Patent ID: 6220699
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of actuating a fluid pump in a printer to exchange fluid with an ink jet printhead without removing the printhead from the printhead carriage comprising the steps of:a) providing a printhead carriage having at least one fluid conduit extending from a first end which is open to atmosphere to a second end;b) positioning a printhead on said carriage, said printhead having a fluid port in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit;c) moving said printhead carriage toward a fluid pump to a fluid exchange position to bring said first end of said conduit into fluid transferring engagement with a fluid port of said fluid pump; andd) further moving said printhead carriage toward said fluid pump to move a part of said pump so as to actuate said fluid pump and to transfer a predetermined amount of fluid at a predetermined pressure from said pump through said conduit to said printhead.