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Fluid interconnect for coupling a replaceable ink supply with an ink-jet printer

  • US 5,734,401 A
  • Filed: 12/04/1995
  • Issued: 03/31/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for forming a fluid connection between a removable ink supply containing a quantity of ink and an ink-jet printer into which the ink supply can be inserted, the ink-jet printer having a trailing tube for supplying ink to an ink-jet print head, the system comprising:

  • a fluid inlet mounted, to the ink-jet printer, the fluid inlet comprising;

    a stud having a base and a top, the stud defining a blind bore open at the base and closed at the top, the base of the stud being in fluid communication with the trailing tube, the stud further defining a lateral hole intersecting the blind bore near the top; and

    a sealing collar encircling the stud, the sealing collar having a top surface and an inner surface in contact with the stud, the sealing collar being movable from a first position in which the inner surface seals the lateral hole and the top surface is adjacent the top of the stud to a second position in which the lateral hole is exposed; and

    a fluid outlet mounted to the ink supply for engaging the fluid inlet when the ink supply is inserted into the ink-jet printer, the fluid outlet comprising;

    a hollow boss having a first end in fluid communication with said quantity of ink;

    a neck formed at a second end of the boss, the neck defining a sealing surface and an opening; and

    a sealing member positioned within the boss, the sealing member being movable between a first position in which the sealing member seals the opening and a second position in which ink can flow through the opening,wherein as the ink supply is partially inserted into the ink-jet printer the top surface of the sealing collar engages the sealing surface to form a seal between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the seal leaving no substantial space between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, andwherein as the ink supply is further inserted into the ink-jet printer, the boss moves the sealing collar from the first position to the second position to expose the lateral hole and the stud enters the orifice to move the sealing member from the first position to the second position to allow the flow of ink through the narrow neck and into the lateral hole.

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