US 6,746,113 B1 · Solid phase change ink pre-melter assembly and a phase change ink image producing machine having same

Abstract

A pre-melter assembly is provided for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine. The pre-melter assembly includes (a) a first portion having a first feeding apparatus and a first container for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink. It also includes a second portion having a second container and a second feeding apparatus for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing. The pre-melter assembly then includes a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with the second feeding apparatus for maintaining a temperature Tw of the solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm of the solid pieces of phase change ink, thereby preventing premature melting of the solid pieces of phase change ink before the solid pieces reach the melter housing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pre-melter assembly for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine, the pre-melter assembly comprising:

(a) a first portion including receiving means and first containing means for receiving and containing solid pieces of phase change ink;
(b) a second portion including second containing means and feeding means for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing;
and
(c) a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with said feeding means of said second portion for maintaining a temperature Tw of said solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm therefor to prevent premature melting thereof before said solid pieces of phase change ink reach the melter housing.

1 more element

A phase change ink image producing machine comprising:

(a) a control subsystem for controlling operation of all subsystems and components of the image producing machine;
(b) a movable imaging member having an imaging surface;
(c) a printhead system connected to said control subsystem for pixel-wise ejecting drops of melted liquid phase change ink onto said imaging surface to form an image;
and
(d) a pre-melter assembly for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine, the pre-melter assembly including:
(i) a first portion including receiving means and first containing means for receiving and containing solid pieces of phase change ink;
(ii) a second portion including second containing means and feeding means for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing;
and
(iii) a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with said feeding means of said second portion for maintaining a temperature Tw of said solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm therefor to prevent premature melting thereof before they reach the melter housing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid phase change ink pre-melter assembly and a phase change ink image producing machine having same

Life of this patent

Solid phase change ink pre-melter assembly and a phase change ink image producing machine having same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20