Abstract: Controlling an ink flow to a print head includes using a diaphragm positioned within a pathway to obstruct the ink flow.

Abstract: A method of removing printing fluid puddles from an exterior nozzle surface of an inkjet printhead includes selectively applying a suction signal for a first time period to a plurality of actuators associated with fluid channels of corresponding nozzles by a control module. The method also includes moving printing fluid within the fluid channels associated with the actuators in response to application of the suction signal. Additionally, the method also includes creating suction in each one of the associated fluid channels and through the corresponding nozzles to remove the printing fluid puddles from the exterior nozzle surface by pulling the printing fluid puddles through the corresponding nozzles and the associated fluid channels in response to movement of the printing fluid within the fluid channels.

Abstract: The method of operating an inkjet printing system includes ejecting usable fluid on a substrate in a print mode and in a purge container in a maintenance mode by a print head. The method also includes receiving recovered fluid from the purge container and source fluid from the source supply to form the usable fluid in a primary fluid tank. The method also includes receiving and providing an amount of the usable fluid from the primary fluid tank to the print head by at least one of a first supplemental fluid tank and a second supplemental fluid tank. The method also includes determining a consumed amount of the usable fluid corresponding to an amount of the usable fluid used by the print head reduced by an amount of the recovered fluid received by the primary fluid tank from the purge container.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a printhead including a printer fluid nozzle, an air valve in fluid communication with a channel of the nozzle to: (1) create back pressure in the channel when the air valve is closed and printer fluid is ejected through the nozzle and (2) release back pressure in the channel when the air valve is open, an ejector to eject printer fluid through the nozzle to form a meniscus of printer fluid in the channel when the air valve is closed, a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the channel, and an indicator in electrical communication with the pressure sensor. The indicator can, for example, indicate whether there is an air leak in the channel by determining whether the pressure in the channel is within a predetermined pressure range after a predetermined idle time following the formation of the meniscus in the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank for holding a fluid for delivery to a printhead, the tank being open to the atmosphere. A manifold enables the fluid to flow from the tank to the printhead, a height of the manifold being lower than a level of the fluid in the tank when the fluid is flowing from the tank to the printhead. A siphon has a lower end of the siphon that is connectable to the manifold. An upper end of the siphon extends above the level of the fluid and is openable to the atmosphere. A height of a segment of the siphon between the upper end and the lower end is lower than the height of the manifold.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a printhead including a printer fluid nozzle, an air valve in fluid communication with a channel of the nozzle to: (1) create back pressure in the channel when the air valve is closed and printer fluid is ejected through the nozzle and (2) release back pressure in the channel when the air valve is open, an ejector to eject printer fluid through the nozzle to form a meniscus of printer fluid in the channel when the air valve is closed, a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the channel, and an indicator in electrical communication with the pressure sensor. The indicator can, for example, indicate whether there is an air leak in the channel by determining whether the pressure in the channel is within a predetermined pressure range after a predetermined idle time following the formation of the meniscus in the nozzle.

Abstract: Controlling an ink flow to a print head includes using a diaphragm positioned within a pathway to obstruct the ink flow.

Abstract: A method of removing printing fluid puddles from an exterior nozzle surface of an inkjet printhead includes selectively applying a suction signal for a first time period to a plurality of actuators associated with fluid channels of corresponding nozzles by a control module. The method also includes moving printing fluid within the fluid channels associated with the actuators in response to application of the suction signal. Additionally, the method also includes creating suction in each one of the associated fluid channels and through the corresponding nozzles to remove the printing fluid puddles from the exterior nozzle surface by pulling the printing fluid puddles through the corresponding nozzles and the associated fluid channels in response to movement of the printing fluid within the fluid channels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an actuator connected to a printhead structure is activated with a waveform to cause vibration of the structure sufficient to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure and not cause the fluid to eject from the channel during a nonprinting period. In another embodiment, a first pulse module applies a pulse at a printhead structure at a combination of voltage, duration, and frequency to cause shaking of printhead structure to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure without ejecting the fluid from the channel during a nonprinting period. In another embodiment, an actuator connected to a printhead structure is activated during a nonprinting period to pulse the structure to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure without causing the fluid to be expelled from the channel.

Abstract: A fluid applicator mounting device includes a main body to removeably receive a fluid applicator module. The main body includes a common fluid channel having a main input port, a main output port, a supplemental input port to provide fluid to the fluid applicator module, and a supplemental output port to output fluid from the fluid applicator module. The fluid applicator mounting device also includes an input fm member disposed inside the common fluid channel and arranged proximate to the supplemental input port to guide fluid to the fluid applicator module. The fluid applicator mounting device also includes an output fin member disposed inside the common fluid channel and arranged proximate to the supplemental output port to guide fluid from the fluid applicator module away from the supplemental output port.

Abstract: A printhead recovery system includes at least one printhead and a control module. The printhead includes a respective set of nozzles. The control module activates a nozzle recovery routine including ejecting fluid through nozzles adjacent to a malfunctioning nozzle to create a positive pressure proximate to the malfunctioning nozzle from outside of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A fluid applicator mounting device includes a main body to removeably receive a fluid applicator module. The main body includes a common fluid channel having a main input port, a main output port, a supplemental input port to provide fluid to the fluid applicator module, and a supplemental output port to output fluid from the fluid applicator module. The fluid applicator mounting device also includes an input fm member disposed inside the common fluid channel and arranged proximate to the supplemental input port to guide fluid to the fluid applicator module. The fluid applicator mounting device also includes an output fin member disposed inside the common fluid channel and arranged proximate to the supplemental output port to guide fluid from the fluid applicator module away from the supplemental output port.

Abstract: An ink delivery device, method and non-transitory computer readable medium, the device may include a first closed pathway for a first ink flow through a multi-nozzle printhead in a first direction, and a second closed pathway for a second ink flow through the multi-nozzle printhead, the second pathway configured to move the second ink flow in a second direction. The device may further include a first shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a first end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the first shunt allowing some of the first ink flow to merge with the second ink flow, and a second shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a second end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the second shunt allowing some of the second ink flow to merge with the first ink flow.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system and method move an air impermeable membrane adjacent a liquid chamber in response to withdrawal of liquid from the chamber to move a plunger. The plunger moves between a first position fluidly connecting a fluid source and a fluid actuated valve to open the valve and supply liquid to the liquid chamber and a second position blocking connection of the fluid source and the fluid actuated valve.

Abstract: An ink delivery device, method and non-transitory computer readable medium, the device may include a first closed pathway for a first ink flow through a multi-nozzle printhead in a first direction, and a second closed pathway for a second ink flow through the multi-nozzle printhead, the second pathway configured to move the second ink flow in a second direction. The device may further include a first shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a first end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the first shunt allowing some of the first ink flow to merge with the second ink flow, and a second shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a second end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the second shunt allowing some of the second ink flow to merge with the first ink flow.

Abstract: The method of operating an inkjet printing system includes ejecting usable fluid on a substrate in a print mode and in a purge container in a maintenance mode by a print head. The method also includes receiving recovered fluid from the purge container and source fluid from the source supply to form the usable fluid in a primary fluid tank. The method also includes receiving and providing an amount of the usable fluid from the primary fluid tank to the print head by at least one of a first supplemental fluid tank and a second supplemental fluid tank. The method also includes determining a consumed amount of the usable fluid corresponding to an amount of the usable fluid used by the print head reduced by an amount of the recovered fluid received by the primary fluid tank from the purge container.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank for holding a fluid for delivery to a printhead, the tank being open to the atmosphere. A manifold enables the fluid to flow from the tank to the printhead, a height of the manifold being lower than a level of the fluid in the tank when the fluid is flowing from the tank to the printhead. A siphon has a lower end of the siphon that is connectable to the manifold. An upper end of the siphon extends above the level of the fluid and is openable to the atmosphere. A height of a segment of the siphon between the upper end and the lower end is lower than the height of the manifold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-contact print head cleaning device includes an elongated cavity underlying a print head and a vacuum port connected to the elongated cavity and generating a low pressure in the elongated cavity. A slot in a wall of the elongated cavity has a geometry that varies along its length to produce an airflow with a substantially uniform velocity into the slot. The airflow sucks contaminants off the print head into the slot. A method for non-contact print head cleaning is also provided.

Abstract: A method for white ink delivery includes circulating white ink through a white ink delivery system between successive print jobs; and in response to a time interval between two of the successive print jobs being greater than a threshold time interval, draining the white ink from the white ink delivery system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-contact print head cleaning device includes an elongated cavity underlying a print head and a vacuum port connected to the elongated cavity and generating a low pressure in the elongated cavity. A slot in a wall of the elongated cavity has a geometry that varies along its length to produce an airflow with a substantially uniform velocity into the slot. The airflow sucks contaminants off the print head into the slot. A method for non-contact print head cleaning is also provided.