Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of applying a tacking agent to a printed circuit board, comprising the steps off providing a printed circuit board having; a plurality of interconnect pads on a first face thereof, each interconnect pad having a coating of solder between 0.02 and 0.3 mm thick; a plastic film having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of interconnect pads, the plastic film temporarily adhered to the first face of the printed circuit board by a selectively releasing adhesive so that the apertures in the plastic film reveal the solder coated interconnect pads; and a breakaway tab on the plastic film; roller coating the plastic film with high viscosity tacking agent so that a layer of the tacking agent is applied to the revealed interconnect pads; and peeling the roller coated plastic film from the printed circuit board by means of the breakaway tab; placing an electronic component on the printed circuit board so that solderable pads on the component are aligned with the coated interconnect pads; and heating the printed circuit board and the electronic component in a manner sufficient to form a solder joint between the interconnect pads and the solderable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of applying a tacking agent to a printed circuit board, comprising the steps off providing a printed circuit board having; a plurality of interconnect pads on a first face thereof, each interconnect pad having a coating of solder between 0.02 and 0.3 mm thick; a plastic film having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of interconnect pads, the plastic film temporarily adhered to the first face of the printed circuit board by a selectively releasing adhesive so that the apertures in the plastic film reveal the solder coated interconnect pads; and a breakaway tab on the plastic film; roller coating the plastic film with high viscosity tacking agent so that a layer of the tacking agent is applied to the revealed interconnect pads; and peeling the roller coated plastic film from the printed circuit board by means of the breakaway tab; placing an electronic component on the printed circuit board so that solderable pads on the component are aligned with the coated interconnect pads; and heating the printed circuit board and the electronic component in a manner sufficient to form a solder joint between the interconnect pads and the solderable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein the plastic film is substantially free of the tacking agent after the step of roller coating is completed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of applying a tacking agent to a circuit carrying substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a circuit carrying substrate having; a plurality of interconnect pads on a first face thereof, each interconnect pad having a coating of solder; a film mask temporarily adhered to the first face of the substrate so that apertures in the film mask reveal the interconnect pads; and a breakaway tab on the film mask; coating the film mask and the revealed interconnect pads with a layer of tacking agent; and removing the coated film mask from the circuit carrying substrate by means of the breakaway tab.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of applying a tacking agent to a circuit carrying substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a circuit carrying substrate having; a plurality of interconnect pads on a first face thereof, each interconnect pad having a coating of solder; a film mask temporarily adhered to the first face of the substrate so that apertures in the film mask reveal the interconnect pads; and a breakaway tab on the film mask; coating the film mask and the revealed interconnect pads with a layer of tacking agent; and removing the coated film mask from the circuit carrying substrate by means of the breakaway tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 3, further comprising a final step of placing an electronic component on the circuit carrying substrate so that solderable pads on the component are aligned with the coated interconnect pads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as described in claim 4, further comprising a final step of heating the circuit carrying substrate and the electronic component in a manner sufficient to form a solder joint between the interconnect pads and the solderable portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein the film mask is temporarily adhered to the first face of the substrate by means of a releasable adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein the step of providing a circuit carrying substrate comprises providing a substantially fiat layer of solder between 0.02 and 0.3 mm thick on each of the interconnect pads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein the step of coating the film mask and the revealed interconnect pads comprises coating by means of a roller, a curtain coater, a spray gun, a doctor blade, a squeegee or an off-contact printer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein the step of removing comprises peeling.