# US 2021/0276005 A1 · Droplet dispenser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0276005 A1 - Document ID: US20210276005A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/255,491 - Filed: 2019-06-25 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-27 - Assignees: TTP Plc - Applicants: Ttp PLC - Inventors: Adrian WOODWARD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276005A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/0265: {using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves} - B05C 5/0225: {characterised by flow controlling means, e.g. valves, located proximate the outlet (B05C5/0258, B05C5/0275 take precedence; supply valves upstream the coating head B05C11/1036)} - G01F 11/02: with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement - G01F 11/021: {of the piston type (G01F11/04 takes precedence)} - G01F 11/088: {using a deformable conduit-like element} - B01L 2200/0605: Metering of fluids - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/0616: Ball valves - B05C 5/0212: {only at particular parts of the articles (at particular part of web, band, strip, belt or ribbon B05C5/025)} - G01N 35/1016: {Control of the volume dispensed or introduced} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - B05C: APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (spraying apparatus, atomising apparatus, nozzles B05B; plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects by electrostatic spraying B05B5/08) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A droplet dispenser comprises a chamber (3) with a fluid inlet valve (2) and a fluid outlet valve (4). The chamber (3) is arranged such that the volume of the chamber may be varied in use to cause fluid to be alternately drawn in to the chamber (3) through the inlet valve (2) then subsequently expelled from the chamber through the outlet valve (4) to dispense a droplet. The droplet dispenser is capable of dispensing from an open reservoir and one may change the dispensed drop volume simply and easily. The droplet dispenser can also handle liquids which are normally seen as difficult to dispense, such as cyanoacrylate adhesives. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A droplet dispenser comprising a chamber with a fluid inlet valve and a fluid outlet valve, the chamber being arranged such that the volume of the chamber may be varied in use to cause fluid to be alternately drawn in to the chamber through the inlet valve then subsequently expelled from the chamber through the outlet valve to dispense a droplet, the dispenser further comprising: a control actuator arranged to apply a driving force to the dispenser to change the volume of the chamber and thereby dispense a droplet; and a controller to control the magnitude or duration of the driving force applied by the control actuator to control the size of the droplet that is dispensed by the dispenser. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is defined by two components connected such that they slide relative to one another in order to vary the volume of the chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, where the chamber-defining two components each contain one each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is defined by walls which comprise elastomeric material such that the chamber volume may be varied by elastic deformation of the elastomeric material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir, the inlet valve connected to the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a dispensing tip, the outlet valve connected to the dispensing tip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises at least one of: a one-way ball valve assembly and an elastomeric slit valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, arranged to dispense fluids having a viscosity ranging from about 1 Cp to about 700 Cp. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid, a pneumatic actuator, a piezo electric device, an electric motor or a manually actuated spring driven device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to control a drive voltage of said actuator to vary at least one of the duration or magnitude of the driving force applied to the dispenser. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said force has a magnitude of between about 25 g and 100 g and a duration of between about 5 ms and 500 ms. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to vary the magnitude of driving force applied by the control actuator to eject the droplet in a non-contact manner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, further comprising a fluid reservoir, the inlet valve connected to the fluid reservoir. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, further comprising a dispensing tip, the outlet valve connected to the dispensing tip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid, a pneumatic actuator, a piezo electric device, an electric motor or a manually actuated spring driven device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises at least one of: a one-way ball valve assembly and an elastomeric slit valve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said force has a magnitude of between about 25 g and 100 g and a duration of between about 5 ms and 500 ms. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the controller is arranged to vary the magnitude of driving force applied by the control actuator to eject the droplet in a non-contact manner. ### Claim 19 (depends on 5) A dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising a dispensing tip, the outlet valve connected to the dispensing tip. ### Claim 20 (depends on 5) A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the controller is arranged to vary the magnitude of driving force applied by the control actuator to eject the droplet in a non-contact manner.