Method of charging ink into an ink cartridge

摘要

A method of charging ink into an ink cartridge is described, in which the ink cartridge includes: a foam chamber (411); an ink supply port (413) formed in a wall of said ink cartridge; and a porous body (420) for absorbing ink being accommodated within said foam chamber (411) and positioned to engage said ink supply port (413) for delivery of ink thereto to define a space in said foam chamber between said porous body (420) and the wall bearing a through hole. The ink cartridge has at least two insertion through holes in a wall thereof, said wall defining at least one of said walls of said foam chamber (411). The method comprises the steps of: inserting an exhausting hollow needle (N401) to be connected to an exhauster through a first of said through holes into the space in said foam chamber; inserting an ink injecting hollow needle (N402) through a second of said plurality of through holes into said porous member; exhausting the interior of said cartridge; injecting ink through said ink injecting hollow needle (N402) after the exhausting operation has been completed; removing said hollow needles; and sealing said cartridge.