Ink jet printhead having a preloaded check valve.

摘要

A preloaded check valve disposed in a valve body (1) between an ink reservoir (3) and a printhead (11) has a valve opening pressure or "cracking" pressure at least sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic pressure due to gravity of ink in the reservoir (3). This prevents depriming or leakage of ink at the orifices of the orifice plate (116) forming part of the ink ejecting mechanism. Ejection of ink during printing creates a pressure differential across the valve sufficient to cause it to open and replenish the ink supply at the ink ejecting mechanism.