IP Library Patent Application 11345594
Patent Application
App. No. 11/345,594

Layer with discontinuity over fluid slot

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/345,594
Abstract

In one embodiment, a fluid ejection device comprises a substrate having a first surface, and a fluid slot in the first surface. The device further comprises a fluid ejector formed over the first surface of the substrate, and a chamber layer formed over the first surface of the substrate. The chamber layer defines a chamber about the fluid ejector, wherein fluid flows from the fluid slot towards the to be ejected therefrom. The chamber layer has a discontinuity, wherein the discontinuity is positioned over the fluid slot.

Claims (25)

1 .- 13 . (canceled)

14 . A method of forming a fluid ejection device comprising:

forming a slot through a substrate;

forming an ejection element upon the substrate along a side of the slot;

defining a firing chamber that surrounds the ejection element, wherein the firing chamber is defined by a chamber layer;

defining an orifice with the chamber layer, wherein the orifice corresponds to the ejection element and the firing chamber; and

defining one or more slits through the chamber layer, wherein the one or more slits are positioned over the slot from one end to an opposite end of the slot, and where at least one slit of the one or more slits is a closed slit.

15 . A method of forming a fluid ejection device comprising:

forming stress relieving slots through a chamber layer of a fluid ejection device,

wherein the stress relieving slots are formed directly over a fluid slot in a substrate,

wherein capillary and meniscus properties of the fluid mitigate fluid drool through the stress relieving slots.

16 . A method of forming a fluid ejection device comprising:

forming a slot through a substrate;

forming an ejection element upon the substrate along a side of the slot;

forming a chamber layer over the substrate and ejection element; and

exposing the chamber layer to define a firing chamber that surrounds the ejection element, an orifice corresponding to the ejection element, and a discontinuity therein over the slot.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the discontinuity is positioned over the slot from one end to an opposite end of the slot.

18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the discontinuity has two longitudinal sides that correspond to a length of longitudinal sides of the slot, wherein at least in some areas along the discontinuity the two longitudinal sides of the discontinuity are in contact with each other.

19 . The method of claim 16 wherein the discontinuity extends from a first surface of the chamber layer to a second opposing surface of the chamber layer.

20 .- 23 . (canceled)

24 . The method of claim 16 further including masking the chamber layer prior to the exposing.

25 . The method of claim 16 where the discontinuity is defined as a closed slit.

26 . The method of claim 16 where the discontinuity is defined to mitigate fluid drooling through the discontinuity.

27 . The method of claim 14 where the closed slit is defined with longitudinal sides that are substantially in contact with each other along a length of the closed slit.

28 . The method of claim 14 where the one or more slits are defined to form an expansion grate.