Material dispense tips and methods for forming the same

Abstract

A dispense tip constructed and arranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump comprises an elongated neck and a molded base having a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion. The neck extends from the first portion of the base. The second portion is constructed and arranged to abut an outlet surface of the pump. An outermost region of the second portion of the base includes a compressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to the outlet surface when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump.

Claims

1. A dispense tip that communicates with a material dispensing pump, comprising: a neck having a longitudinal axis; a hole in the neck, the hole extending from an input end region of the neck to an output end region of the neck, a portion of the hole having an inner surface of a first inner diameter, and the output end region of the neck including an outlet having an inner surface of a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter; an inner taper that transitions the inner surface of the hole from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter, wherein at least a portion of the inner taper is in the output end region; and a base at the input end region of the neck, wherein the base comprises an outermost region that includes a compressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to an outlet surface of the material dispensing pump when the dispense tip is mounted to the material dispensing pump.

2. The dispense tip of claim 1, further comprising a funnel in the base that delivers fluid to the hole from the material dispensing pump.

3. The dispense tip of claim 2, wherein the funnel has a funnel inlet at an input end of the funnel that is constructed and arranged to receive the flow of the fluid from the material dispensing pump and a funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel, wherein the input end region of the neck communicates with the funnel outlet such that the dispense tip includes a single, unidirectional fluid path between the funnel inlet and the output end region of the neck.

4. The dispense tip of claim 1, further comprising a bevel about an outermost end of the output end region of the neck.

5. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises molded materials.

6. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises ceramics.

7. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises stainless steel.

8. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the outermost region of the base comprises polyarylene sulfide.

9. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicate with a fixed-z material dispensing pump.

10. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicate with a floating-z material dispensing pump.

11. A dispense tip constructed and arranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump, the dispense tip comprising: a neck; a base at an input end of the neck, the base including a compressible surface such that a fluid-tight interface can be formed between the compressible surface of the base and the pump by compliantly conforming the base to the pump when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump; and a hole extending through the base and the neck, the hole having an output end, the hole that transitions the input end to the output end, the neck including an inner taper that transitions the inner surface of the hole from a first inner diameter of the input end to a second inner diameter of the output end.

12. The dispense tip of claim 11, further comprising a funnel in the base that delivers fluid to the hole from the material dispensing pump.

13. The dispense tip of claim 12, wherein the funnel has a funnel inlet at an input end of the funnel that is constructed and arranged to receive the flow of the fluid from the material dispensing pump and a funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel, wherein the input end region of the neck communicates with the funnel outlet such that the dispense tip includes a single, unidirectional fluid path between the funnel inlet and the output end region of the neck.

14. The dispense tip of claim 11, further comprising a bevel about an outermost end of the output end region of the neck.

15. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the neck comprises molded materials.

16. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the neck comprises ceramics.

17. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the neck comprises stainless steel.

18. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the outermost region of the base comprises polyarylene sulfide.

19. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicate with a fixed-z material dispensing pump.

20. The dispense tip of claim 11, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicate with a floating-z material dispensing pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1B is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a material dispensing system comprising a dispense tip coupled to a material dispensing pump in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a material dispensing system comprising a dispense tip and a material dispensing pump, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 3B is a cutaway, assembled perspective view of the material dispensing system of FIG. 3A, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 3C is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment where interfacing surfaces of the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump of FIG. 3A in a position where they are separated from each other;

(8) FIG. 3D is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment of an interface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump of FIG. 3B in a position where they are coupled together;

(9) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip including an alignment foot, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip of FIG. 4A;

(11) FIG. 4C is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 4A;

(12) FIG. 5A is perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip including multiple necks coupled to a single base in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 5B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip of FIG. 5A;

(14) FIG. 5C is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 5A;

(15) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip having a first portion of a base that is separate from a second portion of the base, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and

(16) FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the dispense tip of FIG. 6A, wherein the first portion of the base is coupled to the second portion of the base, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(17) The accompanying drawings are described below, in which example embodiments in accordance with the present invention are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative. This invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to example embodiments set forth herein.

(18) Accordingly, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims.

(19) It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(20) It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” “abutting,” “coupled to,” or “extending from” another element, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly abutting,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

(21) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(22) In accordance with embodiments, dispense tips are provided that dispense precise amounts of material at precise positions on a substrate. In addition, the dispense tips prevent the material, which can include solids, liquids, and/or gases, from escaping or leaching from a material path in the dispense tip during a dispensing operation, or prevent the material from leaking from an interface formed between a surface of the dispense tip and a surface of a material dispensing pump against which the dispense tip abuts.

(23) To achieve this, the dispense tips in accordance with embodiments comprise a compliant, deformable base that includes an interfacing surface at an outermost surface of the base that compliantly conforms to the surface of the material dispensing pump, and provides a fluid-tight interface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump. The term “fluid-tight interface” as used herein is also intended to refer to an airtight interface. Accordingly, the dispense tips prevent leaching of solvents through a surface thereof, and also prevent leaking of material to be dispensed from the fluid-tight interface.

(24) In accordance with other embodiments, the dispense tips can comprise molded dispense tips, for example, formed by injection molding. In particular, a material is heated to a molding temperature, and injected into a mold. The material used to form the molded dispense tip is preferably a high-flow material, and has low viscosity properties. In certain embodiments, the dispense tips formed according to the molding process have favorable hardness properties, permitting the dispense tips to replace conventional steel dispense tips, which provides significant cost advantages over steel tips. In other embodiments, the surface of a molded dispense tip is compliantly compressible when coupled to a material dispensing pump, which prevents leaking from occurring at an interface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump. In other embodiments, the molded dispense tip includes chemical resistance properties, which, inter alia, permits the dispense tip to be resistant to the leaching of solvents. In addition, the dispense tips formed by molding are precision molded, i.e., molded to close tolerances, but do not require machining, and therefore, there is no risk of burrs or particles resulting from machining, which can become trapped in the material path of the dispense tip.

(25) FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 200 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a front view of the dispense tip 200 of FIG. 1A.

(26) As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the dispense tip 200 comprises a neck 210 and a base 220 (also referred to herein as a body). In an embodiment, the neck 210 is formed separately from the base 220, and later joined to the base 220, in which case the base 220 and neck 210 can be coupled together via press-fitting, bonding, or welding, or other applicable techniques. In an embodiment, the neck 210 can be coupled to the base 220 by a bonding material. In an embodiment, the bonding material is a two-part epoxy, or other suitable adhesive known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, the dispense tip 200 is a unitary dispense tip, wherein the neck 210 and the base 220 are formed from a single stock of material that is molded or machined.

(27) In an embodiment, the neck 210 can comprise materials such as stainless steel, ceramics, composites such as plastics, glass, composites of these materials, or other materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art as being suitable to form a neck that can dispense materials, which dispensed materials can include solids, liquids, gases, or a combination thereof.

(28) The neck 210 can be formed by molding, in particular, micromolding, or formed by die casting or machining. The term “micromolding” is a term of art that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, as used herein, can mean molding small, intricate precision plastic elements or structures for a variety of applications spanning numerous industries. In an embodiment, the neck 210 is formed by machining a stock such as stainless-steel stock or polymer stock, for example, plastic. In another embodiment, the neck 210 is formed by molded materials such as ceramics or polymers such as plastics. In embodiments, the neck 210 is formed according to approaches similar to those used to form necks of dispense tips disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,167, 6,981,664, 6,957,783, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,313, filed Feb. 20, 2008, entitled “Material Dispense Tips and Methods for Manufacturing the Same,” the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

(29) In an embodiment, the neck 210 comprises an outlet bevel 211 about an opening at an output end of the neck, to reduce the amount of surface tension, or “land,” at the opening, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,167, 6,981,664, 6,957,783, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,313, filed Feb. 20, 2008, entitled “Material Dispense Tips and Methods for Manufacturing the Same,” the contents of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

(30) In an embodiment, the base 220, for example, at least a second portion 222 of the base 220, comprises a material that is compliant or deformable relative to a surface hardness of a material dispensing pump to which the base 220 is coupled. As a result of the compliant base, when the dispense tip 200 is coupled to an outlet region of the material dispensing pump, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or to a conventional dispensing pump, a fluid-tight interface is formed between the base 220 and the material dispensing pump when the dispense tip 200 is mounted to the dispensing pump. In an embodiment, the entire base 220, at least including a first portion or main body portion 221 and the second outermost portion 222, comprises the compliant material. In another embodiment, at least the second portion 222 of the base 220 comprises the compliant material, such that the second portion 222 of the base 220 is more deformable or compliant relative to a surface hardness of a material dispensing pump than the first portion 221 of the base 220. In another embodiment, the first portion 221, the second portion 222, and a third neck-retaining portion 228 all comprise the compliant material.

(31) As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in an embodiment, the base 220 is a molded base 220 comprising a polymer material having a low viscosity, wherein cavities or voids that may otherwise be formed in the mold during formation of the molded base 220 are filled during the molding process. Therefore, the base 220 includes hardness properties similar to those of conventional machined bases, but is also resistant to solvents, and also includes a compliantly conforming fluid-tight interface 288, as shown in FIG. 2. Other preferred properties of a molded-type base include a viscosity low enough for the composition to readily conform to the shape of the mold, high-temperature resistance (e.g., up to about 240° C.), chemical and oxidation resistance, sufficient hardness and rigidity, low creep, and low permeability after molding.

(32) In an embodiment, the base 220 includes a first portion 221 and a second portion 222 extending from a first side surface of the first portion 221. In an embodiment, the first and second portions 221, 222 extend along the thickness (t) of the base 220 and have a same outer width, for example, a same outer width (w1), and/or a same outer width (w2). In another embodiment, the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 have different outer dimensions, such as different outer widths.

(33) In an embodiment, the base 220 includes a third portion 228 that extends from a second side surface 227 of the first portion 221, wherein the first portion 221 is positioned between the second portion 222 and the third portion 228. In another embodiment, the third portion 228 extends from a surface of the second portion 222. In an embodiment, the first and second portions 221, 222 have greater widths than the width of the third portion 228. The third portion 228 can provide added rigidity to the dispense tip 200 by extending from the first portion 221 and receiving the neck 210.

(34) Further, the third portion 228 can provide an improved geometry of the dispense tip 200 with regard to the relationship between the diameter or width of the neck 210 and the length of the base 220. Specifically, the addition of the third portion 228 of the base 220 increases the overall length of the base 220 from base length (t), also referred to as base thickness, to base length (1). Accordingly, the ratio of base length (1) to neck width (w3) is increased as compared to the ratio of base length (t) to neck width (w3).

(35) This increased ratio is beneficial in embodiments where the base 220 is formed separately from the neck 210, and the neck 210 is coupled to the base 220 by inserting the neck 210 into a hole (not shown) in the base 220. In these embodiments, the base 220 extends along a longitudinal axis A, and when the neck 210 is inserted into the base 220, the neck 210 likewise extends along the longitudinal axis A. It is preferable that there is no angular deviation between the neck 210 and the longitudinal axis A. To achieve this, the hole extends through the third portion 228, as well as the first and second portions 221 and 222 of the base 220, and the neck 210 is inserted into the hole at the third portion 228 of the base 220 and extends through the third portion 228 into at least a portion of the second portion 228 of the neck 210. Accordingly, the increased length (1) of the base 220 relative to the neck width (w3) can minimize or prevent any angular deviation between the neck 210 and the axis A.

(36) The neck 210 can extend from the second side 227 of the base 220, or alternatively, when the base 220 comprises a third portion 228, the neck 210 can extend from the third portion 228 of the neck. In embodiments where the neck 210 is formed separately from the base 220, the neck 210 can be inserted into the third portion 228 of the neck 210. In other embodiments, the neck 210 and the base 220 including the third portion 228 are molded from a common material.

(37) In an embodiment, at least the second portion 222, and optionally the first portion 221 of the base 220 comprises a compliant material, such as a molded polyarylene sulfide. In other embodiments, the first portion 221, second portion 222, and third portion 228 comprise a compliant material, such as a molded polyarylene sulfide. In other embodiment, the base 220 and the neck 210 comprises a compliant material, such as a molded polyarylene sulfide. In an embodiment, the molded polyarylene sulfide is a linear, partially crystalline polyphenylene sulfide, for example, available FORTRON™ 6165A6 PPS, or various forms of FORTRON™ 6165A6 PPS, such as FORTRON™ 6165A6NAT, a color designation of the material. In an embodiment, at least the second portion 222, and optionally at least the first portion 221, third portion 228, and neck 210 comprise linear polymers.

(38) The abovementioned molded polyarylene sulfide structure can also include glass fibers and one or more minerals (e.g., chalk, calcium carbonate, wollastonite, silicon dioxide, talc, mica, montmorillonite, and/or phyllosilicates) at a combined weight percent, e.g., 65%. The polyarylene sulfide includes repeating units aryl groups bonded by sulfur (thioether) linkages. The repeating unit of polyphenylene sulfide (C.sub.6H.sub.4S) can be expressed as follows:

(39) ##STR00001##
Approximate mechanical properties of FORTRON™ 6165A6 polyphenylene sulfide are as follows:

(40) TABLE-US-00001 Tensile Strength: 130 MPa Strain at Break: 1.2% Tensile Modulus: 19,000 MPa Flexural Strength: 210 MPa Flexural Modulus: 18,800 MPa Compressive Strength: 230 MPa Compressive Modulus: 18,500 MPa Impact Strength (Charpy): 20 kJ/m.sup.2 Notched Impact Strength (Charpy): 7 kJ/m.sup.2 Notched Impact Strength (Izod): 6 kJ/m.sup.2 Ball Indentation Hardness (30 sec.): 428 N/mm.sup.2 Rockwell Hardness (scale M) 100
Other suitable compositions may possess similar approximate mechanical properties in combination with a substantial impermeability to solvents from the pumped composition.

(41) In an embodiment, the second portion 222 has the same cross-sectional dimensions, such as width or diameter, cross-sectional surface area, etc., as the first portion 221 along its thickness relative to the longitudinal axis A, i.e., from an outermost surface 225 (also referred to as a rear face) at a first side of the base 220 to a second side 227 of the base 220. Although the cross-sectional dimensions can be referred to herein as including “diameters,” such cross-sections are not necessarily a perfect circle; thus, the term “diameter” can include other, non-circular, cross-sectional shapes, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the base 220 shown in FIG. 1B, in which case, the term “diameter” can also refer to “widths” of those cross-sectional shapes. In another embodiment, the second portion 222 can have different dimensions than the first portion 221. For example, the second portion 222 can have a larger diameter than the first portion 221, or the second portion 222 can have a different shape than the first portion 221.

(42) In an embodiment, the base 220 is substantially cylindrical. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a portion of the base 220 has a flat surface 226, also referred to as an alignment surface or locator, that extends along a plane that is parallel to the axis A. The flat surface 226 permits the base 220 to be coupled to a material dispensing pump comprising a locator or tab that protrudes from the pump, for example, see tab 387 shown in FIG. 3A, which permits the dispense tip 200 to be properly aligned with the material dispensing pump 280. In an embodiment, the base 220 includes a chamfer 229, preferably about an edge of the second portion 222, for proper seating of the base 220 against a material dispensing pump, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

(43) In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 is compatible with a fixed-z dispensing pump system. In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 is compatible with a floating-z (also referred to as compliant-z) dispensing pump system. In a fixed-z dispensing pump system, the longitudinal positions of the dispense tip and pump are fixed relative to each other. In a floating-z dispensing pump system, the longitudinal positions of the dispense tip and pump can translate in a longitudinal direction relative to each other.

(44) In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 is operable in a dispensing pump and gantry system configured to dispense fluid material in the form of a dot. In another embodiment, the dispense tip 200 can dispense fluid material in the form of a line. In another embodiment, the dispense tip 200 can dispense fluid material in the form of an “X” or a star-shaped pattern by an outlet similar to outlets described with regard to U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,783, incorporated by referenced above. In other embodiments, the dispense tip 200 can dispense fluid material in the form of other dispensing patterns known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(45) FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a material dispensing system 10 comprising a dispense tip 400 coupled to a material dispensing pump 280 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In an embodiment, the dispensing pump 280 comprises a detachable pump cartridge 270. The cartridge 270 includes a feed screw or auger screw 290 positioned in a feed screw cavity 291. The feed screw 290 delivers material to an outlet region 295 of the feed screw 290.

(46) In an embodiment, an outermost surface or rear face 425 of a second portion 422 of the base 420 can be compressed against, and can be made to compliantly conform to, an outlet surface 283 of the outlet region 295 to form a fluid-tight interface 288 between the base 420 and the pump cartridge 270. In one embodiment, the interface 288 is a “surface-mount” interface, wherein the pump 280 and dispense tip 400 each has an interfacing surface, wherein the interfacing surfaces are made to come in contact with each other and retained against each other under pressure or force, for example, by a nut, clamp, or other retaining device that holds the dispense tip 400 in place against the outlet surface 283. In another embodiment, the interface is a “threaded” interface, for example, a Luer™ or other threaded interface, wherein the dispense tip 400 is attached to or removed from the pump by turning the dispense tip 400 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the axis A.

(47) In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the material dispensing pump 280 has a dispense tip interface, referred to for purposes of the present disclosure as a “surface-mount” interface, described above, wherein the pump 280 has the abovementioned outlet surface 283 against which the dispense tip 400 abuts, and a retainer nut 284 holds the dispense tip 400 in place against the outlet surface 283, and applies a force against the base 420 that is sufficient to compress the base 420 against the outlet surface 283 such that at least the second portion 422 of the base 420 is deformable relative to the outlet surface 283 to form a fluid-tight seal or interface 288 between the base 420 and the outlet surface 283. In an embodiment, the rotational torque of nut 284 on threads 292 of the pump outlet translates to a force, which deforms the base 220 to form the interface 288. In an embodiment, the retainer nut 284 is used when the base 420 is a non-threaded base. In other embodiments, a retaining nut is not required to hold the dispense tip 400 in place against the outlet surface 283. Rather, the outlet region 295 of the dispensing pump 280 includes a threaded interface, wherein the base 420 can be attached to or removed from the threaded interface of the base 420 by turning the base in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the axis A. In other embodiments, the dispense tip 400 can interface with other dispensing pumps, for example, pumps having a Luer™-compliant interface, wherein the pump body has a female Luer™ fitting at its outlet, which interfaces with a corresponding male Luer™ fitting at the inlet of the dispense tip.

(48) In an embodiment, the neck 410 comprises an elongated hole 419 that extends from an input end 412 of the neck 410 to an output end 414 of the neck 410. The neck 410 includes an inner taper 413 between the input end 412 of the neck 410 and the output end 414 of the neck 410 that transitions the input end 412 to the output end 414. A portion of the elongated hole 419 has an inner surface of a first inner diameter and the output end 414 includes an outlet having an inner surface of a second inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inner taper 413 is proximal to the output end region 414 of the neck. In other embodiments, the inner taper 413 can extend from an interface region proximal to the input end 412 of the neck 410 to the output end 414 of the neck 410.

(49) In an embodiment, the elongated hole 419 has a first inner diameter that is substantially constant along the length of the hole 419. In another embodiment, the neck hole 419 comprises a taper or draft from the input end 412 of the neck hole 419 to an outlet hole at the outlet end 414, such that a diameter at an input end 412 of the neck hole 419 is greater than a diameter at an output end 414 of the outlet hole. In another embodiment, the neck hole 419 comprises a taper or draft from the input end 412 of the neck hole 419 to the inner taper 413, such that a diameter at the input end 412 of the neck hole 419 is greater than a diameter at the opposite side of the neck hole 419 near the inner taper 413.

(50) The base 420 includes a funnel 431 that delivers fluid to the neck 410. The funnel 431 includes a funnel inlet 435 at an input end of the funnel 431 and a funnel outlet 436 at an output end of the funnel 431 that is proximal to the input end region 412 of the neck 410. The neck 410 extends from the base 420 and communicates with the funnel outlet 436 such that the dispense tip 400 includes a single material path between the funnel outlet 436 and the output end 414 of the outlet hole. In an embodiment, the funnel inlet 435 at the input end of the funnel 431 is aligned with, and has the same or similar dimensions such as width, diameter, circumference, cross sectional surface area, etc., as an outlet hole 286 in the outlet region 295 of the material dispensing pump 280.

(51) In an embodiment, the funnel 431 is formed in the first and second portions 421, 422 of the base 420. In an embodiment, the funnel 431 is formed in the first portion 421 of the base 420. This embodiment applies particularly to configurations where the second portion 422 of the base has different cross-sectional dimensions than the first portion 421 of the base, for example, when the second portion 422 is ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped, and the like, and has a smaller diameter than the first portion 421. Here, the second portion 422 has a hole that abuts the funnel inlet, such that an uninterrupted fluid path is provided from one end of the base 420 to the other end of the base 420.

(52) In an embodiment, the funnel 431 in the base 420 has a funnel angle, for example, on the order of 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the neck hole 419. Other funnel angles are equally applicable to embodiments of the present invention, depending on the application.

(53) In an embodiment, the outlet region 295 has the same cross-sectional dimensions as those dimensions of the second portion 422 of the base 420 of the dispense tip 400, for example, a same cross-sectional width or thickness.

(54) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a material dispensing system 20 comprising a dispense tip 300 and a material dispensing pump 380, wherein the dispense tip 300 is separated from the material dispensing pump 380, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the material dispensing system 20 of FIG. 3A, wherein the dispense tip 300 is coupled to the material dispensing pump 380, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment where interfacing surfaces 325, 383 of the dispense tip 300 and the material dispensing pump 380 of FIG. 3A, respectively, are in a position where they are separated from each other. FIG. 3D is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment of an interface 388 between the dispense tip 300 and the material dispensing pump 380 of FIG. 3B in a position where they are coupled together.

(55) In the embodiments illustrated and described with regard to FIGS. 3A-3D, the dispense tip 300 includes a molded base 320 having a second portion 322 comprising a compliant material similar to that used to form the base 220 described with regard to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, for example, a molded polyarylene sulfide such as molded polyphenylene sulfide.

(56) In FIG. 3A, the dispense tip 300 is separated from the pump 380, wherein the molded base 320 of the dispense tip 300 has similar dimensions, such as base thickness (t1), first width, and second width as those of the base 220 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, or FIG. 2. In an embodiment, when the base 320 is attached to the material dispensing pump 380, the thickness of the base 320 can be reduced in thickness from its first thickness (t1) to a second smaller thickness, for example, thickness (t2), and/or the cross-sectional dimensions, such as a width of the base 320 perpendicular to its thickness, can be increased to a greater width. In an embodiment, the deformation of the base 320, i.e., the reduction in thickness of the base 320, and/or increase in width or other dimensions of the base 320, can occur due to a force that is applied to the base 320 as a result of a retainer nut 384 in a direction of the axis A along which the dispense tip 300 and the pump 380 are positioned. In an embodiment, the base 320 retains its deformed shape even after a subsequent separation from the pump 380, referred to as “permanent deformation” or “plastic deformation.” In another embodiment, the deformation of the base 320 undergoes a temporary shape change when the force is applied that is self-reversing after the force is removed, and after the base 320 is subsequently separated from the pump 380, referred to as “elastic deformation.” In an embodiment, little or no deformation is made to the base 320 when the base 320 is attached to the pump 380 to form the fluid-tight interface 388. Specifically, a fluid-tight interface 388 is formed between an outermost surface 325 of the base 320 of the dispense tip 300 and the outlet surface 383 of the outlet region 390 of the pump 380 with little or no change in change in thickness, width, length, surface area, or other dimensions.

(57) As described above, a force can be applied to the dispense tip 300 by attaching a retainer nut 384 to the pump 380. Here, the dispense tip 300 is positioned between the retainer nut 384 and the pump 380 such that a fluid-tight interface 388 is formed between an outermost surface 325 of the base 320 of the dispense tip 300 and an outlet surface 383 of an outlet region 390 of the pump 380. In an embodiment, the pump 380 has a surface-mount interface, wherein the nut 384 includes threads that interface with the threads 392 on the pump 380. Here, torque is created when the nut 384 is tightened, which in turn results in a force being applied to the base 320, and the abovementioned deformation to occur. In an embodiment, the dispense tip 300 is attached to the pump 380 by threading the base 320 to the pump 380, for example, in a Luer™ configuration, or by other approaches known to those of ordinary skill in the art such that a fluid-tight interface 388 is formed between the base 320 of the dispense tip 300 and the surface 383 of the outlet region 390 of the pump 380.

(58) In an embodiment, the base 320 comprises a flat surface 326 that is aligned with a locator or tab 387 that protrudes from the outlet region 390 cartridge 370 in a direction along the axis A. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 3A, a hole 386 in the outlet region 390 of the dispensing pump 380 is aligned with a hole (not shown) in the dispense tip 300, for example, a funnel inlet similar to that shown in FIG. 2, such that a single uninterrupted material path is formed between the outlet region 390 and an outlet 340 at the end of the dispense tip 300.

(59) As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, an outermost surface 325 of the second portion 322 of the base 320 can be compressed against, and tightly abut, an outlet surface of a dispensing pump 380 to form a fluid-tight seal or interface 388 between the base 320 and the outlet surface 383 of the pump 380. Thus, in the event that either the outlet surface 383 or the base surface 325 has any imperfections such as cracks, crevices, and the like, for example, illustrated in FIG. 3C, the second portion 322 of the base 320 can compliantly conform to the outlet surface 383 to reduce or eliminate leaking of dispensing material from the interface region 388 between the base 320 and the pump 380, or leaching of solvents from the material during a dispensing operation that would otherwise occur, for example, illustrated in FIG. 3D. This can include materials and/or solvents that comprise solids, liquids, and/or gases, or other commonly dispensed materials and can include solder paste, conductive epoxy, surface mount epoxy, solder mask, epoxies, such as two-part epoxy, underfillers, oils, flux, silicone, gasket materials, glues, resins, pastes, medical reagents, certain materials, and the like, or other materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(60) The molded base 320 preferably has a substantially flat outermost surface 325. However, even if imperfections are present on the outermost surface 325 of the molded base 320, such as protrusion 336 or voids 337 shown in FIG. 3C, the fluid-tight interface 388 eliminates or reduces any leaking that may otherwise occur due to the presence of the protrusion 336 and/or voids 337, in particular, when the protrusion 336 extends from the surface less than 0.003 inches.

(61) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 500 including an alignment foot 530 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip 500 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a front view of the dispense tip 500 of FIG. 4A. In this manner, when the foot 530 comes in contact with the substrate, the tip opening 514 is a known vertical distance from the substrate during a dispensing operation.

(62) The dispense tip 500 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C comprises a neck 510, a base 520, and a vertical alignment foot 530, also referred to as a vertical alignment foot. The foot 530 is adapted and configured for reliable and accurate vertical positioning of the tip opening 514 over a substrate during dispensing of material.

(63) The foot 530 may be formed of a number of materials, including heat-treated steel, carbide, plastic, ceramic, investment casting, injection molded materials, stainless steel, titanium, gems such as ruby, sapphire, and the like, or other materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art as having hardness properties, and may be press-fit or bonded into the base 520. The foot 530 may be formed to include a radiused end 533, to allow for contact with the substrate without damaging the substrate, for example, when applying a line of material to the substrate.

(64) In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises a first portion 521 and a second portion 522, which can be formed in a manner that is similar to the molded dispense tip bases described herein with regard to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. In an embodiment, the elements of the base 520 comprise materials similar to those used to form the dispense tip bases described above with regard to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3A-3D, for example, a molded polyarylene sulfide, such as molded polyphenylene sulfide.

(65) In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises two holes: a first hole 531 into which the neck 510 is inserted, and a second hole 532 into which the alignment foot 530 is inserted. The neck 510 is positioned in the first hole 525 and joined to the base 520 by press-fitting, bonding, or welding, or other applicable techniques.

(66) The neck 510 is inserted into the first hole 531 of the base 520 to interface with a third hole 519 in the base 520 that extends from a funnel 541 at an outermost surface 525 of the base 520 to the neck 510 such that an unobstructed material path is formed from the funnel 541 through the hole 519 in the base 520, through a hole 529 in the neck, to the tip opening 514 at an opposite end of the neck 510.

(67) In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises a third portion 528 that extends from a surface 527 of the base 520 opposite the outermost surface 525 of the base 520, wherein the second hole 532 are each formed in the third portion 528 of the base 520, and wherein the first hole 531 is formed through the third portion of the base 528 to the first portion 521, or the second portion 522.

(68) FIG. 5A is perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 600 including multiple necks 610A-D coupled to a single base 620 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip 600 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a cutaway front view of the dispense tip 600 of FIG. 5A.

(69) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, a dispense tip 600 comprises four necks 610A-610D coupled to a base 620. However, alternative embodiments can include dispense tips having different numbers of necks, for example, two necks or six necks coupled to a same base.

(70) In an embodiment, the base 620 comprises four holes or apertures 632 in a portion 628 of the base 620. Each of the holes 632 communicates with a larger hole 619 that extends through the base 620, which in turn communicates with a funnel 641 proximal to an outermost surface 625 at an end of the base 620 that interfaces with a dispensing pump. The first through fourth necks 610A-610D are joined to a base 620 by press-fitting, bonding, or welding, or other applicable techniques. Each neck 610A-610D includes a hole 629A-629D, respectively, having a single input end and a single output end. In this manner, a single material path is provided between the funnel 641 through the hole 619 and an elongated hole 629A-D to a corresponding outlet 614A-D at the output end of each neck 610A-D, respectively.

(71) In an embodiment, the dispense tip 600 includes an alignment foot 630 that is parallel to the necks 610A-D to ensure rigidity and alignment of the dispense tip.

(72) FIG. 6A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 700 having a first portion 721 of a base 720 that is separate from a second portion 722 of the base 720, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a perspective side view of the dispense tip 700 of FIG. 6A, wherein the first portion 721 and second portion 722 of the base 700 are coupled together, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

(73) In one approach, the neck 710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 can be unitary and machined from a common stock, for example, stainless steel, or molded from a common material, for example, ceramics. In another approach, the neck 710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 can be formed by different methods, and of different materials, for example, plastics. In some embodiments, the dispense tip 700 including the neck 710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 can be formed in accordance with other approaches described herein.

(74) In other embodiments, the dispense tip having the neck 710 and the first portion 721 of the base shown in FIG. 6A can be similar to those dispense tips described with regard to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,167, 6,981,664, 6,957,783, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,313, filed Feb. 20, 2008, entitled “Material Dispense Tips and Methods for Manufacturing the Same,” by Jeffrey P. Fugere, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

(75) In an embodiment, the first portion 721 can have the same outer width, or can be of different dimensions, for example, different outer widths.

(76) The second portion 722 of the base 720 comprises a material that is compliant relative to a surface hardness of a material dispensing pump to which the base 720 is coupled. The second portion 722 can comprise materials similar to those described above, for example, materials similar to or the same as those of base 220 of FIG. 1 described above, for example, molded polyarylene sulfide. Accordingly, the second portion 722 can include properties, geometries, and features similar to those described above, and can comprise materials similar to or the same as those of base 220 of FIG. 1 described above.

(77) The second portion 722 and first portion 721 can be coupled together by bonding or other applicable techniques. In an embodiment, the second portion 722 can be coupled to the first portion 721 by a bonding material, such as a suitable adhesive known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(78) As described above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to dispense tips that include a compliant molded base that provides a fluid-tight interface when abutting the surface of a material dispensing pump during a dispensing operation. In particular, portions of the compliant base fill the imperfections to form a fluid-tight interface between the base and the pump. Thus, regardless of viscosity or other characteristics of the material that is dispensed, the fluid-tight interface prevents the material, or elements of the material, such as solvents, from leaching that would otherwise occur due to imperfections in either the dispense tip or the pump surface.

(79) While embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.