Patent ID: 6409308
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of forming one or more nozzles in a polymeric material substrate, comprising the steps of:providing a laser source adapted to emit a beam of laser energy along a path directed substantially towards said substrate; providing a mask having one or more openings surrounding one or more opaque mask portions; positioning said mask between said laser source and said substrate such that said one or more openings of said mask intersect said path of said beam; emitting said beam substantially along said path towards said substrate; blocking one or more first portions of said beam with said mask such that one or more second portions of said beam pass through said one or more openings of said mask, said one or more second portions of said beam contacting one or more regions of said substrate such that one or more openings surrounding one or more polymeric material plug portions are formed in said substrate; and, removing said one or more plug portions from said substrate to form nozzles in said substrate.