Valve assembly for a removable ink cartridge

A valve assembly for fluidly coupling a removable ink cartridge to an imaging device, comprising:

• a first assembly portion comprising a first housing having first valve portion biased to a closed position, the first valve portion having a first interface surface at a distal end;
• a second assembly portion comprising a second housing having a second valve portion biased to a closed position, the second valve portion having a second interface surface at a distal end adapted to engage with the first interface surface at a valve interface;
• and
• a raised portion extending around a perimeter of the first interface surface adapted to engage with the second interface surface to prevent fluid from collecting at the valve interface when the first and second valve portions are in the closed position, whereby the valve interface is formed immediately upon engagement of the first and second assembly portions.

An ink cartridge for an electrographic imaging device, the electrographic imaging device having a first valve portion with a first interface surface at a distal end, the ink cartridge comprising:

• an ink cartridge housing;
• a second assembly portion comprising a second housing having a second valve portion biased to a closed position, the second valve portion having a second interface surface at a distal end adapted for self-centering engagement with the first interface surface at a fluid tight valve interface;
• and
• a forward seal adapted to engage with the first interface surface and the second interface surface to prevent fluid from collecting at the valve interface when the first and second valve portions are in the closed position, whereby the valve interface is formed immediately upon engagement of the first and second assembly portions.

A method of fluidly coupling a removable ink cartridge to an imaging device, comprising the steps of:

• biasing a first valve portion of a first assembly portion in a valve assembly to a closed position, the first valve portion having a first interface surface at a distal end;
• biasing a second valve portion of a second assembly portion in the valve assembly to a closed position, the second valve portion having a second interface surface at a distal end adapted to engage with the first interface surface at a valve interface;
• positioning a forward seal adapted to engage with the first interface surface and the second interface surface at the valve interface when the first and second valve portions are in the closed position;
• locating a raised portion extending around a perimeter of the first interface surface adapted to engage with the forward seal:
• advancing the first and second valve portions to an open position while maintaining the valve interface in a substantially fluid tight configuration;
• and
• disengaging the valve assembly while maintaining the valve interface in a substantially fluid tight configuration.