Patent ID: 8857933

Claim:
An ink supply system comprising: a reservoir including: a first portion configured to receive a supply of ink and to hold a volume of free ink, the first portion at least one exit port configured to supply ink to a printhead, wherein the first portion includes an ink level detection mechanism configured to detect the level of free ink in the first portion to maintain the level of free ink with a predetermined volume range; and a second portion defining a generally hollow chamber positioned vertically above, and in communication with, the first portion, and including: at least one vacuum port vertically spaced apart from the first portion and exposed to apply vacuum pressure on the free ink: and a first sensor vertically spaced apart from the first portion and positioned within the chamber, the first sensor configured to trigger, upon contact from ink in the second portion, termination of the supply of ink or printing via the reservoir, wherein the first sensor is separate from, and independent of, the ink level detection mechanism.