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Printing apparatus and method for controlling the spread of fluid around a nozzle orifice

  • US 6,257,700 B1
  • Filed: 01/24/1997
  • Issued: 07/10/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A printing apparatus comprising a print head, said print head comprising:

  • a first chamber into which a discharge medium is introduced;

    a second chamber into which a metering medium is introduced;

    a first nozzle having a first orifice, communicating with said first chamber;

    a second nozzle having a second orifice, communicating with said second chamber; and

    first and second piezo-electric elements connected to said first and second chambers, respectively;

    wherein said first and second nozzles are located in a nozzle member having a surface on which said first and second orifices are located, and further wherein said second piezo-electric element moves said metering medium from said second orifice to said first orifice through said surface, and a groove is formed in said surface between said first and second orifices, wherein said first and second nozzles are located between said first and second chambers, and wherein both first and second orifices have diameters, a width of said groove is smaller than said diameter of said second orifice, and a depth of said groove becomes gradually smaller from said second orifice to said first orifice.

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