Ink cartridge with alignment features and method of inserting cartridge into a printer receptable

摘要

An ink cartridge (16) for an ink jet printer includes alignment features (52) in the form of recesses formed on front and back side walls of the cartridge surface near the bottom thereof. An ink cartridge receiver assembly (20) includes a plurality of receptacles for receiving a corresponding plurality of ink cartridges containing ink of different colors. The receptacles are defined by identical spacer walls and the spacer walls include locating structures which cooperate with the alignment features on the cartridge to properly align the cartridge as it is inserted into the receptacle. The cartridges have identically curved surfaces that interface with complementary curved spacer walls.