US3923610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of copper plating gravure cylinders
Assignee: Intaglio Service Corp
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Filing: 1974-08-27
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Used gravure cylinders are reconditioned by electrolytic methods using a conventional electroplating machine. During a first stage of the method, copper is alternately and repeatedly removed from and applied to the cylinder by repeatedly reversing the direction of flow of current, with the predominant flow being in a direction to remove copper. In a second stage of the method, copper is also alternately and repeatedly removed from and applied to the cylinder by repeatedly reversing the direction of flow of current, but with the predominant flow being in a direction to apply copper. In a third stage, repeated reversal of flow of current may be discontinued, and sustained flow of current in a direction to apply copper to the cylinder may be continued until a layer of the desired thickness is reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J Bergin
- 👤 Richard Flaig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:06
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/18; C25D5/60; C25D5/615; C25D5/617; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S204/00; Y10S204/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A METOD OF RECONDITIONING USED GRAVURE CYLINDERS CONSISTING OF A CYLINDRICAL SUBSTRATE HAVING A LAYER OF COPPER DEPOSITED THEREON AND HAVING AN INK CARRYING INTAGLIO IMAGE CONSISTING OF A MULTIPLICITY OF CELLS ETCHED INTO THE SURFACE OF SAID LAYER OF COPPER, WHICH SAID METHOD COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. EXPOSING THE SURFACE OF SAID CYLINDER TO AN ELECTROLYTE, B. PASSING DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE AND CYLINDER, C. REMOVING COPPER FROM SAID LAYER DURING A FIRST STAGE OF OPERATION IN WHICH THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS REVERSED REPEATEDLY SO THAT FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS ALTERNATED WITH REVERSE FLOW AND IN WHICH THE DURATION OF REVERSE FLOW OF CURRENT EXCEEDS THE DURATION OF FORWARD FLOW, AND D. APPLYING COPPER TO SAID LAYER DURING A SECOND STAGE OF OPERATION IN WHICH THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS REVERSED REPEATEDLY SO THAT FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS ALTERNATED WITH REVERSE FLOW AND IN WHICH THE DURATION OF FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT EXCEEDS THE DURATION OF REVERSE FLOW.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A METOD OF RECONDITIONING USED GRAVURE CYLINDERS CONSISTING OF A CYLINDRICAL SUBSTRATE HAVING A LAYER OF COPPER DEPOSITED THEREON AND HAVING AN INK CARRYING INTAGLIO IMAGE CONSISTING OF A MULTIPLICITY OF CELLS ETCHED INTO THE SURFACE OF SAID LAYER OF COPPER, WHICH SAID METHOD COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. EXPOSING THE SURFACE OF SAID CYLINDER TO AN ELECTROLYTE, B. PASSING DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE AND CYLINDER, C. REMOVING COPPER FROM SAID LAYER DURING A FIRST STAGE OF OPERATION IN WHICH THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS REVERSED REPEATEDLY SO THAT FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS ALTERNATED WITH REVERSE FLOW AND IN WHICH THE DURATION OF REVERSE FLOW OF CURRENT EXCEEDS THE DURATION OF FORWARD FLOW, AND D. APPLYING COPPER TO SAID LAYER DURING A SECOND STAGE OF OPERATION IN WHICH THE DIRECTION OF FLOW OF DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS REVERSED REPEATEDLY SO THAT FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYTE IS ALTERNATED WITH REVERSE FLOW AND IN WHICH THE DURATION OF FORWARD FLOW OF CURRENT EXCEEDS THE DURATION OF REVERSE FLOW.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 in which the flow of current during said second stage of operation is terminated while the flow of current is in the forward direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method claimed in claim 1 which includes applying copper during a third stage of operation in which the direction of flow of direct current through said electrolyte is continuously in the forward direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method claimed in claim 1 in which, during said first stage of operation, the ratio of duration of reverse flow to forward flow is approximately 6 to 1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 in which, during the said second stage of operation, the ratio of duration of forward flow to reverse flow is approximately 8 to 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method claimed in claim 1 in which, during the said first stage of operation, the ratio of duration of reverse flow to forward flow is approximately 6 to 1, and in which, during said second stage of operation the ratio of duration of forward flow to reverse flow is approximately 8 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method claimed in claiM 1 in which, during the said second stage of operation, the ratio of duration of forward flow to reverse flow exceeds the ratio of reverse flow to forward flow during the said first stage of operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |