Patent ID: 6015209
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A removable ink supply for forming a fluid connection with an ink-jet printer into which the ink supply is removably installed, the ink-jet printer having a fluid inlet and a fluid conduit for supplying liquid ink to an ink-jet printhead, the removable ink supply comprising:a quantity of liquid ink;a fluid outlet comprising (i) a hollow boss having a first end in fluid communication with the quantity of liquid ink, and a second end forming a neck, the neck defining a sealing surface and an opening; (ii) a first sealing member positioned within the neck of the boss, the first sealing member defining a slit, the slit having a closed orientation wherein liquid ink is prevented from flowing through the slit and the opening and an open orientation wherein liquid ink flows through the slit and the opening; (iii) a second sealing member positioned within the boss, the second sealing member being movable between a first position in which the second sealing member prevents liquid ink from flowing to the slit, and a second position in which liquid ink flows to the slit; and (iv) a biasing structure for biasing the second sealing member toward the first position; andwherein the ink supply fluid outlet is removably connectable with the fluid inlet of the ink-jet printer, such that the first sealing member is engageable with the fluid inlet and displaced from the first orientation to the second orientation by the fluid inlet, the second sealing member is engageable with the fluid inlet and displaced from the first position to the second position by the fluid inlet, and the sealing surface is engageable against the fluid inlet to create an ink seal.