US4710263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating print head for thermal printer
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-09-05
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2006-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of fabricating a print head for use in a thermal printer is similar to the additive (or lift-off) method of pattern transfer utilizing semiconductor fabrication technology except that a metal film is used instead of photoresist conventionally used. The method is initiated by glazing a substrate. Then, nickel is sputtered on the glazed substrate. That portion of the formed nickel film that lies under the heater portion of the head is removed by photoetching. Subsequently, the remaining nickel film is plated with nickel, and a chemically stable and heat-resistant insulator, such as Ta 2 O 5 , is sputtered on the plated laminate. Thereafter, the plating layer and the nickel film are removed to leave the portion of the insulator layer that lies under the heater portion. The remaining layer protrudes to the heater portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Masakazu Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:20
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N97/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of fabricating a print head for use in a thermal printer, comprising the steps of: forming a thin metal film on the portion of a glaze layer that does not lie under the heater portion of the head; then plating the thin metal film with a metal to form a metal layer; forming a layer of a chemically stable and heat-resistant insulator on the portion of the metal layer that lies under the heater portion and also on the exposed portion of the glaze layer; and thereafter removing the metal layer and the thin metal film, whereby the insulator layer on the glaze layer protrudes to the heater portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of fabricating a print head for use in a thermal printer, comprising the steps of: forming a thin metal film on the portion of a glaze layer that does not lie under the heater portion of the head; then plating the thin metal film with a metal to form a metal layer; forming a layer of a chemically stable and heat-resistant insulator on the portion of the metal layer that lies under the heater portion and also on the exposed portion of the glaze layer; and thereafter removing the metal layer and the thin metal film, whereby the insulator layer on the glaze layer protrudes to the heater portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said thin metal film has a thickness of less than 1 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said thin metal film has a thickness of about 0.5 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal layer is at least twice as thick as the insulator layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said thin metal film is formed by sputtering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said thin metal film is formed by forming a thin metal film over the whole surface of the glaze layer and then removing the portion of the film that lies under the heater portion by photoetching.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal with which the thin metal film is plated is Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, or Cr.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal layer is formed by electroless plating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal layer is formed by electroplating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chemically stable and heat-resistant insulator is Ta 2 O 5 , Si 3 N 4 , SiC, TaN, ZrN, or TiN.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, wherein said layer of the insulator is formed by sputtering the insulator on said metal layer and also on the exposed portion of the glaze layer and then removing both the metal layer and the thin metal layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of fabricating a print head as set forth in claim 11, wherein the removal of both the metal layer and the thin metal film is effected by immersing the whole laminate in nitric acid and applying ultrasonic waves to it to dissolve away the metal layer and the metal film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of faricating a print head as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sticking heat-resistant adhesive tape on said metal layer subsequently to the formation of this metal layer; and peeling off the tape together with the insulator layer subsequently to the formation of the insulator layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |