摘要:
A solid ink delivery system for use with a plurality of solid ink sticks for use in solid ink printers is provided. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the solid ink sticks in a prescribed path and a drive member for simultaneous engagement with a plurality of the solid ink sticks and extending along a portion of the prescribed path of the guide.
摘要:
An ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in printers is provided. The ink delivery system is used for receiving the stick and converting it to molten ink that may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for receiving the stick and guiding the stick in a prescribed path and a melting unit. The melting unit is operably associated with the guide. The melting unit converts the stick to molten ink. The melting unit defines a receiving surface for receiving a first end of the stick. The receiving surface defines a plane. The guide defines a longitudinal axis of the guide adjacent the melting unit. The longitudinal axis defines an acute angle with respect to the plane.
摘要:
A solid ink printer includes a solid ink measurement system that helps ensure an adequate supply of solid ink is in the feed channels delivering solid ink to a melting device within a printer. The solid ink measurement system includes a driving electrode mounted along a substantial length of a first structure of a first solid ink feed channel, a sensing electrode mounted along a substantial length of a second structure of the first solid ink feed channel, the sensing electrode being opposite and generally parallel to the driving electrode, an AC voltage source coupled to the driving electrode to generate an electrical field emitted from the driving electrode, and a capacitance measurement circuit coupled to the sensing electrode to receive an electrical signal induced in the sensing electrode by the electrical field generated by the driving electrode, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to identify an amount of solid ink in the first feed channel that corresponds to the electrical signal received from the sensing electrode.
摘要:
An ink stick for use in an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having first and second opposed end surfaces and first and second opposed lateral side surfaces. The ink stick body is rotationally symmetric about a vertical central axis of the ink stick body. The ink stick body includes an interlocking face on the first end surface and a complementarily shaped interlocking face on the second end surface. A key is on each of the first and second side surfaces. The keys of the first and second side surfaces are similarly shaped. The key on the first side surface and the key on the second side surface are rotationally symmetrically positioned with respect to each other about the vertical central axis.
摘要:
A solid ink stick adapted for use with solid ink printers is provided. The stick includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body. The body defines an external periphery of the body. The external periphery has a groove formed on the periphery. The groove extends in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of the body and at least a portion of the groove length is non linear.
摘要:
A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The solid ink delivery system is used for delivering the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide and a delivery position adjacent the melt station. The stick advances from the loading position to the delivery position in the prescribed path and a portion of the prescribed path is arcuate.
摘要:
An ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in printers is provided. The ink delivery system is used for receiving the stick and converting it to molten ink that may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for receiving the stick and guiding the stick in a prescribed path and a melting unit. The melting unit is operably associated with the guide. The melting unit converts the stick to molten ink. The melting unit defines a receiving surface for receiving a first end of the stick. The receiving surface defines a plane. The guide defines a longitudinal axis of the guide adjacent the melting unit. The longitudinal axis defines an acute angle with respect to the plane.
摘要:
A melt plate for use in a solid ink printer is formed with a drip plate to provide controlled flow of melted ink from the melt plate to a drip point. The melt plate includes a first portion having a perimeter, a second portion having a perimeter, the second planar portion angling from the first portion along a transition boundary at a first angle, a first rim extending around the perimeter of the first portion except along the transition boundary, the first rim angling from the first portion at a second angle, and a second rim extending around the perimeter of the second portion except along the transition boundary and a drip point, the second rim angling from the second portion at a third angle, the third angle being different than the second angle.
摘要:
A solid ink delivery system provides solid ink sticks to a melting device in a printer. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines an inlet for receiving the stick. The inlet provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the inlet. The guide also defines a channel having a first end and a second end. The first end extends from the inlet. The channel provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The channel is adapted to contain a plurality of sticks in the channel. The guide further defines an outlet extending from the second end of the channel. The outlet provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The outlet is positioned below the inlet whereby only gravity is used to advance the sticks from the inlet to the outlet.
摘要:
A solid ink printer includes a solid ink measurement system that helps ensure an adequate supply of solid ink is in the feed channels delivering solid ink to a melting device within a printer. The solid ink measurement system includes a driving electrode mounted along a substantial length of a first structure of a first solid ink feed channel, a sensing electrode mounted along a substantial length of a second structure of the first solid ink feed channel, the sensing electrode being opposite and generally parallel to the driving electrode, an AC voltage source coupled to the driving electrode to generate an electrical field emitted from the driving electrode, and a capacitance measurement circuit coupled to the sensing electrode to receive an electrical signal induced in the sensing electrode by the electrical field generated by the driving electrode, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to identify an amount of solid ink in the first feed channel that corresponds to the electrical signal received from the sensing electrode.