Storage and ink refilling station for a cartridge of a printhead

Abstract

A station for storing and refilling a cartridge of a printhead has a container in which a seat is arranged for accommodating the cartridge to be refilled; the ink for refilling being contained in a collection chamber located in the bottom part of the container. The collection chamber communicates freely with a back-flow compartment located at the top, surrounding the housing and in free communication with the chamber. The feeding is effected by means of a capillary element contained inside an impermeable sheath extending vertically into the collection chamber and arranged centrally in a symmetrical position with respect to the base of the container. The capillary element penetrates into the housing in contact with the sponge of the cartridge to transfer the ink through capillarity. Feeding takes place solely and exclusively with the container in the vertical position whereas in any other position the ink flows into the back-flow compartment and the capillary element is no longer lapped against by the ink. In this way, any dripping and/or leakage of ink through the capillary element is avoided.