Consumable supply item, fluid reservoir and recirculation system for micro-fluid applications

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink (16). An interior (14) retains the ink while exit and return ports (20, 22) define openings through a housing (12) to fluidly communicate the interior (14) to the imaging device. The opening of the return port (22) is larger than the opening of the exit port (20). The design slows the return of fluid to the housing (12) which minimizes air bubbles or frothiness in the fluid. During use, ink depletes toward a bottom surface (18) of the interior (14) beneath which the ink (16) is prevented from occupying. A housing section (60) below the interior (14) retains a portion (62) of the exit port (20) so that a bottom (64) of the opening (48) of the exit port (20) is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface (18). It prevents stranding ink (16) beneath the exit port (20). Further embodiments include port configuration, construction, and modular components, to name a few.