Continuous ink jet system having non-circular orifices

A continuous fluid-directing apparatus, comprising:

• (a) a nozzle bore, said nozzle bore adapted to discharge a stream of fluid therethrough, said nozzle bore having an opening, said opening having a long axial dimension and a short axial dimension, a ratio of said long axial dimension to said short axial dimension being greater than unity, both of said axial dimensions being generally positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to said stream of fluid;
• and
• (b) a heater for asymmetrically deflecting the fluid stream discharged from said nozzle bore, said heater disposed generally about the perimeter of said nozzle bore.

A continuous fluid-directing apparatus, comprising:

• (a) a nozzle bore, said nozzle bore adapted to discharge a stream of fluid therethrough, said nozzle bore having an opening, said opening having a long axial dimension and a short axial dimension, a ratio of said long axial dimension to said short axial dimension being greater than unity, both of said axial dimensions being generally positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to said stream of fluid;
• and
• (b) a heater disposed around said nozzle bore, said heater including two sections capable of independent activation by an electrical pulse, wherein each said section is disposed approximately one-half of the perimeter of said nozzle bore along its long axial dimension.