US 6,296,345 B1 · Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage

Abstract

An apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage in a printer. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular print cartridge, an elongate supporting lip located on a side wall of the print cartridge, a carriage body, a chute mounted on the carriage for receiving the print cartridge, and a generally horizontal rail on a side wall of the chute for guiding the print cartridge into the carriage. In operation, the apparatus horizontally loads a print cartridge into a carriage by translating the print cartridge horizontally forward into a carriage, engaging a lip on the print cartridge with a guide rail on the carriage, sliding the print cartridge up and over a datum on the carriage with the guide rail and latching the print cartridge in the carriage. The apparatus unloads a print cartridge from a carriage by rotating the print cartridge about a datum on the carriage, unlatching the print cartridge from the carriage, and horizontally translating the print cartridge out of the carriage.

Claims15

Dependent claims

Apparatus for horizontally loading a print cartridge into a carriage, said apparatus comprising:

said print cartridge having:
a generally rectangular prismatic print cartridge body having first and second horizontally spaced apart and generally vertical side walls, vertically spaced apart and generally horizontal top and bottom walls, and horizontally spaced apart and generally vertical front and back walls;
said bottom wall having a lower surface for said print cartridge upon which is carried a generally horizontally extending and planar print head, said print head having an array of vertically extending fine-dimension print orifices from which issues during operation of said print cartridge vertically downwardly directed ink droplets and said top wall having a planar outside surface;
an elongate supporting lip located on said first side wall and extending generally horizontally and parallel to said planar outside surface of said top wall;
said carriage having:
a carriage body;
a generally horizontally extending chute mounted on said carriage body for generally horizontally receiving said print cartridge, said chute having horizontally spaced apart and generally vertical first and second side walls and a generally vertical end wall;
and
a generally horizontally extending rail on said first side wall of said chute for engaging said elongate supporting lip on said print cartridge and for guiding said print cartridge generally horizontally into said carriage.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15