# US 11,077,681 B2 · Printing system having multiple printheads and bypass lines

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- Number: US 11,077,681 B2
- Document ID: US11077681B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/919,010
- Filed: 2020-07-01
- Published: 2020-10-22
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2009-07-31
- Assignees: Memjet Technology Limited
- Applicants: Memjet Technology Limited
- Inventors: Robert Rosati; David Petch; David Burney; Jim Sykora; Kenneth A. Regas; Andy Bound; Neil Doherty; Scott Dennis; Ben Jones; Oksana Buyda; Locson Tonthat; Andrew Buyda; Patrick Kirk; Loren Hunt; Jason Dewey; Jim Trinchera; Bill Cressman; Ron Zech
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077681B2

## CPC

- B41J 11/0085: {Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226)}
- B41J 2/165: Prevention {or detection} of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J 2/16547: {the wipers and caps or spittoons being on the same movable support}
- B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads}
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/18: Ink recirculation systems
- B41J 3/543: {with multiple inkjet print heads (B41J2/17503, B41J2/2103 take precedence)}
- B41J 11/001: {Handling wide copy materials}
- B41J 11/007: {Conveyor belts or like feeding devices}
- B41J 29/02: Framework
- B41J 15/04: Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. A bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printing system comprising:
an ink supply;
a feed line coupled to the ink supply;
a return line coupled to the ink supply;
a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and
one or more bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line, wherein at least one of said bypass lines is open for both priming and printing operations.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein each printhead module comprises an ink manifold for delivering ink to a plurality of inkjet nozzles.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The printing system of claim 2, wherein each ink manifold comprises a plurality of layers bonded together.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, further comprising a pumping system configured to prime the printhead modules.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of printhead modules are removably mounted on a carrier extending across a width of a media path.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The printing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of printhead modules are arranged for pagewide printing.

### Claim 7

A method of printing using a printing system having:
an ink supply;
a feed line coupled to the ink supply;
a return line coupled to the ink supply;
a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and
one or more bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line, said method comprising the steps of:
opening the bypass line;
priming one or more of the printhead modules; and
printing from the printhead modules.