Apparatus and method for waste ink disposal in solid ink jet printer

摘要

A method for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine ( 10 ) is provided. The machine ( 10 ) includes a printhead ( 32 ) that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face ( 32 a) of the printhead ( 32 ), the ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature. The method includes: catching waste ink from the printhead ( 32 ) in a gutter ( 34 ); heating the gutter ( 34 ) to a temperature above the melting temperature; and, flowing the waste ink from the gutter ( 34 ) into a collection container ( 38 ) where it is allowed to solidify.