REPLACEABLE INK CONTAINER ADAPTED TO FORM RELIABLE FLUID, AIR, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO A PRINTING SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention is a replaceable ink container (12) for providing ink to an off-axis printing system (10). The printing system (10) responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container (12) for controlling printer parameters. The ink container (12) has a leading edge (50) and a trailing edge (52) relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container (12) into the printing system (10). The replaceable ink container (12) includes a fluid outlet (30) disposed toward the leading edge (50). The fluid outlet (30) is configured for fluid connection to a hollow needle (128) associated with the printing system (10). The hollow needle (128) extends in a direction opposite the insertion direction. Included in the ink container (12) is a plurality of electrical contacts (54) disposed on the ink container (12). The plurality of electrical contacts (54) are configured for engagement with complementary electrical contacts associated with the printing system (10). Also included in the ink container (12) is a guide member (72) extending from the ink container (12) along the insertion direction. The guide member (72) is configured for engaging a tapered guide member receiving slot associated with the printing system (10). This engaging repositions the complementary electrical contacts relative to the hollow needle (128) to ensure proper alignment of complementary electrical contacts with the plurality of electrical contacts (54) during insertion of the ink container (12) into the printing system (10).