Patent ID: 8172364

Claim:
A liquid dispenser comprising: a liquid supply channel; a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening; a liquid return channel including a vent; a liquid supply that continuously provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply; a diverter member selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel; and a guide structure positioned downstream relative to the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel and upstream relative to the vent of the liquid return channel, as viewed in a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel, that guides the portion of liquid that has been diverted through the outlet opening of liquid dispensing channel, the guide structure including a surface, a portion of the surface including a ramp structure that reduces viscous drag on the portion of the liquid that has been diverted by the diverter member as the liquid portion travels along the ramp structure such that drops formed from consecutive portions of the liquid that have been diverted by the diverter member travel with consistent drop characteristics.