Patent ID: 7628475
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink supply, comprising: a reservoir for holding ink; a printhead having a plurality of nozzles therein for ejecting ink; a standpipe connecting the reservoir and the printhead such that ink may flow from the reservoir to the printhead through the standpipe, the standpipe having a first part adjacent a first end of the printhead through which ink enters the standpipe from the reservoir and a second part adjacent a second end of the printhead; a snorkel operatively connected to the second part of the standpipe; and a valve operatively connected to the snorkel, the valve operative between a first position in which the first and second parts of the standpipe are pressurized with air introduced into the snorkel from the valve and through the snorkel to the second part of the standpipe to force ink within the standpipe back into the reservoir, and a second position in which the first and second parts of the standpipe are not pressurized with air.