Ink refill cartridge for ink jet printers.

摘要

An improved refill cartridge (10) is provided to contain a solidified ink pellet (44) for replenishing an ink jet printer or the like with flowable ink. The refill cartridge (10) comprises a flexible walled cup (26) having an outwardly projecting flange (32) at the open end thereof. The cup (26) defines a mold for direct reception of flowable ink or the like which solidifies in place to form the ink pellet (44), and a removable seal cover (42) is mounted on the flange to enclose the ink pellet within the cup (26) during shipment and/or storage. The ink pellet (44) is delivered when required to a printer by removing the seal cover (42) and inverting the cup over a printer ink well (12) while pressing inwardly on the cup wall (30) to prevent premature release of the ink pellet. The cup (26) is seated over the ink well (12) by engaging an upper lip (24) of the ink well into a shallow recessed groove (34) in the cup flange, at which time the cup wall may be released to permit the ink pellet to fall by gravity into the printer ink well. If required, the base of the cup defines a button (48) which can be depressed from the exterior thereof to positively push the ink pellet from the cup.