IP Library Granted Patent US 7,556,359
Granted Patent B2
US 7,556,359 · App. 12/076,665 · Granted Jul 7, 2009

Ink refill unit with a working outlet and other dummy outlets

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,556,359
App. No.
12/076,665
Granted
Jul 7, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ink refill unit is provided for refilling a printer ink cartridge unit. The ink refill unit includes a base assembly which houses internal ink refilling components and defines a plurality of outlets for docking with the cartridge unit. Each outlet corresponds to a respective type of ink with only one of the outlets working. The ink refilling components include a syringe assembly coupled in fluid communication with the working outlet. A lid assembly fits onto the base assembly to cover the ink refilling components.

Claims (12)

1. An ink refill unit for refilling a printer ink cartridge unit, the ink refill unit comprising:

a base assembly which houses internal ink refilling components and defines a plurality of outlets for docking with the cartridge unit, each outlet corresponding to a respective type of ink with only one of the outlets working;

the ink refilling components including a syringe assembly coupled in fluid communication with the working outlet; and

a lid assembly which fits onto the base assembly to cover the ink refilling components.

2. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base assembly includes a clip arrangement for securing the ink refill unit in place when refilling the ink cartridge unit.

3. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the clip arrangement includes clip portions in the form of projections that project from a resilient arm, the arm being depressible to move into and out of a recess about a pivot region.

4. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the pivot region is a weakened region in the surface of the base assembly.

5. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the syringe assembly includes:

a tank for storing ink and defining an ink ejection port; and

a syringe seal mounted on a plunger which is received within the tank to expel the stored ink from the ink ejection port.

6. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the syringe assembly further includes a biasing means received within the plunger and configured to bias the plunger further into the tank when the syringe assembly is housed within the base assembly.

7. An ink refill unit as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the syringe assembly further includes a pawl-and-ratchet control arrangement for providing incremental delivery of ink in the tank out through the ink ejection port.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028578/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2008
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA; NAKAZAWA, AKIRA; HIBBARD, CHRISTOPHER; MACKEY, PAUL IAN; BERRY, NORMAN MICHAEL; JACKSON, GARRY RAYMOND
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 020749/0041 →