Abstract: A rotary valve for distributing ink from an ink source to a media width inkjet printhead, the valve having a body, a shaft rotatably mounted to the body, a channel cylinder arranged on the shaft to be rotatable therewith, the channel cylinder having a channel defined along its circumference, a port cylinder fixed to the body relative to the shaft so as to concentrically and sealingly enclose the channel cylinder, the port cylinder having a plurality of ports defined therethrough along its circumference for respective connection to the printhead and ink source, each port being aligned with a portion of the channel and a selection device for selectively rotating the shaft to establish interconnection between the ports and the channel thereby allowing ink flow between the ports via the channel.

Abstract: A system for coupling a media width printhead to a fluid supply is provided having a printhead having a fluid inlet coupling at one longitudinal end of the media width and a fluid outlet coupling at the other longitudinal end of the media width, an inlet supply coupling having fluid ports defined in a port plate for engagement with fluid ports of the inlet coupling, an outlet supply coupling having fluid ports defined in a port plate for engagement with fluid ports of the outlet coupling, and a coupling drive mechanism connected to the port plates of the supply couplings via pre-compressed compression springs. The coupling drive mechanism is operational to move the port plates relative to the printhead so as to drive the ports of the supply couplings into engagement with the respective ports of the printhead couplings.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each of the closed loops via the printhead and the respective bypass paths.

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 bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along the closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path.

Abstract: A printing system having a fluid source, a first fluid path connecting the fluid source to a first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path connecting the fluid source to a second fluid port of the printhead, wherein the first and second paths are configured so that fluid from the fluid source flows between the first and second paths via the printhead.

Abstract: A multi-channel diaphragm valve for distributing ink from a plurality of ink supplies to a media width inkjet printhead via a plurality of ink flow channels, the valve having: a body; a plurality of sealed chambers within the body, a plurality of groups of ports on the body, each port group being associated with a respective one of the chambers and having individual ports for respective connection to the printhead and a respective one of the ink supplies and a plurality of diaphragm pads having seals for sealing respective ones of the ports and a selection device for manipulating the diaphragm pad to selectively seal and un-seal the ports to establish interconnection between the ports of each port group to allow ink flow therebetween for each of the channels.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve for a media width inkjet printhead, the printhead being connected to a plurality of ink supplies via a plurality of ink flow channels, the valve having a body, a plurality of sealed chambers within the body, a plurality of groups of ports on the body, each port group being associated with a respective one of the chambers and having individual ports for respective connection to the printhead and a respective one of the ink supplies and a selection device for selectively establishing interconnection between the ports of each port group to allow ink flow therebetween for each of the channels.

Abstract: A coupling for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling having a housing, a port plate movably mounted on the housing by a shaft, the port plate having a plurality of ports for receiving respective fluid spouts of the printhead, a seal member mounted on the housing between the housing and the port plate, the seal member having a plurality of seals which align with respective ones of the ports of the port plate and a compression spring mounted on the shaft by a washer so as to be compressed between the washer and the port plate.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead having a first fluid port at one longitudinal end of the media width and a second fluid port at the other longitudinal end of the media width; a first fluid path connected to the first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path connected to the second fluid port of the printhead, a third fluid path interconnecting the first and second paths, wherein the first, second and third paths are configured so that fluid flows between the first and second paths via the printhead and via the third fluid path.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, 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 having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each of the closed loops via the printhead and the respective bypass paths.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling assembly having a housing, a port plate movably mounted to a shaft which passes through the port plate and housing, a compression spring mounted on the shaft by a washer so as to be compressed between the washer and the port plate and an arm pivotally connected to the shaft at one of its longitudinal ends and pivotally connected to a coupling drive mechanism at its other longitudinal end

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 bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on the closed loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a four-way valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along the closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path and venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling assembly having a housing, a seal member received in a recess of the housing, a port plate movably mounted on the housing by a washer which is press-on mounted to a shaft through the port plate and housing, and a tube retainer mounted within a groove of the housing for retaining fluid distribution tubes, the retainer having a plurality of holes aligned with respective ones of a plurality of ports in the port plate and a plurality of seals of the seal member for fluidically connecting the retained fluid distribution tubes with respective fluid spouts of the printhead, wherein mounting of each of the seal member, port plate and retainer to the housing is achieved in a non-fastened manner.

Abstract: A method of assembling a coupling for distributing fluid to a printhead, the method having, mounting a seal member in a recess of a housing, inserting a shaft through a hole in the housing and the seal member, mounting a port plate on the shaft using a washer which is press-on mounted to the shaft and mounting a tube retainer for retaining fluid distribution tubes within a groove of the housing, the retainer having a plurality of holes aligned with respective ones of a plurality of ports in the port plate and a plurality of seals of the seal member for fluidically connecting the retained fluid distribution tubes with respective fluid spouts of the printhead, wherein the mounting of each of the seal member, port plate and retainer to the housing is achieved in a non-fastened manner.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along the closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing venting of gas in each of the closed loops via the gas vents.

Abstract: A method of assembling a coupling for distributing fluid to a printhead, the method having, mounting a seal member on a housing, inserting a shaft through a hole in the housing and the seal member, positioning a compression spring on the shaft and mounting a port plate on the shaft using a washer about the shaft so that the spring is compressed between the port plate and the housing and a plurality of ports in the port plate align with respective ones of a plurality of seals of the seal member for receiving respective fluid spouts of the printhead.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container, a first fluid path interconnecting the container and a first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path interconnecting the container and a second fluid port of the printhead, a third fluid path interconnecting the first and second paths, wherein the first, second and third paths are configured so that fluid from the container flows between the first and second paths via the printhead and via the third fluid path.

Abstract: A multi-path valve for a media width inkjet printhead, the printhead being connected to an ink source via a closed ink flow loop, the valve having a body, a first port on the body for connection to the ink source, a second port on the body for connection to the printhead, a third port on the body for connection to a bypass ink path which bypasses the printhead on the closed loop, a fourth port on the body for connection to a gas vent on the closed loop, a chamber within the body via which the first, second, third and fourth ports are able to be interconnected and a selection device for selectively establishing interconnection between the first, second, third and fourth ports to allow ink flow therebetween.