Device, kit, and process for filling of a print cartridge of an ink jet printer

United States Patent [i9]

Schwenk et al.

... linn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiin

US005495877A [ii] Patent Number: 5,495,877 [45] Date of Patent: Mar. 5, 1996

[54] DEVICE, KIT, AND PROCESS FOR FILLING OF A PRINT CARTRIDGE OF AN INK JET PRINTER

[75] Inventors: Peter Schwenk, Schenkenzell;

Christoph Henzler, Schramberg, both of Germany

[73] Assignee: PMS GmbH Production + Recycling von Bueromaschinenzubehoer,

Eschbronn-Locherhof, Germany

[21] Appl. No.: 290,411

[22] Filed: Aug. 15, 1994

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 13, 1993 [DE] Germany 43 27 178.2

[51] Int. CI.6 B65B 1/04; B65B 3/00

[52] U.S. CI 141/370; 141/330; 141/18;

141/372; 141/375; 141/383; 346/140.1

[58] Field of Search 141/2,18,98,

141/330, 346, 363, 364, 369, 370, 372, 375, 378, 383, 386; 346/140.1; 222/325

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,607,671 8/1986 Aalto et al 141/383

4,872,494 10/1989 Coccia 141/383

4,967,207 10/1990 Ruder 346/140.1

5,247,972 9/1993 Tetreault 141/383

5,354,287 10/1994 Wacks 141/383

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

0568124 4/1993 European Pat. Off. .
3401071 7/1985 Germany .
9220577 11/1992 WIPO .

Primary Examiner—Henry J. Recla
Assistant Examiner—Steven O. Douglas
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dominik & Stein

[57] ABSTRACT

A device for refilling a print cartridge (100) of an ink jet printer comprising a receptacle (4) with a sealing element (7), in which the print cartridge (100) can be seated with close tolerance. The sealing element (7) is positioned against the ink nozzle (103) provided on the underside of the housing (101) and is brought into tight sealing engagement by means of a locking element (5) which engages with an edge of the casing of the print cartridge (100). In addition, a hollow needle carrier (18) with a hollow needle (17) is provided, which can be seated upon the print cartridge (100) or as the case may be, the receptacle (4). The hollow needle (17) penetrates through a bore hole (106) of the print cartridge (100) into the ink supply chamber on the inside of the print cartridge (100). A refill cartridge (200) can be stuck onto the hollow needle (17). With the help of this device, print cartridges can simply and safely be refilled. The refill process can run unattended, as soon as the refill cartridge (200) closure cap (210) is removed.

19 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets