US4463359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Droplet generating method and apparatus thereof
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1980-03-24
•
Granted: 1984-07-31
•
Expires: 2000-03-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a method of and apparatus for emitting a droplet from an orifice by generating a bubble in a small liquid chamber in response to a droplet generating instruction. The method and apparatus are particularly characterized having gradual contraction of the bubble to prevent excessive recession of the orifice in the liquid chamber which recession would hinder subsequent droplet generation. For achieving the above-mentioned functions the droplet generating apparatus, or the droplet emitting head, is provided with a structure which allows effective generation and annihilation of the bubble. The present invention also provides a novel apparatus having emission heads in a staggered block arrangement for improving alignment density of the devices and elements and time-division drive circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Ayata
- 👤 Yoshiaki Shirato
- 👤 Yasushi Takatori
- 👤 Mitsuaki Seki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40025; H04N1/40031; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/04533; B41J2/04541; B41J2/04543; B41J2/0458; B41J2/04588; B41J2/0459; B41J2/04591; B41J2/04593; B41J2/07; B41J2/135; B41J2/145; B41J2/155; B41J2/21; B41J2/2121; B41J2/2128; B41J3/00; B41J3/62; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N1/1931; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/01; B41J2202/19; B41J2202/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
Apparatus comprising: means for generating a bubble; and means for generating two droplets of different moving directions by the generating of said bubble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus comprising: means for generating a bubble; and means for generating two droplets of different moving directions by the generating of said bubble.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: two media for respectively receiving said two droplets; and means for synchronously displacing said two media.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively using said two droplets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for recovering one of said droplets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A droplet generating apparatus comprising; a substrate including a heat sink; a plurality of heater sections arranged in staggered groups on the top and bottom of said substrate; and a plurality of droplet generating sections each of which is provided in corresponding relationship to an associated one of said plurality of heater sections, said droplet generating sections selectively generating the droplets by selective activation of said heater sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A droplet generating apparatus comprising; a substrate including a heat sink; a plurality of heater sections arranged in staggered groups on the top and bottom of said substrate; and a plurality of droplet generating sections each of which is provided in corresponding relationship to an associated one of said plurality of heater sections, said droplet generating sections selectively generating the droplets by selective activation of said heater sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A droplet generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the thermal energy generated from said heater sections is emitted through said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A droplet generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said droplet generating sections includes means for generating bubbles in liquid with the thermal energy from the associated one of said heater sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A droplet generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said substrate includes metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A droplet generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of droplet generating sections each receive a liquid supply from a common liquid supply source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
A droplet generating method used in a droplet generating apparatus provided with a liquid chamber having an orifice, and heating means for applying heat to said liquid chamber, comprising the step of retracting a meniscus of the liquid produced at the orifice without destroying the meniscus by making the trailing down time of the thermal energy from said heating means longer than a leading rise time thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
A droplet generating method used in a droplet generating apparatus provided with a liquid chamber having an orifice, and heating means for applying heat to said liquid chamber, comprising the step of retracting a meniscus of the liquid produced at the orifice without destroying the meniscus by making the trailing down time of the thermal energy from said heating means longer than a leading rise time thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
A droplet generating method according to claim 10 wherein an increment of the thermal energy provides a liquid pole on said orifice, and a decrement of the thermal energy provides a recession on said liquid pole to separate a droplet from an edge of said liquid pole so that the droplet is emitted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said application of said thermal energy causes the droplet to be propelled away from said orifice to produce a recording on a recording surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said application of said thermal energy causes a temperature increase to produce a bubble in the liquid in said liquid chamber and a temperature decrease to contract the bubble causing said retraction of the liquid back into said liquid chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said thermal energy is applied at a position such that the bubble does not emit from the orifice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said thermal energy is applied by a laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said thermal energy is applied by an electric heater.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said thermal energy is applied for a first period and at a first rate to heat the liquid without forming the bubble, and thereafter for a second period and at a second rate to produce an increase in the liquid temperature which results in formation of the bubble, the second rate is higher than the first rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said thermal energy is applied at a first rate to heat the liquid to form the bubble and thereafter at a second rate to control the rate of contraction of the bubble, the first rate is higher than the second rate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said thermal energy is applied such that said second rate decreases with time.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to any one of claims 10 and 11 and 12 and 19, further comprising means for supplying liquid to said liquid chamber for emission from said orifice by capillary action.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
161 words
A liquid jet ejection process in which a pulse of energy is applied to a liquid chamber to heat liquid therein causing emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of said liquid chamber, said process comprising the steps of: generating a pulse of energy for use in heating the liquid; applying said pulse of energy to said chamber; controlling the generation of said pulse of energy to produce a period of increase in temperature in the liquid followed by a period of decrease in temperature, wherein the period of increase is less than the period of decrease; and further controlling said pulse of energy so that the period of increase in temperature causes said liquid to protrude progressively from the orifice, and so that the period of decrease in temperature causes the protruding liquid to constrict at the orifice to form a droplet followed by a retraction of the remaining liquid into said chamber and away from the orifice.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
161 words
A liquid jet ejection process in which a pulse of energy is applied to a liquid chamber to heat liquid therein causing emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of said liquid chamber, said process comprising the steps of: generating a pulse of energy for use in heating the liquid; applying said pulse of energy to said chamber; controlling the generation of said pulse of energy to produce a period of increase in temperature in the liquid followed by a period of decrease in temperature, wherein the period of increase is less than the period of decrease; and further controlling said pulse of energy so that the period of increase in temperature causes said liquid to protrude progressively from the orifice, and so that the period of decrease in temperature causes the protruding liquid to constrict at the orifice to form a droplet followed by a retraction of the remaining liquid into said chamber and away from the orifice.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 21, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected to cause the droplet to be propelled away from said orifice to produce a recording on a recording surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 21, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected to cause the temperature increase to produce a bubble in the liquid in said liquid chamber and the temperature decrease to contract the bubble causing said retraction of the liquid back into said liquid chamber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 23, wherein said application of said energy is effected at a position so that the bubble does not emit from the orifice.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 23, wherein said energy pulse is applied by a laser.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 23, wherein said energy pulse is applied by an electric heater.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process according to any of the claims 23 to 26, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected for a first period and at a first rate to heat the liquid without forming the bubble, and thereafter for a second period and at a second rate to produce an increase in the liquid temperature resulting in formation of the bubble, the second rate is higher than the first rate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected at a first rate to heat the liquid to form the bubble and thereafter at a second rate so as to control the rate of contraction of the bubble, the first rate is higher than the second rate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 22, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected to cause the temperature increase to produce a bubble in the liquid in said liquid chamber and the temperature decrease to contract the bubble causing said retraction of the liquid back into said liquid chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 29, wherein said application of said energy is effected at a position so that the bubble does not emit from the orifice.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 29, wherein said energy pulse is applied by a laser.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 29, wherein said energy pulse is applied by an electric heater.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process according to any of the claims 29 to 32, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected for a first period and at a first rate to heat the liquid without forming the bubble, and thereafter for a second period and at a second rate to produce an increase in the liquid temperature resulting in formation of the bubble, the second rate is higher than the first rate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected at a first rate to heat the liquid to form the bubble and thereafter at a second rate so as to control the rate of contraction of the bubble, the first rate is higher than the second rate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 28, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected so that said second rate decreases with time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 34, wherein said application of said energy pulse is effected so that said second rate decreases with time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to any one of claims 21 to 26 and 29 to 32, further comprising means for supplying liquid to said liquid chamber for emission from said outlet orifice by capillary action.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
142 words
A liquid jet ejection process including: applying a pulse of energy to a chamber to heat liquid therein; controlling the application of said pulse of energy for a first period and at a first rate to produce an increase in the temperature of the liquid without formation of a bubble; controlling said pulse of energy for a second period and at a second rate, higher than that of the first rate, to produce a further increase in the temperature so that a bubble is formed and expands; and controlling said pulse of energy for a third period to produce a decrease in the temperature so that the bubble contracts, wherein the duration of said second period is less than that of said third period, wherein said expansion and contraction causes emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of the chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
142 words
A liquid jet ejection process including: applying a pulse of energy to a chamber to heat liquid therein; controlling the application of said pulse of energy for a first period and at a first rate to produce an increase in the temperature of the liquid without formation of a bubble; controlling said pulse of energy for a second period and at a second rate, higher than that of the first rate, to produce a further increase in the temperature so that a bubble is formed and expands; and controlling said pulse of energy for a third period to produce a decrease in the temperature so that the bubble contracts, wherein the duration of said second period is less than that of said third period, wherein said expansion and contraction causes emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of the chamber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 38, wherein said application of said energy pulse causes the droplet to be propelled away from said orifice to produce a recording on a recording surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 38, wherein said energy pulse is applied at a position such that the bubble does not emit from the orifice.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 38, wherein said energy pulse is applied by a laser.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 38, wherein said energy pulse is applied by an electric heater.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 38, wherein said energy pulse is applied such that said second rate decreases with time.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to any one of claims 38 and 39 to 43, further comprising means for supplying liquid to said liquid chamber for emission from said outlet orifice by capillary action.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
123 words
A liquid jet ejection process including: applying a pulse of energy to a chamber to heat liquid therein; controlling the application of said pulse of energy at a first rate for a first period to produce an increase in the temperature of a liquid so that a bubble is formed and expands; and controlling said pulse of energy at a second rate, lower than the first rate, and for a second period to produce a decrease in the temperature of the liquid so that the bubble, contracts, wherein the duration of the first period is less than that of the second period, wherein said expansion and contraction of the bubble causes emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of the chamber.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
123 words
A liquid jet ejection process including: applying a pulse of energy to a chamber to heat liquid therein; controlling the application of said pulse of energy at a first rate for a first period to produce an increase in the temperature of a liquid so that a bubble is formed and expands; and controlling said pulse of energy at a second rate, lower than the first rate, and for a second period to produce a decrease in the temperature of the liquid so that the bubble, contracts, wherein the duration of the first period is less than that of the second period, wherein said expansion and contraction of the bubble causes emission of a liquid droplet from an outlet orifice of the chamber.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 45, wherein said application of said energy pulse causes the droplet to be propelled away from said outlet orifice to produce a recording on a recording surface.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 45, wherein said energy pulse is applied at a position such that the bubble does not emit from said outlet orifice.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 45, wherein said energy pulse is applied by a laser.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 45, wherein said energy pulse is applied by an electric heater.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 45, wherein said energy pulse is applied such that said second rate decreases with time.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to any one of claims 45 and 46 to 50, further comprising means for supplying liquid to said liquid chamber for emission from said outlet orifice by capillary action.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3560641A
Cited
US3716294A
Cited
DE2253125A1
Cited
US3988745A
Cited
DE2450463A1
Cited
US4095237A
Cited
US4126868A
Cited
DE2549758A1
Cited
US4074284A
Cited
US4243994A
Cited
GB1566988A
Cited
US4296421A
Cited
US4251824A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |