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 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 method of distributing fluid pressure in a printing system, the method having providing the printing system with a first fluid container, a printhead having fluid ejection nozzles, and a second fluid container connected between the first container and the printhead for delivering fluid from the first container to the printhead and locating the first container above the printhead and the second container and locating the second container below the printhead such that negative fluid pressure is provided at the nozzles of the printhead and positive fluid pressure is provided at the second container.

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 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 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 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 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 printing system having a first fluid container, a printhead and a second fluid container connected between the first container and the printhead for delivering fluid from the first container to the printhead, wherein the second container is located relative to the first container and the printhead so that a fluid pressure difference between fluid contained within the second container and fluid at the printhead is independent of the amount of fluid contained within the first container.

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 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 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 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 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 system for distributing filtered ink to an inkjet printhead, the system having an ink container having a body for containing the ink, am ink outlet on a first wall of the body at which the contained ink exits the body, and a filter arranged within the body adjoining the first wall so that the contained ink passes through the filter before exiting the outlet, an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet and an ink line connecting the outlet of the container to the inlet of the printhead, wherein the filter is inclined relative to the first wall so that filtered ink is contained in the body between the filter and the outlet which is distributed to the printhead.

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 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.