Printer having one or more print cartridges installed during manufacture

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6443553
  • Patent Number
    6,443,553
  • Date Filed
    Friday, July 27, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 3, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A printer is provided that allows one or more print cartridges to be installed during printer manufacture with little risk of ink evaporation during shipping so as to eliminate assembly problems associated with installation of print cartridges during initial printer setup.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to a printer having one or more print cartridges installed during manufacture so as to avoid installation of the one or more print cartridges by the user during initial printer setup.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Typically, new ink jet printers are shipped from the manufacturer without a print cartridge installed in the printer. After the printer is purchased by an end user, the user removes it from the shipping package and performs one or more setup steps in accordance with an initial setup procedure. At some point during the setup procedure, one or more print cartridges are installed into the printer. The installation of print cartridges has been found to be problematic for many end users. For example, seals provided over printheads to prevent ink evaporation or leakage during shipment of print cartridges are oftentimes not removed prior to print cartridge installation. If the seal remains over the printhead after the print cartridge is installed, the printer will be unable to eject ink onto a substrate. Other users who do remove the seals manage to damage the print cartridge during seal removal.




It would be desirable to provide an arrangement that allows one or more print cartridges to be installed during printer manufacturing without risk of ink evaporation or leakage during shipping so as to eliminate initial assembly problems associated with installation of one or more print cartridges during initial printer setup.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




This need is met by the present invention wherein a printer is provided that allows one or more print cartridges to be installed during printer manufacturing with little risk of ink evaporation or leakage during shipping so as to eliminate assembly problems associated with installation of print cartridges during initial printer setup.




In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a printer is provided comprising a housing having stationary and movable portions. The movable portion can be moved between first and second positions. A carrier is movably mounted within the housing. At least one print cartridge is mounted within the carrier. The printer further comprises a holding mechanism comprising a locking element adapted to engage the print cartridge when the movable housing portion is in its second position. The locking element disengages the print cartridge when the movable housing portion is in its first position. The locking element maintains the carrier and the print cartridge in a desired position within the housing when the locking element engages the print cartridge.




In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the holding mechanism comprises a stationary arm fixedly mounted to the stationary housing portion, a cam fixedly mounted to the movable housing portion, and a lever pivotally coupled to the stationary arm. The lever defines the locking element. The cam effects movement of the lever when the movable housing portion moves to its second position such that the lever engages the print cartridge. The cam allows the lever to disengage the print cartridge when the movable housing portion is moved to its first position. The holding mechanism preferably further comprises a spring coupled to the stationary housing portion and the lever. The spring biases the lever to its disengaged position and the movable housing portion to its first position.




The movable housing portion comprises a first end pivotally coupled to the stationary housing portion, a second end located opposite the first end and a retainer at the second end. The retainer engages a section of the stationary housing portion so as to maintain the second end spaced a desired distance from the stationary housing portion when the movable housing portion is in its first position. In accordance with the first embodiment, the retainer is fixedly coupled to or integral with the second end of the movable housing portion. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the retainer is pivotally coupled to the second end of the movable housing portion. The pivotable retainer is adapted to releasably engage a latch fixedly coupled to the stationary housing portion so as to maintain the movable housing portion in its second position.




The housing further comprises a maintenance station. The carrier and the print cartridge are preferably located over the maintenance station when in the desired position.




In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a printer is provided comprising: a housing having a stationary portion and a movable portion movable between a first position and a second position; a cartridge assembly including a carrier movably mounted within the housing and at least one print cartridge removably mounted within the carrier; and a holding mechanism comprising a retaining arm fixedly coupled to the movable housing portion. The retaining arm engages the cartridge assembly when the movable housing portion is in its second position and disengages the cartridge assembly when the movable housing portion is in its first position. In one embodiment, the retaining arm engages the carrier when the movable housing portion is in its second position and disengages the carrier when the movable housing portion is in its first position. In another embodiment, the retaining arm engages the at least one print cartridge when the movable housing portion is in its second position and disengages the at least one print cartridge when the movable housing portion is in its first position.




In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a printer in combination with a packaging element is provided. The printer comprises a housing having stationary and movable portions. The movable portion can be moved between first and second positions. A carrier is movably mounted within the housing. At least one print cartridge is mounted within the carrier. The printer further comprises a holding mechanism comprising a locking element adapted to engage the print cartridge when the movable housing portion is moved to its second position. The locking element disengages the print cartridge when the movable housing portion is moved to its first position. The locking element maintains the carrier and the print cartridge in a desired position within the housing when the locking element engages the print cartridge. The packaging element engages the stationary and movable housing portions and maintains the movable housing portion in its second position when the packaging element is mounted to the printer.




In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, a printer is provided comprising: a housing; a cartridge assembly including a carrier movably mounted within the housing and at least one print cartridge removably mounted within the carrier so as to move with the carrier; and a removable positioning element provided within the housing and engaging the cartridge assembly so as to maintain the cartridge assembly in a desired position within the housing. In a first embodiment, the positioning element engages the carrier so as to maintain the cartridge assembly in a desired position within the housing. In a second embodiment, the positioning element engages the print cartridge so as to maintain the cartridge assembly in a desired position within the housing. The positioning element is preferably formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, wood, metal, a polymeric material and combinations thereof.




An object of the present invention is to provide a printer wherein one or more print cartridges are installed during printer manufacture so as to eliminate the need for an end user to install the one or more print cartridges during initial printer setup.




Other objects will be readily perceived from the following description, claims, and drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a printer constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention with a packaging element fitted over a first end of the printer housing;





FIG. 2

is a view taken along section line


2





2


in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 2A

is a view similar to

FIG. 2

but showing an alternative embodiment where a lever contacts a print cartridge directly;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view of the printer illustrated in

FIG. 1

with the movable housing portion shown in its first position;





FIG. 4

is a view taken along section line


4





4


in FIG.


2


and with the packaging element removed;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the printer illustrated in

FIG. 1

with the packaging element removed;





FIG. 6

is a cross sectional view of a portion of a printer constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a view taken along view line


7





7


in

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is a cross sectional view of a portion of a printer constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention with the movable housing portion shown in its second position;





FIG. 8A

is a view similar to

FIG. 8

but showing an alternative embodiment where a retaining arm contacts a print cartridge directly;





FIG. 9

is a cross sectional view of a portion of the printer illustrated in

FIG. 8

with the movable housing portion shown in its first position;





FIG. 10

is a front view of a portion of a printer constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 10A

is a view similar to

FIG. 10

but showing an alternative embodiment where a positioning element contacts a print cartridge directly;




and





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the positioning element shown in FIG.


10


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




An ink jet printer


10


constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in

FIGS. 1-5

. It comprises a housing


12


having stationary and movable portions


14


and


16


. The housing portions


14


and


16


are preferably formed from a polymeric material such as polystyrene. Portion


16


is movable relative to portion


14


between a first position illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 5

and a second position illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

.




A carrier


18


is slidably supported within the housing


12


on first and second guide rails


20




a


and


20




b


, see

FIGS. 3 and 4

. A drive mechanism (not shown) is provided for effecting reciprocating movement of the carrier


18


back and forth along the guide rails


20




a


and


20




b


. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of print cartridges


30


and


32


are removably mounted within the carrier


18


so as to move with the carrier


18


. As the print cartridges


30


and


32


reciprocate within the housing


12


, they eject ink droplets onto a substrate (not shown) provided below them. The carrier


18


and the print cartridges


30


and


32


define a cartridge assembly


180


.




The printer


10


comprises first and second maintenance stations


50


and


52


provided with capping elements


50




a


and


52




a


, see FIG.


4


. When the print cartridges


30


and


32


are located directly over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


and the printer


10


is off, the capping elements


50




a


and


52




a


engage the print cartridges


30


and


32


and sealingly surround nozzle plates (not shown) forming part of the print cartridges


30


and


32


. The capping elements


50




a


and


52




a


seal the nozzle plates from atmosphere so as to prevent evaporation and coagulation of ink at the nozzle plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the print cartridges


30


and


32


are positioned in a desired position directly over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


when the carrier


18


is positioned adjacent a first side wall


14




a


of the stationary portion


14


, see FIG.


4


.




The printer


10


further comprises a holding mechanism


40


for maintaining the carrier


18


and, hence, the print cartridges


30


and


32


, in the position illustrated in

FIG. 4

when the movable housing portion


16


is in its second position. The holding mechanism


40


comprises a stationary arm


42


fixedly mounted to the stationary housing portion


14


, a cam


44


fixedly mounted to the movable housing portion


16


, a lever


46


(also referred to herein as a locking element) pivotally coupled to the stationary arm


42


, and a spring


48


coupled between an extension


14




b


of the stationary housing portion


14


and the lever


46


. The cam


44


effects movement of the lever


46


such that it engages the carrier


18


when the movable housing portion


16


is moved from its first position to its second position, see FIG.


2


. The lever


46


is considered engaged with the carrier


18


when it makes direct contact with the carrier


18


or is positioned a small distance from the carrier


18


. When engaged with the carrier


18


, the lever


46


acts as a stop to prevent movement of the carrier


18


in a direction, represented by arrow


19


in

FIG. 4

, away from the first side wall


14




a


. The lever


46


disengages the carrier


18


when the movable housing portion


16


is permitted to move to its first position, see

FIGS. 3 and 5

.




A packaging element


100


, formed, for example, from expanded polymeric beads, is fitted over a first end


12




a


of the printer housing


12


to maintain the movable housing portion


16


in its second position, see

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The packaging element


100


comprises a recess


102


shaped so as to receive the first end


102


of the housing


12


when the movable housing portion


16


is in its second position. Once fitted over the first end


102


, the packaging element


100


applies a compressive force to the movable housing portion


16


overcoming the biasing force of the spring


48


.




When the movable housing portion


16


is in its second position, the lever


46


engages the carrier


18


to maintain the print cartridges


30


and


32


positioned directly over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


. Hence, the printer


10


can be shipped with the print cartridges


30


and


32


installed in the printer


10


, i.e., with the cartridges


30


and


32


mounted within the carrier


18


, without risk that ink will evaporate or coagulate at the nozzle plates. While not shown in the illustrated embodiment, a second packaging element may be fitted over a second end


12




b


of the printer housing


12


. Other packaging elements not explicitly set out herein may be used in place of packaging element


100


illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. For example, a band maybe provided about the first end


12




a


so as to maintain the movable housing portion


16


in its second position.




The movable housing portion


16


comprises a first end


16




a


pivotally coupled to the stationary housing portion


14


, a second end


16




b


located opposite the first end


16




a


and a retainer


16




c


at the second end


16




b


. The retainer


16




c


is integral with the second end


16




b


in the embodiment illustrated in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, and extends through an opening


15


in the stationary housing portion


14


, see FIG.


5


. When a packaging element


100


is not fitted over the first end


12




a


, the retainer


16




c


engages a lower section


14




c


of the stationary housing portion


14


so as to maintain the second end


16




b


of the movable housing portion


16


spaced a desired distance from the stationary housing portion


14


.




After the printer


10


is purchased by an end user, the user must remove the packaging element


100


and any other packaging material from the printer


10


prior to operating the printer


10


. When the packaging element


100


is removed from the first end


12




a


, the spring


48


biases the lever


46


to its disengaged position and the movable housing portion


16


to its first position. The end user does not have to install print cartridges into the printer prior to first use of the printer


10


.




In an alternative embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 2A

, where like elements are referenced by like numerals, carrier


18


A is shown having an opening


18




b


in its lower portion so as to allow the lever


46


to directly engage the print cartridge


30


, rather than the carrier


18


A, when the movable housing portion


16


is moved from its first position, discussed above, to its second position, shown in FIG.


2


A. Alternatively, the lever


46


and the stationary arm


42


may be positioned such that the lever


46


directly engages an intermediate or upper portion of the print cartridge


30


.




A printer


110


, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, is shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. In this embodiment, the retainer


116




c


is pivotally coupled to the movable housing portion


116


via a pin


116




d


. A spring


118


extends from a pin


116




e


on the retainer


116




c


to an extension


16




f


of the movable housing portion


116


so as to bias the retainer


116




c


in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.


6


. The retainer


116




c


releasably engages a latch


114




a


coupled to the stationary housing portion


114


when the movable housing portion


116


is moved to its second position. The engagement of the retainer


116




c


with the latch


114




a


maintains the movable housing portion


116


in its second position. The retainer


116




c


is released from the latch


114




a


when a force is applied to the retainer


116




c


in the direction of arrow


120


in FIG.


6


. The force causes the retainer


116




c


to pivot away from the latch


114




a


. Once the retainer


116




c


is released from the latch


114




a


and as the movable housing portion


116


moves to its first position, the pivoting force is removed. The spring


118


then causes the retainer


116




c


to move in a clockwise direction, as viewed in

FIG. 6

, such that the retainer


116




c


is capable of engaging a lower section


114




c


of the stationary housing portion


114


. Engagement of the retainer


116




c


with the lower section


114




c


maintains the movable housing portion


116


in its first position, see FIG.


6


. In this embodiment, a packaging element is not required to maintain the movable housing portion


116


in its second position as engagement of the retainer


116




c


with the latch


114




a


performs this function.




A printer


200


, constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, is shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. In this embodiment, the holding mechanism


240


comprises a retaining arm


242


fixedly coupled to the movable housing portion


216


. When the movable housing portion


216


is in its second position, shown in

FIG. 8

, the retaining arm


242


engages a recess


218




a


provided in the carrier


218


so as to maintain the carrier


218


and the print cartridges


30


and


32


positioned over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


. A packaging element


100


fitted over the first end


12




a


of the printer housing


12


maintains the movable housing portion


216


in its second position. The carrier


218


and the print cartridges


30


and


32


define a cartridge assembly


280


.




A stop


214




a


is coupled to the stationary housing portion


214


. A compression spring


250


extends between the stop


214




a


and the retainer


216




c


at the second end


216




b


of the movable housing portion


216


for biasing the movable housing portion


216


to its first position when the packaging element


100


is removed, see FIG.


9


.




In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in

FIG. 8A

, where like elements are referenced by like numerals, the retaining arm


242




a


, which is fixedly coupled to the movable housing portion


216


, extends through an opening


218




b


in the carrier


218


and directly engages a side wall


30




a


of the print cartridge


30


when the movable housing portion


216


is in its second position, as shown in FIG.


8


A. Hence, the arm


242




a


is positioned between the print cartridge side wall


30




a


and a side wall


218




c


of the carrier


218


. Alternatively, the retaining arm


242




a


may extend through another opening (not shown) in the carrier


218


so as to directly engage the print cartridge


32


.




A printer


300


, constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, is shown in

FIGS. 10 and 11

, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. In this embodiment, both of first and second housing portions


314


and


316


are stationary. In order to maintain the carrier


18


and the print cartridges


30


and


32


positioned over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


during shipping, a removable positioning element


310


is inserted into the printer housing


312


so as to be positioned between a second side wall


312




b


of the first housing portion


314


and a side wall


18




a


of the carrier


18


, see FIG.


10


. The positioning element


310


is preferably formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, wood, metal, a polymeric material and combinations thereof. The shape of the positioning element


310


may be varied from that of the illustrated embodiment. For example, it may be circular or rectangular in cross section. It may have another shape so long as it has sufficient strength to maintain the carrier


18


and print cartridges


30


and


32


positioned over the maintenance stations


50


and


52


during shipping.




In an alternative embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 10A

, where like elements are referenced by like numerals, a removable positioning element


310


A is shown inserted into the printer housing


312


so as to be positioned between a second side wall


312




b


of the first housing portion


314


and a side wall


30


B of the print cartridge


30


A, which is positioned in the carrier


18


A. The positioning element may be formed from the same materials from which the positioning element


310


, illustrated in

FIG. 11

, is formed. It may also have the same shape as the positioning element of the

FIG. 11

embodiment.




It is also contemplated that the holding mechanism may engage both print cartridges or both a print cartridge and the carrier so as to maintain the print cartridges positioned over the maintenance stations during shipping.




For purposes of exemplification, particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A printer comprising:a housing having a stationary portion and a movable portion movable between a first position and a second position; a carrier movably mounted within said housing; at least one print cartridge removably mounted within said carrier; and a holding mechanism comprising a locking element coupled to said stationary housing portion and adapted to engage said print cartidge when engaged by an element on said novable housing portion when said movable housimg portion is in its second position and said locking element adapted to disengage said print cartridge when said movable housing portion is in its first position.
  • 2. A printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holding mechanism further comprises a stationary arm fixedly mounted to said stationary housing portion, a cam fixedly mounted to said movable housing portion and defining said element on said movable housing portion, and a lever pivotally coupled to said stationary arm and defining said locking element, whereby said cam effects movement of said lever when said movable housing portion moves to its second position such &at said lever engages said print cartridge and such that said lever disengages said print cartridge when said movable housing portion is in its first position.
  • 3. A printer as set forth in claim 2, wherein said holding mechanism further comprises a spring coupled to said stationary housing portion and said lever, whereby said spring biases said lever to its disengaged position and said spring biases said movable housing portion to its first position.
  • 4. A printer as set forth in claim 3, wherein said movable housing portion comprises a first end pivotally coupled to said stationary housing portion, a second end located opposite said first end and a retainer at said second end, said retainer engaging a section of said stationary housing portion so as to maintain said second end spaced a desired distance from said stationary housing portion when said movable housing portion is in its first position.
  • 5. A printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said movable housing portion comprises a first end pivotally coupled to said stationary housing portion, a second end located opposite said first end and a retainer pivotally coupled to said second end of said movable housing portion and being adapted to releasably engage a latch fixedly coupled to said stationary housing portion so as to maintain said movable housing portion in its second position.
  • 6. A printer as set forth in claim 4, wherein said retainer is fixedly coupled to said second end of said movable housing portion.
  • 7. A printer in combination with a packaging element comprising:a housing having a stationary portion and a movable portion movable between a first position and a second position; a carrier movably mounted within said housing; at least one print cartridge removably mounted within said carrier; a holding mechanism comprising a locking element adapted to engage said print cartridge when said movable housing portion is in its second position and said locking element adapted to disengage said print cartridge when said movable housing portion is in its first position, said locking element maintaining said carrier and said print cartridge in a desired position within said housing when said element engages said print cartridge; and a packaging element engaging said stationary and movable housing portions and maintaining said movable housing portion in its second position.
  • 8. A printer as set forth in claim 7, wherein said holding mechanism comprises a stationary arm fixedly mounted to said stationary housing portion, a cam fixedly mounted to said movable housing portion, and a lever pivotably coupled to said stationary arm and defining said locking element, whereby said cam effects movement of said lever when said movable housing portion moves to its second position such that said lever engages said print cartridge and such that said lever disengages said print cartridge when said movable housing portion is in its first position.
  • 9. A printer as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lever is generally L-shaped.
  • 10. A printer as set forth in claim 8, wherein said holding mechanism further comprises a spring coupled between said stationary housing portion and said lever,whereby said spring biases said lever to its disengaged position and said spring biases said movable housing portion to its first position.
  • 11. A printer as set forth in claim 10, wherein said movable housing portion comprises a first end pivotably coupled to said stationary housing portion, a second end located opposite said first end and a retainer at said second end, said retainer engaging a section of said stationary housing portion so as to maintain said second end spaced a desired distance from said stationary housing portion when said movable housing portion is in its first position.
  • 12. A printer as set forth in claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises a maintenance station, said carrier and said print cartridge being located over said maintenance station when in said desired position.
  • 13. A printer as set forth in claim 7, wherein said packaging element comprises a recess adapted to receive an end of said housing.
Parent Case Info

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/375,086, U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,010 filed Aug. 16, 1999 and entitled “A PRINTER HAVING ONE OR MORE PRINT CARTRIDGES INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURE,” and further claims priority to Provisional Application U.S. Serial No. 60/266,611, filed Feb. 6, 2001, and entitled “A PRINTER HAVING ONE OR MORE PRINT CARTRIDGES INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURE”; the disclosures of both applications are incorporated herein by reference.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/266611 Feb 2001 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/375086 Aug 1999 US
Child 09/916572 US