Patent ID: 8567933

Claim:
A method of ejecting liquid from a liquid dispenser comprising: providing a liquid dispenser including a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel, the liquid dispensing channel including a wall, the wall including a surface, a portion of the wall defining an outlet opening that opens directly to atmosphere, the outlet opening including a length as viewed in a direction of a liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel, the outlet opening including a width as viewed perpendicular to the direction of the liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel, the length of the outlet opening being greater than the width of the outlet opening, the outlet opening including a downstream edge relative to the direction of the liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel, the downstream edge being perpendicular to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel, the wall of the liquid dispensing channel also partially defining the liquid supply channel and the liquid return channel; providing a diverter member associated with a wall of the liquid dispensing channel that is located opposite the outlet opening; providing a liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel, the liquid flowing in the direction of the liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel; and causing a liquid drop to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating the diverter member to divert a portion of the liquid flowing in the direction of the liquid flow through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.