US5538754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for applying fluid on discrete substrates
Assignee: Shipley Co Inc
•
Filing: 1993-10-08
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Granted: 1996-07-23
•
Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract Processes for uniformly coating substrates, including applying fluid substantially simultaneously onto at least two sides of a substrate. In one aspect, the invention provides positioning a substrate above one or more fluid applicators, and flowing fluid through the one or more fluid applicators upwardly onto the substrate, the fluid applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate. A substrate surface also may be aligned along a substantially vertical plane with fluid being applied laterally. In another aspect, at least one fluid applicator faces a first side of a substrate and at least one applicator faces a second side of the substrate, and fluid flows through the fluid applicators onto the first and second substrate sides, the fluid applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard R. Sandock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:01
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D5/00; B05D5/12; B05C; B05C5/00; B05C5/02; B05C5/0254; B05B; B05B15/00; B05B15/50; B05C9/00; B05C9/04; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0091; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/15; H05K2203/1518; H05K2203/1572; H05K2203/159
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A process for applying a uniform fluid layer to each side of a discrete flat substrate adapted for use in electronic applications or liquid crystal display applications or as a relief plate or name plate, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two fluid applicators; (b) passing a substrate between the fluid applicators wherein at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a first side of said substrate and extends along said first substrate side, at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a second side of said substrate and extends along said second substrate side; (c) substantially simultaneously flowing a fluid having a volatile component out of each of the fluid applicators through the elongate-shaped openings thereof onto the first and second sides of the substrate to apply a uniform fluid layer on each of said first and second substrate sides, said fluid being applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate with the fluid flow commencing and terminating to provide said uniform fluid layers up to, within, or beyond the substrate perimeter, said fluid being circulated within a substantially closed system prior to flowing the same through the fluid applicators; and (d) simultaneously removing volatiles from the fluid coating on each side of said substrate by heating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A process for applying a uniform fluid layer to each side of a discrete flat substrate adapted for use in electronic applications or liquid crystal display applications or as a relief plate or name plate, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two fluid applicators; (b) passing a substrate between the fluid applicators wherein at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a first side of said substrate and extends along said first substrate side, at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a second side of said substrate and extends along said second substrate side; (c) substantially simultaneously flowing a fluid having a volatile component out of each of the fluid applicators through the elongate-shaped openings thereof onto the first and second sides of the substrate to apply a uniform fluid layer on each of said first and second substrate sides, said fluid being applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate with the fluid flow commencing and terminating to provide said uniform fluid layers up to, within, or beyond the substrate perimeter, said fluid being circulated within a substantially closed system prior to flowing the same through the fluid applicators; and (d) simultaneously removing volatiles from the fluid coating on each side of said substrate by heating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a non-horizontal plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a substantially vertical plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 where the fluid is applied within the perimeter of the substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 where the fluid is applied up to the perimeter of the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 where the substrate has a non-uniform surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 where the substrate comprises a dielectric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The process of claim 1 where the substrate is a printed circuit board having through-holes; a first fluid applicator faces a first side of the circuit board and a second fluid applicator faces a second side of the circuit board, the first and second circuit board sides being opposing sides of the circuit board; the first and second fluid applicators for their length aligned along the substantially same plane; and fluid flows substantially simultaneously through each of the fluid applicators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 where at least portions of the substrate surface are metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 where the fluid comprises a photosensitive substance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 where the fluid comprises a material selected from a permanent dielectric coating, photoresist composition, soldermask composition, chemical etchant solutions, chemical developer solutions and chemical stripper solutions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 where each fluid applicator has an opening therethrough; and each fluid applicator has an outer face extending from the perimeter of the applicator opening, the surface of the applicator outer face comprising a non-wetting material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 13 where the non-wetting material is selected from the group consisting of TEFLON and a silicone compound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 where the applicator outer face regresses back from the applicator opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 1 where at least one of the one or more fluid applicators has walls therein defining a chamber, the chamber in communication with a source of fluid, and at least portions of the chamber walls are textured whereby the apparent viscosity of fluid flowing through the chamber is increased.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a vacuum to within one or more fluid applicators at approximately the same time fluid flow is terminated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing volatile components of the fluid on the substrate surface within a time sufficient to prevent significant migration of the fluid along the substrate surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 where the substrate is a printed circuit board substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 where the substrate is an integrated circuit substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 where the fluid applied to the substrate as a connected fluid bead.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
208 words
A process for applying a uniform fluid layer to each side of a discrete flat substrate adapted for use in electronic applications or liquid crystal display applications or as a relief plate or name plate, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two fluid applicators; (b) passing a substrate between the fluid applicators wherein at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a first side of said substrate and extends along said first substrate side, at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a second side of said substrate and extends along said second substrate side; (c) substantially simultaneously flowing a fluid as a connected fluid bead having a volatile component out of each of the fluid applicators through the elongate-shaped openings thereof onto the first and second sides of the substrate to apply a uniform fluid layer on each of said first and second substrate sides, said fluid bead being applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate with the fluid flow commencing and terminating to provide said uniform fluid layers up to, within, or beyond the substrate perimeter; and (d) simultaneously removing volatiles from the fluid coating on each side of said substrate by heating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
208 words
A process for applying a uniform fluid layer to each side of a discrete flat substrate adapted for use in electronic applications or liquid crystal display applications or as a relief plate or name plate, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two fluid applicators; (b) passing a substrate between the fluid applicators wherein at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a first side of said substrate and extends along said first substrate side, at least one fluid applicator having an elongate-shaped opening faces a second side of said substrate and extends along said second substrate side; (c) substantially simultaneously flowing a fluid as a connected fluid bead having a volatile component out of each of the fluid applicators through the elongate-shaped openings thereof onto the first and second sides of the substrate to apply a uniform fluid layer on each of said first and second substrate sides, said fluid bead being applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate with the fluid flow commencing and terminating to provide said uniform fluid layers up to, within, or beyond the substrate perimeter; and (d) simultaneously removing volatiles from the fluid coating on each side of said substrate by heating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 22 where the fluid is circulated within a substantially closed system prior to flowing through the fluid applicators.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 22 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 22 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a non-horizontal plane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 22 where the first and second sides of the substrate are aligned along a substantially vertical plane.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 22 where the fluid is applied within the perimeter of the substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 22 where the fluid is applied up to the perimeter of the substrate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 22 where the substrate has a non-uniform surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 22 where the substrate comprises a dielectric material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
80 words
The process of claim 22 where the substrate is a printed circuit board having through-holes; a first fluid applicator faces a first side of the circuit board and a second fluid applicator faces a second side of the circuit board, the first and second circuit board sides being opposing sides of the circuit board; the first and second fluid applicators for their length aligned along the substantially same plane; and fluid flows substantially simultaneously through each of the fluid applicators.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 22 where at least portions of the substrate surface are metal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 22 where the fluid comprises a photosensitive substance.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 22 where the fluid comprises a material selected from a permanent dielectric coating, photoresist composition, soldermask composition, chemical etchant solutions, chemical developer solutions and chemical stripper solutions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 22 where each fluid applicator has an opening therethrough; and each fluid applicator has an outer face extending from the perimeter of the applicator opening, the surface of the applicator outer face comprising a non-wetting material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 35 where the non-wetting material is selected from the group consisting of TEFLON and a silicone compound.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 35 where the non-wetting material is TEFLON.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 22 where at least one of the one or more fluid applicators has walls therein defining a chamber, the chamber in communication with a source of fluid, and at least portions of the chamber walls are textured whereby the apparent viscosity of fluid flowing through the chamber is increased.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 22 further comprising the step of applying a vacuum to within one or more of the fluid applicators to withdraw traces of fluid therein after fluid flow is terminated.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 22 further comprising the step of removing volatile components of the fluid on the substrate surface within a time sufficient to prevent significant migration of the fluid along the substrate surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 22 where the substrate is a printed circuit board substrate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 22 where the substrate is an integrated circuit substrate.
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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) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |