US5431329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming a ball end for a solder wire
Assignee: Rohm Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-05-17
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Granted: 1995-07-11
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Expires: 2014-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for forming a ball at a lower end of a material solder wire which is arranged generally vertically. The method comprises the steps of: forming an upward stream of an oxygen-free gas surrounding the solder wire; bringing a lateral flame of combustion to a ball forming position adjacent to the upward gas stream but short of the solder wire to thermally melt the lower end of the solder wire into a ball; and causing the lower ball end of the solder wire to solidify in the upward gas stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Miki Hasegawa
- 👤 Chojiro Kuriyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:31
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/02; B23K35/0222; B23K35/0244; H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/01; H10W72/015; H10W72/01551; H10W72/071; H10W72/0711; H10W72/07125; H10W72/07141; H10W72/075; H10W72/07511; H10W72/07521; H10W72/07531; H10W72/07532; H10W72/07533; H10W72/07541; H10W72/50; H10W72/531; H10W72/536; H10W72/5363; H10W72/551; H10W72/552; H10W72/5522; H10W72/5525; H10W72/59; H10W72/90; H10W72/951; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/751; H10W90/754; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S228/00; Y10S228/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of forming a ball at a lower end of a material solder wire which is arranged generally vertically, the method comprising the steps of: forming an upward stream of an oxygen-free gas along the solder wire, the solder wire being arranged in the upward gas stream; bringing a combustion flame of a torch to a ball forming position adjacent to and outside the upward gas stream to thermally melt the lower end of the solder wire into a ball; and causing the lower ball end of the solder wire to solidify in the upward gas stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of forming a ball at a lower end of a material solder wire which is arranged generally vertically, the method comprising the steps of: forming an upward stream of an oxygen-free gas along the solder wire, the solder wire being arranged in the upward gas stream; bringing a combustion flame of a torch to a ball forming position adjacent to and outside the upward gas stream to thermally melt the lower end of the solder wire into a ball; and causing the lower ball end of the solder wire to solidify in the upward gas stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame is movable toward and away from the upward gas stream by pivoting the torch about a vertical axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the torch is held in a fixed position for directing the flame, in natural state, to the ball forming position, the flame being deflected away from the upward gas stream by bringing a movable deflector plate to a position between the torch and the upward gas stream when the lower ball end of the solder wire is solidified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the torch is held in a fixed position for directing the flame, in natural state, to the ball forming position, the flame being deflected away from the upward gas stream by discharging a deflecting gas jet toward the flame when the lower ball end of the solder wire is solidified.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the torch is held in a fixed position for directing the flame, in natural state, to the ball forming position, the flame being deflected away from the upward gas stream by bringing a movable deflector plate to a position between the torch and the upward gas stream as well as by discharging a deflecting gas jet toward the flame when the lower ball end of the solder wire is solidified.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the upward gas stream is preheated to a temperature lower than a melting point of the solder wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame in the ball forming position is made to thermally cut the material solder wire for separating a solder wire segment which is also made to have a ball end at a point of separation.
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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) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-01-09 | 1999-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-10 | 2003-01-09 | 2003-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-10 | 2007-01-09 | 2007-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |