Inkjet printer cartridge refill dispenser with plunge action

• US 7,708,391 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Meier; Stephen D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garcia, Jr.; Rene
• Application Number:
  US11/749,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20070211119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 347/84, 347/85, 347/86, 347/87, 206/571, 206/364, 604/187, 604/196, 604/232, 604/235, 604/241, 604/249, 734/41
• US Class Current: 347/84
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge

Abstract

A printing fluid dispenser that has a housing with first and second portions, the first portion being displaceable relative to the second portion. A quantity of printing fluid is contained in the housing and a resilient member deforms in response to displacement of the first portion relative to the second portion to apply pressure to the printing fluid such that it dispenses from an outlet. The first portion has a maximum displacement relative to the second portion, which is designed to correspond with a maximum possible pressure applied by the resilient member to the printing fluid.

Claims

1. A printing fluid dispenser for refilling a removable printer cartridge, the printing fluid dispenser comprising:

a housing with first and second portions, the first portion being displaceable relative to the second portion and adapted to receive the second portion therein;

a deformable membrane for storing a quantity of printing fluid, the deformable membrane provided in the second portion of the housing;

a resilient member provided between the deformable membrane and the first portion of the housing, the resilient member adapted to deform against the deformable membrane in response to displacement of the first portion relative to the second portion;

a lug circumferencing a bottom end of the second portion, the lug serving as a locating feature for facilitating a positioning of the dispenser with a corresponding locating feature on the removable printer cartridge;

a quality assurance (QA) chip provided at a base of the second portion, the quality assurance chip positioned to align with a QA contact of the removable printer cartridge; and

an outlet through which the printing fluid is dispensed.

2. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises a spring.

3. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the housing comprise a base and plunger.

4. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has a maximum displacement relative to the second portion, the maximum displacement corresponding to a maximum possible pressure applied by the resilient member to the printing fluid.

5. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is positioned with respect to the lug in accordance with a type of fluid to be stored in the deformable membrane.

6. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the lug protrude from the bottom end of the second portion.

7. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first portion, second portion, and resilient member are arranged to limit a pressure applied on the deformable membrane to a predetermined maximum.

8. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein

the first portion includes a first recess located at a bottom end of the first portion and a second recess located at a top end of the first portion, and

the second portion includes a protrusion for engaging with the first recess and the second recess.

9. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the protrusion engages with the first recess to require a minimum initial force to be applied on the first portion before displacement of the first portion with respect to the second portion is effected.

10. A printing fluid dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the protrusion engages with the second recess to prevent the first portion from displacing with respect to the second portion back to an original position before displacement was effected.