Patent ID: 7883198

Claim:
In a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine having a printhead system and a system for feeding and controlling melted liquid ink provided to the printhead system, the feeding and controlling system having a first storage reservoir for receiving and holding a first volume of melted ink from a source and a second storage reservoir for holding a second volume of melted ink to be delivered to the printhead system upon pressurization of the second storage reservoir, a valve assembly operable in an open position to control the flow of melted ink from the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and in a closed position to prevent backflow into the first storage reservoir of melted ink being delivered under pressure to the printhead system, said valve assembly comprising: a valve housing defining a valve seat between the first and second reservoirs, said valve seat having a sealing surface with a plurality of micro-channels defined therein to permit fluid flow therethrough when said valve disc abuts said valve seat, said sealing surface having an average surface roughness of between 0.3 and 1.0 μm; an angled surface disposed within said valve housing; and a passive valve disc disposed within said valve housing and movable from the closed position in which said disc abuts said valve seat in sealed contact, and the open position in which said valve disc is supported by said angled surface, wherein said angled surface is configured to support only a portion of said valve disc with an upper portion thereof unsupported; and further wherein said valve housing defines a flow director surface at said upper portion of said valve disc on the opposite side of said disc from said valve seat, said flow director surface in fluid communication with the second reservoir to direct a flow of melted ink behind said valve disc.