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

A method of horizontally loading a print cartridge into a carriage, comprising the steps of:

• a) translating a print cartridge horizontally forward into a carriage, both the print cartridge and the carriage have corresponding datums for aligning one with the other;
• b) engaging a lip on the print cartridge with a guide rail on the carriage;
• c) sliding the print cartridge up and over the datum on the carriage with the guide rail;
• and
• d) latching the print cartridge in the carriage.

A method of unloading a print cartridge from a printer carriage, said method comprising steps of:

• providing datum surfaces on the printer carriage which are engageable with the print cartridge to pivotally relate the print cartridge at a forward end thereof to the printer carriage;
• rotating said print cartridge about said datum surfaces on the carriage;
• in response to said rotating of said print cartridge unlatching said print cartridge from said carriage;
• providing a horizontally extending guide rail on said carriage, and providing a laterally extending lip on said print cartridge;
• utilizing a cooperative sliding engagement of said laterally extending lip of said print cartridge upon the horizontally extending guide rail of said carriage to support said print cartridge;
• and
• while said print cartridge is slidably supported cooperatively by said laterally extending lip upon said horizontally extending guide rail, horizontally translating said print cartridge out of said printer carriage.

Apparatus structurally configured for horizontally loading and unloading a print cartridge into and from a printer carriage, said apparatus comprising:

• said print cartridge having:
• a generally rectangular prismatic print cartridge body having a major axis which is elongate in a horizontal direction from front to rear of said print cartridge, and a print head disposed on a bottom wall of said print cartridge, a pair of elongate horizontally extending and laterally oppositely extending supporting lips located on said print cartridge body;
• said carriage having:
• a carriage body with a generally horizontally extending chute horizontally receiving said print cartridge, said chute having a horizontally spaced apart and horizontally elongate pair of guide rails for respectively slidably engaging said elongate supporting lips on said print cartridge for guiding said print cartridge horizontally into and horizontally out of said carriage chute in a direction which is parallel to said major axis of said print cartridge.

A method of horizontally loading and unloading a print cartridge into and from a printer carriage, said method comprising steps of:

• providing said print cartridge with a print cartridge body which is of rectangular prismatic shape with a horizontally elongate major dimension, and disposing a print head on a lower surface of said print cartridge body;
• providing a pair of horizontally extending and elongate and laterally extending opposite lips on said print cartridge body;
• providing on said printer carriage a pair of horizontally spaced apart and horizontally elongate guide rails extending inwardly of said printer carriage, configuring said pair of guide rails to be inclined slightly upwardly in the forward direction of said print cartridge into said carriage, and configuring said pair of guide rails to be slightly arcuate in an upwardly convex direction;
• translating said print cartridge horizontally forward into said carriage, with said pair of lips each in sliding and supporting relationship with a respective one of said pair of guide rails;
• providing on both said print cartridge and said carriage corresponding datum surfaces for aligning one with the other, and for providing a pivotal inter-engagement of said print cartridge with said carriage;
• sliding said print cartridge into engagement with said datums on said carriage by substantially horizontal sliding movement of said pair of print cartridge lips along said pair of guide rails of said carriage;
• latching said print cartridge in said carriage by an upward pitching motion of a rear end of said print cartridge;
• and
• unlatching and horizontally removing said print cartridge from said carriage by a reversal of the above-recited steps.