Patent ID: 8641177

Claim:
A diaphragm valve for distributing ink from an ink source to a media width inkjet printhead, the valve comprising: a body; a plurality of ports on the body for connection to the ink source and printhead; a chamber within the body via which the ports are able to be interconnected; a diaphragm pad having seals for sealing respective ones of the ports; and a selection device for manipulating the diaphragm pad to selectively seal and un-seal the ports to establish interconnection between the ports thereby allowing ink flow therebetween, wherein the plurality of ports comprises a first port for connection to the ink source, a second port for connection to the printhead, a third port for connection to a bypass ink path which bypasses the printhead on a closed ink flow loop interconnecting the printhead and ink source, and a fourth port for connection to a gas vent on said closed loop.