BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a prior art guide that could contain and house a conventional cartridge.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the guide of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a corotron cartridge in a guide of an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of a guide of an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of a guide of an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates various shaped ramps that may be used in embodiments of this invention.
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates from a top view a prior art protective guide 1 having notches 2 in the base or bottom portion 3 of the guide 1. The notches 2 are not sufficient to hold or retain the corotron cartridge 4 in place if a sufficient force is applied or if the guide 1 containing a cartridge 4 is turned on end.
In FIG. 2 a top view of an embodiment of the guide 5 of this invention is illustrated. The guide 5 has upwardly projecting ramps 6 having structures including those as shown in FIG. 6. When a latch 8 of a corotron cartridge 4 slides over the slanted or curved (slidable) side 9 of the ramps, it will lock against the opposite (or locking) sides 7 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In FIG. 3, a corotron cartridge 4 is shown in place housed in protective guide 5 in an embodiment of this invention. Cartridge 4 has a handle 10 that extends outwardly and releases latch 8 from groove 11 when the cartridge 4 is to be released from protective guide 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 4 in guide 5 is packed this way and shipped thereby protecting the cartridge 5 from possible damage. Unless latch handle 10 is activated, the cartridge 4 is securely locked in place in groove 11 and in guide 5. Once the cartridge 4 is to be inserted into an electrostatic marking apparatus, the handle 10 is activated (pushed up) to release latch 8 from its locked position in a groove 11 between ramps 6.
In FIG. 4, a plan view of the cartridge 4 locked in guide 5 is shown and in FIG. 5 a perspective view of FIG. 4 is shown. Release handle 10 is spring-loaded holding latch 8 in a locking position as shown. Once latch handle 10 is lifted, latch 8 is lifted away from the grooves 11 and cartridge 4 is freed from guide 5 and is ready to be inserted into an electrostatic marking machine. Ramps 6 may have a triangular configuration with a straight side 7 or may be a quarter circular configuration with a straight side 7 or any other suitable ramp configuration as shown in FIG. 6. Some of these suitable ramp configurations are shown in FIG. 6. It is important that one side 7 of the ramps 6 have a locking side 7 so as to lock latch 8 of cartridge 4 in position and one ramp side 9 is a sliding side permitting the latch to slide into groove 11. Ramps 6 are positioned side by side in a spaced relationship to form a groove 11 there between. It is in groove 11 that latch 8 passes up and over a slidable side 9 to fall into and lock into groove 11. Any suitable number of ramps may be used.
In summary, embodiments of this invention comprise a Xerographic corona-generating cartridge protection guide comprising in an operative arrangement an elongated substantially modified L-shaped casing or housing and a corotron cartridge feature. This housing is enabled to house substantially the entire corotron or scorotron cartridge. The locking feature is positioned in the inner portion of a floor of the housing of the Guide. The locking feature comprises at least two upward protruding ramps or teeth having a slidable side and a groove between each of said teeth or ramps. The groove is adapted to mate with a latch projection on a lower portion of the corotron and the ramps and the groove is enabled to allow the latch and corotron to slide over the ramp and lock in place in the groove.
Also, in another embodiment of this invention, a corona package structure is used comprising in an operative arrangement a corona cartridge and a cartridge protection guide. The cartridge comprises at its lower portion a release latch and a release latch handle. The handle is enabled to move the latch when the handle is activated. The guide comprises a substantially modified L-shaped casing or housing and is enabled to house substantially the entire corona cartridge. A locking feature is positioned in an inner floor portion of the guide and comprises at least two upwardly protruding ramps which have a groove there between. The groove is adapted to mate with the latch and lock the latch and the cartridge in position. In one embodiment or structure, the ramp(s) have a configuration whereby one side of the ramp(s) is a straight side and the other is a slidable side. The ramp(s) have a configuration selected from the group consisting of a triangular ramp, a quarter circular ramp and a ramp with two curved sides, each of the ramps has a slidable side and a locking side. Also, the groove has dimensions suitable to allow the latch to fit therein. By “corona” as used herein includes all corona-generating devices such as corotrons, scorotrons etc.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Patent Application
20080069587
