Patent ID: 8096648
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A phase change ink melting assembly for use in a phase change ink imaging device, the assembly comprising: a perimetric constraint having an open top and a melted ink egress positioned at a bottom of the perimetric constraint, the open top being sized to receive a leading end of an ink stick fed downwardly therethrough; a plurality of melted ink flow paths extending from proximate the open top of the perimetric constraint to the egress of the perimetric constraint and; the plurality of flow paths including interior surfaces established through openings intermediate the open top and egress and through a perforated barrier internal to the perimetric constraint intermediate the open top and egress; at least one interior-to-exterior path extending from an interior of the perimetric constraint to an exterior of the perimetric constraint through a wall of the perimetric constraint; and a heater for heating the perimetric constraint to a phase change ink melting temperature.