Ink supply system for an array of ink jet heads

摘要

The present invention relates to ink supply system for an ink jet printer comprising a primary ink supply source and a secondary or temporary ink supply reservoir connected in series to an ink transfer conduit which delivers the ink upon demand to the ink jets of the print heads. The secondary ink supply reservoir comprises a thin flexible membrane which serves as the upper surface and which expands or contracts depending upon the amount of ink present in the reservoir. The presence of a proximity device senses the movement of the flexible membrane so as to monitor the quantity of ink present in the reservoir. The secondary reservoir acts as a static pressure regulator for ink entering the ink jets.