Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for outer lead bonding a circuitized, flexible film onto a circuitized substrate having mounting pads thereon in a pattern matching a corresponding pattern of outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film, which comprises the steps of: attaching electrically conductive spacers to the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film, said spacers sized and configured to physically support the circuitized, flexible film substantially in a plane above the surface of the circuitized substrate when the circuitized, flexible film is mounted on the circuitized substrate; positioning the circuitized, flexible film having the spacers attached thereto, on the circuitized substrate, with each of the spacers in contact with its corresponding bonding pad on the circuitized substrate; and bonding the spacers to the bonding pads on the circuitized substrate whereby the circuitized, flexible film is mounted on circuitized substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for outer lead bonding a circuitized, flexible film onto a circuitized substrate having mounting pads thereon in a pattern matching a corresponding pattern of outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film, which comprises the steps of: attaching electrically conductive spacers to the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film, said spacers sized and configured to physically support the circuitized, flexible film substantially in a plane above the surface of the circuitized substrate when the circuitized, flexible film is mounted on the circuitized substrate; positioning the circuitized, flexible film having the spacers attached thereto, on the circuitized substrate, with each of the spacers in contact with its corresponding bonding pad on the circuitized substrate; and bonding the spacers to the bonding pads on the circuitized substrate whereby the circuitized, flexible film is mounted on circuitized substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the electrically conductive, supporting spacers to the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film, comprises: placing a template over the circuitized, flexible film, said template having a pattern of openings matching the pattern of the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film; placing the spacers in the openings of the template; bonding the spacers to the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film; and removing the template from the circuitized, flexible film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 1, wherein the spacers are metal balls, and the step of attaching the metal balls to the outer lead bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film comprises: applying an adhesive to the outer lead bonding pads of the circuitized, flexible film; placing a template over the circuitized, flexible film, said template having a pattern of openings matching the pattern of bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film; placing the metal balls in the openings of the template; heating the metal balls to their melting temperature; cooling the metal balls to bond them to the bonding pads on the circuitized, flexible film; and removing the template from the circuitized, flexible film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 3, wherein the metal balls are solder balls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a solder flux.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 3, wherein the metal balls are solder coated copper balls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 6, wherein the adhesive is a solder flux.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method, for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the circuitized, flexible film having the spacers attached thereto, on the circuitized substrate, comprises: placing the circuitized, flexible film having the spacers attached thereto, and the circuitized substrate, in a fixture with each of the mounting pads on the circuitized substrate aligned with its corresponding outer lead bonding pad on the circuitized, flexible film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method for outer lead bonding as recited in claim 8, wherein the spacers are metal balls, and the step of bonding the spacers to the bonding pads on the circuitized substrate, comprises: heating the metal balls to their melting temperature; cooling the metal balls to bond them to the bonding pads on the circuitized substrate; and removing the circuitized substrate with the circuitized, flexible film mounted thereon, from the fixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said outer lead bonding pads are located on the surface of the circuitized flexible film facing said circuitized substrate.