PRINTING SYSTEM HAVING MULTI-PATH VALVE FOR BYPASSED PRINTHEAD
A printing system having a media width printhead, a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along the closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path.
1 . A printing system comprising:
a media width printhead;
a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop;
a bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on said closed loop; and
a multi-path valve on said closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along said closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path.
2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein said closed loop comprises a first path between the container and one longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead and a second path between the container and the other longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead.
3 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the bypass path bridges across the printhead between the first and second paths.
4 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the valve is located on the first path.
5 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein said closed loop and bypass path comprise fluid hoses.