Solid ink stick configuration

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A solid ink stick comprising:
a solid ink body having a center; a first end surface; a second end surface, the first end surface and the second end surface being configured on the solid ink body to enable an axis to extend from the first end surface to the second end surface and pass through the center of the solid ink body without passing through any other surface of the solid ink body; a third surface that extends from an edge of the first end surface to an edge of the second end surface; a first pair of protuberances extending from the third surface, a first protuberance in the first pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is different than a distance from the second end surface at which the other protuberance in the first pair of protuberances is positioned, the first protuberance and the second protuberance of the first pair of protuberances being positioned on different sides of the axis extending from the first end surface to the second end surface; a second pair of protuberances extending from the third surface, a first protuberance in the second pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is different than a distance from the second end surface at which the other protuberance in the second pair of protuberances is positioned and each of the protuberances in the second pair of protuberances being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is greater than either distance from the second end surface at which the protuberances of the first pair of protuberances are positioned, the first protuberance and the second protuberance of the second pair of protuberances being positioned on different sides of the axis extending from the first end surface to the second end surface; a fifth protuberance extending from the third surface, the fifth protuberance being positioned at a distance from the second end surface that is greater than each distance at which each protuberance in at least the first pair of protuberances is positioned from the second end surface and a volume of the fifth protuberance is greater than any protuberance in either the first pair of protuberances or the second pair of protuberances; and a sixth protuberance extending from the third surface and a sum of the volume of the fifth protuberance and a volume of the sixth protuberance is greater than any protuberance in either the first pair of protuberances or the second pair of protuberances, the fifth protuberance and the sixth protuberance being positioned on different sides of the axis extending from the first end surface to the second end surface, and the fifth protuberance and the sixth protuberance each have a surface that slopes relative to a plane of the third surface from a first height not inset from the third surface to a second height, the second height being greater than the first height.