Claims
- 1. A system comprising two components which are keyed to each other to facilitate categorization of one of the components, comprising:
- (a) a first component which is relatively long-lived portion;
- (b) a second component which is a consumable cartridge; and
- (c) categorization means for categorizing one of said two components by providing a keying interconnection between said first component and said second component, said categorization means comprising a lug element formed on said first component and a void formed within said second component, said void defining an enclosed area shaped like said lug element, said lug element being insertable into said void to form said keying interconnection;
- (d) said first and second components operably engaging each other only when said lug element is inserted into said void.
- 2. A system recited in claim 1, wherein the means for operably connecting the lug element to said first component comprises self-fixturing means.
- 3. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said lug element comprises a projecting portion and a base portion, and wherein the lug element may be released from its mounted position on said first component by means which are not readily observable by an operator.
- 4. The system recited in claim 3, wherein the lug element is connected by adhesion, the base portion adopted to engage said first component by being adhesively mounted on one of the components.
- 5. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the lug element is operably connected by a snap-in releasable attachment, and the base portion is adapted to engage said first component by being snapped into place.
- 6. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the lug element is operably connected by screws, wherein said base portion is screwed to said first component.
- 7. A system for categorizing an attachment to a machine when the attachment is releasably engaged to the machine, said system comprising:
- (a) an attachment including a housing; and
- (b) categorization means for categorizing said attachment to said machine by providing a keying interconnection between said machine and said attachment, said categorizing means comprising a lug formed on said machine and a slot formed within said housing, said slot defining an enclosed area shaped like said lug, said lug being insertable into said slot to form said keying interconnection;
- (c) said attachment operably engaging said machine only when said lug is inserted into said slot.
- 8. A system for categorizing removable cartridges used in a machine, the system comprising:
- (a) a machine, the machine comprising a housing within the machine
- (b) a removable cartridge; and
- (c) categorization means for categorizing said removable cartridge by providing a keying interconnection between said removable cartridge and said machine, said categorization means comprising a lug formed on said housing and a slot formed within said removable cartridge, said slot defining an enclosed area shaped like said lug, said lug being insertable into said slot to form said keying interconnection;
- (d) said removable cartridge operably engaging said machine only when said lug is inserted into said slot.
- 9. A system for distinguishing among consumable cartridges which engage a machine in a releasable manner so as to preserve a high quality of output of the machine, comprising:
- (a) a consumable cartridge of high quality including a cartridge cover;
- (b) a machine comprising an inner housing; and
- (c) distinguishing means for distinguishing said consumable cartridge from cartridges of different quality by providing a keying interconnection between said consumable cartridge and said machine, said distinguishing means comprising a projecting member formed on said inner housing and a void space formed within said cartridge cover, said void space defining an enclosed area shaped like said projecting member, said projecting member being insertable into said void space to form said keying interconnection;
- (d) wherein the consumable cartridge fully releasably engages the machine, and is keyed to the machine, only when the projecting member is inserted into the void space, thereby assisting in the preventing the use of cartridges which are not of high quality, thereby maintaining the higher quality of output of the machine.
- 10. A machine which has consumable components and which contains a system of regulating the quality of output using a keying mechanism in conjunction with the consumable components, comprising:
- (a) an inner housing;
- (b) a consumable component; and
- (c) a keying mechanism, said keying mechanism being capable of providing a keying interconnection between said consumable component and said inner housing, said keying mechanism comprising a projecting member formed on said inner housing and a void space formed within said consumable component, said void space defining an enclosed area shaped like said projecting member, said projecting member being insertable into said void space to form said keying interconnection;
- (d) wherein the quality of the output of the machine is regulated by the fact that consumable components of lesser quality which do not contain a void space cannot fully engage the machine, resulting in a higher quality output being obtainable from the machine, and a lowered incidence of operator error.
- 11. A method of operating machinery which preserves a high quality output while reducing incidence of error, comprising:
- (a) inserting a consumable cartridge into a relatively long-lived component;
- (b) engaging a lug element mounted to the long-lived component into an enclosed void space within the consumable cartridge, the void space being shaped substantially like the lug element, thereby keying the consumable cartridge to the relatively long-lived component;
- (c) operating the machinery using the consumable cartridge;
- (d) discarding and replacing the consumable cartridge after it is consumed; and
- (e) producing the high quality output with a reduced risk of operator error;
- (f) wherein the consumable cartridge is fully inserted into the long-lived component only when the lug element engages the void space.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the relatively long-lived component comprises a printer, and the machinery is operated to produce printed materials.
- 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the consumable cartridge is a toner cartridge, and toner is applied to paper in producing an image.
- 14. A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a toner cartridge;
- a receptacle housing which receives the toner cartridge; and
- categorization means for categorizing said toner cartridge by providing a keying interconnection between said toner cartridge and said receptacle housing, said categorizing means comprising a lug element formed on said receptacle housing and a void space formed within the toner cartridge, said void space defining an enclosed area shaped like said lug element, said lug element being insertable into said void space to form said keying interconnection;
- wherein the toner cartridge is fully received by the receptacle housing only when the lug element is inserted into the void space.
- 15. The printing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lug element is removably mounted to the receptacle housing, and wherein the lug element may be released from its mounted position on the receptacle housing by means which are not readily observable by an operator.
- 16. A system for categorizing a releasable attachment to a machine, comprising:
- a machine having a void configured to receive a lug;
- a releasable attachment to said machine having a lug substantially similar in shape to said void; and
- a keying interconnection formed by insertion of said lug into said void to operably engage said machine.
- 17. A printer apparatus, comprising:
- a printer having a receptacle configured to receive a lug of a printing cartridge; and
- a printing cartridge having a lug configured to mate with said receptacle, the mating of said lug and said receptacle forming a keying interconnection that is required for said printer to operate.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/127,247, filed Sep. 27, 1993, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
127247 |
Sep 1993 |
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