# US 8,783,839 B2 · System and method for melting solid-ink pellets

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- Number: US 8,783,839 B2
- Document ID: US8783839B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/316,560
- Filed: 2011-12-12
- Published: 2013-06-13
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-12
- Assignees: Xerox Corporation
- Applicants: Srinivasa R. Deshiikan; Julie Mulley
- Inventors: Srinivasa R. Deshiikan; John B. Mulley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783839B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17593: {Supplying ink in a solid state}
- B41F 31/02: Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)

## Abstract

An apparatus and method disclosed for delivering solid-ink pellets in an image-forming device comprises a hopper that houses solid-ink pellets. The hopper defines a vent and is provided with a mechanism to regulate the passage of the solid-ink pellets through the vent. A restrainer member configured to receive the solid-ink pellets defines a restrainer surface and a spreading arrangement to evenly spread the solid-ink pellets on its surface. Positioned below the vent, the restrainer retains the solid-ink pellets and is configured to transmit heat to solid-ink pellets causing them to melt evenly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for delivering solid-ink pellets in an image forming device, the system comprising:
a hopper for retaining solid-ink pellets, the hopper having inwardly sloped sides defining a vent between their closest edges for passage of solid-ink pellets therefrom;
a rotary vane, disposed in the vent, including a spindle comprised of multiple vanes, space between adjacent vanes being sized to accept the solid-ink pellets;
a roll restrainer disposed beneath the hopper vent, having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including spreading members, and the second surface heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the solid-ink pellets disposed on the first surface; and
a spreader baffle slantingly disposed between the hopper vent and the roll restrainer, having a first edge and a second edge such that the first edge is fixed to one of the sloped sides of the hopper and the second edge is suspended above the roll restrainer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the rotary vane is coupled to an electric motor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the width of the second edge being substantially equal to the width of the roll restrainer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the spreading members are spaced apart by a gap substantially larger than the largest solid-ink pellet particle size of 1.2 mm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the spreading members include at least one or more of equidistant projections, apertures, or channels sized to accommodate the largest solid-ink pellets.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the roll restrainer is coupled to a heater.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising an ink reservoir, disposed adjacent the restrainer surface, for retaining ink melted on the restrainer surface.