Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid supply that provides a carrier liquid under pressure that flows from the first liquid supply through a first liquid supply channel through a liquid dispensing channel through a liquid return channel and back to the first liquid supply continuously during a drop dispensing operation. A second liquid supply provides a functional liquid to the liquid dispensing channel through a second liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the second liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid. A drop ejection device is selectively actuated to divert the discrete drop of the functional liquid and a portion of the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel toward the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a liquid dispenser array structure that includes a functional liquid transfer region located between a liquid dispensing channel and a liquid return channel. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through the dispensing channel, functional liquid transfer region, and return channel during a drop dispensing operation. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the dispensing channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the supply channel and the dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the flowing carrier liquid. A receiver conveyance mechanism and the functional liquid transfer region are positioned relative to each other such that functional liquid drops are applied to a receiver while the carrier liquid flows through the functional liquid transfer region.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid includes providing a carrier liquid under pressure using a first liquid supply that flows from the first liquid supply through a first liquid supply channel through a liquid dispensing channel through a liquid return channel and back to the first liquid supply continuously during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid is provided to the liquid dispensing channel through a second liquid supply channel using a second liquid supply. A drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid. The drop ejection device is selectively actuated to divert the discrete drop of the functional liquid and a portion of the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel toward an outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A method of aligning an OLED substrate with a shadow mask includes forming a shadow mask with at least three spaced alignment openings, providing a precision alignment element into each of the alignment openings, and positioning the OLED substrate so that the edges of the OLED substrate engage the precision alignment elements and thereby align the shadow mask with the OLED substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing a particulate material, comprising a metering apparatus including: a reservoir; a housing having an internal volume and first and second openings for respectively receiving and discharging the particulate material; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove for receiving particulate material from the reservoir and for discharging the particulate material; the rotatable shaft and the internal volume cooperating such that the particulate material is transported by the circumferential groove and not along the remainder of the rotatable shaft; a scraper disposed in relation to the second opening, having at its end substantially the same cross section as the groove in the rotating shaft, the scraper cooperating with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and in response to the shaft rotating, delivers metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; to the flash evaporator.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes a metering device for metering particulate material including: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having an internal volume and having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a structure disposed in the reservoir for delivery and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; the shaft and internal volume cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein and fluidize the scraped particulate material, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; and a flash evaporator that receives and flash vaporizes the metered particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes: a metering device for metering particulate material having: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a rotating agitator with a plurality of tines disposed in the reservoir and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; a structure fluidizes the particulate material at the second opening; and a flash evaporator that receives and flash vaporizes the metered particulate material.

Abstract: A method for controlling the deposition of vaporized organic material onto a substrate surface, includes providing a manifold having at least one aperture through which vaporized organic material passes for deposition onto the substrate surface; and providing a volume of organic material and maintaining the temperature of such organic material in a first condition so that its vapor pressure is below that needed to effectively form a layer on the substrate, and in a second condition heating a volume percentage of the initial volume of such organic material so that the vapor pressure of the heated organic material is sufficient to effectively form a layer.

Abstract: A flat panel OLED device including a transparent deformable substrate having first and second sides and defining a predetermined illumination region and a non-illumination region; a moisture-sensitive OLED disposed over the first side of the transparent substrate within the illumination region and means for applying electrical signals to the OLED which causes the OLED to produce light and heat; a protective layer disposed over the OLED; a flexible encapsulating foil disposed over the protective layer, but not attached thereto; and a rigid chassis structure operatively associated with the transparent deformable substrate for dissipating the heat and providing rigidity to the transparent deformable substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes: a metering device having: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having an internal volume and having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a rotating agitator with a plurality of tines disposed in the reservoir and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; the rotatable shaft and the scraper cooperates to fluidize the particulate material at the second opening; and a flash evaporator that flash vaporizes the received particulate material.

Abstract: A flat panel OLED device including a transparent deformable substrate having first and second sides and defining a predetermined illumination region and a non-illumination region; a moisture-sensitive OLED disposed over the first side of the transparent substrate within the illumination region and means for applying electrical signals to the OLED which causes the OLED to produce light and heat; a protective layer disposed over the OLED; a flexible encapsulating foil disposed over the protective layer, but not attached thereto, and which dissipates the heat and sealingly connected to the substrate in the non-illumination region; and a rigid chassis structure operatively associated with the transparent deformable substrate for providing rigidity to the transparent deformable substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing a particulate material, comprising a metering apparatus including: a reservoir; a housing having an internal volume and first and second openings for respectively receiving and discharging the particulate material; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove for receiving particulate material from the reservoir and for discharging the particulate material; the rotatable shaft and the internal volume cooperating such that the particulate material is transported by the circumferential groove and not along the remainder of the rotatable shaft; a scraper disposed in relation to the second opening, having at its end substantially the same cross section as the groove in the rotating shaft, the scraper cooperating with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and in response to the shaft rotating, delivers metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; to the flash evaporator.

Abstract: Apparatus for vaporizing a particulate material, comprising a metering apparatus including: a reservoir; a housing having an internal volume and first and second openings for respectively receiving and discharging the particulate material; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove for receiving particulate material from the reservoir and for discharging the particulate material; the rotatable shaft and the internal volume cooperating such that the particulate material is transported by the circumferential groove and not along the remainder of the rotatable shaft; a scraper disposed in relation to the second opening, having at its end substantially the same cross section as the groove in the rotating shaft, the scraper cooperating with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and in response to the shaft rotating, delivers metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; to the flash evaporator.

Abstract: An OLED display, comprising: a substrate; an OLED having two spaced-apart electrodes and organic layers disposed there between, and the OLED disposed over the substrate; an encapsulation container fixed by perimeter seal to the substrate and disposed over the OLED to provide an enclosure; and the substrate or the encapsulation container, or both, including compliant regions that flex, compress, or expand under stress and reduce stress transfer between the substrate and the encapsulation container through the perimeter seal.

Abstract: A method for controlling the deposition of vaporized organic material onto a substrate surface, includes providing a manifold having at least one aperture through which vaporized organic material passes for deposition onto the substrate surface; and providing a volume of organic material and maintaining the temperature of such organic material in a first condition so that its vapor pressure is below that needed to effectively form a layer on the substrate, and in a second condition heating a volume percentage of the initial volume of such organic material so that the vapor pressure of the heated organic material is sufficient to effectively form a layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes: a metering device for metering particulate material having: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a rotating agitator with a plurality of tines disposed in the reservoir and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; a structure fluidizes the particulate material at the second opening; and a flash evaporator that receives and flash vaporizes the metered particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes a metering device for metering particulate material including: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having an internal volume and having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a structure disposed in the reservoir for delivery and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; the shaft and internal volume cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein and fluidize the scraped particulate material, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; and a flash evaporator that receives and flash vaporizes the metered particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes: a metering device having: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having an internal volume and having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a rotating agitator with a plurality of tines disposed in the reservoir and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; the rotatable shaft and the scraper cooperates to fluidize the particulate material at the second opening; and a flash evaporator that flash vaporizes the received particulate material.

Abstract: A method for tensioning a shadow mask includes positioning a first side of a shadow mask into contact with the lower half of a tensioning frame, positioning an upper half of the tensioning frame into contact with a second side of the shadow mask, and clamping the upper half of the tensioning frame to the lower half of the tensioning frame to form a tensioning frame, and rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two tensioning frame halves. The method also includes elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame to tension the shadow mask.