US4550325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop dispensing device
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1984-12-26
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Granted: 1985-10-29
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Expires: 2004-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A fluid drop dispenser is fabricated from an injection moldable plastic and includes inner and outer components each having an end wall and an axially extending cylindrical wall that define a respective counterbore for each component. The inner component is assembled to the outer component with the respective outer and inner axially extending walls defining an annular fluid receiving chamber therebetween. A nozzle is provided in the outer wall through which drops are ejected on demand. A piezoelectric actuator disc is mounted within the inner component with its periphery bonded to the cylindrical wall of the inner component. When the actuator disc is electrically excited, it undergoes a radially outward expansion to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected from the annular chamber through the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. Viola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:27
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/14; B41J2/14201; B41J2/14298; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: means defining a planar electroactuator bounded by a peripherally circumferential surface; means defining a fluid receiving chamber having at least a first plastic resin wall connected to said peripherally circumferential surface of said electroactuator and a second wall spaced from said first wall; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said fluid receiving chamber, said planar electroactuator applying a peripherally circumferentially directed force to said first wall in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: means defining a planar electroactuator bounded by a peripherally circumferential surface; means defining a fluid receiving chamber having at least a first plastic resin wall connected to said peripherally circumferential surface of said electroactuator and a second wall spaced from said first wall; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said fluid receiving chamber, said planar electroactuator applying a peripherally circumferentially directed force to said first wall in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said electroactuator is defined as a circular disc and said fluid receiving chamber is defined as an annulus by said first and second plastic resin walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said first wall is bonded to the peripheral surface of said electroactuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 3, wherein said first wall is solvent-bonded to the peripheral surface of said electroactuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said electroactuator is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: means for connecting said fluid receiving chamber to a source of fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 6, wherein said fluid is an ink.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 7 wherein said ink is a conductive ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said plastic resin is styrene-acrylonitrile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said plastic resin is polyphenylene sulfide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: a first and second plastic resin components each having a circular end wall and an axially extending cylindrical wall, the axially extending cylindrical walls defined by respective inside and outside diameter dimensions, the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component received within the axially extending cylindrical wall of the second component to define an annular fluid receiving chamber therebetween; a discoidal electroactuator bounded by a curvilinear periphery bonded to the inside diameter surface of the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said annular fluid receiving chamber, said electroactuator applying a peripherally directed force to the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: a first and second plastic resin components each having a circular end wall and an axially extending cylindrical wall, the axially extending cylindrical walls defined by respective inside and outside diameter dimensions, the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component received within the axially extending cylindrical wall of the second component to define an annular fluid receiving chamber therebetween; a discoidal electroactuator bounded by a curvilinear periphery bonded to the inside diameter surface of the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said annular fluid receiving chamber, said electroactuator applying a peripherally directed force to the axially extending cylindrical wall of the first component in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11, wherein said electroactuator is defined as a circular disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the curvilinear periphery of the electroactuator is solvent-bonded to the inside diameter surface of the axially extending wall of the first component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11 wherein said electroactuator is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11, further comprising: means for connecting the fluid receiving chamber to a source of fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 15, wherein said fluid is an ink.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 16 wherein said ink is a conductive ink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11, wherein said plastic resin is styrene acrylonitrile.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop dispensing device of claim 11, wherein said plastic resin is polyphenylene sulfide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A drop forming device comprising: means defining a plastic resin body having a fluid receiving chamber formed therein, the chamber defined along a curvilinear path between at least two spaced apart plastic resin walls; means defining a nozzle in fluid communication with said chamber; and an electroactuator having a curvilinear periphery connected to one of said walls and actuatable to circumferentially extend at least one of said walls to cause a quantity of fluid in said chamber to pass through said nozzle to form a fluid drop.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
A drop forming device comprising: means defining a plastic resin body having a fluid receiving chamber formed therein, the chamber defined along a curvilinear path between at least two spaced apart plastic resin walls; means defining a nozzle in fluid communication with said chamber; and an electroactuator having a curvilinear periphery connected to one of said walls and actuatable to circumferentially extend at least one of said walls to cause a quantity of fluid in said chamber to pass through said nozzle to form a fluid drop.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said chamber is defined along a closed curvilinear path.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said chamber is an annular chamber and said at least two spaced walls are concentric with one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said electroactuator is solvent bonded to one of said walls.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop forming device of claim 20 wherein said electroactuator is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, further comprising: means for connecting said fluid receiving chamber to a source of fluid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said fluid is an ink.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop forming device of claim 26 wherein said ink is a conductive ink.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said plastic resin is styrene acrylonitrile.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The drop forming device of claim 20, wherein said plastic resin is poly-phenylene sulfide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
120 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: means defining a planar electroactuator bounded by a peripheral surface; means defining a fluid receiving chamber having at least a first plastic resin wall connected to said peripheral surface of said electroactuator and a second wall spaced from said first wall; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said fluid receiving chamber, said planar electroactuator applying a peripherally directed force to said first wall in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner; said first wall having a thickness sufficient to be formed by injection molding but having a thickness insufficient to prevent said electroactuator from ejecting said fluid through said nozzle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
120 words
A drop dispensing device comprising: means defining a planar electroactuator bounded by a peripheral surface; means defining a fluid receiving chamber having at least a first plastic resin wall connected to said peripheral surface of said electroactuator and a second wall spaced from said first wall; and nozzle means in fluid communications with said fluid receiving chamber, said planar electroactuator applying a peripherally directed force to said first wall in response to electrical excitation to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected through said nozzle in a drop-wise manner; said first wall having a thickness sufficient to be formed by injection molding but having a thickness insufficient to prevent said electroactuator from ejecting said fluid through said nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-28 | 1989-04-29 | 1989-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-28 | 1993-04-29 | 1993-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-28 | 1997-04-29 | 1997-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |