Limited access needle/septum ink-supply interface mechanism

Abstract

In an ink-delivery system of an ink-jet printer, the needle of the interface mechanism is fully recessed into a cavity of a needle-holding structure and the septum seals the end of a hollow tower. The connection between the needle and a septum tower allows for transportation of ink from an ink reservoir to an ink-jet pen in the printhead. The tower is configured to be inserted into the cavity so that the needle pierces the septum. To prevent needle pricks and cuts, the cavity has an aperture with a diameter less than that of a human finger. Therefore, the narrow diameter aperture prevents inadvertent digital access to the needle. Furthermore, the septum tower may be attached to a replaceable component, such as an ink reservoir or a pen. Each time that a component is replaced, the relative positioning of its septum tower may change. A floating-bushing assembly loosely retains the needle-holding structure so that the structure has limited freedom to move. The limited movement may be translational and/or rotational. Thus, when the tower and needle are brought together, the assembly allows the needle-holding structure to shift and to rotate. This compensates for the relative repositioning of the tower while making an effective connection between the needle and the septum.