Fluid Distribution System for Pressure Control at Printhead

1 . A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system comprising:

a first fluid container;

a fluid connector for connection to a fluid input of the printhead; and

a second fluid container connected between the first container and the connector for delivering fluid from the first container to the connector,

wherein the second container is located relative to the first container and the connector so that a fluid pressure difference between fluid contained within the second container and fluid at the connector is independent of the amount of fluid contained within the first container.

2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein a fluid pressure at fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead is a negative fluid pressure.

3 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein during fluid ejection at the nozzles of the printhead fluid is drawn from the second container to the printhead via the fluid connector.

4 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein as fluid is drawn from the second container the second container draws fluid from the first container so as to maintain a predetermined fluid level in the second container.

5 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein the second container comprises a valve connected between an inlet of the second container and a fluid path interconnecting the first and second containers, the valve being operated to allow fluid flow from the first to the second container when a fluid level in the second container is less than the predetermined fluid level.

6 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the first container is at a position higher than the second container and the printhead.

7 . A system according to claim 6 , wherein the second container is positioned lower than the printhead.