WO2004106072A1

WO2004106072A1 - Ink refill device and method of ink cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2004106072A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Choon Chung; Hyung Hoo Kim; Young Choul Shin; Hyung Gun Park
Original assignee: InkTec Co Ltd
Current assignee: InkTec Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-30
Also published as: KR20040102923A; KR100524645B1

Abstract

This invention is relating to a device and a method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, particularly a device for filling an ink cartridge having holes to connect the inside and the outside of the cartridge, It is characterized by comprising a pressure reducing cylinder for discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside with it being installed so that it may be mated with one of the said holes, a charging cylinder for supplying the filling ink to cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge with it being installed so that it may be mated with another one of the said holes, which is fixed to the said pressure reducing cylinder in one body, and a sealing means for sealing up other holes than the holes in which the said pressure reducing cylinder and the said charging cylinder are installed. This invention has an effect to enable the ink cartridge to be decompressed and filled simply and reliably.

Description

INK REFILL DEVICE AND METHOD OF INK CARTRIDGE

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a device and a method for filling an ink cartridge with ink. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and a method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, which can simply and reliably perform the decompression and filling of the ink cartridge.

[Background Art] The ink cartridges used in inkjet-type printers have been generally disposed or re-used with filling the inks, after one-time use.

Said ink cartridges are generally designed to have a body in which at least one ink storage chamber is formed inside and an ink supply port is formed at one lower end to supply the ink to the printer head, and a lid fixed on the upper end of said body with fusion, in which an ink inlet to inject the ink into the ink storage chamber and an air ventilation port to smoothly ventilate the air are formed.

In addition, in the ink storage chamber constituting said ink cartridge a porous sponge is inserted so that it can absorb and hold the ink. However, such sponge may not be inserted selectively depending on the kinds of printers by the manufacturers.

Various types of methods and apparatuses to reuse the ink cartridge by filling the ink into the prior ink cartridges having the above-mentioned constitution have been widely known.

However, in order that the ink can possibly and reliably fill the ink the complex methods and apparatuses and much costs have generally been required. Therefore, the use of ink cartridge with directly filling by the users is impractical.

Further, in case of the prior methods and apparatus capable of filling the ink through a simple structure, there are some problems in that bubbles may be formed inside the ink cartridges to improperly practice the printing, or much inks may be discharged outside the cartridge during the filling procedures to lower the filling efficiency and to stain hands and clothes.

[Disclosure of the invention] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems involved in the prior methods and apparatuses and thus, is to provide an apparatus, and a method, for filling an ink cartridge with inks, in which the decompression and filling operations of the ink cartridge can be simply and reliably practiced. In the aspect of the technical constitution to achieve said purpose, the present invention provides the device for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the device for filling an ink cartridge having two or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a pressure reducing cylinder for discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside with it being installed so that it may be mated with one of the said holes, a charging cylinder for supplying the filling ink to the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge with it being installed so that it may be mated with another one of the said holes, which is fixed to the said pressure reducing cylinder in one body, and a sealing means for sealing up other holes than the holes in which the ^said pressure reducing cylinder and the said charging cylinder are installed.

Said pressure reducing cylinder is characterized in that it comprises an air suctioning means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof, and an air discharging means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof.

Said air suctioning means is characterized in that it is a check valve installed on the junction part between the pressure reducing cylinder and the ink cartridge.

Said air discharging means is characterized in that it comprises a piston ranning pathway connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston installed such that it is moved in said piston running pathway; a piston rod connected such that it can allow said pressure reducing piston to be transferred; and a check valve installed on said pressure reducing piston to open and shut the flow of air through said pressure reducing piston.

Said air discharging means is characterized in that it comprises a piston running pathway connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston installed such that it can be moved in said piston running pathway, and having one or more air way, which connects the front with the rear with respectto the moving direction; a piston supporting member installed by fitting it through and into the pressure reducing piston so that it can be moved relatively to the pressure reducing piston; a stopper plate which is integrally formed on the one end of said piston supporting member to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston and close said air way through contact therewith; and a piston rod which is fixed to the other end of piston supporting member so as to move the pressure reducing piston and has a groove connecting the air way of said pressure reducing piston with the outside.

Further, said air discharging means is characterized in that it comprises a piston rimning pathway connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston installed such that it can be moved in said piston running pathway; a piston supporting member installed by fitting it through and into the pressure reducing piston so that it can be moved relatively to the pressure reducing piston; a stopper plate which is integrally formed on the one end of said piston supporting member to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston; and a piston rod which is fixed to the other end of piston supporting member so as to move the pressure reducing piston and an air way and a groove formed on the surface of the piston supporting member and the surface of the piston rod, respectively, to connect the front with the rear with respect to the moving direction of the pressure reducing piston, when the pressure reducing piston is moved toward the piston rod.

Said charging cylinder is characterized in that it has a needle which can be deeply fitted into the inside of the ink cartridge.

Said piston rod is characterized in that an ink absorbing member made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end thereof toward the pressure reducing piston.

Said sealing means is characterized in that it comprises a polyethylene foam tape.

Further, the present invention provides the device for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the device for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a pressure reducing cylinder for discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside via movement of the pressure reducing piston; a charging cylinder for supplying the filling ink to the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge and which is installed in joining with the pressure reducing piston so as to move the pressure reducing piston of the pressure reducing cylinder a means for selecting air and ink flowing passages joining said hole of the ink cartridge selectively with the inside of said pressure reducing cylinder and charging cylinder; and a sealing means for sealing up other holes than the holes joining the said pressure reducing cylinder together with the said charging cylinder.

Said air suctioning means is characterized in that it is a check valve installed on the pressure reducing portion formed in the pressure reducing cylinder so that it can be joined with the inside of the ink cartridge.

Said air discharging means is characterized in that it comprises a piston supporting member which is installed by inserting into a sliding hole formed through the center of the pressure reducing piston in a sliding manner and of which the external surface of the end at one side is the enlarged portion of the outer diameter to close a gap between said sliding hole and the external surface of the pressure reducing piston by contacting therewith while Umiting the movement of said pressure reducing piston; and a groove formed on any one of the end of said charging cylinder and the end of said pressure reducing piston so that the air discharged from the gap between said sliding hole and the external surface of the pressure reducing piston is derived to the outside of the pressure reducing piston when the pressure reducing piston is separated at the enlarged portion of the outer diameter of said piston supporting member.

The means for selecting air and ink flowing passages is characterized in that it includes a coupling member installed by inserting into the hole of said ink cartridge; a coupling body for pressure reduction and charging, which has the air and ink flowing passage formed on said coupling member and joining the hole of the ink cartridge selectively with the inside of said pressure reducing cylinder and charging cylinder.

It is also characterized in that the coupling body for pressure reduction and charging as mentioned above is coupled with the end of the pressure reducing cylinder in the manner that the axial rotation can be allowed while maintaining the airtight condition, the pressure reducing portion and the charging portion are formed on the end of said pressure reducing cylinder beyond the rotation center of the pressure reducing cylinder, and the position of said air and ink flowing passage is joined selectively with said pressure reducing portion and charging portion via the axial rotation of said pressure reducing cylinder with respect to the coupling body for pressure reduction and charging.

The present invention is further characterized in that it provides a flowing passage for filling the ink, which joins the inside of said charging cylinder with the air and ink flowing passage, and further includes a means for providing the ink flowing passage to open and close the flowing passage for filling the ink.

It is characterized that said flowing passage for filling the ink is formed through the pressure reducing piston, said charging cylinder is mounted in the manner that it can be moved in the direction of rotation and length by a screw binding at one side of said flowmg passage of charging the ink, and a valve which is opened and closed by the contact with said pressure reducing piston is installed on the flowing passage for filling the ink.

It is characterized that said flowing passage for filling the ink is formed through the pressure reducing piston and is blocked by a blocking membrane in the form of a thin film, and a sharp-pointed needle is fixed at the internal side of the end of said pressure reducing cylinder so that it can cut through said blocking membrane. Said piston rod is characterized in that an ink absorbing member made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end thereof toward the pressure reducing piston. Said sealing means is characterized in that it comprises a polyethylene foam tape.

Further, the present invention provides the method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the method for filling an ink cartridge having two or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it comprises a step of closing the remaining holes other than two holes to be practice the pressure reduction and the filling of ink; a step of discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge through one of said holes to reduce the internal pressure of the ink cartridge; and a step of supplying the filling ink into the ink cartridge through another one of said holes while reducing the internal pressure of aid ink cartridge. It is characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an air ventilation port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink injection port of the ink cartridge by means of the charging cylinder having a charging piston and fixed on the pressure reducing cylinder.

It is characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink injection port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished via an air ventilation port of the ink cartridge by means of the charging cylinder having a charging piston and fixed on the pressure reducing cylinder.

Said pressure reducing cylinder is characterized in that it allows only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof to reduce the pressure of the ink cartridge.

Further, said pressure reducing cylinder is characterized in that it further allows the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof so that the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge can be practiced over several times. In addition, the present invention provides the method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the method for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it comprises a step of closing the remaining holes other than one hole to be practice the pressure reduction and the filling of ink; a step of discharging the internal air of the inkcartridge through one of said holes to reduce the internal pressure of the ink cartridge; and a step of reducing the internal pressure of the ink cartridge and then supplying the filling ink into the ink cartridge through another one of said holes by the vacuum pressure established in the ink cartridge.

It is characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink supplying port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having a pressure reducing piston.

Said pressure reducing cylinder is characterized in that it allows only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof to reduce the pressure of the ink cartridge. Further, said pressure reducing cylinder is characterized in that it further allows the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof so that the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge can be practiced over several times. It is characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished by means of the charging cylinder which is joined and installed such that the pressure reducing piston can be moved and has a charging piston. It is characterized in that the hole of the ink cartridge to practice the pressure reduction and filling procedure is joined selectively with the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder and the charging cylinder such that the filling of ink is accomplished after the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge is practiced.

It is further characterized in that the flowing passage for filling the ink to join the inside of the charging cylinder with the air and ink flowing passage is closed when the pressure of the ink cartridge is reduced, and is opened after the pressure reduction is completed.

[Brief Description of Drawings] Figure 1 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the first embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a detail diagram to show the air suctioning means of the first embodiment according to the present invention

Figure 3 is a detail diagram to show the air discharging means of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge

Figures 5 and 6 are the operational diagrams to show the condition that the ink-filling operation is conducted using the device for filling ink according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a detail diagram to show the air discharging means of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge; Figures 10 and 11 are the operational diagrams to show the condition that the ink-filling operation is conducted using the device for filling ink according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a detail diagram to show the air discharging means of the third embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink according to the third embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge; Figures 15 and 16 are the operational diagrams to show the condition that the ink-filling operation is conducted using the device for filling ink according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a detail diagram to show the main portions of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 19 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge; Figures 20 to 27 are the operational diagrams to show the condition that the ink-filling operation is conducted using the device for filling ink according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 28 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 29 is a detail diagram to show the main portions of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 30 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge; and

Figures 31 to 36 are the operational diagrams to show the condition that the ink-filling operation is conducted using the device for filling ink according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Reference Numbers of Essential Parts in Figures> 10 : Ink cartridge 20 : Ink supply port

30 : Ink injection port 40 : Air ventilation port

50 : Tape 110 : Pressure reducing cylinder

112, 122 : Piston running pathway 114, 214, 314 : Pressure reducing piston

116 : Pressure reducing portion 120 : Charging cylinder

124 : Charging piston 126 : Charging portion

130 : Needle 140 : Check valve

150, 250, 350 : Piston rod 152 : Extended portion 1 0 : Ink absorbing member

252, 352 : Piston supporting member

254, 354 : Stopper plate

410, 510 : Pressure reducing cylinder

412, 422 : Piston running pathway 420, 520 : Charging cylinder 424 : Charging piston 430, 530 : Piston supporting member

450, 550 : Coupling member for pressure reduction and charging 452a, 552a : Air and ink flowing passage 470 : Ink absorbing member

[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

Hereinafter, it is intended to more specifically explain one preferred embodiment of the present invention on the basis of the drawings as attached. First, it is intended to illustrate the device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The device for filling ink (100) according to the first embodiment has the pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) parallel with each other, wherein the pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) are integrally fixed with each other. In addition, it is preferred that the pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) are made of plastic materials which are light, inexpensive and easy to prepare. Further, it may be preferred that other constitutional elements mentioned below are also made of plastic materials unless they are limited to any particular materials.

The pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) have the piston running pathways (112) (122), respectively, formed therein continually from the one end to another end in the direction of length. The piston running pathways (112) (122) have a round shape, preferably a hollow cylindrical shape. In addition, in each of the piston running pathways (112) (122) the pressure reducing piston (114) and the charging piston (124) are installed in the sliding manner movable in the longitudinal direction of the piston running pathways (112) (122), and the dimension and shape of the piston running pathways (112) (122) are deteπnined so that the edge of the pressure reducing piston (114) and the charging piston (124) can be tightly adhered to the internal surface of the piston rimning pathway (112) (122). In this case, the materials for said pressure reducing piston (114) are rubbers, silicones, etc., and the materials for said charging piston (124) are somewhat elastic plastics, rubbers or silicones, etc.

Further, the said pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) are present on the one end in the same direction at a certain interval so as to respectively correspond to the ink injection port and the air ventilation port of the ink cartridge, and have the pressure reducing portion (116) and the charging portion (126) formed in the manner that the piston running pathway (112) (114) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) and the charging cylinder (120) can be connected to the outside. In said pressure reducing portion (116), the coupling member for pressure reduction (118) is installed with being fixed, which is formed so that it can be airtightly coupled by inserting into the ink injection port of the ink cartridge. In said charging portion (126), the coupling member for charging (128) is installed with being fixed, which is formed so that it can be airtightly coupled by inserting into the air ventilation port of the ink cartridge. In this case, it is preferred to mount a needle (130) on said coupling member of charging (128) so that it is passed through the inside of the ink cartridge so that the ink can be filled in the vicinity of the ink supply port. It is preferred that the coupling member for pressure reduction (118) and the coupling member of charging (128) is made of the materials having some elasticity so that they can be coupled by inserting them into the ink supply port and the air ventilation port of the ink cartridge while maintaining the airtight condition. In the pressure reducing portion (116), the air suctioning means which opens and closes the air flowing passage to suck the air into the inside of the pressure reducing piston (10) is installed. That is, said suctioning means is opened to allow the suctioning of air into the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder when the pressure reducing piston (114) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (116), whereas it is closed to block the flowing of air when the piston is moved in the opposite direction.

On example of said air suctioning means utilizes the check valve (140). With reference to Figure 2, it is more specifically explained that a flat sheet surface (116a) is formed at the end of the pressure reducing portion (116) toward the piston running pathway (112) and the supporting plate (117) is integrally formed in the inside of this pressure reducing portion (116) so that the end of the pressure reducing portion toward the piston rurming pathway (112) constitutes the same plane with the said sheet surface (116a). In addition, in the center of the supporting plate (117) a valve mounting hole (117a) is formed there-through in the same direction to the longitudinal direction of the pressure reducing portion (116), and further, one or more air way (117b) is formed through the supporting plate (117) so that the piston running pathway (112) closed with the pressure reducing piston (114) can be connected to the outside via the pressure reducing portion (116). In addition, the check valve (140) comprises a flapper (142) in the shape of a thin plate having a dimension which can be positioned at the sheet surface (116a) of the pressure reducing portion (116), and made of an elastically bendable material, and a stem (144), which is integrally fixed in the center of said flapper, lengthily formed in a perpendicular direction, and fitted into said valve mounting hole (117a), wherein at the end of the stem (144) a projection (144a) having a somewhat greater dimension than the dimension of the valve mounting hole (117a) and made of an elastically contractile material is integrally formed.

The pressure reducing piston (114) installed by inserting into the piston running pathway (112) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) has the structure which can move the pressure reducing piston (114) in the longitudinal direction of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) by joining with the end at one side of the piston rod (150) to push or pull the piston rod (150). It is appropriate that the length of the piston rod (150) is to the extent that when the pressure reducing piston (114) joined with one end of the piston rod (150) is moved to the maximum level in the direction of the pressure reducing portion (116), another end of the piston rod (150) is somewhat projected outside the pressure reducing cylinder (110).

On the junction part of the piston rod (150) and the pressure reducing piston (114), the air discharging means to open and close the air flowing passage is installed so that the air is discharged outside the pressure reducing piston (110). Said air discharging means is closed to block the flowing of air flow when the pressure reducing piston (114) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (116), whereas it is opened to discharge the air discharge outside the pressure reducing cylinder (110) when the piston is moved in the opposite direction. On example of said air discharging means utilizes the check valve (160).

With reference to Figure 3, it is more specifically explained that an extended portion (152), which is integrally formed by extending along with the center line at the end of the piston rod (150) toward the pressure reducing piston (114), is inserted into and then coupled, with the pressure reducing piston (114), and according to this, the piston rod (150) and the pressure reducing piston (114) are maintained and fixed at a given interval so that a gap (S) is formed at the mutually adjacent ends thereof.

Further, a through hole (152a) to be linked with said gap (S) is formed in the extended portion (152) and a round-shaped groove (152b) is formed to be linked with the through hole (152a) in the center portion of the end of said extended portion (152). In the center portion of the pressure reducing piston (114), the air passing hole (114a) through up to said groove (152b) from the end separated far from the extended portion (152) is formed, and the flat sheet surface (114b) is formed at the edge of the end of the air passing hole (114a) toward the groove (152b). Further, the supporting plate (115) is integrally fixed and installed in the air passing hole (114a) so that the end in toward the extended portion (152) constitutes the same plane with the said sheet surface (114b). In addition, in the center of the supporting plate (115) a valve mounting hole (115a) is formed there-through in the same direction to the longitudinal direction of the pressure reducing portion (114), and further, one or more air way (115b) is formed through the supporting plate (115) so that the piston running pathway (112) closed with the pressure reducing piston (114) can be connected to the outside via the through hole (152a) of the extended portion (152) and the gap (S). In addition, the check valve (160) comprises a flapper (162) in the shape of a thin plate having a dimension which can be positioned at the sheet surface (114b) of the pressure reducing portion (114), and made of an elastically bendable material, and a stem (164), which is integrally fixed in the center of said flapper (162), lengthily formed in a perpendicular direction, and fitted into said valve mounting hole (115a), wherein at the end of the stem (164) a projection (164a) having a somewhat greater dimension than the dimension of the valve mounting hole (115a) and made of an elastically contractile material is integrally formed.

Preferably, an ink absorbing member (170) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end of the piston rod (150) toward the pressure reducing piston (114).

Hereinafter, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink using the device for filling the ink, having the constitution as mentioned above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

First, the device for filling the ink (100) is prepared, and is provided under the condition that the pressure reducing piston (114) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is moved to the maximum level toward the pressure reducing portion and the charging piston (124) is moved in the direction away from the charging portion (126) of the charging piston (124) by filling the piston running pathway (122) in the charging cylinder (120) with a given amount of ink. In addition, a polyethylene foam tape is provided together so that the ink supply port of the ink cartridge can be closed.

Next, the device for filling the ink (100) is coupled with the ink cartridge (10) followed by a step of closing the ink cartridge.

Figure 4 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink is mounted on the ink cartridge, wherein the coupling member for pressure reduction (118) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is inserted into, and coupled by, the air ventilation port (40) of the ink cartridge (10) with maintaining the airtight condition, and the coupling member for charging (128) is inserted into, and coupled by, the ink injection port (30) of the ink cartridge (10) with maintaining the airtight condition. Of course, the terminal end of the needle (130) mounted on the charging cylinder (120) is fitted up to the portion adjacent to the ink supply port (20) through the inside of the ink cartridge (10). Although in the first embodiment and the second and third embodiments described below according to the present invention it is explained that the coupling member for pressure reduction is coupled by inserting into the air ventilation port and the coupling member for charging is coupled by inserting into the ink injection port, there is no problem even in case where the coupling member for pressure reduction is inserted into the ink injection port and the coupling member for charging is coupled by inserting into the air ventilation port. Similarly, it is possible to form separately the pressure reducing hole and the hole for filling ink in the ink cartridge and then to inserted respectively into the coupling member for pressure reduction and the coupling member for charging.

At the time of or before coupling the device for filling ink (100) with the ink cartridge (10), the ink supply port (20) of the ink cartridge (10) is cleanly wiped with toilet tissues or clothes and then the ink supply port (20) is closed by attaching the sealing means, for example, polyethylene foam tape (50) to the ink supply port (20) so as not to enter the air to the inside of the ink cartridge via the ink supply port (20). If other holes than the ink supply port (20), the ink injection port (30) and air ventilation port (40) are present in the ink cartridge (10), of course, they should be closed using the tape (50). Hereinafter, the ink cartridge only having the ink supply port (20), the ink injection port (30) and air ventilation port (40) thus formed is illustrated as the subject.

Subsequently, a step of reducing the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) to fill the ink is followed. That is, as shown in Figure 5, as the piston rod (150) of the device for filling ink (100) coupled with the ink cartridge (10) is moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (114) installed linking with this piston rod (150) is also moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10).

As the pressure reducing piston (114) is moved, the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is opened and the check valve (160) as the air discharging means is closed. According to this, the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) is exhausted via the air ventilation port (40), the coupling member for pressure reduction (118), the pressure reducing portion (116) and the check valve (140), and the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced under such action.

At this point, the ink in the charging cylinder (120) coupled with the ink injection port (30) of the ink cartridge is filled in the ink cartridge (10) via the ink injection port (30), while the charging piston (124) is slowly moved toward the ink cartridge (10).

That is, the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced by the pressure reducing cylinder (110) while generating the suction power capable of suctioning the ink, so that the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) can be discharged outside and the ink of the charging cylinder (120) can be filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10).

Further, when the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is sufficiently reduced by greatly establishing a stroke distance of the pressure reducing piston (114) and a sectional area of the piston running pathway (112), the ink of the charging cylinder (120) can be sufficiently filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). However, when the stroke distance of the pressure reducing piston (114) and the sectional area of the piston running pathway (112) is not sufficiently great, only a part of the ink contained in the charging cylinder (120) may be filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10) even in case where the pressure reducing piston (114) is moved to a distance as farthest as possible from the ink cartridge (10).

In the latter case, as shown in Figure 6, when the piston rod (150) is moved in the direction being close to the ink cartridge (10), via the movement of said pressure reducing piston (114) the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is closed and the check valve (160) as the air discharging means is opened. According to this, the air of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is exhausted outside through the air way (115b), groove (152b), through hole (152a) and gap (S). At this time, since the air discharged outside from the pressure reducing cylinder (110) become passed through the ink absorbing member (170), the ink contained in the air is absorbed into the ink absorbing member (170).

Then, when the pressure reducing piston (114) is moved so as to be nearest to the ink cartridge and then is moved again in the opposite direction, under such action the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is again reduced while the ink contained in the charging cylinder is filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). Of course, such operation is repeated until the inside of the ink cartridge (10) is sufficiently filled with the ink.

After the operation to fill the ink cartridge with ink as described above, the device for filling ink (100) is separated from the ink cartridge (10), the tape(50) is separated from the ink supply port (20), and the tape (not shown) is attached to the ink injection port (30) and the air ventilation port (40), and then the ink cartridge (10) is mounted on the printer for use.

Of course, the operation to fill the ink cartridge (10) with ink as above can be practiced either for filling the fresh prepared ink cartridge with ink or for re-filling the ink cartridge used one more times with ink. In the following, the device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the device for filling ink according to the second embodiment has the constitution similar to that of the device of the first embodiment, it is intended to use the same terms and the same numbers in the figures for the constitutional elements substantially identical to those of the device for filling ink (100) according to the first embodiment but to omit the detailed description thereof.

The pressure reducing piston (214) installed by inserting into the piston running pathway (112) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is linked to the end at one side of the piston rod (250), and thus has the structure which can be moved in the direction of the length of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) by pushing or pulling the piston rod (250). On the junction part of the piston rod (250) and the pressure reducing piston (214), the air discharging means to open and close the air flowing passage is installed so that the air is discharged outside the pressure reducing piston (110). Said air discharging means is closed to block the flowing of air flow when the pressure reducing piston (214) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (116), whereas it is opened to discharge the air outside the pressure reducing cylinder (110) when the piston is moved in the opposite direction.

On example of said air discharging means is prepared from the combined structure of the pressure reducing piston (214) and the piston rod (250). With reference to Figure 8, this can be more specifically explained that one end of the piston supporting member (252) in the shape of a long bar is installed by fixing on the end of the piston rod (250) toward the pressure reducing piston (214) and another end of this piston supporting member (252) is extended lengthily to a given length along with the center line of the piston rod (250) toward the pressure reducing piston (214). Then, a sliding through hole (214a) is formed along with a direction of length in the center of said pressure reducing piston (214), and the piston supporting member (252) is inserted into the sliding hole (214a), such that the pressure reducing piston (214) is constituted so as to be freely movable in a sliding mode along with the piston supporting member (252).

Further, on the end of the piston supporting member (252) the stopper plate (254) extended in the flange shape is formed to play a role to prevent the escape of the pressure reducing piston (214) from the piston supporting member (252) and to determine the relative moving distance of the pressure reducing piston (214) and the piston supporting member (252). The dimension of the stopper plate (254) must be established so that the air can be passed through the space between the edge of said stopper plate (254) and the surface of the piston running pathway (112) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110).

In addition, in the pressure reducing piston (214) several air ways (214b) passed through up and down are formed such that the air ways block the space at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (214)to block the air flow when the pressure reducing piston (214) is closely adhered to the stopper plate (254), and connect the space at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (214) to pass the air flow when the pressure reducing piston (214) is detached from the stopper plate (254). Preferably, the terminal end of the piston rod (250) toward the pressure reducing piston (214) has a sloped phase so as to be adjacent to another terminal end as goes to the external diameter; the terminal end of the pressure reducing piston (214) toward the piston rod (250) is formed to have the same slope to the slope of said piston rod (250); the terminal end of the stopper plate (254) toward the pressure reducing piston (214) has a sloped phase so as to be adjacent to another terminal end as goes to the external diameter; and the terminal end of the pressure reducing piston (214) toward the stopper plate (254) is formed to have the same slope to the slope of said stopper plate (254). In addition, on the sloped portion of said piston rod (250) the concave grooves (251) are radially formed in several positions along with the direction of circumference, so that the air flowing passage is formed to mutually connect the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (214) in case where the pressure reducing piston (214) is closely adhered to the piston rod (250). In addition, it is preferred that the ink absorbing member (170) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end of the piston rod (250) toward the pressure reducing piston (214).

Hereinafter, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink using the device for filling the ink, having the constitution as mentioned above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The device for filling the ink (200) is prepared and then coupled with the ink cartridge (10). The step of closing the ink cartridge is conducted according to the same method to the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, of which the detailed description will be omitted.

Subsequently, the step of reducing the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) to fill the ink is followed. That is, as shown in Figure 10, as the piston rod (250) of the device for filling ink (200) coupled with the ink cartridge (10) is moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (214) installed linking with this piston rod (250) is also moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10). As the pressure reducing piston (214) is moved, the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is opened and the stopper plate (254) as the air discharging means is closely adhered. According to this, the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) is exhausted via the check valve (140), and the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced under such action. At this point, the ink in the charging cylinder (120) coupled with the ink injection port (30) of the ink cartridge is filled in the ink cartridge (10) via the ink injection port (30), while the charging piston (124) is slowly moved toward the ink cartridge (10).

Further, as shown in Figure 11, when the piston rod (250) is moved in the direction being close to the ink cartridge (10), via the movement of said pressure reducing piston (214) the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is closed and the pressure reducing piston (214) for the air discharging means is detached from the stopper plate (254) to connect the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (214). According to this, the air of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is passed through the space formed between the edge of the stopper plate (254) and the piston running pathway of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) and then continuously exhausted outside through the air way (214b) of the pressure reducing piston (214) and the groove (251) of the piston rod (250).

Then, when the pressure reducing piston (214) is moved so as to be nearest to the ink cartridge (10) and then is moved again in the opposite direction, under such action the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is again reduced while the ink contained in the charging cylinder (120) is filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). Of course, such operation is repeated until the inside of the ink cartridge (10) is sufficiently filled with the ink. After the operation to fill the ink cartridge with ink as described above, the ink cartridge (10) is mounted on the printer for use, as illustrated in case of the first embodiment.

In the following, the device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated. Figure 12 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the device for filling ink (300) according to the third embodiment has the constitution similar to that of the device (100) of the first embodiment, it is intended to use the same terms and the same numbers in the figures for the constitutional elements substantially identical to those of the device for filling ink (100) according to the first embodiment but to omit the detailed description thereof.

The pressure reducing piston (314) installed by inserting into the piston running pathway (112) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is linked to the end at one side of the piston rod (350), and thus has the structure which can be moved in the direction of the length of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) by pushing or pulling the piston rod (350).

On the junction part of the piston rod (350) and the pressure reducing piston (314), the air discharging means to open and close the air flowing passage is installed so that the air is discharged outside the pressure reducing piston (110). Said air discharging means is closed to block the flowing of air flow when the pressure reducing piston (314) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (116), whereas it is opened to discharge the air outside the pressure reducing cylinder (110) when the piston is moved in the opposite direction. On example of said air discharging means is prepared from the combined structure of the pressure reducing piston (314) and the piston rod (350). With reference to Figure 13, this can be more specifically explained that one end of the piston supporting member (352) in the shape of a long bar is installed by fixing on the end of the piston rod (350) toward the pressure reducing piston (314) and another end of this piston supporting member (352) is extended lengthily to a given length along with the center line of the piston rod (350) toward the pressure reducing piston (314). Then, a sliding through hole (314a) is formed along with a direction of length in the center of said pressure reducing piston (314), and the piston supporting member (352) is inserted into the sliding hole (314a), such that the pressure reducing piston (314) is constituted so as to be freely movable in a sliding mode along with the piston supporting member (352).

Further, on the end of the piston supporting member (352) the stopper plate (354) extended in the flange shape is formed to play a role to prevent the escape of the pressure reducing piston (314) from the piston supporting member (352) and to determine the relative moving distance of the pressure reducing piston (314) and the piston supporting member (352). The dimension of the stopper plate (354) must be establishedso that the air can be passed through the space between the edge of said stopper plate (354) and the surface of the piston running pathway (112) of the pressure reducing cylinder (110). In addition, on the external surface of the piston supporting member (352) continuous air ways (353) having a given length are formed in several positions starting from the portion adjacent to the piston rod (350) toward the stopper plate (354) along with the direction of circumference. The length of said air ways (353) must be established somewhat longer that the length of the pressure reducing piston (314) so that the space sat both sides of the pressure reducing piston (314) can be mutually connected when the pressure reducing piston (314) is closely adhered to the piston rod (350).

Further, on the terminal end of said piston rod (350) toward the pressure reducing piston (314) the concave grooves (351) are radially formed in several positions along with the direction of circumference, so that the air flowing passage is formed to mutually connect the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (314) in case where the pressure reducing piston (314) is closely adhered to the piston rod (350). In addition, it is preferred that the ink absorbing member (170) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end of the piston rod (350) toward the pressure reducing piston (314).

Hereinafter, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink using the device for filling the ink (300), having the constitution as mentioned above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The device for filling the ink (300) is prepared and then coupled with the ink cartridge (10). The step of closing the ink cartridge is conducted according to the same method to the first and second embodiments, as shown in Figure 14, of which the detailed description will be omitted. Subsequently, the step of reducing the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) to fill the ink is followed. That is, as shown in Figure 15, as the piston rod (350) of the device for filling ink (300) coupled with the ink cartridge (10) is moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (314) installed linking with this piston rod (350) is also moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10).

As the pressure reducing piston (314) is moved, the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is opened and the pressure reducing piston (314) for the air discharging means is closely adhered to the stopper plate (354) to block the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (314). According to this, the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) is exhausted to the pressure reducing cylinder (140) via the check valve (140), and the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced under such action.

At this point, the ink in the charging cylinder (120) coupled with the ink injection port (30) of the ink cartridge (10) is filled in the ink cartridge (10) via the ink injection port (30), while the charging piston (324) is slowly moved toward the ink cartridge (10).

Further, as shown in Figure 12, when the piston rod (350) is moved in the direction being close to the ink cartridge (10), via the movement of said pressure reducing piston (314) the check valve (140) as the air suctioning means is closed and the pressure reducing piston (314) for the air discharging means is detached from the stopper plate (354) to connect the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (314). According to this, the air of the pressure reducing cylinder (110) is exhausted outside through the air way (353) of the piston supporting member (352) and the groove (351) of the piston rod (350). Then, when the pressure reducing piston (314) is moved so as to be nearest to the ink cartridge (10) and then is moved again in the opposite direction, under such action the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is again reduced while the ink contained in the charging cylinder (120) is filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). Of course, such operation is repeated until the inside of the ink cartridge (10) is sufficiently filled with the ink.

After the operation to fill the ink cartridge (lθ)with ink as described above, the ink cartridge (10) is mounted on the printer for use, as illustrated in case of the first and second embodiments.

In the following, it is intended to illustrate the device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The device for filling ink (400) according to the fourth embodiment has the pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the charging cylinder (420) positioned on the coaxial line, wherein the charging cylinder (420) is installed by inserting into the pressure reducing cylinder (410) so as to play a role of the piston rod for the pressure reducing cylinder (410). That is, the pressure reducing piston (414) is mounted on the end at one side of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) via the piston supporting member (430). In addition, it is preferred that the pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the charging cylinder (420) are made of plastic materials which are light, inexpensive and easy to prepare. Further, it is appropriate that the length of the charging cylinder (420) is to the extent that the external end of the charging cylinder (420) is somewhat projected outside the pressure reducing cylinder (410) when the pressure reducing piston (414) is inserted into the inside of the cylinder at its maximum.

The pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the charging cylinder (420) have the piston running pathways (412) (422), respectively, formed therein continually from the one end to another end in the direction of length. The piston running pathways (412) (422) have a round shape, preferably a hollow cylindrical shape. In addition, in each of the piston running pathways (412) (422) the pressure reducing piston (414) and the charging piston (424) are installed in the sliding manner movable in the longitudinal direction of the piston running pathways (412) (422), and the dimension and shape of the piston nmning pathways (412) (422) are determined so that the edge of the pressure reducing piston (414) and the charging piston (424) can be tightly adhered to the internal surface of the piston running pathway (412) (422). In this case, the materials for said pressure reducing piston (414) are rubbers, silicones, etc., and the materials for said charging piston (424) are somewhat elastic plastics, rubbers or silicones, etc.

Under the structure formed by mounting the pressure reducing piston (414) on the charging cylinder (420) via the piston supporting member (430), the air discharging means to close and open the air flowing passage is formed so that the air is discharged outside. The air discharging means allows that it is closed to block the flow of air when the pressure reducing piston (414) is moved so as to draw outside, and is opened to discharge the air outside when the piston is moved in an opposite direction. With reference to Figure 18, it is more specifically explained that the ink discharging port (427) is formed in the manner that it is projected outside in the center of the terminal end of the charging cylinder (420) to allow the ink to discharge outside, and the male screw thread (426a) is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ink discharging port (427) and the grooves (421) disposed radially and continuously on several position in the direction of circtunference are formed on the surface of the terminal end of the charging cylinder (420). Further, the ink ways (432) having the internal diameter in a size approximately similar to the size of the outer diameter formed by said male screw thread is formed through the center of said piston supporting member (430) in the longitudinal direction. On the inner circumferential surface at the end of the ink ways (432) toward the ink discharging port (427)the female screw thread (433) to be joined with said male screw thread is formed. At the boundary position between said ink way (432) and the female thread screw (433), the flowing passage for filling ink is provided by connecting the inside of the charging cylinder (420) with the ink cartridge, and a valve (434) to open and close the ink way as one example of the means providing the ink flowing passage to open or close the flowing passage for filling ink. For the valve to open and close the ink way, it may be sufficient to have the structure allowing that in case where the piston supporting member (430) is sufficiently coupled with the charging cylinder (420), the valve (434) to open and close the ink way closes the ink discharging port (427) to block the discharge of ink outside, whereas in case where the piston supporting member (430) is separated from the charging cylinder (420) at a somewhat distance, the valve (434) opens the ink discharging port (427) to allow the discharge of ink outside. As shown from the drawings, said valve (434) comprises a valve body (434a) made approximately in a cone shape projected toward the ink discharging port (427) so as to block the discharge of ink by closely adhering to the ink discharging port (427),in case where the piston supporting member (430) is close up to the established position by coupling with the charging cylinder (420), and many through holes (434b) which connect the ink way (432) with the female screw thread (433) forming portion at the edge of said valve body (434a) so that the ink passage can be provided toward the ink way (432) in case where the valve body is detached from the ink discharging port (427). Further, said piston supporting member (430) has a blade (436)radially formed on the outer circumferential surface of the terminal end thereof toward the ink way at many positions along with the circumferential direction, and an extended groove (438) in the shape of a disc having an outer diameter slightly greater than that of the ink way (432) in the center portion of the terminal end thereof toward the ink way (432). In addition, the piston supporting member (430) has the same outer diameter portion (43 la) formed such that it has the same outer diameter over a certain length from the terminal end adjacent to the charging cylinder (420) up to the given position of another terminal end, and an expanded outer diameter portion (431b) in which the diameter is gradually increased as goes toward the blade (432), starting from the end of said same outer diameter portion (43 la) to the portion nearly close to the blade (436).

The pressure reducing piston (414) has a through hole formed so as to be inserted into the outside of the piston supporting member (430), which through hole has a sliding hole (414a) for inserting the same outer diameter portion (431a), and an expanded hole (414b) formed so as to have a greater inner diameter than the sliding hole (414a), wherein the inner diameter of said expanded hole (414b) is formed so as to be smaller than the outer diameter of the blade (436). In addition, in said sliding hole (414a) the projection (414c) is formed in many positions in the direction of circumference and continuously over a given length along in the direction of length, and the inner diameter determined by such projections is sUghtly greater than the outer diameter of the same outer diameter portion (431a) so that the pressure reducing piston (414) can be freely moved along with the same outer diameter portion (431a). Further, the boundary position between the sliding hole (414a) and the expanded hole (414b) plays a role to close the sliding hole (414a) by closely adhering to the expanded outer diameter portion (431b) when the pressure reducing piston (414) is close to the piston supporting member (430).

Within the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder (410), the blade (436) of the piston supporting member (430) is inserted to form the projection (411) so as to be able to prevent the relative rotational motion of the piston supporting member (430) and the pressure reducing cylinder (410), wherein one or more this projection (411) is formed so as to be positioned in the gap between said blades (436).

Further, on the end of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) the pressure reducing portion (416) and the charging portion (426) are formed. In said pressure reducing portion (416), the air suctioning means which opens and closes the air flowing passage to suck the air into the inside of the pressure reducing piston (410) is installed. That is, said suctioning means is opened to allow the suctioning of air into the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder(410) when the pressure reducing piston (414) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (416), whereas it is closed to block the flowing of air when the piston is moved in the opposite direction. On example of said air suctioning means utilizes the check valve (440). Since such constitution is identical to the installation of the check valve to open and close the pressure reducing portion in the first to third embodiments, the detailed illustration thereof will be omitted.

The center lines of said pressure reducing portion (416) and charging portion (426)are present in the position within the same radius on the basis of the center line of said pressure reducing cylinder (410), but apart from each other at a given distance. The positions of the pressure reducing portion (416) and the charging portion (426) are established, at least, so as to be connected to said expanded groove (438).

Further, on the terminal end of said pressure reducing cylinder (410) a means for selecting air and ink flowing passages is provided so that the inside of the ink cartridge can be linked to any one of said pressure reducing portion (416) and charging portion (426). As one example of such means for selecting air and ink flowing passages, a coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging is mounted in a rotatable manner on the terminal end of the pressure reducing cylinder (410), and has a coupling member (452) formed in the manner that it can be inserted into, and coupled with, the ink supply port, ink injection port or air ventilation port of the ink cartridge while maintaining the airtight condition. The air and ink flowing passage (452a) provided as the way for air and ink is formed through said coupling member (452), and is formed so as to be present on the rotation route of the pressure reducing portion (416) and the charging portion (426), so that they can be linked to the pressure reducing portion (416) or the charging portion (426) when the pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the coupling body for pressure reduction and charging are relatively rotated to be present at the pre-determined position.

Of course, in case where the ink is filled by mounting said coupling member (452) on the ink injection port of the ink cartridge, it is preferred to install the needle (not shown) on said coupling member (452).

Further, it is preferred that an ink absorbing member (470) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end of the charging cylinder (420) toward the pressure reducing piston (414).

In addition, it is preferred that the relative rotational position of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging, and the relative rotational position of the charging cylinder (420) and the piston supporting member (430) can be monitored from the outside. It is preferred that for the former case the position to link the air and ink flowing passage (452a) to the pressure reducing portion (416) and the charging portion (426) can be identified by providing the marks on the external surfaces for the pressure reducing cylinder (410) and the couplmg body (450) for pressure reduction and charging; and for the latter case the position that the valve (434) to open and close the ink way can open and close the ink discharging port (427) can be identified by providing the marks on the external surfaces for the charging cylinder (420) and the piston supporting member (430). In addition, it may be preferable that the above-mentioned positions can be monitored from the outside by making respective constitutional elements transparent.

Hereinafter, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink using the device for filling the ink (400) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

First, the step of preparing the device for filling the ink (400) is practiced, which device (400) is provided under the condition that the pressure reducing piston (414) of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) is moved to the maximum level toward the coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging, and the charging piston (424) is moved in the direction away from the ink discharging port (427) by filling the piston running pathway (422) in the charging cylinder (420) with a given amount of ink. In addition, the device is under the condition that the ink discharging port (427) is closed with the valve (434) to open and close the ink way by completely coupling the piston supporting member (430) with the charging cylinder (410), and the air and ink flowing passage (452a) of the coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging is linked to the pressure reducing portion (416) of the pressure reducing cylinder (410).Further, in case where the device for filling ink (400) is coupled with any one of the ink supply port, ink injection port and air ventilation port of the ink cartridge or other holes, the sealing means capable of closing other portions, for example, polyethylene foam tape is provided together.

Next, the device for filling the ink (400) is coupled with the ink cartridge (10) followed by a step of closing the ink cartridge.

Figure 19 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink is mounted on the ink cartridge, wherein the coupling member (452) of the coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging is inserted into, and coupled by, the ink supply port (20) of the ink cartridge (10) with maintaining the airtight condition. Of course, other holes of the ink cartridge (10) must be closed using the tape (not shown).

Subsequently, a step of reducing the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is followed. That is, as shown in Figure 20, in case where the charging cylinder (420) of the device for filling ink (400) coupled with the ink cartridge (10) is moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (414) installed linking with the charging cylinder (420) is also moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10).

As the pressure reducing piston (414) is moved, the check valve (440) as the air suctioning means is opened and the pressure reducing piston (414) served as the air discharging means is closely adhered to the piston supporting member (430) to block the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (414) . According to this, the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) is sucked into the pressure reducing cylinder (410) via the check valve (440), and the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced under such action.

Subsequently, as shown from Figure 21, in case where the charging cylinder (420) is moved in the direction adjacent to the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (414) is moved to close the check valve as the air suctioning means and to detach the pressure reducing piston (414) served as the air discharging means from the piston supporting member (430) to link mutually the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (414). According to this, the air of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) is exhausted outside through the space formed between the projections (414c) of the sliding hole (414a) and the groove (421) of the charging cylinder (420). At this time, since the air discharged outside from the pressure reducing cylinder (410) become passed through the ink absorbing member (470), the ink contained in the air is absorbed into the ink absorbing member (470). Then, after the pressure reducing piston (414) is moved so as to be nearest to the ink cartridge (10) to insert the projections (411) of the pressure reducing cylinder (410) between the blades (436) of the piston supporting member (430)as shown in Figure 22, the step of filling ink is followed.

The step of filling ink comprises the procedures for connecting the ink discharging port (427) of the charging cylinder (420) with the ink supply port (20) of the ink cartridge (10).

More specifically, first, when the pressure reducing cylinder (410) is axially rotated as shown in Figure 23, the pressure reducing cylinder (410) is rotated relatively to the coupling body (450) for pressure reduction and charging to connect the charging portion (426) with the air and ink flowing passage (452a) as shown in Figure 24.

Subsequently, when the charging cylinder (420) is axially rotated as shown in Figure 25, the ink discharging port (427) of the charging cylinder (420) starts to draw out in the direction of separation from the piston supporting member (430), and according to this, the valve (434) to open and close the ink way, which had close the ink discharging port (427) opens the ink discharging port (427) as shown in Figure 26. Therefore, the ink contained in the charging cylinder is filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10) via the ink discharging port (427), the valve (434) to open and close the ink way, the charging portion (426) and the ink supply port (20), and then the charging piston (424) slowly moves toward the ink cartridge (10).

That is, the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced by the pressure reducing cylinder (410) while generating the suction power capable of suctioning the ink, so that the ink contained in the charging cylinder (420) can be filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). When the operation to fill the ink cartridge with ink is completed as described above, as shown in Figure 29 the device for filling ink (400) is separated from the ink cartridge (10), and then the ink cartridge (10) is mounted on the printer for use as illustrated in the first to third embodiments. In the following, the device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated.

Figure 28 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating the device for filling ink, as a whole, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Since the device for filling ink (500) according to the fifth embodiment has the constitution similar to that of the device (400) of the fourth embodiment, it is intended to use the same terms and the same numbers in the figures for the constitutional elements substantially identical to those of the device for filling ink (100) according to the first embodiment but to omit the detailed description thereof.

Under the structure formed by mounting the pressure reducing piston (514) on the charging cylinder (520) via the piston supporting member (530), the air discharging means to close and open the air flowing passage is formed so that the air is discharged outside. The air discharging means allows that it is closed to block the flow of air when the pressure reducing piston (514) is moved so as to draw outside, and is opened to discharge the air outside when the piston is moved in an opposite direction.

With reference to Figure 29, it is more specifically explained that the ink discharging port (527) is formed in the manner that it is projected outside in the center of the terminal end of the charging cylinder (520) to allow the ink to discharge outside, and the grooves (521) disposed radially and continuously on several position in the direction of circumference are formed on the surface of the terminal end of the charging cylinder (520). Further, the ink ways (532) is formed through the center of said piston supporting member (530) in the longitudinal direction, wherein in the center portion of said ink way the flowing passage for filling ink is provided by connecting the inside of the charging cylinder (520) with the ink cartridge and a blocking membrane in the form of a thin film as one example of the means for providing the ink flowing passage to open and close the flowing passage for filling ink is formed so as to block the said ink way (532), and then the ink discharging port (527) is fixed by inserting into the end of the ink way (532) toward the charging cylinder (520).

The piston supporting member (530) has the same outer diameter portion (531a) formed such that it has the same outer diameter over a certain length from the terminal end adjacent to the charging cylinder (520) up to the given position of another terminal end, and the expanded outer diameter portion (531b) in which the diameter is gradually increased starting from the end of said same outer diameter portion (531a). Said piston supporting member (530) has the stopper plate (534) in the flange shape integrally formed on the surface of the outer circumference of the end thereof toward the expanded outer diameter portion (53 lb).

The pressure reducing piston (514) has a through hole formed so as to be inserted into the outside of the piston supporting member (530), which through hole has a sliding hole (514a) for inserting the same outer diameter portion (531a), and an expanded hole (514b) formed so as to have a greater inner diameter than the sliding hole (514a), wherein the inner diameter of said expanded hole (514b) is formed so as to be smaller than the outer diameter determined by the stopper plate (534). In addition, in said sliding hole (514a) the projection (514c) is formed in many positions in the direction of circumference and continuously over a given length along in the direction of length, and the inner diameter determined by such projections (514c) is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the same outer diameter portion (531a) so that the pressure reducing piston (514) can be freely moved along with the same outer diameter portion (531a). Further, the boundary position between the sliding hole (514a) and the expanded hole (514b) plays a role to close the sliding hole (514a) by closely adhering to the expanded outer diameter portion (531b) when the pressure reducing piston (514) is close to the piston supporting member (530).In addition, the groove (536) in the cylindrical shape centering around said ink way (532) is formed over a given length from the terminal end of the piston supporting member(530) toward the stopper plate (534), and the male screw thread (537) is formed inside this groove (537).

In the center inside the end of the pressure reducing cylinder (510), a sharp-pointed needle (513) is formed with lengthily extending toward the blocking membrane (533) so that it can pass through the blocking membrane (533), and the linking member (511) in the shape surrounding said needle (513) and further in the shape of female thread to be coupled with the male screw thread (537)is integrally formed inside the end of the pressure reducing cylinder (510). In this case, the length of said needle (513) is appropriately established so that the needle (513) can pass through the blocking membrane (533) when the linking member (511) is inserted into the groove (536) up to a given depth to coupled the linking member with the groove.

Further, on the end of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) the pressure reducing portion (516) and the charging portion (526) are formed, which are positioned at a given distance from the center of the pressure reducing cylinder (510). The charging portion (526) connects the inside with the outside of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) via the portion surrounded by the linking member (511), and the pressure reducing portion (516) connects the inside with the outside of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) via the outside of the portion surrounded by the linking member (511).

In said pressure reducing portion (516), the air suctioning means which opens and closes the air flowing passage to suck the air into the inside of the pressure reducing piston (510) is installed. That is, said suctioning means is opened to allow the suctioning of air into the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) when the pressure reducing piston (514) is moved in the direction going away from the pressure reducing portion (516), whereas it is closed to block the flowing of air when the piston is moved in the opposite direction. On example of said air suctioning means utilizes the check valve (440). Since such constitution is identical to the installation of the check valve to open and close the pressure reducing portion in the first to fourth embodiments, the detailed illustration thereof will be omitted.

Further, on the terminal end of said pressure reducing cylinder (510) a means for selecting air and ink flowing passages is provided so that the inside of the ink cartridge can be linked to any one of said pressure reducing portion (516) and charging portion (526). As one example of such means for selecting air and ink flowing passages, a coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging is mounted in a rotatable manner on the terminal end of the pressure reducing cylinder (510), and has a coupling member (552) formed in the manner that it can be inserted into, and coupled with, the ink supply port, ink injection port or air ventilation port of the ink cartridge while maintaining the airtight condition. The air and ink flowing passage (552a) provided as the way for air and ink is formed through said coupling member (552), and is formed so as to be present on the rotation route of the pressure reducing portion (516) and the charging portion (526), so that they can be linked to the pressure reducing portion (516) or the charging portion (526) when the pressure reducing cylinder (510) and the coupling body (510) for pressure reduction and charging are relatively rotated to be present at the pre-determined position.

Of course, in case where the ink is filled by mounting said coupling member (552) on the ink injection port of the ink cartridge, it is preferred to install the needle (not shown) on said coupling member (552). Further, it is preferred that an ink absorbing member (470) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end of the charging cylinder (520) toward the pressure reducing piston (514).

In addition, it is preferred that the relative rotational position of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) and the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging can be monitored from the outside. For this purpose, it is preferred that the position to link the air and ink flowing passage (552a) to the pressure reducing portion (516) and the charging portion (526) can be identified by providing the marks on the external surfaces for the pressure reducing cylinder (510) and the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging. Hereinafter, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink using the device for filling the ink (500) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

First, the step of preparing the device for filling the ink (400) is practiced, which device (500) is provided under the condition that the pressure reducing piston (514) of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) is moved toward the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging, and the charging piston (524) is moved in the direction away from the ink discharging port (527) by filling the piston running pathway (522) in the charging cylinder (520) with a given amount of ink. In addition, the device is under the condition that the air and ink flowing passage (552a) of the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging is linked to the pressure reducing portion (516) of the pressure reducing cylinder (510). Further, in case where the device for filling ink (500) is coupled with any one of the ink supply port, ink injection port and air ventilation port of the ink cartridge or other holes, the sealing means capable of closing other portions, for example, polyethylene foam tape is provided together.

Next, the device for filling the ink (500) is coupled with the ink cartridge (10) followed by a step of closing the ink cartridge.

Figure 30 is a combined constitutional diagram to show the condition that the device for filing ink is mounted on the ink cartridge, wherein the coupling member (552) of the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging is inserted into, and coupled by, the ink supply port (20) of the ink cartridge (10) with maintaining the airtight condition. Of course, other holes of the ink cartridge (10) must be closed using the tape (not shown). Subsequently, a step of reducing the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is followed. That is, as shown in Figure 31, in case where the charging cylinder (520) of the device for filling ink (500) coupled with the ink cartridge (10) is moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (514) installed linking with the charging cylinder (520) is also moved in the direction away from the ink cartridge (10).

As the pressure reducing piston (514) is moved, the check valve (440) as the air suctioning means is opened and the pressure reducing piston (514) served as the air discharging means is closely adhered to the piston supporting member (530) to block the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (514) . According to this, the internal air of the ink cartridge (10) is sucked into the pressure reducing cylinder (510) via the check valve (440), and the internal pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced under such action.

Subsequently, as shown from Figure 32, in case where the charging cylinder (520) is moved in the direction adjacent to the ink cartridge (10), the pressure reducing piston (514) is moved to close the check valve (440) as the air suctioning means and to detach the pressure reducing piston (514) served as the air discharging means from the piston supporting member (530) to link mutually the spaces at both sides of the pressure reducing piston (514). According to this, the air of the pressure reducing cylinder (510) is exhausted outside through the space formed between the projections (514c) of the sliding hole (514a) and the groove (521) of the charging cylinder (520). At this time, since the air discharged outside from the pressure reducing cylinder (510) become passed through the ink absorbing member (470), the ink contained in the air is absorbed into the ink absorbing member (470). Then, when the pressure reducing piston (514) is moved so as to be nearest to the ink cartridge (10),the step of filling ink is followed, which comprises the procedures for connecting the ink discharging port (527) of the charging cylinder (520) with the ink supply port (20) of the ink cartridge (10).

More specifically, first, when the pressure reducing cylinder (510) is axially rotated as shown in Figure 33, the pressure reducing cylinder (510) is rotated relatively to the coupling body (550) for pressure reduction and charging to connect the charging portion (526) with the air and ink flowing passage (552a) as shown in Figure 34.

Subsequently, when the charging cylinder (520) is axially rotated, the charging cylinder (520) is moved toward the ink cartridge (10) such that the blocking membrane is destroyed by the needle (513) to open the ink way (532). According to this, the ink contained in the charging cylinder (520) is filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (lθ)via the ink discharging port (527), the ink way (532), the charging portion (526) and the ink supply port (20), and then the charging piston (524) slowly moves toward the ink cartridge (10), as shown in Figure 35. That is, the pressure of the ink cartridge (10) is reduced by the pressure reducing cylinder (510) while generating the suction power capable of suctioning the ink, so that the ink contained in the charging cylinder (520) can be filled in the inside of the ink cartridge (10). When the operation to fill the ink cartridge with ink is completed as described above, as shown in Figure 36 the device for filling ink (500) is separated from the ink cartridge (10), and then the ink cartridge (10) is mounted on the printer for use as illustrated in the first to fourth embodiments.

[Industrial Applicability]

The device and method for filling the ink cartridge with ink according to the present invention have a good effect that the pressure reduction and filling operations of the ink cartridge can be rapidly and reliably practiced.

Claims

[Claims]

1. A device for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the device for filling an ink cartridge having two or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a pressure reducing cylinder for discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside with it being installed so that it may be mated with one of the said holes, a charging cylinder for supplying the filling ink to the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge with it being installed so that it may be mated with another one of the said holes, which is fixed to the said pressure reducing cylinder in one body, and a sealing means for sealing up other holes than the holes in which the said pressure reducing cylinder and the said charging cylinder are installed.

2. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 1, characterized in that characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder comprises an air suctioning means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof, and an air discharging means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof.

3. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 2, characterized in that the air suctioning means is a check valve (140) installed on the junction part between the pressure reducing cylinder and the ink cartridge.

4. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 2, characterized in that the air discharging means comprises a piston running pathway (112) connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston (114) installed such that it is moved in said piston running pathway (112); a piston rod (150) connected such that it can allow said pressure reducing piston (114) to be transferred; and a check valve (160) installed on said pressure reducing piston (114) to open and shut the flow of air through said pressure reducing piston.

5. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 2, characterized in that the air discharging means comprises a piston running pathway

(112) connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston (214) installed such that it can be moved in said piston running pathway (112), and having one or more air ways (214b), which connects the front with the rear with respect to the moving direction; a piston supporting member (252) installed by fitting it through and into the pressure reducing piston (214) so that it can be moved relatively to the pressure reducing piston (214); a stopper plate (254) which is integrally formed on the one end of said piston supporting member (252) to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston (214) and close said air way (214b) through contact therewith; and a piston rod (250) which is fixed to the other end of piston supporting member (252) so as to move the pressure reducing piston (214) and has a groove (251)connecting the air way (214b) of said pressure reducing piston (214) with the outside.

6. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 2, characterized in that the air discharging means comprises a piston running pathway

(112) connected to the inside of the ink cartridge; a pressure reducing piston (314) installed such that it can be moved in said piston running pathway (112) a piston supporting member (352) installed by fitting it through and into the pressure reducing piston (314) so that it can be moved relatively to the pressure reducing piston (314) a stopper plate(354) which is integrally formed on the one end of said piston supporting member (352) to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston (314) to limit the movement of said pressure reducing piston (314) and a piston rod (350) which is fixed to the other end of piston supporting member (352) so as to move the pressure reducing piston (314); and an air way (353) and a groove (351) formed on the surface of the piston supporting member (352) and the surface of the piston rod (350), respectively, to connect the front with the rear with respect to the moving direction of the pressure reducing piston (314), when the pressure reducing piston (314) is moved toward the piston rod (350).

7. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 1, characterized in that the charging cylinder has a needle (130) which can be deeply fitted into the inside of the ink cartridge.

8. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the piston rod an ink absorbing member (170) made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end thereof toward the pressure reducing piston.

9. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing means is a polyethylene foam tape.

10. A device for filling the ink cartridge with inks, characterized in that in the device for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it is comprised of a pressure reducing cyhnder for discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside via movement of the pressure reducing piston; a charging cylinder for supplying the filling ink to the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge and which is installed in joining with the pressure reducing piston so as to move the pressure reducing piston of the pressure reducing cylinder; a means for selecting air and ink flowing passages joining said hole of the ink cartridge selectively with the inside of said pressure reducing cylinder and charging cylinder; and a sealing means for sealing up other holes than the holes joining the said pressure reducing cylinder together with the said charging cylinder.

11. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder comprises an air suctioning means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof, and an air discharging means allowing only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof.

12. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 11, characterized in that the air suctioning means is a check valve installed on the pressure reducing portion formed in the pressure reducing cylinder so that it can be joined with the inside of the ink cartridge.

13. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 11, characterized in that the air discharging means comprises a piston supporting member which is installed by inserting into a sliding hole formed through the center of the pressure reducing piston in a sliding manner and of which the external surface of the end at one side is the enlarged portion of the outer diameter to close a gap between said sliding hole and the external surface of the pressure reducing piston by contacting therewith while limiting the movement of said pressure reducing piston; and a groove formed on any one of the end of said charging cylinder and the end of said pressure reducing piston so that the air discharged from the gap between said sliding hole and the external surface of the pressure reducing piston is derived to the outside of the pressure reducing piston when the pressure reducing piston is separated at the enlarged portion of the outer diameter of said piston supporting member.

14. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for selecting air and ink flowing passages includes a coupling member installed by inserting into the hole of said ink cartridge; a coupling body for pressure reduction and charging, which has the air and ink flowing passage formed on said coupling member and joining the hole of the ink cartridge selectively with the inside of said pressure reducing cylinder and charging cylinder.

15. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 14, characterized in that the coupling body for pressure reduction and charging is coupled with the end of the pressure reducing cylinder in the manner that the axial rotation can be allowed while maintaining the airtight condition, the pressure reducing portion (416) and the charging portion (426) are formed on the end of said pressure reducing cylinder beyond the rotation center of the pressure reducing cylinder, and the position of said air and ink flowing passage is joined selectively with said pressure reducing portion (416) and charging portion (426) via the axial rotation of said pressure reducing cylinder with respect to the coupling body for pressure reduction and charging.

16. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 10, characterized in that a flowing passage for filling the ink, which joins the inside of said charging cylinder with the air and ink flowing passage is provided, and a means for providing the ink flowing passage to open and close the flowing passage for filling the ink is further included.

17. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 16, characterized in that the flowing passage for filling the ink is formed through the pressure reducing piston, said charging cylinder is mounted in the manner that it can be moved in the direction of rotation and length by a screw binding at one side of said flowing passage of charging the ink, and a valve (434) which is opened and closed by the contact with said pressure reducing piston is installed on the flowing passage for filling the ink.

18. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 16, characterized in that the flowing passage for filling the ink is formed through the pressure reducing piston and is blocked by a blocking membrane in the form of a thin film, and a sharp-pointed needle is fixed at the internal side of the end of said pressure reducing cylinder so that it can cut through said blocking membrane.

19. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that an ink absorbing member made of a porous material capable of absorbing ink is installed on the circumference of the end thereof toward the pressure reducing piston.

20. The device for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing means is a polyethylene foam tape.

21. A method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the method for filling an ink cartridge having two or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it comprises a step of closing the remaining holes other than two holes to be practice the pressure reduction and the filling of ink; a step of discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge through one of said holes to reduce the internal pressure of the ink cartridge; and a step of supplying the filling ink into the ink cartridge through another one of said holes while reducing the internal pressure of aid ink cartridge.

22. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 21, characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an air ventilation port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink injection port of the ink cartridge by means of the charging cyhnder having a charging piston and fixed on the pressure reducing cylmder.

23. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 21, characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink injection port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished via an air ventilation port of the ink cartridge by means of the charging cylinder having a charging piston and fixed on the pressure reducing cylinder.

24. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder allows only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof to reduce the pressure of the ink cartridge.

25. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 24, characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder further allows the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof so that the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge can be practiced over several times.

26. A method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, characterized in that in the method for filling an ink cartridge having one or more holes to link the inside of the cartridge with the outside thereof it comprises a step of closing the remaining holes other than one hole to be practice the pressure reduction and the filling of ink; a step of discharging the internal air of the ink cartridge through one of said holes to reduce the internal pressure of the ink cartridge; and a step of reducing the internal pressure of the ink cartridge and then supplying the filling ink into the ink cartridge through another one of said holes by the vacuum pressure established in the ink cartridge.

27. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 26,characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished via an ink supplying port of the ink cartridge by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having a pressure reducing piston.

28. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim

26, characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder allows only the air flow in the direction of discharging from the ink cartridge to the outside thereof to reduce the pressure of the ink cartridge.

29. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim

27, characterized in that the pressure reducing cylinder further allows the air flow in the direction of discharging from the pressure reducing cylinder to the outside thereof so that the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge can be practiced over several times.

30. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 26, characterized in that the pressure reduction of said ink cartridge is accomplished by means of the pressure reducing cylinder having the pressure reducing piston, and the filling of ink into the ink cartridge is accomplished by means of the charging cylinder which is joined and installed such that the pressure reducing piston can be moved and has a charging piston.

31. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 30, characterized in that the hole of the ink cartridge to practice the pressure reduction and filling procedure is joined selectively with the inside of the pressure reducing cylinder and the charging cylinder such that the filling of ink is accomplished after the pressure reduction of the ink cartridge is practiced.

32. The method for filling the ink cartridge with inks according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the flowing passage for filling the ink to join the inside of the charging cylinder with the air and ink flowing passage is closed when the pressure of the ink cartridge is reduced, and is opened after the pressure reduction is completed