Patent ID: 7219984

Claim:
A process of refilling a consumed ink cartridge having an ink dispensing nozzle comprising: appling steam under presure in the range of from 5 to 45 psi in short bursts to said dispensing nozzle through a hand operable steam gun having a soft silicone guard mounted over a steam outlet nozzle therein, said soft silicone guard tubing confining said steam to a restricted area around said dispensing nozzle with said silicone guard being held in close contact with said dispensing nozzle, for dissolving ink remnant in said dispensing nozzle and in an ink carrier medium located within said cartridge, applying a vacuum suction in the range of from 20 to 29 Hg at said dispensing nozzle for extracting ink remnant having dissolved in steam water produced by said steam. blocking said dispensing nozzle and injecting ink into said cartridge after all ink remnant has been removed therefrom.