Patent ID: 6053608
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink pellet assembly including an ink pellet formed of solid hot melt ink and configured for storage and movement in an accommodating channel section of an ink supplying apparatus so that a predetermined amount of hot melt ink is supplied to the ink melting section, the ink pellet assembly comprising:an upper portion having a lateral width greater than a channel width of the accommodating channel section of the ink supplying apparatus;a pellet main body forming step portions with at least two sides of a lower surface of the upper portion, each of the step portions forming a bearing surface that slidably contacts a surface of the accommodating channel section as the ink pellet moves along the accommodating channel section prior to being deposited into the ink melting section, said pellet main body having a lateral width smaller than the channel width of the accommodating channel section and a height smaller than a channel height of the accommodating channel section; andan ink holder that supports the ink pellet provided to the accommodating channel section by engagement of a supporting section of the holder with the step portions of the pellet main body.