Consumable supply item, fluid reservoir and recirculation system for micro-fluid applications

Abstract

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. An interior retains the ink while exit and return ports define openings through a housing to fluidly communicate the interior to the imaging device. The opening of the return port is larger than the opening of the exit port. The design slows the return of fluid to the housing which minimizes air bubbles or frothiness in the fluid. During use, ink depletes toward a bottom surface of the interior beneath which the ink is prevented from occupying. A housing section below the interior retains a portion of the exit port so that a bottom of the opening of the exit port is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface. It prevents stranding ink beneath the exit port. Further embodiments include port configuration, construction, and modular components, to name a few.