Global Patent Index - EP 0878307 B1

EP 0878307 B1 20020313 - Mechanical and electrical keying arrangement for replaceable ink cartridge

Title (en)

Mechanical and electrical keying arrangement for replaceable ink cartridge

Title (de)

Mechanische und elektrische Kodierungsvorrichtung für austauschbare Tintenpatrone

Title (fr)

Dispositif de codage mécanique et électrique pour une cartouche d'encre interchangeable

Publication

EP 0878307 B1 20020313 (EN)

Application

EP 98303549 A 19980506

Priority

US 85772297 A 19970516

Abstract (en)

[origin: EP0878307A2] A replaceable ink cartridge (12) for an inkjet printer (10) enables both mechanical and electrical keying. The inkjet printer (10) includes a receptacle (14) for receiving the ink cartridge (12), which receptacle (14) includes a fluidic coupler (28), an electrical connection (30), and a mechanical keying feature (66) for accepting only ink cartridges (12) containing a first class of compatible ink types and for rejecting ink cartridges (12) containing a second class of incompatible ink types. The replaceable ink cartridge (12) includes a casing with a fluidic coupler (20), a reservoir (22) connected to the fluidic coupler (20) for holding an ink supply and an electrical connector (24). A memory (26) is coupled to the electrical connector (24) and stores a parameter from which an identity of an ink stored in the reservoir (22) can be identified. A physical key (62,64) is positioned on a leading portion of the casing of the replaceable ink cartridge (12). A successful insertion of the casing into a receptacle (14) in the printer (10) indicates that the ink type in the reservoir (22) is within the first class of compatible ink types, but not that it is usable with the printer (10). The printer (10) determines usability by reading out the parameter from the memory (26) and determining that the ink identity is one that can be used with the printer (10). <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

B41J 2/175

IPC 8 full level

B41J 2/175 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

B41J 2/1752 (2013.01); B41J 2/17546 (2013.01); B41J 2/1755 (2013.01)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB IT

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0878307 A2 19981118; EP 0878307 A3 19981223; EP 0878307 B1 20020313; DE 69804148 D1 20020418; DE 69804148 T2 20030109; JP H10323995 A 19981208

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 98303549 A 19980506; DE 69804148 T 19980506; JP 13074598 A 19980513