STORAGE AND INK REFILLING STATION FOR A CARTRIDGE OF A PRINTHEAD

The station 1 for storing and refilling a cartridge (2) of a printhead comprises a container (4), in which a seat (10) is arranged for accommodatin g the cartridge to be refilled; the ink for refilling is contained in a collection chamber (18) located in the bottom part of the container (4); the collection chamber communicates freely with a back-flow compartment (45) located at the top, surrounding the housing (10) and in free communication with the chamber (18). The feeding is effected by means of a capillary eleme nt (26), contained inside an impermeable sheath (24), extending vertically into the collection chamber and arranged centrally, in a symmetrical position wit h respect to the base (6) of the container (4); the capillary element (26) penetrates into the housing (10) in contact with the sponge of the cartridge (2) to transfer the ink through capillarity; feeding takes place solely and exclusively with the container in the vertical position (P1), whereas in any other position (P2) the ink flows into the back-flow compartment (45) and th e capillary element (26) is no longer lapped against by the ink. In this way, any dripping and/or leakage of ink through the capillary element (26) is avoided.