# US 8,784,586 B2 · Tape applicator

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- Number: US 8,784,586 B2
- Document ID: US8784586B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/213,269
- Filed: 2011-08-19
- Published: 2012-02-23
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-20
- Assignees: First Solar, Inc.
- Applicants: Richard S. Malik, Jr.
- Inventors: Richard S. Malik, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784586B2

## CPC

- H10P 72/0442: {Apparatus for placing on an insulating substrate, e.g. tape}
- H10F 39/80: {Constructional details of image sensors}
- Y10T 156/1089: of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina
- Y10T 156/109: Embedding of laminae within face of additional laminae
- Y10T 156/1092: All laminae planar and face to face
- Y10T 156/1093: with covering of discrete laminae with additional lamina
- H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method of applying a strip of tape includes directing air pressure at a raised section of a conductor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of applying a strip of tape, the method comprising:
directing gas toward a raised section of a conductor positioned adjacent to a surface, wherein the conductor comprises a first base section at a first end of the raised section and secured adjacent to the surface, and a second base section at a second end of the raised section and secured adjacent to the surface, wherein the raised section intersects a vertical plane extending perpendicular from the first base section;
displacing the raised section so that the raised section no longer intersects the vertical plane; and
applying a strip of tape, starting at the first base section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the directing comprises directing a burst of gas toward a loop of a conductive tape strip adjacent to a contact region of a photovoltaic module.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the gas comprises air.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the gas comprises compressed air.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the raised section and initiating gas flow upon detection of the raised section.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the directed gas.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping the directed gas.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating gas flow.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting gas flow.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering a tape dispensing apparatus proximate to the surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting the raised section and stopping lowering of the tape dispensing apparatus.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the directing occurs while the tape dispensing apparatus is in a stopped position.