Elimination or control of acid mists over electrolytic cells

Claim 2

In an electroplating system comprising a tank with an electrolyte and electrodes supported therein, the improvement comprising an assembly of freely movable, floatable, non-conductive elongated members chemically inert to the electrolyte and arranged to cover the surface of the electrolyte in parallel, close-packed, self-locating relationship with each other, the assembly of said elongated members being substantially parallel to the electrodes, with the length thereof longer than the width of the electrode, such that the formation of acid mist over the tank due to gas evolution at the electrodes is substantially inhibited.

Claim 3

The electroplating system of claim 1, wherein said floatable elongated members are either hollow or solid and wherein said electrodes comprise a plurality of pairs of cathode-anode electrodes with said assembly of members disposed in the spaces between said pairs of electrodes.

Claim 4

The electroplating system of claim 2, wherein the floatable elongated members are made from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, fiberglass, plastic, hardwood, rubber, ceramic and metals coated with a non-conductive material.

Claim 5

The electroplating system of claim 3, wherein said elongated members are made of plastic materials selected from the group of plastics consisting of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyurethane.

Claim 6

In an electroplating system for the electrolytic deposition of metal, said system comprising a tank having an electrolyte confined therein and being of suitable width and length and having at least one pair of spaced apart cathode-anode electrodes suspended across the width of said tank and extending downwardly into said electrolyte, said surface of said electrolyte being exposed, the improvement, wherein said electrolyte surface is covered with an assembly of freely movable, floatable, non-conductive elongated members chemically inert to the electrolyte disposed across the width of said tank, said freely movable assembly of members being in parallel, close-packed selflocating relationship and parallel with said electrodes, said members having a length greater than the width of the electrodes, such that during electroplating, the formation of acid mist or spray over the tank due to gas evolution at the electrodes is substantially inhibited.

Claim 7

In an electroplating system for the electrolytic deposition of metal, said system comprising a tank having an electrolyte confined therein and being of suitable width and length and having at least one pair of spaced apart cathode-anode electrodes suspended across the width of said tank and extending downwardly into said electrolyte, said surface of said electrolyte being exposed, the improvement, wherein said electrolyte surface is covered with an assembly of freely movable, floatable, non-conductive elongated members chemically inert to the electrolyte disposed across the width of said tank, said freely movable assembly of members being in parallel, close-packed selflocating relationship and parallel with said electrodes, said members having a length greater than the width of the electrodes, such that during electroplating, the formation of acid mist or spray over the tank due to gas evolution at the electrodes is substantially inhibited.

Claim 8

The electroplating system of claim 4, wherein said elongated members are either hollow or solid and wherein said electrodes comprise a plurality of pairs of cathodeanode electrodes with said freely movable assembly of members disposed in the spaces between said pairs of electrodes.

Claim 9

The electroplating system of claim 6, wherein the floatable elongated members are made from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, fiberglass, plastic, hardwood, rubber, ceramic and metals coated with a non-conductive material.

Claim 10

The electroplating system of claim 7, wherein said elongated members are made of plastic materials selected from the group of plastics consisting of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyurethane.