SOLID PHASE CHANGE INK PRE-MELTER ASSEMBLY AND A PHASE CHANGE INK IMAGE PRODUCING MACHINE HAVING SAME

摘要

A pre-melter assembly is provided for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine. The pre-melter assembly includes (a) a first portion having a first feeding apparatus and a first container for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink. It also includes a second portion having a second container and a second feeding apparatus for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing. The pre-melter assembly then includes a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with the second feeding apparatus for maintaining a temperature Tw of the solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm of the solid pieces of phase change ink, thereby preventing premature melting of the solid pieces of phase change ink before the solid pieces reach the melter housing.