Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of applying an enamel coating to an apertured metal base characterized by the steps of: (i) plugging each aperture in the metal base with an electrically-insulating material; (ii) applying a coating of a vitreous material to at least one surface of the metal base to form an assembly; (iii) removing a core of the vitreous material and the insulating material from around the longitudinal axis of each aperture to leave each aperture lined with the insulating material, and (iv) firing the assembly obtained in step (iii).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of applying an enamel coating to an apertured metal base characterized by the steps of: (i) plugging each aperture in the metal base with an electrically-insulating material; (ii) applying a coating of a vitreous material to at least one surface of the metal base to form an assembly; (iii) removing a core of the vitreous material and the insulating material from around the longitudinal axis of each aperture to leave each aperture lined with the insulating material, and (iv) firing the assembly obtained in step (iii).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said insulating material is in the form of a slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of applying an enamel coating according to claim 1 wherein said insulating material is a mixture of a ground enamel material, a ground refractory material and a binder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the vitreous material applied to each surface of the base is in the form of a cast tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4 including the further step of printing the cast tape with a circuit pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of printing is carried out prior to application of the tape to the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 characterised in that the insulating material is selected to have a fusing temperature higher than that of the vitreous material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 7 including the step of firing the enamelled substrate at a temperature which results in fusing of the vitreous material but not the insulating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said metal base consists of a steel plate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of providing a porcelain enamelled steel substrate which has at least one electrically-insulated aperture therein, said method comprising the sequential steps of (a) providing a steel substrate which includes at least one aperture that extends from one side thereof to the other and defines a longitudinal axis extending through said steel substrate, (b) plugging each aperture in said steel substrate with an electrically-insulated material, (c) applying a coating of a vitreous material to at least one surface of said steel substrate so as to cover said plugged apertures therein and provide a composite product, (d) forming a hole in the composite product obtained in step (c) along each said longitudinal axis, the diameter of said hole being less than the diameter of the aperture defining the longitudinal axis, and (e) firing said composite product obtained in step (d) to transform each coating of vitreous material into a porcelain enamelled layer and to thus provide an apertured porcelain enamelled steel substrate, each aperture having an electrically-insulating lining therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of providing a porcelain enamelled steel substrate which has at least one electrically-insulated aperture therein, said method comprising the sequential steps of (a) providing a steel substrate which includes at least one aperture that extends from one side thereof to the other and defines a longitudinal axis extending through said steel substrate, (b) plugging each aperture in said steel substrate with an electrically-insulated material, (c) applying a coating of a vitreous material to at least one surface of said steel substrate so as to cover said plugged apertures therein and provide a composite product, (d) forming a hole in the composite product obtained in step (c) along each said longitudinal axis, the diameter of said hole being less than the diameter of the aperture defining the longitudinal axis, and (e) firing said composite product obtained in step (d) to transform each coating of vitreous material into a porcelain enamelled layer and to thus provide an apertured porcelain enamelled steel substrate, each aperture having an electrically-insulating lining therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said electrically-insulating material has a higher fusing temperature than said vitreous material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 10 wherein each aperture in said steel substrate is plugged with an electrically-insulating material in step (b) by spreading a slurry containing an electrically-insulating material over one side of steel substrate so as to fill the apertures therein.