Abstract:
A modular ink delivery system is incorporated in an inkjet printer to facilitate replacement of individual ink supply modules. A rigid interface component on the printer carries an electrical connector, an ink connector, and an air connector which match corresponding connectors on the ink supply module. A separate interface component for each ink supply module is spring-loaded on a printer frame in order to rest in either a forward parking position against a backplate or a rearward floating position that allows the interface component to move and rotate some distance in all directions to achieve proper alignment position when engaged by the ink supply module.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/871,566 filed Jun. 4, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,042 by Eric L.Gasvoda, et al. entitled REPLACEABLE INK CONTAINER ADAPTED TO FORM RELIABLE FLUID, AIR AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO A PRINTING SYSTEM, which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/240,039 filed Jan. 29, 1999 by Xavier Gasso, et al. entitled REPLACEABLE INK DELIVERY TUBE SYSTEM FOR LARGE FORMAT PRINTER, which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ink-jet printing systems, and more particularly, ink-jet printing systems which make use of ink containers that are replaceable separate from a printhead. 
     Inkjet printers frequently make use of an inkjet printhead mounted to a carriage which is moved back and fourth across a print media, such as paper. As the printhead is moved across the print media, a control system activates the printhead to deposit ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text. 
     Previously used printers have made use of an ink container that is separably replaceable from the printhead. When the ink cartridge is exhausted the ink cartridge is removed and replaced with a new ink container. The use of replaceable ink containers that are separate from the printhead allow users to replace the ink container without replacing the printhead. The printhead is then replaced at or near the end of printhead life and not when the ink container is exhausted. 
     Previously used off-axis ink delivery systems have made use of a memory device located in the ink container for altering the printhead drive conditions based on the information stored in the memory device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,611 to Ujita et al discloses the use of a memory device having electric terminals for providing drive conditions to the printhead. These drive conditions include drive voltage, pulse width, frequency, and the number of preliminary discharges. The memory device is mounted to the outer surface of the ink cartridge so that electrical contacts for the memory device are spaced apart on the outer surface of the ink cartridge. As the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink-jet printer, electric terminals associated with the bubble-jet printer contact the electric terminals associated with the ink cartridge. 
     It is important that the ink container and printer form proper electrical connection to ensure proper printer operation. Proper electrical connection requires that each electrical contact associated with the ink container be electrically connected to a corresponding electrical contact associated with the printer portion. In addition, each of these electrical connections should be a reliable low resistance electrical connection. 
     There is an ever present need for printing systems which are capable of providing low operating costs such as printers which make use of off-axis type ink supplies. In addition, these printing systems should be easy to operate, such as, including some form of memory for storing printing parameters so that the user is not required to adjust printer parameters when the ink container is replaced. These ink supplies should be capable of reliable insertion into the printing system to ensure proper fluid interconnection and proper electrical interconnection with the printer is achieved. In addition, these interconnections should be reliable and should not degrade over time and use. For example, the fluid interconnect should not leak during use or over time and the electrical interconnect should be reliable during use and over time. In addition, these ink cartridges should not require special handling by the user and should be reliable and easily connected by the user to form a positive highly reliable mechanical, electrical, and fluid interconnect with the printer. 
     These ink containment systems should be capable of providing ink at high flow rates to a printhead thereby allowing high throughput printing. This ink supply system should be cost effective to allow relatively low cost per page printing. In addition, the ink supply should be capable of providing ink at high flow rates in a reliable manner to the printhead. 
     Finally, electrical interconnection between the ink container and printer should be reliable without requiring relatively large contact force. The use of relatively large contact force tends to improve the reliability of the electrical interconnect. Large contact force interconnects tend to require increased latch and insertion forces which tend to result in increased costs due to higher force latch springs and larger latching surfaces. Therefore, the electrical interconnect should be capable of providing high reliability and requiring relatively low interconnect forces. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A modular ink delivery system is incorporated in an inkjet printer to facilitate manual replacement of individual ink modules in an ink supply station on the printer frame. A rigid interface component on the printer carries an electrical connector, an ink connection needle, and an air connection needle which are sized and shaped to match an electrical contact, an ink septum and an air septum on the ink module. The interface component is spring loaded in order to rest in either a forward parking position against a backplate or a rearward floating position that allows the interface component to move and rotate some distance in all directions in order to achieve proper alignment position when engaged by the ink module. In an exemplary embodiment wherein four separate ink modules are mounted on the ink supply station, each interface component is capable of independent movement in order to accommodate large tolerances between the ink module and the interface component. 
     Additional alignment features for achieving satisfactory mounting of the ink supply module in the ink supply station include providing some limited lateral movement of the electrical connector relative to the interface component. In this regard an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a separate electrical adaptor holding conductive wires and mounted in a lateral slot between flexible arms on the interface component. 
     Ink leakage is minimized by providing a resilient humidor surrounding the ink connection needle adjacent a needle hole. A biasing spring assures sealing contact between a face of the humidor and the ink septum during ink flow from the ink module through the ink connection needle. 
     Since operation of the printer is dependent upon satisfactory engagement between each ink module and its respective interface component, the electrical interconnect does not make conductive contact with the electrical contacts until after the ink and air connections have occurred. Thus signal transmission with the ink module provides confirmation of successful installation while non-transmission is indicative of incomplete installation or removal of an ink module. 
     The present invention is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an off axis printing system. The printing system responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container for controlling printer parameters. The ink container has a leading edge and a trailing edge relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the printing system. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet disposed toward the leading edge. The fluid outlet is configured for fluid connection to a hollow needle associated with the printing system. The hollow needle extends in a direction opposite the insertion direction. Included in the ink container is a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the ink container. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured for engagement with complementary electrical contacts associated with the printing system. Also included in the ink container is a guide member extending from the ink container along the insertion direction. The guide member is configured for engaging a tapered guide member receiving slot associated with the printing system. This engaging repositions the complementary electrical contacts relative to the hollow needle to ensure proper alignment of complementary electrical contacts with the plurality of electrical contacts during insertion of the ink container into the printing system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a printing system that includes an ink container of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a representation of the printing system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a leading edge portion of the ink container of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a side plan view of the ink container of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a top plan view, partially broken away, taken across line  5 - 5 ′ of the electrical connection portion of the ink container of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts a side plan view of the electrical connection portion of the ink container taken across lines  6 - 6 ′ shown in FIG. 5 
     FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an ink container receiving station shown partially broken away with an ink container of the present invention installed. 
     FIG. 8 depicts a cross-section taken across line  8 - 8 ′ of the ink container receiving station of FIG. 7 shown partially broken away. 
     FIG. 9 depicts electrical, fluid and air connectors shown greatly enlarged of the ink container receiving station shown FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 9 shown greatly enlarged. 
     FIG. 11 depicts a cross section of a fluid outlet and an air inlet for the ink container of the present invention shown in engagement with a fluid inlet and air outlet, respectively, associated with the ink container receiving station shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a side and top plan views, respectively, shown partially broken away, illustrating partial alignment of the electrical connectors with the ink container of the present invention partially inserted. 
     FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a side and top plan views, respectively, shown partially broken away, illustrating complete alignment of the electrical connectors with the ink container of the present invention fully inserted. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a printing system  10  which includes the ink container  12  of the present invention. Also included in the printing device  10  is a printhead  14  and a source of pressurized gas such as a pump  16 . The pump  16  is connected by a conduit  18  for providing a pressurized gas such as air to the ink container  12 . A marking fluid  19  such as ink is provided by the ink container  12  to the printhead  14  by a conduit  20 . This marking fluid is ejected from the printhead  14  to accomplish printing. 
     The ink container  12  which is the subject of the present invention includes a fluid reservoir  22  for containing ink  19 , an outer shell  24 , and a chassis  26 . In the preferred embodiment the chassis  26  includes an air inlet  28  configured for connection to conduit  18  for pressurizing the outer shell  24  with air. A fluid outlet  30  is also included in the chassis  26 . The fluid outlet  30  is configured for connection to the conduit  20  for providing a fluid connection between the fluid reservoir  22  and fluid conduit  20 . 
     In the preferred embodiment the fluid reservoir  22  is formed from a flexible material such that pressurization of the outer shell produces a pressurized flow of ink from the fluid reservoir  22  through the conduit  20  to the printhead  14 . The use of a pressurized source of ink in the fluid reservoir  22  allows for a relatively high fluid flow rates from the fluid reservoir  22  to the printhead  14 . The use of high flow rates or high rates of ink delivery to the printhead make it possible for high throughput printing by the printing system  10 . 
     The ink container  12  also includes a plurality of electrical contacts, as will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG.  3 . The electrical contacts provide electrical connection between the ink container  12  and printer control electronics  32 . The printhead control electronics  32  controls various printing system  10  functions such as, but not limited to, printhead  14  activation to dispense ink and activation of pump  16  to pressurize the ink container  12 . In one preferred embodiment the ink container  12  includes an information storage device  34  and an ink level sensing device  36 . The information storage device  34  provides information to the printer control electronics  32  for controlling printer  10  parameters such as ink container  12  volume as well as ink characteristics, to name a few. The ink level sense device  36  provides information relating to current ink volume in the ink container  12  to the printer control electronics  32 . 
     The present invention is a method and apparatus for forming a reliable electrical interconnect between the ink container  12  and the printer control electronics  32 . The technique of the present invention provides alignment of the electrical contacts on each of the ink container  12  and the ink container receiving station as will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  12 A and  12 B. In addition, the technique of the present invention ensures that a reliable low resistance electrical connection is formed between proper electrical contacts on each of the ink container  12  and the ink container receiving station once the ink container is properly inserted into the ink container receiving station. Before discussing the details of the present invention it will be helpful to fist discuss the overall printing system  10 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the printing system  10  shown in perspective. The printing system  10  includes a printing chassis  38  containing one or more ink container  12  of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is shown having four similar ink containers  12 . In this embodiment, each ink container contains a different ink color. Therefore, four color printing is accomplished by providing cyan, yellow, magenta and black ink from the four ink containers  12  to one or more printheads  14 . Also included in the printer chassis  38  is a control panel  40  for controlling operation of the printer  10  and a media slot  42  from which print media such as paper is ejected. 
     As ink  19  in each ink container  12  is exhausted the ink container  12  is replaced with a new ink container  12  containing a new supply of ink. In addition, the ink container  12  may be removed from the printer chassis  38  for reasons other than an out of ink condition such as changing inks for an application requiring different ink properties or for use on different media. It is important that the ink container  12  be not only accessible within the printing system  10  but also easily replaceable. It is also important that the replacement ink container  12  form reliable electrical connection with corresponding electrical contacts associated with the printer chassis  38  as well as properly form necessary interconnects such as fluid interconnect, air interconnect and mechanical interconnect so that the printing system  10  performs reliably. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for reliably engaging the ink container  12  into the printer chassis  38  to insure proper electrical interconnection is formed. 
     It is important that ink spillage and spattering be minimized to provide reliable interconnection between the ink container  12  and printer  10 . Ink spillage is objectionable not only for the operator of the printer who must handle the spattered ink container  12  but also from a printer reliability standpoint. Inks used in ink-jet printing frequently contain chemicals such as surfactants which if exposed to printer components can effect the reliability of these printer components. Therefore, ink spillage inside the printer can reduce the reliability of printer components thereby reducing the reliability of the printer. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the ink container  12  of the present invention. The ink container  12  includes a housing or outer shell  24  which contains the fluid reservoir  22  shown in FIG. 1 for containing ink  19 . The outer shell  24  has a leading edge  50  and trailing edge  52  relative to a direction of insertion for the ink container  12  into the printer chassis  38 . The leading edge  50  includes the air inlet  28  and the fluid outlet  30  which are configured for connection to the air pump  16  and the printhead  14 , respectively, once the ink container  12  is properly inserted into the printer chassis  38 . The air inlet  28  and fluid outlet  30  will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG.  8 . 
     A plurality of electrical contacts  54  are disposed on the leading edge  50  for providing electrical connection between the ink container  12  and printer control electronics  32 . In one preferred embodiment the plurality of electrical contacts  54  include a first plurality of electrical interconnects that are electrically interconnected to the information storage device  34  and a second plurality of electrical interconnects which are electrically interconnected to the ink volume sensor  36  shown in FIG.  1 . In the preferred embodiment the information storage device  34  is a semiconductor memory and the ink volume sensing device  36  is an inductive sensing device. The electrical contacts  54  will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG.  5 . 
     The ink container  12  includes one or more keying and guiding features  58  and  60  disposed toward the leading edge  50  of the ink container  12 . The keying and guiding features  58  and  60  work in conjunction with corresponding keying and guiding features on the printer chassis  38  to assist in aligning and guiding the ink container  12  during insertion of the ink container  12  into the printer chassis  38 . The keying and aligning features  58  and  60  in addition to providing a guiding function also provide a keying function to insure only ink containers  12  having proper ink parameters such as proper color and ink type are inserted into a given slot printer chassis  38 . Keying and guiding features are discussed in more detail in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/566,521 filed Dec. 4, 1995 entitled “Keying System for Ink Supply Containers” assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. 
     A latch feature  62  is provided toward the trailing edge  52  of the ink container  12 . The latch feature  62  works in conjunction with corresponding latching features on the printer portion to secure the ink container  12  within the printer chassis  38  such that proper interconnects such as pressurized air, fluidic and electrical are accomplished in a reliable manner. The latching feature  62  is a molded tang which extends downwardly relative to a gravitational frame of reference. The ink container  12  shown in FIG. 4 is positioned for insertion into a printer chassis  38  along the Z-axis of coordinate system  64 . In this orientation gravitational forces act on the ink container  12  along the Y-axis. 
     FIG. 5 depicts an electrical interconnect portion  70  which is the subject of the present invention. The electrical interconnect portion  70  includes electrical contacts  54  and upstanding guide member  72 , and inner wall member  74 , and an outer wall member  76 . In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts  54  include electrical contacts  78  which are electrically connected to the fluid sensing device  36  shown in FIG.  1  and electrical contacts  80  which are electrically connected to the information storage device  34 . In the preferred embodiment, the electrical contacts  78  are defined in a flexible circuit  82  which is mounted to the ink container  12  by fastener  84 . A circuit  86  on which contacts  80  and information storage device  34  are disposed provides electrical connection between the information storage device  34  and contacts  80 . The circuit  86  is attached to the ink container  12  by fastener  84 . 
     The inner upstanding wall  74  and the outer upstanding wall  76  help protect the electrical circuit  86 , information storage device  34 , and contacts  78  and  80  from mechanical damage. In addition, the upstanding walls  74  and  76  help minimize inadvertent finger contact with the electrical contact  78  and  80 . Finger contact with the electrical contact  78  and  80  can result in the contamination of these electrical contacts which can result in reliability problems with the electrical connection between the ink container  12  and the printing system  10 . Finally, inadvertent contact with the electrical contact  78  and  80  can result in an electrostatic discharge (ESD) which can result in reliability problems with the information storage device  34 . If the information storage device is particularly sensitive to electrostatic discharge such a discharge may result in catastrophic failure of the information storage device  34 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the electrical interconnect  70  shown in FIG.  5 . It can be seen from FIG. 6 that the upstanding member  72  extends outward from a leading edge portion  50  of the ink container  12  along a Z-axis in coordinate system  86 . The upstanding guide member  72  in the preferred embodiment is tapered from a leading edge toward the trailing edge. The upstanding guide member as will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 11A,  11   b ,  12   a , and  12   b  provides a critical guiding function to insure proper electrical connection is accomplished during the insertion of ink container  12  into the printer chassis  38 . 
     In one preferred embodiment the upstanding guide member  72  is formed integrally with an ink container chassis  88 . In this preferred embodiment the ink container chassis  88  defines the air inlet  28  as well as the fluid outlet  30 . 
     FIG. 7 depicts an ink container  12  of the present of the present invention shown secured within an ink container receiving station  88  within the printer chassis  38 . Because ink container  12  is similar except for keying and guiding features  58  and  60  and corresponding ink properties contained within the respected fluid reservoir, the same reference numbering will be used for each ink container  12 . An ink container indicia  90  may be positioned proximate each slot in the ink container receiving station  88 . The ink container indicia  90  may be a color swatch or text indicating ink color to assist the user in color matching for inserting the ink container  12  in the proper slot within the ink container receiving station  88 . As discussed previously the keying and guiding features  58  and  60  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 prevent ink containers from being installed in the wrong slot. Installation of an ink container in the wrong slot can result in improper color mixing or the mixing of inks of different ink types each of which can result in poor print quality. 
     Each receiving slot within the ink container receiving station includes a corresponding keying and guiding slot  92  and a recessed latching portion  94 . The guiding slot  92  cooperates with the keying and guiding features  58  and  60  to guide the ink container  12  into the ink container receiving station  88 . The keying and guiding slot  92  associated with the corresponding keying and guiding feature  60  is shown in FIG.  5  and the keying and guiding slot associated with the corresponding keying and guiding feature  58  on the ink container  12  is not shown. The latching features  94  are configured for engaging the corresponding latching features  62  on the ink container  12 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a single ink container receiving slot within the ink container receiving station  88 . The ink container receiving slot includes interconnect portions for interconnecting with the ink container  12 . In the preferred embodiment these interconnect portions include a fluid inlet  98 , and air outlet  96  and an electrical interconnect portion  100 . Each of the interconnects  96 ,  98 , and  100  are positioned on a floating interconnect portion  102  which is biased along the Z-axis toward the installed ink container  12  by compression springs  208 ,  210  (see FIGS. 12A and 13A) thereby providing independent coupling with each manually replaceable ink container module. 
     The fluid inlet  98  and the air outlet  96  associated with the ink container receiving station  88  are configured for connection with the corresponding fluid outlet  30  and air inlet  28 , respectively on the ink container  12 . The electrical interconnect  100  is configured for engaging the plurality of electrical contact  54  on the ink container  12 . 
     It is the interaction between the keying and guiding features  58  and  60  associated with the ink container  12  and the corresponding keying and guiding feature  92  associated with the ink container receiving station  88  which guide the ink container  12  during the insertion such that proper interconnection are accomplished between the ink container  12  and the printer chassis  38 . In addition, sidewalls associated with each slot in the ink container receiving station  88  engage corresponding sidewalls of the outer shell  24  of ink container  12  to assist in guiding and aligning the ink container  12  during insertion into the ink container receiving station  88 . 
     FIGS. 9,  11 ,  12 A and  13 A illustrates further detail of the floating interconnect portion  102  shown in FIG.  8 . The floating interconnect portion  102  is spring biased by compression springs  208 ,  210  in order for each interface component to be capable of independent movement in all directions when engaged by an ink container module in a direction opposite the direction of insertion of the ink container  12  into the ink container receiving station  88 . The floating interconnect portion  102  is biased towards a backplate  103  to provide mechanical restraints which limit the motion of the floating interconnect portion in each of the X, Y, and Z-axis. Therefore, the floating interconnect portion  102  has a limited degree of motion in each of the X, Y, and Z axis of coordinate system  86 . 
     For additional disclosure of the aforesaid mechanical constraints and resilient mounting of each floating interconnection portion  102  by compression springs  208 ,  210  to provide such longitudinal, lateral and/or rotary movement for each ink module during installation, see FIG. 15 in U.S. Ser. No. 09,240,039 entitled REPLACEABLE INK DELIVERY TUBE SYSTEM FOR LARGE FORMAT PRINTER as previously incorporated herein by reference. 
     It will be understood from the foregoing description and drawings the present invention provides a method of replenishment for an inkjet printer having a printhead cartridge mounted on a carriage, with a supply tube connected between the printhead cartridge and an auxiliary supply station. The auxiliary supply station includes a storage module with a supply bag having an outlet, and also having a memory element with a signal contact. The supply bag is filled with a given type of application fluid. An interface component is provided with a fluid connector and a signal connector, and the interface component is movable between a parking position and a floating position. The storage module is installed on the printer by making conductive contact between the signal connector and the signal contact and also by coupling the outlet with the fluid connector to allow the application fluid to flow from the supply bag to the printer cartridge while the interface component is in the floating position. 
     The electrical interconnect portion  100  which is the subject of the present invention is mounted such that the electrical interconnect  100  is free to move in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of insertion or along the X-axis relative to the floating interconnect portion  102 . The electrical interconnect portion  100  is mounted such that mechanical restraints limit the amount of motion of the electrical interconnect  100  along the X-axis. 
     The electrical interconnect portion  100  includes a plurality of spring biased electrical contacts  104 . The electrical contacts  104  engage corresponding electrical contacts  54  associated with the ink container  12  to electrically connect the ink container  12  with the printer control electronics  32  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The electrical connector  100  further includes a guide slot  106  and a pair of guide members  108 . The guide slot together with the pair of guide members  108  cooperate to engage the upstanding guide member  72  and inner wall  74  to properly align the electrical interconnect  100  with the electrical interconnect  70  associated with the ink container  12 . Proper alignment of the electrical interconnect  100  associated with the ink container receiving station  88  with the electrical interconnect  70  associated with the ink container involves the proper alignment of the spring biased electrical contacts  104  with corresponding electrical contacts  54  associated with the ink container  12 . The electrical interconnect  100  will be discusses in more detail in respect to FIG.  10 . 
     The floating interconnect portion  102  also includes a fluid inlet  98  and air outlet  96 . In the preferred embodiment the fluid inlet  98  includes a housing  110  having an upstanding ink connector needle and a resilient humidor having a spring biased sealing portion  112  surrounding the ink connector needle therein. Similarly, the air outlet  96  includes an upstanding member  114  having an upstanding air connector needle and may include a spring biased sealing portion  116  disposed therein. With the ink container  12  properly inserted into the ink container receiving station  88  fluid outlet  30  and air inlet  28  are inserted into the housing  110  and housing  114 , respectively such that the aforesaid needles and sealing members  112  and  116 , respectively form the proper respective fluid and air interconnects with the ink container  12 . 
     FIG. 10 discloses the electrical interconnect  100  of the present invention. The electrical interconnect  100  includes shoulder portions  120  which fit into corresponding slot (not shown) on the floating interconnect portion  102  allowing the electrical interconnect  100  to move freely along the X-axis within a limited range of motion. The guiding slot  106  includes tapered portions  122  which allow the guiding slot  106  to receive the upstanding member  72  associated with the electrical interconnect  70  on ink container  12 . It is the upstanding guide member  72  which provides proper alignment along the X-axis for the interconnect  100  such that the spring biased electrical contacts  104  properly engage the corresponding electrical contacts  54  associated with the ink container  12 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates further detail of the preferred the fluid outlet  30  and air inlet  28  associated with the ink container  12  and the corresponding fluid inlet  98  and air outlet  96  associated with the ink container receiving station  88 . 
     In this preferred embodiment the fluid inlet  98  associated with the ink container receiving station  88  includes a housing  126  and outwardly extending needle  128  having a closed, blunt upper end, a blind bore (not shown) and a lateral hole  130 . The blind bore is fluidly connected to the lateral hole  130 . The end of the needle  128  opposite the lateral hole  130  is connected to the fluid conduit  20  for providing ink to the printhead  14  shown in FIG.  1 . The resilient humidor is shown as a sliding collar  132  which surrounds the needle  128  and is biased upwardly by spring  134  to assure sealing contact between a face of the humidor and a compliant septum during ink flow from the ink module through the ink connection needle  128 . The sliding collar  132  has a compliant sealing portion  112  with an exposed upper surface and an inner surface in direct contact with the needle  128  thereby surrounding the ink connection needle  128  adjacent the lateral hole  130  in order to minimize ink leakage. 
     The air outlet  96  on the ink container receiving station  88  is similar to the fluid inlet  98  except does not require the sliding collar  132  and the spring  134 . The air outlet  96  on the ink container receiving station  88  includes a housing  136  and an outwardly extending needle  138  having a closed, blunt upper end, a blind bore (not shown) and a lateral hole  140 . The blind bore is fluidly connected to the lateral hole  140 . The end of the needle  138  opposite the lateral hole  140  is connected to the air conduit  18  for providing pressurized air to the ink container  12  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     In this preferred embodiment, the fluid outlet  30  associated with the ink container  12  includes a hollow cylindrical boss  142  that extends outward from an ink container chassis  144 . The end of the boss  142  toward the chassis  144  opens into a conduit  146  which is fluidly connected to the ink reservoir  22  thereby providing fluid to the fluid outlet  30 . A spring  148  and sealing ball  150  are positioned within the boss  142  and held in place by a compliant septum  152  and a crimp cover  154 . The spring  148  biases the sealing ball  150  against the septum  152  to form a fluid seal. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the air inlet  28  associated with the ink container  12  is similar to the fluid outlet  30  except that the additional seal formed by the spring  148  and sealing ball  150  are eliminated. The air inlet  28  associated with the ink container  12  includes a hollow cylindrical boss  156  that extends outward from an ink container chassis  144 . The end of the boss  156  toward the chassis  144  opens into a conduit  158  which is in communication with a region between the outer shell  24  and an outer portion of the fluid reservoir  22  for pressurizing the fluid reservoir  22 . A compliant septum  160  and a crimp cover  162  form a seal. 
     The insertion of the ink container  12  into the ink container receiving station  88  such that proper interconnection is formed will now be discussed with respect to FIGS. 12 a ,  12   b ,  13   a , and  13   b . As the ink container  12  is initially inserted into the ink container receiving station  88  the keying and guiding features  58  and  60  associated with the ink container must be properly aligned with corresponding keying and guiding features  92  associated with the ink container receiving station  88 . Proper alignment of these keying and guiding features ensures that the ink container  12  is inserted in the proper slot within the ink container receiving station  88 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, further insertion of the ink container  12  into the ink container receiving station  88  results in the outwardly extending fluid outlet  30  and air inlet  28  engaging the corresponding housing associated with the fluid inlet and air outlet  126  and  136 , respectively on the ink container receiving station  88 . As the fluid and air interconnects  30  and  28  engage the housing members  126  and  136 , respectively the floating interconnect  102  is aligned along the X and Y axis with the ink container  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the electrical interconnect  70  fluid outlet  30 , and air inlet  28  are all formed integrally on the same chassis portion of ink container  12 . Therefore, alignment of the floating interconnect portion  102  with the fluid outlet  30  and air inlet  28  provides a coarse alignment of the electrical interconnect  100  associated with the ink container receiving station  88  with the electrical interconnect  70  associated with the ink container  12 . 
     It can be seen from FIG. 12B the electrical contacts  54  associated with the ink container are not in proper alignment with the electrical spring contacts  104  associated with the ink container receiving station. However, the coarse alignment along the X and Y-axis provided by the fluid and air interconnects  30  and  28  with the corresponding fluid and air housing members  126  and  136 , respectively ensures that the guide member  72  is at least roughly aligned with the guide slot  106 . As the ink container  12  is further inserted into the ink container receiving station  88  the tapered portion on each of the upstanding guide member  72  and tapered portions  122  on the guide slot  106  exert a force on the electrical interconnect  100  to urge the electrical interconnect along the X-axis relative to the interconnect portion  102  to provide a centering of the upstanding guide member  72  within the receiving slot  106 . 
     FIG. 13A shows the ink container  12  fully inserted into the ink container receiving station  88 . In this fully inserted position proper fluid and air interconnects are formed between the ink container  12  and the ink container receiving station  88 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 13B the electrical interconnect  100  is urged into a centered position by the engagement of the upstanding guide member  72  and guide slot  106 . In this centered position the electrical contacts  54  associated with the ink container  12  engage the proper spring biased electrical contacts  104  associated with the ink container receiving station  88 . Because the spring biased electrical contacts  104  are biased against the electrical contacts  54  a proper low resistance electrical contact is formed. 
     The present invention makes use of an electrical interconnect system which allows for misalignment between both the ink container  12  and receiving station  88 . Because the present invention makes use of both a initial coarse alignment system for aligning the fluid and air interconnects and a subsequent separate fine alignment system for aligning the electrical interconnects a large amount of misalignment between the ink container  12  and the receiving station can be tolerated. In accordance with the foregoing description and as shown in the drawings, it is understood that the ink container contacts  54  do not make conductive contact with the electrical interconnect contacts  104  on floating interconnect portion  102  until after the ink and air connections have occurred. As a result, signal transmission with the ink module container  12  provides confirmation of successful installation while non-transmission indicates incomplete installation or removal of the ink module container. 
     An important feature which allows for this misalignment between the ink container and printer portion is the use of an electrical interconnect on the printer portion that is movable relative to the fluid and air interconnects. The electrical interconnect makes use of an alignment member for aligning the electrical interconnect separately from the fluid and air interconnects. By using an alignment member associated with each of the electrical interconnects which is a separate from the fluid interconnects proper electrical alignment is ensured. The alignment system of the present invention makes it possible to use ink containers  12  which are formed using inexpensive molding processes to be used while ensuring an accurate and highly reliable electrical interconnect as well as fluid interconnects are formed. 
     Various changes and improvements can be made to the illustrated embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.