US4283243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of photosensitive stratum to create through-hole connections in circuit boards
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1980-03-20
•
Granted: 1981-08-11
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Expires: 2000-03-20
Abstract
Abstract Electrically conductive through-holes in a substrate are prepared by (a) laminating a film based plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum to at least one surface of the substrate; (b) applying a pressure differential across the stratum covering the substrate holes, the outside pressure exceeding that inside the holes; in either order (c) removing at least one film base or (d) exposing the photosensitive stratum imagewise, (e) adhering metal or catalytic particles to hole walls and image areas, (f) optionally hardening or curing the particulate areas and (g) providing an electrically conductive printed circuit and through-holes, e.g., by plating metal electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam Andreades
- 👤 Grant A. Beske
- 👤 John W. Lott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:28
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/40; H05K3/42; H05K3/422; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; G03F7/168; G03F7/26; G03F7/28; H05K3/10; H05K3/102; H05K3/18; H05K3/181; H05K3/182; H05K3/185; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0335; H05K2201/0347; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09209; H05K2201/095; H05K2201/09581; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/02; H05K2203/0278; H05K2203/04; H05K2203/044; H05K2203/05; H05K2203/0502; H05K2203/0525; H05K2203/06; H05K2203/068; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3465; H05K3/3468; H05K3/425; H05K3/426; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S156/00; Y10S156/918; Y10S156/919; Y10S156/922; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/901; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1056; Y10T156/1057; Y10T156/11; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for treating the surface of a through-hole in a substrate in preparation for rendering that surface electroconductive comprising the steps: (a) laminating a supported plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) removing the support from the stratum and applying a pressure differential across the stratum by subjecting the stratum to vacuum via the through-hole; (c) maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum by which the stratum covering the through-hole collapses into the through-hole and adheres to the walls thereof; (d) optionally exposing the photosensitive stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the areas covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) applying finely divided metal alloy or plating catalyst to the toner-receptive surface of the collapsed stratum within the through-hole; (f) optionally hardening or curing the metallized or catalyzed areas; step-(g) converting the metallized or catalyzed areas to electrically conductive areas and electrically conductive through-holes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for treating the surface of a through-hole in a substrate in preparation for rendering that surface electroconductive comprising the steps: (a) laminating a supported plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) removing the support from the stratum and applying a pressure differential across the stratum by subjecting the stratum to vacuum via the through-hole; (c) maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum by which the stratum covering the through-hole collapses into the through-hole and adheres to the walls thereof; (d) optionally exposing the photosensitive stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the areas covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) applying finely divided metal alloy or plating catalyst to the toner-receptive surface of the collapsed stratum within the through-hole; (f) optionally hardening or curing the metallized or catalyzed areas; step-(g) converting the metallized or catalyzed areas to electrically conductive areas and electrically conductive through-holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a supported plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum is laminated to both surfaces of the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein after removal of the support from the first plastic photosensitive stratum, and subsequent collapse of said stratum into the holes a pressure differential is reapplied as in step (b) and the second support is removed wherein the second plastic photosensitive stratum over the holes collapses into the holes and the hole walls are continuously coated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein after the second support is removed the laminate is maintained at ambient temperature until the plastic photosensitive stratum over the holes collapses into the holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein prior to or simultaneously with removal of the second support the collapsed plastic photosensitive stratum is gently heated to a temperature below the degradation point of said stratum, and after removal of the second support the plastic photosensitive stratum over the holes collapses into the holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein subsequent to the collapse of the first plastic photosensitive stratum into the through holes and prior to removal of the second support a plastic film is vacuum laminated to the surface of said collapsed stratum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum is a photohardenable stratum taken from the group consisting of photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable and photodimerizable compositions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are hardened (step f) by heating up to about 180° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are cured (step f) by radiating with radiation actinic to the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the exposure in step (d) occurs prior to removal of the support in step (c).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metal, alloy, or plating catalyst particles are applied by dusting the through-holes and toner-receptive image areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metal, alloy or plating catalyst particles are applied to through-holes and toner-receptive image areas by placing the exposed laminate in a fluidized bed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are converted to electrically conductive areas by electrolessly plating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are converted to electrically conductive areas by soldering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein an exposure step is conducted with respect to each of the photo-sensitive strata and the electrically conductive areas formed in step (g) form a printed circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein after removal of the support from the first plastic photosensitive stratum and subsequent collapse of said stratum into the holes and prior to exposure step (d) the second support is removed and subsequently the second plastic photosensitive stratum is relaminated at normal atmospheric conditions with a film support thereby sealing air between the relaminated film support and the second plastic photosensitive stratum, the collapsed first plastic photosensitive stratum is vacuum laminated with a support, and subsequent to exposure of both photosensitive layers the relaminated film support is removed wherein the second plastic photosensitive stratum over the holes collapses into the holes and the hole walls are continuously coated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein after removal of the support from the first plastic photosensitive stratum and subsequent collapse of said stratum into the holes and prior to exposure step (d) the second support is removed and subsequently the second plastic photosensitive stratum is relaminated at normal atmospheric conditions with a film support thereby sealing air between the relaminated film support and the second plastic photosensitive stratum, the collapsed first plastic photosensitive stratum is vacuum laminated with a support wherein the second plastic photosensitive stratum over the holes collapses into the holes and the hole walls are continuously coated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum is a photohardenable stratum taken from the group consisting of photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable and photodimerizable compositions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum is photopolymerizable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the pressure differential (step b) is applied concurrently with the lamination (step a).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are hardened (step f) by heating up to about 180° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are cured (step f) by radiating with radiation actinic to the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the exposure step is conducted and the electrically conductive areas formed in step (g) form a printed circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the exposure in step (d) occurs prior to removal of the support in step (c).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are converted to electrically conductive areas by soldering.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the electrically conductive printed circuit is provided by conjoining or burnishing the metallized or catalyzed areas.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the metal, alloy or plating catalyst particles are applied by dusting the through-holes and toner-receptive image areas.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the metal, alloy or plating catalyst particles are applied to through-holes and toner-receptive image areas by placing the exposed laminate in a fluidized bed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein after the support is removed from the photosensitive stratum (step c) a pressure differential is reapplied as in step (b) and simultaneously therewith the plastic photosensitive stratum is heated to a temperature below the degradation point of the stratum.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein subsequent to lamination of the supported plastic photosensitive stratum (step a) the support is removed from the plastic photosensitive stratum (step c) and then a pressure differential is applied across the stratum covering the substrate holes (step b), and simultaneously with the application of the pressure differential the plastic photosensitive stratum is heated to a temperature below the degradation point of the stratum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the photosensitive stratum is made toner-receptive subsequent to exposure by an additional treatment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are cured (step f) by radiating with radiation actinic to the photosensitive toner-receptive stratum followed by heating up to about 180° C.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the plastic photosensitive toner-receptive stratum is a flame retardant photopolymerizable stratum.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein electrical components are inserted in the electrically conductive through-holes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive through-holes connect two circuits on opposite sides of the substrate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 35 wherein the substrate is a multi-layered circuit board.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 repeated at least one time wherein said substrate used in each repetition has a printed circuit and electrically conductive through-holes resulting from step (g).
Claim 39
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of making electrically conductive connections by means of through-holes between two circuits on opposite sides of a substrate comprising the steps: (a) laminating a supported plastic photo-hardenable toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) removing the support from the stratum and applying a pressure differential across the stratum by subjecting the stratum to vacuum via the through-hole; (c) maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum by which the stratum covering the through-hole collapses into the through-hole and adheres to the walls thereof; (d) exposing the photo-hardenable stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the areas covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) adhering copper particles having an average diameter of 0.5 to 250 microns to the toner-receptive image areas including the through-hole walls; (f) hardening the copper metallized areas by heating to a temperature up to about 180° C. and/or by radiating with radiation actinic to the photo-hardenable stratum; (g) providing an electrically conductive printed circuit and connecting through-holes by plating electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed area.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of making electrically conductive connections by means of through-holes between two circuits on opposite sides of a substrate comprising the steps: (a) laminating a supported plastic photo-hardenable toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) removing the support from the stratum and applying a pressure differential across the stratum by subjecting the stratum to vacuum via the through-hole; (c) maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum by which the stratum covering the through-hole collapses into the through-hole and adheres to the walls thereof; (d) exposing the photo-hardenable stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the areas covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) adhering copper particles having an average diameter of 0.5 to 250 microns to the toner-receptive image areas including the through-hole walls; (f) hardening the copper metallized areas by heating to a temperature up to about 180° C. and/or by radiating with radiation actinic to the photo-hardenable stratum; (g) providing an electrically conductive printed circuit and connecting through-holes by plating electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed area.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to claims 23 or 38 wherein the metallized or catalyzed areas are converted to electrically conductive areas by electrolessly plating.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of making electrically conductive connections by means of through-holes between two circuits on opposite sides of a substrate comprising the steps (a) laminating a supported plastic photo-hardenable toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) applying a pressure differential across the supported stratum covering the through-hole such that the pressure on the supported side of the stratum exceeds the pressure within the through-hole; (c) while maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum, removing the support from the stratum, by which the stratum covering the through-holes collapses into the through-holes and adherently coats the walls to a thickness of at least 0.00005 inch (0.0013 mm); (d) exposing the photo-hardenable stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the area covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) adhering copper particles having an average diameter of 0.5 to 250 microns to the toner-receptive image areas including the through-hole walls; (f) hardening the copper metallized areas by heating to a temperature up to about 180° C. and/or by radiating with radiation actinic to the photohardenable stratum; and (g) plating electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed areas.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of making electrically conductive connections by means of through-holes between two circuits on opposite sides of a substrate comprising the steps (a) laminating a supported plastic photo-hardenable toner-receptive stratum to a surface of the substrate whereby the through-hole is covered by the supported stratum; (b) applying a pressure differential across the supported stratum covering the through-hole such that the pressure on the supported side of the stratum exceeds the pressure within the through-hole; (c) while maintaining the pressure differential across the stratum, removing the support from the stratum, by which the stratum covering the through-holes collapses into the through-holes and adherently coats the walls to a thickness of at least 0.00005 inch (0.0013 mm); (d) exposing the photo-hardenable stratum imagewise by which selected areas thereof, excluding the area covering the through-hole, are rendered toner nonreceptive; (e) adhering copper particles having an average diameter of 0.5 to 250 microns to the toner-receptive image areas including the through-hole walls; (f) hardening the copper metallized areas by heating to a temperature up to about 180° C. and/or by radiating with radiation actinic to the photohardenable stratum; and (g) plating electrolessly, soldering or conjoining the metallized or catalyzed areas.
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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) | 1984-08-10 | 1985-02-09 | 1985-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-10 | 1989-02-09 | 1989-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-10 | 1993-02-09 | 1993-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |