Patents by Inventor Robert F. Zwaap

Robert F. Zwaap has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7442413
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling and delivering a vaporous element or compound, for example, selenium or sulfur, from a solid source to a work piece are provided. The methods and apparatus may be used in photovoltaic cell manufacturing. The apparatus may comprise a treatment chamber, for example, a box furnace or a tube furnace. The chamber may include an inner enclosure, an outer enclosure, and heating sources capable of independent thermal control, for example, in compliance with a predetermined heating schedule. The apparatus include devices and mechanisms for isolating the treatment chambers from the ambient environment. The methods and apparatus may be adapted to control metalloid vapor delivery in photovoltaic cell processing, for example, the processing of CIGS and CIGSS photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: DayStar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Zwaap, Troy Berens, John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7364772
    Abstract: A vapor deposition source for use in vacuum chamber for coating an organic layer on a substrate of an OLED device, includes a manifold including side and bottom walls defining a chamber for receiving organic material, and an aperture plate disposed between the side walls, the aperture plate having a plurality of spaced apart apertures for emitting vaporized organic material; the aperture plate including conductive material which in response to an electrical current produces heat; means for heating the organic material to a temperature which causes its vaporization, and heating the side walls of the manifold; and an electrical insulator coupling the aperture plate to the side walls for concentrating heat in the unsupported region of the aperture plate adjacent to the apertures, whereby the distance between the aperture plate and the substrate can be reduced to provide high coating thickness uniformity on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Long, Jeremy M. Grace, Bruce E. Koppe, Dennis R. Freeman, Neil P. Redden, Robert F. Zwaap
  • Patent number: 6480675
    Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James G. Rydelek, Joseph A. Watkins, Robert F. Zwaap, Michael L. Dececca
  • Publication number: 20020150396
    Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James G. Rydelek, Joseph A. Watkins, Robert F. Zwaap, Michael L. Dececca