Patent ID: 6254228
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An image recording apparatus for use with a plurality of solid ink pieces, comprising:at least one ink cartridge that houses the plurality of solid ink pieces;a recording device that receives at least one solid ink piece of the plurality of solid ink pieces from the at least one ink cartridge and uses the at least one solid ink piece to perform recording by melting the at least one solid ink piece;at least one ink supply device that supplies the at least one solid ink piece from the at least one ink cartridge to the recording device by forcing the at least one solid ink piece out of the at least one ink cartridge;a conveyance device that performs one of conveyance of the at least one ink cartridge toward the at least one ink supply device and conveyance of the at least one solid ink piece toward the at least one ink supply device; anda drive device that drives the conveyance device and the at least one ink supply device by mechanically contacting the conveyance device and the at least one ink supply device.