Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
in a method of forming a patterned film of an inorganic metal compound on a substrate, the method having the steps of applying a metal alkoxide sol to a substrate to form a sol film on the substrate, allowing the sol film to turn into a gel film by hydrolysis of the metal alkoxide, removing the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas by selective etching, and then baking the film in the remaining area or areas to completely convert the material of the film into the desired inorganic metal compound. the improvement comprising making said selective etching by the steps of applying a viscous liquid, which is capable of at least partially decomposing the gel film, to the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas and allowing the applied viscous liquid to permeate into and moisten the underlying gel film, heating the gel film which is moistened with said viscous liquid in the unnecessary area or areas at a temperature lower than 300° C. to thereby harden the gel film in the necessary area or areas, and removing the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas together with the residue of the applied viscous liquid by washing with at least one washing liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
in a method of forming a patterned film of an inorganic metal compound on a substrate, the method having the steps of applying a metal alkoxide sol to a substrate to form a sol film on the substrate, allowing the sol film to turn into a gel film by hydrolysis of the metal alkoxide, removing the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas by selective etching, and then baking the film in the remaining area or areas to completely convert the material of the film into the desired inorganic metal compound. the improvement comprising making said selective etching by the steps of applying a viscous liquid, which is capable of at least partially decomposing the gel film, to the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas and allowing the applied viscous liquid to permeate into and moisten the underlying gel film, heating the gel film which is moistened with said viscous liquid in the unnecessary area or areas at a temperature lower than 300° C. to thereby harden the gel film in the necessary area or areas, and removing the gel film in the unnecessary area or areas together with the residue of the applied viscous liquid by washing with at least one washing liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said viscous liquid comprises an organic solvent which is soluble in said metal alkoxide sol, and vice versa.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said orgnanic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetic esters, ketones, and alcohols.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said at least one washing liquid comprises an alkali solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said viscous liquid further comprises a resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said viscous liquid further comprises an organic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 6, wherien said orgnanic acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid and propionic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said viscous liquid further comprises water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein water alone is used as said at least one washing liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said viscous liquid further comprises an alkali and water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said viscous liquid comprises an organic acid, water and a viscosity increasing agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said organic acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid and propionic acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said viscosity increasing agent is a glycol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said viscous liquid further comprises an inorganic filler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said at least one washing liquid comprises an alkali solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein water alone is used as said at least one washing liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of said viscous liquid at normal temperature is from 100 to 1000 poises.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said viscous liquid is applied onto said gel film by screen printing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of titanium alkoxides, silicon alkoxides, zirconium alkoxides and aluminum alkoxides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A metal according to claim 19, wherein said metal compound is a metal oxide, the baking step being carried out in an oxygen-containing gas atmosphere.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein said metal compound is a metal nitride, the baking step being carried out in a nitrogen-containing gas atmosphere.