US3801387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Etchant remover apparatus and method
Assignee: Chemcut Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-18
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Treated articles such as printed circuit boards that have been etched with an etchant or treated with a solvent, are delivered into a zone of sufficiently high humidity to prevent drying of a liquid treatment fluid on the articles, and wherein the treatment fluid is ''''blown off'''' the articles by pressurized air, in the high humidity environment, with the treatment fluid then being delivered for re-use at a prior station.
Inventors
- 👤 D Goffredo
- 👤 C Shakley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:44
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; B08B3/022; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/26; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/07; H05K2203/0736; H05K2203/075; H05K2203/0756; H05K2203/0766; H05K2203/0779; H05K2203/0786; H05K2203/08; H05K2203/081; H05K2203/15; H05K2203/1509
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including means for collecting the liquid blown from articles for return of the liquid to the treatment zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for creating a moist atmosphere comprise means for creating a relative humidity of approximately 100 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for creating a moist atmosphere comprise spray nozzles having means for connecting water and compressed air thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for delivering a stream of gas comprise a pair of air knives disposed for delivering concentrated air streams substantially completely across the path of movement of articles through the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one air knife is disposed above the path of movement of articles through the chamber, and one air knife is disposed below the path of movement of articles through the chamber, and wherein said air knives are positioned for directing streams of air toward each other and in a general rearward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6, including blower means for supplying air to said air knives.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7, including means for exhausting moist air from said chamber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of rinse-free removing of liquid treatment fluid from treated articles comprising the steps of moving articles along predetermined paths, exposing the articles to a sufficiently high humidity environment in a chamber to prevent substantial drying of treatment fluid or evaporation of moisture of treatment fluid from the articles, blowing treatment fluid from surfaces of the articles by blowing a gas thereon while the articles are in the high humidity environment and while the articles are moving along their paths, and collecting treatment fluid thus blown from the articles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, including the step of returning the collected treatment fluid to a treatment station for re-use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the articles being treated are printed circuit members and the treatment fluid comprises an etchant, with liquid removing taking place immediately subsequent to an etching step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the articles being treated comprise printed circuit members and the treatment fluid comprises a solvent, with the liquid removing taking place immediately subsequent to dissolution of a coating from a printed circuit board by the solvent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |