Patent ID: 6419343
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for priming an inkjet printhead without removing the printhead from a carriage of a printer, the printhead having a body comprising an ink chamber in fluid communication with a plurality of ink ejection nozzles in a nozzle plate and a variable volume air chamber coupled to said ink chamber and having a vent which is in gaseous communication with ambient atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of:moving the carriage to a service area within the printer, interfacing a source of gas to the vent of the air chamber of the printhead, and delivering a predetermined controlled volume of gas from said gas source at a pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure to the air chamber so that the air chamber expands within the printhead body causing an increase in the pressure within the ink chamber and thus a controlled flow of ink through the nozzles of the printhead to prime the printhead.