US4359360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selectively jet etching a plastic encapsulating an article
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1981-12-10
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Granted: 1982-11-16
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Expires: 2001-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for selectively jet etching a plastic which is encapsulating an article (i.e., a device, assembly, and the like). This apparatus accomplishes the elimination of the prior art problems and disadvantages by confining the etching to a preselected portion (i.e., the desired region) of the plastic encapsulation, by causing a turbulent flow of the etchant which in turn causes great mechanical agitation of the etchant and thereby results in complete etching of the plastic encapsulant, and by providing a completely closed systemic apparatus which thereby inherently precludes any danger to the personnel using the inventive apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert M. Harris
- 👤 Gerald N. Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:17
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W74/00; H10W74/01; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for selectively jet etching a material which is encapsulating an article, comprising: a. at least one source of a heated etchant; b. at least one receptacle in communication with said source of heated etchant for receiving and storing a flow of said heated etchant; c. means for controlling said flow of heated etchant from said source thereof to said receptacle, with this means interconnecting said source and said receptacle; d. means connected to said etchant flow controlling means, for causing a high velocity jet flow of said flowing heated etchant to spray against a preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article; and e. means for removing said etchant, said encapsulant dissolved by said etchant, and insoluble particles of said encapsulant which result from jet spraying said preselected portion of said encapsulant, with this means operably connected to said jet spray means and to said etchant flow controlling means; whereby said preselected portion of said material is de-encapsulated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for selectively jet etching a material which is encapsulating an article, comprising: a. at least one source of a heated etchant; b. at least one receptacle in communication with said source of heated etchant for receiving and storing a flow of said heated etchant; c. means for controlling said flow of heated etchant from said source thereof to said receptacle, with this means interconnecting said source and said receptacle; d. means connected to said etchant flow controlling means, for causing a high velocity jet flow of said flowing heated etchant to spray against a preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article; and e. means for removing said etchant, said encapsulant dissolved by said etchant, and insoluble particles of said encapsulant which result from jet spraying said preselected portion of said encapsulant, with this means operably connected to said jet spray means and to said etchant flow controlling means; whereby said preselected portion of said material is de-encapsulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jet spray means includes means for defining said preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article; and means, connected to said preselected portion defining means, for directing said jet spray of flowing etchant against said preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for controlling said flow of heated etchant from said source thereof to said receiving receptacle includes a selectively operable vacuum source connected to said receptacle, and an atmospheric vent connected to said source of heated etchant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a. said means for defining said preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article includes a washer which is made of chemically inert material and which has a hole therethrough of dimensions such that the hole surrounds said preselected portion of said encapsulant; and b. said means for directing said jet spray of flowing heated etchant against said preselected portion of said material encapsulating said article includes a main tube of chemically inert material having an end opening disposed in the hole of said washer and a side opening operably connected to said etchant flow controlling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for removing said etchant, said dissolved encapsulant, and said insoluable particles of said encapsulant includes a tapered capillary tube which is made of chemically inert material, which is positioned within said main tube, which has an upper open end in communication with said etchant flow controlling means, and which has a tapered lower open end disposed through said open end of said main tube and within the hole of said washer, thereby said etchant, said dissolved encapsulant, and said insoluble particles of said encapsulant are pulled through said capillary tube by said vacuum source and are introduced into said etchant flow controlling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for simultaneously supporting said plastic encapsulated article, said jet spray causing means, and said means for removing said etchant, said dissolved encapsulant, and said insoluble particles of encapsulant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said apparatus further comprises: a. at least one source of a heated rinse solution; b. at least one receptacle in communication with said source of heated rinse solution for receiving and storing a flow of said heated rinse solution; and c. means, common to and connected with said etchant flow controlling means, for permitting the selective flow either of said heated etchant or of said heated rinse solution from their respective sources to their respective receiving receptacles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said apparatus further comprises a plurality of sources of heated etchants, with each source containing a different predetermined etchant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said jet spray means, and said means for removing said etchant, said encapsulant dissolved in said etchant, and said insoluable particles of said encapsulant are joined to form a jet tube assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said preselected portion of said plastic encapsulating said article contains said article in its entirety.
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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) | 1985-11-15 | 1986-05-17 | 1986-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-15 | 1990-05-17 | 1990-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-15 | 1994-05-17 | 1994-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |