Method and apparatus for thin film coating an article
AssigneeViratec Thin Films, Inc.
InventorsErik J. Bjornard, Eric W. Kurman, Debra M. Steffenhagen, Clifford L. Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, apparatus and carrier for coating a CRT screen after assembly. The method and apparatus includes isolating a surface portion of the CRT to be coated from the remaining surface to prevent or minimize coating problems resulting from outgassing or difficulty in controlling coating process parameters and to isolate noncompatible components from the deposition environment.
Claims21
An apparatus for providing a thin film coating to an assembled cathode ray tube in which said cathode ray tube includes a front face portion to be coated and a rearward funnel portion comprising the remaining surface of said cathode ray tube to remain uncoated, said apparatus comprising:
- a process chamber having first and second ends and first and second adjacent zones extending from said first end to said second end wherein said first zone is a deposition zone and said second zone is a non-deposition zone;
- a thin film deposition device in said deposition zone for providing a coating to said front face portion;
- and
- a cathode ray tube support moveable through said process chamber from said first end to said second end and at least partially defining said first and second zones, said cathode ray tube support having a first surface facing said first zone and a second surface facing said second zone and at least one support opening for supporting said cathode ray tube in said opening with said front face portion facing and exposed to said first zone and said rearward funnel portion facing and extending into said second zone whereby said cathode ray tube support substantially separates said first and second zones during its movement through said process chamber and said front face portion is coated with a thin film coating in said first zone and said rearward funnel portion remains free of any coating in said second zone.
A carrier for supporting an assembled cathode ray tube in an apparatus for use in a coating process for providing a thin film coating to a front face portion of said cathode ray tube while maintaining a rearward funnel portion of said cathode ray tube free of any coating, the apparatus having a deposition zone and an adjacent non-deposition zone and a deposition device in said deposition zone, said carrier comprising:
- a base;
- transport means associated with said base for moving said carrier through said apparatus;
- a cathode ray tube support connected with said base and having a support opening for supporting said cathode ray tube in a coating position with said front face portion facing and exposed to said deposition zone and said rearward funnel portion facing and extending into said non-deposition zone.
An apparatus for providing a thin film coating to an assembled cathode ray tube in which said cathode ray tube includes a front face portion to be coated and a rearward funnel portion comprising the remaining surface of said cathode ray tube to remain uncoated, said apparatus comprising:
- a process chamber having first and second zones wherein said first zone is a deposition zone and said second zone is an adjacent non-deposition zone;
- a thin film deposition device in said deposition zone for providing a coating to said front face portion;
- and
- a cathode ray tube support moveable through said process chamber along a closed loop path and at least partially defining said first and second zones, said cathode ray tube support having a first surface facing said first zone and a second surface facing said second zone and at least one support opening for supporting said cathode ray tube in said opening with said front face portion facing and exposed to said first zone and said rearward funnel portion facing and exposed to said second zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.