Patent ID: 7604336
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: C09D

Abstract:
1. A high-speed phase change ink image producing machine comprising: (a) a movable imaging member having an imaging surface; (b) a printhead system connected to said control subsystem for pixel-wise ejecting drops of melted liquid phase change ink onto said imaging surface to form an image; (c) a phase change ink delivery system including particulate pastille solid phase change ink for enabling said high-speed phase change in image producing machine to produce images at a rate exceeding 50 prints per minute, said particulate pastille solid phase change ink consisting essentially of (i) sub-granular size particulate pastilles for heating and melting into liquid phase change ink, (ii) each sub-granular size particulate pastille is waxy and melts at less than about 120.degree. C., and (iii) each sub-granular size particulate pastille has a size of one of very fine sand, fine sand, medium sand and coarse sand having a diameter of less than 1 mm on the Wentworth-Udden particle-sizing scale.