Microstructure liquid dispenser
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRaymond P. Johnston, Thomas I. Insley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Liquid dispensers comprising a reservoir including a plurality of elongated channels formed from overlaying layers of microstructured film having a dispensing edge, each elongated channel having an outlet at the dispensing edge, wherein liquid can be stored in the reservoir, and a transfer element in fluid communication with the dispensing edge of the reservoir that provides a location from which liquid stored in the reservoir can be controllably dispensed.
Claims31
A reservoir for storing and controllably dispensing liquid, comprising:
- at least one layer of microstructured film including:
- a plurality of elongated channels formed in a structured surface of the film;
- and
- a dispensing edge;
- and
- a cap layer adjacent to the structured surface and covering the elongated channels, wherein the cap layer is formed from material which is substantially impermeable to the liquid stored in the reservoir, and wherein the liquid can be retained within the channels by the cap layer and controllably dispensed from the channels at the dispensing edge.
An ink jet cartridge, comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a reservoir located within the housing including a plurality of covered elongated channels formed from overlying layers of microstructured film each having a plurality of elongated channels formed in a structured surface of the film layer and each having a dispensing edge, with each elongated channel having an outlet at the dispensing edge, wherein the microstructured film is formed from material which is substantially impermeable so liquid can be stored in the channels of the microstructured film layers;
- and
- a transfer element in fluid communication with the dispensing edge of the reservoir and located within the housing so that the transfer element is accessible through the opening so as to provide a location from which liquid stored in the channels of the reservoir can be controllably dispensed.
A liquid dispenser for storing and dispensing liquid, comprising:
- a reservoir including a plurality of covered elongated channels formed from overlying layers of rnicrostructured film formed from material which is substantially impermeable to the liquid being stored, each microstructured film layer having a plurality of elongated channels formed in a structured surface of the film layer and a dispensing edge, with each elongated channel having an outlet at the dispensing edge, wherein liquid can be stored in the channels of the microstructured film layers;
- and
- a transfer element in fluid communication with the dispensing edge of the reservoir providing a location from which liquid stored in the channels of the reservoir can be controllably dispensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.