Abstract: A cartridge for hot melt or phase change ink is tubular, having a cover at one end and an opening at the other end. Upon engagement and cooperation between the cartridge and a reservoir, solid ink is dropped under the influence of gravity through the opening in the cartridge. Solid ink is retained in the cartridge until such cooperation, which includes keying the cartridge to the reservoir and forming a seal of the inlet to the reservoir between the cartridge and the reservoir.

Abstract: Ink jet apparatus for utilizing hot melt ink is provided, comprising a printing head and a reservoir for holding a supply of hot melt ink, the reservoir having a normally open port or fill tube with an end face residing within the volume of the reservoir, the end face being located at about the volumetric center of the reservoir. The reservoir is maintained with an ink volume of no more than about half of the reservoir volume, so that ink can not spill through the normally open port when the apparatus is tilted.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning contaminants from the face and orifice(s) of the print head of an ink jet printer includes a cleaning card having a foam strip secured across the front face of the card near its bottom edge, the upper portion of the card forming step-like protrusions from each lateral or side edge of the narrower lower portion of the card, the foam strip being saturated with a cleaning solvent, the lower portion of the card being adapted for insertion between a card guide and the face of said print head, causing squeezing of the foam strip for release of the solvent upon and wiping of the face of the print head and orifice(s) as the foam strip is moved thereagainst.