To provide a compact out-of-axis print system having high throughput and high reliability.
A tube circulating constitution is used for a printing system 10 having an out-of-axis ink supply system. This system has a printer housing and a feeding unit for feeding printing medium along a medium route to a printing area. A scanning carriage 16 holds a print cartridge 18 having a print head so that its head is opposed to the area. Carriage scanners 22, 24 move the carriage 16 along a scanning axis crossed with the route on the area. An out-of-axis ink supply unit 30 is mounted at a fixed position of the housing. A hollow flexible tube 35 is connected from the carriage 16 to the unit 30 to provide an ink supply route for the print cartridge. This tube is circulated between the carriage 16 and the unit 30 so as to form a loop in itself, the loop is substantially included in a vertical projection of a carriage feeding volume, thereby eliminating additional product volume for the tube.
LEE TED T
WILLIAMS KENNETH R
MCFADDEN BRUCE A
PAWLOWSKI NORMAN E JR
BOWEN MICHAEL K
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