Patent ID: 8070278

Claim:
A method of priming one or more printhead integrated circuits, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a printhead assembly comprising: an ink distribution manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; one or more printhead integrated circuits mounted on said manifold, each printhead integrated circuit comprising a plurality of nozzles; an upstream ink line connected to said ink inlet; and a downstream ink line connected to said ink outlet, wherein at least part of said printhead assembly contains ink bubbles; (ii) providing an ink chamber in fluid communication with said ink inlet via said upstream ink line; (iii) priming said printhead integrated circuits by drawing ink from said ink chamber, through said manifold and into said downstream ink line using a pump; (iv) bursting ink bubbles in said downstream ink line; (v) sensing for ink downstream of a bubble-bursting point in said downstream ink line; and (v) shutting off said pump when said ink is sensed.