The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 01, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2000
Scott A. Elrod, La Honda, CA (US);
Joy Roy, San Jose, CA (US);
Babur B. Hadimioglu, Mountain View, CA (US);
Richard H. Bruce, Los Altos, CA (US);
Jaan Noolandi, Mississauga, CA;
David A. Horine, Los Altos, CA (US);
Scott A. Elrod, La Honda, CA (US);
Joy Roy, San Jose, CA (US);
Babur B. Hadimioglu, Mountain View, CA (US);
Richard H. Bruce, Los Altos, CA (US);
Jaan Noolandi, Mississauga, CA;
David A. Horine, Los Altos, CA (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
Provided is a priming mechanism for priming a biofluid drop ejection device having a drop ejection opening leading to an ejection reservoir. The priming mechanism includes a vacuum unit which generates a vacuum force, connected to a vacuum nozzle. The vacuum nozzle is located over the drop ejection opening. A disposable sleeve or tubing is attached to the vacuum nozzle and is placed in operational contact with the drop ejection opening. A fluid height detection sensor is positioned to sense a fluid height within at least one of the disposable tubing and the vacuum nozzle. Upon sensing a predetermined fluid height, by the fluid height detection sensor, the priming operation is completed, and the primer mechanism is removed from the operational contact with the drop ejection opening.