Patent ID: 7294223

Claim:
A method for joining a fluid container and a fluid ejector, comprising: arranging a fluid container including at least one heat stake, a fluid ejector and a substrate in order, the substrate including a first surface, at least one aperture having an opening in the first surface, and at least one three-dimensional structure disposed in the vicinity of the at least one aperture, the at least one three-dimensional structure surrounding the opening and including a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface at a boundary where the second surface meets the first surface, the at least one three-dimensional structure being a groove; applying pressure to the arranged fluid container, fluid ejector and substrate to bring the arranged fluid container, fluid ejector and substrate into respective contact and to cause the at least one heat stake to be inserted into the at least one aperture; and applying thermal energy from an external heat source to the at least one heat stake so that the at least one heat stake deforms to at least partially fill the at least one aperture and the at least one three-dimensional structure.