Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane switch, an article of manufacture and the membrane switch, itself, are disclosed. The membrane switch is of the type including a pair of insulating layers each having at least one contact area formed thereon in facing relation the contact area of the other layer. A protective layer is disposed between the insulating layers at least in the vicinity of the facing contact areas to maintain the contact areas separated during a subsequent fabrication step involving the application of heat and/or pressure. The protective layer is removed after the fabrication step is performed.

Abstract: A printed circuit module, particularly for electronic applications and equipment, comprising a rigid or flexible circuit carrier substrate (1), conductive traces (2) printed on the substrate, and electronic components (5) for electrical connection thereto. The conductive traces comprise a printed ink layer having fine conductive particles embedded therein. The ink is rendered conductive by a touch-contact distribution of the particles in the printed ink layer. The conductive particles comprise electrically conductive crystallites (8) composed of a non-oxidizable crystalline compound of an element of sub-group IV of the Periodic Table, along with nitrogen or carbon. The electronic components (5) are electrically connected to the conductive traces (2) with an anisotropic adhesive (7). The adhesive may also contain the crystallites to effect an electrical connection between the conductive traces (2 ) and the contact areas (6 ) of electronic components (5 ) .

Abstract: A device for the conversion of electrical oscillations into acoustic waves or the conversion of acoustic waves into electrical oscillations, including an electro-acoustic converter and a housing with two housing shells (1, 2) in the form of plastic moldings. The housing shells fit together and are assembled into a single closed housing assembly with a sound window (8) associated with the electro-acoustic converter, conductive portions of external leads (10) are attached to the housing through contact elements (9) located on one of the shells. A piezoelectric element (4) is combined with a carrier foil (11) which includes a sound membrane (3). The carrier foil includes conductors connected to the piezoelectric element in the form of screen-printed conductive traces (12), the ends of which, remote from the piezoelectric element, are provided with a contact arrangement (14). Other functional components, including the contact elements, are situated on or in the housing shells.