PRINTING SYSTEM HAVING MULTI-PATH VALVE FOR GAS VENTING
A printing system having a media width printhead, a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.
1 . A printing system comprising:
a media width printhead;
a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop;
a gas vent on said closed loop; and
a multi-path valve on said closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in said closed loop via the gas vent.
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 gas vent and the valve are located on the first path.
4 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the gas vent comprises a filter disposed at one end of a vent line, the opposed end of the vent line joining the first path.
5 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein the filter comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
6 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein said closed loop and vent line comprise fluid hoses.