KR100516265B1 - Ink container refurbishment system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides several methods of renovating a single-use ink transfer container 12 for a printing system. The monolithic method includes the steps of electrically and mechanically reconfiguring or rearranging the original components on the ink transfer container. Each method utilizes an existing ink fluid outlet 30, an electrical connector 54, and an information storage device on the ink transfer container.

Description

Refilling printer ink container {INK CONTAINER REFURBISHMENT SYSTEM}

The present invention relates generally to inkjet printing systems, and more particularly to refurbishing ink containers for inkjet printing systems.

One type of conventional inkjet printer has a printhead mounted on a carriage moving back and forth on a print medium such as paper. As the printhead passes through the proper position on the print media, the control system operates the printhead to eject ink droplets onto the print media to form the desired image and text. In order to operate properly, such a printer must have a reliable ink supply for the printhead.

One category of inkjet printers uses an ink supply that is mounted on a carriage and moves with it. In some forms, the ink supply is individually replaceable from the printhead. In another form, the integrated device is formed such that the printhead and the ink supply are exchanged as a single unit when the ink supply is depleted of ink. One type of ink supply is disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 0 778 144, which relates to a method and method for recharging an ink supply for an inkjet printer. This ink supply has a chassis for supporting the ink reservoir and the fluid outlet. The ink reservoir contains the ink. The chassis is embedded in a rigid protective shell with a cap fixed to its lower end. The chassis has a main body and a frame to help define and support the ink reservoir. Both sides of the frame have a surface attached so that the plastic sheet surrounds both sides of the reservoir. The body of the chassis is equipped with a charging port that allows ink to be introduced into the reservoir. Three separate methods for refilling ink supplies are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 0 778 144. Another form of ink supply is disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 0 498 117 which relates to an ink container cartridge and a method of manufacturing the same. The ink container cartridge includes an ink container, a plug penetrated by the hollow needle, and a device for preventing reverse flow of ink to the container. The prevention device includes a valve, a first liquid passage through which the valve can move, and a second passage disposed closer to the ink container portion than the first passage. The valve may close the second passageway.

Other categories of printers considered "off-axis" printing systems use ink supplies that are not disposed on the carriage. One type intermittently refreshes the printhead. The printhead will move periodically to a fixed reservoir so that it can be replenished. US Patent Application Publication No. 09 / 034,719 discloses another printing system in which the printhead is hydrodynamically connected to an exchangeable ink supply or container via a conduit such as a flexible tube. This printing system allows the printhead to be continuously replenished during printing.

In a parent application of the present application, a replaceable off-axis ink container having a memory device mounted to a housing is disclosed. When inserted into the printer station, an electrical connection between the printer and the memory device is achieved. This electrical connection facilitates the exchange of information between the printer and the memory. The memory device stores information used by the printer to ensure good print quality. This information is automatically provided to the printer when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. The exchange of information ensures printer and cartridge compatibility.

The stored information also prevents the use of the container if all of the ink in the container is depleted. If the reservoir runs out of ink, the printhead may be damaged or destroyed when the printer is operating. The memory device associated with the present application updates data from the printhead relating to the amount of ink remaining in the reservoir when ink is used. When a new cartridge is installed, the printer will read information from the memory device indicating the volume of the reservoir. In use, the printing system estimates the ink usage and updates the memory device to reveal the remaining ink in the cartridge. When the ink in the ink container is almost depleted, the memory device is updated to reflect the ink bottom state. The depleted ink cartridge and memory device are then discarded.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention includes a modification of the method of renovating a single-use ink transfer container of a printing system. This renewal method includes electrical and mechanical reconstruction or replacement of original components on the ink transfer container. Each method utilizes existing ink fluid outlets, electrical connectors, and information storage devices on the ink transfer container.

1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system with an ink transport system of an original installation,

2 is an isometric view of a printer incorporating a printing system described with reference to FIG.

3 is an end isometric view of the ink container of the printing system of FIG.

4 is a side view of the ink container of FIG. 3;

5 is a partially enlarged view of the ink container base end of FIG. 3;

6 is a side cross-sectional view of the ink container of FIG. 3 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

7 is a partially enlarged isometric view of a portion of the printer of FIG. 2 showing an ink container receptacle;

8 is a partially enlarged isometric view of the printer of FIG. 2 taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

9 is an enlarged isometric view of an interface unit of the printer of FIG. 2;

10A is a partial cross-sectional view of the interface portion of the printer and the installed ink container taken along line 10A-10A of FIG. 9;

10B is an enlarged view of the printer of FIG. 10A taken along line 10B-10B of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a partially exploded isometric view of the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B, seen from the distal end;

FIG. 11B is a partially exploded isometric view of the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B, shown from the proximal end;

12 is another exploded isometric view of the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view showing an inductive fluid level sensor for the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B separated from the ink container;

14 is a flowchart showing a method of renovating an ink container 12;

15 is a cross-sectional view of the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B with the tip cap removed;

16 is a cross-sectional view of the ink container of FIGS. 10A and 10B with the tip cap removed and the ink container refilled with ink.

Although the present invention relates to a method of renewing an ink container, the present invention may be more clearly understood through a schematic description of the ink container of the printer and the original apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a printing system 10 having a pressurized gas source, such as an ink container 12, a printhead 14, and a compressor 16. The compressor 16 is connected to the ink container 12 by conduits 18. A printing fluid 19, such as ink, is provided by the ink container 12 to the printhead 14 via the conduit 20. The ink container 12 includes a fluid reservoir 22 for storing ink 19, an outer shell 24, and a chassis 26. In a preferred embodiment, the chassis 26 has an air inlet 28 configured for connection to a conduit 18 for pressurizing the outer shell 24 with air. Fluid outlet 30 is also contained within chassis 26. Fluid outlet 30 is configured to be connected to conduit 20 to provide a connection between fluid reservoir 22 and fluid conduit 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir 22 is formed of a flexible material to pressurize the outer shell 24 to pressurize ink from the fluid reservoir 22 through the conduit 20 to the printhead 14. To be. The use of an ink pressurization source in the fluid reservoir 22 can allow relatively high fluid flow rates from the fluid reservoir 22 to the printhead 14. By increasing the ink transfer rate or flow rate for the printhead, printing can be made high throughput by the printing system 10.

As will be explained in more detail below, the ink container 12 also has a plurality of electrical contacts. Electrical contacts provide an electrical connection between the circuitry on the ink container 12 and the printer control electronics 32. The printer control electronics 32 control the functions of various printing systems 10, not limited to the activity of the printhead 14 to dispense ink and operate the compressor 16 to pressurize the ink container 12. The ink container 12 has an information storage device 34 and an ink volume sensing circuit 36. The information storage device 34 provides the printer control electronics 32 with information such as ink characteristics as well as the volume of the ink container 12. The ink volume sensing circuit 36 provides the printer control electronics 32 with a signal related to the current ink volume of the ink container 12.

2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a printing system 10. The printing system 10 has a printing frame 38 configured to receive several ink containers 12 simultaneously. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has four similar ink containers 12. In this embodiment, four color printing can be achieved using cyan, green, yellow, magenta and black inks by storing ink of different colors. The printer frame 38 has a media slot 42 through which paper is ejected and a control panel 40 for controlling the operation of the printer 10.

Referring to Fig. 1, when ink 19 in each ink container 12 is consumed, the container 12 is replaced with a new ink container 12 having a new ink supply. In addition, the ink container 12 may be removed from the printer frame 38 for reasons other than ink consumption, such as exchanging ink, for uses necessary for various ink characteristics or to act on other media. It is important that the replacement ink container 12 not only form a reliable connection with the corresponding electrical contact associated with the printer frame 38, but also properly form the necessary interconnections for the printing system 10 to be reliably executed.

3 and 4 show the ink container 12 of the original device consisting of an outer shell 24 (FIG. 1) having a fluid reservoir 22 (FIG. 1) for receiving ink 19. The outer shell 24 has a front end cap 50 fixed to the proximal end and a rear end cap 52 fixed to the rear end with respect to the direction in which the ink container 12 is inserted into the printer frame 38. The tip cap 50 has a hole 44 at its proximal end through which the air inlet 28 and the fluid outlet 30 protrude from the reservoir 22 (FIG. 1). The reservoir chassis 26 has an end or base in contact with the tip cap 50 such that the air inlet 28 and ink outlet 30 protrude through the hole 44. The hole 44 is surrounded by the wall 45 and the hole 44 is disposed in the recess. When the ink container 12 is properly inserted into the printer frame 38, the air inlet 28 and the fluid outlet 30 are configured to connect to the compressor 16 and the printhead 14, respectively (FIG. 1). Air inlet 28 and fluid outlet 30 will be described in more detail later.

The tip cap 50 has another hole 46 disposed in the recess surrounded by the wall 45. The base or end of the chassis 26 is also exposed to the hole 46. A plurality of flat electrical contact pads 54 are disposed on the reservoir chassis 26 and disposed in the holes 46 to provide electrical connection between the circuitry associated with the ink container 12 and the printer control electronics 32. do. The contact pads 54 are rectangular and arranged in a straight line. Four contact pads 54 are electrically connected to the information storage device 34 and four are electrically interconnected to the ink volume sensing circuit 36 described with reference to FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, the information storage device 34 is a semiconductor memory and the ink volume sensing circuit 36 comprises an induction sensing device. The wall 45 helps to prevent mechanical damage to the information storage device 34 and the contact pads 54. In addition, the wall 45 helps to prevent the finger from touching the contact pads 54 inadvertently. Contact pads 54 will be described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink container 12 includes one or more keys and guide features 58, 60 disposed on either side of the tip cap 50 of the container 12. The key and guide features 58, 60 protrude outward from the side of the container 12 to engage with the corresponding key and guide features or slots on the printer frame 38 (FIG. 2) to operate the ink container 12. Assists alignment and guidance of the ink container 12 during insertion into the printer frame 38. The key and guide features 58 and 60 also provide key functions to ensure that the ink container 12 has the appropriate ink parameters, such as the appropriate ink color and ink type, when inserted into a predetermined slot of the printer frame 38. .

A latch shoulder 62 is formed on one side of the rear end cap 52. The latch shoulder 62 works with the corresponding latch feature on the printer portion to secure the ink container 12 in the printer frame 38 so that interconnections such as pressurized air, fluid and electricity are reliably achieved. Latch shoulder 62 is a molded tang extending downwards relative to a gravitational frame of reference. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink container 12 is positioned to be inserted into the printer frame 38 (FIG. 2) along the Z-axis of the coordinate system 64. The direction of gravity applied to the ink container 12 is along the Y-axis.

5 shows an enlarged view of the electrical contact pads 54. The upright guide member 72 is mounted to the chassis 26 adjacent the contact pads 54. Electrical contact pads 54 include two pairs of contact pads 78, each pair electrically connected to one of the volume sensing circuits 36 shown in FIG. 1. Four contact pads 80 are spaced between each pair of pads 78, and the contact pads 80 are electrically connected to the information storage device 34. Each pair of volume sensitive contact pads 78 is disposed on the outer side of the row of contact pads 54. Contact pad 78 is a portion of flexible circuit 82 (FIG. 13) mounted to chassis 56 by fasteners 84. The four intermediate contacts 80 disposed between the pairs of volume sensing contacts 78 are metal conductive layers disposed on a nonconductive substrate 86 such as epoxy and fiberglass. Memory device 34 is also mounted on substrate 86 and connected by conductive traces (not shown) formed in substrate 86. The memory device 34 is shown encapsulated with a protective coating such as epoxy. The back side of the substrate 86 opposite the contacts 80 is attached to the chassis 26 by fasteners 84 or joined by an adhesive.

It is shown in FIG. 6 that the guide member 72 extends along the Z-axis of the coordinate system 64. Guide member 72 has a tapered distal end. Guide member 72 provides an important guide function to ensure proper electrical connection while inserting ink container 12 into printer frame 38. FIG. 7 shows an ink container 12 fixed in an ink container receptacle or receiving slot 88 of a receiving station 89 in a printer frame 38. An indicia 90 of the ink container may be disposed proximate each ink container receptacle 88. The mark 90 of the ink container may be a color swatch or ink instruction text to assist the user in color matching to insert the ink container 12 into a suitable slot 88 in the ink container receiving station 89. As described above, the key and guide features 58 and 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 prevent the ink container 12 from being installed in the wrong slot 88. If the ink container 12 is installed in the wrong receptacle 88, each may cause inadequate color mixing or other forms of ink mixing that may degrade print quality. Each storage slot 88 in the ink container storage station 89 has a key and guide shape or slot 92 and a latch portion 94. The key and guide slot 92 engages with the key and guide feature 60 (FIG. 3) to guide the ink container 12 to the ink container receiving station 89. The key and guide slot 92 corresponding to the key and guide feature 58 (FIG. 3) on the ink container 12 is not shown. The latch portion 94 is configured to engage with the corresponding latch shape 62 on the ink container 12. The shape of the key and guide slot 92 is modified from one receptacle 88 to another to ensure compatibility between the ink container and the receptacle. FIG. 8 shows a single ink container receiving slot 88 in the ink container receiving station 89. ). Slot 88 has interconnects interconnected with ink container 12. In a preferred embodiment, these interconnects have a fluid inlet 98, an air outlet 96 and an electrical interconnect 100. Interconnects 96, 98, 100 are located on flow platform 102 biased by coil spring 101 (FIG. 10A) toward ink container 12 installed along the Z-axis, respectively. Fluid inlet 98 and air outlet 96 are each configured to be connected to corresponding fluid outlet 30 and air inlet 28 (FIG. 3) on ink container 12. The electrical interconnect 100 is configured to engage an electrical contact 54 on the ink container 12. The key and guide features 58 and 60 associated with the ink container 12 and the ink container receiving station 89 There is an interaction between the corresponding key and guide feature 92 associated therewith which guides the ink container 12 during insertion to achieve proper interconnection between the ink container 12 and the printer frame 38. In addition, the sidewalls associated with each slot 88 in the ink container receiving station 89 are engaged with the corresponding sidewalls of the ink container 12 to assist in guiding and aligning the ink container 12 during insertion into the slot 88.

9 and 10A show additional details of the flow platform 102. The platform 102 is a spring pressed by the coil spring 101 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the ink container 12 is inserted into the ink container accommodation slot 88 (FIG. 10A). The platform 102 is pressed against a mechanical restriction (not shown) that limits the movement of the platform 102 to the X, Y and Z axes, respectively. Thus, the platform 102 is limited in the degree of motion for each of the X, Y and Z axes of the coordinate system 64.

Electrical connector 100 is supported by and protrudes from platform 102. The electrical connector 100 is almost rectangular with two side portions 107, the top and bottom sides, and the distal end 105. The plurality of elastic spring pressurized electrical contacts 104 protrude from the end 105. The electrical contact 104 is a thin wire-like member that engages the corresponding electrical contact 54 (FIG. 3) associated with the ink container 12 to electrically connect the ink container 12 with the printer controller 32 (FIG. 1). to be. Electrical connector 100 has a guide slot 106 on its upper side. Guide slot 106 has an opposing converging wall that operates to engage guide member 72 (FIGS. 5 and 10 b). Guide member 72 engages with guide slot 106 to properly align contact 104 with contact pad 54. 10B shows the contact pads 54 in proper alignment with the electrical contacts 104.

9 and 10A, the fluid inlet 98 and the air outlet 96 protrude from the flow platform 102. Fluid inlet 98 has an ink supply sleeve 110 surrounding conduit 108. Needle 108 has a port near its distal end. The collar 111 engages the needle 108 sealingly and slidingly. The spring 113 presses the collar 111 toward the distal end to block the port.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the ink outlet 30 is a stem, such as a cylindrical member, having a septum 122 at its distal end. The partition 122 has a slit for accommodating the needle 108. In a preferred embodiment, a check valve comprising a ball 124 and a spring 126 is disposed in the ink outlet 30 to prevent the outflow of ink until the needle 108 is inserted. The ball 124 rests against the partition wall 122 and is pressed away from the partition wall 122 by the needle 108. The air inlet 28 is a cylindrical member with partitions 128 having slits.

As shown in Figs. 11A, 11B and 14, the shell 24 is a substantially rectangular member having a cylindrical neck 130 at its proximal end. The chassis 26 is a circular disk or plug that is inserted into and sealed to the neck 130 at the proximal end of the chassis 26, and the tip side of the chassis 26 is flush with the rim of the neck 130. The reservoir 22 is a collapsible reservoir, such as a collapsible bag that fits into the shell 24. The opening of the reservoir 22 is hermetically coupled with the chassis 26. The chassis 26 together with the shell 24 and the caps 50, 52 define a housing for the reservoir 22. The shell 24 is hermetic and forms a pressurizing chamber 132 in the space surrounding the reservoir 22. The air inlet 30 communicates with the pressurization chamber 132. Referring to FIG. 12, the rigid reinforcement plate 134 is attached to the opposite outer portion of the reservoir 22. The outer shell 24 of the ink container 12 is sealed to the flexible reservoir 22 and thus acts as a pressurized container. During use, pressing the outer shell 24 causes the collapsible reservoir 22 to pressurize. Two inductive ink volume sensor coils 36 are formed on opposite legs of the flexible circuit 82. Each coil 36 has two lead wires 138 (FIG. 13) connected to one of a pair of sensor contacts 78 (FIG. 3). One of the coils 36 is disposed on one side of the reservoir 22 and the other coil is on the opposite side. When connected to printing system 10, controller 32 (FIG. 1) provides a time varying current signal to one of coils 36. This time varying current induces another coil 36 with a voltage that changes in magnitude as the separation distance between the coils 36 changes. When ink is used, the opposing side wall portions of the reservoir 22 collapse with each other to change the electromagnetic coupling or mutual inductance of the coil pair. This change in coupling is sensed by the controller 32 as a result of which the ink level is known. In addition, the controller 32 is checked for continuity by determining whether or not electrical continuity exists between two contact pads 54 connected to one of the coils 36 when the ink container 12 is installed.

Each ink container 12 has its own ink container related features, which are represented in the form of data provided by the information storage device 34. This data is provided to the printing system 10 via the memory device 34 automatically from the ink container 12 without the user having to reconfigure the printer 10 for the particular ink container 12 installed. The memory device 34 has a protection section, a write once section and multiple write / erase sections. When the cartridge 12 is first installed in the printer 10, the controller 32 reads ink container information such as manufacturer identification, part identification, system count, service mode, and ink supply size. The printing system 10 energizes one of the coils 36 and reads the initial receive coil voltage from the other receive coil 36. The initial receiving coil voltage from this receiving coil 36 represents the full state of the ink container 12. Next, the printing system control electronics reads a variable on the protection portion of the memory device 34 that represents the initial receive coil voltage. Next, the printing system control electronics initializes the write protect feature so that the information in the protect section of the memory is not changed.

The write once portion is a memory portion that can be written by the controller 32 only once. Multiple write / erase allows data to be written to this portion more than once. Writing data to this section deletes previously stored data. Once the ink container 12 is inserted into the printing system 10, the controller 32 controls variables from the memory device 34 to control various printing functions. Read the information. For example, the controller 32 uses the variable information to estimate the remaining ink amount. If the ink remaining amount is not lower than the ink limit low volume, a message indicating this situation is provided to the user. Also, if the ink in the ink container 12 is below the limit volume, the controller 32 renders the printing system 10 unusable, preventing the printhead 14 from operating without ink supply. If the printhead 14 operates without ink, the reliability of the printhead 14 may be reduced or fatally damaged.

In operation, the controller 32 reads initial volume information from the memory device 34 associated with the ink container 12. When ink is used during printing, the ink level is monitored by the controller 32, and the memory device 34 is updated to have information about the remaining ink in the ink container 12. Thus, the controller 32 monitors the height of ink transferable into the ink container 12 via the memory device 34. In a preferred embodiment, data is moved between the printer 10 and the memory device 34 in a sequential manner using a single data line for ground.

In the preferred embodiment, the volume information includes (1) the initial supply amount data of the recording protection section of the memory, (2) the coarse ink level data stored in one recording section of the memory, and (3) the precision ink level stored in the recording / erasing section of the memory. Data. The initial supply amount data indicates the amount of transferable ink initially present in the ink container 12.

The coarse ink level data has many write bytes, each corresponding to a portion of the transferable ink initially present in the ink container 12. In the first preferred embodiment, eight coarse ink level bytes each correspond to one eighth of the initial transferable ink in the ink container 12. In the second preferred embodiment to be used in the following description, the seven coarse ink level bytes each correspond to one eighth of the transferable ink initially present in the ink container 12 and one coarse ink level bite is the ink bottom. Corresponds to the state. However, more or less coarse bytes may be used depending on the accuracy required for the coarse ink level counter.

The precision ink level data represents a precision byte binary number proportional to one in one eighth part of the transferable ink volume initially present in the ink container 12. Thus, the full range of precision byte binary numbers is equivalent to one coarse ink level byte. This will be explained further below.

The printing system 10 reads the initial supply amount data and calculates the transferable ink amount or volume initially present in the ink container 12. The droplet volume emitted by the printhead 14 is determined by the printing system 10 based on the variable. Using the initial amount of transferable ink in the ink container 12 and the estimated drop volume of the printhead 14, the printing system 10 calculates the ratio of the initial transferable ink volume represented by each drop. This allows the printing system 10 to monitor the initial volume fraction of the transferable ink remaining in the ink container 12.

During printing, the printing system 10 maintains a drop count that matches the number of ink drops ejected by the printhead 14. After the printing system 10 prints a small amount, usually one side, the drop coefficients are converted to precision byte binary values. This conversion takes advantage of the fact that the full range of precision byte binary values corresponds to one eighth of the initial volume of ink transferable in the ink container 12. Each time the precision byte binary number is sufficiently reduced or incremented, the printing system 10 is written to set one of the coarse ink level bytes, since each of the coarse ink level bytes is in the write once of the memory device 34, These bytes and corresponding ink level values cannot be changed.

The printing system 10 periodically queries the coarse ink level bite and the precision ink level bite to determine the fraction of the initial transferable ink remaining in the ink container 12. The printing system 10 may then provide a “gas gauge” or other indication to the user of the printing system 10 that indicates the ink level of the ink container 12. In a preferred embodiment, the printing system provides an "ink low warning" when the sixth coarse ink level byte is set. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the printing system sets the eighth (final) coarse ink level bite when the ink container 12 is almost at the bottom. This final coarse ink level byte is considered an "ink out" byte. When the coarse ink level bite is queried, the printing system interprets the setting of the ink bottom bite as a "low ink" state for the ink container 12.

Only during the second phase of ink use, the volume is sensed by the inductive sensor coil 36 (FIG. 12). In the first phase, both precision and coarse counters are used. Ink droplets are counted and recorded in the precision counter portion of the memory device 34. Each time the precision counter is fully incremented or decremented, another coarse counter byte will be set. Of the second phases, only the ink level sensor coils 36 are used. The voltage output from the receiving coil 36 is compared with the voltage level indicated by the variable recorded in the memory device 34. A variable indicating the voltage output is written on the write / erase section of the memory. Each successive read is an error check technique that can be compared to the previous read to detect a malfunction of the coil.

In the printing system 10, data transfer between the printer 10 and the memory device 34 takes place in a sequential manner on a single data line with respect to ground. As described above, when the ink in the ink container 12 is depleted, the memory device 34 stores data indicating the initial state and the current state. The printer 10 updates the memory device 34 to indicate the remaining ink volume. When most or almost all of the transferable ink is depleted, the printer 10 changes the memory device 34 to cause the ink container 12 to provide an "ink low" signal. The printer 10 may respond by the ink container 12 stopping printing. At this point, the user will insert a new ink container 12 or ink container that is renewed in accordance with the present invention.

After the ink is depleted, the container 12 can be newly replenished and further used. However, these ink containers 12 are designed for single use because information indicating the amount of ink in the reservoir is stored in the memory before refilling. When recharged and reinstalled on the printer, the data in memory device 34 may still represent the volume of ink contained before recharging. The low ink warning generated by the memory device 34 may be meaningless to the user because it is inaccurate. The user may use various advantages and may also use the device as a safety device of the memory device. As a result, the reservoir is not intended to be recharged. As described with reference to Figs. 14 to 16, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus relating to the reuse of these ink containers 12.

Referring to Fig. 14, the method of the present invention regarding the renewal of the ink container 12 is shown. This method begins by providing an ink container 12 at least partially using initial ink as indicated as step 170. The ink container 12 is depleted by supplying ink to one or more inkjet printheads 14. When ink is provided to the printhead 14, the memory device 34 associated with the ink container 12 is updated with information for determining the remaining ink in the ink container 12.

As indicated by step 172, a new ink source different from the initial ink is provided to the fluid outlet 30 to refill the fluid reservoir 22. The fluid reservoir 22 expands when ink is supplied and is replaced with air in the pressure chamber 132. To release the pressure in the pressure chamber 132, air is released from the air inlet 28 as shown in step 174. The memory device 34 becomes unavailable to prevent the printing system 10 from providing a signal indicative of an exhausted state, as indicated by step 176. As shown in step 178, a new supply signal is provided indicating an increase in the ink volume of the fluid reservoir 22. In a preferred embodiment, the new signal source represents an increase in the volume of ink available for printing after refilling step 172. Finally, at step 180, the ink container 12 is reinstalled and forms fluid, air and electrical connections between the ink container 12 and the printing system 10. New ink in the refill reservoir 22 is available to the printhead 14 via conduit 20. In addition, a new signal source is available to the printing system control electronics 32 to provide the printing system control electronics 32 with information that can be printed with the new ink provided in step 172.

15 and 16, a method and apparatus for filling an ink container 12 is shown (steps 172 and 174 of FIG. 4). In order to renew the ink container 12, replacement ink is provided in the collapsible reservoir 22. When a replacement ink is provided, the reservoir 22 expands and is replaced with air in the pressure chamber 132 between the pressure vessel 24 and the reservoir 22. In order to avoid pressurization of the pressure chamber 132 and to maximize the ink flow rate, an air flow path is set from the chamber 132 to an outer position of the pressure vessel 24.

When ink is introduced into the ink container 12, the sealing member 124 is linearly inserted into the hollow boss 123 in a direction facing away from the distal end of the fluid outlet port 30 from the sealing position in contact with the partition wall 122. Is moved to the non-sealed position which is displaced. At the same time, an opening or a passage is formed in the partition 122 by displacing the partition 122 radially. One way to achieve this is to insert a hollow conduit such as hollow needle through bulkhead 122 such that the hollow conduit linearly displaces sealing member 124 and radially displaces partition 122. will be. Next, the ink flow is set between the ink source and the reservoir 22. The ink then flows from the ink source through the passage of the partition wall 122, through the sealing member 124, through the boss 123, and into the reservoir 22. In order to improve the flow of ink, the ink source may be pressurized.

During refilling operations, openings or paths may be disposed within the partition 128 by radially displacing the partition 128 to quickly remove air from the pressure chamber 132. One way to accomplish this is to insert a hollow conduit, such as hollow needle through bulkhead 128. Next, an air flow is made so that air flows from the pressurizing chamber 132 through the openings in the hollow boss 129 and the partition 128 to the air collection region. In various variations, the air collection zone may be outside the atmosphere or a vacuum source. The vacuum source added to the pressure chamber 132 will further enhance ink flow when the reservoir 22 is refilled.

Referring to FIG. 16, an exemplary embodiment of a refilling device for an ink container 12 is shown. Preferably a recharge adapter 140 having a sleeve 142 and a ventilation sleeve 144 is used. The ink sleeve 142 and the ventilation sleeve 144 are tubular members, and the lower end is open to slide at the ink outlet 30 and the air inlet 28. The ink sleeve 142 has a hollow needle 146 therein with a port 147 near its distal end. Sealing collar 148 engages needle 146 sealingly and slides between a closed position blocking port 147 and an open position shown in FIG. 16. In the open position, ink may flow in the port 147 through the needle 146. Coil spring 150 presses sealing collar 148 to the closed position. Conduit 152 connects needle 146 with ink reservoir or tank 156. Pump 154 is preferably connected to conduit 152 to pump ink from tank 156 under pressure. The hollow needle 158 or tubular member is mounted to the vent sleeve 144.

For recharging, adapter 140 is disposed at ink outlet 30 and air inlet 28. The needle 147 penetrates into the slit of the partition 122 and presses the ball 124 downward to open the check valve. Needle 158 penetrates into the slit of partition 128 to vent pressure chamber 132 to the atmosphere. The pump 154 is operated to pump ink from the tank 156 into the reservoir 22 as indicated by the arrow. Air in the pressure chamber 132, which is replaced by the expansion of the volume of the reservoir 22, is vented to the atmosphere through the needle 158. When the reservoir 22 is recharged, the adapter 140 is removed. In addition to recharging the ink, refurbishment (steps 176 and 178 of FIG. 14) may be performed on the memory device 34 (FIG. 5). Indeed, the advantages previously provided by the memory device 34 still exist. An update of the memory device 34 is disclosed in more detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 09 / 034,875, which is incorporated herein by reference. The original memory device 34 located on the chassis 26 provides a first data signal source indicative of at least partially depleted ink level status of the ink container 12. In particular, as described above, the memory device 34 has coarse ink level data stored in the once recording portion of the memory converted by the printing system to reflect the reduced ink level or ink depletion state. As a result, refilling the ink container 12 causes a change in the ink remaining amount but does not change the indicated coarse ink level. Thus, memory device 34 does not provide accurate residual ink information resulting in an inappropriate low ink status signal. In addition, the refilled ink does not have enough of the same ink parameters (factors of composition such as density, colorants, solvents, additives, etc.) as indicated by the memory device 34, so that the printing system 10 may use such refilled ink. Can not be properly compensated for, and high print quality cannot be guaranteed. In order to renew the memory device 34, the existing data in the memory device 34 is further replaced with the printer 10 when the cartridge 12 is reinstalled. Communication is prevented (step 176 of FIG. 14). Using one technique, all data in the memory device 134 is erased. This may be accomplished by exposing the memory device 34 to an energy source, such as x-rays or electric fields. If sufficient, the energy source resets data to the memory device 34. The reservoir of the ink container 12 is then refilled. The memory device 34 may then be reprogrammed to reflect the variables of the refilling ink container 12. When installed in the printing system 10, the printing system works with the ink container 12 in the same manner as the original ink container.

In another method of updating, the memory device 34 becomes obsolete and is replaced by a nearly identical device or emulator. The new memory device 34 may be an emulator or nearly identical copy of the original memory device 34. The emulator is an electronic circuit functionally identical to the memory device 34 and exchanges information with the printer 10. Although the emulator is functionally the same, the device may be very different in structure. The emulator may provide information indicating the volume, ink type, color, etc. of the reservoir 22 and may have a portion that functions as a memory. Optionally, unlike the original memory device 34, the emulator may be reset in different ways each time a new ink supply is provided. The emulator may also be configured to provide the printer 10 with information that can operate regardless of the actual state of the ink in the reservoir 22.

A new signal source, such as an emulator or a new memory device, must provide the data necessary for proper operation of the printer 10. The new signal source should be able to communicate with the printer 10 via a single wire input / output in a sequential manner. Data provided by the new signal source will be used in the printer 10 to indicate the available volume of ink.

In one technique of renewing the ink container 12, the first memory device 34 will be removed from the chassis 26 (FIG. 5). The substrate 86 along with the memory device 34 and the contact pads 80 may be lifted up or otherwise removed as a unit from the chassis 26. The new substrate 86 with the new memory device 34 or emulator and the contact pad 80 is located in the same place as the original substrate 86, the memory device 34 and the contact pad 80 were held. 26) may be fixed. The new substrate 86 may be secured by fasteners or adhesives. It is not necessary to remove the volume sensitive contact pads 78 disposed on the flexible circuit 82 and connected to the inductor coil 36.

Optionally, a substrate 86 having only a new set of contact pads 80 may be mounted on the chassis 26. A new memory device 34 or emulator may be mounted at another location or remotely of the ink container 12 and is connected with a new set of contact pads 80 by lead wires.

Another renewal method allows the original substrate 86, memory device 34, and contact pads 80 to be held in place. The new substrate 86 along with the new memory device 34 and the contact pads 80 will be coupled to the top of the original memory device 34 and the contact pads 80. The material of the substrate 86 is an electrical insulator. As a result, the new contact pads 80 will be insulated from the original contact pads 80 and will insulate the electrical traces connecting the original substrate 80 with the original memory device 34 from the original substrate 86. . The original contact pads 80 will not be electrically connected with the printer contacts 104 because they are covered and bonded insulated by the new substrate 86 (FIG. 9).

In another renewal method, the available portion of the original contact pad 80 remains in place and is electrically isolated from the original memory device 34. In this method, it is preferable that a cut is formed through the substrate 86 across the contact pad 80 with a sharp object such as a knife. This cutting divides the substrate 86 into a retaining portion and a waste portion, which retain a significant portion of the contact pad 80. The disposal portion of the substrate 86 has a small portion adjacent to the memory device 34 and the contact pad 80. These cuts block electrical continuity between the four terminals of the memory device 34 with a portion of the contact pad 80 limited on the retention portion of the substrate 86. Although the size of the contact pad 80 on the retention portion of the substrate 86 may be smaller than the size of the original contact pad 80, a size consistent with the printer contact 104 (FIG. 9) is appropriate.

Normally, the disposable portion of the substrate 86 from the chassis 26 can be removed along with the portion contained thereon of the first memory device 34 and the contact pad 80. The new memory device 34 may be mounted adjacent to or on the original contact pad 80 included on the holding substrate portion with the terminal in contact with the original contact pad 80. Optionally, the new memory device 34 may be mounted anywhere in the housing 72 other than the cavity 80 (FIG. 7) or even away from the printer 10 and may be mounted with the original contact pad ( 80). In a variant, the contact pads 80 on the retention portion of the substrate 86 may be connected to a remotely placed emulator or lead wire attached to the memory 34.

The present invention has several advantages. These various methods of fluidly renewing a disposable ink container allow the container to be refilled so that it can be reused several times before disposal. By electrically renewing the ink container 12, the volume of ink contained in the reservoir 22 after refilling is provided to the printing system 10 so that the printing system 10 can monitor the usage of the refilling ink. If the filling replacement ink is different from the original ink (different colors, solvents, additives, etc. or concentrations of the components, etc.), the new signal source 34 may reflect this change. The printing system 10 may also warn the user about ink replacement when an ink container with a new signal source 34 is installed in the printing system 10. This may be in the form of a message displayed by the printing system 10 or computer screen indicating the type or origin of the ink installed. Such a message may indicate whether the ink contained in the reservoir 22 is a known source or composition.

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Claims (23)

A printer ink container having a sealed housing, a flexible ink reservoir located in the housing, an ink outlet in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, and an air inlet in fluid communication with the space between the housing and the ink reservoir In the recharging method of, (a) fluidly coupling an ink hollow conduit in fluid communication with an ink source with the ink outlet; (b) fluidly coupling an air hollow conduit to the air inlet such that the air hollow conduit is in fluid communication with a space in the housing; (c) refilling the ink reservoir with ink from the ink source through the ink hollow conduit and the ink outlet; (d) establishing an opening of air through the air inlet and the air hollow conduit from the space between the housing and the ink reservoir; How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, Said step (c) comprises refilling the ink reservoir with a pressurized ink source, said step (d) comprising opening air into the atmosphere when said ink reservoir is refilled with ink How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, Said step (d) comprises applying a vacuum to establish an ink flow from said ink source to said ink reservoir How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, The ink outlet has a protruding stem having a partition, wherein step (a) includes connecting the hollow conduit to the ink source and pressing the hollow conduit through the partition. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 4, wherein The protruding stem has a sealing member pressurized against the partition wall, wherein step (a) further comprises displacing the sealing member in the hollow conduit when the hollow conduit is pressed through the partition wall. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, The air inlet has a protruding stem having a partition, and step (b) further comprises inserting a tubular member through the partition. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, The ink outlet includes a check valve having a spring-biased ball, wherein step (a) includes providing a needle having the ink hollow conduit and opening the check valve with the needle of the ink hollow conduit Comprising the steps of How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 1, Each of the ink outlet and the air inlet has a protruding stem having a partition, the ink outlet further has a check valve, and the ink container is mounted on the housing to communicate information with the printer regarding the properties of the ink in the ink container. Has a memory device connected to the electrical contact pad, Said step (a) comprises coupling an ink conduit to an ink source and forcing said ink conduit through a partition of said ink outlet to open said check valve and position said ink conduit to be in fluid communication with said ink source. , Said step (c) comprises refilling said ink reservoir with ink from said ink source through said ink conduit and ink outlet, (e) reproducing the memory device to provide the printer with enabling information that enables the printer to operate. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, In step (e), Disabling the memory device so that it can no longer provide information to the printing system; Electrically connecting an electrical device to the ink container for providing usable information to the printer; How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, In step (e), Removing the memory device from the ink container by separating the memory device from the ink container; Securing a second memory device to the ink container, the second memory device providing usable information to the printer; How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, The step (e) comprises disconnecting the memory device from the contact pad and connecting an electrical device providing usable information to the printer to the contact pad of the memory device. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, The step (e) comprises providing a second memory device and a second set of contact pads on an insulating substrate, and fixing the substrate to an upper surface of the first memory device and the contact pads. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, The step (e) comprises erasing all information of the memory device and reprogramming the memory device. How to refill a printer ink container. The method of claim 8, The memory device and the printer exchange data in a sequential manner over a single data line with respect to a baseline, In step (e), Disabling the memory device such that the memory device can no longer exchange data with the printer; Electrically connecting to the ink container an electrical device that provides data in a sequential manner to a single data line of the printer with respect to a reference line when connected to the printer. How to refill a printer ink container. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete