Patent ID: 7527358
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: B01L,B41J,F16K

Abstract:
1. A liquid transfer device comprising: a liquid flow passage defined by one or more flow passage defining faces, the liquid flow passage comprising one or more insulating regions and a first neighboring region formed on at least one of the flow passage defining faces, the first neighboring region being lower in liquid-repellent than one or more of the insulating regions and neighboring one or more of the insulating regions in a direction of flow of liquid; a first electrode covered with a flow passage area provided in at least one of the insulating regions so as to immediately neighbor the first neighboring region, the flow passage area extending over a whole length of at least one of the insulating regions in the direction of flow of liquid; a second electrode covered with a first bubble hold area provided in at least one of the insulating regions so as to immediately neighbor the first neighboring region; and an opening/closing controller that controls potentials of the first and second electrodes to change over the liquid flow passage between a first state wherein pressurized liquid is transferred on the flow passage area with the first bubble hold area being controlled so as to be covered with no liquid, and a second state wherein the liquid flow passage is closed by a meniscus formed such that the first bubble hold area is covered with liquid and the flow passage area is covered with no liquid.