Importance

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Abstract

A continuous ink refill system for an ink jet printer that uses disposable ink jet cartridges having a first predetermined ink capacity includes an ink reservoir that is external to a print carriage on which the disposable ink jet cartridges are mounted. The ink reservoir contains a second predetermined ink capacity that continuously refills an ink container within the disposable ink jet cartridge by a passive pressure differential between the disposable ink jet cartridge and the ink reservoir. The disposable ink jet cartridge is removably mountable in the print carriage and is a self-contained unit having a print head and an ink supply container maintained at a sub-atmospheric pressure that supplies the first quantity of ink to the print head. The ink reservoir storing the second quantity of ink that replenishes the ink supply container is limited to some multiple of the first quantity of ink above which said print head does not reliably operate. Tubing connects the ink supply container to the ink reservoir for transporting ink between the two by means of capillary action. A regulator switchable between an open and closed position is positioned in the piping for controlling flow of ink from the ink reservoir to the ink supply container when the regulator is in the open position.

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First Claim