Self-sealing fluid interconnect with double sealing septum

摘要

A fluid interconnect for coupling an ink supply (20) to an ink-jet printer includes a fluid outlet (28) and a fluid inlet (42). The fluid outlet (28) has a housing (99) with one end in fluid communication with the ink supply (20) and the other end sealed by a septum 104. A sealing member (102) is positioned within the housing and is biased against the septum (104) by a spring (100) to form a second seal. The fluid inlet (42) includes a hollow needle (162) having one end in fluid communication with the print head and the other end defining a hole (168). A sliding collar (170) surrounds the needle and is biased into a sealing position in which it seals the hole (168). The fluid inlet (42) and fluid outlet (28) can be coupled by pressing them together. During the coupling process, the needle (162) pierces the septum (104) to enter the housing (99) and press the sealing member (102) away from the septum (104). This allows fluid to flow from the ink supply (20), into the housing (99), passed the sealing member (102), into the hole (168) in the needle (162) and to the print head. Upon decoupling, the needle (162) is withdrawn to seal the septum (104). In addition, the sealing member (102) is biased back into place against the septum (104) to reform the second seal and the sliding collar (170) is again biased into its sealing position.