Patent ID: 7270405
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink priming system for a cartridge unit of the type having a pagewidth printhead assembly in fluid communication with one or more ink storage compartments, the system comprising: a priming inlet provided on said printhead assembly for receiving a supply of ink for priming the cartridge unit; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between said printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; and a bypass flow passage providing additional fluid connection between the ink flow passage and the ink storage compartment, the bypass flow passage incorporating a bypass valve which is activated to open or close the bypass flow passage; wherein the ink supplied to the priming inlet of the printhead assembly flows from the printhead assembly to the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage and the bypass flow passage to prime both the printhead assembly and the ink storage compartment with ink simultaneously, and the bypass valve is provided in the wall of the bypass flow passage in the form of a depressible region of the wall, and the bypass valve is closed by depressing the depressible region so as to block the bypass flow passage.