Patent ID: 6042209
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A microfluidic printing apparatus for printing on a receiver comprising:a) at least one ink reservoir;b) a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel on the receiver;c) a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber;d) a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel after being started for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber;e) a transport mechanism for moving the receiver into and out of ink transfer relationship with the chambers; andf) control means for controlling the starting times of the microfluidic pumps so that ink from different chambers is transferred to the receiver for different durations so that a correct amount of ink is delivered from each chamber to each pixel on the receiver.