FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAVING MULTI-PATH, MULTI-CHANNEL VALVE FOR BYPASSED PRINTHEAD
A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each of the closed loops via the printhead and the respective bypass paths.
1 . A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system comprising:
a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops;
a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops; and
a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each of the closed loops via the printhead and the respective bypass paths.
2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is an elongate printhead spanning a media width, each of the closed loops comprising a first path between the respective container and a first longitudinal end of the printhead and a second path between the respective container and a second longitudinal end of the printhead.
3 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein each bypass path bridges across the printhead between the respective first and second paths.
4 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the valve is located on the first path of each closed loop.
5 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein each closed loop and bypass path comprises fluid hoses.
6 . A valve according to claim 1 , wherein five fluid flow loops are provided between five fluid containers and the printhead.