US5160421A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroforms with high dimensional stability
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-02
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Granted: 1992-11-03
•
Expires: 2011-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An electroforming process is used to prepare an electroformed metal layer on the inside surface of a female mandrel to form an electroform with a hollow interior. A device may be positioned within the hollow interior of the electroform, and the interior is filled with a filling material. The electroform may then be separated from the mandrel by a force applied to the device positioned within the filling material.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew R. Melnyk
- 👤 William G. Herbert
- 👤 Henry Grey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:08
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A process of preparing an electroform, comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, said mandrel being submerged in an electroforming bath, thereby forming an electroform having a hollow interior; filling said hollow interior with a filling material before removing said electroform from said mandrel; removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel; and removing at least part of said filling material from said electroform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process of preparing an electroform, comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, said mandrel being submerged in an electroforming bath, thereby forming an electroform having a hollow interior; filling said hollow interior with a filling material before removing said electroform from said mandrel; removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel; and removing at least part of said filling material from said electroform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said filling material is selected from the group consisting of closed-cell polyurethane, polystyrene, foam rubber, melted paraffin, and beeswax.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said filling material comprises foamed plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said mandrel is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said inner surface bears a pattern which is formed in said electroform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said electroform and said filling material comprise a printing roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process of preparing an electroform, comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, said mandrel being submerged in an electroforming bath, thereby forming an electroform having a hollow interior; positioning a device within the hollow interior of the cylinder; filling said hollow interior with a filling material; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process of preparing an electroform, comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, said mandrel being submerged in an electroforming bath, thereby forming an electroform having a hollow interior; positioning a device within the hollow interior of the cylinder; filling said hollow interior with a filling material; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 7, further comprising the step of applying force to said device to remove said electroform with said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7, wherein said device is a drive shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 7, wherein said mandrel is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 7, wherein said inner surface bears a pattern which is formed in said electroform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 7, wherein said electroform with said filling material and device comprises a printing roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electroform prepared by a process comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on the inner surface of a hollow mandrel, thereby forming an electroform with a hollow interior; filling said hollow interior with a filling material before removing said electroform from said mandrel; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel; and removing said filling material from said electroform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electroform prepared by a process comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on the inner surface of a hollow mandrel, thereby forming an electroform with a hollow interior; filling said hollow interior with a filling material before removing said electroform from said mandrel; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel; and removing said filling material from said electroform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electroform of claim 13, wherein said filling material is selected from the group consisting of closed-cell polyurethane, polystyrene, foam rubber, melted paraffin, and beeswax.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electroform of claim 13, wherein said filling material comprises foamed plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electroform prepared by a process comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, thereby forming an electroform with a hollow interior; positioning a device within the hollow interior of the electroform; filling said hollow interior with a filling material; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electroform prepared by a process comprising the steps of: electroforming a layer of metal on an inner surface of a hollow mandrel, thereby forming an electroform with a hollow interior; positioning a device within the hollow interior of the electroform; filling said hollow interior with a filling material; and removing said electroform and said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electroform of claim 16, wherein said process further comprises the step of applying force to said device to remove said electroform with said filling material from said mandrel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electroform of claim 16, wherein said device is a drive shaft.
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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) | 1995-11-03 | 1996-05-04 | 1996-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-03 | 2000-05-04 | 2000-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-03 | 2004-05-04 | 2004-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |