Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet printer is provided wherein the ink jet printer has an ink feed channel having a feed direction leading to a melt plate. The ink stick comprises an ink stick body having an external surface and an axis of rotation. The ink stick body is adapted for insertion into the ink feed channel so that the axis of rotation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the feed direction. The external surface of the ink stick body forms a circle on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out a reaction between at least two fluids comprises a reactor plate (20) with a plurality of grooves or through slots (22) in which the fluids mix and react and a separable overlying reservoir plate (2) for supplying the fluids to slots (22) from reservoirs (4, 6) via slots (10) a, (10) b, with a collecting conduit or reservoir (8) and slots (10) c for the product of the reaction. Reservoir plate (2) may lie between two reactor plates, or a single reactor plate (20) may lie between two reservoir plates. Third or further reservoirs may or may not be spaced from the second reservoir (6) depending on whether more than two fluids need to be present simultaneously, or whether a second reaction is required after the first two fluids have had time to react. Means may be provided for controlling the pressure in slots (22), the pressure differential (and flow rate) along slot (22), and/or the temperature in the reservoirs (4, 6) or slots (22).

Abstract: An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connector with a distal end attached to the lever system load attachment point so that displacement of the lever system attachment point causes longitudinal movement of the load connector. The load mechanism applies a load that is substantially constant throughout the range of position of the lever system load attachment point. The load mechanism includes a spring and a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector. The crank is configured so that a change in the spring force produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector.