US4739780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertical photoresist developer
Assignee: ACTIVAR COMPANIES Inc
•
Filing: 1986-12-15
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2006-12-15
Abstract
Abstract Vertical photoresist developer for processing of any size of printed circuit boards carried on a processing cassette. The processing cassette is carried by a chain through a main chamber, a rinse chamber and a drying chamber, all the processing chambers in line with each other. The processing system is electromechanical and electrically controlled, as well as air and liquid flow control. The developer is system oriented and symmetrical in operation to either side of the board. A printed circuit board holder with gripper fingers mounted in removable plastic chain cassette carries the board through separable processing chambers.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Czaja
- 👤 John J. Herrmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3085; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0085; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S134/00; Y10S134/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Printed circuit board chemical in line processing system comprising: a. load station; b. an inlet chamber; c. main chamber including a liquid sump; d. rinse chamber; e. drying chamber; f. an outlet chamber; g. unload station; h. an endless chain means extending through said load stations and said chambers, and housing means supporting each of said chambers and stations; i. substantially horizontally positioned fluid dispensing nozzles in said main, rinse, and driving chambers; j. means for electromechanically controlling flow and time of flow of fluid through said main, rinse, and drying chambers; and, k. at least one process cassette for engaging with said chain means and for accepting a printed circuit board for processing through each of said stations and said chambers, said process cassette including a substantially rectangular housing with a longitudinal V groove parallel to said endless chain means on a top side thereof, securing means on a bottom side thereof for securing to said endless chain means, and at least two opposing finger means extending outwardly with respect to each other of an opposing sides of said V groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Printed circuit board chemical in line processing system comprising: a. load station; b. an inlet chamber; c. main chamber including a liquid sump; d. rinse chamber; e. drying chamber; f. an outlet chamber; g. unload station; h. an endless chain means extending through said load stations and said chambers, and housing means supporting each of said chambers and stations; i. substantially horizontally positioned fluid dispensing nozzles in said main, rinse, and driving chambers; j. means for electromechanically controlling flow and time of flow of fluid through said main, rinse, and drying chambers; and, k. at least one process cassette for engaging with said chain means and for accepting a printed circuit board for processing through each of said stations and said chambers, said process cassette including a substantially rectangular housing with a longitudinal V groove parallel to said endless chain means on a top side thereof, securing means on a bottom side thereof for securing to said endless chain means, and at least two opposing finger means extending outwardly with respect to each other of an opposing sides of said V groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
System of claim 1 wherein said main chamber includes a plurality of opposed aligned spray tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
System of claim 1 wherein said rinse chamber includes a plurality of opposed aligned spray tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
System of claim 1 wherein said drying chamber includes means for air flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
System of claim 1 wherein each of said chambers include divider seal means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
System of claim 1 including control means for regulating temperature control of fluid and for regulating fluid flow through said chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
System of claim 6 including means to measure temperature of said fluid and visual readout means connected to said measuring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
System of claim 6 including warning means for low fluid level and low temperature level of said fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
System of claim 6 wherein said control means is mounted on a lower portion of said housing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
System of claim 6 including means for filtering said fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
System of claim 1 including means for externally venting undesirable vapors and fumes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
System of claim 1 including knife means air dryers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
System of claim 1 including means separating each of said chambers and said stations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printed circuit board holder of claim 1 wherein each of said finger means are of a elastomer material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The printed circuit board holder of claim 1 wherein said grippers form a V-pocket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printed circuit board holder of claim 1 wherein each of said finger means secure within a retainer hole in said housing.
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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |