Patent ID: 7594716

Claim:
An ink stick support for use in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device comprising: an ink stick receiver configured to receive at least one ink stick inserted at an insertion end of an ink loader and to support the at least one solid ink stick, the ink stick receiver being configured to be movably coupled to the ink loader for movement between the insertion end of the ink loader and a melt end of the ink loader; an ink stick feed region configured to allow passage therethrough of ink sticks received on the ink stick receiver for conveyance to an ink stick support exit end, the ink stick support exit end being configured to be positioned proximate the melt end of the ink loader; and a variable length support extending between the ink stick receiver and the ink stick support exit end, the variable length support being configured to diminish in length corresponding to a distance between the ink stick receiver and the ink stick support exit end as the ink stick receiver transports the at least one ink stick toward the ink stick support exit end and to substantially prevent contact between the at least one ink stick supported on the ink stick receiver and the ink stick loader.