TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of inkjet image formation and, more particularly, relates to an ink cartridge detachably installed in an inkjet printer. The ink cartridge is remanufactured based on a used, empty ink cartridge shell.

BACKGROUND

Ink cartridges are necessary consumables for inkjet printers. In order to meet the needs of different customers, inkjet printer manufacturers may design printers of a same model to be compatible with two types of ink cartridges having different capacities. The two types of ink cartridges may be different only in sizes.

Manufacturers of producing compatible ink cartridge may need to prepare ink cartridge empty shells for the two types of ink cartridge simultaneously. This increases the manufacturing costs of compatible ink cartridge manufacturers.

For remanufactured ink cartridges, ink cartridges with low capacity can only contain small amount of ink, which causes a large quantity of ink cartridge empty shells with low capacity, and a small quantity of ink cartridge empty shells with high capacity. Therefore, it is difficult for manufacturers to collect sufficient ink cartridge empty shells with high capacity and to meet the market demand for remanufactured ink cartridges with high capacity-types.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of making a remanufactured ink cartridge. The method includes providing an ink cartridge including a polyhedron for containing ink and a first engagement part on the polyhedron; providing an external body including a second engagement part; forming a modified ink cartridge by at least cutting off the first engagement part from the ink cartridge; and forming a remanufactured ink cartridge by combining the external body with the modified ink cartridge. The remanufactured ink cartridge is capable of being interchangeably used with a target ink cartridge.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a remanufactured ink cartridge. The remanufactured ink cartridge is capable of being interchangeably used with a target ink cartridge where the target ink cartridge and the ink cartridge before remanufacture have different sizes. The remanufactured ink cartridge includes a polyhedron for containing ink and an external body which is combined with the polyhedron, A second engagement part for restricting a movement of the polyhedron is disposed in the external body.

Other aspects of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure.

