Abstract: An ink distribution system for a printhead, the system having a first ink container having an ink outlet, a second ink container having an ink inlet, an ink line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container and a gas vent on the ink line.

Abstract: A system for priming and de-priming a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas inlet on the closed loop and a valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing gas to enter the closed loop via the gas inlet, and a pump on the closed loop, wherein the pump is operational to draw fluid from the container in a first direction around the closed loop to prime the printhead with fluid from the container, and the vent is operational to cause fluid in the closed loop and the printhead to de-prime to the container in a second direction around the closed loop.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve arrangement for distributing ink from a plurality of ink supplies to a media width inkjet printhead via a plurality of ink tubes each defining an individual ink flow channel, the valve having a body, a plurality of ports defined through the body, each port being configured to receive a respective one of the ink tubes therethrough, a movable pinch element extending across the ports and a pinch drive arrangement for selectively moving the pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the ink tubes so as to respectively block and allow ink flow through the ink tubes.

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

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 liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer, the liquid container having a body having an interior space for containing liquid to a predetermined capacity, a port through the body for delivery of liquid into the body to the predetermined capacity, an aperture through the body at which the interior space of the body is in communication with atmosphere external to the fluid container and a hydrophobic film between the aperture and the interior space of the body, the film being configured so that contact with the liquid being delivered via the port causes a change in the fluid pressure at the port.

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 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 system for distributing fluid to a printhead, the system having a printhead a first fluid container and a second fluid container for distributing fluid from the first container to the printhead, the second container having a body for containing the fluid to a predetermined capacity, an inlet connected to the first container, a valve at the inlet, and an outlet connected to the printhead, wherein the valve is operated so that the valve is closed when the body contains fluid at the predetermined capacity and is open when fluid is distributed to the printhead via the outlet.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve apparatus for a multi-channel printhead is provided having ink ports and gas ports defined through a body, first and second pinch elements, and a pinch drive arrangement for selectively moving the first and second pinch elements. Each ink port is configured to receive therethrough a respective one of ink tubes interconnecting ink containers with the printhead. Each gas port is configured to receive therethrough a respective one of gas tubes interconnecting gas vents with the printhead. The first pinch element is moved into and out of pinching contact with the ink tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the ink tubes. The second pinch element is moved into and out of pinching contact with the gas tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the gas tubes.

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.

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 container having a body for containing fluid, a fluid outlet on a first wall of the body at which the contained fluid exits the body and a filter arranged within the body adjoining the first wall so that the contained fluid passes through the filter before exiting the outlet, wherein the filter is inclined relative to the first wall so that filtered fluid is contained in the body between the filter and the outlet.

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 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.