Zamtec Limited

Memjet Technology Limited

Bob Mallory

Robert Rosati

Jon Lucas

Ryan Root

Jeff Borra

Raul Perez

Geoffrey Philip Dyer

Mike Eckard

Tom Alesi

Neal Cekalski

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.

Fluid distribution system having multi-path valve for gas venting

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.

System for priming and de-priming printhead

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, 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.

Fluid distribution system having four-way valve

A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of fluid tubes each defining an individual closed fluid flow loop, a first multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead by selectively moving a pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the fluid tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the fluid tubes, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a second multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Printing system having valved ink and gas distribution for printhead

A coupling for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling having a housing, a port plate movably mounted on the housing by a shaft, the port plate having a plurality of ports for receiving respective fluid spouts of the printhead, a seal member mounted on the housing between the housing and the port plate, the seal member having a plurality of seals which align with respective ones of the ports of the port plate and a compression spring mounted on the shaft by a washer so as to be compressed between the washer and the port plate.

Printhead coupling for fluid distribution

A system for coupling a media width printhead to a fluid supply is provided having a printhead having a fluid inlet coupling at one longitudinal end of the media width and a fluid outlet coupling at the other longitudinal end of the media width, an inlet supply coupling having fluid ports defined in a port plate for engagement with fluid ports of the inlet coupling, an outlet supply coupling having fluid ports defined in a port plate for engagement with fluid ports of the outlet coupling, and a coupling drive mechanism connected to the port plates of the supply couplings via pre-compressed compression springs. The coupling drive mechanism is operational to move the port plates relative to the printhead so as to drive the ports of the supply couplings into engagement with the respective ports of the printhead couplings.

System for coupling fluid supply to printhead

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.

Multi-path valve for printhead

A coupling assembly for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling assembly having a housing, a seal member received in a recess of the housing, a port plate movably mounted on the housing by a washer which is press-on mounted to a shaft through the port plate and housing, and a tube retainer mounted within a groove of the housing for retaining fluid distribution tubes, the retainer having a plurality of holes aligned with respective ones of a plurality of ports in the port plate and a plurality of seals of the seal member for fluidically connecting the retained fluid distribution tubes with respective fluid spouts of the printhead, wherein mounting of each of the seal member, port plate and retainer to the housing is achieved in a non-fastened manner.

Simple printhead coupling for fluid distribution

A coupling assembly for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling assembly having a housing, a port plate movably mounted to a shaft which passes through the port plate and housing, a compression spring mounted on the shaft by a washer so as to be compressed between the washer and the port plate and an arm pivotally connected to the shaft at one of its longitudinal ends and pivotally connected to a coupling drive mechanism at its other longitudinal end.

Printhead coupling having cam driven mechanism

A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container, a first fluid path interconnecting the container and a first fluid port of the printhead, a second fluid path interconnecting the container and a 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.

Fluid distribution system having printhead bypass from container

A method of priming a media width printhead, the method having controlling operation of the printhead, with a controller of a printing system having the printhead, to draw fluid in a first direction around a closed fluid flow loop from a fluid container to the printhead and controlling operation of a pump on the closed loop, with the controller, to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around the closed loop.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Bob Mallory