초록 ▼

A solid printer includes a solid ink container that expels solid ink units in predetermined amounts for delivery to a melting device within the printer. The solid ink container includes a housing in which solid ink pellets are stored, an opening in the housing through which solid ink units are expel

A solid printer includes a solid ink container that expels solid ink units in predetermined amounts for delivery to a melting device within the printer. The solid ink container includes a housing in which solid ink pellets are stored, an opening in the housing through which solid ink units are expelled, a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink units through the opening, and a second moveable member located within the housing, the second moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A container for delivering solid ink in a solid ink printer comprising: a housing;an opening in the housing through which solid ink pellets are expelled;a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellet

1. A container for delivering solid ink in a solid ink printer comprising: a housing;an opening in the housing through which solid ink pellets are expelled;a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing; andan auger located within the housing, the auger being configured for movement by an electromechanical actuator to move solid ink pellets within the housing to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing. 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the auger is mechanically coupled to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member and the auger to be rotated with a single actuator. 3. The container of claim 1 wherein the first moveable member is a moveable gate that selectively blocks the opening in the housing. 4. The container of claim 1 further comprising: a restrictor configured to regulate a flow of solid ink pellets from the auger to the first moveable member. 5. The container of claim 1 wherein the first moveable member is configured to release a predetermined volume of solid ink units through the opening in the housing. 6. The container of claim 1 further comprising: a coupler configured to couple an output shaft of an actuator to the first moveable member and the auger to enable rotation of the first moveable member and the auger. 7. A container for delivering solid ink in a solid ink printer comprising: a housing;an opening in the housing through which solid ink pellets are expelled;a rotating vane located within the housing proximate to the opening, the rotating vane being configured to move solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing and to selectively block the opening in the housing; anda second moveable member located within the housing, the second moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets within the housing to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing. 8. The container of claim 7 wherein the second moveable member is a conveyor that is moved by an electromechanical actuator. 9. The container of claim 8 wherein the conveyor is an auger. 10. The container of claim 8 wherein the conveyor is an endless belt. 11. A solid ink printer comprising: a melting device configured to melt solid ink pellets and produce liquid ink for printing; anda solid ink container, the solid ink container being configured to mount selectively to the solid ink printer to enable the container to be removed from the solid ink printer and reinstalled, the solid ink container comprising: a housing having a volume in which solid ink pellets are stored;an opening in the housing through which solid ink pellets are expelled for delivery of the solid ink pellets to the melting device;a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets through the opening; anda second moveable member configured to move solid ink pellets within the housing to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing. 12. The printer of claim 11 wherein the second moveable member is mechanically coupled to the first moveable member to enable the first and the second moveable members to be rotated with a single actuator positioned within the solid ink printer. 13. The printer of claim 11 wherein the second moveable member is a conveyor that is moved by an electromechanical actuator positioned external of the container, but within the solid ink printer. 14. The printer of claim 13 wherein the conveyor is an auger. 15. The printer of claim 13 wherein the conveyor is an endless belt. 16. The printer of claim 11 wherein the first moveable member is a moveable gate that selectively blocks the opening of the housing. 17. The printer of claim 16 wherein the moveable gate is a rotating vane. 18. The printer of claim 11, the solid ink container further comprising: a restrictor configured to regulate a flow of solid ink units from the second moveable member to the first moveable member. 19. The printer of claim 11, the solid ink container further comprising: a coupler configured to couple an output shaft of an actuator that is external to the housing of the container to the first moveable member and the second moveable member to enable rotation of the first moveable member and the second moveable member. 20. The printer of claim 11, the solid ink container further comprising: another opening in the housing; anda removable closure configured to close the other opening selectively, the other opening being positioned in the housing to enable refilling of the container with solid ink pellets.