US5573622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for fabricating multilayer structures
Assignee: ALMATIS Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2015-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of fabricating a plurality of multilayer structures which includes at least one recess defined by a nonplanar surface. The method comprising the step of: (a) providing a resilient, compliant material on over one or more stacks of layers including the area over the recess; (b) applying sufficient pressure to the stacks to cause the resilient, compliant material to fill the recess and laminate said stacks; (c) lifting the resilient, compliant material off the stack subsequent to the application of pressure; (d) providing one or more stacks of layers that have not been subjected to step (b); and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d). In a preferred embodiment of the invention steps (a)-(d) are repeated at least ten times without the need to change the resilient compliant material. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention steps (a)-(d) are repeated at least one hundred times.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan R. Hass
- 👤 Joseph M. Dynys
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:11
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B15/00; B30B15/02; B30B15/022; B30B15/024; B28; B28B; B28B1/00; B28B1/002; B28B3/00; B28B3/02; B28B3/024; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/20; B29C43/203; B32; B32B; B32B18/00; C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/622; C04B35/64; C04B35/645; C04B2235/00; C04B2235/65; C04B2235/656; C04B2235/6565; C04B2235/6567; C04B2237/00; C04B2237/30; C04B2237/32; C04B2237/50; C04B2237/56; C04B2237/62; C04B2237/66; C04B2237/68; C04B2237/70; C04B2237/702; C04B2237/704; C04B2237/86
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A press unit comprising: an upper platen and lower platen; and a block of resilient, complaint material having a thickness greater than a cavity in an object to be pressed, said resilient, compliant material located between said upper and lower platens, said resilient, compliant material being capable of conforming to the shape of said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A press unit comprising: an upper platen and lower platen; and a block of resilient, complaint material having a thickness greater than a cavity in an object to be pressed, said resilient, compliant material located between said upper and lower platens, said resilient, compliant material being capable of conforming to the shape of said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The press unit of claim 1 in which said resilient, compliant material is silicone gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The press unit of claim 1 in which said upper platen has sidewalls which together with said lower platen completely surround said resilient, compliant material and an object to be pressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The press unit of claim 1 which further includes a piston seal for retaining said compliant material from leaving said press unit during pressing, said sealant material located on said resilient, compliant material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The press unit of claim 1 which further includes a barrier/release layer positioned between a multilayer structure and said resilient, compliant material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
A laminating press for pressing a stack of materials having cavities or protuberances on an outer surface of the stack, said press comprising: an upper platen having a top surface for holding at least one stack of materials to be pressed; a lower platen; a resilient, compliant material having a thickness greater than the largest of said cavities or protuberances, said resilient, compliant material positioned between said an upper and a lower platens; a ram for applying compressive force to said upper and lower platens and deforming said resilient, compliant material so that it enters said cavities and conforms to the shape of said cavities or surrounds said protuberances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A laminating press for pressing a stack of materials having cavities or protuberances on an outer surface of the stack, said press comprising: an upper platen having a top surface for holding at least one stack of materials to be pressed; a lower platen; a resilient, compliant material having a thickness greater than the largest of said cavities or protuberances, said resilient, compliant material positioned between said an upper and a lower platens; a ram for applying compressive force to said upper and lower platens and deforming said resilient, compliant material so that it enters said cavities and conforms to the shape of said cavities or surrounds said protuberances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laminating press of claim 6 in which further comprises: a heater for heating said stack while applying pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laminating press of claim 6 in which said resilient, compliant material is a silicone gel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laminating press of claim 6 which further comprises: a barrier/release layer positioned between said lower platen and said resilient, compliant material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laminating press of claim 6 which further comprises: a barrier/release layer of silicone rubber positioned between said lower platen and said resilient, compliant material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The laminating press of claim 6 which further comprises: a barrier/release layer of silicone rubber having a thickness in the range 0.0001 to 0.1 inches, said barrier layer positioned between said lower platen and said resilient, compliant material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The laminating press of claim 6 which further comprises: a barrier/release layer of silicone rubber having a thickness in the range 0.001 to 0.01 inches, said barrier layer positioned between said lower platen and said resilient, compliant material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |