×

Ink recharger for inkjet print cartridge having sliding valve connectable to print cartridge

  • US 5,751,320 A
  • Filed: 03/14/1996
  • Issued: 05/12/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An ink recharging system comprising:

  • an external ink reservoir containing ink; and

    a first recharge port connected to said external ink reservoir, said first recharge port comprising;

    a sleeve connected to said external ink reservoir;

    a recharge valve, slideable within said sleeve, having an elongated hollow body with a first opening proximate to a first end of said hollow body and a second opening proximate to a second end of said hollow body, said first opening being blocked by a seal forming a part of said sleeve when said recharge valve is slid relative to said sleeve to be in a closed position, said closed position existing when said recharge valve is withdrawn from said sleeve a predetermined distance within a range of movement of said recharge valve, said recharge valve being slid relative to said sleeve to be in an opened position when said first opening is in fluid communication with said external ink reservoir, said opened position existing when said recharge valve is pressed into said sleeve a predetermined distance within said range of movement of said recharge valve,said recharge valve having an engageable portion formed of a deformable material at said second end, said engageable portion having a first projecting portion for releasably latching onto a second projecting portion at an end of a second recharge port formed on a print cartridge to create an airtight fluid connection between said external ink reservoir and a print cartridge reservoir within said print cartridge,said first projecting portion being such that, when said first projecting portion is engaged with said second projecting portion and said recharge valve is in said opened position, said first projecting portion pulls said recharge valve into said closed position when said recharge valve and said second recharge pore are pulled away from each other, prior to said first projecting portion becoming disengaged from said second projecting portion.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×