Printer solid ink transport and method

A solid ink printer ink delivery system for use with an ink stick having an external periphery with opposed surfaces, said solid ink printer delivery system configured to deliver a solid ink stick to a melting device for melting the solid ink stick to produce liquid ink, said solid ink printer delivery system comprising:

• a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path, said guide defining a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide, a delivery position adjacent the melting device, and an end at the loading position that is at an end of the guide that is opposed to an end of the guide at the delivery position, said guide at the loading position defining constraints for positioning the solid ink stick, a portion of the constraints adapted for cooperation with at least a portion of the opposed surfaces of the external periphery of the solid ink stick, at least one of the constraints defining a grasping recess located at the end of the loading position of said guide, the grasping recess providing access to a portion of at least one of the opposed surfaces of the external periphery of the solid ink stick.