Method of applying droplets of an adhesive using an ink jet printer apparatus

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that adhesive is fed under pressure to the nozzle from which the adhesive issues as a single stream, the stream is stimulated to break up the stream into substantially uniformly sized and spaced apart droplets, the droplets are selectively charged and passed through a deflecting electric field whereby the droplets are caused to follow a selected flight path either to a selected position on the surface or to a catching means.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the stream of adhesive is broken up into discrete droplets by means of stimulation of the stream using a piezoelectric crystal.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the stream of adhesive passes one or more charge electrodes for selectively and variably charging the stream of adhesive as or before it breaks up into the drops; and in that the charged droplets pass between a pair of opposed deflector plates which are arranged on either side of the path of travel of the droplets and are suitably connected into an electric circuit for applying either a positive or negative charge thereto so that a steady electric field will be established therebetween.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the ink jet printing apparatus comprises means for directing a continuous stream of drops of the adhesive in a direction to traverse and not impinge on a surface to which the adhesive is to be applied, means for effecting relative movement between the said stream of drops and the said surface in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the stream of drops, means for selectively and variably electrically charging the drops in the said stream, and means for establishing a steady electric field about the path of travel of said stream of drops for deflecting the electrically charged drops onto said surface.