Separable key for establishing detachable printer component compatibility with a printer

摘要

A separable key element (22, 22a, 22b) operably secured to a printer component base (50, 52) for receiving a key (220a-f) from a printer component (24, 24a, 24b) to be received therein. The key element (22, 22a, 22b) indicates a required characteristic of the printer component (24, 24a, 24b) thereby allowing only compatible printer components to be installed onto the printer component base (50, 52). The key element (22, 22a, 22b) can matingly engage the printer component base (50, 52) in a unique configuration such that only compatible key elements (22, 22a, 22b) can be secured to the printer component base (50, 52). Moreover, the key element (22, 22a, 22b) can include a display surface (244) for visually identifying the required characteristic of the printer component (24, 24a, 24b). In a preferred embodiment, the printer component (24, 24a, 24b) is a detachable ink reservoir (24, 24a, 24b) and the printer component base (50, 52) is secured to the carriage (30) of an inkjet printer (30), thereby providing an on-axis ink reservoir (24, 24a, 24b).