Abstract: The invention provides kits, devices, methods, and systems for forming droplets or particles and methods of their use. The devices may be used to form droplets of a size suitable for utilization as microscale chemical reactors, e.g., for genetic sequencing. In general, droplets are formed in a device by flowing a first liquid through a channel and into a droplet formation region including a second liquid, i.e., the continuous phase. The invention allows for more efficient recovery of droplets or processed droplets.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided which comprises a head body, a casing and a thermal insulator. The head body comprises a surface having one or more holes configured to discharge liquids therethrough. The casing, disposed on the head body, comprises a heat generator configured to generate heat and a heat sink configured to dissipate the heat. The thermal insulator is between the heat sink and the head body.

Abstract: An electrowetting-on-dielectric actuator may include an array of electrodes and a dielectric layer. The actuator may modulate voltage of the electrodes in such a way that time-varying electric fields created by the electrodes cause droplets of liquid to move relative to the actuator. The electric fields may cause the droplets to press up against a bottom surface of the actuator while the droplets are under and touching the bottom surface. The droplets may then be released from the bottom surface and thereby deposited on an object being fabricated. The release of droplets may be repeated, one layer of droplets at a time, to fabricate the object. Multiple actuators may simultaneously organize droplets in layers. A robot may move the actuators, one at a time, into position for releasing the droplets.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method is capable of suppressing generation of image streaks and recording a high-quality image when using a recording apparatus equipped with a line head. The ink jet recording method records an image on a recording medium by using an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with a line head. In this method, the line head has a plurality of recording element substrates each having a nozzle array made up of a plurality of nozzles which eject an aqueous ink. The recording element substrates are arranged in a predetermined direction. An average temperature Te (° C.) of the aqueous ink ejected from terminal-portion nozzles constituting the terminal portions of the nozzle arrays and an average temperature Tc (° C.) of the aqueous ink ejected from center-portion nozzles constituting the center portions of the nozzle arrays satisfy the following relationship: Te>Tc.

Abstract: A nozzle (12) for an oral irrigator device (10) having a guidance tip (34) with an orifice at one end, and a dynamic nozzle actuator (64) positioned within said guidance tip. The orifice (36) is configured to expel a fluid as one of a jet, a spray, or any combination thereof. The dynamic nozzle actuator (64) comprises at least one responsive material adapted for being energized and configured to implement at least one dynamic actuation of an effective channel (62) for dynamically influencing at least one of (i) a direction of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (ii) an angle of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (iii) a cross-sectional width of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), and (iv) any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a liquid dispensing amount control apparatus. The liquid dispensing amount control apparatus may include at least one nozzle and at least one heating device. The heating device may be configured to heat a position of liquid dispensed from the nozzle to form a droplet.

Abstract: A print head (1) for depositing a liquid on a substrate comprises a layer structure including a stop layer (5) made of a dielectric material, an electrically conducting device layer (6), and an insulator layer (7) made of a dielectric material. A nozzle (3) is formed in the layer structure. The nozzle has a nozzle opening (34) for ejecting the liquid. A ring trench (31) is formed around the nozzle. The nozzle opening and the ring trench are radially separated by an annular nozzle wall (32). An ejection channel (37) is formed adjacent to the ring trench along the direction of ejection. An extraction electrode (8) is arranged on the insulator layer (7) and surrounds the nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle head, apparatus and method for providing a coating on a surface of a substrate by subjecting the surface of the substrate to successive surface reactions of at least two precursors according to principles of atomic layer deposition. The nozzle head comprises an output face provided with at least two different precursor zones, the at least two different precursor zones being arranged to provide different coating layers on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle includes an aperture with a noncircular opening substantially defined by a polynomial equation. A droplet generator is also described which includes a firing chamber fluidically coupled to a fluid reservoir, a heating resistor and a nozzle. The nozzle includes an aperture forming a passage from the firing chamber to the exterior of the droplet generator through a top hat layer. The nozzle is defined by a closed polynomial and has a mathematically smooth and mathematically continuous shape around aperture's perimeter wall, with two protrusions extending into the center of the aperture.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet printhead includes an elongate cavity for containing ink and nozzle orifices in fluid communication with the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form jets. The nozzle orifices extend along a length of the cavity. A mounting plate provides a wall of the cavity opposite the nozzle orifices. A plurality of actuators is disposed in the cavity to vibrate the ink in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets at substantially a same predetermined distance from the wall. Each of the plurality of actuators is integrally connected to the mounting plate by a membrane.

Abstract: In an image-forming device, photosensitive drums are held by the holding member. Developer material accommodating parts are held by the holding member to form a row of developer material accommodating parts in a prescribed direction. An endless belt extends in the prescribed direction. A recovering unit removes, from the belt, waste developer material and collects the waste developer material. A waste developer material conveying mechanism conveys the waste developer material from the recovering unit to a waste developer material accommodating part. The waste developer material accommodating part is disposed on an upstream side of a most upstream developer material accommodating part in the row of the developer material accommodating parts in the prescribed direction, and accommodates the waste developer material.

Abstract: The visibility of a printing object using a photo-curable ink is improved. A charge control type ink jet printer includes a nozzle which continuously forms ink droplets, a charging electrode which charges each of the ink droplets, a deflection electrode which deflects the charged ink droplet, and a print head which discharges the deflected ink droplet to print the droplet onto a printed substrate. The print head has a UV light source. The UV light source has a focusing member which focuses UV light onto at least part of a flying path of the ink droplet between the print head and the printed substrate and onto a landed region of the printed substrate, and a light emission source.

Abstract: An ink that is unused for printing when a supply ink from an ink container is ejected from a nozzle, and printing is conducted on an object to be printed is sucked by a gutter together with an air, and the ink and air are recovered into the ink container. In this situation, the air mixed with an ink solvent and recovered is discharged as an exhaust gas from the ink container by an exhaust path, and at this time, the ink mist is removed from the exhaust gas in which a liquefaction ink solvent liquefied within the exhaust path and the ink mist are mixed together by an ink mist mixture unit. Thereafter, the liquid is held by the aid of a capillary action, and separated from the gas in a gas-liquid separator to recover the separated liquefaction ink solvent.

Abstract: An assembly includes an election chamber, an ejection member, and a capacitance detection unit. The ejection chamber holds a fluid. The ejection member is disposed in the ejection chamber to selectively receive a predetermined amount of power from a power supply line. The capacitance detection unit detects art amount of capacitance.

Abstract: Ink jet printers, ink stream modulators, and methods to generate droplets from an ink stream are disclosed. An example method to generate droplets from an ink stream includes generating a stream of ink with an inkjet nozzle and modulating the stream of ink into a plurality of droplets by generating an alternating electrical field having a frequency based on a permittivity of the ink to cause a dielectrophoretic effect.

Abstract: A droplet generating device for use as part of a continuous inkjet printer comprises a set of channels for providing a composite flow of a first fluid (11) surrounded by a second fluid (12) and an expansion cavity (3) having an entry orifice (2) and an exit orifice (4). The cross sectional area of the cavity is larger than the cross sectional area of either orifice such that the composite flow breaks up to form droplets of the first fluid within the second-fluid within the cavity, the exit orifice also forming a nozzle of an inkjet device, the passage of the droplets of the first fluid through the exit orifice causing the composite jet to break into composite droplets.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet break up device comprising: a chamber for containing a printing liquid comprising a bottom plate; a pump for pressurizing the printing liquid; an outlet channel having a central axis, provided in said chamber for ejecting the printing liquid; and an actuator for breaking up a fluid jetted out of the outlet channel. The actuator is provided around the outlet channel, arranged to symmetrically impart a pressure pulse central to the outlet channel axis. Accordingly, smaller droplets can be delivered at higher frequencies.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing includes providing a downwardly inclined slide surface and a carrier liquid dispensing channel that includes an outlet opening on the slide surface. A carrier liquid source is pressurized causing carrier liquid to flow continuously through the outlet opening of the carrier liquid dispensing channel and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure is provided and includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel, a functional liquid source that provides functional liquid, and a drop formation device associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the slide surface. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A voltage is applied between first and second deflecting electrodes from a deflecting voltage controller, whereby an electric field is formed between the first and second deflecting electrodes in a direction perpendicular to electrode surfaces. An electric line of force is generated from a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the first deflecting electrode and made perpendicularly incident on the electrode surface of the second deflecting electrode. Since the first and second deflecting electrodes are parallel to each other, a plurality of parallel electric lines of force are formed perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces of the first and second deflecting electrodes. Droplets after passing charged electrodes fly in a region where this deflecting electric field is formed, whereby charged droplets are deflected in a direction in which the charged droplets approach the second electrode having opposite charging polarity. The charged droplets form a printing pattern.

Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure extends from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores. The liquid chamber is spanned by a portion of the thermal stimulation membrane. A source provides a liquid under pressure through the thermal stimulation member with the pressure being sufficient to jet a stream of the liquid through the nozzle after the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for printing a fluid material by a continuous jet printing technique. The apparatus includes a flow restricting structure arranged near an outflow opening for restricting a flow of the material between a reservoir and the outflow opening by a restricted passage through the flow restricting structure. Furthermore, the flow restricting structure, an actuating surface, and a nozzle are arranged to bind a micro volume directly adjacent an inside of the outflow opening for the purpose of guiding or reflecting pressure variations generated by the pressure regulating mechanism towards the outflow opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet generator (10) of the velocity modulation type, the generator (10) being configured so that substantially all the modulation energy generated by piezo-electric cwstals (60) is transformed into vibration of the nozzle (34). The generator preferably also includes an internal closure mechanism (70) which blocks off the nozzle (34) when the generator is not in operation, but which is de-coupled from the modulation process when the generator is operating.

Abstract: To ejecting a droplet from a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid is moved with respect to an acoustic ejector. As the reservoir and ejector move closer together, the acoustic ejector sends one or more interrogation pulses towards the reservoir. Based on the interrogation pulses, the system determines when the movement of the reservoir has placed a free surface of the fluid in a position where a droplet can be ejected.

Abstract: An ink droplet generation module for a print head assembly for a continuous ink jet printer, the printer having an ink supply system, a control system and a power supply system. The ink droplet generation module includes a supporting plate, an ink droplet generator, a charge electrode assembly, deflector plates, a phase measurement assembly, and a gutter tube, all attached to the supporting plate.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body by the electric field jet method, capable of stabilizing the discharge amount and the discharge direction of a liquid. The present invention achieves the object by providing a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body characterized in that a pattern is formed on a substrate by: discharging a liquid from a discharge orifice by applying a voltage between a first electrode, disposed in the vicinity of the discharge orifice of a nozzle of a discharge head, and a second electrode, disposed in between the discharge orifice and the substrate, having an opening for discharge; and adhering the liquid onto the substrate by passing through the opening for discharge of the second electrode.

Abstract: A continuous multi-nozzle inkjet recording apparatus includes a multi-nozzle inkjet head including a liquid chamber, an ink nozzle plate, and a heating unit, a gas flow applicator, a cap, and a gutter unit. The ink nozzle plate includes ink jetting nozzles to jet ink column. The heating unit stimulates the pressurized ink at an exit opening of the ink jetting nozzles to separate ink droplets from the ink column. The gas flow applicator applies a gas flow to flying ink droplets. The gas flow applicator includes an opening to jet the gas flow. The cap shields an area of the gas flow from an ambient atmosphere space existing around a transporting and image forming area for the recording medium. The gutter unit catches ink droplets. Ink droplets not caught by the gutter unit are directed onto a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and device for periodically perturbing the flow field within a microfluidic device to provide regular droplet formation at high speed.

Abstract: First and second piezoelectric layers are stacked from a side closer to an opening of a liquid channel formed in a channel member in this order, and are sandwiched between electrodes with respect to a stacking direction. A driving-signal generating section generates an ejection driving signal for ejecting droplets from an ejection port and a non-ejection driving signal for vibrating a meniscus formed in the ejection port without ejecting droplets from the ejection port. A voltage applying section applies, based on image data, a voltage corresponding to the ejection driving signal to one of the first and second piezoelectric layers, and applies a voltage corresponding to the non-ejection driving signal to another one of the first and second piezoelectric layers during a period in which the voltage corresponding to the ejection driving signal is not applied to the one of the first and second piezoelectric layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet generator (10) of the velocity modulation type, the generator (10) being configured so that substantially all the modulation energy generated by piezo-electric crystals (60) is transformed into vibration of the nozzle (34). The generator preferably also includes an internal closure mechanism (70) which blocks off the nozzle (34) when the generator is not in operation, but which is de-coupled from the modulation process when the generator is operating.

Abstract: A liquid jet includes a fundamental period of jet break off. A print period is defined as N times the fundamental period of jet break off where N is an integer greater than 1. Input image data is provided having M levels per input image pixel including a non-print level where M is an integer and 2<M?N+1. A charging device waveform, independent of the input image data, repeats during print periods and includes print and non-print drop voltage states. A drop formation device waveform, having a period equal to the print period, is selected in response to the input image data to form from the jet print drops having a volume corresponding to an input image pixel level. The devices are synchronized to produce a print drop charge to mass ratio and a non-print drop charge to mass ratio on drops breaking off from the jet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of the directivity of trajectories of charged drops issuing from a jet are disclosed. According to one aspect, an electrostatic sensor is disclosed which includes a flat functional surface. The electrostatic sensor is configured to function in a non-differential manner and has a geometric shape and arrangement that are substantially aligned relative to a nominal trajectory of drops. A trajectory of drops can be followed at the same time in a plane parallel to the flat surface of the sensor and in a plane perpendicular to the flat surface of the sensor. As a result, it can be verified whether a drop is present or remains in a predefined monitoring zone.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid source provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through the carrier liquid dispensing channel, through the outlet of the carrier liquid dispensing channel, and down the downwardly inclined slide surface. A functional liquid supply channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A functional liquid source provides a functional liquid to the outlet of the functional liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the outlet of the functional liquid supply channel and the downwardly inclined slide surface, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing down the downwardly inclined slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid flows continuously through the carrier liquid dispensing channel, the outlet of the carrier liquid dispensing channel, and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel. A functional liquid source provides a functional liquid to the functional liquid dispensers through the functional liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the downwardly inclined slide surface, is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate includes a nozzle defining an outlet for the ink, with at least a portion of the nozzle being electrically conductive. A first voltage source applies a first potential to the outlet nozzle. One or more auxiliary electrodes are located adjacent the outlet nozzle, and a second voltage source applies a second potential to the auxiliary electrodes. The apparatus includes a piezo-electric or thermal actuator for expelling ink from the nozzle towards a target zone on a substrate, the ink comprising a liquid vehicle and pigment particles dispersed in the vehicle. At least the pigment particles are electrically charged, typically due to the applied potentials. In one embodiment, an auxiliary electrode is disposed coaxially around the electrode formed by the nozzle. In another embodiment, an auxiliary electrode located beyond the nozzle, on a common axis with the electrode formed by the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of generating scalable patterned features on a substrate. The methods includes ejecting a succession of droplets; applying a force to the droplets in a manner such that the droplets travel along a designated path; altering the properties of one or more of the droplets in a manner so as to adjust the size of the droplets; and depositing the droplets on the substrate to generate patterned features on the substrate. The present invention also provides apparatuses for generating scalable patterned features on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.

Abstract: To ejecting a droplet from a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid is moved with respect to an acoustic ejector. As the reservoir and ejector move closer together, the acoustic ejector sends one or more interrogation pulses towards the reservoir. Based on the interrogation pulses, the system determines when the movement of the reservoir has placed a free surface of the fluid in a position where a droplet can be ejected.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively ejecting a second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet. In particular, the device comprises a first droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of first droplets from a fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a second droplet ejection system arranged to generate second droplets for colliding the second droplets into the first droplets so as to selectively deflect the first droplets from a predefined printing trajectory. The second droplet ejection system comprises a control circuit to selectively eject the second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including a drop generator includes: a substrate including a surface; a chamber disposed on the surface of the substrate, the chamber including: an inlet having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being separated from the first edge by an inlet width along an inlet width direction; and a chamber center, wherein the first edge and the second edge of the inlet are disposed on a same side of the chamber center relative to the inlet width direction.

Abstract: An ink reservoir (10) for an ink recirculating system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead (14) comprises a first chamber (16) for receiving ink from a main ink supply (12) and having a printhead outlet (24) for supplying ink to a printhead (14); and a second chamber (18) in fluid communication with the first chamber for receiving ink from the first chamber in excess of a predetermined height in the first chamber determined by the position of a transfer outlet (20), the second chamber having a printhead inlet (30) for receiving ink recirculated from the printhead and having a return outlet (40) for returning to the main ink (12) supply ink in excess of a predetermined height in the second chamber determined by the position of the return outlet (40), the transfer outlet (20), in use, being vertically above the return outlet (40).

Abstract: A print head assembly for a continuous ink jet printer has an ink heater module, including a valve assembly, which can be independently attached to or detached from the print head assembly. The print head assembly may also have an ink droplet generator module which is independently replaceable and may have other independently replaceable modules. Fluid pathways for in and solvent in the modules are preferably in the form of manifolds having fluid conduits defined between opposing faces of members of the modules. The modular print head assembly is easily repaired and maintained and the number of connectors prone to fluid leakage is minimized by the manifolds.

Abstract: A stent is coated by ejecting droplets of a coating substance from a reservoir containing a coating substance. A reservoir housing can have a plurality of reservoir compartments. A transducer is used to eject the coating substance from the reservoir. Energy from the transducer is focused at a meniscus or an interface between the coating substance and another coating substance in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for actuating an inkjet printing device that operates in accordance with the continuous inkjet principle to place a printing image, which printing image is to be printed by way of the inkjet printing device, on a printing material, where the inkjet printing device provides printing ink droplets at a defined droplet generation frequency, and where the position of the printing material which is to be printed relative to the inkjet printing device is monitored with the aid of a sensor, i.e., an encoder, to generate an actuating signal for the inkjet printing device.

Abstract: A method relating to ascertaining and adjusting friction between media pages in a document feeder. The method includes: detecting slipping of a media page when traversing from a stack of media pages to passing through a path defined by the document feeder; and sending a signal to a fluid-containing cartridge to spray small drops of fluid onto the slipping media page soon after the slipping is detected while the media page passes through the document feeder. A system and apparatus are also associated with the above method.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including a drop generator includes: a substrate including a surface; a chamber disposed on the surface of the substrate, the chamber including: an inlet having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being separated from the first edge by an inlet width along an inlet width direction; and a chamber center, wherein the first edge and the second edge of the inlet are disposed on a same side of the chamber center relative to the inlet width direction.

Abstract: An electrostatic suction type fluid discharge method and device include a voltage applying means that applies a pulse voltage between a nozzle and a substrate, the nozzle having a diameter ranging from 0.01 ?m to 25 ?m, an upper limit voltage of the pulse voltage being equal to or greater than a discharge-inducing minimum voltage. A lower limit first voltage can be provided immediately before a rise of the pulse voltage, an absolute value of the lower limit first voltage being set smaller than the discharge-inducing minimum voltage. A lower limit second voltage can be provided immediately after a rise of the pulse voltage, an absolute value of the lower limit second voltage being set smaller than the discharge-inducing minimum voltage. With this structure, it is possible to simultaneously achieve miniaturization of nozzle, discharge of micro fluid droplet, high accuracy for discharge position, and decrease in drive voltage.

Abstract: A method for operating a continuous inkjet printer, the method includes forming drops with a drop formation period being the time between consecutive drop formations; creating a portion of the drops that strike the print media for forming print drops; creating a portion of the created drops that do not strike the print media for forming catch drops; creating the print drops to print on a series of consecutive pixel locations; wherein a time between the creation of consecutive print drops is inconsistent which causes an additional catch drop so that a gap is created; wherein when a gap is created, adjusting a velocity of the print drop adjacent to the gap to cause the print drop to shift slightly toward the gap.