Patent US5153084A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5153084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for preparing a photo-mask for imaging three-dimensional objects
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1990-09-10
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2010-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for the preparation a photo-mask used for photo-imaging selected areas on the surfaces of a three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate. The photo-mask comprises a membrane transparent and degradation resistant to UV light, having at least one side with a contoured shape conforming, and flexible enough to comply with surface irregularities on the surfaces of the three-dimensional substrate being photo-imaged. A pattern of tracks opaque to UV light is positioned along the contoured shape of the membrane. The pattern of tracks on the photo-mask is in accordance with a desired conductive metal trace pattern on the surfaces of the three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate. The photo-mask is prepared by dispensing a track material in a boustrophedenous manner on the surfaces of the substrate being photo-imaged. A membrane material is then poured upon the surfaces containing the dispensed tracks. Once the materials of tracks and membrane set and are separated from the substrate, the photo-mask of the present invention is formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Franklin Foust
- 👤 Bradley R. Karas
- 👤 Edward J. Lamby
- 👤 William V. Dumas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/68; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/24; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0002; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0284; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/05; H05K2203/0548; H05K2203/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of preparing a photo-mask for exposing selected areas on surfaces of a three-dimensional substrate to light from a light source of a predetermined range of wavelength, said method comprising the steps of: dispensing in a boustrophedonous manner a track material opaque to said light, upon said surfaces of said substrate to form tracks of a desired pattern; supplying a membrane material transparent to said light, upon to said surfaces containing tracks wherein said tracks are embedded within said membrane material; setting said membrane and said track material into said photo-mask; and separating said photo-mask from said three-dimensional substrate to be photo imaged.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of preparing a photo-mask for exposing selected areas on surfaces of a three-dimensional substrate to light from a light source of a predetermined range of wavelength, said method comprising the steps of: dispensing in a boustrophedonous manner a track material opaque to said light, upon said surfaces of said substrate to form tracks of a desired pattern; supplying a membrane material transparent to said light, upon to said surfaces containing tracks wherein said tracks are embedded within said membrane material; setting said membrane and said track material into said photo-mask; and separating said photo-mask from said three-dimensional substrate to be photo imaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said dispensing step comprises injecting said track material by injecting means connected to a reservoir containing said track material and maneuvered in said boustrophedonous manner to produce said tracks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said injecting means inject said track material through a syringe assembly having a dispensing nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said track material is injected in a liquid form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said track material is injected in a paste form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said injecting means are robotically maneuvered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said robotical maneuvring of said injecting means is accomplished by a robot connected to said injecting means and governed through a direction provided by controlling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said membrane material is supplied to said surfaces in a liquid form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said membrane material is supplied to said surfaces in a solid form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said setting step comprises vulcanizing said membrane material to solidify it into said membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said vulcanizing is accelerated by heating said membrane material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said setting step comprises heating said membrane material until it becomes pliable enough to conform to said surfaces, and solidifying said material into said membrane.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of preparing a photo-mask for exposing selected areas on surfaces of a three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate to light from a light source of a predetermined range of wavelength, said method comprising the steps of: dispensing in a boustrophedonous manner a track material opaque to said light, upon said surfaces of said substrate to form tracks of a desired pattern; supplying a membrane material transparent to said light, to said surfaces containing tracks wherein said tracks are embedded within said membrane material; setting said membrane and said track material into said photo-mask; and separating said photo-mask from said three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate to be photo imaged.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of preparing a photo-mask for exposing selected areas on surfaces of a three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate to light from a light source of a predetermined range of wavelength, said method comprising the steps of: dispensing in a boustrophedonous manner a track material opaque to said light, upon said surfaces of said substrate to form tracks of a desired pattern; supplying a membrane material transparent to said light, to said surfaces containing tracks wherein said tracks are embedded within said membrane material; setting said membrane and said track material into said photo-mask; and separating said photo-mask from said three-dimensional printed circuit board substrate to be photo imaged.
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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) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |