Supply units having an associated electronically-readable memory device

Abstract

A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments, wherein like items are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a printing apparatus including ink sticks, at least one of which includes an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the printing apparatus with an ink access cover open, showing an ink stick in position to be loaded into a feed channel;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a feed channel of a ink feed system taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ink stick having a flexible tab attached thereto, the radio frequency identification tag being attached to the flexible tab;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ink stick having a rigid tab attached thereto, the radio frequency identification tag being attached to the rigid tab;

FIG. 6 is a partial top perspective view of the printing apparatus with an ink access cover as it is being closed over the ink sticks of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic view of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an ink stick and electromagnetically coupled to a reader in the printing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevation view of a printing apparatus including ink sticks disposed in a cartridge, where the cartridge includes an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of part of the printing apparatus with the cartridge of FIG. 9 installed therein;

FIG. 11 is a schematic elevation view of a printing apparatus including a coupler for reading electronic data associated with an electronically-readable memory device positioned external to the printing apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electronically-readable memory device attached to a package; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an electronically-readable memory device disposed in the package.

Claims

1. An ink stick suitable for installation in a machine, the ink stick having an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, said memory device having stored therein electronic data related to said ink stick and readable by said machine.

2. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said memory device is detachable from said ink stick before installation of said ink stick into said machine.

3. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said memory device is attached to said ink stick before installation and is configured to be detached from said ink stick before said ink stick is used in said machine.

4. The ink stick of claim 3, wherein said memory device is disposed on a substrate, said substrate including a tab for removing said ink stick.

5. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said memory device is attached to a container configured to receive said ink stick.

6. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said memory device is disposed on or in a container configured to receive said ink stick.

7. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said electronic data is selected from the group of identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to said ink stick.

8. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said memory device is a component of a radio frequency identification tag.

9. The ink stick of claim 1, wherein said machine is a printing apparatus.

10. A container for at least one ink stick suitable for installation in a machine, said container including an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, said memory device having stored therein electronic data related to said ink stick and readable by said machine.

11. The container of claim 10 containing at least one of said ink stick, wherein said ink stick is removed from said container before said ink stick is installed in said machine.

12. The container of claim 10, wherein said memory device is disposed on or in said container.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein said container is a cartridge suitable for installation in said machine.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein said memory device is a component of a radio frequency identification tag.

15. The container of claim 10, wherein said electronic data is selected from the group of identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to said ink stick.

16. The container of claim 10, wherein said machine is a printing apparatus.

17. A method of packaging an ink stick suitable for use in a machine, the method comprising: providing an electronically-readable memory device associated with said ink stick,storing in said memory device electronic data related to said ink stick and readable by said machine,providing a container for said ink stick, anddisposing said ink stick in said container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said memory device is attached to said ink stick.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said memory device is attached to said container.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said ink stick is removed from said container before installation of said ink stick in said machine.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said container is a cartridge suitable for installation in said machine.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said memory device is disposed on or in said container.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said memory device is a component of a radio frequency identification tag.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic data is selected from the group of identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to said supply unit.

25. A multiple supply unit for installation in a printing machine comprising: a container, anda plurality of individual modules containing printing material mounted in said container and adapted to be dispensed sequentially from said container,said container having an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, said memory device having stored therein electronic data related to said modules.

26. The multiple supply unit of claim 25, wherein said plurality of modules are arranged in serial relation within said container.

27. The multiple supply unit of claim 26, wherein said plurality of modules all contain the same type or color of printing material.

28. The multiple supply unit of claim 25, wherein said memory device is detachable from said container.

29. The multiple supply unit of claim 28, wherein said memory device is attached to said container before installation in said machine and is configured to be detached from said container before said supply unit is used in said machine.

30. The multiple supply unit of claim 27, wherein said modules comprise bottles or cartridges containing said printing material.

31. A printing apparatus comprising: means for storing a supply of printing material,an electronically-readable memory device associated with said supply of printing material, said memory device having stored therein electronic data related to said supply, anda coupler configured to read said electronic data from said memory device while said memory device is positioned external to said printing apparatus.

32. The printing apparatus of claim 31, wherein said supply of printing material is at least one ink stick.

33. A printing apparatus comprising: printing hardware, suitable for placing marks on a print sheet of a single color;a first supply unit and a second supply unit, each supply unit containing a quantity of marking material and having associated therewith a memory device;a feed system enabling said supply units to dispense marking material to said printing hardware; anda coupler capable of communication with said memory device of each of said supply units.

34. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said feed system is configured to enable said second supply unit to dispense marking material to said printing hardware when said first supply unit is substantially spent.

35. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein each supply unit is an ink stick.

36. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said printing hardware includes a feed channel, and wherein said first supply unit and said second supply unit are disposed in said feed channel.

37. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said memory device associated with each of said supply units is electronically readable.

38. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said memory device associated with each of said supply units is wirelessly readable.

39. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said printing hardware includes an ink-jet printhead.

40. The printing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said printing hardware includes a melt plate.