AUXILIARY INK RESERVOIR AND FEED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INK JET CARTRIDGES

摘要

Auxiliary ink feed system for ink jet printers, plotters, copiers, and faxes comprising an external auxiliary feed tank (10), a feed line (30) having anti-kink coil wrap (35) and a means for delivering ink into the cartridge (2) via the vacuum check valve (bubble former) in the bottom of the cartridge (2). The fitting for feeding to the check valve is preferably a lay-flat bag having double-sided tape to secure it to the bottom and back of the cartridge (2). Alternately, an adhesively-adhered foot plate may be employed. The external auxiliary ink supply (10) is preferably a bag (11) within a box. The system works by vacuum, and not by gravity, drawing the ink from the auxiliary reservoir (10) through the feed line (30) and into the cartridge (2) by vacuum developed within the cartridge (2). The feed line (30) need not be primed, thus avoiding ink leakage upon installation. Since the fill is via the vacuum check valve in the bottom of the cartridge, and the reservoir (10) can be at a negative head of as much as minus 4 inches, the system prevents back siphoning from the cartridge (2) and overflow from the external reservoir (10). Systems having multiple reservoirs for multiple color printers are disclosed. Once the delivery assembly (lay-flat bag or foot plate) is adhered to the bottom of the OEM cartridge (2), further reservoir replacement is via a twist connector (31) adjacent the reservoir (10). There is no ink leakage as the system is under negative pressure.