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Refill kit and method for refilling an ink supply for an ink-jet printer

  • US 5,721,576 A
  • Filed: 12/04/1995
  • Issued: 02/24/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A refill kit used to refill an ink reservoir of an ink-jet printer, the ink reservoir having a port with an internal diameter sized to allow introduction of ink into the ink reservoir, the port having a plug initially present within the port internal diameter which seals the port, the refill kit comprising:

  • a variable volume refill reservoir containing a quantity of ink;

    a hollow needle having a first end and an opposing second end which define a needle length therebetween, the first end being connected to the refill reservoir, the opposing second end of the needle being appropriately shaped for receipt within the port, the needle length being appropriately sized for dislodging the plug present in the port internal diameter to establish a fluid pathway from the refill reservoir, through the needle, and into the ink reservoir, whereby insertion of the hollow needle within the port dislodges the plug and compression of the refill reservoir upon receipt of the needle opposing second end within the port causes the quantity of ink to flow through the fluid pathway into the ink reservoir; and

    a septum removably carried on an exterior surface between the first end and the second opposing end of hollow needle, the septum being of an appropriate diameter is received within the port as the hollow needle is inserted and is left within the port as the needle is withdrawn from the port.

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