Appeal No. 96-2276
Application 08/128,622
mask. In one embodiment, the shadow mask includes a skirt
which has associated with it a different coefficient of
thermal expansion than the main portions of the mask.
Considering the skirt as the equivalent to a support frame, it
is clear that expansion or contraction of the skirt upon
heating causes deformation of the overall mask. (Ragland,
column 3, lines 12-17, and lines 29-37). In another
embodiment, the frame attached to the shadow mask has
associated with it a different coefficient of thermal
expansion than the mask. Upon heating, the frame’s movements
result in deformation of the mask. (Ragland, column 4, lines
45-57).
Specifically in both embodiments, the shadow mask deforms
or distorts as a result of interaction with the skirt or
frame. Ragland states in column 3, lines 29-37, that when the
mask heats up, the corners of the mask rise in the +Z
direction, as the rest of the mask goes down in the -Z
direction.
In the claimed invention, upon heating, the difference in
thermal expansion between the frame and the mask cause the
frame to bend, however, the bending of the frame does not
cause further deformation of the mask. (Spec., pg. 7, lines
9
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