US3658660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articles such as electroforms and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-29
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1989-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Electroforms are produced by depositing a metal or alloy on a mold or mandrel of a metal or alloy having a melting point lower than the metal deposited in the disclosed method. A tin/zinc alloy of 92 percent tin and 8 percent zinc is coated with a metal such as copper or nickel, then the mold is immersed in a liquid maintained at a temperature sufficient to melt away the mold leaving the electroformed article.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Fernyhough Maddock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:07
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H3/00; B23H3/04; B23H7/00; B23H7/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 1, in which the mold or mandrel is removed from the coating or coatings by immersing the coated mold or mandrel in a liquid having a temperature above the melting point of that of the mold of mandrel tin and zinc alloy, but below the melting point of that of the coating or coatings, thereby removing substantially all of the tin/zinc alloy mold or mandrel by melting same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 2, in which removal of the mold or mandrel from the coating or coatings is assisted by effecting relative movement of the liquid and the coated mold or mandrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 3, in which the liquid is oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 2, in which the coating or coatings, after removal of the mold or mandrel are treated chemically to remove any remaining mold residue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 1, in which the coating or coatings are copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of producing an electroform as claimed in claim 1, in which the tin/zinc alloy comprises 92 percent tin plus or minus 0.2 percent, and 8 percent zinc plus or minus 0.2 percent, impurities not exceeding 0.05 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
An electroform produced according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A method producing an electroform comprising the steps of: a. producing a mold or mandrel from a tin/zinc alloy consisting essentially of tin 92 + or - 0.2 percent, zinc 8 + or - 0.2 percent and impurities, if present, not exceeding 0.05 percent; b. depositing thereon at least one metal having a melting point higher than the tin/zinc alloy of step (a) and substantially free from affinity for said mold or mandrel; c. immersing the coated mold or mandrel in a liquid maintained at a temperature above the melting point of said tin/zinc alloy but below the melting point of said deposited coating; thereby removing the coating from the mold or mandrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the deposited coating is copper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |