Apparatus for refilling inkjet cartridges and methods thereof

• US 7,089,973 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Inventors: Nicodem, Harry E., Knecht, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US10/918,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20050034777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/18, 141/9, 141/94, 141/95, 141/100, 141/234, 141/198, 141367-373, 141/379, 347/29, 347/30, 347/36, 347 84- 87
• US Class Current: 141/18
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge

Abstract

An integrated inkjet-cartridge refilling system that is comprised of an arrangement of mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and software elements, which is used by an operator in a retail environment to automatically connect one of many types of inkjet cartridges that are used in printing devices and refill the cartridge.

Claims

1. An automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine for use in a retail environment, capable of refilling multiple different cartridges, comprising:

a housing, said housing containing a computer, a memory, an input device and an output device;

a refilling program, said program being stored in the memory;

a plurality of door assemblies located in the housing, each of the plurality of door assemblies being sized and shaped to receive at least one of the multiple different inkjet cartridges;

at least one ink supply; and

a printer nozzle interface, said printer nozzle interface being configured to make intimate contact with the inkjet cartridge such that ink can be transferred into the inkjet cartridge through printer nozzles on the ink jet cartridge;

wherein when the refilling program is executed, and an empty cartridge is properly inserted into the door assembly, the printer nozzle interface will make intimate contact with the empty cartridge and ink will be transferred from said ink supply to the empty cartridge.

2. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said printer nozzle interface makes intimate contact with the empty cartridge using a stepper motor.

3. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 1, wherein ink is transferred from the ink supply to the empty cartridge using at least one peristaltic pump.

4. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the refilling program requests information from the user of the refilling machine.

5. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the information requested includes the type of cartridge to be refilled.

6. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the door assembly is configured, such that when the door assembly is closed the empty cartridge is properly located in the refilling machine.

7. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 6, wherein the door assembly comprises a groove with a pin located within the groove, such that when the door assembly is closed, the movement of the pin in the groove properly locates the empty cartridge in the refilling machine.

8. The automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine as recited in claim 7, wherein the door assembly further comprises a tray, said tray containing the pin and an opening to receive the empty cartridge, such that when the door assembly is closed, the pin will move in the groove and direct the tray in a path that will properly locate the empty cartridge in the refilling machine.

9. A method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, comprising the steps of:

a. Executing a program located in a memory in an automatic cartridge refilling machine;

b. Entering information into a computer located in an automated cartridge refilling machine;

c. Inserting said empty cartridge into one of at least one door assemblies located on the automated cartridge refilling machine;

d. Sensing said empty cartridge in said door assembly;

e. Moving a printer nozzle interface into place to make intimate contact with the empty cartridge for refilling purposes;

f. Emptying the cartridge; and

g. Refilling the empty cartridge according to instructions based on the information entered into the computer.

10. The method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of testing the cartridge after refilling.

11. The method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of indicating that a successful refilling has occurred, and opening the door assembly.

12. The method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, recited in claim 9, wherein said moving a printer nozzle interface comprises the steps of transmitting a signal to a stepper motor connected to said printer nozzle interface, stepping the motor in order to move said interface in a vertical direction towards the empty cartridge.

13. The method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, recited in claim 9, wherein said information comprises the identification of the type of empty cartridge.

14. An automatic inkjet cartridge refilling machine for use in a retail environment, capable of refilling multiple different cartridges, comprising:

a housing, said housing containing a computer, a memory, an input device and an output device;

a refilling program, said program being stored in the memory;

a plurality of receiving blocks located in the housing, each of the plurality of receiving blocks being sized and shaped to receive at least one of the multiple different inkjet cartridges;

at least one ink supply; and

a printer nozzle interface, said printer nozzle interface being configured to make intimate contact with the inkjet cartridge such that ink can be transferred into the inkjet cartridge through printer nozzles on the ink-jet cartridge;

wherein when the refilling program is executed, and an empty cartridge is properly inserted into the receiving block;

the printer nozzle interface will make intimate contact with the empty cartridge and ink will be transferred from said ink supply to the empty cartridge.

15. A method of automatically refilling an empty inkjet cartridge, comprising the steps of:

a. Executing a program located in a memory in an automatic cartridge refilling machine;

b. Entering information into a computer located in an automated cartridge refilling machine;

c. Inserting said empty cartridge into one of at least one receiving block located on the automated cartridge refilling machine;

d. Sensing said empty cartridge in said receiving blocks;

e. Moving a printer nozzle interface into place to make intimate contact with the empty cartridge for refilling purposes;

f. Emptying the cartridge; and

g. Refilling the empty cartridge according to instructions based on the information entered into the computer.