# Patent

## Title
Pressure-regulating chamber for gravity control of hydrostatic ink pressure and recycling ink supply system

## Abstract

A pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained in the chamber at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead. The chamber comprises: an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; a return port for connection to an ink outlet of the printhead via a downstream ink line; a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into the inlet port.

## Background
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to printers and in particular inkjet printers. It has been developed primarily to provide a fluidics system which controls a hydrostatic ink pressure during normal printing, whilst enabling priming and depriming for printhead replacement.
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
The following applications have been filed by the Applicant simultaneously with the present application:

    
    
        SBF028US SBF030US SBF031 US SBF032US SBF033US

The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by reference. The above applications have been identified by their filing docket number, which will be substituted with the corresponding application number, once assigned.

    
    


CROSS REFERENCES
The following patents or patent applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention are hereby incorporated by cross-reference.

















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11/124,158
11/124,196
11/124,199
11/124,162
11/124,202


11/124,197
11/124,154
11/124,198
7,284,921
11/124,151
7,407,257


11/124,192
11/124,175
7,392,950
11/124,149
7,360,880
11/124,173


11/124,155
7,236,271
11/124,174
11/124,194
11/124,164
11/124,200


11/124,195
11/124,166
11/124,150
11/124,172
11/124,165
11/124,186


11/124,185
11/124,184
11/124,182
11/124,201
11/124,171
11/124,181


11/124,161
11/124,156
11/124,191
11/124,159
11/124,176
7,370,932


7,404,616
11/124,187
11/124,189
11/124,190
11/124,180
11/124,193


11/124,183
11/124,178
11/124,177
11/124,148
11/124,168
11/124,167


11/124,179
11/124,169
11/187,976
11/188,011
11/188,014
11/482,979


11/735,490
11/853,018
11/944,450
12,023,815
12,035,414
12,056,232


11/228,540
11/228,500
11/228,501
11/228,530
11/228,490
11/228,531


11/228,504
11/228,533
11/228,502
11/228,507
11/228,482
11/228,505


11/228,497
11/228,487
11/228,529
11/228,484
11/228,489
11/228,518


11/228,536
11/228,496
11/228,488
11/228,506
11/228,516
11/228,526


11/228,539
11/228,538
11/228,524
11/228,523
11/228,519
11/228,528


11/228,527
7,403,797
11/228,520
11/228,498
11/228,511
11/228,522


11/228,515
11/228,537
11/228,534
11/228,491
11/228,499
11/228,509


11/228,492
11/228,493
11/228,510
11/228,508
11/228,512
11/228,514


11/228,494
11/228,495
11/228,486
11/228,481
11/228,477
7,357,311


7,380,709
11/228,521
7,403,796
7,407,092
11/228,513
11/228,503


11/228,480
11/228,535
11/228,478
11/228,479
12,035,419
6,238,115


6,386,535
6,398,344
6,612,240
6,752,549
6,805,049
6,971,313


6,899,480
6,860,664
6,925,935
6,966,636
7,024,995
7,284,852


6,926,455
7,056,038
6,869,172
7,021,843
6,988,845
6,964,533


6,981,809
7,284,822
7,258,067
7,322,757
7,222,941
7,284,925


7,278,795
7,249,904
7,364,286
11,772,240
11/863,246
11/863,145


11/865,650
12,050,091
12,050,106
6,087,638
6,340,222
6,041,600


6,299,300
6,067,797
6,286,935
6,044,646
6,382,769
6,787,051


6,938,990
11/242,916
11/144,799
11/198,235
11,861,282
11,861,284


11/766,052
7,152,972
11/592,996
D529952
6,390,605
6,322,195


6,612,110
6,480,089
6,460,778
6,305,788
6,426,014
6,364,453


6,457,795
6,315,399
6,338,548
7,040,736
6,938,992
6,994,425


6,863,379
6,540,319
6,994,421
6,984,019
7,008,043
6,997,544


6,328,431
6,991,310
10/965,772
7,140,723
6,328,425
6,982,184


7,267,423
7,134,741
7,066,577
7,152,945
7,303,689
7,021,744


6,991,320
7,155,911
11/107,799
6,595,624
7,152,943
7,125,103


7,328,971
7,290,857
7,285,437
7,229,151
7,341,331
7,237,873


11/329,163
11/442,180
11/450,431
7,213,907
6,417,757
11/482,951


11/545,566
11/583,826
11/604,315
11/604,323
7,387,364
11/706,950


11/730,399
11,749,121
11/753,549
11/834,630
11/935,389
11/869,670


7,095,309
11/945,169
11,957,473
11,967,235
12,017,896
6,854,825


6,623,106
6,672,707
6,575,561
6,817,700
6,588,885
7,075,677


6,428,139
6,575,549
6,846,692
6,425,971
7,063,993
6,383,833


6,955,414
6,412,908
6,746,105
6,953,236
6,412,904
7,128,388


6,398,343
6,652,071
6,793,323
6,659,590
6,676,245
7,201,460


6,464,332
6,659,593
6,478,406
6,978,613
6,439,693
6,502,306


6,966,111
6,863,369
6,428,142
6,874,868
6,390,591
6,799,828


6,896,358
7,018,016
7,380,905
6,328,417
6,322,194
6,382,779


6,629,745
6,565,193
6,609,786
6,609,787
6,439,908
6,684,503


6,843,551
6,764,166
6,561,617
7,328,967
6,557,970
6,546,628


7,407,269
6,652,074
6,820,968
7,175,260
6,682,174
7,303,262


6,648,453
6,834,932
6,682,176
6,998,062
6,767,077
7,278,717


6,755,509
7,347,537
6,692,108
7,407,271
6,672,709
7,303,263


7,086,718
10/534,881
6,672,710
10/534,812
6,669,334
7,322,686


7,152,958
7,281,782
6,824,246
7,264,336
6,669,333
7,357,489


6,820,967
7,306,326
6,736,489
7,264,335
6,719,406
7,222,943


7,188,419
7,168,166
6,974,209
7,086,719
6,974,210
7,195,338


7,252,775
7,101,025
11/474,281
11/485,258
11/706,304
11/706,324


11/706,326
11/706,321
11/772,239
7,401,903
11/829,941
11/852,991


11,852,986
11/936,062
11/934,027
11,955,028
12,034,578
12,036,908


11/763,440
11/763,442
11/246,687
11/246,718
7,322,681
11/246,686


11/246,703
11/246,691
11/246,711
11/246,690
11/246,712
11/246,717


7,401,890
7,401,910
11/246,701
11/246,702
11/246,668
11/246,697


11/246,698
11/246,699
11/246,675
11/246,674
11/246,667
11/829,957


11/829,960
11/829,961
11/829,962
11/829,963
11/829,966
11/829,967


11/829,968
11/829,969
11,946,839
11,946,838
11,946,837
11,951,230


7,156,508
7,159,972
7,083,271
7,165,834
7,080,894
7,201,469


7,090,336
7,156,489
10/760,233
10/760,246
7,083,257
7,258,422


7,255,423
7,219,980
10/760,253
10/760,255
7,367,649
7,118,192


10/760,194
7,322,672
7,077,505
7,198,354
7,077,504
10/760,189


7,198,355
7,401,894
7,322,676
7,152,959
7,213,906
7,178,901


7,222,938
7,108,353
7,104,629
11/446,227
7,370,939
11/472,345


7,404,621
7,261,401
11/474,279
11/482,939
7,328,972
7,322,673


7,306,324
7,306,325
11/603,824
7,399,071
11/601,672
7,303,261


11/653,253
11/706,328
11/706,299
7,399,053
11/737,080
11/737,041


11/778,062
11/778,566
11/782,593
7,404,623
11/945,157
11,951,095


11,951,828
11,954,906
11,954,949
11,967,226
7,303,930
11/246,672


7,401,405
11/246,683
11/246,682
11,860,538
11,860,539
11/860,540


11,860,541
11,860,542
11/936,060
11,877,667
11,877,668
12,046,451


12,046,452
12,046,453
12,046,454
7,246,886
7,128,400
7,108,355


6,991,322
7,287,836
7,118,197
10/728,784
7,364,269
7,077,493


6,962,402
10/728,803
7,147,308
10/728,779
7,118,198
7,168,790


7,172,270
7,229,155
6,830,318
7,195,342
7,175,261
10/773,183


7,108,356
7,118,202
10/773,186
7,134,744
10/773,185
7,134,743


7,182,439
7,210,768
10/773,187
7,134,745
7,156,484
7,118,201


7,111,926
10/773,184
7,018,021
7,401,901
11/060,805
11/188,017


7,128,402
7,387,369
11/329,157
11/490,041
11/501,767
7,284,839


7,246,885
7,229,156
11/505,846
11/505,857
7,293,858
11/524,908


11/524,938
7,258,427
11/524,912
7,278,716
11/592,995
11/603,825


11/649,773
11/650,549
11/653,237
11/706,378
11/706,962
11,749,118


11/754,937
11,749,120
11/744,885
11/779,850
11/765,439
11/842,950


11/839,539
11/926,121
12,025,621
11/097,308
11/097,309
7,246,876


11/097,299
11/097,310
7,377,623
7,328,978
7,334,876
7,147,306


7,261,394
11/764,806
11/782,595
11,965,696
12/017,286
11/482,953


11/482,977
11/544,778
11/544,779
12,056,149
11/764,808
7,376,273


11/756,625
11/756,626
7,400,769
11/756,628
11/756,629
11/756,630


11/756,631
7,156,289
7,178,718
7,225,979
7,380,712
11/084,796


11/084,742
11/084,806
09/575,197
7,079,712
6,825,945
7,330,974


6,813,039
7,190,474
6,987,506
6,824,044
7,038,797
6,980,318


6,816,274
7,102,772
7,350,236
6,681,045
6,678,499
6,679,420


6,963,845
6,976,220
6,728,000
7,110,126
7,173,722
6,976,035


6,813,558
6,766,942
6,965,454
6,995,859
7,088,459
6,720,985


7,286,113
6,922,779
6,978,019
6,847,883
7,131,058
7,295,839


7,406,445
09/693,690
6,959,298
6,973,450
7,150,404
6,965,882


7,233,924
09/575,181
09/722,174
7,175,079
7,162,259
6,718,061


10/291,523
10/291,471
7,012,710
6,825,956
10/291,481
7,222,098


10/291,825
7,263,508
7,031,010
6,972,864
6,862,105
7,009,738


6,989,911
6,982,807
10/291,576
6,829,387
6,714,678
6,644,545


6,609,653
6,651,879
10/291,555
7,293,240
10/291,592
10/291,542


7,044,363
7,004,390
6,867,880
7,034,953
6,987,581
7,216,224


10/291,821
7,162,269
7,162,222
7,290,210
7,293,233
7,293,234


6,850,931
6,865,570
6,847,961
10/685,523
10/685,583
7,162,442


10/685,584
7,159,784
10/804,034
7,404,144
6,889,896
10/831,232


7,174,056
6,996,274
7,162,088
7,388,985
10/943,872
7,362,463


7,259,884
10/944,043
7,167,270
7,388,685
6,986,459
10/954,170


7,181,448
10/981,626
10/981,616
7,324,989
7,231,293
7,174,329


7,369,261
7,295,922
7,200,591
11/020,106
11/020,260
11/020,321


11/020,319
11/026,045
7,347,357
11/051,032
7,382,482
11/107,944


11/107,941
11/082,940
11/082,815
7,389,423
7,401,227
6,991,153


6,991,154
11/124,256
11/123,136
11/154,676
7,322,524
11/182,002


11/202,251
11/202,252
11/202,253
7,408,670
11/202,218
11/206,778


11/203,424
11/222,977
7,327,485
11/227,239
11/286,334
7,225,402


11/329,187
11/349,143
11/491,225
11/491,121
11/442,428
11/454,902


11/442,385
11/478,590
7,271,931
11/520,170
11/603,057
11/706,964


11/739,032
11,739,014
7,336,389
11/830,848
11/830,849
11/839,542


11/866,394
11/934,077
11,951,874
12,015,487
12,023,860
12,023,005


12,036,266
12/047,311
12/047,276
12,050,927
7,068,382
7,007,851


6,957,921
6,457,883
7,044,381
11/203,205
7,094,910
7,091,344


7,122,685
7,038,066
7,099,019
7,062,651
6,789,194
6,789,191


10/900,129
7,278,018
7,360,089
10/982,975
10/983,029
11/331,109


6,644,642
6,502,614
6,622,999
6,669,385
6,827,116
7,011,128


10/949,307
6,549,935
6,987,573
6,727,996
6,591,884
6,439,706


6,760,119
7,295,332
7,064,851
6,826,547
6,290,349
6,428,155


6,785,016
6,831,682
6,741,871
6,927,871
6,980,306
6,965,439


6,840,606
7,036,918
6,977,746
6,970,264
7,068,389
7,093,991


7,190,491
10/901,154
10/932,044
10/962,412
7,177,054
7,364,282


10/965,733
10/965,933
10/974,742
10/982,974
7,180,609
10/986,375


11/107,817
7,292,363
11/149,160
11/206,756
11/250,465
7,202,959


11/653,219
11/706,309
11/730,389
11/730,392
11/866,387
12,050,161


6,982,798
6,870,966
6,822,639
6,474,888
6,627,870
6,724,374


6,788,982
7,263,270
6,788,293
6,946,672
6,737,591
7,091,960


7,369,265
6,792,165
7,105,753
6,795,593
6,980,704
6,768,821


7,132,612
7,041,916
6,797,895
7,015,901
7,289,882
7,148,644


10/778,056
10/778,058
10/778,060
10/778,059
10/778,063
10/778,062


10/778,061
10/778,057
7,096,199
7,286,887
7,400,937
10/917,466


7,324,859
7,218,978
7,245,294
7,277,085
7,187,370
10/917,436


10/943,856
10/919,379
7,019,319
10/943,878
10/943,849
7,043,096


7,148,499
11/144,840
11/155,556
11/155,557
11/193,481
11/193,435


11/193,482
11/193,479
7,336,267
7,388,221
11/298,474
7,245,760


11/488,832
11/495,814
11/495,823
11/495,822
11/495,821
11/495,820


11/653,242
7,358,697
11/829,936
11/839,494
11,866,305
11,866,313


11,866,324
11,866,336
11,866,348
11,866,359
11,970,951
12,036,264


7,055,739
7,233,320
6,830,196
6,832,717
7,182,247
7,120,853


7,082,562
6,843,420
10/291,718
6,789,731
7,057,608
6,766,944


6,766,945
7,289,103
10/291,559
7,299,969
7,264,173
10/409,864


7,108,192
10/537,159
7,111,791
7,077,333
6,983,878
10/786,631


7,134,598
10/893,372
6,929,186
6,994,264
7,017,826
7,014,123


7,134,601
7,150,396
10/971,146
7,017,823
7,025,276
7,284,701


7,080,780
7,376,884
7,334,739
7,380,727
11/842,948
12,015,477


12,025,746
12,025,747
12,025,748
12,025,749
12,025,750
12,025,751


12,025,754
12,025,756
12,025,757
12,025,759
12,025,760
12,025,761


12,025,762
12,025,764
12,025,765
12,025,766
12,025,767
12,025,768


10/492,169
10/492,152
7,359,551
10/492,161
7,308,148
10/502,575


10/531,229
10/531,733
10/683,040
10/510,391
10/510,392
10/778,090


11/944,404
11/936,638
12,031,615
6,957,768
09/575,172
7,170,499


7,106,888
7,123,239
6,982,701
6,982,703
7,227,527
6,786,397


6,947,027
6,975,299
7,139,431
7,048,178
7,118,025
6,839,053


7,015,900
7,010,147
7,133,557
6,914,593
10/291,546
6,938,826


7,278,566
7,123,245
6,992,662
7,190,346
11/074,800
11/074,782


7,382,354
11/075,917
7,221,781
11/102,843
7,213,756
7,362,314


7,180,507
7,263,225
7,287,688
11/737,094
11/753,570
11/782,596


11/865,711
12,054,194
12/049,376
12/049,377
12/049,379
12/049,987


12/050,005
12/050,014
12/050,025
12/050,054
12/050,067
12/050,080


12,050,101
12,106,326
12,036,904
11,856,061
11,856,062
11,856,064


11,856,066
11/672,522
11/672,950
11/672,947
11/672,891
11/672,954


11/672,533
11,754,310
11/754,321
11/754,320
11/754,319
11/754,318


11/754,317
11/754,316
11/754,315
11/754,314
11/754,313
11/754,312


11/754,311
12,015,507
12,015,508
12,015,509
12,015,510
12,015,511


12,015,512
12,015,513
6,593,166
7,132,679
6,940,088
7,119,357


7,307,272
6,755,513
6,974,204
6,409,323
7,055,930
6,281,912


6,893,109
6,604,810
6,824,242
6,318,920
7,210,867
6,488,422


6,655,786
6,457,810
6,485,135
6,796,731
6,904,678
6,641,253


7,125,106
6,786,658
7,097,273
6,824,245
7,222,947
6,918,649


6,860,581
6,929,351
7,063,404
6,969,150
7,004,652
6,871,938


6,905,194
6,846,059
6,997,626
7,303,256
7,029,098
6,966,625


7,114,794
7,207,646
7,077,496
7,284,831
7,357,484
7,152,938


7,182,434
7,182,430
7,306,317
7,032,993
7,325,905
7,407,259


7,357,475
7,172,266
7,258,430
7,128,392
7,210,866
7,306,322


11/505,933
7,384,127
11/635,480
7,354,208
11/706,303
11/709,084


7,357,583
11/744,143
11/779,845
11/782,589
11/863,256
11/940,302


11/940,235
11,955,359
12,019,583
12,019,566
12,036,910
12,043,795


11/066,161
7,341,330
7,372,145
11/066,158
7,287,831
11/875,936


12,017,818
6,804,030
6,807,315
6,771,811
6,683,996
7,271,936


7,304,771
6,965,691
7,058,219
7,289,681
7,187,807
7,181,063


7,366,351
11/603,823
7,349,572
12,025,633
10/727,181
10/727,162


7,377,608
7,399,043
7,121,639
7,165,824
7,152,942
10/727,157


7,181,572
7,096,137
7,302,592
7,278,034
7,188,282
10/727,159


10/727,180
10/727,179
10/727,192
10/727,274
10/727,164
10/727,161


10/727,198
10/727,158
10/754,536
10/754,938
10/727,160
10/934,720


7,171,323
7,278,697
11/442,131
7,360,131
11/488,853
7,328,115


11,749,750
11,749,749
11,955,127
11,951,213
12,050,941
12,043,844


12/047,315
7,369,270
6,795,215
7,070,098
7,154,638
6,805,419


6,859,289
6,977,751
6,398,332
6,394,573
6,622,923
6,747,760


6,921,144
10/884,881
7,092,112
7,192,106
11/039,866
7,173,739


6,986,560
7,008,033
11/148,237
7,222,780
7,270,391
7,150,510


11/478,599
7,388,689
7,407,247
7,398,916
11/482,981
11/743,662


11/743,661
11/743,659
11/743,655
11/743,657
11/752,900
11,926,109


11/927,163
11,929,567
7,195,328
7,182,422
11/650,537
11/712,540


7,374,266
10/854,522
10/854,488
7,281,330
10/854,503
7,328,956


10/854,509
7,188,928
7,093,989
7,377,609
10/854,495
10/854,498


10/854,511
7,390,071
10/854,525
10/854,526
10/854,516
7,252,353


10/854,515
7,267,417
10/854,505
10/854,493
7,275,805
7,314,261


10/854,490
7,281,777
7,290,852
10/854,528
10/854,523
10/854,527


10/854,524
10/854,520
10/854,514
10/854,519
10/854,513
10/854,499


10/854,501
7,266,661
7,243,193
10/854,518
10/854,517
10/934,628


7,163,345
7,322,666
11/601,757
11/706,295
11/735,881
11,748,483


11,749,123
11/766,061
11/775,135
11,772,235
11/778,569
11/829,942


11/870,342
11/935,274
11/937,239
11,961,907
11,961,940
11,961,961


12,055,314
11/014,731
D529081
D541848
D528597
6,924,907


6,712,452
6,416,160
6,238,043
6,958,826
6,812,972
6,553,459


6,967,741
6,956,669
6,903,766
6,804,026
7,259,889
6,975,429


10/636,234
10/636,233
7,301,567
10/636,216
7,274,485
7,139,084


7,173,735
7,068,394
7,286,182
7,086,644
7,250,977
7,146,281


7,023,567
7,136,183
7,083,254
6,796,651
7,061,643
7,057,758


6,894,810
6,995,871
7,085,010
7,092,126
7,123,382
7,061,650


10/853,143
6,986,573
6,974,212
7,307,756
7,173,737
10/954,168


7,246,868
7,399,076
7,137,699
11/107,798
7,148,994
7,077,497


11/176,372
7,248,376
11/225,158
7,306,321
7,173,729
7,372,601


11/478,607
11/503,085
11/545,502
11/583,943
11/585,946
11/653,239


7,385,713
11/764,781
11/764,782
11/779,884
11,845,666
11/872,637


11/944,401
11/940,215
11/544,764
11/544,765
11/544,772
11/544,773


11/544,774
11/544,775
11/544,776
11/544,766
11/544,767
7,384,128


11/544,770
11/544,769
11/544,777
11/544,768
11/544,763
11/293,804


11/293,840
11/293,803
11/293,833
11/293,834
11/293,835
11/293,836


11/293,837
11/293,792
11/293,794
11/293,839
11/293,826
11/293,829


11/293,830
11/293,827
11/293,828
7,270,494
11/293,823
11/293,824


11/293,831
11/293,815
11/293,819
11/293,818
11/293,817
11/293,816


11/838,875
11/482,978
11/640,356
11/640,357
11/640,358
11/640,359


11/640,360
11/640,355
11/679,786
11/872,714
10/760,254
10/760,210


7,364,263
7,201,468
7,360,868
10/760,249
7,234,802
7,303,255


7,287,846
7,156,511
10/760,264
7,258,432
7,097,291
10/760,222


10/760,248
7,083,273
7,367,647
7,374,355
10/760,204
10/760,205


10/760,206
10/760,267
10/760,270
7,198,352
7,364,264
7,303,251


7,201,470
7,121,655
7,293,861
7,232,208
7,328,985
7,344,232


7,083,272
7,261,400
11/474,272
11/474,315
7,311,387
11/583,874


7,303,258
11/706,322
11/706,968
11/749,119
11,749,157
11,779,848


11/782,590
11/855,152
11,855,151
11/870,327
11/934,780
11/935,992


11,951,193
12/017,327
12,015,273
12,036,882
12,050,164
12,050,166


11/014,764
11/014,763
7,331,663
7,360,861
7,328,973
11/014,760


7,407,262
7,303,252
7,249,822
11/014,762
7,311,382
7,360,860


7,364,257
7,390,075
7,350,896
11/014,758
7,384,135
7,331,660


11/014,738
11/014,737
7,322,684
7,322,685
7,311,381
7,270,405


7,303,268
11/014,735
7,399,072
7,393,076
11/014,750
11/014,749


7,249,833
11/758,640
11/775,143
11/838,877
11,944,453
11/944,633


11,955,065
12/003,875
12/003,952
12,007,818
12,007,817
12,068,679


12,071,187
12,076,665
12,079,897
11/014,769
11/014,729
7,331,661


11/014,733
7,300,140
7,357,492
7,357,493
11/014,766
7,380,902


7,284,816
7,284,845
7,255,430
7,390,080
7,328,984
7,350,913


7,322,671
7,380,910
11/014,717
11/014,716
11/014,732
7,347,534


11/097,268
11/097,185
7,367,650
11/778,567
11,852,958
11,852,907


11/872,038
11,955,093
11,961,578
12,022,023
12,023,000
12,023,018


12,031,582
12,043,708
11/293,820
11/293,813
11/293,822
11/293,812


7,357,496
11/293,814
11/293,793
11/293,842
11/293,811
11/293,807


11/293,806
11/293,805
11/293,810
12,050,021
11/688,863
11/688,864


11/688,865
7,364,265
11/688,867
11/688,868
11/688,869
11/688,871


11/688,872
11/688,873
11/741,766
12,014,767
12,014,768
12,014,769


12,014,770
12,014,771
12,014,772
12,014,773
12,014,774
12,014,775


12,014,776
12,014,777
12,014,778
12,014,779
12,014,780
12,014,781


12,014,782
12,014,783
12,014,784
12,014,785
12,014,787
12,014,788


12,014,789
12,014,790
12,014,791
12,014,792
12,014,793
12,014,794


12,014,796
12,014,798
12,014,801
12,014,803
12,014,804
12,014,805


12,014,806
12,014,807
12,049,371
12,049,372
12,049,373
12,049,374


12,049,375
61,034,147
11/482,982
11/482,983
11/482,984
11/495,818


11/495,819
11/677,049
11/677,050
11/677,051
11,872,719
11,872,718


12,046,449
61,033,357
7,306,320
11/934,781
D528156
10/760,180


7,111,935
10/760,213
10/760,219
10/760,237
7,261,482
10/760,220


7,002,664
10/760,252
10/760,265
7,088,420
11/446,233
11/503,083


11/503,081
11/516,487
11/599,312
6,364,451
6,533,390
6,454,378


7,224,478
6,559,969
6,896,362
7,057,760
6,982,799
11/202,107


11/743,672
11,744,126
11/743,673
7,093,494
7,143,652
7,089,797


7,159,467
7,234,357
7,124,643
7,121,145
7,089,790
7,194,901


6,968,744
7,089,798
7,240,560
7,137,302
7,350,417
7,171,855


7,260,995
7,260,993
7,165,460
7,222,538
7,258,019
11/543,047


7,258,020
7,367,235
7,334,480
7,380,460
11/707,056
11/744,211


11/767,526
11/779,846
11/764,227
11/829,943
11/829,944
12,015,390


12,031,475
12,056,274
6,454,482
6,808,330
6,527,365
6,474,773


6,550,997
7,093,923
6,957,923
7,131,724
7,396,177
7,168,867


7,125,098
7,396,178
11/185,722
7,249,901
7,188,930
7,377,635


11/014,727
D536031
D531214
7,237,888
7,168,654
7,201,272


6,991,098
7,217,051
6,944,970
10/760,215
7,108,434
10/760,257


7,210,407
7,186,042
10/760,266
6,920,704
7,217,049
10/760,214


10/760,260
7,147,102
7,287,828
7,249,838
10/760,241
10/962,413


10/962,427
7,261,477
7,225,739
10/962,402
10/962,425
10/962,428


7,191,978
10/962,426
10/962,409
10/962,417
10/962,403
7,163,287


7,258,415
7,322,677
7,258,424
10/962,410
7,195,412
7,207,670


7,270,401
7,220,072
11/474,267
11/544,547
11/585,925
11/593,000


11/706,298
11/706,296
7,384,206
11/730,760
11/730,407
11/730,787


11/735,977
11/736,527
7,367,267
11/754,359
11/778,061
11/765,398


11/778,556
11/829,937
7,399,065
11/866,399
12,050,157
11/223,262


11/223,018
11/223,114
11,955,366
7,322,761
11/223,021
11/223,020


11/223,019
11/014,730
D541849
29/279,123
6,716,666
6,949,217


6,750,083
7,014,451
6,777,259
6,923,524
6,557,978
6,991,207


6,766,998
6,967,354
6,759,723
6,870,259
10/853,270
6,925,875


10/898,214
7,095,109
7,145,696
10/976,081
7,193,482
7,134,739


7,222,939
7,164,501
7,118,186
7,201,523
7,226,159
7,249,839


7,108,343
7,154,626
7,079,292
10/980,184
7,233,421
7,063,408


7,377,706
10/982,804
7,032,996
10/982,834
10/982,833
7,349,216


7,217,046
6,948,870
7,195,336
7,070,257
10/986,813
10/986,785


7,093,922
6,988,789
7,371,024
7,246,871
10/992,748
10/992,747


7,187,468
10/992,828
7,196,814
7,372,593
7,268,911
7,265,869


7,128,384
7,164,505
7,284,805
7,025,434
7,298,519
7,280,244


7,206,098
7,265,877
7,193,743
7,168,777
11/006,734
7,195,329


7,198,346
7,281,786
11/013,363
11/013,881
6,959,983
7,128,386


7,097,104
7,350,889
7,083,261
7,070,258
7,083,275
7,110,139


6,994,419
6,935,725
7,398,597
7,178,892
7,219,429
6,988,784


11/026,135
7,289,156
7,407,614
7,284,976
7,178,903
7,273,274


7,083,256
7,325,986
7,278,707
7,325,918
6,974,206
7,364,258


7,066,588
7,222,940
11/075,918
7,018,025
7,221,867
7,290,863


7,188,938
7,021,742
7,083,262
7,192,119
11/083,021
7,036,912


7,175,256
7,182,441
7,083,258
7,114,796
7,147,302
7,380,906


7,219,982
7,118,195
7,229,153
6,991,318
7,108,346
11/248,429


7,404,617
7,178,899
7,066,579
11/281,419
7,370,947
11/329,188


11/329,140
7,270,397
7,258,425
7,237,874
7,152,961
7,333,235


7,207,658
11/484,744
7,311,257
7,207,659
11/525,857
11/540,569


11/583,869
7,400,419
11/585,947
7,306,307
11/604,316
11/604,309


11/604,303
11/643,844
7,329,061
11/655,940
11/653,320
7,278,713


7,391,531
11/706,323
11/706,963
11/713,660
7,290,853
11/696,186


11/730,390
11/737,139
11/737,749
7,387,365
11,749,122
11/754,361


11,766,043
11/764,775
11/768,872
11/775,156
11/779,271
7,401,902


11/829,938
11/839,502
11,858,852
11/862,188
11,859,790
11/872,618


11/923,651
11,950,255
11,930,001
11,955,362
12,015,368
11,965,718


12,049,975
12,050,946
6,485,123
6,425,657
6,488,358
7,021,746


6,712,986
6,981,757
6,505,912
6,439,694
6,364,461
6,378,990


6,425,658
6,488,361
6,814,429
6,471,336
6,457,813
6,540,331


6,454,396
6,464,325
6,443,559
6,435,664
6,412,914
6,488,360


6,550,896
6,439,695
6,447,100
7,381,340
6,488,359
6,637,873


10/485,738
6,618,117
10/485,737
6,803,989
7,234,801
7,044,589


7,163,273
6,416,154
6,547,364
10/485,744
6,644,771
7,152,939


6,565,181
7,325,897
6,857,719
7,255,414
6,702,417
7,284,843


6,918,654
7,070,265
6,616,271
6,652,078
6,503,408
6,607,263


7,111,924
6,623,108
6,698,867
6,488,362
6,625,874
6,921,153


7,198,356
6,536,874
6,425,651
6,435,667
10/509,997
6,527,374


7,334,873
6,582,059
10/510,152
6,513,908
7,246,883
6,540,332


6,547,368
7,070,256
6,508,546
10/510,151
6,679,584
7,303,254


6,857,724
10/509,998
6,652,052
10/509,999
6,672,706
10/510,096


6,688,719
6,712,924
6,588,886
7,077,508
7,207,654
6,935,724


6,927,786
6,988,787
6,899,415
6,672,708
6,644,767
6,874,866


6,830,316
6,994,420
6,954,254
7,086,720
7,240,992
7,267,424


7,128,397
7,084,951
7,156,496
7,066,578
7,101,023
11/165,027


11/202,235
7,399,063
7,159,965
7,255,424
11/349,519
7,137,686


7,201,472
7,287,829
11/504,602
7,216,957
11/520,572
11/583,858


11/583,895
11/585,976
11/635,488
7,278,712
11/706,952
11/706,307


7,287,827
11,944,451
11/740,287
7,364,271
11/758,643
11/778,572


11,859,791
11/863,260
11/874,178
11/936,064
11,951,983
12,015,483


12,050,938
6,916,082
6,786,570
7,407,261
6,848,780
6,966,633


7,179,395
6,969,153
6,979,075
7,132,056
6,832,828
6,860,590


6,905,620
6,786,574
6,824,252
7,097,282
6,997,545
6,971,734


6,918,652
6,978,990
6,863,105
10/780,624
7,194,629
10/791,792


6,890,059
6,988,785
6,830,315
7,246,881
7,125,102
7,028,474


7,066,575
6,986,202
7,044,584
7,210,762
7,032,992
7,140,720


7,207,656
7,285,170
11/048,748
7,008,041
7,011,390
7,048,868


7,014,785
7,131,717
7,284,826
7,331,101
7,182,436
7,104,631


7,240,993
7,290,859
11/202,217
7,172,265
7,284,837
7,066,573


7,364,270
7,152,949
7,334,877
7,380,913
7,326,357
7,156,492


11/478,588
7,331,653
7,287,834
11/525,861
11/583,939
11/545,504


7,284,326
11/635,485
11/730,391
11/730,788
11/749,148
11/749,149


11/749,152
11/749,151
11/759,886
11/865,668
11/874,168
11/874,203


11,971,182
12,021,086
12,015,441
11,965,722
6,824,257
7,270,475


6,971,811
6,878,564
6,921,145
6,890,052
7,021,747
6,929,345


6,811,242
6,916,087
6,905,195
6,899,416
6,883,906
6,955,428


7,284,834
6,932,459
6,962,410
7,033,008
6,962,409
7,013,641


7,204,580
7,032,997
6,998,278
7,004,563
6,910,755
6,969,142


6,938,994
7,188,935
7,380,339
7,134,740
6,997,537
7,004,567


6,916,091
7,077,588
6,918,707
6,923,583
6,953,295
6,921,221


7,001,008
7,168,167
7,210,759
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7,331,659
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6,988,790
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7,004,577
7,052,120
6,994,426


7,258,418
7,014,298
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7,152,955
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7,207,657
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7,147,303
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7,134,608
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7,093,921
7,077,590
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7,377,621
7,387,363
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7,387,573
7,077,507
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7,086,717
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7,347,535
7,201,466
7,404,620
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7,252,367
7,287,837
11/485,255
7,374,695
6,945,630
7,018,294


6,910,014
6,659,447
6,648,321
7,082,980
6,672,584
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6,830,395
7,289,727
7,001,011
6,880,922
6,886,915
6,644,787


6,641,255
7,066,580
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6,666,544
6,666,543


6,669,332
6,984,023
6,733,104
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6,723,575
6,953,235


6,663,225
7,076,872
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7,090,335
6,854,827


6,793,974
10/636,258
7,222,929
6,739,701
7,073,881
7,155,823


7,219,427
7,008,503
6,783,216
6,883,890
6,857,726
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6,641,256
6,808,253
6,827,428
6,802,587
6,997,534
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6,959,981
6,886,917
6,969,473
6,827,425
7,007,859
6,802,594


6,792,754
6,860,107
6,786,043
6,863,378
7,052,114
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10/729,151
10/729,157
6,948,794
6,805,435
6,733,116
7,391,435


7,008,046
6,880,918
7,066,574
6,983,595
6,923,527
7,275,800


7,163,276
7,156,495
6,976,751
6,994,430
7,014,296
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7,160,743
7,175,775
7,287,839
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7,140,722
11/123,009


11/123,008
7,080,893
7,093,920
7,270,492
7,128,093
7,052,113


7,055,934
7,367,729
7,278,796
11/159,197
7,083,263
7,145,592


7,025,436
11/281,444
7,258,421
7,396,108
7,332,051
7,226,147


11/482,940
7,195,339
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11/505,938
7,284,838
7,293,856


7,350,901
11/540,576
7,325,901
11/592,991
11/599,342
11/600,803


11/604,321
11/604,302
11/635,535
11/635,486
11/643,842
7,347,536


7,380,580
11/706,301
11/707,039
11/730,388
11/730,786
11/730,785


7,370,942
7,322,679
11/768,875
11/779,847
11/829,940
11,847,240


11/834,625
11/863,210
11/865,680
11/874,156
11/923,602
11,951,940


11,954,988
11,961,662
12,015,178
12,015,157
12/017,305
12,017,926


12,015,261
12,025,605
12,049,961
12,031,646
7,067,067
6,776,476


6,880,914
7,086,709
6,783,217
7,147,791
6,929,352
7,144,095


6,820,974
6,918,647
6,984,016
7,192,125
6,824,251
6,834,939


6,840,600
6,786,573
7,144,519
6,799,835
6,959,975
6,959,974


7,021,740
6,935,718
6,938,983
6,938,991
7,226,145
7,140,719


6,988,788
7,022,250
6,929,350
7,011,393
7,004,566
7,175,097


6,948,799
7,143,944
7,310,157
7,029,100
6,957,811
7,073,724


7,055,933
7,077,490
7,055,940
10/991,402
7,234,645
7,032,999


7,066,576
7,229,150
7,086,728
7,246,879
7,284,825
7,140,718


7,284,817
7,144,098
7,044,577
7,284,824
7,284,827
7,189,334


7,055,935
7,152,860
11/203,188
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7,334,868
7,213,989


7,341,336
7,364,377
7,300,141
7,114,868
7,168,796
7,159,967


7,328,966
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11/298,530
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7,133,799
7,380,912


11/329,284
7,152,956
7,128,399
7,147,305
7,287,702
7,325,904


7,246,884
7,152,960
7,380,929
11/454,901
11/442,134
11/450,441


11/474,274
7,401,895
7,270,399
6,857,728
6,857,729
6,857,730


6,989,292
7,126,216
6,977,189
6,982,189
7,173,332
7,026,176


6,979,599
6,812,062
6,886,751
10/804,057
10/804,036
7,001,793


6,866,369
6,946,743
7,322,675
6,886,918
7,059,720
7,306,305


7,350,887
7,334,855
7,360,850
7,347,517
6,951,390
6,981,765


6,789,881
6,802,592
7,029,097
6,799,836
7,048,352
7,182,267


7,025,279
6,857,571
6,817,539
6,830,198
6,992,791
7,038,809


6,980,323
7,148,992
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6,947,173
7,101,034
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6,942,319
6,827,427
6,984,021
6,984,022
6,869,167
6,918,542


7,007,852
6,899,420
6,918,665
6,997,625
6,988,840
6,984,080


6,845,978
6,848,687
6,840,512
6,863,365
7,204,582
6,921,150


7,128,396
6,913,347
7,008,819
6,935,736
6,991,317
7,284,836


7,055,947
7,093,928
7,100,834
7,270,396
7,187,086
7,290,856


7,032,825
7,086,721
7,159,968
7,010,456
7,147,307
7,111,925


7,334,867
7,229,154
11/505,849
7,370,938
7,328,994
7,341,672


11/540,575
11/583,937
7,278,711
7,290,720
7,314,266
11/635,489


7,357,488
11/635,490
11/635,525
7,287,706
11/706,366
11/706,310


11/706,308
11/785,108
7,373,083
7,362,971
11,748,485
7,350,906


11/764,778
11/766,025
11/834,635
11,839,541
11,860,420
11/865,693


11/863,118
11/866,307
11/866,340
11/869,684
11/869,722
11/869,694


11/876,592
11/945,244
11,951,121
11/945,238
11,955,358
11,965,710


11,962,050
12,015,478
12,015,423
12,015,434
12,023,015
12,030,755


12,025,641
12,056,228
12,036,279
12,031,598
12,050,949
12,056,217


12,062,514
12,062,517
12,062,518
12,062,520
12,062,521
12,062,522


12,062,523
12,062,524
1,206,252
12,062,526
12,062,527
12,062,528


12,062,529
12,062,530
12,062,531









BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Applicant has developed a wide range of printers that employ pagewidth printheads instead of traditional reciprocating printhead designs. Pagewidth designs increase print speeds as the printhead does not traverse back and forth across the page to deposit a line of an image. The pagewidth printhead simply deposits the ink on the media as it moves past at high speeds. Such printheads have made it possible to perform full colour 1600 dpi printing at speeds of around 60 pages per minute, speeds previously unattainable with conventional inkjet printers.
Printing at these speeds consumes ink quickly and this gives rise to problems with supplying ink to the printhead. Not only are the flow rates higher but distributing the ink along the entire length of a pagewidth printhead is more complex than feeding ink to a relatively small reciprocating printhead. In particular, the hydrostatic ink pressure requires careful control to avoid printhead flooding. The Applicant has previously described means for controlling hydrostatic ink pressure in an ink supply system for a pagewidth printhead (see U.S. application Ser. No. 11/677,049 filed Feb. 21, 2007 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/872,714 filed Oct. 16, 2007, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference).
Additionally, the Applicant's design of high speed A4 pagewidth printers requires periodic replacement of a printhead cartridge, which comprises the printhead. In order to replace a printhead cartridge, it is necessary to deprime a printhead, remove the printhead from the printer, replace the printhead with a new replacement printhead, and prime the replacement printhead once it is installed in the printer. Hence, the ink supply system must be able to perform prime and deprime operations efficiently and, preferably, with minimal ink wastage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION


    In a first aspect the present invention provides a printer comprising:
    a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet;
    a pressure-regulating chamber containing ink at a predetermined first level relative to said printhead, said chamber comprising:
    
        an outlet port;
        a return port positioned in a base of the chamber;
        a snorkel extending from said return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above said first level of ink; and
        an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink;
    
    
    an upstream ink line interconnecting said outlet port and said ink inlet; and
    a downstream ink line interconnecting said return port and said ink outlet, said downstream ink line having a section looping below said first level of ink,


wherein, in a printing configuration, a second level of ink in said snorkel is equal to said first level of ink in said chamber.

    Optionally, the printer comprising means for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink in said chamber, said predetermined first level of ink controlling a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to said ink inlet.
    Optionally, said hydrostatic pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, is defined as ρgh, wherein ρ is the density of ink, g is acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of the predetermined first level of ink relative to the printhead.
    Optionally, said means for maintaining said predetermined first level of ink comprises an ink reservoir cooperating with a float valve contained in said pressure-regulating chamber.
    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at an inlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, the printer further comprising an ink reservoir in fluid communication with said inlet port.
    Optionally, said float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure at said inlet port, said positive ink pressure being provided by said ink reservoir positioned above said chamber.
    Optionally, the printer further comprising a printhead priming system.
    Optionally, said priming system comprises an ink pump positioned in said downstream ink line.
    Optionally, said pump is a peristaltic pump.
    Optionally, in a priming configuration, said pump pumps ink from said outlet port towards said return port so as to prime said printhead.
    Optionally, said pump is a reversible pump.
    Optionally, in a de-priming configuration, said pump pumps ink from said return port towards said outlet port, so as to de-prime said printhead.
    Optionally, said downstream ink line comprises inline filters positioned on either side of said pump.
    Optionally, the printer further comprising a first air accumulator communicating with said downstream ink line, said first air accumulator being configured for dampening ink pressure pulses.
    Optionally, said printhead comprises one or more second air accumulators communicating with ink channels in the printhead, said second air accumulators being configured for dampening ink pressure pulses.
    Optionally, said one or more second air accumulators are configured for dampening relatively high frequency pressure pulses and said first air accumulator is configured for dampening relatively low frequency pressure pulses.
    Optionally, said first air accumulator has a larger volume than each of said one or more second air accumulators.
    Optionally, said printhead is removably replaceable in said printer.
    Optionally, said printhead comprises an inlet coupling and and an outlet coupling, said inlet coupling being detachably connected to a complementary upstream ink line coupling and said outlet coupling being detachably connected to a complementary downstream ink line coupling.
    In a second aspect the present invention provides a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead, said chamber comprising:


an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line;
an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line;
a return port for connection to an ink outlet of the printhead via a downstream ink line;
a snorkel extending from said return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above said first level of ink;
an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink; and
a float valve for maintaining said predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into said inlet port.

    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at the inlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, said valve head comprises an umbrella cap for closure of the valve seat.
    Optionally, an outer surface of a base of said chamber comprises said valve seat. Optionally, said float valve is configured such that downward movement of said valve stem unseats said umbrella cap from said valve seat.
    Optionally, a positive ink pressure at said inlet port urges said umbrella cap against said valve seat.
    Optionally, the positive ink pressure is provided by an ink reservoir positioned above said chamber and in fluid communication with said inlet port.
    Optionally, said valve stem is positioned between said pivot and said float.
    Optionally, said inlet port and said outlet port are positioned towards a base of said chamber.
    Optionally, said return port is positioned at a base of said chamber.
    Optionally, said air vent comprises an air-permeable membrane, which is impervious to ink.
    Optionally, the pressure-regulating chamber comprising a roof cavity, and wherein said snorkel has a snorkel outlet positioned in said roof cavity.
    Optionally, said return port comprises an inline ink filter.
    In a third aspect the present invention provides a printer comprising:
    a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet;
    an ink chamber for supplying ink to said printhead, said chamber having an outlet port;
    an upstream ink line interconnecting said outlet port and said ink inlet;
    a downstream ink line connected to said ink outlet; and
    a first air accumulator communicating with said downstream ink line, said first air accumulator being configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in said printhead during printing.
    Optionally, said printhead comprises one or more second air accumulators communicating with ink channels in the printhead, said second air accumulators being configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in said printhead during printing.
    Optionally, said one or more second air accumulators are configured for dampening relatively high frequency pressure pulses and said first air accumulator is configured for dampening relatively low frequency pressure pulses.
    Optionally, said first air accumulator has a larger volume than each of said one or more second air accumulators.
    Optionally, said downstream ink line comprises an inline ink pump for priming and/or depriming said printhead.
    Optionally, said first air accumulator is positioned between said ink outlet and said pump.
    Optionally, said pump is a reversible peristaltic pump.
    Optionally, said downstream ink line comprises inline filters positioned on either side of said pump.
    Optionally, said downstream ink line interconnects said ink outlet and a return port in said chamber for recycling of ink into said chamber.
    Optionally, said chamber comprises a snorkel extending from said return port to above a level of ink in said chamber.
    Optionally, said chamber comprises an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink so as to equalize a hydrostatic pressure in said upstream and downstream ink lines.
    Optionally, said chamber is a pressure-regulating chamber for controlling a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to said printhead.
    Optionally, said chamber comprises means for maintaining a predetermined first level of ink in said chamber relative to said printhead.
    Optionally, said hydrostatic pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, is defined as ρgh, wherein ρ is the density of ink, g is acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of the predetermined first level of ink relative to the printhead.
    Optionally, said means for maintaining said predetermined first level of ink comprises an ink reservoir cooperating with a float valve contained in said pressure-regulating chamber.
    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at an inlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, said inlet port and said outlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber are positioned towards a base of said chamber.
    Optionally, the printer further comprising an ink reservoir in fluid communication with said inlet port.
    Optionally, said printhead is removably replaceable in said printer.
    Optionally, said printhead comprises an inlet coupling and and an outlet coupling, said inlet coupling being detachably connected to a complementary upstream ink line coupling and said outlet coupling being detachably connected to a complementary downstream ink line coupling.
    In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method of priming a printhead, said method comprising the steps of:


(i) providing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of ink, an ink inlet and an ink outlet;
(ii) providing an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to said ink inlet via an upstream ink line, said ink chamber having an inlet port controlled by a valve;
(iii) priming said printhead by pumping ink from said ink chamber, through said printhead and into a downstream ink line connected to said ink outlet; and
(iv) opening said valve if a level of ink in said chamber falls below a predetermined first level and replenishing with ink from an ink reservoir when said valve is open.

    Optionally, said printhead is a pagewidth inkjet printhead.
    Optionally, said valve is a float valve positioned in said chamber.
    Optionally, said valve is opened when a float in said chamber falls below said predetermined first level.
    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at the inlet port of said chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, said chamber comprises an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink.
    Optionally, said pumping is by means of an inline ink pump.
    Optionally, said ink pump is positioned in said downstream ink line.
    Optionally, said ink pump is a peristaltic pump.
    Optionally, said pump is reversible.
    Optionally, ink is recycled from said downstream ink line back into said chamber during priming.
    Optionally, said chamber comprises a return port connected to said downstream ink line, and a snorkel extending from said return port to above the ink in said chamber.
    Optionally, said ink is filtered prior to being recycled back into said chamber.
    Optionally, ink drains from said ink reservoir into said ink chamber under gravity.
    Optionally, said ink chamber functions as a pressure-regulating chamber during normal printing, said chamber controlling a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to said printhead.
    Optionally, said priming and said replenishment of ink occur concomitantly.
    Optionally, said printhead comprises:
    
        an ink distribution manifold having said ink inlet and said ink outlet; and
        one or more printhead integrated circuits mounted on said manifold, each printhead integrated circuit comprising a plurality of nozzles.
    
    
    Optionally, said priming comprises filling said manifold with ink and priming said printhead integrated circuits by capillary action.
    In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a method of depriming a printhead, said method comprising the steps of:


(i) providing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of ink, an ink inlet and an ink outlet;
(ii) providing an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to said ink inlet via an upstream ink line, said ink chamber having an inlet port controlled by a valve;
(iii) depriming said printhead by pumping ink from a downstream ink line connected to said ink outlet, through said printhead and into said ink chamber; and
(iv) closing said valve when a level of ink in said chamber reaches a predetermined first level, thereby isolating said ink chamber from an ink reservoir in fluid communication with said inlet port.

    Optionally, said printhead is a pagewidth inkjet printhead.
    Optionally, said valve is a float valve positioned in said chamber.
    Optionally, said valve is closed when a float in said chamber reaches said predetermined first level.
    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at the inlet port of said chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, said chamber comprises an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink.
    Optionally, said pumping is by means of an inline ink pump.
    Optionally, said ink pump is positioned in said downstream ink line.
    Optionally, said ink pump is a peristaltic pump.
    Optionally, said pump is reversible.
    Optionally, said chamber comprises a return port connected to said downstream ink line, and a snorkel extending from said return port to above the ink in said chamber.
    Optionally, said downstream ink line comprises inline filters positioned on either side of said pump.
    Optionally, said ink chamber functions as a pressure-regulating chamber during normal printing, said chamber controlling a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to said printhead.
    Optionally, said valve is configured to be closed for at least the duration of said depriming.
    Optionally, the method further comprising the steps of:
    
        (v) removing said deprimed printhead; and
        (vi) replacing said deprimed printhead with a replacement printhead.
    
    
    Optionally, the method further comprising the step of:
    
        (vii) priming said replacement printhead by pumping ink from said ink chamber, through said printhead and into said downstream ink line.
    
    
    In a sixth aspect the present invention provides a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead, said chamber comprising:


an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line;
an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of a printhead via an upstream ink line;
an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink; and
a float valve for maintaining said predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into said inlet port, wherein said float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure at said inlet port.

    Optionally, said float valve comprises:
    
        an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
        a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
        a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at the inlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber.

    
    
    Optionally, said valve head comprises an umbrella sealing cap for closure of the valve seat.
    Optionally, an outer surface of a base of said chamber comprises said valve seat.
    Optionally, said float valve is configured such that downward movement of said valve stem towards said base unseats said umbrella cap from said valve seat.
    Optionally, said positive ink pressure at said inlet port urges said umbrella sealing cap against said valve seat.
    Optionally, the positive ink pressure is provided by said ink reservoir positioned above said chamber.
    Optionally, said valve stem is positioned between said pivot and said float.
    Optionally, said inlet port and said outlet port are positioned towards a base of said chamber.
    Optionally, the pressure-regulating chamber comprising a return port positioned at a base of said chamber.
    Optionally, the pressure-regulating chamber comprising a snorkel extending from said return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above said first level of ink;
    Optionally, the pressure-regulating chamber comprising a roof cavity, and wherein said snorkel has a snorkel outlet positioned in said roof cavity.
    Optionally, said air vent comprises an air-permeable membrane, which is impervious to ink.
    Optionally, said return port comprises an inline ink filter.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a printhead cartridge installed in a print engine of a printer;
FIG. 2 shows the print engine without the printhead cartridge installed to expose inlet and outlet ink manifolds;
FIG. 3 is a perspective of the complete printhead cartridge;
FIG. 4 shows the printhead cartridge of FIG. 3 with the protective cover removed;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the printhead cartridge shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of a printhead, which forms part of the printhead cartridge shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a schematic of the fluidics system according to the present invention;
FIG. 8A shows a valve arrangement in closed position; and
FIG. 8B shows the valve arrangement of FIG. 8A in an open position.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Print Engine and Printhead Cartridge Overview
FIG. 1 shows a printhead cartridge 2 installed in a print engine 3. The print engine 3 is the mechanical heart of a printer which can have many different external casing shapes, ink tank locations and capacities, as well as media feed and collection trays. The printhead cartridge 2 can be inserted in and removed from the print engine 3 enabling periodic replacement. To remove the printhead cartridge 2, a user lifts a latch 27 and lifts the cartridge out from the print engine 3. FIG. 2 shows the print engine 3 with the printhead cartridge 2 removed.
When inserting the printhead cartridge 2 into the print engine 3, electrical and fluidic connections are made between the cartridge and the print engine. Contacts 33 on the printhead cartridge 2 (see FIG. 4) engage with complementary contacts (not shown) on the print engine 3. In addition, an ink inlet manifold 48 and an ink outlet manifold 50 on the printhead cartridge 2 mate with complementary sockets 20 on the print engine 3. The ink inlet manifold coupling 48 provides a plurality of ink inlets for the printhead cartridge 2, each corresponding to a different color channel. Likewise, the ink outlet manifold coupling 50 provides a plurality of ink outlets for the printhead cartridge 2, each corresponding to a different color channel. As will be explained in more detail below, the fluidics system of the present invention typically requires ink to flow through the printhead cartridge 2, from an ink inlet to an ink outlet, in order to achieve priming and depriming of the printhead.
Referring again to FIG. 2, with the printhead cartridge 2 removed, apertures 22 are revealed in each of the sockets 20. Each aperture 22 receives a complementary spout 52 and 54 on the inlet and outlet manifolds 48 and 50, respectively (see FIG. 5).
Ink is supplied to a rear of an inlet socket 20B from pressure-regulating chambers 106, which are usually mounted towards a base of the print engine 3 (see FIG. 19). The pressure-regulating chambers receive ink by gravity from ink tanks 128 mounted elsewhere on the print engine 3.
Ink exits from a rear of an outlet socket 20A, which is connected via conduits to a bubble-bursting box (not shown in FIG. 2). Details of the fluidic system and its components will be described in greater detail below.
FIG. 3 is a perspective of the complete printhead cartridge 2 removed from the print engine 3. The printhead cartridge 2 has a top molding 44 and a removable protective cover 42. The top molding 44 has a central web for structural stiffness and to provide textured grip surfaces 58 for manipulating the cartridge during insertion and removal. A base portion of the protective cover 42 protects printhead ICs 30 and the line of contacts 33 (see FIG. 4) prior to installation in the printer. Caps 56 are integrally formed with the base portion and cover ink inlet spouts 52 and outlet spouts 54 (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 4 shows the printhead cartridge 2 with its protective cover 42 removed to expose printhead ICs (not shown in FIG. 4) on a bottom surface and the line of contacts 33 on a side surface of the printhead cartridge. The protective cover 42 may be either discarded or fitted to a printhead cartridge being replaced so as to contain any leakage from residual ink.
FIG. 5 is partially exploded perspective of the printhead cartridge 2. The top cover molding 44 has been removed to reveal the inlet manifold coupling 48 and the outlet manifold coupling 50. Inlet and outlet shrouds 46 and 47 have also been removed to expose the five inlet spouts 52 and five outlet spouts 54. The inlet and outlet spouts 52 and 54 connect with corresponding ink inlets 60 and ink outlets 61 in an LCP cavity molding 72 attached to the inlet and outlet manifolds 48 and 50. The ink inlets 60 and ink outlets 61 are each in fluid communication with corresponding main channels 24 in an LCP channel molding 68 (see FIG. 6).
Referring now to FIG. 6, the five main channels 24 extend the length of the LCP channel molding 68 and feed into a series of fine channels (not shown) on the underside of the LCP molding 68. The LCP cavity molding 72, having a plurality of air cavities 26 defined therein, mates with a topside of the LCP channel molding 68 such that the air cavities fluidically communicate with the main channels 24. The air cavities 26 serve to dampen shock waves or pressure pulses in ink being supplied along the main channels 24 by compressing air in the cavities.
A die attach film 66 has one surface bonded to an underside of the LCP channel molding 68 and an opposite surface bonded to a plurality of printhead ICs 30. A plurality of laser-ablated holes 67 in the film 66 provide fluidic communication between the printhead ICs 30 and the main channels 24. Further details of the arrangement of the printhead ICs 30, the film 66 and the LCP channel molding 68 can be found in the US Publication No. 2007/0206056, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. Further details of the inlet manifold 48 and outlet manifold 50 can be found in, for example, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/014,769 filed Jan. 16, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Electrical connections to the printhead ICs 30 are provided by a flex PCB 70 which wraps around the LCP moldings 72 and 68, and connects with wirebonds 64 extending from bond pads (not shown) on each printhead IC 30. The wirebonds 64 are protected with wirebond protector 62. As described above, the flex PCB 70 includes the contacts 33, which connect with complementary contacts in the print engine 3 when the printhead cartridge 2 is installed for use.
Fluidics System
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the printhead cartridge 2 has a plurality of ink inlets 60 and ink outlets 61, which can feed ink through main channels 24 in the LCP channel molding 68 to which printhead ICs 30 are attached. The fluidics system, which supplies ink to and from the printhead, will now be described in detail. For the avoidance of doubt, a “printhead” may comprise, for example, the LCP channel molding 68 together with the printhead ICs 30 attached thereto. Thus, any printhead assembly with at least one ink inlet and, optionally, at least one ink outlet may be termed “printhead” herein.
Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown schematically a fluidic system 100 in accordance with the present invention. Relative positioning of each component of the system 100 will be described herein with reference to the schematic drawings. However, it will be appreciated that the exact positioning of each component in the print engine 3 will be a matter of design choice for the person skilled in the art.
For simplicity, the fluidics system 100 is shown for one color channel. Single color channel printheads are, of course, within the ambit of the present invention. However, the fluidics system 100 is more usually used in connection with a full color inkjet printhead having a plurality of color channels (e.g. five color channels as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Whilst the following discussion generally relates to one color channel, the skilled person will readily appreciate that multiple color channels may use corresponding fluidics systems.
Normal Printing
Typically, during normal printing, it is necessary to maintain a constant hydrostatic ink pressure in the fluidics system, which is negative relative to atmospheric pressure. A negative hydrostatic ink pressure is necessary to prevent printhead face flooding when printing ceases. Indeed, most commercially available inkjet printheads operate at negative hydrostatic ink pressures, which is usually achieved through the use of a capillary foam in an ink tank.
In the fluidic system 100, a pressure-regulating chamber 106 supplies ink 104 to an ink inlet 108 of the printhead via an upstream ink line 134. The pressure-regulating chamber 106 is positioned below the printhead 102 and maintains a predetermined set level 110 of ink therein. The height h of the printhead 102 above this set level 110 controls the hydrostatic pressure of ink 104 supplied to the printhead. The actual hydrostatic pressure is governed by the well-known equation: p=ρgh, where p is the hydrostatic ink pressure, ρ is the ink density, g is acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of the set level 110 of ink relative to the printhead 102. The printhead 102 is typically positioned at a height of about 10 to 300 mm above the set level 110 of ink, optionally about 50 to 200 mm, optionally about 80 to 150 mm, or optionally about 90 to 120 mm above the set level.
Gravity provides a very reliable and stable means for controlling the hydrostatic ink pressure. Provided that the set level 110 remains constant, then the hydrostatic ink pressure will also remain constant.
The pressure-regulating chamber 106 comprises a float valve for maintaining the set level 110 during normal printing. The float valve comprises a lever arm 112, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot 114 positioned at one of the arm, and a float 116 mounted at the other end of the arm 112. A valve stem 118 is connected to the arm 112, between the pivot 114 and the float 116, to provide a second-class lever. The valve stem 118 has valve head, in the form of an umbrella cap 119, fixed to a distal end of the valve stem relative to the arm 112. The valve stem 118 is slidably received in a valve guide so that the umbrella cap 119 can sealingly engage with a valve seat 122. This valve arrangement controls flow of ink through an inlet port 124 of the pressure-regulating chamber 106. The inlet port 124 is positioned towards a base of the chamber 106.
The set level 110 is determined by the buoyancy of the float 116 in the ink 104 (as well as the position of the chamber 106 relative to the printhead 102). The umbrella cap 119 should seal against the seat 122 at the set level 110, but should unseal upon any downward movement of the float 116 (and thereby the valve stem 118). Preferably, there should be minimum hysteresis in the float valve so as to minimize variations in hydrostatic pressure.
When the float valve is closed, the umbrella cap 119 is urged against the seat 122 (defined by an outer surface of a base of the chamber) by positive ink pressure from the ink reservoir 128. This positive sealing pressure minimizes any ink leakages from the chamber 106 via the inlet port 124 when the valve is closed. FIG. 8A shows the valve in a closed position, with the umbrella cap 119 engaged with the valve seat 122.
As ink 104 is drawn from an outlet port 126 of the chamber 106 during normal printing, the float 116 incrementally moves downwards, which unseats the umbrella cap 119 and opens the inlet port 124, thereby allowing ink to refill the chamber from the ink reservoir 128 positioned above the chamber. In this way, the set level 110 is maintained and the hydrostatic ink pressure in the printhead 102 remains constant. FIG. 8B shows the valve in an open position, with the umbrella cap 119 unseated from the valve seat 122.
The float 116 preferably occupies a relatively large volume of the chamber 106 so as to provide maximum valve closure force. This closure force is amplified by the lever arm 112. However, the float 116 should be configured so that it does not touch sidewalls of the chamber 106 so as to avoid sticking.
Ink 104 is supplied to the pressure-regulating chamber 106 by the ink reservoir 128 positioned at any height above the set level 110. The ink reservoir 128 is typically a user-replaceable ink tank or ink cartridge, which connects with an ink supply line 130 when installed in the printer. The ink supply line 130 provides fluidic communication between the ink reservoir 128 and the inlet port 124 of the pressure-regulating chamber 106.
The ink reservoir 128 vents to atmosphere via a first air vent 132, which opens into a headspace of the ink reservoir. Accordingly, the ink 104 can simply drain into the pressure-regulating chamber 106 when the float valve opens the inlet port 124. The vent 132 comprises a hydrophobic serpentine channel 135, which minimizes ink losses through the vent when the ink cartridge is tipped. The vent 132 may also be covered by a one-time use sealing strip (not shown), which is removed prior to installation of an ink cartridge in the printer.
The printhead 102 has an ink inlet 108, which connects to the outlet port 126 via an upstream ink line 134. The printhead 102 is removable by means of the inlet and outlet couplings 48 and 50.
It will be understood that pressure-regulation as described above may be achieved with ‘closed’ printheads having an ink inlet, but no ink outlet. However, for the purposes of priming (described below), the printhead 102 shown in FIG. 7 also has an ink outlet 136, which is connected to a downstream ink line 138 via the outlet coupling 50. The downstream ink line 138 is connected to a return port 152 of the chamber 106 and comprises an inline peristaltic ink pump 140. The pump 140 divides the downstream ink line into a pump inlet line 149 and a pump outlet line 150.
The return port 152 is positioned at the base of the chamber and is connected to a snorkel 160 which extends towards the roof of the chamber above the level of ink 104. The pump outlet line 150 has an inline filter 154 between the pump 140 and the return port 152. The chamber 106 and snorkel 160 are configured so that a snorkel outlet 161 is always above the level of ink 104, even if the level of ink reaches the roof the chamber. For example, the snorkel outlet 161 may be positioned in a roof cavity of the chamber 106. It will be appreciated that the snorkel 160 may be defined by a channel or cavity in a sidewall of the chamber so as to maximize space inside the chamber 106.
During normal printing, the pump 140 is left open and the hydrostatic pressure of ink in the fluidics system 100 is controlled solely by the set level 110 of ink in the pressure-regulating chamber 106. A second air vent 162 is provided in a roof of the chamber 106, and communicates with a headspace via an air-permeable membrane 163 (e.g. Goretex®). Since ink 104 in the upstream ink line 134 and the downstream ink line 138 is open to atmosphere via the second air vent 164, this ink is held at the same hydrostatic pressure. Hence, ink in the snorkel 160 equilibrates at the set level 110 during normal printing when the pump 140 is left open. To this end, it is important that the downstream ink line 138 has a “loop section” 137 which passes below the level of the set level 110, allowing equilibration of the upstream and downstream sides of the printhead 102 to the set level. The return port 152, positioned in the base of the pressure-regulating chamber 106, and the snorkel 160 effectively ensure that this is the case.
Dampening of Ink Pressure Surges
As mentioned above, the printhead 102 is provided with a plurality of air cavities 26, which are configured to dampen fluidic pressure pulses as ink is supplied to printhead nozzles. Ink pressure surges are problematic in high-speed pagewidth printing and high quality printing is preferably achieved when ink is supplied at a substantially constant hydrostatic pressure. The air cavities 26 are configured and dimensioned to dampen high-frequency pressure pulses in the fluidics system by compressing air trapped in the cavities.
In order to dampen low-frequency ink pressure pulses, the pump inlet line 149 (which is a section of the downstream ink line 138) communicates with an air accumulator 139 having a larger volume than each of the air cavities 26. Low-frequency ink pressure pulses are dampened by compressing air trapped in the air accumulator 139.
The air accumulator 139 may alternatively form part of the printhead 102, although positioning in the downstream ink line 138 is preferred, since over-dampening in the printhead can adversely affect the ability of the printhead to prime.
The combination of the air cavities 26 and the air accumulator 139 provides excellent dampening of both high-frequency and low-frequency ink pressure pulses during normal printing. Moreover, the gravity-controlled supply of ink from the pressure-regulating chamber 106 provides a stable and accurate hydrostatic pressure in the fluidics system 100 during printing.
Printhead Priming
Printhead priming may be required after replacement of a printhead 102, when a printer is first set up, or when a printer has been left idle for long periods. Printhead priming requires ink 104 to be fed into the ink inlet 108 of the printhead 102 via the upstream ink line 134, through the printhead 102 and out again via the ink outlet 136 connected to the downstream ink line 138. Once the ink 104 is fed through the main channels 24 in the LCP channel molding 68 of the printhead 102, the printhead ICs 30 are primed by capillary action.
Referring to FIG. 7, the reversible peristaltic pump is switched on in a forward (i.e. priming direction) so as to pump ink from the outlet port 126, through the printhead 102 and back to the return port 152. In this priming configuration, the pump 140 has an arbitrary pump outlet 144 and a pump inlet 146. Self-evidently, since the pump is reversible, the pump outlet 144 and inlet 146 may be reversed. However, for the sake of clarity, the system 100 is described with reference to the arbitrary pump outlet and inlet designations defined above.
Pumping is timed and may be continued for a period necessary to fully prime the printhead 102 and/or pump out all air bubbles from the fluidics system 100. Hence, even if the printhead 102 has already been primed, a priming operation may still be required to eradicate air bubbles, which may have accumulated since the last priming operation (for example, by atmospheric pressure changes, atmospheric temperature fluctuations, printhead cooling etc). It should be noted that recycling of ink via the return port 152 during priming ensures that no ink is wasted, even if ink is pumped through the system for a relatively long period e.g. 5-30 seconds.
An inline filter 154 is positioned between the return port 152 and the pump outlet 144 to protect the printhead 102 from any potential pump debris during priming. The filter 154 may be a component of the pressure-regulating chamber 106, as shown schematically in FIG. 7.
When ink 104 is pumped from the chamber 106 to a deprimed printhead, the level of ink 104 in the chamber initially drops as the ink fills up the LCP channels 24 and downstream ink line 138. When the level of ink in the chamber 106 drops, the float valve opens the inlet port 124, allowing ink in the chamber to be replenished from the ink reservoir 128 (by analogy with the operation of the float valve during normal printing). Hence, the float valve can maintain the set level 110 during initial priming. After a short period of pumping, equilibrium is reached whereby ink drools from the snorkel outlet 161 at the same rate as ink is being pumped from the outlet port 126. Since the level of ink in the chamber is at the set level 110, the inlet port is closed by the float valve once ink begins to flow from the snorkel outlet 161. Ink may be circulated around the system in this equilibrium state for any period sufficient to ensure removal of air bubbles, and without wasting any ink.
During priming (or depriming), the ink reservoir 128 is protected from any backflow of ink from the chamber 106 by an inline check-valve 170. The check valve 170 is positioned in the ink supply line 130 interconnecting the ink reservoir 128 and the inlet port 124, typically as part of a coupling 172 to the ink reservoir. The check valve 170 allows ink to drain from the ink reservoir 128 into the chamber 106, but does not allow ink to flow in the opposite direction.
Printhead Depriming
In order to replace a printhead 102, the old printhead must first be deprimed. Without such depriming, replacement of printheads would be an intolerably messy operation. During depriming, the peristaltic pump 140 is reversed and ink is drawn from the downstream ink line 138, through the printhead 102, and back into the pressure-regulating chamber 106 via the outlet port 126.
Since the level of ink 104 in the pressure-regulating chamber 106 now rises, the float valve closes the inlet port 124, thereby isolating the chamber 106 from the ink reservoir 128. Hence, the float valve not only regulates the hydrostatic ink pressure during normal printing, but also serves to isolate the pressure-regulating chamber 106 from the ink reservoir 128 during depriming. Of course, the pressure-regulating chamber should have sufficient capacity to accommodate the ink received therein during depriming.
Significantly, there is minimal or no ink wastage during depriming, because ink in the printhead 102 and downstream conduit 138 is all recycled back into the pressure-regulating chamber 106 for re-use.
A filter system 180 protects the printhead 102 from potential pump debris during depriming. The filter system 180 comprises an inline filter 182 in the pump inlet line 149 and an optional check-valve loop 184, which ensures ink is forced through the filter 182 during de-priming but not during priming. Hence, any pump debris is confined in the section of the downstream ink line 138 between the two filters 154 and 182, and cannot therefore contaminate the printhead 102.
Once all the ink in the downstream ink line 138, the printhead 102 and the upstream ink line 134 has been drawn into the pressure-regulating chamber 106, the pump 140 is switched off. The pump 140 is typically switched off after predetermined period of time (e.g. 2-30 seconds). When the pump is switched off, some ink 104 from the pressure-regulating chamber 106 flows into the upstream line 134 until it equalizes with the level of ink in the chamber 106. Since, at this stage of depriming, the volume of ink 104 in the pressure-regulating chamber is relatively high, the ink equalizes at a level higher than the set level 110, and the float valve keeps the inlet port 124 closed. Hence, ink 104 is prevented from draining from the ink reservoir 128 into the upstream ink line 134, because the float valve isolates the ink reservoir from the chamber 106.
After the depriming operation and with the pump is switched off, the printhead 102 may be removed and replaced with a replacement printhead. Since the printhead 102 is drained of ink by the depriming operation, the replacement operation may be performed relatively cleanly.
Once installed, the replacement (unprimed) printhead may be primed by the priming operation described above.
It will, of course, be appreciated that the present invention has been described purely by way of example and that modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims.

## Claims

1. A pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead, said chamber comprising:
an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line;
an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line;
a return port for connection to an ink outlet of the printhead via a downstream ink line;
a snorkel extending from said return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above said first level of ink;
an air vent open to atmosphere, said air vent communicating with a headspace above said ink; and
a float valve for maintaining said predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into said inlet port.

2. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1, wherein said float valve comprises:
an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot;
a float mounted at one end of said arm; and
a valve stem attached to said arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat,

wherein said valve seat is positioned at the inlet port of said pressure-regulating chamber.

3. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 2, wherein said valve head comprises an umbrella cap for closure of the valve seat.

4. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 3, wherein an outer surface of a base of said chamber comprises said valve seat.

5. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 3, wherein said float valve is configured such that downward movement of said valve stem unseats said umbrella cap from said valve seat.

6. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 5, wherein a positive ink pressure at said inlet port urges said umbrella cap against said valve seat.

7. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 6, wherein the positive ink pressure is provided by an ink reservoir positioned above said chamber and in fluid communication with said inlet port.

8. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 2, wherein said valve stem is positioned between said pivot and said float.

9. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1, wherein said inlet port and said outlet port are positioned towards a base of said chamber.

10. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1, wherein said return port is positioned at a base of said chamber.

11. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1, wherein said air vent comprises an air-permeable membrane, which is impervious to ink.

12. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1 comprising a roof cavity, and wherein said snorkel has a snorkel outlet positioned in said roof cavity.

13. The pressure-regulating chamber of claim 1, wherein said return port comprises an inline ink filter.