Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: An ink stick comprises an ink stick body having a plurality of tracks formed in one or more side surfaces extending from a leading surface to a trailing surface substantially parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader. Each track forms a path corresponding to a track sensor in the ink loader and includes a leading sensor actuator and a trailing sensor actuator for actuating the respective track sensor. The leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators are configured to actuate the respective track sensors in an actuation sequence indicative of variable control/attribute information pertaining to the ink stick. A transition indicating region is formed between the leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators in the plurality of tracks. The transition indicating region is configured to interact with the track sensors to generate a signal indicative of a transition between the leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators.

Abstract: A solid printer includes a solid ink transportation system that uses multiple forces to direct solid ink to a melting assembly within the printer. The solid ink transportation system includes a housing having an opening through which solid ink is inserted, a first transportation path coupled at one end to the housing opening and configured to operate as a gravity feed to move the solid ink from the housing opening along the first transportation path, at least one other transportation path coupled at one end to the other end of the first transportation path, the solid ink being moved along the at least one other transportation path primarily by a mechanically generated force, and a melting device coupled to an exit of the at least one other transportation path to receive the solid ink moved along the at least one other transportation path.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming, such as by printing, high quality, high throughput, ultraviolet curable gel ink images on flexible substrates for packaging applications are disclosed. The methods and devices have excellent image quality and do not require pinning of the ink during color printing or nitrogen inerting during curing.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device has a protrusion with a predetermined height that is configured to enable a sensor in an ink loader of the imaging device to detect the height of the protrusion. The predetermined height of the protrusion corresponds to a control parameter for the imaging device.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between 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 under pressure to a printhead system. The valve assembly includes a passive valve disc movable from the closed position in which said disc abuts a valve seat in sealed contact, and an open position in which said valve disc is supported by an angled surface. An upper portion of the valve disc is unsupported and a flow director surface behind the disc directs fluid flow against the upper portion to assist in closing the valve. The surface characteristics of the valve seat are controlled to improve the “crack” time of the valve disc when opening.

Abstract: A method is implemented to deliver a solid ink stick from a single insertion port to a corresponding feed channel to help ensure that each feed channel in a plurality of feed channels contains only ink sticks corresponding to the feed channel. The method includes receiving solid ink sticks in a single insertion port, identifying each ink stick received in the single insertion port, and transporting each identified ink stick from the single insertion port to one feed channel in a plurality of feed channels to enable delivery of the identified ink stick to the melting assembly appropriate for the identified ink stick.

Abstract: A system facilitates transport of solid ink by a motorized feed drive through a feed channel in a solid ink printer. The system includes a feed channel, a motorized feed drive in at least a portion of the feed channel, a meltable ink body having a drive coupler that is offset from a surface of the meltable ink body, the drive coupler having an opening to receive a portion of the motorized feed drive to enable the motorized feed drive to urge the meltable ink body along the feed channel.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The ink stick is for use in a solid ink delivery system for delivering ink to a melting unit to melt the solid ink. The ink stick has opposed first and second stick external surfaces. At least one of the first and second stick external surfaces is arcuate.

Abstract: In a phase-change ink image producing machine, better control flow of molten solid ink may be provided by a solid ink valve system including a valve plate with one or more valve ports, an umbilical connector, and a valve positioned between the valve plate and the umbilical connector. Ink flow between the valve plate and the umbilical connector may be asynchronously regulated by actuating the valve. Such actuation may be performed by heating and cooling the valve, by applying electric current to a coil that surrounds a valve element of the valve and to a wire provided in the valve element and/or by asynchronously actuating a valve associated with the valve port.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having first and second opposed end surfaces and first and second opposed lateral side surfaces. The ink stick body is rotationally symmetric about a vertical central axis of the ink stick body. The ink stick body includes an interlocking face on the first end surface and a complementarily shaped interlocking face on the second end surface. A key is on each of the first and second side surfaces. The keys of the first and second side surfaces are similarly shaped. The key on the first side surface and the key on the second side surface are rotationally symmetrically positioned with respect to each other about the vertical central axis.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device.

Abstract: A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15° C.-180° C. comprising (i) at least one low viscosity reactive resin; (ii) at least one higher viscosity resin having a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (iii) at least one curable toughener, (iv) at least one initiator for the polymerization of the resins, and (v) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, for example, a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together.

Abstract: An ink stick comprises an ink stick body configured for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of the phase change ink imaging device. The ink stick body has an insertion perimeter in a plane substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and has a longitudinal dimension for aligning with a feed direction of the ink loader. A symbol contour is formed in a first position on the perimeter of the ink stick body. The symbol contour defines a portion of a perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol shape and extends at most partially along the perimeter of the ink stick in the longitudinal dimension of the ink stick body. At least one key contour is formed in a second position on the perimeter of the ink stick body corresponding to a color of the ink for the ink stick body.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a) a printing station including at least one printhead for applying phase-change ink to a print substrate in a phase-change ink image, and b) an ink spreading station including an ink spreading member and a back-up pressure member in pressure contact with the ink spreading member forming a nip between the ink spreading member and pressure member for spreading the phase-change ink image on the print substrate, wherein the print substrate is passed through the nip, and wherein the pressure member includes i) a pressure member substrate, and having thereon ii) an intermediate coating comprising a polyurethane material, and having thereon, iii) an outer coating comprising a nitrile butadiene and a conductive filler.

Abstract: A solid ink stick comprises an ink stick body formed of a phase change ink material. The ink stick body has a plurality of exterior surfaces arranged in a first ink stick body configuration. At least one simulation surface is formed in the ink stick body. The at least one simulation surface simulates a second ink stick body configuration. The simulation surface is functionally significant though may not extend around the full perimeter of the ink stick body or to the full plurality of exterior surfaces.

Abstract: A solid ink stick comprises an ink stick body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces defines a perimeter of the ink stick body. At least one key contour is formed in at least one side surface in the plurality of side surfaces extending at least partially between the top surface and the bottom surface. A witness mark is formed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the ink stick body with a portion of the witness mark following the at least one key contour.

Abstract: A melt assembly that includes a drip plate; and a self regulating heating device thermally connected to the drip plate, wherein the heating device is a positive temperature coefficient material (PTC material). Also, a drip plate having an open interior into which a heating device may be inserted or molded.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device having a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having first and second opposed ends and the ends are contoured to complement the feed path such that the sticks resist buckling due to feed forces. The ink stick body includes a first interlocking face at the first end and a second interlocking face at the second end. Each interlocking face includes a plurality of bosses and a plurality of boss recesses, the plurality of boss recesses of the first interlocking face are sized and positioned complementary to the plurality of bosses of the second interlocking face, and the plurality of boss recesses of the second interlocking face being sized and positioned complementary to the plurality of bosses of the first interlocking face.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises an ink reservoir that contains a reservoir ink. The ink reservoir is arranged to provide the reservoir ink to an included print element by means of an included ink supply channel. A print element ink thus is supplied to the print element. When a fault condition is detected that indicates a likelihood of a freezing of the print element ink, the print element is de-primed by forcing the print element ink to evacuate, discharge, withdraw or flow from the print element by means of the ink supply channel. The fault condition comprises any of a loss of power, a power-down process or a print element temperature being less than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: A plurality of ink sticks for use in phase change ink imaging devices includes a first ink stick configured for insertion through an insertion opening of an ink loader for a first phase change ink imaging device and configured for insertion through an insertion opening of an ink loader for a second phase change ink imaging device. The plurality of ink sticks also includes a second ink stick configured for insertion through the insertion opening of the ink loader for the second phase change ink imaging device and configured to be excluded from insertion through the insertion opening of the ink loader for the first phase change ink imaging device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a colorant and a phase change ink vehicle comprising a compound of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Xi, Yj, and Y?j? are as defined herein.

Abstract: Herein includes an offset printing apparatus for transferring and optionally fixing a phase change ink onto a print medium including a) a phase change ink application component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image to an imaging member; b) an imaging member for accepting, transferring and optionally fixing the phase change ink image to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an outer coating with a urethane and a conductive salt; and c) a release agent management system for supplying a release agent to the imaging member, wherein an amount of release agent needed for transfer and optionally fixing the phase change ink image is reduced.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a top surface. The top surface has a front edge that is rearwardly offset from a top edge of the leading surface, and a back edge that is at least partially rearwardly offset from the top of the trailing surface. A leading canted face extends between the top edge of the leading surface and the front edge of the top surface. A trailing canted face extends between the top edge of the trailing surface and the back edge of the top surface. The back edge includes a key that is complementary to an insertion opening key of an ink loader.

Abstract: A solid ink delivery system for use with a plurality of solid ink sticks for use in solid ink printers is provided. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the solid ink sticks in a prescribed path and a drive member for simultaneous engagement with a plurality of the solid ink sticks and extending along a portion of the prescribed path of the guide.

Abstract: A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The solid ink delivery system is used for delivering the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide and a delivery position adjacent the melt station. The stick advances from the loading position to the delivery position in the prescribed path and a portion of the prescribed path is arcuate.

Abstract: An ink loader for a phase change ink imaging device includes at least one guide member for maintaining alignment and orientation of ink sticks as the ink sticks feed to a melt area of an ink loader. The ink loader also includes a keyed opening through which ink sticks are inserted into the ink loader. The keyed opening is positioned with respect to the at least one guide member such that keying elements of ink sticks are spatially separated from the at least one guide member during and after insertion.

Abstract: A system for an ink delivery system comprises a feed path having an insertion end and a melt end, and an ink stick transport for moving at least one ink stick between the insertion end and the melt end of the feed path. At least one sensor is positioned along the feed path. A controller is configured to actuate the transport to move at least one ink stick in a first direction from the insertion end toward the melt end of the feed path so that a coded sensor feature of the at least one ink stick actuates the at least one sensor to generate a signal. The controller is configured to actuate the transport to move the at least one ink stick in one of the first direction and a second direction toward the insertion end of the feed path in response to the signal.

Abstract: An ink jet device utilizing hot melt ink, said device including an ink reservoir, a heater arranged to heat ink contained in the ink reservoir, and a ventilation conduit which is connected to a ventilation opening in a top wall of the ink reservoir, said ventilation conduit containing a channel running upwards through a heated area. The ink jet device includes an ink melting unit for supplying melted ink to the ink reservoir, said ink melting unit being arranged to enable melted ink to flow into the ink reservoir from above, said channel of the ventilation conduit being in thermal contact with the ink melting unit.

Abstract: A solid ink delivery system with discrimination feature for identifying the presence of improper ink sticks for use in solid ink printers for delivering ink to media to form an image thereon is provided. The ink delivery system includes a proper ink stick having a first feature on the stick. The ink delivery system also includes a frame and a guide connected to the frame. The guide guides the sticks in a prescribed path and cooperates with the first feature of the proper ink sticks. The ink delivery system also includes a sensor for sensing the presence of a target surface of a stick at a first position with respect to the frame. The guide cooperates with the first feature of the proper ink sticks to position the target surface of the proper ink sticks in the first position. The guide cooperates with the improper ink sticks to position the target surface of the improper ink sticks spaced from the first position so that proper ink sticks may be distinguished from improper ink sticks.

Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus maintains temperature of a fluid transported through a conduit. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit for transporting fluid, the fluid transport conduit having an inlet end that is coupled to a fluid supply and an outlet end that is coupled to a receiving port, a compressor conduit configured to pump fluid through the fluid transport conduit by pressurizing and venting the compressor conduit, and a thermal conductor configured to achieve a non-ambient temperature for the fluid within the fluid transport conduit as the compressor conduit is operated to move the fluid through the fluid transport conduit.

Abstract: A solid ink stick incorporates structural features and aspect ratios that facilitate movement of the ink stick through a feed channel. The ink stick includes an ink stick body having a width, a length, and a height, a first skew limiter in a lateral side of the ink stick, the first skew limiter having a length substantially equal to the length of the ink stick and a width that is less than one-half of the width of the ink stick, and a second skew limiter in a lateral side of the ink stick opposite the lateral side in which the first skew limiter is located, the second skew limiter having a length substantially equal to the length of the ink stick and a width that is less than one-half of the width of the ink stick.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink printer includes a first portion of a solid ink stick body, the first portion being formed of a first material of a phase change ink composition. The ink stick also includes a second portion of the solid ink stick body, the second portion being formed of a second material. The first material and the second material combine when the ink stick body is melted.

Abstract: An ink stick cooperates with structure in a feed channel of a phase change ink printer to reduce steering effects from pushing the ink sticks along the longitudinal axis of the feed channel. The ink stick includes an ink stick body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral dimension between two partial sides of the ink stick, and a lateral center of gravity within the lateral dimension, a support in a bottom surface of the ink stick body, the support being located at a position that is laterally offset from the lateral center of gravity within the lateral dimension, and a skew limiter in a side of the ink stick body that is opposite the lateral offset position of the support, the skew limiter being in the side of the ink stick body intermediate the bottom surface and the top surface of the ink stick body.

Abstract: A magnetic wire application apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a drum using a solid ink; a magnetic wire application unit that applies a magnetic wire on the image formed on the drum by the image forming unit using the solid ink; and an image transfer unit that transfers the image, which is formed by the image forming unit on the drum by the solid ink and applied with the magnetic wire by the magnetic wire application unit, to a printing paper.

Abstract: A solid ink delivery system for use with a ink stick for use in printers is provided. The stick has an external periphery including opposed surfaces of the stick. The solid ink delivery system delivers the stick to a melting unit for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide and a delivery position adjacent the melting unit. The guide at the loading position defines constraints for positioning the stick. A portion of the constraints, including a shaped insertion opening, is adapted for cooperation with the opposed surfaces of the external periphery of the stick. At least one of the constraints defining a grasping recess in the constraint for providing access to a portion of at least one of the opposed surfaces of the external periphery of the stick.

Abstract: A solid ink stick receiver for a solid ink stick loader is configured to receive solid ink sticks and to orient the solid ink sticks so the skew limiters in a solid ink stick are generally aligned to receive longitudinal guide rails in a feed channel of the loader. The solid ink stick receiver includes a pair of generally upright sidewalls separated by a distance that corresponds to an ink stick body width, and a set down area having at least one bottom support with a top surface that is located at a position that enables at least one skew limiter in a side of the ink stick to be generally aligned with a longitudinal guide rail in a feed channel.

Abstract: An ink set is made up of at least three differently colored phase change inks, for example cyan, magenta and yellow, wherein at least one of the colored phase change inks is a photochromic ink that contains a photochromic material. Upon exposure to activating radiation such as ultraviolet light, the at least one photochromic ink changes to a color different from the color of the photochromic ink prior to exposure to the activating radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device includes heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form at least one extruded ink filament having at least one cross-sectional dimension transverse to the extrusion direction that is less than approximately 12 mm. The at least one ink filament is then accumulated.

Abstract: An ink stick support for use in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink stick carrier for receiving and supporting an ink stick. The ink stick carrier includes a loading platform for receiving the ink stick thereon and a substantially vertically oriented back wall extending from a back edge of the base plate. A coupler for removably attaching the ink stick carrier to a drive mechanism of an ink loader.

Abstract: A high-resolution ink jet printer includes a drum supported for rotation about an axis, substrate positioning means for positioning a substrate sheet on the surface of the drum to receive a printed image, carriage means movable parallel to the drum axis, printhead means supported on the carriage means and having at least one array of orifices disposed in spaced relation to the surface of the drum for projecting ink drops onto a substrate sheet carried by the drum, drive means for driving the carriage parallel to the axis of the drum, encoder means providing a train of signals at a rate dependent upon the rate of rotation of the drum, and control means for controlling the projection of the ink drops from the printhead means at a rate that depends on the rate of signals received by the control means.

Abstract: An ink stick having a solid ink stick body adapted for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of a phase change ink device. The solid ink stick body includes a top and bottom surface that are oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and a plurality of side surfaces that are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The plurality of side surfaces define a plurality of corner edges that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface where adjacent side surfaces meet. A corner guide element extends at least partially along at least one corner edge in a feed direction of the feed channel. The corner guide elements are configured to engage guide members in the feed channel to restrain movement of the ink stick body in at least one direction other than the feed direction. The insertion direction is parallel to the feed direction.

Abstract: A solid ink stick facilitates verification of the position and orientation of a solid ink stick prior to an ink stick identification operation. The solid ink stick includes a solid ink stick body configured for insertion in a solid ink stick printer in a predetermined orientation, and a verification interlock in at least one surface of the solid ink stick body, the verification interlock and the at least one surface being located in the solid ink stick body to engage at least two displaceable members arranged in an insertion area of the solid ink printer to push one displaceable member away from the solid ink stick body and to enable the other displaceable member to move towards the solid ink stick body when the solid ink stick body is in the predetermined orientation in the insertion area.

Abstract: Vehicles for ink compositions are disclosed. The described ink vehicles include at least one curable component, and optionally include initiating agents, colorants, non-curable components and other additives. Processes for preparing the ink vehicles and ink compositions containing the ink vehicles are also described.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided, the phase change ink device having an ink stick feed system. The ink stick has a solid ink body having an exterior surface, and a light responsive overcoat that overlays at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ink stick body.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink composition that includes an ink vehicle, a colorant, and at least one naturally derived material. At least one naturally derived material is a low melt material having an onset of melting from about 45° C. to about 120° C., and a melt transition width of from about 3° C. to about 30° C. Also provided is a method for producing a solid phase change ink composition that includes selecting at least one naturally derived material, forming an ink vehicle, and adding a colorant, wherein at least one naturally derived material is a low melt material having an onset of melting of from about 45° C. to about 120° C., and a melt transition width of from about 3° C. to about 30° C. An ink jet device that includes the solid phase change ink composition described in the present disclosure is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition and a method for forming the ink composition. The phase change ink composition comprises (1) an ink carrier comprising (A) a first component which comprises a monoester wax or blend of monoesters having at least one alkyl group comprising at least 10 carbon atoms, and (B) a second component which comprises a polyalkylene wax, and (2) a urea gellant and (3) a colorant.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.