Patent Application
20090185017
This disclosure relates generally to phase change ink jet printers and, in particular, to the solid ink sticks used in such ink jet printers.
Solid ink or phase change ink printers conventionally receive ink in a solid form, either as pellets or as ink sticks. The solid ink pellets or ink sticks are typically inserted through an insertion opening of an ink loader for the printer, and the ink sticks are pushed or slid along the feed channel by a feed mechanism and/or gravity toward a heater plate in the heater assembly. The heater plate melts the solid ink impinging on the plate into a liquid that is delivered to a print head for jetting onto a recording medium.
One difficulty faced in solid ink technology is identification and authentication of ink sticks to ensure the correct loading and compatibility of an ink stick with the imaging device in which it is used. For example, unlike powdered or liquid marking materials, the solid form of ink sticks allows the ink sticks to be handled and loaded into a phase change ink printer without the need for a container or cartridge, as is typically required for liquid ink or powdered toner. In addition, the entire ink stick may be melted and consumed, with no need to dispose of, or recycle, any container. Eliminating the need for a container provides many advantages to the use of ink sticks. Containers or cartridges, however, may be provided with electronic tags, barcodes, etc. that may be used to identify and/or authenticate the ink contained therein. Without the use of a container, the mechanisms for authenticating or otherwise identifying the ink stick may be limited.
Provisions have been made to facilitate the authentication and/or identification of ink sticks so that ink sticks are correctly loaded into the intended feed channel and to ensure that the ink sticks are compatible with the printer with which they are used. One provision is generally directed toward excluding wrong colored or incompatible ink sticks from being inserted into the feed channels of the printer. For example, the correct loading of ink sticks has been accomplished by incorporating keying features into the exterior surface of an ink stick. These features are protuberances or indentations that are located in different positions on an ink stick. For example,
To further aid a customer in identifying ink sticks, previously known ink sticks have incorporated visually recognizable symbols either into a surface of the ink stick or as the shape of the ink stick itself. The visually recognizable symbol is a shape that provides the printer operator with meaning that the operator can then use to associate the ink stick with a particular keyed opening or feed channel. The printer operator can correlate a visually recognizable symbol with a particular feed channel more easily than correlating a keyed shape that does not convey symbolic significance.
The previously known ink sticks that incorporated visually recognizable symbols, however, have generally been cube shaped or have had longitudinal dimensions that are not substantially different from the width dimension of the ink stick. Emerging phase change ink jet technologies have reduced the time for generating solid ink images, and, as a result, have a high ink consumption rate. As a consequence, larger capacity solid ink delivery systems have been devised. The increased capacity of solid ink delivery systems having non-linear feed channels has prompted the development and use of ink sticks having a larger length to width aspect ratio. The use of “longer” ink sticks lessens the frequency at which the solid ink in the ink delivery system has to be replenished. Ink sticks that are generally larger in size and, in particular, longer in longitudinal, or length, dimension of the ink stick, however, may make visually recognizable symbols that encompass most or all of a surface or perimeter shape of the ink stick unrecognizable.
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device has been developed that addresses difficulties posed by the size and aspect ratio of ink sticks and allows symbol shapes to be incorporated by applying these shapes to less than the full stick size. Ink stick sets with unique symbol shapes are incorporated into an ink stick periphery form such that the shape aids a user in identifying the appropriate color channel for which the ink stick is intended but may or may not contribute to keying differentiation.
In one embodiment, the ink stick comprises an ink stick body configured for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device and for feeding in the ink loader in a feed direction of the ink loader. 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 the feed direction. A symbol contour is formed in a first position on the insertion perimeter of the ink stick body extending at least partially along the ink stick body in a direction substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The symbol contour defines a portion of a perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol shape. The symbol contour extends at most partially along the insertion 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 extending at least partially along the ink stick body in a direction substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The at least one key contour corresponds to a color of the ink for the ink stick body.
In another embodiment, a set of ink sticks is provided. The set of ink sticks comprises a first, second, third and fourth ink stick each having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the top and the bottom surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces define a perimeter of the ink stick that includes a leading perimeter segment, a trailing perimeter segment, and a pair of lateral perimeter segments extending between the leading and trailing perimeter segments. Each of the first, second, third and fourth ink sticks has a longitudinal axis extending between the leading and the trailing perimeter segments for aligning with a feed direction of an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device. Each of the first, second, third and fourth ink sticks include a symbol contour formed in a symbol position on at least one of the lateral perimeter segments. The symbol contour defines a portion of a perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol shape as viewed in a direction substantially toward the top surface of the ink stick. The symbol contour extends from the top surface at least partially toward the bottom surface of the ink stick and extends at most partially along the at least one of the lateral perimeter segments in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ink stick. The first ink stick is of a first color and has a first symbol contour defining a portion of a perimeter of a first visually recognizable symbol shape. The second ink stick is of a second color having a second symbol contour defining a portion of a perimeter of a second visually recognizable symbol shape. The third ink stick is of a third color having a third symbol contour defining a portion of a perimeter of a third visually recognizable symbol shape. The fourth ink stick is of a fourth color having a fourth symbol contour defining a portion of a perimeter of a fourth visually recognizable symbol shape. Each of the first, second, third and fourth ink sticks includes at least one color key contour corresponding to the color of the ink stick. The at least one color key contour is formed on the perimeter of each ink stick extending from the top surface at least partially toward the bottom surface. A position of the at least one color key contour on the perimeter is different for each of the first, second, third and fourth ink sticks and different from the symbol position.
In yet another embodiment, an ink stick is provided. The ink stick comprises an ink stick body including a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the top and the bottom surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces defines a perimeter of the ink stick body. The perimeter includes a leading perimeter segment, a trailing perimeter segment, and a pair of lateral perimeter segments extending between the leading and trailing perimeter segments. The ink stick body has a longitudinal axis extending between the leading and the trailing perimeter segments for aligning with a feed direction of an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device. A symbol contour is formed in at least one of the pair of lateral perimeter segments in a first position along the longitudinal axis of the ink stick body. The symbol contour defines a portion of a perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol shape as viewed in a direction substantially toward the top surface of the ink stick body. The symbol contour extends from the top surface at least partially toward the bottom surface of the ink stick body and extends at most partially along the longitudinal axis of the ink stick body. At least one key contour is formed in at least one of the leading, the trailing and the pair of lateral perimeter segments in at least one other position on the perimeter of the ink stick body extending from the top surface at least partially toward the bottom surface.
For a general understanding of the present embodiments, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “printer” refers, for example, to reproduction devices in general, such as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and related multi-function products, and the term “print job” refers, for example, to information including the electronic item or items to be reproduced. References to ink delivery or transfer from an ink cartridge or housing to a printhead are intended to encompass the range of melters, intermediate connections, tubes, manifolds and/or other components and/or functions that may be involved in a printing system but are not immediately significant to the present invention.
Referring now to
The embodiment of
Operation and control of the various subsystems, components and functions of the machine or printer 10 are performed with the aid of a controller 38. The controller 38, for example, may be a micro-controller having a central processor unit (CPU), electronic storage, and a display or user interface (UI). The controller reads, captures, prepares and manages the image data flow between image sources 40, such as a scanner or computer, and imaging systems, such as the printhead assembly 20. The controller 38 is the main multi-tasking processor for operating and controlling all of the other machine subsystems and functions, including the machine's printing operations, and, thus, includes the necessary hardware, software, etc. for controlling these various systems.
Referring now to
The loading station includes keyed openings 60. Each keyed opening 60 limits access to one of the individual feed channels 58 of the ink delivery system. The keyed openings 60 are configured to accept only those ink sticks having key elements that comport with the key structures of the openings 60. Thus, the keyed openings 60 help limit the ink sticks inserted into a channel to a particular configuration such as color, ink formulation, etc.
To better utilize the space within the imaging device 10, the feed channels 58 may have any suitable path for delivering ink sticks from the loading station 50 to the melt station 54. For example, the feed channels 58 may have linear and curved sections as needed to provide space for other components and to still deliver ink sticks from the loading station 50 to the melting station 54. An arcuate portion of the feed path may be short or may be a substantial portion of the path length. The full length of the chute may be arcuate and may consist of different or variable radii. A linear portion of the feed path may likewise be short or a substantial portion of the path length.
The depicted solid ink delivery system 48 includes a drive member (not shown) for moving one or more ink sticks 68 along the feed path in the respective feed channel 58. A separate drive member may be provided for each respective feed channel. The feed channel 58 for each ink color retains and guides ink so that the ink progresses along a desired feed path. The drive member, if utilized, may have any suitable size and shape. The drive member may be used to transport the ink over all or a portion of the feed path and may provide support or guidance to the ink and may be the primary ink guide over all or a portion of the feed path.
An ink stick may take many forms. One exemplary solid ink stick 100 for use in the ink delivery system is illustrated in
Due to the high ink consumption rates that are possible with phase change ink imaging devices, the ink stick 100 may have an aspect ratio in which the longitudinal length of the ink stick body between the leading end 148 and the trailing end 150 is significantly greater than the width and/or height of the ink stick body between the lateral side surfaces 140 and the height of the ink stick body between the top surface and the bottom surface. The use of “longer” ink sticks lessens the frequency at which the solid ink in the ink delivery system has to be replenished. The longitudinal length of the ink stick body is typically the dimension that is substantially aligned with the feed direction of a feed channel. The width and height of the ink stick are perpendicular to the length. The ratio of the length of the ink stick body to the width and/or height may depend on a number of factors such as aesthetics, fabrication, loader orientation and/or functional requirements. For example, in one embodiment, the ink stick has an aspect ratio in which the length of the ink stick is at least approximately 1.5 times the width of the ink stick although the ink stick may have any suitable aspect ratio.
The ink stick body has an outer perimeter that is substantially horizontal around the largest horizontal cross section of the ink stick body. In the ink stick embodiment illustrated in
Ink sticks may include a number of features that aid in correct loading, guidance, sensing and support of the ink stick when used. These loading features may comprise protrusions and/or indentations that are located in different positions on an ink stick for interacting with key elements, guides, supports, sensors, etc. located in complementary positions in the ink delivery system. Loading features may be categorized as insertion features or feeding features. Insertion features such as exclusionary keying elements and orientation elements are configured to facilitate correct insertion of ink sticks into the loading station and, as such, are substantially aligned with the insertion direction L of the loading station. As an example, the ink stick of
Although not depicted, the ink stick may include feeding features, such as alignment and guide elements, to aid in aligning and guiding ink sticks as they are moved along the feed channels to reduce the possibility of ink stick jams in the feed channel and to promote optimum engagement of the ink sticks with an ink melter in the ink melt assembly. Feeding features, therefore, may be substantially aligned with the feed direction F of the ink delivery system in order to interact with ink stick guides and/or supports in the ink delivery system. An ink stick may have any suitable number and/or placement of loading (i.e. insertion and/or feeding) features.
Each color for a printer may have a unique arrangement of one or more key elements in the outer perimeter of the ink stick to form a unique cross-sectional shape for that particular color ink stick. The combination of the keyed openings in the key plate and the keyed shapes of the ink sticks insure that only ink sticks of the proper color are inserted into each feed channel. A set of ink sticks is formed of an ink stick of each color, with a unique key feature arrangement for ink sticks of each color. Insertion keying may also be used to differentiate ink sticks intended for different models of printers. One type of insertion key may be placed in all the keyed openings of feed channels of a particular model printer. Ink sticks intended for that model printer contain a corresponding insertion key element. An insertion key of a different size, shape, or position may be placed in the keyed openings of the feed channels of different model printers.
To address the need to provide printer operators with a functional recognition feature incorporated into an ink stick having a high length-to-width aspect ratio, such as the exemplary ink stick of
A visually recognizable symbol shape may be incorporated partially into the perimeter of an ink stick by providing symbol contours 164 that define a portion of the shape of the visually recognizable symbol 160 in predetermined locations on the perimeter of the ink stick. In one embodiment, symbol contours may be provided on one or more of the lateral perimeter segments (side surfaces 140, 144) of the ink stick. The symbol contours 164 extend from the top surface of the ink stick at least partially along the side surfaces toward the bottom surface. Because the side surfaces 140, 144 of the ink stick of
The ink stick of
To further enhance visibility, the visual recognition of the symbol may be enhanced by providing an outline 168 of the remaining portion of the perimeter of the visually recognizable symbol shape in the top surface of the ink stick. For example, a line, groove, step, notch, bevel, inset, protrusion or other contrasting feature may be incorporated into the top surface of the ink stick to define the remaining portion of the perimeter of the visually recognizable symbol shape. The visually recognizable symbol may also be formed with a vertical dimension, so that it is seen as three dimensional to the user. Any suitable method or device may be used to impart the remaining portion of the perimeter of the symbol shape to the top surface. For example, the visual recognition of the symbol may be enhanced by embossing, debossing, or otherwise texturing the top surface of the ink stick body. As an alternative to embossing or debossing, the remaining portions of the symbol shape may be stamped, silk-screened, painted, etched, laser marked, or otherwise formed on an ink stick in any suitable manner. In alternative embodiments, however, the remaining perimeter portion of the symbol may be omitted from the top surface.
In the embodiment of
Each ink stick in a set of ink sticks (for example, yellow, cyan, magenta, black) may be formed with a different visually recognizable symbol. Each color corresponds to one of the feed channels of the ink loader.
Any visually recognizable symbol shape may be used that is capable of providing a printer operator with meaning that the operator may then use to associate the ink stick with a particular, product, keyed opening or feed channel. For example, the visually recognizable symbol 80 may be a letter indicating the color of the ink stick (i.e., “C” for cyan, “M” for magenta, “Y” for yellow, and “K” for black). Referring to
As an alternative to using symbol contours 164 on opposing sides of the ink stick body to define opposing portions of the perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol 160, a symbol contour may be formed in one side of the ink stick. Symbol contours may be formed in either side of the ink stick. For example,
Symbol contours defining portions of visually recognizable symbol shapes may be positioned at substantially any location along a side surface of the ink stick. For example,
More than one visually recognizable symbol may be incorporated into an ink stick using multiple symbol contours placed on one or more surfaces of a stick. The multiple visually recognizable symbols incorporated into a single ink stick may be the same or different. This approach allows a vastly extended range of symbol shape variations enabling an extensive array of differentiation. As an example, the visually recognizable symbols 1A, 1B, 1C . . . ; 2A, 2B, 2C; etc., may be used to differentiate ink sticks.
To further aid a printer operator in associating an ink stick with a particular, product, keyed opening or feed channel, the visually recognizable symbol shape may be applied to or formed in the housing adjacent the keyed opening. This visually recognizable symbol aids the printer user in identifying particular keyed openings and their corresponding feed channels. For example,
Although not necessarily, the symbol contours formed in the ink sticks may be incorporated into the keyed openings 60 of the loading stations to provide keying mechanisms for differentiating ink sticks. For example, the keyed openings of the loading station each include complementary symbol contours 184 formed in complementary positions in the perimeter of the openings 60. As suggested in
Those skilled in the art will recognize that corners and edges may have radii or other non-sharp configurations, depending on various factors, including manufacturing considerations. The above description of ink sticks demonstrates that the particular individual features described above and shown in the various implementations illustrated can be combined in a wide variety of combinations and arrangements to meet the particular needs of particular environments. The above descriptions of the various embodiments and the accompanying figures illustrate particular implementations of the ideas and concepts embodied. After studying the above descriptions and accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will recognize a number of modifications can be made. For example, a variety of shapes are possible for the various key elements, the visually recognizable shapes, and the core ink stick body itself. Therefore, the following claims are not to be limited to the specific implementations described and illustrated above.
