Patent ID: 8865569
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: B23K,H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, all the layers being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series, the apparatus comprising a process head on which are provided: a) one or more cutters positioned on the process head to make, during a single pass: b) a first ink jet print head positioned on the process head to iv) deposit a non-conducting material into the first cut during the single pass; and c) a second ink jet print head positioned on the process head to v) apply conducting material to bridge the non-conducting material in the first cut and either fully or partially fill the second cut during the single pass so that an electrical connection is made between the first layer and the third layer, the apparatus also comprising: d) a drive that moves the process head relative to the device; and e) a controller adapted to control movement of the process head relative to the device and to actuate the one or more cutters and the first and second ink jet print heads so that division of the device into separate cells and the formation of an electrical connection between adjacent cells can all be carried out in the single pass of the process head across the device, wherein the one or more cutters and the first and second ink jet print heads are attached to the process head in such positions that, during the single pass, step i) precedes step iv), step iv) precedes step v) and step ii) precedes step v), otherwise the steps may be carried out in any order during the single pass.