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Abstract

An apparatus and method for delivering repetitive, precision, low volume liquid dispensing from a dispensing orifice of a non-contact liquid dispensing apparatus. An elongated communication passageway of the dispensing apparatus is defined by interior walls having one end in fluid communication with a system fluid reservoir and an opposite end terminating at the dispensing orifice. A system fluid is placed in the communication passageway extending substantially continuously from the system fluid reservoir to the dispensing orifice. A relatively small volume of gaseous fluid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice, and into the communication passageway in a manner such that the gaseous fluid extends substantially continuously across the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the communication passageway. Subsequently, a dispensing liquid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice and into the communication passageway in a manner such that the relatively small volume of aspirated gaseous fluid forms a minute, unitary air gap fully enclosed between the interior walls of the communication passageway and a liquid interface between the system fluid and the dispensing liquid contained in the communication passageway. This minute air gap substantially prevents dispersion and dilution therebetween at the liquid interface. To effect dispensing, a rapid pressure pulse with a predetermined pulse width is applied to the system fluid upstream from the minute air gap, causing the pressure pulse to traverse the minute air gap to the dispensing liquid without substantial fluid compression of the minute air gap. This enables substantially accurate, relatively small volume, non-contact liquid dispensing of the dispensing liquid from the dispensing orifice.

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First Claim