US3977884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal plating solution
Assignee: Shipley Co Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-02
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-01-02
Abstract
Abstract An electroless metal plating solution is characterized by an elemental sulfur stabilizer, either in colloidal or soluble, non-ionic form. Elemental sulfur as a stabilizer is an improvement over prior art stabilizers as it can be used in substantially larger concentration than prior art divalent sulfur stabilizers which are catalytic poisons.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Gulla
- 👤 Charles A. Gaputis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:33
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/31; C23C18/38; C23C18/40; C23C18/405; C23C18/32; C23C18/34; C23C18/36; C23C18/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
In an electroless plating bath containing a source of metal ions selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, gold and palladium, a complexing agent to maintain said ions in solution and a reducing agent for said metal ions, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
In an electroless plating bath containing a source of metal ions selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, gold and palladium, a complexing agent to maintain said ions in solution and a reducing agent for said metal ions, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bath of claim 1 where the amount is at least 2.5 parts per million.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bath of claim 1 where the amount ranges between 2.5 and 50 parts per million.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bath of claim 1 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of a colloid in the bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The metal plating bath of claim 3 where the elemental sulfur is dissolved in the bath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bath of claim 1 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of an emulsion in the bath, said emulsion comprising sulfur dissolved in a solvent dispersed in said bath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
In an electroless copper plating bath comprising a source of cupric ions, a reducing agent therefor and a complexing agent to maintain said cupric ions in solution, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
In an electroless copper plating bath comprising a source of cupric ions, a reducing agent therefor and a complexing agent to maintain said cupric ions in solution, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The bath of claim 7 where the reducing agent is formaldehyde.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bath of claim 8 where the complexing agent is a carboxylic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bath of claim 8 where the amount of elemental sulfur ranges between 2.5 and 50 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bath of claim 8 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of a colloid in the bath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bath of claim 8 where the elemental sulfur is dissolved in the bath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bath of claim 8 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of an emulsion in the bath, said emulsion comprising sulfur dissolved in a solvent dispersed in said bath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
In an electroless nickel plating bath comprising a source of nickel ions, a complexing agent to maintain said nickel ions in solution and a reducing agent for said nickel ions, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
In an electroless nickel plating bath comprising a source of nickel ions, a complexing agent to maintain said nickel ions in solution and a reducing agent for said nickel ions, the improvement comprising elemental sulphur in said plating bath in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the reducing agent is a hypophosphite.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the reducing agent is a borane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the amount ranges between 2.5 and 50 parts per million.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of a colloid in the bath.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the elemental sulfur is dissolved in the bath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The plating bath of claim 14 where the elemental sulfur is in the form of an emulsion in the bath, said emulsion comprising sulfur dissolved in a solvent dispersed in said bath.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of replenishing an electroless metal plating bath comprising a source of metal ions selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, gold and palladium, a reducing agent therefor and a complexing agent to maintain said metal ions in solution, said method comprising the addition of an agent to said bath, said agent comprising a member selected from the group of colloids, emulsions and solutions of elemental sulphur in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of replenishing an electroless metal plating bath comprising a source of metal ions selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, gold and palladium, a reducing agent therefor and a complexing agent to maintain said metal ions in solution, said method comprising the addition of an agent to said bath, said agent comprising a member selected from the group of colloids, emulsions and solutions of elemental sulphur in an amount of at least 0.2 parts per million parts of the bath.
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) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |