US4351697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed wiring boards
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1982-09-28
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A printed circuit board is made from a substrate having a copper clad layer thereon by means of first providing spaced through-holes through the substrate, mechanically scrubbing the surface of the substrate and then sputter etching the surface of the substrate so as to remove at least 50A. thereof from the surface and then vacuum metallizing the through-holes subsequent to sputter etching without breaking the vacuum and then finally forming a circuit pattern on the substrate by usual subtractive techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Shanefield
- 👤 Fred W. Verdi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:43
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/40; H05K3/4038; H05K3/4076; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of making a printed circuit from a copper clad substrate having a plurality of spaced through-holes therein comprising: (a) mechanically scrubbing the surface of the copper cladding; (b) sputter etching the scrubbed surface so as to remove at least 50 A. of material therefrom; (c) vacuum metallizing the through-holes subsequent to sputter etching without breaking the vacuum created for sputter etching; and then (d) forming a circuit pattern on the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of making a printed circuit from a copper clad substrate having a plurality of spaced through-holes therein comprising: (a) mechanically scrubbing the surface of the copper cladding; (b) sputter etching the scrubbed surface so as to remove at least 50 A. of material therefrom; (c) vacuum metallizing the through-holes subsequent to sputter etching without breaking the vacuum created for sputter etching; and then (d) forming a circuit pattern on the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein mechanical scrubbing is accomplished by bristle brush or compressed wheel scrubbing or sanding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method recited in claim 2 using a 180-400 mesh abrasive.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of vacuum metallization is accomplished by sputtering.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein vacuum metallization is by means of DC magnetron sputtering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the through-hole is metallized with copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said copper layer is at least 4,000 A. thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the time interval between steps (a) and (b) is no more than three days.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of making a printed circuit from a copper clad substrate having a plurality of spaced through-holes therein comprising: (a) mechanically scrubbing the surface of the copper cladding; (b) sputter etching the scrubbed surface so as to remove at least 50 A. of copper therefrom; (c) vacuum metallizing the through-holes without breaking the vacuum created for sputter etching; (d) applying photoresist over the copper surface; (e) exposing the photoresist to ultraviolet light through a mask so as to form a image therein; (f) developing the image to expose a copper circuit pattern; (g) electroplating copper over the exposed copper and through-holes; (h) forming a solder resist over the electroplated copper; (i) removing the remaining photoresist; and (j) etching away the copper which was under the photoresist removed in step (i).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of making a printed circuit from a copper clad substrate having a plurality of spaced through-holes therein comprising: (a) mechanically scrubbing the surface of the copper cladding; (b) sputter etching the scrubbed surface so as to remove at least 50 A. of copper therefrom; (c) vacuum metallizing the through-holes without breaking the vacuum created for sputter etching; (d) applying photoresist over the copper surface; (e) exposing the photoresist to ultraviolet light through a mask so as to form a image therein; (f) developing the image to expose a copper circuit pattern; (g) electroplating copper over the exposed copper and through-holes; (h) forming a solder resist over the electroplated copper; (i) removing the remaining photoresist; and (j) etching away the copper which was under the photoresist removed in step (i).
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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) | 1985-09-27 | 1986-03-29 | 1986-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-27 | 1990-03-29 | 1990-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-27 | 1994-03-29 | 1994-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |