Patent ID: 8313182
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A solid ink loading system for a phase change ink imaging device, the system comprising: an ink loader having a first end, a second end, and at least one feed channel extending between the first end and the second end, the at least one feed channel including an insertion region intermediate the first and the second ends of the ink loader where solid ink sticks enter the at least one feed channel, the at least one feed channel being configured to guide solid ink sticks in a feed direction from the insertion region toward the second end; and an ink stick retractor having an ink stick engaging portion configured to contact a leading surface of at least one solid ink stick in the at least one feed channel, the leading surface facing the second end of the feed channel, and the ink stick retractor being configured for movement between a forward position and a rearward position substantially parallel to at least a portion of the at least one feed channel, the forward position being closer to the second end of the feed channel than to the first end, the ink stick retractor being configured to selectively move solid ink sticks in the at least one feed channel in a retraction direction toward the first end of the ink loader.