Abstract: A printer includes: a first fixed printhead having a respective first print zone; a second fixed printhead positioned downstream of the first printhead relative to a media feed direction, the second printhead having a respective second print zone; an input roller assembly positioned upstream of the first platen, the input roller assembly being configured for feeding media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the first print zone; and an intermediary roller assembly positioned between the first and second print zones, the intermediary roller assembly being configured for receiving the media sheets from the first print zone and feeding the media sheets along a downward trajectory. The second print zone is positioned relatively lower than the first print zone.

Abstract: A printer includes: a first fixed printhead having a respective first print zone; a second fixed printhead positioned downstream of the first printhead relative to a media feed direction, the second printhead having a respective second print zone; an input roller assembly positioned upstream of the first platen, the input roller assembly being configured for feeding media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the first print zone; and an intermediary roller assembly positioned between the first and second print zones, the intermediary roller assembly being configured for receiving the media sheets from the first print zone and feeding the media sheets along a downward trajectory. The second print zone is positioned relatively lower than the first print zone.

Abstract: A printer includes: a first fixed printhead having a respective first print zone; a first platen positioned in the first print zone; a second fixed printhead positioned downstream of the first printhead having a respective second print zone; a second platen positioned in the second print zone; an input roller assembly configured for feeding media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the first platen; an intermediary roller assembly positioned between the first and second platens and configured for receiving the media sheets from the first platen and feeding the media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the second platen; and an exit roller assembly for receiving the media sheets from the second platen. The second platen is positioned relatively lower than the first platen to facilitate a stepped media feed path with minimal distance between the first and second printheads.

Abstract: A printer includes: a printhead assembly having a print zone and a belt assembly for feeding print media past the print zone in a media feed direction. The belt assembly includes: an endless belt tensioned between a first roller upstream of the print zone and a second roller downstream of the print zone; a drive mechanism for moving the endless belt in the media feed direction; and a fixed platen positioned in the print zone. The endless belt is guided around and below the fixed platen.

Abstract: A printer includes: a first fixed printhead having a respective first print zone; a first platen positioned in the first print zone; a second fixed printhead positioned downstream of the first printhead having a respective second print zone; a second platen positioned in the second print zone; an input roller assembly configured for feeding media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the first platen; an intermediary roller assembly positioned between the first and second platens and configured for receiving the media sheets from the first platen and feeding the media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the second platen; and an exit roller assembly for receiving the media sheets from the second platen. The second platen is positioned relatively lower than the first platen to facilitate a stepped media feed path with minimal distance between the first and second printheads.

Abstract: A printer includes: a printhead assembly having a print zone and a belt assembly for feeding print media past the print zone in a media feed direction. The belt assembly includes: an endless belt tensioned between a first roller upstream of the print zone and a second roller downstream of the print zone; a drive mechanism for moving the endless belt in the media feed direction; and a fixed platen positioned in the print zone. The endless belt is guided around and below the fixed platen.

Abstract: A pinch valve includes first and second pinch arms pivotally mounted about respective pivot axes. A spring interconnects the first and second pinch arms to mutually bias the pinch arms towards each other and provide a pinching force for pinching respective first and second conduits. A cam engages with each of the pinch arms and provides an unpinching force for either one of the pinch arms against the bias of the sprint.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having first and second ports; an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, the ink container having a supply port and a return port; a first ink conduit interconnecting the supply port and the first port; a second ink conduit interconnecting the return port and the second port; an ink valve positioned in the first ink conduit; a first pump positioned in the second conduit; and a second pump positioned in a valve bypass conduit. The first and second pumps are employed during pressurized priming of the printhead so as to optimize a pressure gradient along a length of the printhead.

Abstract: A pinch valve includes first and second pinch arms pivotally mounted about respective pivot axes. A spring interconnects the first and second pinch arms to mutually bias the pinch arms towards each other and provide a pinching force for pinching respective first and second conduits. A cam engages with each of the pinch arms and provides an unpinching force for either one of the pinch arms against the bias of the sprint.

Abstract: An improved pinch valve includes a camshaft and associated cam(s) controlling the position of a pivotally-mounted first pinch arm and an opposed, pivotally-mounted second pinch arm. The respective pinch arms are provided symmetrically about a central plane which contains an axis of the camshaft. A spring extends across the central plane and interconnects the respective pinch arms so as to urge both pinch arms towards the central plane. A mechanical advantage lever is provided such that the pinching force is greater than the spring force.

Abstract: A method of removing air bubbles from a circulating ink delivery system supplying ink to an inkjet printhead. The ink delivery system includes an ink container positioned below the printhead, an upstream ink conduit interconnecting a supply port of the ink container and a first port of the printhead, and a downstream ink conduit interconnecting a return port of the ink container and a second port of the printhead. The method includes the step of: pumping ink around the ink delivery system from the supply port to the return port, wherein a flow speed of ink through the downstream ink conduit is greater than a flow speed of ink through the upstream first conduit.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having first and second ports; an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, the ink container having a supply port and a return port; a first ink conduit interconnecting the supply port and the first port; a second ink conduit interconnecting the return port and the second port; an ink valve positioned in the first ink conduit; a first pump positioned in the second conduit; and a second pump positioned in a valve bypass conduit. The first and second pumps are employed during pressurized priming of the printhead so as to optimize a pressure gradient along a length of the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink delivery system configured for supplying ink to the printhead at a negative hydrostatic pressure; and an air chamber in fluid communication with the ink delivery system. The air chamber has an air-permeable wall which is impervious to the ink. The air chamber provides dampening of pressure fluctuations in the ink delivery system and, further, is self-recovering from ingress of ink into the air chamber.

Abstract: An improved pinch valve includes a camshaft and associated cam(s) controlling the position of a pivotally-mounted first pinch arm and an opposed, pivotally-mounted second pinch arm. The respective pinch arms are provided symmetrically about a central plane which contains an axis of the camshaft. A spring extends across the central plane and interconnects the respective pinch arms so as to urge both pinch arms towards the central plane. A mechanical advantage lever is provided such that the pinching force is greater than the spring force.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: a printhead having a first port and a second port; an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, the ink container comprising a supply port and a return port; a first ink conduit interconnecting the supply port and the first port; a second ink conduit interconnecting the return port and the second port; and a pump configured for pumping ink from the supply port to the return port. The second ink conduit has a smaller internal cross-sectional area than the first ink conduit for providing a faster flow speed of ink in the second ink conduit relative to the first ink conduit when the pump is actuated.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink delivery system configured for supplying ink to the printhead at a negative hydrostatic pressure; and an air chamber in fluid communication with the ink delivery system. The air chamber has an air-permeable wall which is impervious to the ink. The air chamber provides dampening of pressure fluctuations in the ink delivery system and, further, is self-recovering from ingress of ink into the air chamber.