Patent Description:
Imaging devices may include a supply of a print material particles located in a reservoir. As used herein, the term "print material particles" refers to a substance which, when applied to a medium, can form representation(s) on the medium during a print job. In some examples, the print material particles can be deposited in successive layers to create three-dimensional (3D) objects. For example, print material particles can include a powdered semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, a powdered metal material, a powdered plastic material, a powdered composite material, a powdered ceramic material, a powdered glass material, a powdered resin material, and/or a powdered polymer material, among other types of powdered or particulate material. The print material particles can be particles with an average diameter of less than one hundred microns. For example, the print material particles can be particles with an average diameter of between <NUM>-<NUM> microns. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, print material particles can be particles with an average diameter of between <NUM>-<NUM> microns, <NUM>-<NUM> microns, or any other range between <NUM>-<NUM> microns. The print material particles can be fused when deposited to create 3D objects.

The print material particles can be deposited onto a physical medium. As used herein, the term "imaging device" refers to any hardware device with functionalities to physically produce representation(s) on the medium. In some examples, the imaging device can be a 3D printer. For example, the 3D printer can create a representation (e.g., a 3D object) by depositing print material particles in successive layers to create the 3D object.

The reservoir including the print material particles may be inside of the imaging device and include a supply of the print material particles such that the imaging device may draw the print material particles from the reservoir as the imaging device creates the images on the print medium. As used herein, the term "reservoir" refers to a container, a tank, and/or a similar vessel to store a supply of the print material particles for use by the imaging device.

As the imaging device draws the print material particles from the reservoir, the amount of print material particles in the reservoir may deplete. As a result, the amount of print material particles in the reservoir of the imaging device may have to be replenished.

A print material particles supply may be utilized to fill and/or refill the reservoir of the imaging device with print material particles. During a fill and/or refill operation, the print material particles supply can transfer print material particles from the print material particles supply to the reservoir of the imaging device.

The present disclosure relates to a print substance apparatus that includes a flexible cable to authenticate a print particle dispense nozzle. As used herein, a print particle dispense nozzle can be a device to fill/refill the reservoir of the imaging device. In some examples, the print substance apparatus can authenticate the manufacturer of the print particle dispense nozzle and/or authenticate a type of print material particles within the print particle dispense nozzle prior to allowing the print particle dispense nozzle to provide the print material particles into the reservoir of the imaging device.

<FIG> illustrates a view of a print substance apparatus <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a rotatable mating interface <NUM> that includes an electrical contact <NUM>, a circuit assembly coupled to a dispense interface <NUM> that is coupled to the rotatable mating interface <NUM>, and a flexible cable coupled to the electrical contact <NUM> of the rotatable mating interface <NUM> and the circuit assembly of the dispense interface <NUM>. In some examples, the flexible cable can communicatively couple the electrical contact <NUM> and the circuit assembly. As used herein, communicatively coupling can include allowing communication signals to be transferred from a first location to a second location.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a mating interface <NUM> coupled to a dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to prevent the print particle dispense nozzle from depositing a print particle to the dispense interface <NUM>. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes an authentication mechanism coupled to the locking mechanism to authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle and unlock the locking mechanism when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated to allow the print particle dispense nozzle to deposit the print particle to the dispense interface <NUM>. As used herein, an authentication mechanism can include a circuit assembly that is communicatively coupled to a locking mechanism to alter a state of the locking mechanism. For example, the authentication mechanism can be a circuit assembly coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to lock and unlock the mating interface <NUM> via the locking mechanism.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> can be utilized to receive a print particle dispense nozzle within the rotatable mating interface <NUM>. For example, the print particle dispense nozzle can be inserted into an aperture of the rotatable mating interface <NUM>. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can include a circuit assembly that includes the electrical contact <NUM>. In some examples, the electrical contact <NUM> can correspond to electrical contacts of a print particle dispense nozzle. In some examples, information relating to the print particle dispense nozzle and/or contents of the print particle dispense nozzle can be transferred through the electrical contact <NUM>. In some examples, the electrical contact <NUM> can be an electrical interface coupled to the mating interface <NUM> to receive a signal from the print particle dispense nozzle when the print particle dispense nozzle is inserted into the mating interface <NUM>. As described herein, the signal can be received by the authentication mechanism to authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can be utilized to authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle based on the information transferred through the electrical contact <NUM>. For example, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can utilize the information to authenticate that the print particle dispense nozzle is from a particular manufacturer. In another example, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can utilize the information to authenticate that the print particle dispense nozzle contains a particular type of print material particles. In this example, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can be utilized to transfer the print material particles from the print particle dispense nozzle into a print material particle reservoir of an imaging device.

In some examples, each type of print material particles can include a separate print material particle reservoir within the imaging device. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can identify the type of print material particles within the print particle dispense nozzle and determine if the print material particles within the print particle dispense nozzle are compatible with a print material particle reservoir that is coupled to the print substance apparatus <NUM>. In these examples, the print particle dispense nozzle can be authenticated when the type of print material particles within the print particle dispense nozzle match a type of print material particles within the print material particle reservoir coupled to the print substance apparatus <NUM>.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> that is coupled to the rotatable mating interface <NUM>. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> rotates with respect to the dispense interface <NUM>. In some examples, the dispense interface <NUM> can be stationary while the rotatable mating interface <NUM> is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., clockwise, etc.) and/or a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise, etc.). In some examples, the dispense interface <NUM> can include a port <NUM> that can be coupled to a print material particle reservoir of the imaging device. In some examples, the mating interface <NUM> can include a first aperture to allow print material particles to be received by the dispense interface <NUM> and the dispense interface <NUM> includes a second aperture or port <NUM> to provide the print material particles to a print material supply or print material reservoir of the imaging device. For example, the first aperture of the mating interface <NUM> and the second aperture or port <NUM> of the dispense interface <NUM> can be aligned when the mating interface <NUM> is in the second position or unlocked position to allow a print particle to pass through the first aperture and the second aperture.

In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can include a port that can provide the print material particles to the port <NUM> of the dispense interface <NUM> in an open position and prevent the print material particles from entering the port <NUM> in a closed position. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can rotate to alter between the closed position and the open position. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can be locked in a first position (e.g., closed position) until the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. When the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> is rotated from the first position to a second position (e.g., open position).

In some examples, rotatable mating interface <NUM> can be locked in the second position (e.g., open position) until a signal is received by the print particle dispense nozzle. In some examples, the signal can indicate that the print particle dispense nozzle is empty or has delivered a particle quantity of print material particles to the print substance apparatus <NUM>. The signal unlocks the rotatable mating interface <NUM> and allow the rotatable mating interface <NUM> to be rotated to the first position (e.g., closed position) such that the print particle dispense nozzle can be removed from the rotatable mating interface <NUM>.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a cover <NUM>. In some examples, the cover <NUM> can be utilized to protect the rotatable mating interface <NUM> and/or components of the print substance apparatus <NUM> from being damaged. In some examples, the cover <NUM> can include an aperture with a particular shape to prevent particular types of print particle dispense nozzles from being inserted into the rotatable mating interface <NUM>. In this way, the cover <NUM> can prevent unauthorized print particle dispense nozzles from being inserted into the rotatable mating interface <NUM>.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> can be utilized to authenticate print particle dispense nozzles. As described herein, authenticating the print particle dispense nozzles can prevent unwanted print particle dispense nozzles from dispensing print material particles into the print material particle reservoir of the imaging device.

<FIG> illustrates a view of an example of a print substance apparatus <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include the same or similar components as the print substance apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> coupled to a print particle reservoir. In some examples, the dispense interface <NUM> can include a circuit assembly. The print substance apparatus includes a mating interface <NUM> coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle.

In some examples, the mating interface <NUM> can include an electrical contact <NUM> that interacts with a corresponding electrical contact of the print particle dispense nozzle and a flexible cable <NUM> coupled to the electrical contact <NUM> of the mating interface <NUM>. In some examples, the circuit assembly of the dispense interface can be utilized to communicatively couple the print particle dispense nozzle with the circuit assembly when the print particle dispense nozzle interacts with the mating interface <NUM>.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism <NUM> that can interact with a locking portion <NUM> or locking tab of the mating interface <NUM>. In some examples, the locking portion <NUM> or locking tab can be positioned at an exterior portion of the mating interface <NUM>. As described herein, the locking mechanism <NUM> can prevent the mating interface <NUM> from rotating when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in a locked position. As described herein, the locking mechanism <NUM> can be unlocked when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. For example, the locking mechanism <NUM> can lock the mating interface <NUM> in a closed position until the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated through the electrical contact <NUM> and/or the flexible cable <NUM>.

In some examples, the locking mechanism <NUM> can be coupled to an actuator <NUM>. In some examples, the actuator <NUM> can be a spring actuator that can move the locking mechanism from a first location (e.g., locked location) to a second location (e.g., unlocked location. In some examples, the locking mechanism and the actuator <NUM> can be coupled to the dispense interface <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a view of an example of a print substance apparatus <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include the same or similar components as the print substance apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and/or the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>. For example, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> coupled to a print particle reservoir. In some examples, the dispense interface <NUM> can include a circuit assembly. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a mating interface <NUM> coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism <NUM> that can interact with a locking portion <NUM> of the mating interface <NUM>. As described herein, the locking mechanism <NUM> can prevent the mating interface <NUM> from rotating when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in a locked position. As described herein, the locking mechanism <NUM> can be unlocked when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. For example, the locking mechanism <NUM> can lock the mating interface <NUM> in a closed position until the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated through the electrical contact <NUM> and/or the flexible cable <NUM>. In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> can provide a continuous communicative coupling between the electrical contact <NUM> and the circuit assembly as the rotatable mating interface <NUM> is rotated from a first position (e.g., locked position) to a second position (e.g., open position).

The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a mating interface <NUM> coupled to a dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes an electrical interface <NUM> positioned at an interior portion of the mating interface <NUM> to interact with a corresponding electrical interface of the print particle dispense nozzle when the print particle dispense nozzle is positioned within the mating interface <NUM>. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism <NUM> coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a locking tab (e.g., locking portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, etc.) of the mating interface <NUM>.

The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes an authentication mechanism or circuit assembly coupled to the locking mechanism <NUM> to receive a first signal from the print particle dispense nozzle to authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle and unlock the locking mechanism <NUM> to allow the mating interface <NUM> to rotate from a first position to a second position. The authentication mechanism receives a second signal from the print particle dispense nozzle to confirm the print particle dispense nozzle is empty and unlock the locking mechanism <NUM> to allow the mating interface <NUM> to rotate from the second position to the first position.

In some examples, the authentication mechanism can lock the locking mechanism <NUM> when the mating interface <NUM> is at the second position to prevent the print particle dispense nozzle from being removed from the mating interface <NUM> at the second position.

<FIG> illustrates a view of an example of a print substance apparatus <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include the same or similar components as the print substance apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>, and/or the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a rotatable mating interface <NUM> that includes an aperture to receive a print particle dispense nozzle. The print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a first circuit assembly <NUM> that includes an electrical contact positioned at an interior location of the aperture to interact with the print particle dispense nozzle when the print particle dispense nozzle is positioned within the aperture of the rotatable mating interface <NUM>.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include an electrical coupling positioned at an exterior location of the aperture. For example, a flexible cable <NUM> can be coupled to the first circuit assembly <NUM> at an exterior position. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> coupled to the rotatable mating interface <NUM> that includes a second circuit assembly <NUM>. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism to interact with the rotatable mating interface <NUM> to allow the rotatable mating interface <NUM> to rotate when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated and prevents the rotatable mating interface <NUM> from rotating when the print particle dispense nozzle is not authenticated.

As described herein the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a flexible cable <NUM> coupled to the electrical coupling of the rotatable mating interface <NUM> and the second circuit assembly <NUM> of the dispense interface <NUM> to communicatively couple the first circuit assembly <NUM> and the second circuit assembly <NUM>. In some examples, the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated or not authenticated based on communication through the flexible cable <NUM>. In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> can transmit an authentication signal from the electrical contact or first circuit assembly <NUM> to the second circuit assembly <NUM> at a first position of the rotatable mating interface <NUM> and at a second position of the rotatable mating interface <NUM>.

In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> can wrap around a portion of the exterior portion of the rotatable mating interface <NUM> when the rotatable mating interface <NUM> is rotated from a first position to a second position. In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> is a ribbon cable that includes a plurality of individual communication channels. As used herein, a ribbon cable includes a multi-wire planar cable with a plurality of conductive wires running parallel to each other in a flat plane. In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> can communicatively couple the first circuit assembly <NUM> and the second circuit assembly <NUM> during a rotation of the rotatable mating interface. In this way, the print particle dispense nozzle can be authenticated during the rotation to prevent an initial authorization followed by an unauthorized print particle dispense nozzle depositing the print material particles into the print substance apparatus <NUM>.

As described herein, the print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism that can interact with a locking portion of the mating interface <NUM>. As described herein, the locking mechanism can prevent the mating interface <NUM> from rotating when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. As described herein, the locking mechanism can be unlocked when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. For example, the locking mechanism can lock the mating interface <NUM> in a closed position until the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated through the first circuit assembly <NUM>, through the flexible cable <NUM>, to the second circuit assembly <NUM>.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a contact <NUM> coupled to the second circuit assembly <NUM> that interacts with the mating interface <NUM> at a particular position. For example, the mating interface <NUM> can include a tab <NUM> that can interact with the contact <NUM>. In this example, the second circuit assembly <NUM> can determine a position of the mating interface <NUM> when the tab <NUM> interacts with the contact <NUM>. In some examples, the second circuit assembly <NUM> can determine that the mating interface <NUM> is in an open position when the tab <NUM> interacts with the contact <NUM>. As described herein, a locking mechanism can be altered to a locked position when the tab <NUM> interacts with the contact <NUM> to lock the mating interface <NUM> in a locked position. In some examples, the contact <NUM> can be a spring contact that indicates a proximity of a tab <NUM> coupled to the mating interface <NUM>. As used herein, a spring contact can include a spring loaded conductive contact that can be depressed to generate a signal.

In some examples, the mating interface <NUM> can remain in a locked position until a signal is received that the print particle dispense nozzle has deposited a particular quantity of print material particles. For example, the print particle dispense nozzle can provide a signal to the first circuit assembly <NUM>. The signal can be transmitted through the flexible cable <NUM> to the second circuit assembly <NUM>. In this example, the locking mechanism can unlock the mating interface <NUM> and allow the mating interface <NUM> to rotate to a first position or locked position. As described herein, the second circuit assembly <NUM> can be communicatively coupled to the locking mechanism to lock or unlock the locking mechanism based on the authentication of the print particle dispense nozzle.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a bracket <NUM> coupled to the dispense interface <NUM>. In some examples, the bracket <NUM> can guide the flexible cable <NUM> from the second circuit assembly <NUM> to an exterior portion of the mating interface <NUM>. In some examples, the flexible cable <NUM> can include an excess portion <NUM> that allows the flexible cable <NUM> to wrap around the exterior portion of the mating interface <NUM> when the mating interface <NUM> is rotated from a first position to a second position. In this way, the flexible cable <NUM> can provide continuous communication between the first circuit assembly <NUM> and the second circuit assembly <NUM> during rotation of the mating interface <NUM>. Providing continuous communication between the first circuit assembly <NUM> and the second circuit assembly <NUM> can prevent unauthorized print particle dispense nozzles from depositing print particles into the print substance apparatus <NUM>.

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> that includes a port <NUM> that can be coupled to a print material particle reservoir of the imaging device. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can include a port that can provide the print material particles to the port <NUM> of the dispense interface <NUM> in an open position and prevent the print material particles from entering the port <NUM> in a closed position. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can rotate to alter between the closed position and the open position. In some examples, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can be locked in a first position (e.g., closed position) until the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. When the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> is rotated from the first position to a second position (e.g., open position).

In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM> can include a dispense interface <NUM> coupled to the print particle supply or print particle reservoir. The print substance apparatus <NUM> can also include a mating interface <NUM> coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle. The mating interface <NUM> is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The print substance apparatus <NUM> includes a locking mechanism coupled to the dispense interface <NUM> to control the rotation of the mating interface <NUM>. As described herein, an authentication mechanism (e.g., second circuit assembly <NUM>) can be coupled to the locking mechanism to perform a number of functions.

The second circuit assembly <NUM> can be utilized to receive a first signal from the print particle dispense nozzle when the mating interface <NUM> is in the first position. The second circuit assembly <NUM> can authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle based on the first signal. The second circuit assembly can then instruct the locking mechanism to allow the mating interface <NUM> to rotate from the first position to the second position when the print particle dispense nozzle is authenticated. In some examples, the first signal can be information or authentication information for the print particle dispense nozzle. For example, the first signal can include a manufacturer of the print particle dispense nozzle and a type of print particle within the print particle dispense nozzle. As described herein, the print particle dispense nozzle can be authenticated when the type of print particles within the print particle dispense nozzle match print particles to be dispensed by the print particle apparatus <NUM>.

The second circuit assembly can also receive a second signal from the print particle dispense nozzle when the mating interface <NUM> is in the second position and instruct the locking mechanism to allow the mating interface <NUM> to rotate from the second position to the first position based on the second signal. In some examples, the second signal can include an indication that the print particle dispense nozzle includes a particular quantity of a print particle. In some examples, the second signal can be a signal that the print particle dispense nozzle is empty or that the print particle dispense nozzle has deposited a particular quantity of print particles to the print particle apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a view of an example of a print particle dispense nozzle <NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM> can be a syringe that includes print material particles as described herein. In some examples, the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM> can include an output nozzle <NUM> that can be inserted into a mating interface as described herein. In some examples, the output nozzle <NUM> can be utilized to dispense the print material particles when the mating interface of a print substance apparatus is rotated from a closed position to an open position.

In some examples, the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM> can include a circuit assembly <NUM> that includes contacts that can interact with contacts of a print substance apparatus. For example, the circuit assembly <NUM> can be utilized to transmit signals to a circuit assembly coupled to a mating interface. Thus, when the output nozzle <NUM> is inserted into an aperture of the mating interface, contacts of the circuit assembly <NUM> can interact with contacts of the mating interface to provide information relating to the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM>.

In some examples, the information transmitted to the mating interface can be authentication information. As used herein, the authentication information can include information to authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM>. For example, the authentication information can include a type of print particles within the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM>. In another example, the authentication information can include a manufacturer of the print particle dispense nozzle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a view of an example of a print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> consistent with the disclosure. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can include the same or similar components as the print substance apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>, the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>, and/or the print substance apparatus <NUM> as referenced in <FIG>. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM> can illustrate the when the apparatus is in a closed position and the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM> can illustrate when the apparatus is in an open position.

As described herein, a print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> includes a rotatable mating interface <NUM> that can be rotated between a closed position as illustrated by apparatus <NUM>-<NUM> to an open position as illustrated by apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>. In some examples, the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can include a cover tab <NUM> that can cover an aperture <NUM> in the closed position as illustrated by the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>. As described herein, a print particle dispense nozzle can be authenticated and the cover tab <NUM> can be rotated by the mating interface <NUM> from a position that covers the aperture <NUM> to a position that does not cover the aperture <NUM>. In a similar way, the rotatable mating interface <NUM> can be rotated from the open position to the closed position. Thus, the aperture <NUM> can be an aperture between the mating interface <NUM> and the dispense interface. The aperture <NUM> can be closed when the mating interface <NUM> is in the first position as illustrated by the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM> and open when the mating interface is in the second position as illustrated by the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>.

The print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can be utilized to authenticate print particle dispense nozzles. As described herein, authenticating the print particle dispense nozzles can prevent unwanted print particle dispense nozzles from dispensing print material particles into the print material particle reservoir of the imaging device. In some examples, an authentication mechanism or circuit assembly can authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle by comparing the print particles of the print particle dispense nozzle to a print particle type to be received by the dispense interface.

For example, the print particle dispense nozzle can include a particular type of print particles from a particular manufacturer. In this example, an authentication mechanism can compare the print particles from the print particle dispense nozzle to the print particles of a print particle reservoir coupled to the dispense interface to determine if the print particles from the print particle dispense nozzle are authorized to be dispensed. In some examples, the print particle type to be received by the dispense interface is a type of print particle stored in a print particle supply coupled to the dispense interface. In these examples, the print particle dispense nozzle can be authenticated and the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM> can be rotated to the print substance apparatus <NUM>-<NUM>.

In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims Further, as used herein, "a" can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral <NUM> may refer to element <NUM> in <FIG> and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", "coupled to", or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is "directly coupled to" or "directly coupled with" another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc..

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a mating interface (<NUM>) coupled to a dispense interface (<NUM>) configured to interact with a print particle dispense nozzle (<NUM>);
a locking mechanism (<NUM>) coupled to the dispense interface (<NUM>) configured to prevent the print particle dispense nozzle (<NUM>) from depositing a print particle to the dispense interface (<NUM>); and
an authentication mechanism coupled to the locking mechanism (<NUM>) configured to:
authenticate the print particle dispense nozzle (<NUM>); and
unlock the locking mechanism (<NUM>) when the print particle dispense nozzle (<NUM>) is authenticated to allow the print particle dispense nozzle (<NUM>) to deposit the print particle to the dispense interface (<NUM>),
wherein the mating interface (<NUM>) is rotatable from a first position to a second position when the locking mechanism (<NUM>) is unlocked by the authentication mechanism.