Abstract: A printer includes a release agent detector that responds to release agent contacting the detector by generating a signal. The signal is processed by a controller to alter operation of the printer.

Abstract: A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The solid ink paste can be formed by mixing liquid ink and solid ink in a barrel of an injection molding machine. The liquid ink is formed by melting solid ink particulates in the barrel with a heated conveyor and the solid ink particulates are maintained in a solid phase by cooling a portion of the barrel. Movement produced by the heated conveyor mixes the liquid ink and the solid ink in an area between the cooled portion of the barrel and the heated conveyor.

Abstract: A container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and an inductive heater element positioned within the housing. The inductive heater element is formed in a manner that increases the surface area of the heater and enables frozen ink in the vicinity of a reservoir outlet to melt quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A volumetric container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and a heater element positioned within the housing. The heater element is positioned in the container to melt solid ink quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The solid ink paste can be formed by mixing liquid ink and solid ink in a barrel of an injection molding machine. The liquid ink is formed by melting solid ink particulates in the barrel with a heated conveyor and the solid ink particulates are maintained in a solid phase by cooling a portion of the barrel. Movement produced by the heated conveyor mixes the liquid ink and the solid ink in an area between the cooled portion of the barrel and the heated conveyor.

Abstract: A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The method includes generating a solid ink paste, injecting a portion of the paste under pressure into a cooled mold having at least two separable shells that form ink stick cavities, and separating the shells of the cooled mold to release solid ink sticks from the ink stick cavities.

Abstract: A method manufactures molded fatty acid based material products by forming a fatty acid based material paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The method includes generating a fatty acid based material paste, injecting a portion of the fatty acid based material paste under pressure into a cooled mold having at least two separable shells that form product cavities, and separating the shells of the cooled mold to release molded fatty acid based material products from the product cavities.

Abstract: A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The method includes generating a solid ink paste, injecting a portion of the paste under pressure into a cooled mold having at least two separable shells that form ink stick cavities, and separating the shells of the cooled mold to release solid ink sticks from the ink stick cavities.