Patent ID: 8317308

Claim:
A solid ink stick for use in solid ink printers, the ink stick comprising: an ink stick body having a leading end, a trailing end opposite the leading end, a bottom surface extending between the leading end and trailing ends on one side of the ink stick body, a top surface extending between the leading end and trailing end opposite the bottom surface, and a pair of opposed lateral side surfaces that extend between the leading end and the trailing end and between the top surface and the bottom surface; and at least one inset formed in the bottom surface intermediate the lateral side surfaces, the inset including: an interior indented surface recessed a first predetermined distance from the trailing end or the leading end of the ink stick, the first predetermined distance being less than a length of the ink stick from the leading end to the trailing end and the interior indented surface being oriented at least somewhat perpendicular to a feed direction; at least two lateral interior surfaces that are separated by a second predetermined distance that is less than a width of the ink stick between the opposed lateral side surfaces of the ink stick; and an upper interior surface recessed a third predetermined distance from the bottom surface, the third predetermined distance being less than a height of the ink stick from the bottom surface to the to surface, the upper interior surface, the at least two lateral interior surfaces, and the interior indented surface cooperating to define a clearance area within the ink stick that is configured to receive a movable gate and impede movement of the ink stick in the feed direction.