Article for dispensing small volumes of liquid
First Claim
1. An article for dispensing a small volume of liquid, comprising:
- a fluid-dispensing member having two opposed surfaces in spaced relation to one another, the surfaces and space therebetween operable to generate a capillary effect;
an actuator operable to accelerate and then abruptly decelerate the fluid-dispensing member, said abrupt deceleration causing liquid held between the two opposed surfaces to discharge therefrom; and
a liquid director physically configured to substantially eliminate deviations in a path followed by said liquid discharged from the fluid-dispensing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for handling and dispensing small volumes of liquid, and apparatus for carrying out the method, are disclosed. A small volume of liquid, which is retained within a fluid-dispensing member, is dispensed therefrom by accelerating, and then abruptly decelerating, the member. The abrupt deceleration causes the retained liquid to discharge. The discharged liquid may be directed toward a receiver. A micro volume liquid dispenser for practicing the method includes a plurality of fluid-dispensing members configured for aspiring and retaining a small liquid volume via capillary action. The dispenser further includes an actuator for moving/accelerating the fluid-dispensing members and for stopping/abruptly decelerating the fluid-dispensing members.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An article for dispensing a small volume of liquid, comprising:
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a fluid-dispensing member having two opposed surfaces in spaced relation to one another, the surfaces and space therebetween operable to generate a capillary effect; an actuator operable to accelerate and then abruptly decelerate the fluid-dispensing member, said abrupt deceleration causing liquid held between the two opposed surfaces to discharge therefrom; and a liquid director physically configured to substantially eliminate deviations in a path followed by said liquid discharged from the fluid-dispensing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A micro volume liquid dispenser, comprising:
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a fluid-dispensing member operable to generate a capillary effect; a biasing element mechanically linked to the fluid-dispensing member, wherein said biasing element is operable to accelerate said fluid-dispensing member; a first stop member depending from said fluid-dispensing member, wherein said first stop member is accelerated with said fluid-dispensing member, a second stop member that is substantially nonmovable and is aligned to engage the first stop member after said first stop member has been accelerated, and is further aligned to prevent said fluid-dispensing member from contacting a liquid receiving surface; and a liquid director physically configured to substantially eliminate deviations in a path followed by said liquid discharged from the fluid-dispensing member. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for discharging a small volume of liquid, comprising:
accelerating a liquid carrier operable to retain liquid via a capillary effect;
abruptly decelerating the liquid carrier while preventing it from contacting a surface of a receiver; and
directing said liquid along a liquid director that extends beyond said liquid carrier towards said receiver.- View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An article for dispensing a small volume of liquid, comprising:
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a fluid-dispensing member having two opposed surfaces in spaced relation to one another, the surfaces and space therebetween operable to generate a capillary effect; an actuator operable to accelerate and then abruptly decelerate the fluid-dispensing member, said abrupt deceleration causing liquid held between the two opposed surfaces to discharge therefrom; and a tightening screw operably connected to the two opposed surfaces, the tightening screw operable to change the space between said two opposed surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. An article for dispensing a small volume of liquid, comprising:
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a fluid-dispensing member operable to generate a capillary effect; means for accelerating said fluid-dispensing member; means for rapidly decelerating said fluid dispensing member; means for preventing said fluid-dispensing member from contacting a receiver that receives liquid dispensed from said fluid-dispensing member upon said rapid deceleration; and means for substantially eliminating deviations in a path followed by said liquid dispensed from said fluid-dispensing member. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification