Patent ID: 6997625

Claim:
An ink distribution assembly for a printhead, comprising: a duct cover in which is formed a number of inlet ports; each inlet port being associated with a cross flow channel that extends from a port to a duct opening; the duct cover sealing against a distribution molding, the distribution molding having a longitudinal axis and a number of ducts running in parallel along the axis; each duct opening of the duct cover being located in registry with only one duct so that each port is in fluid communication with only one duct; all of the ducts having a lower duct portion which is sealed against and in fluid communication with an upper layer of a laminated ink distribution structure; the laminated ink distribution structure having a first layer in which is formed a number of first holes, each first hole being in registry with a lower duct portion; the laminated ink distribution structure having a number of subsequent layers, each subsequent layer having vertical passages and transverse channels for bringing a fluid from a duct, via the first layer, to one of a number of printhead chips located as an array in a chip restraining layer; an air duct within which is located an air valve molding formed as a channel with a series of apertures in its base; and the apertures having a spacing corresponding to air passages formed in the air duct so that the apertures can be brought into and out of alignment with the passages to selectively allow pressurized air through the laminated ink distribution structure to a cavity located between the a chip and a nozzle guard.