Abstract: An ink printing system is described herein which includes a print cartridge, having an ink reservoir and an ink fill hole, and an ink refill system for engaging the print cartridge's ink fill hole and transferring ink to the ink reservoir. The ink fill hole has a stopper blocking the hole to prevent ink leakage through the hole. The ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a male valve, resembling a hollow needle, which is inserted through the ink fill hole and pushes the stopper into the ink bag. The male valve creates an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge and the ink supply in the ink refill system. Ink is then transferred from the ink refill system into the print cartridge. The ink refill system is then removed from the print cartridge. The male valve of the ink refill system has a releasable tip which is pulled into the ink fill hole to seal the ink fill hole. The tip is then released from the male valve such as by unscrewing the male valve from the tip.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which incorporates an ink recharge port and recharge valve as part of the handle for the print cartridge. The handle is located to be easily accessible when the print cartridge is installed in a carriage within a printer. The handle provides protection for the recharge valve structure, and the valve structure does not interfere with the insertion of the print cartridge into existing carriages.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which has a first fill port, for initially filling the print cartridge with ink, and a refill port for recharging the print cartridge. The refill port includes a slideable valve which is engageable with a valve on an external ink reservoir to create an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge reservoir and the external ink reservoir.

Abstract: A print cartridge is described which has an ink recharge port and valve structure to enable the print cartridge reservoir to be recharged with ink. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve has a male connector portion at its end external to the print cartridge body. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body. An ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with the male connector portion of the print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs.

Abstract: An ink printing system is described herein which includes a print cartridge, having an ink reservoir and an ink fill hole, and an ink refill system for engaging the print cartridge's ink fill hole and transferring ink to the ink reservoir. The ink fill hole has a stopper blocking the hole to prevent ink leakage through the hole. The ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a male valve, resembling a hollow needle, which is inserted through the ink fill hole and pushes the stopper into the ink bag. The male valve creates an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge and the ink supply in the ink refill system. Ink is then transferred from the ink refill system into the print cartridge. The ink refill system is then removed from the print cartridge. The male valve of the ink refill system has a releasable tip which is pulled into the ink fill hole to seal the ink fill hole. The tip is then released from the male valve such as by unscrewing the male valve from the tip.

Abstract: An inkjet cartridge is adapted to receive ink from an external ink supply reservoir. The inkjet cartridge includes an internal reservoir, printhead, housing, and fluid interface. The housing includes a first cylindrical port, a first connector and a second connector. The fluid interface provides fluid communication between the port and reservoir. An adapter secures a tube/needle valve from the supply reservoir to the port. The adapter includes a first member, a first protrusion and a second protrusion integrally formed as one structure. The first member defines an opening within which the needle valve is positioned. The first protrusion and second protrusion extend from the first member adjacent to the opening. The first protrusion engages the housing's first connector and the second protrusion engages the housing's second connector to attach the adapter to the housing. The valve mates to the port and a valve needle mates to the fluid interface.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which allows recharging of the ink supply in the print cartridge without removing the print cartridge from the printer. In a preferred embodiment, the ink reservoir in the print cartridge consists of a spring-loaded collapsible ink bag, where the spring urges the sides of the ink bag apart and thus maintains a negative pressure within the ink bag relative to ambient pressure. The ink bag is initially filled through a first fill port in the print cartridge. The first fill port is then sealed with a stopper. The print cartridge is installed in a slideable carriage in an inkjet printer. As the ink is depleted during use of the print cartridge, the ink bag progressively collapses and overcomes the spring force. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which has a first fill port, for initially filling the print cartridge with ink, and a refill port for recharging the print cartridge. The refill port includes a slideable valve which is engageable with a valve on an external ink reservoir to create an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge reservoir and the external ink reservoir.

Abstract: An ink refill system is described for engaging a print cartridge's refill valve and transferring ink to the ink reservoir. The ink refill system has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with a male connector portion of a print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs. This further insertion causes both valves to become open, thus creating an airtight fluid path between the ink refill system reservoir and the depleted print cartridge reservoir. The negative pressure within the print cartridge ink bag draws the ink from the ink refill system reservoir into the ink bag until the ink bag is substantially full.

Abstract: A print cartridge is described which has an ink recharge port and valve structure to enable the print cartridge reservoir to be recharged with ink. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve has a male connector portion at its end external to the print cartridge body. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body. An ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with the male connector portion of the print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which incorporates an ink recharge port and recharge valve as part of the handle for the print cartridge. The handle is located to be easily accessible when the print cartridge is installed in a carriage within a printer. The handle provides protection for the recharge valve structure, and the valve structure does not interfere with the insertion of the print cartridge into existing carriages.