US4948486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroplating apparatus for plate-shaped workpieces, particularly printed circuit boards
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1989-08-16
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Granted: 1990-08-14
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Expires: 2009-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An electroplating apparatus for plate-shaped workpieces which are conveyed in a horizontal path through an electrolytic cell characterized by the edges of the workpieces being grasped via contact elements that are secured on an endless circular flexible metal band. The side face of the metal band facing toward the workpiece glides above and below the conveyor and contact elements on guide and seal elements that extend in the wall of the cell along the horizontal direction. The metal band and conveyor and contact elements simultaneously have the job of conveying the workpiece, of cathodic contacting of the workpiece and of sealing an electroplating cell against the emergence of electrolyte solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Hosten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:49
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D17/00; C25D17/005; C25D17/16; C25D17/28; C25D7/00; C25D7/06; C25D7/0614; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/24; H05K3/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In an electroplating apparatus for plate-shaped workpieces, which are to be treated as they move in a horizontal path through an electrolytic cell, said apparatus having at least one endless drive arranged laterally from the throughput path, said endless drive carrying conveyor and contacting elements for grasping a lateral edge of the workpiece and to move the workpiece in the throughput direction, the improvements comprising the conveying contact elements being secured to an endless circulating flexible metal band whose lateral surface facing toward the workpiece glides above and below the conveyor and contacting elements on guide and seal elements that extend in a direction of the throughput path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an electroplating apparatus for plate-shaped workpieces, which are to be treated as they move in a horizontal path through an electrolytic cell, said apparatus having at least one endless drive arranged laterally from the throughput path, said endless drive carrying conveyor and contacting elements for grasping a lateral edge of the workpiece and to move the workpiece in the throughput direction, the improvements comprising the conveying contact elements being secured to an endless circulating flexible metal band whose lateral surface facing toward the workpiece glides above and below the conveyor and contacting elements on guide and seal elements that extend in a direction of the throughput path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least, respectively, one endless drive is arranged on each side of the throughput path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a conveyor perforation is introduced into each of the metal bands of the metal drives.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metal band is composed of titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of contact spring pairs secured to the metal band at a distance from one another are provided as the conveyor and contacting elements, the lateral edges of the workpiece being resiliently accepted between said contact springs which lie opposite one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, which includes a live rail that carries contact means for wiping contact of the metal band, said live rail being arranged on a side of the metal band lying opposite the workpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the live rail is composed of a titanium-cladded copper conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide and seal elements are integrated in a side wall of the electroplating cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conveyor and contact elements are shielded by an isolating wall arranged at the side of the side wall of said cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
In an electroplating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metal band has conveying perforations provided along at least one of said edges.
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) | 1993-08-13 | 1994-02-12 | 1994-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-13 | 1998-02-12 | 1998-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-13 | 2002-02-12 | 2002-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |