Inductive heater for a solid ink reservoir

摘要

A container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and an inductive heater element positioned within the housing. The inductive heater element is formed in a manner that increases the surface area of the heater and enables frozen ink in the vicinity of a reservoir outlet to melt quickly to enable printing operations.

主权项

1. A container for melting solid ink in a solid inkjet printer comprising:
a housing comprised of non-electrically conductive material, the housing having a volume of space internal to the housing, the volume of space having a height, a width, and a depth; an inductive heater element positioned within the volume of space of the housing to melt ink within the volume of space, the heater element being configured to have a surface area that is greater than an area defined by the height and width of the volume of space; a temperature sensor positioned within the volume of space to enable the temperature sensor to sense a temperature of ink stored in the volume of space within the housing, the temperature sensor being configured to enable a controller to be operatively connected to the temperature sensor for monitoring temperature within the housing; at least one retainer located on the housing to enable an electrical coil to be positioned proximate the housing.