Ink cartridge with an internal spring assembly for a printer
View Patent ↗A printer ink cartridge with a spring assembly pressurising the ink to dispense it when the outlet establishes fluid communication with the printer. The cartridge has an outer portion with the spring assembly and a base portion containing a deformable ink membrane for containing ink. At least part of the base portion slides against the outer portion, and the spring assembly presses the deformable ink membrane to dispense ink as the at least part of the base portion slides within the outer portion by application of a force. The cartridge also has an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printer.
1. An ink refill cartridge for a printer comprising:
an outer portion;
a base portion receivable by a refill port of the printer, the base portion being slidable within the outer portion upon application of an external force to the outer portion;
a deformable ink membrane contained within the base portion for containing ink;
a spring assembly for pressing the deformable ink membrane to dispense ink therefrom as the at least part of the base portion slides relative the outer portion upon application of the external force; and,
an ink outlet extending through the base portion for providing fluid communication between the deformable ink membrane and the refill port of the printer.
2. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer portion and the base portion are substantially rigid moldings.
3. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly includes at least one spring member that extends from a movable platform.
4. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 3 , wherein there are two spring members each of which is a resilient arcuate member.
5. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the arcuate members each have a first end attached to opposing ends of the platform, and each have a second end abutting an internal surface of the outer portion.
6. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the arcuate members are arranged to have a cross-over point.
7. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ink outlet is a pipe forming part of the deformable ink membrane.
8. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the pipe extends through a collar provided as part of the base portion.
9. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a retaining protrusion is provided on an external surface of the base portion, and a recess is provided on an internal surface of the outer portion, and the recess engaging the retaining protrusion prior to a threshold force being applied to the outer portion to disengage the retaining protrusion from the recess.
10. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a quality assurance circuit is attached to the base portion, the quality assurance circuit connecting with an associated contact on a printer when the base portion is appropriately positioned on the printer for ink refilling.
11. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deformable ink membrane is made of polyethylene.
12. The ink refill cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes a lug received by an associated recess on a printer when the base portion is appropriately positioned on the printer for ink refilling.