Patent ID: 7438402
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet printer, wherein the ink jet printer has an ink feed channel having a feed direction leading to a melt plate, the ink stick comprising: an ink stick body having an external surface and an axis of rotation about which the ink stick body rotates as the ink stick body moves through the ink feed channel; wherein the ink stick body is adapted for insertion into the ink feed channel so that the axis of rotation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the feed direction; wherein at least a first portion of the external surface of the ink stick body forms a circle on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and wherein a second portion of the external surface in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation contains an insertion key in a portion of the external surface of the ink stick body.