Droplet ejector with oscillating tapered aperture

A method for ejecting fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• supplying fluid to a vibrating surface having a tapered aperture with first and second openings, said first opening being larger than said second opening, said fluid being in surface tension contact with said first opening;
• and
• oscillating said vibrating surface to eject said fluid drawn into said tapered aperture at said first opening, from said second opening.

A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a vibratable perforate membrane defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, and vibrating the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the flared holes as an atomised spray.

A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a perforate membrane defining an array of holes, each hole being flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, said membrane being stiffened by means of a grid of support elements, and said membrane having a sheet defining the array of holes and having thickened portions constituting the support elements, and vibrating said membrane with the grid of support elements and flared holes such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray.

Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising a vibratable-perforate membrane defining an array of holes and having a front surface and rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in contact with the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane relative to the liquid supply means such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray, wherein each hole is flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface.

Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising a perforate membrane defining an array of holes and having a front surface and a rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid in contact with the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the holes as an atomised spray;

• wherein each hole is flared such that the cross-section of each hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface, wherein the perforate membrane comprises a sheet defining the array of holes through which liquid is dispensed in use and support means supporting the sheet, and wherein said support means comprises a grid of support elements.

A method of dispensing a liquid as an atomised spray comprising the steps of maintaining the liquid in contact with a rear surface of a vibratable perforate membrane having at least one hole, the hole being flared such that the cross-section of the hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards a front surface of the membrane, and vibrating the membrane such that droplets of the liquid-are dispensed through the flared hole as an atomised spray.

Dispensing apparatus for use in dispensing liquid as an atomised spray comprising a vibratable perforate membrane having at least one hole and having a front surface and rear surface, liquid supply means for supplying the liquid to the rear surface, and vibrating means operable to vibrate the membrane relative to the liquid supply means such that droplets of the liquid are dispensed through the hole as an atomised spray, wherein the hole is flared such that the cross-section of the hole narrows in a direction from the rear surface towards the front surface.