Patent ID: 7066398
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: B05B,B41J,C25D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a holding member having a cross sectional length that is greater than a cross sectional width and a central opening; a vibratable member comprising a piezoelectric transducer that is configured to vibrate upon application of an electrical signal, wherein the vibratable member has a cross sectional length that is greater than a cross sectional width and is coupled to the holding member outside of the central opening with the length of the vibratable member being parallel to the length of the holding member; a plate body operably coupled to the vibratable member by the holding member such that the plate body is disposed across the central opening, the plate body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of apertures extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein each aperture is defined by a tapered portion which tapers inward from the bottom surface toward the top surface and a flared portion that extends from the top surface toward the bottom surface and that flares away from the tapered portion, and wherein the flared portion and the tapered portion share an axis of symmetry such that when a liquid is supplied to the bottom surface and the aperture plate is vibrated using the vibratable member, liquid droplets are ejected through the flared portion, wherein the plate body is electroformed to produce the apertures, and wherein the tapered portion at an intersection with the flared portion has a size in the range from about 1 micron to about 10 microns.