Printing system having multiple printheads and bypass lines

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11077681-B2
Application number	US-202016919010-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 1, 2020
Priority date	Jul 31, 2009
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. A bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A printing system comprising:
an ink supply;
a feed line coupled to the ink supply;
a return line coupled to the ink supply;
a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and
one or more bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line, wherein at least one of said bypass lines is open for both priming and printing operations.

2. The printing system of claim 1 , wherein each printhead module comprises an ink manifold for delivering ink to a plurality of inkjet nozzles.

3. The printing system of claim 2 , wherein each ink manifold comprises a plurality of layers bonded together.

4. The printing system of claim 1 , further comprising a pumping system configured to prime the printhead modules.

5. The printing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of printhead modules are removably mounted on a carrier extending across a width of a media path.

6. The printing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of printhead modules are arranged for pagewide printing.

7. A method of printing using a printing system having:
an ink supply;
a feed line coupled to the ink supply;
a return line coupled to the ink supply;
a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and
one or more bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line, said method comprising the steps of:
opening the bypass line;
priming one or more of the printhead modules; and
printing from the printhead modules.

Assignees

• Memjet Technology Ltd

Inventors

• Rosati Robert
• Petch David
• Burney David
• Sykora Jim
• Regas Kenneth A
• Bound Andy
• Doherty Neil
• Dennis Scott
• Jones Ben
• Buyda Oksana
• Tonthat Locson
• Buyda Andrew
• Kirk Patrick
• Hunt Loren
• Dewey Jason
• Trinchera Jim
• Cressman Bill
• Zech Ron

Classifications

• B41J29/10

  Sound-deadening devices embodied in machines · CPC title

• B41J13/08

  {Conveyor} bands or like feeding devices · CPC title

• B41J11/02 Primary

  Platens · CPC title

• B41J29/377

  Cooling or ventilating arrangements · CPC title

• B41J15/04

  Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles · CPC title