Claims
- 1. A solid ink loader, comprising:
at least one feed channel for receiving ink sticks; at least one key plate for covering the at least one feed channel, wherein the at least one key plate includes a first receptacle; and a first insertion opening surround element connected to the receptacle that is separate from the first receptacle, wherein the first insertion opening surround element defines a first portion of the perimeter of an ink stick insertion opening and provides keying features along the first portion.
- 2. The loader of claim 1, wherein the first insertion opening surround element connects to some, but not all, of a border of the receptacle.
- 3. The loader of claim 2, further comprising a second insertion opening surround element connected to the receptacle, wherein the second insertion opening surround element defines a second portion of the perimeter of the ink stick insertion opening and provides keying features along the second portion.
- 4. The loader of claim 3, wherein the first insertion opening surround element and the second insertion opening surround element connect to adjacent portions of the receptacle.
- 5. The loader of claim 3, wherein the first insertion opening surround element and the second insertion opening surround element each have beveled edges.
- 6. The loader of claim 2, wherein the first insertion opening surround element defines at least two sides of the ink stick insertion opening.
- 7. The loader of claim 1, wherein the first insertion opening surround element defines an entire perimeter of the ink stick insertion opening.
- 8. The loader of claim 2, wherein the remainder of the border of the receptacle also includes at least one keying feature.
- 9. A key plate for use with a solid ink jet printer, the key plate comprising:
a main installation portion having at least one receptacle therein; a first insertion opening surround portion that connects to at least part of the installation portion, wherein the insertion opening surround portion defines a first part of an insertion opening.
- 10. The key plate of claim 9, further comprising a second insertion opening surround portion connected to the installation portion, wherein the second insertion opening surround portion defines a second part of an insertion opening.
- 11. The key plate of claim 10, wherein the first insertion opening surround portion and the second insertion opening surround portion are adjacent each other.
- 12. The key plate of claim 10, wherein the first insertion opening surround portion and the second insertion opening surround portion each have beveled edges.
- 13. The key plate of claim 9, wherein the first insertion opening surround portion defines at least two edges of the insertion opening.
- 14. The key plate of claim 9, wherein the first insertion opening surround element defines an entire perimeter of the ink stick insertion opening
- 15. The key plate of claim 9, wherein the remainder of the border of the installation portion also includes at least one keying feature.
- 16. A first insertion element that connects to an ink stick receptacle in a key plate, wherein the first insertion element forms at least one edge of an insertion opening, and wherein the first insertion element is shaped to complement at least a portion of the perimeter of an ink stick.
- 17. The insertion element of claim 16, wherein the first insertion element connects to some, but not all, of a border of the receptacle.
- 18. The insertion element of claim 17, wherein the first insertion element is adjacent a second insertion element, wherein the second insertion element is connected to the ink stick receptacle.
- 19. The insertion element of claim 18, wherein the first insertion element and the second insertion opening element each have beveled edges.
- 20. The loader of claim 17, wherein the remainder of the border of the receptacle also includes at least one keying feature.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/159,424, filed May 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, issued ______ (Attorney Docket No. D/A2033Q6).
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10159424 |
May 2002 |
US |
Child |
10835133 |
Apr 2004 |
US |