Abstract: A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. A bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

Abstract: A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. A bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

Abstract: A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line. Each print module has a bypass line fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. The bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line. Each print module has a bypass line fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. The bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a fixed printhead assembly defining a print zone; an input transport assembly for feeding print media along a media path and into the print zone, the input transport assembly being positioned upstream of the print zone; and an exit transport assembly positioned downstream of the print zone for receiving the print media from the print zone. The input transport assembly exerts a higher gripping force on the print media than the exit transport assembly and the exit transport assembly is configured to provide a higher transport speed than the input transport assembly, such that the print media has a degree of slippage relative to the exit transport assembly.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printer includes a modular vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The modular vacuum belt assembly includes a plurality of moving belt modules interconnected along a width of the media path. Neighboring moving belt modules are interconnected via a connecting fixed vacuum plenum.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printer includes a modular vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The modular vacuum belt assembly includes a plurality of moving belt modules interconnected along a width of the media path. Neighboring moving belt modules are interconnected via a connecting fixed vacuum plenum.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a printhead having a first ink port and a second ink port; a first ink line interconnecting the outlet port and the first ink port; a second ink line interconnecting the return port and the second ink port; a bypass line interconnecting the first and second ink lines; a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the first ink line and the bypass line; and a controller for controlling the valve system. During printing, the controller is configured to open the first ink line and the bypass line.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead. The system having a first fluid container a fluid connector for connection to a fluid input of the printhead; and a second fluid container connected between the first container and the connector for delivering fluid from the first container to the connector, wherein the second container is located relative to the first container and the connector so that a fluid pressure difference between fluid contained within the second container and fluid at the connector is independent of the amount of fluid contained within the first container.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a printhead having a first ink port and a second ink port; a first ink line interconnecting the outlet port and the first ink port; a second ink line interconnecting the return port and the second ink port; a bypass line interconnecting the first and second ink lines; a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the first ink line and the bypass line; and a controller for controlling the valve system. During printing, the controller is configured to open the first ink line and the bypass line.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines via separate couplings. Each of the printheads receives ink from both the feed and the return lines.