Multiple segment keying for solid ink stick feed

An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer, wherein the feed system comprises a feed channel having a longitudinal feed direction, and a transverse direction, the ink stick comprising:

• an ink stick body having an outer perimeter having at least three outer perimeter segments;
• wherein at least two of the three outer perimeter segments are not parallel one another;
• and
• at least one key element formed in each of the three outer perimeter segments.

An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer, wherein the feed system comprises a feed channel having a longitudinal feed direction, and a transverse direction, the ink stick comprising:

• an ink stick body having an outer perimeter;
• wherein the ink stick outer perimeter comprises first and second longitudinal perimeter segments;
• wherein the ink stick body is adapted to travel through the feed channel with the first and second longitudinal perimeter segments oriented somewhat parallel to the longitudinal feed direction of the feed channel;
• wherein the ink stick outer perimeter further comprises first and second transverse perimeter segments oriented somewhat transverse to the longitudinal feed direction of the feed channel as the ink stick travels through the feed channel;
• at least a first key element formed in the first longitudinal perimeter segment;
• and
• at least a second key element formed in the first transverse perimeter segment;
• wherein the first and second key elements are insertion key elements for admitting the ink stick to a feed channel having a corresponding insertion key, and for blocking the ink stick from a feed channel that does not have a corresponding insertion key.

An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer, wherein the feed system comprises a feed channel having a longitudinal feed direction, and a transverse direction, the ink stick comprising:

• an ink stick body comprising:
• a somewhat horizontal first horizontal surface;
• a somewhat horizontal second horizontal surface;
• one or more longitudinal side surfaces connecting both the first horizontal surface and the second horizontal surface;
• one or more end surfaces connecting both the first horizontal surface and the second horizontal surface;
• first and second longitudinal perimeter segments formed by the intersections of opposite longitudinal side surfaces with one of the horizontal surfaces;
• and
• first and second transverse perimeter segments formed by the intersections of opposite end surfaces with one of the horizontal surfaces;
• at least a first key element formed in the one of the longitudinal perimeter segments;
• and
• at least a second key element formed in one of the transverse perimeter segments.

An ink stick feed system for a phase change ink jet printer having a plurality of ink stick melt plates, the ink stick feed system comprising:

• a channel for conveying ink sticks to one of the melt plates a key plate substantially covering the channel;
• wherein the key plate has a key plate opening through it to permit entrance of ink sticks into the channel;
• wherein the key plate opening has at least three perimeter segments;
• and
• wherein at least one key element is formed in each of at least three of the at least three perimeter segments of the key plate opening.

A method of feeding a solid ink stick in a feed direction through first and second feed channels of solid ink feed systems of phase change ink jet printers, the method comprising:

• providing a first ink stick having a first perimeter;
• aligning the first ink stick with a first insertion opening of a first feed channel;
• aligning at least a section of the first perimeter of the first ink stick with a shaped section of the first insertion opening, wherein:
• the shaped section of the first insertion opening has the same shape as the shaped section of the first perimeter of the ink stick;
• and
• the shaped section of the first insertion opening is at least partially transverse to the feed direction of the first feed channel;
• providing a second ink stick having a second perimeter;
• aligning the second ink stick with a second insertion opening of a second feed channel;
• and
• aligning at least a section of the second perimeter of the second ink stick with a section of the second insertion opening having the same shape as the perimeter section of the second ink stick;
• wherein:
• the shaped section of the second insertion opening has the same shape as the shaped section of the second perimeter of the ink stick;
• and
• the shaped section of the second insertion opening is at least partially transverse to the feed direction of the second feed channel;
• wherein the shaped section of the second insertion opening is different from the shaped section of the first insertion opening.