Guide for solid ink stick feed

摘要

An ink stick (30) for a phase change ink jet printer (10) has a guide element (66) formed in one portion of the ink stick body (such as the lower portion) for engaging a feed channel guide rail (40) in a feed channel (28) of a solid ink feed system of the printer. The guide element is substantially offset from the lateral center of gravity (63) of the ink stick body. The guide element engages a feed channel guide rail in the printer. The feed channel guide rail is substantially narrower than the width of the feed channel. A second guide element (68) is formed on the opposite side of the lateral center of gravity of the ink stick body. The second guide element engages a second feed channel guide rail (48) in the feed channel. <IMAGE>