PRINTER INK CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME

摘要

Printer ink cartridge and method of assembling same. The cartridge comprises a shell formed by a wall defining a cavity in the shell for storing ink. Disposed in the shell is a print head for ejecting ink drops through ink ejection orifices formed in the shell. The shell also defines an inlet port through the wall for allowing access to the cavity. An elastomeric seal or septum is matingly disposed in the port for sealing the port, the septum having a slit centrally therethrough for receiving an ink supply needle. A removable barrier is interposed between the cavity and the septum during manufacture of the cartridge. The barrier covers the port for isolating the ink in the cavity from the septum in order to avoid chemical interaction between the ink and the septum. During refilling of the cartridge, the ink supply needle is received through the slit and pushes the barrier from the port to allow refill ink to be supplied into the cavity.