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 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 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: 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 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 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 substantially parallel to, and spaced from, a second wall of the body wherein the second wall adjoins the first wall with the outlet in the space between the filter and the second wall so that the contained fluid passes through the filter before exiting the outlet and the second wall declines from the adjoined first wall when the container is disposed with the filter above the second wall.

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 method of priming and de-priming a media width printhead the method having controlling operation, with a controller of a printing system having the printhead, of a pump on a closed fluid flow loop interconnecting a fluid container to the printhead to draw fluid from the container in a first direction around the closed loop to prime the printhead with fluid from the container and controlling operation of a valve on the closed loop, with the controller, to allow gas to enter the closed loop via a gas inlet 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 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 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 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 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 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: An ink container for an inkjet printhead, the ink container having a body for containing ink to a predetermined capacity, an ink inlet on the body, a float member within the body for floating on ink contained in the body, a valve at the inlet and a valve actuator for selectively opening and closing the valve, wherein the float member is pivotally attached to the valve actuator so that the float member causes the valve actuator to close the valve when the body contains ink at the predetermined capacity and to open the valve otherwise.

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.