Patent Publication Number: US-2006012634-A1

Title: Print cartridge adapter

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      Print cartridges may be utilized in printing mechanisms to supply ink and/or a printhead for printing an image on a media. A print cartridge may be manufactured with a predetermined shape and/or size which may limit its usefulness and that of a corresponding printing mechanism sized to receive the print cartridge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a printing mechanism for printing an image.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a print cartridge dimensioned to be received with the printing mechanism of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a print cartridge having dimensions different from the print cartridge shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adapter for receiving one embodiment of a print cartridge therein.  
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional side view of one embodiment of the print cartridge of  FIG. 3  received within the adapter of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the print cartridge of  FIG. 3  received within the adapter of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of one embodiment of a print cartridge positioned within one embodiment of an adapter positioned in one embodiment of a printing mechanism.  
       FIG. 8  is a front view of several embodiments of adapters for receiving different embodiments of print cartridges therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a printing mechanism  10  for printing an image on one embodiment of a media. Printing mechanism  10  may be a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine or the like, or any combination thereof. The media may be paper, fabric, mylar, transparency foils, cardboard, or any other medium suitable for imaging. In the embodiment shown, printing mechanism  10  may include a print carriage  12  slidably mounted on a carriage rod  14  for movement back and forth in directions  16  and  18  in a printzone  20 . As a media  22 , such as a sheet of paper, is moved through printzone  20  along a media path  24 , print carriage  12  may move a print cartridge (see  FIG. 2 ) back and forth in directions  16  and  18  while ink is ejected from the print cartridge so as to form an image on the media.  
      Print carriage  12  may define a receptacle  26  for receiving a print cartridge (see  FIG. 2 ) therein, wherein receptacle  26  may define any predetermined shape as desired. In the embodiment shown, receptacle  26  may define a substantially rectangular port or recess  28  having a contact array  30  at a first end  32  and a lock mechanism  34  at a second end  36 . In this figure, lock mechanism  34  is shown in an open or unlocked position which may allow removable placement of a print cartridge (see  FIG. 2 ) in receptacle  26 . Lock mechanism  34  may comprise a door  34   a  that may swing upwardly about a cylindrical boss  34   b  that extends through second end  36  of receptacle  26 , and a latch  34   c  that may secure a print cartridge (see  FIG. 2 ) within receptacle  26 . The specific configuration of the lock mechanism  34  can vary and the lock mechanism  34  may not be present in all embodiments. First end  32  may include an alignment datum, such as recesses  38 , and contact array  30  may include an electrical contact array  40  operatively connected to a power source  42  (shown schematically) and a control unit  44  (shown schematically) of printing mechanism  10  by an electrical connector such as a flexible cable  46 . Contact array  40  may be positioned within or on receptacle  26  in a predetermined position so as to contact a mating contact array on a print cartridge (see  FIG. 2 ). Cable  46  may have a length sufficient so as to allow print carriage  12  to move back and forth across a full width of printzone  20  along carriage rod  14  while retaining electrical contact array  40  in contact with power source  42  and control unit  44 .  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a print cartridge  50  dimensioned to be received within receptacle  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) of print carriage  12 . Print cartridge  50  may include an external surface  52  that defines a generally rectangular box shape  54  and may include projections  56  positioned on opposite sides of a contact array  58 . Contact array  58  may include an electrical contact region  60  and a nozzle array region, such as an inkjet printhead  62 , including nozzles  64  therein (the nozzles are shown generally larger than an actual size and only a few nozzles are shown for ease of illustration). Contact array  58  may be positioned on external surface  52  of print cartridge  50  in a predetermined orientation so as to allow contact between contact array  58  and contact array  30 , and therefore, between contact array  58  and power source  42  and control unit  44  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). External surface  52  may define an interior ink reservoir  66  operatively connected to printhead  62 . External surface  52  of print cartridge  50  may further comprise alocking surface  52   a  t tt hat may mate with lock mechanism  34  of receptacle  26  (see  FIG. 1 ). External surface  52  of print cartridge  50 , including projections  56 , may be dimensioned and positioned to be received within rectangular recess  28  of receptacle  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) in a single, predetermined orientation. Similarly, contact array  58  of print cartridge  50  may be dimensioned and positioned to be received in contact with contact array  30  of receptacle  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) in a single, predetermined orientation.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , placement of print cartridge  50  in receptacle  26  will be described. Print cartridge  50  may be placed within rectangular recess  28  such that projections  56  of print cartridge  50  are received within recesses  38  of receptacle  26  and such that a lower surface  68  of print cartridge  50  rests on a lower surface  70  of receptacle  26 . Door  34   a  may then be pivoted about boss  34   b  in a direction  72  such that latch  34   c  abuts and secures in place a rear surface  52   a  of print cartridge  50  and urges print cartridge  50  in a direction  76  within receptacle  26 . In this locked position, print cartridge  50  may be releasably secured in receptacle  26  in a predetermined position such that printhead  62  is positioned in a predetermined orientation in printzone  20 . Moreover, in this locked position contact array  58  of print cartridge  50  may be in electrical contact with electrical contact array  40  of receptacle  26 , and thereby in contact with power source  42  and/or control unit  44 , such that ink may be ejected from printhead  62  and onto media  22  in printzone  20  to create an image on media  22  as desired.  
      As described above, print carriage  12 , including receptacle  26  having predetermined rectangular recess  28 , may be movably mounted on carriage rod  14  and may be connected to power source  42  and control unit  44  of printing mechanism  10  by cable  46 . Removal of receptacle  26  and replacement thereof with a receptacle having a shape sized to receive a print cartridge having a different external shape than the shape shown in  FIG. 2  may be costly and inefficient. However, it may be desirable to place a print cartridge having a different external shape in receptacle  26  for printing on a media  22  in printzone  20 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a print cartridge  80  having an external shape different from print cartridge  50  shown in  FIG. 2 . In particular, print cartridge  80  may include an external surface  82  having a first region  84  and a second region  86 . In the embodiment shown, first region  84  of external surface  82  may define a generally cylindrical shape, such as a shape having a keyhole or a substantially teardrop shaped cross section including a substantially cylindrical region  90  that may house an ink reservoir  92  therein, and an upwardly extending flange  94 . Second region  86  may include a contact array  96  that may include an electrical contact region  98  and a nozzle array region, such as a printhead  100 , including nozzles  102  therein. Contact array  96  may be positioned on external surface  88  of print cartridge  80  in an orientation that allows contact between contact array  96  and power source  42  and control unit  44  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) when contact array  96  is positioned against contact array  30  of receptacle  26  (see  FIG. 1 ). Second region  86  may further include an alignment datum, such as projections  104 , positioned on opposite sides of contact array  96 .  
      The size, shape and position of projections  104  and contact array  96  with respect to each other and with respect to external surface  82  of print cartridge  80  may be substantially similar to the size, shape and position of projections  56  and contact array  30  with respect to each other and with respect to external surface  52  of print cartridge  50 . However, external surface  82  of print cartridge  80  may have a shape different than, or smaller than, external surface  52  of print cartridge  50  such that print cartridge  80  may not be easily secured within receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10 . In particular, print cartridge  80  may have a length dimension  106 , a width dimension  108  and/or a height dimension  110  that may be smaller than the length, width and/or height dimensions  112 ,  114 ,  116 , respectively, (see  FIG. 2 ) of print cartridge  50 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adapter  120  for receiving one embodiment of a print cartridge therein. In the embodiment shown, adapter  120  may be adapted for receiving print cartridge  80  (see  FIG. 3 ) therein for placement in receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Adapter  120  may include an external surface  122  having a shape and dimensions that substantially match the shape and dimensions of external surface  52  of print cartridge  50  (see  FIG. 2 ), such as a rectangular box shape. In particular, adapter  120  may include a locking surface  122   a , a length dimension  124 , a width dimension  126  and a height dimension  128 . Locking surface  122   a  on adapter  120  may substantially correspond to the size, shape and location of locking surface  52   a  on print cartridge  50  (see  FIG. 2 ) so as to be secured by lock mechanism  34 . Width and height dimensions  126  and  128 , respectively, of adapter  120 , in the embodiment shown, may substantially match the width and height dimensions,  114  and  116 , respectively, of print cartridge  50  so that adapter  120  may be secured within receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
      Adapter  120  may further include an internal surface  130  that may define a cavity  132  having a shape and dimensions that substantially match the shape and dimensions of external surface  82  of print cartridge  80  (see  FIG. 3 ). In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , cavity  132  may have a generally cylindrical shaped cross-section such as a keyhole or a substantially teardrop shaped cross-section sized to receive a keyhole or substantially teardrop shaped external surface of a print cartridge, such as second region  86  of print cartridge  80  (see  FIG. 3 ). In the embodiment shown, length dimension  124  of adapter  120  may be less than length dimension  112  of print cartridge  50  (see  FIG. 3 ). Adapter  120  may further include cavities  132   a  which may reduce the amount of material that may be utilized during manufacture of adapter  120 , and may also reduce the weight of adapter  120 .  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are a cross-sectional side view and a perspective view, respectively, of print cartridge  80  received within adapter  120  of  FIG. 4  and showing lock mechanism  34  positioned on external surface  122  of adapter  120 . Second region  86  of print cartridge  80  may have a length dimension  134 , a width dimension  136  and a height dimension  138 . Width dimension  136  of second region  86  of print cartridge  80  may be wider than a width dimension  140  (see  FIG. 4 ) of cavity  132  of adapter  120  such that second region  86  of print cartridge  80  may define a stop position during placement of print cartridge  80  into cavity  132  of adapter  120 . An upper region  132   b  of cavity  132  may be sized to reduce the materials used to manufacture, and may be used to reduce the weight of, adapter  120  such that upwardly extending flange  94  (see  FIG. 3 ) of print cartridge  80  may not entirely fill the upper portion  132   b  of cavity  132 . Nevertheless, upper portion  132   b  may define a predetermined orientation of flange  94  whereas a lower portion  132   c  of cavity  132  may retain print cartridge  80  in such predetermined orientation. In another embodiment, first region  84  of print cartridge  80  may have a length substantially the same as a length of cavity  132  such that the length of first region  84  may define a stop position during placement of print cartridge  80  into cavity  132  of adapter  120 . Accordingly, when print cartridge  80  is received within adapter  120 , printhead  100  may define a generally planar surface that is positioned outwardly of internal surface  130  of adapter  120 . Length dimension  134  of second region  86  of print cartridge  80  and length dimension  124  of adapter  120  together may define a length  135  that may be substantially the same as length dimension  112  of print cartridge  50  (see  FIG. 2 ) so that adapter  120 , with print cartridge  80  secured therein, may be secured within receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  by lock mechanism  34  (see  FIG. 1 ). In other words, length  135  and width  126  of adapter  120 , with print cartridge  80  secured therein, may be sized to substantially correspond to a length  26   a  and a width  26   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) of receptacle  26  such that adapter  120 , with print cartridge  80  secured therein, may be received in receptacle  26 . Height  128  of adapter  120  may be sized to substantially correspond to height  34   d  (see  FIG. 1 ) of lock mechanism  34  (see  FIG. 1 ) such that adapter  120  may be secured in receptacle  26  by lock mechanism  34 .  
      Adapter  120  may be shaped and dimensioned to position projections  104  of second region  86  of print cartridge  80  to be received within recesses  38  (see  FIG. 1 ) of receptacle  26  such that when secured within receptacle  26 , contact array  96  of print cartridge  80  may be in contact with contact array  30  of receptacle  26 . Accordingly, adapter  120  may be utilized to position a print cartridge  80  in a predetermined position within receptacle  26  when the shape and dimensions of an external surface of print cartridge  80  do not mate with the shape and dimensions of receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). In other words, adapter  120  may be utilized to position a print cartridge  80  in a predetermined position within receptacle  26  when the shape and dimensions of an external surface of print cartridge  80  do not match the shape and dimensions of a print cartridge  50  sized to be received within receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) without use of an adapter.  
       FIG. 7  shows a partial cross-sectional view of print cartridge  80  in adapter  120  and adapter  120  positioned in receptacle  26  such that contact array  96  of print cartridge  80  is in contact with contact array  30  of receptacle  26  of printing mechanism  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Printhead  100  of print cartridge  80  is shown positioned in printzone  20  for printing an image on a media  22 , such as on a sheet of paper.  
       FIG. 8  is a front view of several embodiments of adapters for receiving different embodiments of print cartridges therein.  FIG. 8A  shows an adapter having a cavity  150  with triangular shaped cross-section.  FIG. 8B  shows an adapter having a cavity  152  with a star shaped cross-section.  FIG. 8C  shows an adapter having a cavity  154  with a heart shaped cross-section.  FIG. 8D  shows an adapter having a cavity  156  with a rectangular shaped cross-section, wherein cavity  156  may have dimensions smaller than the rectangular dimensions of receptacle  26 .  FIG. 8E  shows an adapter having a cavity  158  with a mushroom shaped cross-section.  FIG. 8F  shows an adapter having a cylindrical outer shape and a cavity  160  with a clover leaf shaped cross-section.  
      Other variations and modifications of the concepts described herein may be utilized and fall within the scope of the claims below.