DE202008009708U1 - Device for processing ink cartridges - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for processing ink cartridges (3) with at least one ink chamber (8), an inlet opening (9), an outlet opening (10), a differential pressure valve (11), electrical contacts and an electronic memory device (13) connected thereto
A receiving device (2) into which an ink cartridge (3) can be inserted,
- Contact elements (6) which are arranged on the receiving device and which can be brought into contact with the electrical contacts of an ink cartridge inserted into the receiving device,
- An actuating device (5), which is designed to open the differential pressure valve (11) of an in the receiving device (2) inserted ink cartridge (3).

Description

• – eine Aufnahmeeinrichtung, in die eine Tintenkartusche einsetzbar ist,
• – Kontaktelemente, die an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung angeordnet sind und die mit den elektrischen Kontakten einer in die Aufnahmeeinrichtung eingesetzten Tintenkartusche in Verbindung bringbar sind,
• – einer Betätigungseinrichtung, die zur Öffnung des Differenzdruckventils einer in die Aufnahmeeinrichtung eingesetzten Tintenkartusche ausgebildet ist.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing ink cartridges having at least one ink chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, a differential pressure valve, electrical contacts and an electronic memory device connected thereto. full

• A receiving device into which an ink cartridge can be inserted,
• Contact elements, which are arranged on the receiving device and which can be brought into contact with the electrical contacts of an ink cartridge inserted into the receiving device,
• - An actuating device which is designed to open the differential pressure valve of an ink cartridge used in the receiving device.

to Supply of inkjet printers with ink is generally known Ink in special supply tanks available to ask, so-called ink cartridges. These ink cartridges can usually be used easily in a printer be used, wherein an outlet opening for the ink is connected to a supply port of the printer becomes. Once an ink cartridge is exhausted, it can fast and easy against a filled ink cartridge be replaced.

In an ink cartridge, the ink supply is stored in an ink chamber formed by, for example, the interior of a case or a flexible ink bag. The ink chamber can be filled with ink via an inlet port. In order for the ink not to flow out of the ink chamber automatically under the influence of gravity, it is known to arrange a differential pressure valve between the ink chamber and the outlet port. This valve is designed in such a way that ink does not exit the outlet until ink is sucked in by an inkjet printer connected there, thus creating an operating underpressure. In the prior art various embodiments of such differential pressure valves are known, for example as in the EP 1 661 710 A2 described.

modern Ink cartridges are usually with an electronic storage element provided in addition to information on the properties of the ink as well the current ink level can be saved. If an ink cartridge is inserted in a printer, can this via electrical contacts on this level data access. Before printing, the printer can start printing read current level and according to the ink consumption update the level data during or after printing, d. H. change or overwrite the data in the storage element. Once a cartridge based on the level data from the printer is detected as "empty", the printer stops operation and prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge.

In general, ink cartridges are brought by the printer manufacturer as disposable products on the market, ie empty ink cartridges are to be disposed of. Although this procedure is convenient, it is disadvantageous from an ecological point of view, especially since a deflated ink cartridge is not destroyed in the true sense. So is already in the EP 0 985 537 B1 It has been proposed to make reusable empty ink cartridges by refilling them with ink and at the same time to reset the level data stored in the electronic storage element so that a printer recognizes the ink cartridge as "full".

In the aforementioned EP 0 985 537 B1 is the refilling of ink cartridges described which have a spongy foam, but no differential pressure valve for storing the ink. The procedure for filling an ink cartridge with differential pressure valve is, for example, in the above EP 1 661 710 A2 Thus, it is not easy to fill ink into the ink chamber through an inlet port because air bubbles would remain in the differential pressure valve and the downstream ink outlet, respectively. However, it must be prevented in any case, that air bubbles are sucked by the printer, otherwise malfunctions and damage to the print head may occur. It is therefore proposed in the prior art to apply vacuum to the ink chamber during filling. However, this method is relatively expensive and can only be implemented with appropriate production equipment.

For is a broad acceptance among the environmentally conscious consumer However, it is important that the refilling of Ink cartridges by specialized retailers Can be done on site. This is with the known devices not possible for refilling. From this problem results in the motivation for the present invention to provide a device with the ink cartridges the type described above quickly, safely and inexpensively refilled can be.

• – eine Aufnahmeeinrichtung, in die eine Tintenkartusche einsetzbar ist,
• – Kontaktelemente, die an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung angeordnet sind und die mit den elektrischen Kontakten einer in die Aufnahmeeinrichtung eingesetzten Tintenkartusche in Verbindung bringbar sind,
• – einer Betätigungseinrichtung, die zur Öffnung des Differenzdruckventils einer in die Aufnahmeeinrichtung eingesetzten Tintenkartusche ausgebildet ist.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a device comprising

• A receiving device into which an ink cartridge can be inserted,
• - Contact elements at the Aufnahmeeinrich are arranged and can be brought into contact with the electrical contacts of an ink cartridge inserted into the receiving device,
• - An actuating device which is designed to open the differential pressure valve of an ink cartridge used in the receiving device.

The Particularity of the device according to the invention is that an ink cartridge inserted therein optimally prepared for refilling with ink. By the actuator is namely the function of the differential pressure valve temporarily except Force set, that is, ink from the ink chamber flow through unhindered to the outlet opening can. So it has to fill no pressure difference be built more. Consequently, the ink chamber can be easy through the filling opening by means of a commercial Syringe or squirt bottle of ink are introduced. Even in or located downstream of the differential pressure valve Air can through the opened differential pressure valve escape to the outside. Once the ink cartridge is full is, it can be removed from the device, wherein the differential pressure valve itself automatically closes again. Because there are no air bubbles are present in the ink outlet, that is so Refilled ink cartridge particularly reliable.

One Another significant advantage of the invention is that about the contact elements in the recording at the same time electronic storage element of an inserted ink cartridge electrically is accessible and by means of a programmer the ink level and other data reset or can be rewritten with any values.

In summary can be found that thanks to the invention Device in a single processing station, both the Tinterspeicher as well as the electronic memory of an especially simple refilling, namely with both ink and data accessible are. The device can be designed as a handy device be made possible and with little effort a reliable Refurbishment of ink cartridges, for example, in the shop of one Refill service provider. This can be achieved by the inventive A significant contribution to environmental protection.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Device on an electronic programmer, the on the contact elements is connected. This can be the data in the automatically reset the electronic storage element of the ink cartridge, when the cartridge is used for refilling. For this purpose, the device may comprise a switch which is inserted when inserted the ink cartridge is operated in the receiving device and the programmer is activated. This will be the Operation simplified. Alternatively or additionally the device have connecting elements which are connected to the contact elements are connected. About these fasteners can the connection to an external programmer done. For example, the connection elements can be a USB (universal serial bus) plug which is connected to a corresponding interface a computer is connectable, for example to the To reprogram, organize, or reorganize data in the memory element replace damaged content.

The Operation is simplified by the fact that the device has an optical and / or acoustic display element. This Display element can a user during the filling by a Signal, for example, indicate that an ink cartridge for refilling correctly in the receiving device is inserted, that the contacts of the electrical storage device contact the contacts in the device, or that the Programming of the memory element is done or completed. This provides the security of working up an ink cartridge further improved.

Preferably the actuator has a magnet. The Magnetic field of this magnet covers in particular the area of the receiving device from where the differential pressure valve into the receiving device located in the ink cartridge. If, for example, the Differential pressure valve in the ink outlet near the ink outlet Located in the bottom of an ink cartridge, the magnet is on the mounted opposite side in the receiving device. When Magnet, a permanent magnet can be used, which is the differential pressure valve pressed, d. H. opens as soon as an ink cartridge is inserted into the receiving device while the differential pressure valve immersed in the magnetic field. Alternatively, the use of a Electromagnet conceivable that for actuating the differential pressure valve is turned on when a cartridge in the receiving device located. In principle, the use of a magnet has to open the differential pressure valve has the advantage that no fault-prone mechanical coupling between the device and an ink cartridge must be produced. This will increase the operation of the device especially reliable. Depending on the design of the differential pressure valve However, it is also conceivable, additional or other facilities provided through which the valve is opened in the device can be.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the receiving device comprises a guide into which an ink cartridge can be positively inserted in at least one direction. This guide can be formed, for example, as an upwardly open, elongated recess into which an ink cartridge can be inserted from above. As a result, an ink cartridge is clearly positioned at the height of insertion. In this case, the ink cartridge is preferably used with its bottom, where usually the ink outlet opening, from above into the recess.

Especially It is advantageous if the ink cartridge in the guide is displaceable in the longitudinal direction. Namely the contact elements in the receiving device the front side, d. H. arranged at a longitudinal end of the recess, An ink cartridge can be particularly easy from the top of the guide inserted and then in the recess in the longitudinal direction be moved until the contacts of the storage device come into contact with the contact elements of the device. Thereby is a particularly secure positioning with a simple operation given.

to Realization of the previously described function of the guide It is advantageous that the guide in a lying Leg of the device - preferably horizontally - and the contact elements on one of them - preferably vertically - upwards upstanding legs are formed.

The Contact elements themselves are preferred as resilient contact pins educated.

in the Below, embodiments of the invention are based on explained in more detail by drawings. In detail demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention with an ink cartridge inserted therein,

2 a sectional view of the device according to 1 ,

In 1 a device according to the invention is shown in a perspective view and as a whole with the reference numeral 1 Mistake. This has a horizontal (horizontal) leg 1a on and one of them vertically upstanding legs 1b ,

In the horizontal leg 1a is an open-topped guide 2 formed in the form of a groove-like depression. In this leadership 2 is an ink cartridge 3 shown in inserted position. The ink cartridge 3 sits in the vertical direction and transverse to the longitudinal extent substantially positive fit in the guide 2 , In the longitudinal direction is the ink cartridge 3 in the lead 2 displaceable, which is indicated by a double arrow.

As display element is LED (light emitting diode) 4 at the device 1 appropriate.

2 shows a longitudinal section through the device 1 according to 1 , This shows how in the thigh 1a under the direction 2 a magnet 5 is arranged, preferably a permanent magnet whose magnetic field is above the guide 2 extends.

From the vertical leg 1b stand contact pins 6 in the longitudinal direction of the guide 2 in front. These are to an electronic programmer 7 connected, optionally together with a battery for power supply in the vertical leg 1b the device 1 is housed. The LED 4 is also connected to the programmer.

The ink cartridge 3 has an ink chamber in its interior 8th on that through a filling opening 9 can be filled with ink. From the bottom of the ink chamber extends an outlet opening 10 down, in which a differential pressure valve 11 is arranged. The special feature of the illustrated differential pressure valve 11 is that it is a ferromagnetic or permanently magnetic valve body 12 has, which rests tightly against a valve seat in the idle state. Once between the ink chamber 8th and the outlet port 10 a pressure gradient occurs, so if a printer at the outlet 10 Ink sucks, opens this differential pressure valve 11 at a defined pressure difference and allows ink to flow through.

Furthermore, the ink cartridge 3 an electronic storage device 13 with contacts in the state shown, the contact elements 6 the device 1 touch.

If an ink cartridge 3 from above into the guide 2 used and in the longitudinal direction against the leg 1b is moved, it takes the position shown. Through the magnet 5 if the valve body moves the differential pressure valve 11 open. Now you can through the filling hole 9 Ink in the ink chamber 8th which are filled by the opened differential pressure valve 11 to the outlet opening 10 flows. The air is displaced and can escape upwards. At the same time is the programmer 7 over the contact pins 6 connected to the memory device and can reset the level data stored therein. The progress of the programming process is given to the user via the LED 4 visually displayed.

Once ink is filled and the memory Facility 13 is updated to the level data corresponding to the state "full", the ink cartridge 3 from the device 1 taken and after the ink chamber 8th is closed again, to be used in a printer.

1

contraption

1a

lying leg

1b

vertical leg

2

guide

3

ink cartridge

4

display element (LED)

5

magnet

6

contact element

7

programmer

8th

ink chamber

9

inlet port

10

outlet

11

Differential pressure valve

12

valve body

13

memory device

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 1661710 A2 [0003, 0006]
• - EP 0985537 B1 [0005, 0006]

Claims (6)

Contraption ( 1 ) for reprocessing ink cartridges ( 3 ) with at least one ink chamber ( 8th ), an inlet opening ( 9 ), an outlet opening ( 10 ), a differential pressure valve ( 11 ), electrical contacts and an electronic memory device ( 13 ), comprising - a receiving device ( 2 ) into which an ink cartridge ( 3 ), - contact elements ( 6 ) which are arranged on the receiving device and which can be brought into contact with the electrical contacts of an ink cartridge inserted into the receiving device, an actuating device ( 5 ) for opening the differential pressure valve ( 11 ) one in the receiving device ( 2 ) used ink cartridge ( 3 ) is trained. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electronic programmer ( 7 ), which are connected to the contact elements ( 6 ) connected. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an optical and / or acoustic display element ( 4 ) is attached. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating device is a magnet ( 5 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving device is a guide ( 2 ) into which an ink cartridge ( 3 ) can be positively inserted in at least one direction. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an ink cartridge ( 3 ) in the leadership ( 2 ) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction.