Cartridge element for micro jet dispensing

Abstract

A completely self-contained replaceable cartridge for micro jet dispensing assemblies is thinner than the spacing between a standard “DIP” socket. Each cartridge body contains a preferably embedded digitally operated micro jet piezoelectric ejector, a tubular capillary reservoir and fixed connecting pins spaced to removably plug into a standard dual in line packaging (DIP) socket strip or board to receive digital ejection signals. A plurality of the individual replaceable cartridges can be closely positioned together in “banks” which plug into standard DIP sockets. One or more “banks” can be plugged into sockets on a housing containing a chamber into which the micro-droplets are deposited. An air movement device may be included with the housing to disperse volatile material that has been ejected into the chamber. The chamber preferably contains a heatable surface onto which the volatile fluids are ejected from the orifices and whereby instantaneous volatilization of the fluid will take place. In an alternate embodiment, each self-contained replaceable cartridge has its own individual heatable surface in the form of a heater mounted adjacent the ejection orifice and one or more additional connecting pins to provide power to operate the heater. A multiplicity of different volatile fluids may be dispensed from a compact assembly in response to command signals from a controller connected to the dispensing assembly.