US5869412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal fibermat/polymer composite
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1991-08-22
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2011-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material selected from polymeric films and fibrous webs having the capability of becoming porous when thermoformed, having a metal mat at least partially embedded therein, comprising a plurality of fine, randomly-oriented metal fibers, the carrier material having a softening temperature lower than the highest temperature reached during the thermoforming process.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M. Yenni, Jr.
- 👤 Robert L. Lambert, Jr.
- 👤 Clyde D. Calhoun
- 👤 David C. Koskenmaki
- 👤 David J. Lundin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:29
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; H; H05; H05K; H05K9/00; H05K9/0073; H05K9/0081; H05K9/009; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B32B15/00; B32B15/02; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; H01; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/20; H01B1/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material selected from the group consisting of polymeric fibrous webs and sheet materials having the capability of becoming porous during a thermoforming process, said carrier material having a metal mat at least partially embedded therein, said mat comprising a plurality of fine, randomly-oriented metal fibers, said carrier material having a softening temperature and said metal mat having a melting temperature lower than the highest temperature reached during said thermoforming process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material selected from the group consisting of polymeric fibrous webs and sheet materials having the capability of becoming porous during a thermoforming process, said carrier material having a metal mat at least partially embedded therein, said mat comprising a plurality of fine, randomly-oriented metal fibers, said carrier material having a softening temperature and said metal mat having a melting temperature lower than the highest temperature reached during said thermoforming process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1 wherein said carrier material is porous prior to said thermoforming process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1 wherein said carrier material is a polymeric nonwoven web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 3 wherein said polymeric nonwoven web comprises blown fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 3 wherein said metal fibers are entangled with said polymeric nonwoven web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 3 wherein said carrier material comprises at least one polymeric non-woven material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, thermoplastic polyesters, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1 wherein said carrier material is nonporous at room temperature, and becomes porous during said thermoforming process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1 wherein said carrier material is rendered porous by mechanical means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 7 wherein said carrier material comprises a polymeric film having mechanically created pores of up to 1 cm in size, said pores being spaced up to 2 cm when measured from center to center.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1 wherein said metal mat comprises metal fibers selected from the group consisting of tin, lead bismuth, cadmium, indium, gallium, zinc, mixtures thereof, and alloys thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thermoformable article comprising an add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 1, and a substrate polymer, said article having a thermoforming temperature higher than said melting onset temperature of said metal fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermoformable article according to claim 11 wherein the metal fibers of said add-on EMI shielding sheet are entangled with said polymeric nonwoven web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermoformable article according to claim 11 comprising a plurality of layers of carrier materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A thermoformable article according to claim 13 further comprising a plurality of metal mats.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A thermoformable article according to claim 11 wherein said substrate polymer is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, cellulose acetate, cellulose-acetate-butyrate (CAB), cellulose propionate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyethylene, ethylene-butene copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polypropylene, and propylene copolymers, poly(methylmethacrylate), methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylic-modified poly(vinyl chloride), polycarbonates, poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl chloride), polysulfones, polyethersulfones and polyamides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A thermoformed article comprising a substrate polymer having an EMI shielding layer on a portion thereof, said portion being less than the entire article, said shielding layer having been precut from an add-on EMI shielding sheet, placed atop said substrate polymer, and thermoformed therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A thermoformed article comprising a substrate polymer having an EMI shielding layer on a portion thereof, said portion being less than the entire article, said shielding layer having been precut from an add-on EMI shielding sheet, placed atop said substrate polymer, and thermoformed therewith.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermoformed article made by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymeric substrate having an area where EMI shielding is desired; b) preheating said polymeric substrate for sufficient time for it to attain some portion of its thermoforming temperature; c) forming an article by placing a precut add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material, including its metal mat, over said area where EMI shielding is desired; d) heating said article for a sufficient time for said carrier material to soften and said metal mat to melt and for said article, including the polymeric substrate to reach completely its thermoforming temperature; e) thermoforming said article into a desired shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermoformed article made by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymeric substrate having an area where EMI shielding is desired; b) preheating said polymeric substrate for sufficient time for it to attain some portion of its thermoforming temperature; c) forming an article by placing a precut add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material, including its metal mat, over said area where EMI shielding is desired; d) heating said article for a sufficient time for said carrier material to soften and said metal mat to melt and for said article, including the polymeric substrate to reach completely its thermoforming temperature; e) thermoforming said article into a desired shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A thermoformed article made by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymeric substrate having an area where EMI shielding is desired; b) forming an article by placing a precut add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material including its metal mat over said area where EMI shielding is desired; c) heating said article for a sufficient time for said carrier material to soften and said metal mat to melt and for said article to reach completely its thermoforming temperature; d) thermoforming said article into a desired shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A thermoformed article made by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymeric substrate having an area where EMI shielding is desired; b) forming an article by placing a precut add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material including its metal mat over said area where EMI shielding is desired; c) heating said article for a sufficient time for said carrier material to soften and said metal mat to melt and for said article to reach completely its thermoforming temperature; d) thermoforming said article into a desired shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet according to claim 10 wherein said metal mat comprises metal fibers selected from the group consisting of alloys of tin, lead, bismuth, cadmium, indium, gallium, and zinc wherein said alloys contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of antimony, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, nickel, cobalt and iron.
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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) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |