US4927733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conformation of vacuum - laminated solder mask coated printed circuit boards by fluid pressurizing
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-23
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Granted: 1990-05-22
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Expires: 2008-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed of obtaining a void free interface between a photosensitive dry film and substrate by applying uniform fluid pressure after vacuum lamination.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary K. Stout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/74; B; B32; B32B; B32B37/00; B32B37/10; B32B37/14; B32B37/16; B32B37/18; B32B37/182; B32B37/185; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; G03F7/161; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/281; B29; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/34; B29L2031/3425; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/06; H05K2203/068; H05K2203/07; H05K2203/0736; H05K2203/074; H05K2203/08; H05K2203/085; H05K3/0073; H05K3/0079; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/136
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of obtaining a substantially void free interface between a light sensitive dry film on a substrate having a raised relief comprising the steps of: (a) vacuum laminating the light sensitive dry film onto the substrate; (b) releasing the vacuum to obtain at ambient pressure a laminate of the photosensitive film on the substrate whereby voids are present at an interface between the substrate and the laminated film; (c) applying uniform elevated pressure of at least 0.3 atmospheres above ambient to the entire substrate with the dry film laminate by a pressurized fluid whereby voids entrapped in the substrate surface-dry film interface are eliminated; and (d) releasing the uniform elevated pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of obtaining a substantially void free interface between a light sensitive dry film on a substrate having a raised relief comprising the steps of: (a) vacuum laminating the light sensitive dry film onto the substrate; (b) releasing the vacuum to obtain at ambient pressure a laminate of the photosensitive film on the substrate whereby voids are present at an interface between the substrate and the laminated film; (c) applying uniform elevated pressure of at least 0.3 atmospheres above ambient to the entire substrate with the dry film laminate by a pressurized fluid whereby voids entrapped in the substrate surface-dry film interface are eliminated; and (d) releasing the uniform elevated pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the elevated pressure is at least 3 atmospheres above ambient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a pressurized chamber is employed which surrounds the substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 4 wherein the gas is air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 6 wherein the liquid is water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressurized fluid is applied at ambient temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressurized fluid is applied for a duration of about 1 minute or less.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressurized fluid is applied for a duration between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dry film is imagewise exposed to actinic radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dry film is photopolymerizable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the photosensitive dry film comprises a photosensitive layer having a backing layer releasedly adhered thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 12 wherein the photosensitive layer is photopolymerizable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of claim 12 wherein the photosensitive layer is comprised of two or more component layers wherein at least one of the component layers is photosensitive.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of obtaining a substantially void free interface between a light sensitive dry film and a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) laminating the light sensitive dry film onto the substrate to form a laminate whereby voids or bubbles are entrapped in a substrate surface film interface formed between the dry film and the substrate; (b) applying uniform elevated pressure of at least 0.3 atmospheres above ambient to the entire substrate with the dry film laminate by a pressurized fluid whereby voids or bubbles entrapped in the substrate surface-film interface are eliminated; and (c) releasing the uniform elevated pressure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of obtaining a substantially void free interface between a light sensitive dry film and a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) laminating the light sensitive dry film onto the substrate to form a laminate whereby voids or bubbles are entrapped in a substrate surface film interface formed between the dry film and the substrate; (b) applying uniform elevated pressure of at least 0.3 atmospheres above ambient to the entire substrate with the dry film laminate by a pressurized fluid whereby voids or bubbles entrapped in the substrate surface-film interface are eliminated; and (c) releasing the uniform elevated pressure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 11 wherein the substrate surface has a raised relief or a depression or a combination thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 11 wherein a liquid is present on the substrate during the laminating step.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4127436A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-21 | 1993-11-20 | 1994-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |