remains in the marker, the marker-fluid supply must be replenished or the marker must be thrown away. 
         [0005]    By their nature, marker-fluids are generally pigmented and free flowing. Accordingly, the refilling of markers is typically a messy process. For convenience, therefore, disposable markers are most popular. However it will be appreciated that frequently disposing of markers is wasteful and costly. 
         [0006]    Some printer cartridges, such as inkjet cartridges, may be refillable. Typically, this is done by filling a syringe with ink, removing a cover from an ink cartridge presumed to be empty, and injecting printer ink from the syringe via a syringe needle fitted on the syringe, through a septum in the cartridge into the cartridge. Refilling is performed until the ink starts to bubble out of the septum. Such filling does require some dexterity, prior knowledge of the structure of the cartridge, and time and effort to perform. Thus typically it is performed at a factory dedicated for refilling. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,097 to Seaguist Valve Company describes an apparatus for receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a filling device comprising a container having a substantially flat container bottom for resting on a horizontal surface. The container is preferably flexible, to allow an operator to press the container to discharge fluid in the form of a sprinkle from the dispensing orifice, and has a translucent sidewall with markings disposed on the sidewall enabling an operator to determine the quantity of fluid therein by viewing the fluid level in the container relative to the markings. A sealing valve is disposed proximate the container bottom and adapted to receive fluid from the filling device enabling the container to be filled to a desired fluid level from the fluid filling device. A dispensing orifice is in fluid communication with the interior of the container for dispensing fluid therefrom. The bottom portion of the bottle is a detachable container base having several walls: an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a lip that forms flat bottom. Moreover, container means is provided with an opening in the bottom portion that is sealed by another wall of the base when the base is attached to the container. The base is threaded to the container by threads of the container wall and a thread of the inner sidewall. The sealing valve is deflected by pressure of the propellant fluid. 
         [0008]    US 20090194191 to C.T.I describes a refill bottle adapted to repeatedly receive and dispense liquids such as perfume. The refill bottle includes a bottle having a bottom portion and an upper portion, an opening provided in the upper portion wherein the opening is adapted to be covered, and a refill mechanism provided in the bottom portion. The liquid is received through the refill mechanism from a regular bottle, for example via a spraying mechanism, and is dispensed through the opening. 
         [0009]    The regular bottle is for example a regular spray bottle, and the spray mechanism includes for example a stem. The refill mechanism includes for example a check valve that is adapted to open when a stem is pushed through a bottom opening provided in the bottom portion, the stem pushing open the valve, and the liquid is pushed inside the refill bottle through the stem. 
         [0010]    Chinese utility model ZL 200720051806.9 to Dongguan YiXin Magnetic describes a portable and refillable spraying bottle which can be reused after refilling. The bottle includes a nozzle assembly, an inner bottle and housing, the nozzle assembly installed on the top of the inner bottle. In the bottom of said inner bottle installed a refilling construction. Said refilling construction consists of a refill inlet in the bottom of said inner bottle, an abutting rod installed in said refill inlet, a restoration construction for said abutting rod and sealing construction. Said inner bottle is further equipped with an exhaust construction. 
         [0011]    It should be appreciated that leakage of liquids such as perfume, while wasteful, typically is harmless; whereas leakage of marking fluids such as ink from a marker-fluid or a refill bottle must be avoided. In addition, bottles for refilling marking fluids are not available, as there was no recognized need for such. 
         [0012]    There is a need for a clean, efficient, sealable, environment-friendly, and convenient system and method for refilling marking-fluid cartridges such as markers. Embodiments disclosed herein address this need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]    For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0014]    With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. 
           [0015]    In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a section through a refillable marker-pen in some embodiments of a system for filling marker-fluid cartridges; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1   b  is an exploded view of the bottom portion of the marker-fluid cartridge shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an ink-filler including an a delivery mechanism in embodiments of system for filling marker-fluid cartridges, the ink-filler suitable for use with marker-fluid cartridges such as shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is a representation of a system including the bottom portion of the cartridge of  FIG. 1   a  together with an ink-filler; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3   b  shows the system depicted in  FIG. 3   a,  showing filling of the cartridge with the filler; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   a  is a cross-sectional representation of a cartridge in other embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   b  is an exploded view of the bottom portion of the marker-pen shown in  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 4   c  is an exploded view of an air release valve in a marker-pen in some embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4   d  is an exploded view of an air release valve in a marker-pen in some other embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5   a  is a cross-sectional representation of a cartridge in yet some more embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   b  is an exploded view of the bottom portion of the marker-fluid cartridge shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a refillable ink-cartridge for use in a computer printer according to still another embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a presentation board incorporating a marker refilling station including a plurality of ink-fillers, and 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the main steps of a method for filling a marker-fluid cartridge according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    According to one aspect, a system for filling marker-fluid cartridges comprises:
       a) at least one marker-fluid filler comprising:   a reservoir;   a delivery tube through which the marker-fluid is dispensable, and   a pump configured to allow pumping said marker-fluid in said reservoir throughout the delivery tube, and   b) at least one portable refillable marker-fluid cartridge configured to allow receiving the marker-fluid from said at least one marker-fluid filler, each cartridge comprising:   a marker-chamber therein;   a marker-fluid applicator extending from out of the cartridge wherein said marker fluid applicator is in fluid communication with the marker-chamber;   a filling mechanism configured to open from the delivery tube being pushed theretowards, thereby allowing the marker fluid to pass into the marker-chamber, and   at least one seal-ring configured to minimize leak of the marker-fluid out of the marker-chamber.       
 
         [0040]    The system of claim may have a cartridge with a wall comprising an
       invagination therein, wherein the filling mechanism is held in said invagination.       
 
         [0042]    According to another aspect, a portable refillable marker-fluid cartridge is provided, comprising:
       a marker-chamber therein;   a marker-fluid applicator extending from out of the cartridge wherein said marker fluid applicator is in fluid communication with the marker-chamber;   a filling mechanism configured to open from a delivery tube being pushed theretowards, thereby allowing the marker fluid to pass into the marker-chamber, and at least one seal-ring configured to minimize leak of the marker-fluid out of the marker-chamber.       
 
         [0046]    The cartridge may comprise a wall comprising an invagination therein, wherein the filling mechanism is held in said invagination. 
         [0047]    Pumping said marker-fluid in said filler may be achievable by intermittently and repeatedly pushing the delivery tube against the filling mechanism. 
         [0048]    Preferably, the cartridge further comprises air-release means configured to allow expelling air from the marker-chamber during filling the marker-chamber with marker-fluid, and to not allow expelling of marker-fluid from the marker-chamber. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, said marker-chamber comprises a marker-fluid absorbent fluidly communicable with both the filling mechanism and the applicator. 
         [0050]    Preferably, when the applicator of the cartridge is applied to a surface, thereby applying marker-fluid to the surface, the absorbent and the marker-fluid of the cartridge allow replacement of the marker-fluid in the applicator at a rate faster than the rate the marker-fluid is applied to the surface. 
         [0051]    The cartridge may further comprise a removable valve cap for the cartridge, configured to seal off the filling mechanism of the cartridge from air when the valve cap is fit onto the cartridge. 
         [0052]    The marker-chamber preferably comprises in a wall thereof a transparent volume indication window indicative of the extent the marker-chamber is filled with the marker-fluid. 
         [0053]    Some system embodiments further comprise at least one presentation board. Preferably in those embodiments, each filler is colour-coded to match each cartridge. Said marker-fluid applicator may be selected from a group consisting of: print heads, nibs, roller-balls, ball-points, felt-tips, fiber-tips, brushes, reeds, nozzles and combinations thereof. 
         [0054]    The cartridge may be for example selected from one or more of the group comprising: pens, paint brushes, whiteboard markers, permanent markers and inkjet cartridges, highlighters, laser printer toner cartridges and correction fluid cartridges. 
         [0055]    The marker-fluid may be selected for example from one or more of a group comprising: inks, paints, whiteners, thinners, solvents, dyes and combinations thereof. The marker-fluid may be selected from a group comprising: solutions, gels, suspensions and emulsions. 
         [0056]    According to another aspect, a method for filling a marker-fluid cartridge is provided, the method comprising:
       providing a filler of marker-fluid, the filler comprising:   a delivery tube through which the marker-fluid is dispensable, and   a pump;   providing a portable refillable marker-fluid cartridge comprising:   a marker-chamber therein; a filling mechanism, and a seal-ring, the filling mechanism configured to open from a delivery tube being pushed thereto, the seal-ring configured to minimize leak of the marker-fluid out of the marker-chamber;   coupling said delivery tube to the filling mechanism; and       
 
         [0063]    drawing marker-fluid with said pump from said filler into said marker-chamber via said filling mechanism, while preventing release of marker-fluid from said marker-chamber. 
         [0064]    coupling said delivery tube to said filling mechanism and drawing said marker-fluid may comprise: repeatedly pushing said delivery tube against the filling mechanism such that said filling mechanism opens to allow the marker-chamber to receive said marker fluid. 
         [0065]    The filling mechanism may comprise a holder with a channel passing therethrough, slideable and held with at least one seal-ring in the invagination. 
         [0066]    The channel may have an internal diameter adjacent to the wall comprising the invangination, the diameter allowing a close fit of the delivery tube therein. 
         [0067]    The filling mechanism may further comprise a filling port leading from the wall to the channel. 
         [0068]    The filling port may allow a close fit of the delivery tube therein. 
         [0069]    The cartridge may further comprising a removable cap, configured to seal off the applicator from air when the cap is fit onto the cartridge. 
         [0070]    The filling mechanism may comprise a piston comprising a bottom pliable and resilient part and a top hard part permanently attached thereto, the top part being pushed up by the bottom part, the pliable and resilient part, when not forced by a tube, sealing the chamber; when forced by a tube, the force of the tube compresses the bottom part whereby marker fluid may enter the chamber via at least one gap between the piston and the invagination. 
         [0071]    The invagination comprises at least one tooth to hold the piston. 
         [0072]    The marker-fluid applicator may comprise a feeder shaft within the chamber, wherein the feeder shaft comprises a resilient material that urges the piston down and can be sufficiently compressed by the piston when the piston is pushed by a tube upwards to allow filling the cartridge with the marker-fluid. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0073]    Embodiments described herein are directed towards providing a refill system for conveniently supplying a marker or other marking utensil with marker-fluid. The refill system may be used with a variety of marker-fluid cartridges, such as pens, ink-jet cartridges, toner cartridges and the like, a selection of which are described in the embodiments below, for illustrative purposes only. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of refill system may be used to fill other markers with further marker-fluids as required. 
         [0074]    Reference is now made to FIG. la which shows a section through a refillable marker-fluid cartridge  100  according to a first embodiment of the refill system. 
         [0075]    The marker-fluid cartridge  100  includes an ink-chamber  120 , an ink-applicator  140  in an upper portion  101  and a filling mechanism  110  in a bottom portion  102 . The filling mechanism  110  in this embodiment is essentially a check valve. The bottom part has a bottom wall  125  with an invagination  128 , forming a space (see  FIG. 2 ) in which the filling mechanism  110  is held, as will be further explained and shown below. 
         [0076]    The ink-chamber  120  is provided to contain a supply of marker-fluid  122 . The marker-fluid  122  is typically a pigment or dye based fluid such as ink, paint or the like, and is alternatively simply and collectively referred to below as ink. As required, the pigmented fluid may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, a gel, an aerosol or the like. It will be appreciated that according to various embodiments, the marker-fluid chambers, such as the ink-chamber  120  may be configured to contain alternative or additional materials, such as thinners, cleaning agents, whiteners, ink eradicators, solvents and the like. 
         [0077]    The marker-fluid cartridge  100  typically has the dimensions of commercially available typical marker-pens. In particular, the size of the ink-chamber  120  is typically limited by the nature of use of the marker-fluid cartridge  100 . Because the marker-fluid cartridge  100  is generally a hand-held device which a user must manipulate with considerable dexterity, a bulky and heavy ink-chamber would be inappropriate. An aspect of embodiments of the refill system is to provide an auxiliary supply of marker-fluid which does not impede normal usage of the marker-fluid cartridge  100 . 
         [0078]    The ink-applicator  140  is provided to apply the marker-fluid  122  to a surface. The applicator  140  of the refillable marker-fluid cartridge  100  of the first embodiment includes a fiber-tip nib  142  which is in fluid communication with the supply of marker-fluid  122  via a feeder-shaft  144  in the ink-chamber  120 . The fiber-tip nib  142  and feeder-shaft  144  typically include a porous and/or fibrous marker-fluid absorbent material  123  such as felt, nylon or the like such that marker-fluid  122  is drawn up the feeder-shaft  144  by capillary action to the fiber-tip nib  142 . A suitable removable cap  130  is provided to protect the nib  142  while not in use and to prevent unnecessary loss of ink  122  by fitting onto the upper part  101 . 
         [0079]    It will be appreciated that, although a fiber-tip nib  142  is presented in the above described embodiment, alternative marker-fluid applicators, such as nibs, roller-balls, ball-points, brushes and the like, may be preferred. 
         [0080]    The applicator  140  is configured to apply marker-fluid  122 , stored in the ink-chamber  120 , to surfaces (not shown). As marker-fluid  122  is drawn from the ink chamber  120 , the supply of marker-fluid  122  within the ink-chamber  120  is periodically exhausted during use. In contradistinction to prior art disposable markers, it is a particular feature of embodiments of the refill system herein disclosed that the marker-fluid cartridge such as the marker-fluid cartridge  100  includes a filling mechanism  110  configured to enable the supply of marker-fluid to be replenished when necessary. 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIG. 1   b,  a holder  114 , assembled together with a flexible seal-ring  119   b  such as an O-ring, and a spring  116 , may be inserted into the invagination  128 . Sealing ring  119   a  may then be installed onto the holder  114  to complete a filling port  127 . A further seal  119   c  may then be installed onto the holder  114  to complete the filling mechanism  110 . 
         [0082]    The sealing ring  119   c  is conical at its bottom surface and top surface, on the top surface to fit the top of the holder  114 , which is formed in the shape of a restricting block with a conical lower portion, and on the bottom surface to fit the upper portion of said invagination  128 , which is also conical. 
         [0083]    There is a channel  112  in a holder  114 , that extends to a bottom wall  125 , or to the filling port  127 . The channel  112  provides a conduit through which ink marker-fluid  122  may be introduced into the ink-chamber  120 . The channel  112  may have either a diameter  113  adjacent to the bottom wall  125  allowing a close fit of a suitable delivery tube (not shown) therein, or the delivery tube has a larger diameter than the channel diameter  113 , and filling port  127 , which is preferably cylindrical, allows a close fit therein, so that during filling the cartridge  100  leakage of marker-fluid at the area of contact of the tube with the filling mechanism is minimal. The sealing ring  119   a  is preferably made of an elastomeric material, that the delivery tube tip is pushed against, or is inserted into. 
         [0084]    In some embodiments, the filling mechanism is not disposed in the bottom wall, and may be held in a structure other than an invagination of a wall. 
         [0085]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which is a schematic representation of an ink-filler  200  according to a second embodiment of the refill system. 
         [0086]    Marker-fluid fillers, such as the ink-filler  200  are configured to supply marker-fluid, such as ink, paint, thinner or the like, into a marker-fluid cartridge, such as the refillable marker-fluid cartridge  100  of the first embodiment. 
         [0087]    Referring to schematic  FIG. 2 , an ink-filler  200  includes a marker-fluid reservoir  220  and a delivery mechanism  210 . The marker-fluid reservoir  220  provides an auxiliary supply of marker-fluid  122  which is normally larger than is convenient to store within a marker-fluid cartridge. The marker-fluid reservoir  220  may be used to replenish the marker-fluid  122  supply carried by the marker-pen  100  of the first embodiment, for example, such as required when the ink-chamber  120  is empty. 
         [0088]    The marker fluid  122  may be drawn from the marker-fluid reservoir  220  by the delivery mechanism  210  which is configured to couple with the filling mechanism of a marker-fluid cartridge such as in the marker-fluid cartridge  100  described hereinabove in relation to  FIG. 1   a.    
         [0089]    The delivery mechanism  210  of the ink-filler  200  comprises a delivery tube  212  and a pump  214 . The delivery tube  212  is configured to provide a fluid communication between the marker-fluid reservoir  220  of the ink-filler  200  and the ink-chamber of the marker-fluid cartridge. Accordingly, the first end  216  of the delivery tube  212  is typically in fluid communication with the marker-fluid reservoir  220  and the second end  218  of the delivery tube  212  is configured to be introduced into the channel of the filling mechanism of the marker-fluid cartridge, to push against the filling mechanism and to open the filling mechanism as will be further shown and explained below. Alternative coupling methods may be used as required. 
         [0090]    The pump  214  is configured to draw marker-fluid  122  through the delivery tube  212 . Accordingly, when the ink-filler  200  is coupled to the marker-fluid cartridge ink or other marker-fluid  122  may be drawn from the reservoir  220  and into the ink-chamber  120 . Typically the pump includes a springed mechanism or the like adapted to pump liquid. The pump has to be sufficiently powerful to allow pumping the typically viscous marker fluid  122  into the marker-chamber  120 . 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a,  the holder  114  of the first embodiment is normally closed to prevent leakage of marker-fluid  122  from the ink-chamber  120 . Spring  116  urges holder  114  down along the invagination  128 , in the space  105 . Seal  119   c,  also urged down, prevents marker-fluid entering from the feeder-shaft  144  into the space  105 , and seal  119   b  provides an additional sealing against marker-fluid from the channel  112  or from the feeder-shaft  144 . 
         [0092]    As shown in  FIG. 3   b,  pushing a suitably sized delivery tube  212  against the holder  114  causes the holder  114  to slide up in the invagination  128  together with the sealing rings  119   a - c,  and also a release of marker-fluid into the channel  112  and therefrom into the cartridge  100 . 
         [0093]    Referring back to  FIG. 1   a,  marker-fluid cartridge  100  further comprises absorbent  123  in the ink-chamber  120 , which preferably replenishes the marker-fluid  122  in the applicator  142  faster than it is applied to a surface. 
         [0094]    The marker pen may also include a valve cap (not shown) to keep the filling mechanism  110  clean. 
         [0095]    The marker-pen also includes means for release of air  160  to allow removal of air from the ink-chamber  120  during the filling of the ink-chamber  120 . 
         [0096]    A part of a wall of the ink-chamber  120  is a transparent window  126  to allow following the extent the marker-chamber  120  is filled with the marker-fluid  122 . 
         [0097]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4   a,  showing an alternative marker-fluid cartridge  1100  for use in other embodiments of the refill system. The cartridge  1100  has an upper portion  1101  similar or identical to the upper portion  101  in the embodiment  100 , but the bottom portion  1102  is different from the bottom portion  102 , as clearly shown in exploded view in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0098]    The simple filling mechanism  1110  includes, similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   b,  a port  1127 , and a seal  1119   a.  The bottom wall  1125  similarly invaginates into the marker-fluid cartridge  1000 ; however the contours of the invagination  1128  are different to accommodate the different structure of the filling mechanism  1110 . The mechanism  1110  itself includes a spring  1116  and ball  1170 , preferably made of or coated with a material such as steel, which does not attract marker fluid  1122 . The invagination  1128  is shaped at the top of the bottom channel  1112 ′, for example in conical shape, such that when the marker-fluid cartridge  1000  is not being filled, the spring  1116  urges the ball  1170  toward the bottom channel  1112 ′ and at least partially seals the channel  1112 ′. When filling the marker-fluid cartridge  1000 , the ball  1170  is elevated, no longer blocking the lower channel  1112 ′ and lets the marker-fluid go throughout the lower channel  1112 ′ and then throughout the upper channel  1112 ″ and into the feeder-shaft  1144 . 
         [0099]    The supply of ink  122  in the ink-chamber  1120  is exhausted during use. Whenever necessary, the filling mechanism  1110  may be used to supply more ink into the ink-chamber  1120  of the cartridge  1100 . 
         [0100]    When the filling mechanism  1110  is not being forced by a tube, the seal  1119   a  may be compressed by the spring  1116  via smooth bead  1170 , thereby further helping to seal the lower channel  1112 ′ off from the ink chamber  1120 . 
         [0101]    The applicator may be a ball-point, particularly suitable for use with viscous marker fluids as well as gels and the like. Accordingly, where necessary, ink-fillers may be provided with delivery mechanisms configured to dispense marker-fluids having a variety of fluid characteristics to suit requirements. 
         [0102]      FIG. 4   c  shows an expanded illustration of an air release valve  1160 ′, similar in structure to the filling mechanism  1110 . The valve  1160 ′ allows release of air from the ink-chamber  1120  during filling, thereby both facilitating the filling by lowering back-pressure in the cartridge  1100 , and minimizing evaporation/oxidation of the marker-fluid. The valve also prevents entrance of atmospheric air therethrough. 
         [0103]    Alternatively, the air release valve may have a different structure, such as a flap-valve  1160 ″ shown in  FIG. 4   d,  that includes a flexing rubber diaphragm  1162  positioned to create a normally-closed valve. 
         [0104]    Yet another marker-fluid cartridge  2100  is shown in  FIG. 5 , in which the lower portion  2002  includes yet another kind of filling mechanism  2110 , which includes a very simple piston  2170  including a bottom pliable and resilient part  2172  and a top hard part  2174  to which bottom part  2172  is permanently attached. There is at least one tooth  2176  on the invagination that above is the piston  2170 , against which the top part  2174  is pushed by the bottom part  2172 . The pliable and resilient part  2172 , when not forced by a tube, seals the channel  2112  of from the chamber  2120 ; when forced by a tube, the force of the tube compresses the bottom part  2172 , and thus marker fluid may enter the chamber  2120  via at least one gap  2178  between the piston  2170  and the invagination  2128 . The bottom part may be made of a soft and resilient polymer such as a soft rubber, or sponge, and the top part of a hard material such as polycarbonate. In other embodiments, there may be no teeth  2176 , and the absorbent material  2123  in the feeder shaft  2144  may include resilient material that urges the piston  2170  down and can be compressed by the piston when the piston  2170  is pushed by a tube upwards. 
         [0105]    With particular reference to  FIG. 6 , a schematic representation is shown of a refillable cartridge  3100  for use in a computer printer. The  3100  has alternative embodiments of an ink-chamber  3120 , an ink-applicator  3140  and a filling mechanism  3110 . The ink-applicator  3140  of the ink  3100  is a print head having electronically operated nozzles such as is well known in the art. 
         [0106]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a particular embodiment of a refill system  4000  is presented in order to demonstrate one possible use of the refill systems disclosed herein. A schematic representation is shown of a presentation board  4020  such as is known in the art and are commonly used in schools, offices, lecture-halls and the like. A selection of refillable board-markers  4100   a - c  is provided for erasably marking the presentation board  4020 . 
         [0107]    It will be appreciated, that it is a known problem with board markers  4100   a - c  that they quickly run out of ink, making the writing on the board hard to read especially from a distance. All too often, a board marker which appears to be full of ink at the start of a presentation is unusable by the end of the same presentation. 
         [0108]    Accordingly, a marker refilling station  4060  is provided in association with the presentation board  4020  having a selection of ink-fillers  4062   a - c  which may be used to refill the board markers  4020   a - c  efficiently and quickly during a presentation. The ink-fillers  4200   a - c  and the markers  4100   a - c  are preferably coded, such as colour-coded, to allow matching the markers and the fillers for using the appropriate marker-fluid. 
         [0109]    Reference is now made to the flowchart of  FIG. 8 , showing the main steps of a possible method  5000  for filling a marker-fluid cartridge. The method includes the following steps: step  5020 —providing a filler of marker-fluid; step  5040 —providing a marker-fluid delivery mechanism and coupling it to the filler to allow drawing marker fluid from the filler; step  5060 —coupling with a delivery tube the delivery mechanism to a filling mechanism of a marker-fluid cartridge; and step  5080 —drawing marker-fluid from the filler via the delivery mechanism into the marker-fluid cartridge. 
         [0110]    Optionally step  5060  involves pushing a check valve associated with the filling mechanism against the delivery tube such that the check valve opens to receive the marker fluid, and step  5080  involves pumping the marker-fluid from the filler into the cartridge as disclosed hereinabove. 
         [0111]    The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof. 
         [0112]    In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as “comprises”, “comprising” and the like indicate that the components listed are included, but not generally to the exclusion of other components.