Patent · US Expired

Guide for solid ink stick feed

US6966644B2 · kind B2 · utility

14Cited by
12References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 1, 2004
Grant dateNov 22, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01D11/00
  • 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 printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has formed in it guide means. The guide means is formed in a first portion of the ink stick body, for guiding the ink stick along a defined path in the ink stick feed system. An ink stick feed system includes a longitudinal guide rail in a first portion of a feed channel. The width of the longitudinal guide rail is substantially less than the width of the feed channel. The guide means in the ink stick is a longitudinal guide element having a shape that is substantially complementary of the shape of the longitudinal guide rail of the feed channel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.