Ink stick for phase change ink printer and its supplying method and supplying system

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink stick used in a phase change ink imaging device. The phase change ink device comprises a solid ink main body which has an exterior surface and a light responsive overcoat that overlays at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ink stick body. The invention also relates to a method for supplying the ink stick arranged inside an ink loader of the phase changeink imaging device. The method comprises the steps as follow: the ink stick is inserted into the ink loader of the phase change ink imaging device, and the ink stick has an exterior surface and a light responsive overcoat that overlays at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ink stick; a ray is pointed to the overcoat; and the light signal reflected from the overcoat is detected. The invention relates to a supplying system for a phase change ink imaging device. The supplying system comprises an ink loader which is used for receiving the solid ink main body which has a light responsive coat; an emitter which is used for emitting the ray into the light responsive coat arranged on the ink stick of the ink loader and which is arranged inside the ink loader, and a controller which isused for determining the changeable information relative to the ink stick according to the detected light signal.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to a phase change inkjet printer, a solid ink stick for such an inkjet printer, and a method for making such an ink stick. Background technique [0002] Solid ink or phase change inkjet printers traditionally accept ink in solid form, such as in the form of particles or ink sticks. Solid ink particles or ink sticks are placed within the supply chute, and a supply mechanism supplies the solid ink to the heater assembly. Solid ink sticks can be gravity fed within the heater assembly or forced through the feed chute by a spring toward the heater plate. The heater plate melts the solid ink impinging on the plate into a liquid, which is delivered to the printhead for ejection on the recording medium or intermediate transfer surface. [0003] Phase change inks for color printing typically include a phase change ink carrier composition in combination with phase change ink matching colorants. Color printers typically ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] Additionally, if an ink stick is inadvertently inserted into the wrong opening of the keying plate, or if the correct ink stick is incorrectly oriented during insertion, the ink stick can be damaged and small ink chips or particles can fall from the ink stick body

Therefore, although the keying structure of the ink stick can be used to prevent the insertion of an ink stick of the wrong color into the supply channel, the soft outer surface of the ink stick can be damaged, making the entire ink stick therefore unusable

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