Importance

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Abstract

As applied to printer ink cartridges having a collapsible container therein, ink refilling is accomplished through the use of a clamp and filler cartridge assembly wherein a slideable cartridge sealing plug initiates and terminates the refill process, depressurizing the cartridge at refill completion, whereby upon removal of the filling apparatus, the ink jet unit automatically obtains negative pressure. Leakage is thus precluded. At an ink jet unit filling station, one first inserts a clamp/ink cartridge filler assembly upon the empty ink jet cartridge, displacing the conventional sealing ball of the pointer ink cartridge; second, the clamp/ink cartridge filling assembly is rotated relative to its clamp to dislodge the ink cartridge stopper; third, the filler cartridge assembly plug is removed, draining ink into the ink jet unit; fourth, the filler cartridge assembly plug is replaced; fifth, the ink jet unit is depressurized; and sixth, the clamp and filler cartridge assembly are removed from the ink jet unit to complete the refill method. Filling station apparatus includes a clamp with locking elements engaging a slideable and rotatable ink filler cartridge having coactive locking and ink sealing and dispensing passages. There is no modification to the existing ink jet unit printer cartridge, per se.

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First Claim