US7775634B2 — Inkjet chamber with aligned nozzle and inlet

Claim 1

Independent Claim 68 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprising: a chamber with a nozzle and an ink inlet for fluid communication with an ink supply; and, an actuator with associated drive circuitry for ejecting drops of ink through the nozzle; wherein, the central axis of the nozzle is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet and the actuator is positioned in the chamber between the inlet and the nozzle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 68 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprising: a chamber with a nozzle and an ink inlet for fluid communication with an ink supply; and, an actuator with associated drive circuitry for ejecting drops of ink through the nozzle; wherein, the central axis of the nozzle is aligned with the central axis of the ink inlet and the actuator is positioned in the chamber between the inlet and the nozzle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inlet is smaller than the nozzle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on one side of a silicon wafer and the ink inlet is one end of an ink supply channel etched from the other side of the wafer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ink supply channel is etched and the wafer is diced into separate chips by a single dry etching process.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 51 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an electrothermal heater positioned for heating ink in said chamber to a temperature above the boiling point of the ink, causing a bubble to form in order to eject a drop of the ink from said nozzle.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an piezoelectric crystal adapted to expand, shear or bend to apply pressure to the ink, in order to eject drops of the ink from said nozzle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has relaxor materials and is adapted to produce an electric field wherein the electric field activates electrostriction in the relaxor materials in order to eject drops of the ink from said nozzle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator material has an antiferroelectric and a ferroelectric phase, wherein applying an electric field to the actuator material results in a transition from the antiferroelectric to the ferroelectric phase in order to eject drops of the ink from said nozzle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 54 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises conductive plates which are separated by a compressible or fluid dielectric, such that applying a voltage to said plates causes said plates to attract each other and displace ink, said displacement resulting in ejection of ink drops from said nozzle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is adapted to apply a strong electric field to the ink, whereupon electrostatic attraction accelerates the drops of ink towards a print medium.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 44 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, wherein the electromagnet is configured to directly attract a permanent magnet, to cause ejection of, or assists the ejection of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 73 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a soft magnetic core and a solenoid adapted to induce a magnetic field in the soft magnetic core, the soft magnetic core having two parts spaced apart such that inducing a magnetic field in the soft magnetic core causes said two parts to attract each other, to cause ejection of or assist the ejection of, ink from said nozzle.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is adapted to use a Lorenz force acting on said actuator to cause ejection of, or assist the ejection of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 44 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator includes material that exhibit giant magnetostrictive effect, wherein the actuator is adapted to use the giant magnetostrictive effect to cause ejection of, or assist the ejection of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 62 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle, the chamber and the actuator are configured for retaining ink in the chamber under positive pressure by surface tension at the nozzle, such that activation of the actuator reduces said surface tension of the ink below a drop forming threshold to cause said ink to egress from said nozzle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 47 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is adapted to locally reduce the ink viscosity in the nozzle when the nozzle is selected to eject ink, such that said reduction of viscosity aids in the ejection of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is adapted to generate an acoustic wave which is focused upon a region in the nozzle from which a drop is to be ejected.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is adapted to use differential thermal expansion upon Joule heating to cause ejection of, or assist the ejection of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a material with a very high coefficient of thermal expansion, such that thermal expansion of the actuator causes ejection of, or assists the ejection of, ink from said nozzle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 53 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a polymer with a high coefficient of thermal expansion which is doped with conducting substances to increase its conductivity such that resistively heating the actuator results in mechanical motion which ejects or assists in ejecting ink from said nozzle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 56 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a shape memory alloy capable of thermal switching between its martensitic state and its austenic state, the switching between states causing the actuator to change shape in order to cause ejection of, or assist in causing ejection of, ink from said nozzle.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a linear magnetic actuator, wherein activation of the actuator causes ejection of, or assists in causing ejection of, ink from said nozzle.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein during use, activation of said actuator supplies sufficient kinetic energy to the ink in the chamber to expel a drop of ink from said nozzle.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 70 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators wherein selectively energizing one of the actuators causes ejection of a drop from the corresponding nozzle wherein the drop is separated from the ink in said nozzle by contact with a print medium or a transfer roller.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 65 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators wherein selectively energizing one of the actuators causes ejection of a drop from the corresponding nozzle wherein the drop is separated from the ink in said nozzle by a strong electric field.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 65 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators wherein selectively energizing one of the actuators causes ejection of a drop from the corresponding nozzle wherein the drop is separated from the ink in said nozzle by a strong magnetic field.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 85 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a shutter for selectively blocking ink flow to said nozzle, such that during use, the apparatus ejects drops at a drop ejection frequency and creates pressure pulses in the ink at a frequency that is a multiple of the drop ejection frequency, wherein the shutter opens to eject a drop when the ink is under positive pressure from a pulse and the shutter closes to prevent ink ejection from the nozzle.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a shutter and a grill, wherein moving the shutter closes at least one aperture in the grill to block ink supply to the nozzle.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 63 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a catch and an ink pusher, wherein the ink pusher is adapted to move such that the drops of ink are ejected from the nozzle and the actuator is adapted to control the catch to prevent the ink pusher from moving when a drop is not to be ejected.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is capable of directly firing the ink drops from said nozzle, without the assistance of an external field.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 80 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators, the apparatus adapted to oscillate the pressure of the ink to provide much of the required energy to eject drops from said nozzle, and wherein said actuator selects which of the nozzles are to eject ink drops are to be fired by selectively blocking or enabling nozzles.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 124 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators, and is adapted to select one or more of the nozzles to effect printing on a print medium spaced from, and moved relative to the nozzles, wherein the actuators of the nozzles that are selected cause ink drops to protrude from said nozzle further than the ink drops of the nozzles that are not selected, such that the ink drops protruding from nozzles that are selected contact the print medium, and soak into said print medium fast enough to cause separation of said selected drops from ink remaining in said nozzle.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 25 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a transfer roller wherein the ink drops are printed to the transfer roller.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 83 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators, and is adapted to select one or more of the nozzles to effect printing on a print medium spaced from, and moved relative to the nozzles, the ejection apparatus being adapted to generate an electric field to accelerate ink drops from the nozzles that are selected towards a print medium.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 88 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ink drops are magnetic and the apparatus further comprises an array of the nozzles, each nozzle corresponding to one of the chambers and one of the actuators, and is adapted to select one or more of the nozzles to effect printing on a print medium spaced from, and moved relative to the nozzles, the ejection apparatus being adapted to generate a magnetic field to accelerate the magnetic ink drops from selected nozzles towards a print medium.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 38 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein during use, said drop ejection apparatus is placed in a constant magnetic field, and Lorenz force in a current carrying wire is used to move said actuator.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 69 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has a paddle which pushes on ink in the chamber to eject the ink drops from said nozzle, and a catch for selectively preventing said paddle from moving, such that during use, said drop ejection apparatus is placed in a pulsed magnetic field to cyclically move the paddle when it is not held by the catch.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 30 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator moves to directly effect ejection of the ink drops without any mechanical amplification of the actuator motion.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 34 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a differential expansion bend actuator capable of converting a high force, low travel mechanism to high travel, lower force mechanism.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 26 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a trilayer bend actuator where the two outside layers are substantially identical.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 38 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a spring and a mechanism to load the spring such that when the mechanism is deactivated, the spring releases to eject the ink drops.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a stacked series of thin thermal bend actuators.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 26 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises multiple smaller actuators adapted to operate simultaneously to move the ink drops.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 34 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has a linear spring for transforming a motion with small travel and high force into a longer travel, lower force motion.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 18 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a coiled bend actuator.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 45 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a bend actuator cantilevered into the chamber from a fixed end, wherein the actuator has a region near the fixed end that flexes more readily than the remainder of said actuator.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 47 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has an ink pusher for ejecting the drops of ink, and a controllable catch for to releasably engaging the ink pusher to prevent its movement and thereby the ejection of the drops of ink.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 32 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has components operatively coupled by gears such that travel of one component causes an increased travel in another component.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a moveable part and a buckle plate such that movement of the moveable part results in movement with increased speed or travel of a part of the buckle plate.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 18 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a tapered magnetic pole.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 30 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a moveable part, and a lever and fulcrum for transforming the motion of the moveable part.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 27 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a rotary impellor, wherein the rotary impeller is connected to the actuator.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 33 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has an acoustic lens and is adapted to generate sound waves such that the acoustic lens concentrates the sound waves.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 32 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has a sharp point for concentrating an electrostatic field to cause or assist ink drop ejection from said nozzle.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has a variable volume such that the volume of the actuator is increased in order to eject the ink drop from the nozzle.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet printhead comprising a substrate surface and an array of inkjet drop ejection apparatuses as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzles of the array are formed in the surface and the actuators move in a direction normal to the surface.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet printhead comprising a substrate surface and an array of inkjet drop ejection apparatuses as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzles of the array are formed in the surface and the actuators move in a direction parallel to the surface.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 35 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has a stiff membrane configured for contact with ink in said chamber and the actuator is configured for pushing the stiff membrane.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 24 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is adapted to rotate an element of said drop ejection apparatus.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 16 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator bends when energized.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 23 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pivot, wherein said actuator swivels around the pivot when energized.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 20 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is normally bent, and straightens when energized.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 41 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has two elements, such that the actuator bends in one direction when one element is energized, and bends in an opposing direction when the other element is energized.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 23 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has material that deforms in a shear motion when energized.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 28 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an ink reservoir in said chamber wherein said actuator is adapted to squeeze the ink reservoir.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 23 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is coiled, and either coils further, or uncoils when energized.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 26 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a middle region that bows or buckles when the actuator is energized.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a shutter and two controlling actuators, one of the controlling actuators pulls said shutter, and the other controlling actuator pushes said shutter.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 44 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a set of actuator members configured to enclose a volume of ink, the actuator members curl when energized to reduce the volume of ink that said set of actuators enclose.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 41 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a set of actuator members which curl when energized to pressurize ink in said chamber surrounding said set of actuator members, and eject ink from said nozzle.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 49 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of vanes configured for enclosing a volume of ink between adjacent vanes, the actuator adapted to simultaneously rotate said vanes when energized in order to reduce the volume of ink between adjacent vanes.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 21 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is adapted to vibrate at a high frequency.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 35 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator does not move relative to the chamber as it causes ejection of, or assists in causing ejection of, ink from said nozzle.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber, the actuator and the nozzle are configured such that ink refills the chamber after drop ejection by the surface tension of the ink.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 72 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator has a moveable shutter to impede ink flow from the chamber and the apparatus adapted to cyclically apply pressure to the ink, such that during use, ink refills the chamber after drop ejection by a cycle of positive ink pressure, and said chamber is prevented from emptying during a subsequent cycle of negative ink pressure by the moveable shutter.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 21 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second actuator for refilling the chamber with ink.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 46 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to maintain the ink at a slight positive pressure, wherein during use, ink refills the chamber refills through a combination of both the surface tension of the ink and the slight positive ink pressure.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 57 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an ink inlet channel to the chamber, the ink inlet channel being long and narrow relative to the dimensions of the chamber such that ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out during ink drop ejection by viscous drag from the ink inlet channel.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 52 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet, the apparatus adapted to maintain the ink at a positive pressure, wherein during use, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet during drop ejection by the positive ink pressure.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 46 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet and one or more baffles, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet by the one or more baffles.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet and a flexible flap, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet by the flexible flap.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 42 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet and a filter, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet by the a filter.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 49 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet with a cross sectional area smaller than the cross sectional area of said nozzle, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 51 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a shutter and a second actuator for operating the shutter, and wherein the chamber has an ink inlet such that ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet during drop ejection by the shutter.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 54 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet an ink pushing surface, the ink inlet positioned close to the ink pushing surface, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet by the ink pushing surface.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 51 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet and the actuator has a part adapted to close the inlet when the actuator is energized, such that during drop ejection, ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out of the ink inlet.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 41 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber has an ink inlet and the actuator is configured such that ink in the chamber is not urged to flow out of the ink inlet during drop ejection.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 35 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to periodically eject ink from the nozzle, before the ink has time to dry, for preventing ink from drying out in said nozzle.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to provide more energy to said actuator than is normally used for drop ejection, for clearing dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 29 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to energize said actuator in rapid succession for clearing dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 30 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to provide an enhanced drive to said actuator for clearing dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 31 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to apply an ultrasonic wave to said ink chamber for clearing dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 47 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a microfabricated plate with a plurality of posts, such that moving the microfabricated plate toward the nozzle inserts one of the posts into the nozzle, to clear dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 37 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further adapted to temporarily increase the pressure in the chamber such that ink streams from the nozzle to clear dried or partially dried ink from said nozzle.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 32 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible blade adapted to wipe across the nozzle surface to clear dried or partially dried ink from said nozzle.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 44 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heater at the nozzle for clearing dried or partially dried ink in said nozzle by energizing the heater, wherein said heater does not cause or assist the ejection of ink drops.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 22 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle is formed in a plate fabricated from electroformed nickel.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 20 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is an aperture formed by laser ablation.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 23 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle is formed in a plate that is microfabricated from silicon.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 19 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is formed from a glass capillary.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 34 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle is formed in a surface deposited as a layer using VLSI deposition techniques, wherein the nozzle is etched in said surface.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 42 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on and through a substrate, and the nozzle is formed in a layer that is embedded in the substrate wherein said nozzle is etched in said layer.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 53 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is a virtual nozzle, the virtual nozzle being a location on the apparatus from where drops are ejected by acoustic concentration or inertial confinement, wherein the virtual nozzle is formed on demand when an ink drop is to be ejected.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 36 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is at least partially defined by the walls of a trough and the actuator is a paddle adapted to move through the trough.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 30 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is in the form of a slit and has a plurality of the actuators for ejecting drops.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 33 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on and through a substrate, and the drops of ink are ejected from the edge of the substrate.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on and through a substrate, and the nozzle is formed in a surface of the substrate such that the drops of ink are ejected normal to the surface.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 47 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on and through a substrate, the nozzle is formed on a front surface of the substrate such that ink flows through the substrate, and ink drops are ejected from the front surface.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 47 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed on and through a substrate, the nozzle is formed on a rear surface of the substrate such that ink flows through the substrate, and ink drops are ejected from the rear surface.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 25 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured such that ink flows through the actuator when ejecting drops.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 21 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises water and a colorant comprising a dye.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 21 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises water and a colorant comprising a pigment.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 17 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises methyl ethyl ketone.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 16 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises an alcohol.

Claim 116

Dependent Claim 26 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ink is solid at room temperature, and is melted before ejection from said nozzle.

Claim 117

Dependent Claim 16 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises an oil.

Claim 118

Dependent Claim 16 words

An inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink comprises a microemulsion.

Claim 119

Dependent Claim 15 words

An office printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 120

Dependent Claim 17 words

A short run digital printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 121

Dependent Claim 17 words

A high speed digital printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 122

Dependent Claim 18 words

A notebook computer incorporating a printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 123

Dependent Claim 17 words

An offset press supplemental printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 124

Dependent Claim 15 words

A pagewidth printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 125

Dependent Claim 15 words

A portable printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 126

Dependent Claim 14 words

A copier comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 127

Dependent Claim 15 words

A facsimile machine comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 128

Dependent Claim 15 words

A label printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 129

Dependent Claim 16 words

A large format printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 130

Dependent Claim 15 words

A photograph copier comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 131

Dependent Claim 19 words

A digital photographic minilab incorporating a printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 132

Dependent Claim 15 words

A video printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 133

Dependent Claim 17 words

A PDA incorporating a printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 134

Dependent Claim 15 words

A wallpaper printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 135

Dependent Claim 16 words

An indoor sign printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 136

Dependent Claim 15 words

A billboard printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 137

Dependent Claim 15 words

A fabric printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 138

Dependent Claim 15 words

A camera printer comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Claim 139

Dependent Claim 16 words

A commercial printer array comprising an inkjet drop ejection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2013-08-16	2014-02-15	2014-08-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2017-08-16	2018-02-15	2018-08-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2021-08-16	2022-02-15	2022-08-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Inkjet chamber with aligned nozzle and inlet

Abstract

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