System and method for transporting solid ink pellets

A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container 27 for storing solid ink pellets P and a withdrawal tube 62 having an inlet end 63 disposed within the container 27. A vacuum generator 64 is disposed at the outlet end 65 of the withdrawal tube 62 operable to draw a vacuum within the tube 62. A feed conduit 28 is connected to the outlet end 65 for receiving solid ink pellets P drawn therein by said vacuum generator 64 and conveying the pellets P to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets P. An assist tube 70 is provided within the container 27 with a discharge nozzle (75, Fig.3) disposed within the withdrawal tube 62 at the inlet end 63 and operable to provide a flow of air (F, Fig.3) into the withdrawal tube 62 to agitate solid ink pellets P and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets P by the vacuum generator 64.