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.

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, a bypass line coupling the feed line 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 wide format printer that has a media transport system configured to transport media along a media path that is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, a printhead assembly fixed relative to the media path and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is independently movable relative to the media path.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, an accumulator reservoir, a valve coupling the accumulator reservoir to the ink supply, the valve being configured to open when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches a lower limit of a predetermined ink level range, and close when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches an upper limit of the ink level range, and a plurality of printheads in fluid communication with the accumulator reservoir. Each of the printheads has nozzles for ejecting ink onto media. During printing, the accumulator reservoir is fixed relative to the printheads such that hydrostatic ink pressure at the nozzles is generated by the elevation of the ink level in the accumulator reservoir relative to the elevation of the of the nozzles.

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 coupled to the feed line and the return line and a pumping system configured to generate fluid flow from the feed line to the return line via the printheads to prime the printheads.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a vacuum platen assembly, a printhead assembly spaced from the vacuum platen assembly, a media path extending between the vacuum platen assembly and the printhead assembly and a media encoder embedded within the vacuum platen assembly wherein, the media path is greater than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A printing system that has a media transport system configured to transport media along a media path, a printhead assembly fixed relative to the media path and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is independently movable relative to the media path.

Abstract: A printing system that has a print zone, a drive roller positioned at an input side 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.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a media transport system configured to transport media of differing dimensions along a media path, and a printhead assembly for printing media transported along the media path, the media path having variable widths depending on the dimensions of the media but a minimum width of 432 mm (17 inches). The printer also has a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly, each being configured to operate in a plurality of different modes. The media path extends between the printhead assembly and at least some of the service modules configured to operate in one of the modes while any of the service modules beyond the media path operate in another of the modes.

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 wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide and 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 the long side of the printhead carriage.

Abstract: A printing system with 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.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path, the media path being more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is configured to operate in a plurality of different modes and each of the service modules are independently operable.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a first conduit coupled to the ink supply, a second conduit coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each coupled to the first conduit and the second conduit and a pumping system to generate a pressure difference between the first conduit and the second conduit during a printhead replacement operation.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, an accumulator reservoir, a valve coupling the accumulator reservoir to the ink supply, the valve being configured to open when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches a lower limit of a predetermined ink level range, and close when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches an upper limit of the ink level range and, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being in fluid communication with the accumulator reservoir and each of the printheads having nozzles for ejecting ink onto media. During printing, the accumulator reservoir is fixed relative to the printheads such that hydrostatic ink pressure at the nozzles is generated by the elevation of the ink level in the accumulator reservoir relative to the elevation of the of the nozzles.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, and a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. Each printhead is fluidically coupled to the feed and the return via separate couplings. During printing, the printheads receives ink from both the feed and return lines.

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, each of the printheads being coupled to the feed line and the return line and, a pumping system configured to generate fluid flow from the feed line to the return line via the printheads to prime the printheads.

Abstract: A method of printing by translating media across a print zone at a first speed based upon the angular velocity of a drive roller and subsequently translating the media at a second speed determined by a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media.

Abstract: A printing system that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and are staggered with respect to the paper axis, the printhead modules each having nozzles arranged in parallel rows and a plurality of datum features for holding the printhead carriage such that the parallel rows extend normal to the paper feed axis.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for rapid placement of tubes within a body cavity that includes placing a compliant cannula over a probe tip of a cutting device until the probe tip extends beyond the cannula, incising the tissue covering body cavity to create an opening therein, inserting the probe tip of the cutting device until the cannula placed thereon extends into the incision, removing the probe tip while leaving the cannula inserted within the incision, introducing a distal end or tip of a tube into the cannula a predetermined distance, and removing the cannula over the tube while retaining the tube in position within the body cavity. The device includes a sealing portion which attaches to the body without sutures and having an opening therethrough, and a tube which passes through the opening of the seal and mates thereto without sutures.