JP2005313648A - Keying elements for solid ink loaders - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispose an ink stick in a correct feed channel. <P>SOLUTION: An insertion structure is connected to ink stick receptacles in key plates 18A to D, wherein the insertion structure forms at least one side of insertion openings 24A to 24D. The insertion element has a shape complementing at least a part of the perimeter of the ink stick 2A. The structure is used in a solid ink loader. The ink loader includes at least one feed channel for receiving ink sticks and at least one key plate for covering the at least one feed channel. The at least one key plate includes a receptacle for the insertion opening surrounding structure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a keying structure for a solid ink loader.

  Solid ink jet printers use solid ink or high heat melt ink to form images on paper or other substrates. Some of these printers use ink blocks or sticks. This stick is placed on an inkjet printer or a loader for an inkjet printer. The ink stick is melted and ejected onto the substrate to form an image. The melted ink can be ejected by various methods such as a thermal method, a sound method, or a piezoelectric method.

  In order to prevent loading the wrong color or type of ink, the ink sticks may have different perimeter shapes. These shapes mate with orifices having complementary outer shapes on the printing device or loader. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the ink stick printer and its parts, the insertion openings for the ink stick are initially uniform and the surrounding structure can be arranged in these insertion openings. This surrounding structure may have a continuous outer edge, or may cover only a part of the outer edge. The partial perimeter structure can be used alone or in combination with other substructures, so that the keyed insertion opening of the ink stick can be distinguished.

  The present invention aims to place the ink stick in the correct supply channel.

  The embodiment includes an insertion structure that is connected to an ink stick receiving portion in the key plate, and the insertion structure has a shape that forms at least one side of the insertion opening and complements at least a part of the outer side of the ink stick. Have. This structure is used in a solid ink loader, which comprises at least one supply channel for receiving an ink stick and at least one key plate covering the at least one supply channel. The at least one key plate has a receiving part for the structure around the insertion opening.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a solid ink or phase change printer 10 having an ink access cover 20. In FIG. 1, the ink access cover 20 is shown in a closed position.

  2 and 3 show an embodiment of an ink stick for use with an ink loader such as the ink loader shown in FIG. As will be repeated in the description of the embodiments, the exact configuration of the ink stick disclosed herein is not important to the ink loader disclosed herein or to its particular components. However, describing the general characteristics of the ink stick will be useful for a better understanding of the ink loader embodiments disclosed herein.

  The solid ink stick 2 is used in a phase change type ink jet printer such as the printer 10 shown in FIG. In embodiments, the ink stick generally has an upper end and a lower end, the upper end may be a substantially horizontal upper end, and the lower end is a substantially horizontal lower end. It may be. Sides connect the top and bottom edges of the ink stick. The sides may be substantially straight from the upper end to the lower end, or may have steps or be segmented, as shown in FIG. 3, which is a front view of the ink stick of FIG. In embodiments, the ink sticks for different ink supply channels of a particular printer may be made identical. In other embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, each color ink stick is different from the outer shape of the other color ink stick when viewed from the top of the ink stick. It may have an outer shape. The outer shape of the ink stick may be the shape of the upper end or the shape of the lower end (or both) of the ink stick, or may be the shape of a protrusion from the side of the ink stick. In FIG. 2, each ink stick has a front surface 3, a back surface 4, a first side surface 5, and a second side surface 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the front surface 3 and the back surface 4 have non-planar contours. Furthermore, the front surface 3 and the back surface 4 are designed to substantially complement each other, so that the sticks nest in the supply channel.

  The shape of the outer side viewed from above the ink stick may include a configuration extending from the side surface below the upper end surface of the ink stick. Unless otherwise stated, when the term “outer side” is used, this term means the outer side when the ink stick is viewed downward rather than the outer side of the upper end surface of the ink stick.

  The ink sticks may have different shapes to distinguish different ink sticks. In particular, the ink sticks may have different outer perimeter shapes to allow differentiation. Different portions of the outer periphery of the ink stick may be associated with different differentiating elements.

  In an embodiment, at least a portion of the contour of the front surface 3 and at least a portion of the contour of the back surface 4 can be used to distinguish a particular printer model to use the ink stick. In such an embodiment, each ink stick in a particular printer model has the same front profile and the same back profile, regardless of the color of the ink stick. However, the front and back contours of the ink sticks are different from the front and back contours of the ink sticks of other printer models. When used with a complementary insert opening or receptacle 24 in the key plate 18, the front 3 and back 4 contours help prevent the user from adding the wrong ink stick to a particular printer.

  In the embodiment, the ink sticks 2A to 2D of each color have unique shapes that can be distinguished from the ink sticks of other colors by their side surfaces (5, 6). The outline of the first side surface 5 and the outline of the second side surface 6 may be different for each color. When used with a complementary insertion opening or receptacle 24 in the key plate 18, the side profile helps prevent the user from adding the wrong ink stick to a particular channel. In the embodiment, the front surface 3 and the back surface 4 may be used to distinguish different color ink sticks. Similarly, the side surfaces 5 and 6 may be used to distinguish models. In other embodiments, any combination of ink stick surfaces may be used to enable various distinct functions.

  2 and 3 are exemplary and the present invention should not be understood as being limited by the specific contours of the front, back and side of the illustrated ink stick and the specific contour of the key plate. In addition, the ink stick can be any color, but is typically one of the following four colors: cyan, yellow, magenta, and black. Each color ink stick has approximately the same volume as the other colors.

  FIG. 4 shows the printer 10 with the ink access cover 20 raised. The printer 10 includes an ink loading connection structure 30 and an ink stick supply assembly or ink loader 16. In the embodiment, the key plate 18 is arranged in a printer on a chute 9 divided into a plurality of supply channels 25. Each of the four ink colors has a dedicated channel for loading, feeding, and melting in the ink loader. The channel 25 guides the solid ink stick towards a melting plate (not shown) located at the end of the channel opposite the key plate insertion opening. These melting plates melt the ink and supply it to individual ink color reservoirs in the print head (not shown) of the printer 10. Also, by combining the key plate 18 and the melting plate with the chute 9, it is possible to form a housing that can accommodate single or plural ink sticks of each color, and the ink sticks are staged. Can be used for melting based on printer demand.

  The printer may include a single key plate or multiple key plates 18 for different supply channels 25. The key plates 18A to 18D have receiving portions or insertion openings 24, through which the ink sticks are inserted into the channels 25, as shown in FIGS. In an embodiment, the ink stick opening 24 in the key plate is formed by a separate insertion opening perimeter structure 21 that is an enlarged key in the key plate or key plates. It is inserted into the plate receiving part 19. The key plate 18 having the ink stick insertion opening peripheral structure 21 provides flexibility in the manufacture and assembly of the ink loader. The structure 21 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 completely surrounds and forms the insertion opening 24. However, these surrounding structures are just a few of the types of insert structures that can be used. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the insertion opening structure may be a structure having one side, a structure having two sides, or a structure having three sides.

  Each ink stick opening 24 and key plate 18 corresponds to a particular channel 25 and has a shaped or keyed insertion opening or ink stick receptacle 24 corresponding to a particular ink stick perimeter shape. The ink stick 2 is inserted into an opening 24 having an appropriate shape at the insertion end of each supply channel. Generally, each key plate 18 or the insertion opening surrounding structure 21 has a shape (keyed) corresponding to the outer shape of the ink stick of a specific color. In the embodiment, the opening 24 has a shape that substantially matches the outer shape of the ink stick as viewed from the upper end surface of the ink stick. As mentioned elsewhere herein, each color ink stick 2A to 2D has differently shaped front, back, first side, and / or second side features. In an embodiment, each keyed opening or receptacle 24 is compatible with a plan view of the ink stick 2. Keying reduces the possibility of accidental mixing of ink stick colors. The characteristics of the ink stick opening 24 are defined by the key plate itself, the insertion structure 21, or a combination of the two.

  Properly keyed insertion openings can allow for new and improved ink shapes with a family appearance that are easy for the customer to use. In embodiments, the opening may have a recognizable shape that facilitates color slot keying.

  When an insertion structure is used, the enlarged key plate receptacle for the insertion structure has a common outer shape. In such an embodiment, each insert opening perimeter structure 21 has a common outer side that is substantially attached to at least a portion of the shape of the enlarged keyplate receptacle 19. The insert opening perimeter structure may be formed with an opening 24 having a suitable shape, thereby allowing the correct ink stick to be received in the supply channel. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate embodiments of multiple key plates and a single key plate using the insert opening perimeter structure 21.

  The surrounding structure can be connected to the key plate receptacle using any of several methods well known in the art. These methods include, for example, simple snap fitting or pressure fitting and vibration welding.

  A separate key plate 18 or ink stick insertion opening perimeter structure 21 provides flexibility in ink loader manufacture and assembly. When individual key plates or insertion aperture perimeter structures are used, it is easier for the user to indicate which ink stick color is to be placed in which channel by color matching. Providing individual keyplates or insert opening perimeter structures increases design and manufacturing flexibility and allows more assembly options. For example, using a new printhead may involve changing the color order of the channels. New printers using this design can use similarly manufactured key plates. However, these key plates are inserted in a different order. In addition, the printer can be retrofitted to accommodate differently shaped ink sticks by replacing individual key plates 18 or individual insert opening perimeter structures 21.

  The insertion opening peripheral structure 21 may not be provided for the entire outer periphery of the insertion opening 24. For example, the structure surrounding the insertion opening may provide keying on only one side, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A-8D. FIGS. 7A-7D show a series of four insertion structures 102, 104, 106 and 108 that can be used with the key plate 18. FIGS. 8A-8D show another series of four insertion structures 112, 114, 116 and 118 that can also be used with the key plate 18. Each of the insertion structures has one side that is keyed. For example, the insertion structure 102 has two long sides 109 and 110. A relatively straight side 109 is attached to the outer side of the key plate receiving portion, and the keyed side 110 partially forms the boundary of the insertion opening 24. See FIG. These structures can be connected to the key plate receptacle 19 using any of several methods well known in the art. These methods are not limited to those listed here, but include, for example, simple snap fitting or pressure fitting and vibration welding.

  FIG. 12 shows a series of key plates 18 in which the respective insertion structures 102, 104, 106 and 108 shown in FIG. 7 are inserted into the key plates 18A to 18D. FIG. 10 shows a similar embodiment, in which the key plates 18A to 18D themselves have keying structures 122 and 124 in the direction of ink stick movement. These particular structures 122 and 124 are identical for all four. However, the keying structures 122 and 124 may vary from key plate to key plate. FIG. 11 shows four key plates 18, in which each key plate 18 uses two separate insertion structures. Of course, this configuration can be extended to keying with 3 or 4 sides.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, depending on how the insertion structure fits into the key plates 18A to 18D, the insertion structure 106 may be the same as the insertion structure 102 rotated 180 °. The insertion structure 108 may be the same as that obtained by rotating the insertion structure 104 by 180 °. In order to minimize costs, the symmetry of these insertion structures can be exploited in manufacturing. Instead, FIG. 8 shows a series of four different insertion structures.

  Of course, a complete outer edge can be constructed using four insertion structures. Various shapes exist for combining the structures shown in FIGS. In the embodiment, all the insertion structures can be sized such that the length is smaller than the side of the receiving portion 19 of the key plate 18 by the insertion width. This makes it possible to attach all four to the outer side of the receiving part. Alternatively, the insertion structure may be of two different lengths and the insertion opening may be completed with two long sections and two short sections.

  In an embodiment, in order to facilitate different combinations of parts, the insertion structure has beveled edges, such as insertion structures 132, 134, 136 and 138 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. You may do it. This embodiment makes it possible to assemble a mixture of uniform length keyed structures into partial and complete perimeters. FIG. 13 shows a series of key plates 18 having different combinations of insertion structures.

  Further embodiments include an insertion structure 142 having two sides and an insertion structure 144 having three sides, as shown in FIGS. FIG. 16 shows a state where the insertion structure 144 having the three sides shown in FIG. 15 is inserted into the key plate 18. FIG. 17 shows a state where the same insertion structure 144 is inserted into different key plates. The key plate 18 has a keying structure 146 along a side that is not covered by the insertion structure 144. In general, any side of the receiving portion 19 in the key plate may have a keying structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a color printer, showing a state in which a printer upper cover is closed. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a series of ink sticks. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the ink stick of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an enlarged top perspective view of the printer of FIG. 1 with the ink access cover opened and a solid ink stick positioned in a position to be loaded into a suitable ink stick receptacle. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a series of key plates including an exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure for the printer of FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 5 is a plan view of one key plate including an exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure for the printer of FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure. FIG. 6 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure. FIG. 8 shows an array of key plates including an exemplary embodiment of the insertion opening defining structure of FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates a second array of key plates including an exemplary embodiment of the insertion aperture defining structure of FIG. 7, showing the key plate having a keying structure in the direction of ink stick movement. FIG. 8 is a cutaway view showing an array of key plates that includes two of the keying structures of FIG. It is a figure which shows exemplary embodiment of the insertion opening part definition structure which has a bevel edge. FIG. 7 is a cutaway view showing an array of key plates including an exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure having a beveled edge. It is a figure which shows exemplary embodiment of the insertion opening part prescription | regulation structure which has 2 sides. It is a figure which shows illustrative embodiment of the insertion opening part prescription | regulation structure which has 3 sides. FIG. 16 is a view showing a key plate including an exemplary embodiment of an insertion opening defining structure having three sides shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 shows a second key plate with an exemplary embodiment of the insertion opening defining structure with three sides shown in FIG. 15 with the key plate having a keying structure along the fourth wall of the receiving portion. Indicates.

Explanation of symbols

  2A, 2B, 2C, 2D Ink stick, 3 Front, 4 Back, 5 First side, 6 Second side, 10 Printer, 16 Ink loader, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D Key plate, 19A, 19B, 19C , 19D Key plate receiving part, 20 Ink access cover, 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D Insertion opening surrounding structure, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D Insertion opening, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D Supply channel, 30 ink Loading connection structure, 102,104,106,108,112,114,116,118,132,134,136,138 insertion structure, 109,110 long side, 122,124 keying structure, 142 insertion structure having two sides, 144 Insert structure with three sides.

Claims (8)

A solid ink loader,
At least one supply channel for receiving an ink stick;
At least one key plate covering the at least one supply channel and having a first receptacle;
A structure surrounding the first insertion opening, connected to some but not all of the boundary lines of the receiving part and separate from the first receiving part, wherein the outer periphery of the ink stick insertion opening A first insertion opening surrounding structure that forms a portion of the first portion and forms a keying structure along the first portion;
A solid ink loader. The solid ink loader according to claim 1, further comprising:
A second insertion opening surrounding structure connected to the receiving portion;
A solid ink loader in which the structure around the second insertion opening forms a second part of the outer side of the ink stick insertion opening, and forms a keying structure along the second part. The solid ink loader according to claim 2,
A solid ink loader in which each of the surrounding structure of the first insertion opening and the surrounding structure of the second insertion opening has an oblique edge. The solid ink loader according to claim 2,
A solid ink loader in which at least one keying structure is also included in the remaining part of the boundary of the receiving part. A first insertion structure connected to an ink stick receiving part in the key plate,
The first insertion structure has a shape such that the first insertion structure constitutes at least one side of the insertion opening, and the first insertion structure complements some but not all of the outer sides of the ink stick. Construction. The insertion structure according to claim 5,
The first insertion structure is adjacent to the second insertion structure;
An insertion structure in which the second insertion structure is connected to the ink stick receiving portion. The insertion structure according to claim 6,
An insertion structure in which each of the first insertion structure and the second insertion opening structure has an oblique edge. The insertion structure according to claim 7,
An insertion structure in which at least one keying structure is also included in the remaining part of the boundary of the receiving part.

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