Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a media width printhead, the system having a fluid container having a gas vent; a first fluid path interconnecting the container and a first fluid port at one longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead, a second fluid path interconnecting the container and a second fluid port at the other longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead, a third fluid path interconnecting the first and second paths, pump on the second path, the pump being operational to draw fluid from the container through the first and second paths via the printhead and via the third fluid path to flush gas in the paths to the container for venting via the gas vent.

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 plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-channel four-way valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead and the bypass paths and venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve for distributing ink from an ink source to a media width inkjet printhead, the valve having a body, a plurality of ports on the body for connection to the ink source and printhead, a chamber within the body via which the ports are able to be interconnected, a diaphragm pad 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 thereby allowing ink flow therebetween.

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 plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-channel four-way valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead and the bypass paths and venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

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, 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 multi-channel rotary valve is provided for distributing ink from ink supplies to a media width inkjet printhead via ink flow channels. The valve has a body, a shaft rotatably mounted to the body, a cylindrical channel arrangement mounted on the shaft to be rotatable therewith, a cylindrical port arrangement fixed to the body relative to the shaft so as to concentrically and sealingly enclose the channel arrangement, and a selection device. The channel arrangement has individual channels defined along its circumference. The port arrangement has groups of ports defined therethrough along its circumference for respective connection to the printhead and a respective ink supply. Each port group is aligned with a portion of a respective channel. The selection device selectively rotates the shaft to establish interconnection between the ports of each port group via the respective channels to allow ink flow therebetween for each of the ink flow channels.

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, the fluid being drawn from the container in a first direction around the closed loop by the printhead during printing and a pump on the closed loop, the pump being operational to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around the closed loop.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a first fluid path connected to a first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path connected to 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 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 plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of fluid tubes each defining an individual closed fluid flow loop, a first multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead by selectively moving a pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the fluid tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the fluid tubes, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a second multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Abstract: A printing system having a fluid container, 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 interconnecting the container and the first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path interconnecting the container and 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 from the container flows between the first and second paths via the printhead and via the third fluid path.

Abstract: A method of priming a media width printhead, the method having controlling operation of the printhead, with a controller of a printing system having the printhead, to draw fluid in a first direction around a closed fluid flow loop from a fluid container to the printhead and controlling operation of a pump on the closed loop, with the controller, to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around the closed loop.

Abstract: A printing system with a print zone where droplets of ink print onto media, a drive roller configured to translate the media into the print zone and a movable media engagement assembly for vacuum engagement of one side of the media to draw the media away from the print zone.

Abstract: A wide format printer 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 collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, the printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines, a bypass line coupling the first conduit to the return line and, a pumping system configured to initially prime ink through the feed line, the return line, and the bypass line before priming each of the printheads.

Abstract: A printing system that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path, the printhead carriage having a long side extending transverse to the paper axis, the long side having access formations for ink conduits and a plurality of interfaces for connection to the ink conduits to supply ink to each of the printhead modules respectively. All ink for the plurality of printhead modules is supplied by ink conduits extending through the access formations on said long side of the printhead carriage.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a print zone, a drive roller positioned upstream of the print zone, a vacuum platen assembly positioned under the print zone, a printhead assembly overlaying and spanning the print zone and a vacuum belt assembly configured to receive media from the print zone. The print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer which has a media path extending past a printhead assembly along a paper axis, has an elongate printhead carriage extending transverse to the paper axis, a series of interfaces for supplying ink to respective printhead modules spaced along the printhead carriage such that during use, the printhead modules span the media path and ink conduits connected to the interfaces for feeding ink to the printhead modules. The printhead carriage has a series formations to position the ink conduits such that they all extend away from the interfaces in a direction transverse to the long axis to a common side of the printhead carriage.

Abstract: A printing system that has a media feed assembly for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, the media path having a width corresponding to a maximum width of media that can be printed by the printing system. The system also having a printhead assembly positioned on a first side of the media path and spanning the width of the media path, an aerosol collection duct with an opening on the first side of the media path and a spittoon system positioned on a second side of the media path opposing the first side. The printhead assembly is configured to eject non-printing ink drops from any section not required to print media that is less than the maximum width, and the spittoon system is configured to collect the non-printing ink drops.

Abstract: A printing system that has a printhead assembly, a vacuum platen assembly opposite the printhead assembly, a media path between the printhead assembly and the vacuum platen, a drive roller for moving media along the media path, a vacuum belt assembly to move the media away from the vacuum platen assembly and a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a drive roller configured to engage and push media into a print zone and a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media and pull the media while the drive roller remains engaged with the media wherein the print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly, a vacuum platen assembly opposite the printhead assembly, a media path between the printhead assembly and the vacuum platen, a drive roller for moving media along the media path, a vacuum belt assembly to move the media away from the vacuum platen assembly and a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the printhead assembly. The media path is more than 432 mm (17 inches wide).