Drip plate design for a solid ink printer
US6530655B2 · kind B2 · utility
19Cited by
5References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drip plate design is provided for a solid ink color printer which reliably directs on-demand ink flow and securely retains solidified ink. The drip plate design includes a combination of one or more sized and shaped cutouts and protrusions for anchoring a solidified ink stick when the printer is not in operation and protrusions that impede downward movement of independent portions of an ink stick so that they remain in contact with a heated melt plate long enough to substantially melt, thereby inhibiting the unchecked sliding off of large separated slivers and chunks of ink during melt and delivery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.