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US 5,510,821 AGranted
Solid ink stick
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorsBrent R. Jones, Clark W. Crawford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ink stick shape for use in a printer ink stick feed chute is disclosed wherein the opposing sides of the ink stick are tapered or angled from the horizontal so that at least one area intermediate the top and the bottom of the ink stick is a greater distance from the horizontal than the junction of the side walls and the bottom of the ink stick. The ink stick shape or geometry may be keyed to a particular color.
Claims12
An ink stick for use in a printer having, in combination:
- (a) a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;
- and
- (b) a first side and an opposing second side connecting the top surface and the opposing bottom surface at junctions, the first side and opposing second side being at least partly angled from a vertical line through at least one of the junctions such that one area intermediate the top surface and the bottom surface is a greater distance from the vertical line than at least one of the junctions.
An ink stick feed chute and ink stick design comprising in combination,
- (a) an ink stick feed chute bottom connected to opposing chute side walls and a partially open top covering;
- (b) an ink stick top surface and an opposing bottom surface;
- and
- (c) an ink stick first side and an opposing second side connecting the ink stick top surface and the ink stick opposing bottom surface at junctions, the ink stick first side and the ink stick opposing second side being at least partly angled from a vertical line through at least one of the junctions such that one area intermediate the top surface and the bottom surface is a greater distance from the vertical line than at least one of the junctions to minimize contact of the ink stick first side and ink stick opposing second side with the chute opposing side walls.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.