FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR PRIMING PRINTHEAD
A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, the fluid being drawn from the container in a first direction around the closed loop by the printhead during printing and a pump on the closed loop, the pump being operational to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around the closed loop.
1 . A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system comprising:
a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, the fluid being drawn from the container in a first direction around the closed loop by the printhead during printing; and
a pump on said closed loop, the pump being operational to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around said closed loop.
2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is an elongate printhead spanning a media width, said closed loop comprising a first path between the container and a first longitudinal end of the printhead and a second path between the container and a second longitudinal end of the printhead.
3 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the pump is located on the second path.
4 . A system according to claim 3 , wherein the second path connects with the container at a point higher than a point at which the first path connects with the container.
5 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.