US Patent 6209995 - Ink Reservoir, Ink Reservoir Refill Container, and Ink Refill Process

An ink replacement reservoir, refill container and refill method are provided. The replacement reservoir is reusable, and is used as an initial replacement for a previous single-use only reservoir. Once the initial replacement has been effected, subsequent replenishment of the reusable reservoir is accomplished utilizing a refill container or bottle. Since the refill container or bottle need not interface or fit within the confines of the image forming apparatus, it can be of a simple inexpensive design. To minimize the possibility of leakage or scattering of toner, the refill container preferably mates with the reusable replacement reservoir so that the refill container is opened only when mating with the reservoir and so that the refill container must be closed in order to disengage the refill container from the reservoir.