Patent ID: 8646892

Claim:
A solid ink stick delivery apparatus comprising: a feed channel having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to receive solid ink sticks and the second end being positioned proximate a melting device; a lead screw drive positioned proximate the feed channel, the lead screw drive comprising: a member having a first end and a second end, the member being parallel to the feed channel and the first end of the member being proximate the first end of the feed channel and the second end of the member being proximate the second end of the feed channel; and at least one ink stick carrier mounted about the member, the at least one ink stick carrier having a length that is less than a length of the member, the at least one ink stick carrier being configured to frictionally engage a portion of the member; and an actuator operatively connected to the member to rotate the member and the at least one ink stick carrier about the member until the member overcomes a force of frictional engagement with the at least one ink stick carrier and slips with respect to the at least one ink stick carrier.