Ink supply system

摘要

An ink supply system for an ink jet printer, particularly a continuous ink jet printer, has a manifold assembly of two parts that are brought together at interfacing surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of ink flow channels for conveying ink around an ink circuit between components. The other of the interfacing surfaces is configured to close and seal the channels. A plurality of ports is provided in fluid communication with the channels, the circuit components being connectable to the ports. The manifold assembly provides for a compact and neat arrangement free of many tubes and pipes. The lower number of connections significantly reduces the risk of leakage.

主权项

1. A continuous ink jet printer comprising a print head and an ink supply system for supplying ink to a print head, the ink supply system comprising:
an ink reservoir; a core module comprising:
a housing;a connection manifold disposed on the housing and comprising a plurality of ports providing fluid communication into and out of the core module;a plurality of components disposed within the housing, comprising:an ink filter module, the filter module comprising a fluid filter, the ink filter module having an inlet and an outlet; anda first pump for conveying ink from the ink reservoir through at least some of the plurality of components;a second pump for conveying ink from the print head to the ink reservoir, the second pump in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of ports; the ink supply system further comprising an ink circuit in fluid communication with the components and the ports, and comprising fluid paths for conveying ink between the components; the ink filter module being connected to the connection manifold such that the ink filter module inlet and outlet are each in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports on the connection manifold.