Christopher A Schultz

US Patent:

57776482, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Mar 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/615903

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA
Jon Fong - Manhattan Beach CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 87

Abstract:

An inkjet print cartridge is described which has a first fill port, for initially filling the print cartridge with ink, and a refill port for recharging the print cartridge. The refill port includes a slideable valve which is engageable with a valve on an external ink reservoir to create an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge reservoir and the external ink reservoir.

US Patent:

58524584, Dec 22, 1998

Filed:

Mar 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618237

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA
Jon Fong - Manhattan Beach CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - PaloAlto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 86

Abstract:

An inkjet print cartridge is described which allows recharging of the ink supply in the print cartridge without removing the print cartridge from the printer. In a preferred embodiment, the ink reservoir in the print cartridge consists of a spring-loaded collapsible ink bag, where the spring urges the sides of the ink bag apart and thus maintains a negative pressure within the ink bag relative to ambient pressure. The ink bag is initially filled through a first fill port in the print cartridge. The first fill port is then sealed with a stopper. The print cartridge is installed in a slideable carriage in an inkjet printer. As the ink is depleted during use of the print cartridge, the ink bag progressively collapses and overcomes the spring force. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body.

US Patent:

59632380, Oct 5, 1999

Filed:

May 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/073168

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA
Jon Fong - Manhattan Beach CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 85

Abstract:

A print cartridge is described which has an ink recharge port and valve structure to enable the print cartridge reservoir to be recharged with ink. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve has a male connector portion at its end external to the print cartridge body. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body. An ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with the male connector portion of the print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs. This further insertion causes both valves to become open, thus creating an airtight fluid path between the ink refill system reservoir and the depleted print cartridge reservoir.

US Patent:

60007915, Dec 14, 1999

Filed:

May 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/858542

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 87

Abstract:

An inkjet print cartridge is described which incorporates an ink recharge port and recharge valve as part of the handle for the print cartridge. The handle is located to be easily accessible when the print cartridge is installed in a carriage within a printer. The handle provides protection for the recharge valve structure, and the valve structure does not interfere with the insertion of the print cartridge into existing carriages.

US Patent:

57513201, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Mar 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/615748

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA
Jon Fong - Manhattan Beach CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 85

Abstract:

An ink refill system is described for engaging a print cartridge's refill valve and transferring ink to the ink reservoir. The ink refill system has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with a male connector portion of a print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs. This further insertion causes both valves to become open, thus creating an airtight fluid path between the ink refill system reservoir and the depleted print cartridge reservoir. The negative pressure within the print cartridge ink bag draws the ink from the ink refill system reservoir into the ink bag until the ink bag is substantially full. The print cartridge is then removed from the ink refill system, automatically closing both valves.

US Patent:

56753675, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

Mar 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618234

Inventors:

Joseph E. Scheffelin - San Diego CA
David S. Hunt - San Diego CA
Mark E. Young - Escondido CA
Elizabeth Zapata - San Diego CA
Alfred Zepeda - San Marcos CA
Christopher J. Schultz - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2175

US Classification:

347 86

Abstract:

An inkjet print cartridge is described which incorporates an ink recharge port and recharge valve as part of the handle for the print cartridge. The handle is located to be easily accessible when the print cartridge is installed in a carriage within a printer. The handle provides protection for the recharge valve structure, and the valve structure does not interfere with the insertion of the print cartridge into existing carriages.