Patents by Inventor Bruce DeBoard
Bruce DeBoard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11860180Abstract: A removable maintenance fluid holder for a digital dispense system, a digital dispense system containing the removable maintenance fluid holder, and a method of maintaining a fluid droplet dispense cartridge. The removable maintenance fluid holder includes a housing having a handle end and a fluid receptacle end distal from the handle end. The fluid receptable end includes a fluid receptacle for holding fluid dispensed from a fluid droplet ejection head of a fluid droplet cartridge in the digital dispense system. The removable maintenance fluid holder is configured to be inserted and removed from the digital dispense system on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Inventors: Bruce A. Deboard, Brian T. Jones, Michael A. Marra, III, Sam Norasak
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Patent number: 11858268Abstract: A priming device for a fluid cartridge, a fluid dispense device configured for priming the fluid cartridge, and a method for priming a fluid cartridge. The priming device includes an impact mechanism for a fluid cartridge, wherein the fluid cartridge is devoid of a backpressure device and has a fluid reservoir and an ejection head chip in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Inventors: Adam D. Carrithers, Bruce A Deboard, Raymond Joseph Fortuna, II, Bruce D. Gibson, Michael A. Marra, III, Robert W. Milgate, III
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Publication number: 20230415480Abstract: A priming device for a fluid cartridge, a fluid dispense device configured for priming the fluid cartridge, and a method for priming a fluid cartridge. The priming device includes an impact mechanism for a fluid cartridge, wherein the fluid cartridge is devoid of a backpressure device and has a fluid reservoir and an ejection head chip in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Adam D. CARRITHERS, Bruce A. Deboard, Raymond Joseph Fortuna, II, Bruce D. Gibson, Michael A. Marra, III, Robert W. Milgate, III
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Publication number: 20230391075Abstract: A digital dispense system and method of using a digital dispense system. The digital dispense system includes a pipette-fillable fluid cartridge having one or more fluid chambers therein and having an ejection head attached thereto. The ejection head contains a plurality of fluid ejectors thereon. The fluid ejectors are in fluid flow communication with the one or more fluid chambers of the pipette-fillable fluid cartridge. A fluid detection circuit is disposed on the ejection head and associated with at least one of the plurality of fluid ejectors for signaling the presence or absence of fluid in the one or more fluid chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. Deboard, Bruce D. Gibson, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20230391101Abstract: A fluid reservoir for a fluid ejection head structure and a method for priming a fluid ejection head for a fluid dispensing device. The fluid reservoir includes an enclosed fluid cavity therein configured for containing fluid, a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the enclosed fluid cavity, and a flow inducing pump attached to the fluid reservoir opposite the fluid outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Adam D. CARRITHERS, Bruce A. DeBoard, Sam NORASAK
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Patent number: 11820140Abstract: A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes selecting a) fixed target areas and total fluid volumes for the target areas of the substrate; b) a predetermined droplet volume for the target areas; c) calculating a required number of droplets for the target areas; d) determining a maximum number of droplets per pixel based on the target areas; e) calculating a number of droplets per pass of an ejection head over the target areas; f) modifying one or more dimension of the target areas to create modified target areas; g) selecting and centering the modified spot size target areas in the target areas; and h) depositing fluids in the modified target areas while scanning the ejection head over the modified target areas.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Inventors: Bruce A Deboard, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20230311496Abstract: A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes selecting a) fixed target areas and total fluid volumes for the target areas of the substrate; b) a predetermined droplet volume for the target areas; c) calculating a required number of droplets for the target areas; d) determining a maximum number of droplets per pixel based on the target areas; e) calculating a number of droplets per pass of an ejection head over the target areas; f) modifying one or more dimension of the target areas to create modified target areas; g) selecting and centering the modified spot size target areas in the target areas; and h) depositing fluids in the modified target areas while scanning the ejection head over the modified target areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. Deboard, Michael A. Marra, III
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Patent number: 11577250Abstract: A pipette-fillable fluid reservoir body. The fluid reservoir body includes two or more discrete fluid chambers therein. At least one of the fluid chambers contains a pressure compensation device and at least another one of the fluid chambers is devoid of a pressure compensation device. Each of the fluid chambers is in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply via, and each of the fluid chambers have sidewalls and a bottom wall attached to the side walls, wherein the bottom wall slopes toward the fluid supply via. The fluid reservoir body also includes an ejection head support face in fluid flow communication with the fluid chambers for attachment of a fluid ejection device to the ejection head support face for ejecting fluid from the fluid chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Inventors: Adam D. Carrithers, Bruce A. DeBoard, Michael A. Marra, III, Sam Norasak
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Publication number: 20230001404Abstract: A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes a) inputting to a memory a volume per unit area for each of the one or more fluids to be ejected from the digital dispense device; b) matching the volume per unit area to a device resolution for the digital dispense device; c) formatting fluid ejectors for the digital dispense device for the device resolution; and d) ejecting fluid from the digital dispense device to provide the volume per area for each of the one or more fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A Deboard, Michael A. Marra, III, Brian T. Jones
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Patent number: 11471879Abstract: A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes a) inputting to a memory a volume per unit area for each of the one or more fluids to be ejected from the digital dispense device; b) matching the volume per unit area to a device resolution for the digital dispense device; c) formatting fluid ejectors for the digital dispense device for the device resolution; and d) ejecting fluid from the digital dispense device to provide the volume per area for each of the one or more fluids.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Inventors: Bruce A Deboard, Brian T. Jones, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20220297424Abstract: A digital dispense system and method of using a digital dispense system. The digital dispense system includes a pipette-fillable fluid cartridge having one or more fluid chambers therein and having an ejection head attached thereto. The ejection head contains a plurality of fluid ejectors thereon. The fluid ejectors are in fluid flow communication with the one or more fluid chambers of the pipette-fillable fluid cartridge. A fluid detection circuit is disposed on the ejection head and associated with at least one of the plurality of fluid ejectors for signaling the presence or absence of fluid in the one or more fluid chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A Deboard, Bruce D. Gibson, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20220226828Abstract: A pipette-fillable fluid reservoir body. The fluid reservoir body includes two or more discrete fluid chambers therein. At least one of the fluid chambers contains a pressure compensation device and at least another one of the fluid chambers is devoid of a pressure compensation device. Each of the fluid chambers is in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply via, and each of the fluid chambers have sidewalls and a bottom wall attached to the side walls, wherein the bottom wall slopes toward the fluid supply via. The fluid reservoir body also includes an ejection head support face in fluid flow communication with the fluid chambers for attachment of a fluid ejection device to the ejection head support face for ejecting fluid from the fluid chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Adam D. CARRITHERS, Bruce A. DeBoard, Michael A. Marra, III, Sam NORASAK
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Patent number: 11331660Abstract: A digital dispense system for preparing and analyzing a plurality of samples. The system includes two or more fluid droplet ejection devices. Each fluid droplet ejection device contains a fluid droplet ejection cartridge containing at least one fluid to be dispensed. The fluid droplet ejection cartridge is attached to a translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism is provided for moving a sample tray along a production path in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction through the two or more fluid droplet ejection devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Inventors: Bruce A. Deboard, John Glenn Edelen, Michael A. Marra, III, Sam Norasak
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Publication number: 20210278322Abstract: A digital dispense system and method for analyzing samples. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A Deboard, Michael A. Marra, III, Pramod K. SHARMA
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Patent number: 11090938Abstract: A digital dispense device and method for ejecting one or more fluids into a target area of a substrate. The digital dispense device includes (A) a fluid ejection head for the digital dispense device having one or more arrays of fluid ejectors thereon; (B) a fluid ejection head translation device for moving the ejection head over the target area of the substrate in a first direction, wherein the one or more arrays of fluid ejectors on the fluid ejection head are oriented parallel to the first direction; and (C) a control device for activating one or more fluid ejectors in the one or more arrays of fluid ejectors as the one or more fluid ejectors intersect the target area of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Inventors: Bruce A. DeBoard, John Glenn Edelen, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20210247413Abstract: A removable maintenance fluid holder for a digital dispense system, a digital dispense system containing the removable maintenance fluid holder, and a method of maintaining a fluid droplet dispense cartridge. The removable maintenance fluid holder includes a housing having a handle end and a fluid receptacle end distal from the handle end. The fluid receptable end includes a fluid receptacle for holding fluid dispensed from a fluid droplet ejection head of a fluid droplet cartridge in the digital dispense system. The removable maintenance fluid holder is configured to be inserted and removed from the digital dispense system on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. DEBOARD, Brian T. JONES, Michael A. MARRA, III, Sam NORASAK
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Publication number: 20200215532Abstract: A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes a) inputting to a memory a volume per unit area for each of the one or more fluids to be ejected from the digital dispense device; b) matching the volume per unit area to a device resolution for the digital dispense device; c) formatting fluid ejectors for the digital dispense device for the device resolution; and d) ejecting fluid from the digital dispense device to provide the volume per area for each of the one or more fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. Deboard, Brian T. Jones, Michael A. Marra, III
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Publication number: 20200215531Abstract: A digital dispense system for preparing and analyzing a plurality of samples. The system includes two or more fluid droplet ejection devices. Each fluid droplet ejection device contains a fluid droplet ejection cartridge containing at least one fluid to be dispensed. The fluid droplet ejection cartridge is attached to a translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism is provided for moving a sample tray along a production path in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction through the two or more fluid droplet ejection devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. DEBOARD, John Glenn EDELEN, Michael A. MARRA, III, Sam NORASAK
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Publication number: 20200217764Abstract: A digital dispense system and method for preparing samples for analysis. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bruce A. DEBOARD, Michael A. MARRA, III, Pramod K. SHARMA
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Apparatus and method for sharing information between digital dispense devices connected to a network
Patent number: 10525716Abstract: A system tracks the fluid information in fluid cartridges used in digital dispense devices connected to a network. Each device stores a history of cartridges that have been used in the device. Each cartridge stores a fluid information value and/or an indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been used before in any device. When a device receives a previously-used cartridge, the device broadcasts a request for information about that cartridge from the other devices. Each device having the matching cartridge identification value in its history reports over the network the latest fluid information value associated with the matching cartridge identification value. The requesting device chooses the most up-to-date response based on the latest value of fluid information. The requesting device then updates its memory using the latest value and begins incrementing the information from that latest information for subsequent fluid dispense jobs performed using the installed cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Bruce Deboard, Brian Jones