Fluid interconnect for ink-jet pen
First Claim
1. A fluid interconnect for connecting an ink supply to an ink-jet pen, the fluid interconnect comprising:
- an outlet assembly comprising;
a housing;
an elongated needle having a first end inside the housing and a second end connectable to an ink container, the needle having an axial bore that terminates near the first end and is contiguous with a lateral hole in the needle; and
a collar positioned on the needle, the collar being movable into a closed position in which the collar covers the lateral hole to occlude fluid flow through the needle, the collar also being movable into an open position in which the collar is away from the lateral hole; and
an inlet assembly comprising;
a fitment having a passage for fluid flow, the fitment being insertable into the housing; and
a penetrable septum mounted to the fitment, the septum being penetrated by the first end of the needle as the fitment is inserted into the housing, the septum contacting the collar to move the collar from theclosed position to the open position, in which the lateral hole is exposed within the passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid interconnect connects an ink pen to a carriage on an ink-jet printer. The ink pen has an inlet assembly having a septum. The carriage has an outlet assembly that includes a collar and a needle with a lateral hole. The inlet assembly is insertable into the outlet assembly to move the collar from a closed position, in which the collar covers the lateral hole, into an open position, in which the lateral hole is exposed within the inlet assembly, to allow ink to flow through the outlet assembly into the inlet assembly. The septum occludes fluid flow from the inlet assembly when the inlet and outlet assemblies are uncoupled. The septum has a blister that seals the inlet assembly against the outlet assembly when the inlet and outlet assemblies are coupled. The inlet assembly also has a ridge for attracting, by capillary attraction, any fluid that may escape from the interconnect.
312 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fluid interconnect for connecting an ink supply to an ink-jet pen, the fluid interconnect comprising:
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an outlet assembly comprising; a housing; an elongated needle having a first end inside the housing and a second end connectable to an ink container, the needle having an axial bore that terminates near the first end and is contiguous with a lateral hole in the needle; and a collar positioned on the needle, the collar being movable into a closed position in which the collar covers the lateral hole to occlude fluid flow through the needle, the collar also being movable into an open position in which the collar is away from the lateral hole; and
an inlet assembly comprising;a fitment having a passage for fluid flow, the fitment being insertable into the housing; and a penetrable septum mounted to the fitment, the septum being penetrated by the first end of the needle as the fitment is inserted into the housing, the septum contacting the collar to move the collar from the closed position to the open position, in which the lateral hole is exposed within the passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A connector for use in an ink-jet printer having an ink tube connected to an ink container, the connector comprising:
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a housing; an elongated needle having a first end inside the housing and a second end connectable to the ink tube, the needle having an axial bore that terminates near the first end and is contiguous with a lateral hole in the needle; and a collar positioned on the needle, the collar being movable relative to the needle between a closed position in which the collar covers the lateral hole to occlude fluid flow through the needle and an open position in which the collar is away from the lateral hole. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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- 14. A method of manufacturing a sealed connector having an exposed surface for engagement with a second surface on another connector, the method comprising the step of compressing a septum within a cap having a top surface with a hole formed in the top surface such that a part of the septum is deformed into a blister on the exposed surface that projects above the top surface through the hole.
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16. A fluid inlet assembly for an ink-jet pen, the inlet assembly comprising:
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a fitment mounted to the pen and having an ink passage therein; a septum mounted to the fitment for sealing the passage; a cap having a top surface with a hole formed in the top surface that surrounds and compresses the septum such that a blister is formed in the septum that projects above the top surface through the hole. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. A cap for compressing a penetrable septum of a connector fitment, the cap having a top surface and a hole formed in the top surface, the cap being deformed around the fitment thereby to compress the septum such that a blister is formed in the septum that projects above the top surface through the hole.
Specification