Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An etching process for use in chemically etching the outer surface of a metal member in a plurality of tanks including inlet and outlet openings in the front and rear opposed walls thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning said plurality of tanks in series and aligning said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks, respectively; disposing an etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; feeding said metal member though said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks and through said tanks in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member while rotating the same about said longitudinal axis thereof; immersing said metal member in said etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; forceably conducting etching treating solution in the axial direction of feeding of said metal member within each of said tanks; and independently feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings and through said tanks in a continuous and sequential manner while rotating said metal member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An etching process for use in chemically etching the outer surface of a metal member in a plurality of tanks including inlet and outlet openings in the front and rear opposed walls thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning said plurality of tanks in series and aligning said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks, respectively; disposing an etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; feeding said metal member though said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks and through said tanks in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member while rotating the same about said longitudinal axis thereof; immersing said metal member in said etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; forceably conducting etching treating solution in the axial direction of feeding of said metal member within each of said tanks; and independently feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings and through said tanks in a continuous and sequential manner while rotating said metal member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
An etching process for use in chemically etching the outer surface of a metal member in a plurality of tanks including inlet and outlet openings in the front and rear opposed walls thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning said plurality of tanks in series and aligning said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks, respectively; disposing an etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks and through said tanks in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member while rotating the same about said longitudinal axis thereof; forceably conducting etching treating solution in a travelling direction opposite that of said metal member being fed within said tanks; and feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings and through said tanks in a continuous and sequential manner while rotating said metal member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
An etching process for use in chemically etching the outer surface of a metal member in a plurality of tanks including inlet and outlet openings in the front and rear opposed walls thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning said plurality of tanks in series and aligning said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks, respectively; disposing an etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks; feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings of said tanks and through said tanks in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member while rotating the same about said longitudinal axis thereof; forceably conducting etching treating solution in a travelling direction opposite that of said metal member being fed within said tanks; and feeding said metal member through said inlet and outlet openings and through said tanks in a continuous and sequential manner while rotating said metal member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An etching process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of disposing an etching treating solution within each of said plurality of tanks includes; disposing a first acid in a first tank; and disposing a second acid relatively more concentrated than the first acid in a second tank so as to provide varying degrees of etching to the outer surface of said metal member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An etching process as defined within claim 1, wherein said process further comprises the steps of: water-rinsing said metal member, so as to remove said etching treating solution which may adhere to the surface of said metal member, between adjoining tanks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An etching process as defined within claim 1, which further comprises: maintaining the levels of said etching treating solutions in said plurality of tanks in such a manner that said etching treating solutions cover the entire length of said metal member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
An etching process as defined within claim 1, wherein: receiving and returning etching treating solution overflowing through the interstices defined between the wall of said tank defining said inlet and outlet openings and said metal member to a corresponding one of said tanks.