초록 ▼

An ink jet cartridge has a rigid housing with a flexible, vent-free pouch containing ink positioned therein. The pouch has a fitment sealed therein with a quick disconnect valve incorporated in the distal end of the fitment which extends from the pouch. The housing protects the ink pouch from handli

An ink jet cartridge has a rigid housing with a flexible, vent-free pouch containing ink positioned therein. The pouch has a fitment sealed therein with a quick disconnect valve incorporated in the distal end of the fitment which extends from the pouch. The housing protects the ink pouch from handling forces and provides the device to apply an insertion force necessary to install a cartridge into an ink supply station of an ink jet printer. Ink is extracted by a probe resident in the ink supply station which actuates the quick disconnect valve upon insertion of the cartridge. The quick disconnect valve reseals when the cartridge is removed from the probe. The quick disconnect valve has a spring biased ball and a resilient cap releasably snapped on the valve which has an internal conical wall that functions as a valve seat for the spring biased ball. The valve configuration reduces the number of parts and provides a larger and better surface for the ball to seal against.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A customer replaceable ink cartridge for an ink supply station of an ink jet printer, the ink supply station includes at least one fixedly mounted probe for releasable connection with the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:a vent-free flexible pouch suitable for contai

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A customer replaceable ink cartridge for an ink supply station of an ink jet printer, the ink supply station includes at least one fixedly mounted probe for releasable connection with the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:a vent-free flexible pouch suitable for containing ink; a fitment integrally attached to the pouch and having an end extending therefrom; and a quick disconnect valve an the end of the fitment, the valve comprising:a resilient cap having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an aperture through the cap, wherein the interior surface of the cap surrounding the aperture forms a valve seat; anda movable ball resiliently urged against the valve seat to close the aperture;wherein the fitment includes an internal shoulder, and the quick disconnect valve additionally comprises a spring that resides against the internal shoulder of the fitment and urges the movable ball against the valve seat; andwherein the resilient cap is held in place by frictional engagement with the fitment extending from the pouch.