Abstract: An ink refilling method for an ink cartridge which is provided therein with a spring assembly for generating a negative pressure inside the cartridge being refilled with ink while applying a compression onto the spring assembly. In this method, the compression is removed so as to allow the spring assembly to expand and to generate the negative pressure. The application and removal of the compression is provided by a pressure tool that has an elastic metal strip bent so as to press the spring assembly; and the ink refilling is accomplished using an opening tool for making an access to the inside of the ink cartridge and an ink refilling adapter for introducing ink from an ink supply into the ink cartridge, which form an ink refilling kit along with the pressure tool.

Abstract: A used, empty ink cartridge for, for instance, a computer printer being refilled by an ink refilling adapter that includes an ink conduit and an elastic member such as a sponge provided on the adapter. The ink conduit is pressed into the ink cartridge, thus squeezing the elastic member, until the tip portion of the ink conduit penetrates into an ink absorbing material installed inside the cartridge; and then upon the removal of the pressing force, the squeezed elastic member is allowed to expand so as to regain its original shape, thus lifting the tip portion of the ink conduit from the ink absorbing material. As a result, an empty space is formed in the ink absorbing material inside the ink cartridge, so that ink introduced into the ink conduit can smoothly flow out into the empty space and then is absorbed by the ink absorbing material, thus refilling the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A container for storing liquids such as ink to be refilled in an used, empty ink cartridge for computer printers being to be formed with at least two holes so as to allow the ink to discharge. A hole is made in the container at its mouth portion and then another hole is opened at the main chamber of the container by a piercing device attached to the container or by revealing an air passage so as to introduce external air into the container so as to pressure out the ink into the ink cartridge.

Abstract: An ink refilling adapter to be used for refilling a used ink cartridge with ink from a separate ink container. The ink refilling adapter includes a main plate having a conduit and an ink absorbing sheet attached to the under surface of the adapter, and it further includes an overflow indicator which is a through hole opened in the main plate. Any overflowing ink is absorbed by the ink absorbing sheet and such ink is observed through the overflow indicator, thus giving a sign of the beginning of the overflow of the ink and allowing the ink refilling operation to be stopped immediately.

Abstract: An ink cartridge which is provided therein with a spring assembly for generating a negative pressure inside the cartridge being refilled with ink while applying a compression onto the spring assembly. The compression is removed so as to allow the spring assembly to expand and to generate the negative pressure. The application and removal of the compression is provided by a pressure tool that has an elastic metal strip bent so as to press the spring assembly; and the ink refilling is accomplished using an opening tool for making an access to the inside of the ink cartridge and an ink refilling adapter for introducing ink from an ink supply into the ink cartridge, which form an ink refilling kit along with the pressure tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for refilling ink into a used, empty ink cartridge for ink-jet printers using an ink refill station and an ink refill adapter, the ink refill station accommodating the cartridge so that the head section of the cartridge is separated by a pressing or shearing force applied by a threaded screw that is provided in the refill station, and the ink refill adapter being placed on the main section of the cartridge after the head section is removed so that ink is transferred from an ink container to the main section of the cartridge via needles provided in the ink refill adapter.

Abstract: A device for making a hole in an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer comprising a main frame body to be mounted on the cartridge in a positionally immovable fashion by a combination of a cantilever type pressing member and a groove that respectively engage a recess and a flange of the cartridge. The main frame body has a screw with a pointed end so that when the screw is rotated the pointed end advances and penetrates into the cartridge, thus forming a hole in the cartridge so that ink can be refilled into the cartridge through the thus opened hole.

Abstract: An ink cartridge holding box used for refilling a used ink cartridge with ink having an adhesive layer on a platform installed inside the box. The central area of the adhesive layer is raised by, for example, a spacer provided under the adhesive layer so that the adhesive layer is in a convex shape, conforming to any unevenness of the underside of the used ink cartridge and sealing the vent hole opened in the underside of the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink refill adapter to be used for refilling a used ink cartridge with ink from a separate ink container. The ink refill adapter includes a support plate and a conduit extending through the support plate. When the ink refill adapter is placed on the used cartridge, the ink container and the ink cartridge are brought into full engagement via the adapter so that the ink in the ink container flows down by gravity into the conduit and further into the cartridge. The ink refill adapter is designed so as to form an air escape between the adapter and the cartridge so as to let the air inside the cartridge go out smoothly as the ink flows in and is further provided with a safety cap that has an ink absorbing material.