METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING THE COMPLETE TRANSFER OF LIQUID DROPS FROM A NOZZLE
First Claim
1. A device for transferring liquid droplets comprising:
- a nozzle having an orifice with an inner circumferential surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface is serrated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A printhead device for transferring liquid droplets from a nozzle includes a liquid source coupled to a nozzle via a microchannel. The nozzle is formed from an orifice having an inner circumferential surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface is serrated. Liquid droplets are transported from the source to the nozzle using a liquid droplet driver (e.g., employing a plurality of driving electrodes). Transfer of droplets to another surface can be accomplished by contacting a bulging droplet in the nozzle with a printing surface. The surface and/or nozzle are then moved relative to one another to effectuate complete transfer of the liquid drop from the nozzle.
168 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for transferring liquid droplets comprising:
a nozzle having an orifice with an inner circumferential surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface is serrated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for transferring liquid droplets comprising:
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a substrate;
a plurality of liquid sources disposed in the substrate, each source being coupled to at least one microchannel contained in the substrate and each microchannel being further coupled to a nozzle, wherein each nozzle comprises a substantially circular orifice having an inner circumferential surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface is serrated; and
a liquid droplet driver associated with each microchannel for transporting fluid from the sources to the nozzles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of transferring liquid droplets to a surface comprising:
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providing a printhead for transferring liquid droplets to a surface, the printhead comprising;
a liquid source;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid source, the nozzle comprising a substantially circular orifice having an inner circumferential surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface is serrated; and
a liquid droplet driver for transporting fluid from the liquid source to the nozzle;
providing the liquid source with a liquid;
providing the surface adjacent to the nozzle;
transporting one or more droplets from the liquid source to the nozzle such that at least a portion of the one or more droplets bulges outwardly toward the surface;
contacting the droplet with the surface; and
moving the surface away from the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification