US4380518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing solder spheres
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1983-04-19
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A method of making solder spheres having non-oxidized surfaces by introducing solder into a flux composition comprising an activator and an antioxidant. Molten solder (12) is extruded into a flux composition (24) maintained at ambient temperature or solder powder (40) is sifted into hot flux (46) and then cooled.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Wydro, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/02; B23K35/0222; B23K35/0244; B22; B22F; B22F1/00; B22F1/06; B22F1/065; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/082; B22F2009/086; B22F2009/0864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of making metal spheres having non-oxidized surfaces, comprising: introducing a metal having a low melting temperature into a liquid flux comprising an activator and antioxidant, the flux being maintained at a temperature so as to cause metal spheres to form, the state of the metal and the respective temperature of the metal and flux being such that spheres of the metal are formed when the metal is introduced into the flux.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of making metal spheres having non-oxidized surfaces, comprising: introducing a metal having a low melting temperature into a liquid flux comprising an activator and antioxidant, the flux being maintained at a temperature so as to cause metal spheres to form, the state of the metal and the respective temperature of the metal and flux being such that spheres of the metal are formed when the metal is introduced into the flux.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metal is a solder alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the activator is an organic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of a rosin, glycerin, an ester derived from a polyhydric alcohol and an organic acid, a polyol, a polyglycol and a glycol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the flux further comprises a solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the metal is made molten prior to introduction into the flux and the flux is maintained at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metal is in particulate form and the flux is heated to at least the melting point of the metal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of making solder spheres comprising the steps of: (a) heating the solder until it is molten, (b) introducing the molten solder into a liquid flux comprising an activator and an antioxidant, said liquid flux being at a temperature so as to cause the metal to solidify into spheres.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of making solder spheres comprising the steps of: (a) heating the solder until it is molten, (b) introducing the molten solder into a liquid flux comprising an activator and an antioxidant, said liquid flux being at a temperature so as to cause the metal to solidify into spheres.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method recited in claim 8, wherein the antioxidant is rosin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 8, wherein the antioxidant is an ester derived from a polyhydric alcohol having from 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and an organic acid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 10, wherein the ester is pentaerythritol benzoate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of making solder spheres comprising the steps of sifting powdered solder into a liquid flux composition comprising an activator and an antioxidant, said liquid flux composition being maintained at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solder.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of making solder spheres comprising the steps of sifting powdered solder into a liquid flux composition comprising an activator and an antioxidant, said liquid flux composition being maintained at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 12, wherein the antioxidant is an ester derived from a polyhydric alcohol having from 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and an organic acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 13, wherein the ester is pentaerythritol benzoate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-04-18 | 1986-10-18 | 1987-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-18 | 1990-10-18 | 1991-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-18 | 1994-10-18 | 1995-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |