Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead; an upstream ink line interconnecting an outlet port of the ink chamber and the ink inlet; a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and a first air accumulator communicating with the downstream ink line. The first air accumulator is configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in the printhead during printing.

Abstract: A system for venting gas at ink containers which supply inks to a multi-channel inkjet printhead is provided having a plurality of ink containers for supplying fluids to a printhead having a plurality of ink channels, and a gas vent assembly having a plurality of gas vents. Each ink container has an ink port connected to a corresponding one of the ink channels of the printhead and a gas port. Each gas vent is connected to a corresponding one of the gas ports of the ink containers. The gas vents of the gas vent assembly are in fluid communication with the external atmosphere.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink; and a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level. The chamber includes: an inlet port connected to the ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port connected to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink. The float valve includes: an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot; a float mounted at one end of the arm; and a valve stem attached to the arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat, the valve seat being positioned at the inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber.

Abstract: A system for sensing a predetermined pressure change at a port of a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer, the system having a liquid delivery apparatus connected to a liquid container via a fluid line and a sensing arrangement connected to the fluid line, wherein the liquid container has an internal fluid pressure changing member configured so that contact with liquid being delivered by the liquid delivery apparatus causes the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line, and the sensing arrangement is configured to sense the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead; an upstream ink line interconnecting an outlet port of the ink chamber and the ink inlet; a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and a first air accumulator communicating with the downstream ink line. The first air accumulator is configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in the printhead during printing.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system having a first fluid container having a fluid outlet, a second fluid container having a fluid inlet, a fluid line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container, an inverted umbrella valve between the fluid line and the inlet, the valve arranged to allow fluid flow from the first container to the second container via the fluid line and a restrictor for restricting the allowed fluid flow through the fluid line.

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 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 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 system for sensing a predetermined pressure change at a port of a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer, the system having a liquid delivery apparatus connected to a liquid container via a fluid line and a sensing arrangement connected to the fluid line, wherein the liquid container has an internal fluid pressure changing member configured so that contact with liquid being delivered by the liquid delivery apparatus causes the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line, and the sensing arrangement is configured to sense the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line.

Abstract: A system for venting gas at ink containers which supply inks to a multi-channel inkjet printhead is provided having a plurality of ink containers for supplying fluids to a printhead having a plurality of ink channels, and a gas vent assembly having a plurality of gas vents. Each ink container has an ink port connected to a corresponding one of the ink channels of the printhead and a gas port. Each gas vent is connected to a corresponding one of the gas ports of the ink containers. The gas vents of the gas vent assembly are in fluid communication with the external atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid pressure at a printhead with a fluid distribution arrangement, the method having providing the fluid distribution arrangement with 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 and locating the second container 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 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 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 fluid pressure changing member between the aperture and the interior space of the body, the member 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 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 fluid distribution system having a first fluid container having a fluid outlet, a second fluid container having a fluid inlet, a fluid line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container, an inverted umbrella valve between the fluid line and the inlet, the valve arranged to allow fluid flow from the first container to the second container via the fluid line and a restrictor for restricting the allowed fluid flow through the fluid line.

Abstract: A system for distributing fluid and gas within a printer is provided having a fluid container having three fluid ports, a first fluid path connecting the first fluid port to a printhead of the printer, a second fluid path connecting the second fluid port to the printhead, and a third fluid path connecting the third fluid port to a gas vent. The first and second fluid ports are configured so that fluid from the fluid container flows between the first and second fluid paths via the printhead and the third fluid port is configured so that gas flows between the fluid container and gas vent.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink; and a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level. The chamber includes: an inlet port connected to the ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port connected to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink. The float valve includes: an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot; a float mounted at one end of the arm; and a valve stem attached to the arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat, the valve seat being positioned at the inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber.

Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead and a pressure-regulating chamber containing ink at a predetermined first level relative to the printhead. The chamber comprises an outlet port, a return port positioned in a base of the chamber, a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink, and an air vent open to atmosphere. An upstream ink line interconnects the outlet port and an ink inlet of the printhead. A downstream ink line interconnects the return port and an ink outlet of the printhead. The downstream ink line has a section looping below the first level of ink. In a printing configuration, a second level of ink in the snorkel is equal to the first level of ink in the chamber.

Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The ink supply system includes an ink reservoir and a pressure-regulating chamber. The pressure-regulating chamber has an inlet port, an outlet port, an air vent open to atmosphere and a float valve for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber. The float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure from the ink reservoir at the inlet port.