Apparatus and method for driving a machine in a replaceable cartridge

Method of driving a machine in a replaceable cartridge supporting a first rotatable element for driving the machine, which method includes:

• providing a housing for accommodating the cartridge at a pre-determined position, the housing including a second rotatable element,
• wherein a component of a locking mechanism is provided on one of the first and second rotatable elements;
• and
• placing the component in a state of readiness, in which state the component is positioned relative to the other of the rotatable elements such that, upon rotation of the second rotatable element in at least a first direction, the first rotatable element rotates with the second rotatable element, and in which state the first and second rotatable elements are axially decoupled, wherein the component is placed in the state of readiness by rotating at least a part of the component relative to the one of the first and second rotatable elements without rotating any of the first and second rotatable elements.

Apparatus for driving a machine in a replaceable cartridge, the cartridge supporting a first rotatable element for transferring rotary motion to the machine. wherein the apparatus includes:

• a housing for accommodating the cartridge at a pre-determined position;
• a second rotatable element, supported in the housing;
• and
• a locking mechanism, including a component, provided on a certain one of the first and second rotatable elements, and capable of assuming a state of readiness in which, with the cartridge at the pre-determined position, the component is positioned such that, upon rotation of the second rotatable element, the first rotatable element rotates with the second rotatable element. and in which state the first and second rotatable elements are axially decoupled, and
• a spring provided on the certain one of the first and second rotatable elements and configured to exert a torque on the component to establish the state of readiness without rotating any of the first and second rotatable elements.

Apparatus for driving a machine in a replaceable cartridge, the cartridge supporting a first rotatable element for transferring rotary motion to the machine, wherein the apparatus includes:

• a housing for accommodating the cartridge at a pre-determined position;
• a second rotatable element, supported in the housing;
• a locking mechanism, including a pin-bearing cylinder having an angled slot engageable with a dowel protruding radially from an outer surface of a certain one of the first and second rotatable elements, provided on the certain one of the rotatable elements, and capable of assuming a state of readiness in which, with the cartridge at the pre-determined position, the cylinder engages an interlocking part on the other of the rotatable elements such that, upon rotation of the second rotatable element, the first rotatable element rotates with the second rotatable element, and in which state the first and second rotatable elements are axially decoupled, and
• a spring provided on the certain one of the rotatable elements and configured to exert a torque on the cylinder to establish the state of readiness.