Alignment feature for solid ink stick
US6755517B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes an ink stick body. Nesting elements are formed in the ink stick body for nesting the ink stick body with an adjacent ink stick body. One end surface of the ink stick body has a projecting nesting element, and the opposite end surface has a recessed nesting element having a complementary shape and position. When two ink sticks with such nesting elements abut one another in a feed channel of a solid ink feed system, the projecting nesting element of one ink stick fits into the recessed nesting element of the adjacent ink stick to reduce movement of the ink sticks relative to each other, and to reduce skewing of the ink sticks in the feed channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.