Patent ID: 8714721
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus comprising: a housing forming a receptacle configured to hold a volume of ink; an opening in the housing configured to enable liquid ink to enter the receptacle; an outlet formed through the housing, the outlet being configured to enable liquid ink in the receptacle to exit the housing; a liquid path member having a first end positioned within the receptacle and a second end extending from the receptacle and the housing, the liquid path member being heated to a first temperature that enables liquid ink from the plurality of inkjets to move toward the receptacle in response to engagement of the second end of the liquid path member with the face of the printhead, and the housing maintaining a second temperature that is below the first temperature to enable the liquid ink to solidify in the receptacle; a positioning system operatively connected to the housing and configured to: a heater configured to generate heat to melt solidified ink in the receptacle; and a controller operatively connected to the heater, the controller being configured to: