Method and apparatus for configuring a fluid interconnect for an ink-jet printhead

A system for configuring an ink-jet pen, configured for selectively depositing ink in response to printhead control signals, the ink-jet pen including a fluid inlet, for use in any one selected ink-jet printing system of a plurality of ink-jet printing systems, the plurality of ink-jet printing systems of the type having an external ink supply such that with the ink-jet pen properly inserted into the ink-jet printing system, ink is provided from the external ink supply to the ink-jet pen, the system for configuring an ink-jet pen comprising:

• a plurality of different types of fluid inlet adapters, each different type of fluid inlet adapter configuring the ink-jet pen for connection to only one selected ink-jet printing system of the plurality of ink-jet printing systems, each different type of fluid inlet adapter having:
• a protruding portion configured for insertion into the fluid inlet of the inkjet pen;
• a flange formed of a compliant material and disposed on the protruding portion, such that upon insertion of the protruding portion into the fluid inlet, the flange is first compressed and then allowed to expand so that the flange engages the fluid inlet to alone form a non-releasable snap fit connection to the fluid inlet of the ink-jet pen;
• and
• a unique printer interface configured for connection to only one selected ink-jet printing system of the plurality of ink-jet printing systems, the only one selected ink-jet printing system providing proper ink to the ink-jet pen for accomplishing printing.

An ink-jet pen fluid configuration portion selected from a plurality of ink-jet pen fluid configuration portions capable of adapting a single type of ink-jet pen having a fluid inlet interconnect portion for connection to any one of a plurality of different types of fluid outlets of a plurality of supplies of ink, each ink-jet pen fluid configuration portion selected from the plurality of ink-jet pen fluid configuration portions comprising:

• a housing;
• an ink supply interconnect portion associated with the housing, the ink supply interconnect portion being of a type different than ink supply interconnect portions of remaining ink-jet pen fluid configuration portions of the plurality of ink-jet pen fluid configuration portions, the ink supply interconnect portion being connectable to only a corresponding fluid outlet of a corresponding supply of ink of the plurality of different types of fluid outlets of the plurality of supplies of ink;
• a printhead housing interconnect portion associated with the housing and in fluid communication with the ink supply interconnect portion, the printhead housing interconnect portion being configured for coupling with the fluid inlet interconnect portion of the ink-jet pen, wherein complete coupling alone, of the printhead housing interconnect portion with the fluid inlet interconnect portion, forms a non-releasable fluid interconnect between the fluid inlet interconnect portion and the fluid configuration portion for adapting the single type of ink-jet pen to the corresponding supply of ink.