Patent ID: 8403457

Claim:
A drop on-demand inkjet device comprising: an inkjet printing apparatus having a plurality of inkjet ejectors, the inkjet printing apparatus being configured to purge ink from the inkjet ejectors; an ink reservoir configured to supply ink to the plurality of inkjet ejectors; a gutter having a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall that form a volume for ink collection, the gutter being positioned proximate to the plurality of inkjet ejectors to receive ink purged through the plurality of inkjet ejectors; a membrane positioned within the volume for ink collection to divide the volume for ink collection into a collection reservoir and a flow channel, the membrane having a plurality of pores having a predetermined size that establishes a first pressure for ink flow through the membrane and a second pressure for air flow through the membrane when the membrane is wetted by ink, the second pressure having a magnitude that is greater than a magnitude of the first pressure; and a port extending through the back wall to enable fluid communication with the flow channel through the port.