Importance

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Abstract

An inkjet printing system with an automated ink replenishment station for replenishing printhead ink reservoirs mounted in a carriage from removable off-carriage ink supply containers. The system includes a printer frame and a scanning carriage mounted on the frame for traversing back and forth along a scan axis through a print zone. At least one printhead is mounted on the carriage, and has a sealed printhead ink reservoir and a normally closed inlet valve in fluid communication with the printhead ink reservoir for receiving ink. The ink replenishment station is located on the frame at one end of the scan axis, and includes an ink supply. A normally closed supply valve is provided at the ink replenishment station in communication with the ink supply capable of periodic connection to said inlet valve. With the carriage positioned at the replenishment station, an automated motorized mechanism moves the supply valve into engagement with the inlet valve to provide a fluid path for ink to flow from the ink supply to the printhead ink reservoir without manual intervention.

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First Claim