Patent ID: 6601950
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A combination of a solid ink unit for use in an ink jet printer and a melting device for melting the ink unit, said melting device comprising a melting chamber provided with a wide end for dispensing the ink unit to the melting chamber and a narrow end, such that during melting, the ink unit moves in a direction from the wide end to the narrow end, wherein dimensions of the ink unit are adapted to the dimensions of the melting chamber such that the ink unit, when dispensed in the melting chamber, is laterally grasped, with respect to the said direction, by one or more walls of the melting chamber, without being supported by a wall of the melting chamber in a plane substantially perpendicular to said direction, whereby, during the melting of the said ink unit, each of said one or more walls is heated to a temperature where the ink is a liquid.