Inkjet printer refill cartridge with sliding moldings
View Patent ↗An ink refill cartridge is provided for refilling an inkjet printer ink supply. The refill cartridge includes an outer molding defining a cavity. An inner molding is movably mounted to slide into the cavity and defines a recess. A deformable ink membrane is located within the recess, is configured to store ink and defines an outlet through which the stored ink can pass to the ink supply. A biasing arrangement is located within the cavity between the outer molding and the ink membrane. The biasing arrangement biases the membrane to deform and cause ink to pass from the outlet when the inner molding slides into the cavity.
1. An ink refill cartridge for refilling an inkjet printer ink supply, the refill cartridge comprising:
an outer molding defining a cavity;
an inner molding movably mounted with respect to the outer molding to slide into the cavity and defining a recess;
a deformable ink membrane located within the recess, configured to store ink and defining an outlet through which the stored ink can pass to the ink supply; and
a biasing arrangement located within the cavity between the outer molding and the ink membrane, and which biases the membrane to deform and cause ink to pass from the outlet when the inner molding slides into the cavity.
2. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outlet includes a pipe extending into a collar of the inner molding.
3. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner molding defines a locating lug to locate the refill cartridge relative to the ink supply during refilling.
4. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner molding defines a flange to which a quality assurance (QA) integrated circuit is mounted.
5. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biasing arrangement includes a base which engages with the ink membrane, and a pair of arcuate leaf springs extending from the base.
6. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the leaf springs are configured to cross over each other during refilling.
7. An ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer and inner moldings define retaining formations configured to retain the moldings at points of greater and lesser separation.