Method and apparatus for keying ink supply containers
US6471333B1 · kind B1 · utility
51Cited by
6References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/1755
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention comprise containers for consumable substances, such as ink, and the corresponding receiving stations, such as inkjet printers. The containers and receiving stations have mating keying features indicative of a characteristic of the consumable substance, such as the ink family. Embodiments of the mating features include protuberances with a T-shaped cross section, and corresponding T-shaped slots. Preferred embodiments of containers and receiving stations are disclosed having two keying features with four unique orientations per feature, for a total 16 key permutations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.