Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
347099000 | Hot-melt (e.g., phase-change) | 19 |
20080218572 | Solid ink stick with reversible keying and interlocking features - An ink stick for use in an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having first and second opposed end surfaces and first and second opposed lateral side surfaces. The ink stick body is rotationally symmetric about a vertical central axis of the ink stick body. The ink stick body includes an interlocking face on the first end surface and a complementarily shaped interlocking face on the second end surface. A key is on each of the first and second side surfaces. The keys of the first and second side surfaces are similarly shaped. The key on the first side surface and the key on the second side surface are rotationally symmetrically positioned with respect to each other about the vertical central axis. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218573 | Solid ink stick with multiple axis interlocking - An ink stick for use in an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having first and second opposed ends and the ends are contoured to complement the feed path such that the sticks resist buckling due to feed forces. The ink stick body includes a first interlocking face at the first end and a second interlocking face at the second end. Each interlocking face includes a plurality of bosses and a plurality of boss recesses, the plurality of boss recesses of the first interlocking face are sized and positioned complementary to the plurality of bosses of the second interlocking face, and the plurality of boss recesses of the second interlocking face being sized and positioned complementary to the plurality of bosses of the first interlocking face. | 09-11-2008 |
20080225096 | Solid ink stick with canted surface - An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a top surface. The top surface has a front edge that is rearwardly offset from a top edge of the leading surface, and a back edge that is at least partially rearwardly offset from the top of the trailing surface. A leading canted face extends between the top edge of the leading surface and the front edge of the top surface. A trailing canted face extends between the top edge of the trailing surface and the back edge of the top surface. The back edge includes a key that is complementary to an insertion opening key of an ink loader. | 09-18-2008 |
20090066770 | Solid ink stick with anti jam edge bevel - An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device comprises a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute. | 03-12-2009 |
20090160922 | Solid ink stick having a feed drive coupler - A solid ink unit enables facilitates coupling of the solid ink unit to a drive mechanism. The solid ink unit includes a meltable ink body having a longitudinal axis, a coupler support extending from the meltable ink body, and an opening in the coupler support that extends along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the solid ink body. | 06-25-2009 |
20090185018 | DIGITAL LITHOGRAPHY USING REAL TIME QUALITY CONTROL - A digital lithography system including a droplet source (printhead) for selectively ejecting liquid droplets of a phase-change masking material, and an imaging system for capturing (generating) image data representing printed features formed by the ejected liquid droplets. The system also includes a digital control system that detects defects in the printed features, for example, by comparing the image data with stored image data. The digital control system then modifies the printed feature to correct the defect, for example, by moving the printhead over the defect and causing the printhead to eject droplets onto the defect's location. In one embodiment, a single-printhead secondary printer operates in conjunction with a multi-printhead main printer to correct defects. | 07-23-2009 |
20100020148 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PRESSURE ROLL SURFACES FOR PHASE-CHANGE INK-JET PRINTER FOR DIRECT ON PAPER PRINTING - A printing apparatus having a) a printing station including at least one printhead for applying phase-change ink to a print substrate in a phase-change ink image, and b) an ink spreading station including an ink spreading member and a back-up pressure member in pressure contact with the ink spreading member forming a nip between the ink spreading member and pressure member for spreading the phase-change ink image on the print substrate, wherein the print substrate is passed through the nip, and wherein the pressure member includes i) a pressure member substrate, and ii) an outer coating with a urethane and conductive salt. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020149 | INK STICK WITH ELECTRONICALLY-READABLE MEMORY DEVICE - A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine. | 01-28-2010 |
20100073447 | Solid Ink Sticks Having A Verification Interlock For Verifying Position Of A Solid Ink Stick Before Identifying The Ink Stick - A solid ink stick facilitates verification of the position and orientation of a solid ink stick prior to an ink stick identification operation. The solid ink stick includes a solid ink stick body configured for insertion in a solid ink stick printer in a predetermined orientation, and a verification interlock in at least one surface of the solid ink stick body, the verification interlock and the at least one surface being located in the solid ink stick body to engage at least two displaceable members arranged in an insertion area of the solid ink printer to push one displaceable member away from the solid ink stick body and to enable the other displaceable member to move towards the solid ink stick body when the solid ink stick body is in the predetermined orientation in the insertion area. | 03-25-2010 |
20110032318 | Solid Ink Stick with Interface Element - An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device has a protrusion with a predetermined height that is configured to enable a sensor in an ink loader of the imaging device to detect the height of the protrusion. The predetermined height of the protrusion corresponds to a control parameter for the imaging device. | 02-10-2011 |
20120062665 | METHODS OF ADJUSTING GLOSS OF IMAGES ON SUBSTRATES USING INK PARTIAL-CURING AND CONTACT LEVELING AND APPARATUSES USEFUL IN FORMING IMAGES ON SUBSTRATES - Apparatuses and methods for forming images on substrates in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses includes a first marking station for applying a first ink having a first color to a surface of a substrate; a first partial-curing station downstream from the first marking station including at least one first radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure, and adjust gloss of, the first ink; a second marking station downstream from the first partial-curing station for applying a second ink having a second color to the surface of the substrate; a second partial-curing station downstream from the second marking station including at least one second radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink and the second ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation to further partially-cure the first ink and to partially-cure the second ink to adjust gloss of the first ink and the second ink; a leveling device comprising a first member, a second member, and a nip formed by the first member and second member, the first member and second member being configured to apply pressure to the partially-cured first ink and second ink when the substrate is received at the nip to level the first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate; and a post-leveling curing device for irradiating the as-leveled first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate to substantially-fully cure the first ink and the second ink. | 03-15-2012 |
20120274713 | Phase Separation Ink - A phase separation ink including at least one crystallizable component that crystallizes as it cools from a first ink jetting temperature to a second lower temperature; at least one amorphous component comprising a material that remains amorphous at the second temperature; an optional colorant; wherein the at least one crystallizable component and the at least one amorphous component are in a molten, single phase state at the first ink jetting temperature; wherein at the second temperature, the phase separation ink comprises a crystalline phase comprising the at least one crystallizable component and an amorphous phase comprising the at least one amorphous component; wherein the amorphous phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially penetrates into the final image receiving substrate and the crystalline phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially remains on the surface of the final image receiving substrate. | 11-01-2012 |
20120287210 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLOG DETECTION AND MITIGATION IN DELIVERING SOLID-INK PELLETS TO AN IMAGING APPARATUS - Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and also connected to a vacuum source. Suction produced by the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure along with the clog detectors. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing the pellet break up. The accompanying method detects the occurrence of a clog and responds by operating the agitating structure to break up agglomerations. | 11-15-2012 |
20130162739 | Solid Ink Stick Configuration - A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance. | 06-27-2013 |
20140092182 | Phase Change Inks Containing Novel Synergist - A phase change ink composition including a pigment; a carrier; a dispersant; and a copper phthalocyanine synergist having a carboxylic acid group thereon. | 04-03-2014 |
20140139599 | PHASE CHANGE INKS COMPRISING INORGANIC NUCLEATING AGENTS - A solid ink composition suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In particular, the solid ink composition comprises a crystalline compound, an amorphous compound, and an inorganic nucleating agent, which provides for a robust and fast printing ink. | 05-22-2014 |
20140152748 | Phase Change Ink Comprising Modified Naturally-Derived Colorants - A phase change ink composition comprising an ink vehicle; an optional dispersant; and a modified naturally-derived colorant comprising a naturally-derived colorant that is modified with an aliphatic quaternary ammonium salt, an aromatic quaternary ammonium salt, or a mixture or combination thereof. The modified naturally-derived colorant is compatible with phase change ink vehicles. | 06-05-2014 |
20140285597 | Solid Ink Stick Configuration - A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance. | 09-25-2014 |
20150103122 | Phase Change Ink Containing Amorphous Amides - A phase change ink composition comprising an amorphous amide compound, a crystalline compound; an optional synergist; an optional dispersant; and an optional colorant; wherein the amorphous amide compound is of the formula | 04-16-2015 |