Abstract: This invention relates to a treated copper foil, comprising: a copper foil with a layer of zinc oxide adhered to the base surface of at least on side of said copper foil, said layer of zinc oxide having a thickness of about 3 Å to about 80 Å; and a layer of a trivalent chromium oxide adhered to said layer of zinc oxide. In one embodiment, the foil has a layer of a silane coupling agent adhered to the layer of trivalent chromium oxide. The invention also relates to a process for applying the layer of zinc oxide and the layer of trivalent chromium oxide to the copper foil. The invention also relates to laminates comprising a dielectric substrate and the foregoing copper foil adhered to the substrate. In one embodiment, the dielectric substrate is comprised of an epoxy resin made with a curing agent that is other than an amine curing agent.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, comprising the steps of applying a layer of chromium having a thickness from about 30 grams per square meter to about 160 grams per square meter to each side of a steel substrate having a thickness from about 0.10 mm to about 0.20 mm. Applying a layer of copper having a thickness from about 2 &mgr;m to about 70 &mgr;m to each of the chromium layers. Positioning the steel substrate between two dielectric layers with adhesive disposed between the copper layers and the dielectric layers. Applying heat and pressure to the layers to bond the copper layers to the dielectric layers. Separating the steel substrate from the copper layers, and discarding the steel substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing metal foil, comprising a drum cathode having an outer plating surface. The drum cathode is partially immersed to a set level in an electrolyte bath and is rotatable in a fixed direction about a generally horizontal axis. A main anode assembly having a main anode is immersed in the electrolyte bath, the main anode having a semi-cylindrical curved anode surface facing the drum cathode. The main anode is dimensioned to be spaced from the plating surface of the drum cathode so as to define a generally uniform gap therebetween. An energy source is connected to the main anode for energizing the main anode. A chamber containing an electrolyte solution is disposed above the electrolyte bath and adjacent the cathode drum where the cathode drum exits the electrolyte bath. A treatment anode is immersed in the electrolyte solution in the chamber adjacent the drum cathode. An energy source is connected to the treatment anode for energizing the treatment anode.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device comprised of a sheet support bed having a first end and a second end. The sheet support bed is comprised of a plurality of side-by-side rollers, each of the rollers being freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path, the path having a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path. A roller control assembly for selectively and sequentially controlling rotation of select ones of the rollers at select intervals during a stacking operation.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing printed circuits that in a finished printed circuit constitutes a functional element. The component is comprised of a film substrate formed of a first polymeric material having a first side and a second side. At least one layer of a tiecoat metal is applied to the first side of the film substrate. At least one layer of copper on the at least one layer of a tiecoat metal, the layer of copper having an essentially uncontaminated exposed surface facing away from the at least one layer of tiecoat metal. A plurality of spaced apart, adhesion promoting areas of a tiecoat metal are provided on the second side of the film substrate defining regions of exposed polymeric material on the second side of the film substrate.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing printed circuits, comprising: a laminate that in a finished printed circuit constitutes a functional element, the laminate comprised of: a film substrate formed of a first polymeric material; at least one layer of a flash metal applied to a first side of the film substrate, and at least one layer of copper on the at least one layer of a flash metal, the layer of copper having an essentially uncontaminated exposed surface facing away from the at least one layer of flash metal; and a planar layer of metal that constitutes a discardable element, the layer of metal having an essentially uncontaminated surface that is inert to copper, the laminate being attached to the layer of metal at its borders to define a substantially uncontaminated central zone inwardly of the edges of the sheet that is unjoined at the interfaces.

Abstract: A component for use in forming a multi-layer printed circuit comprised of a film substrate formed of a first polymeric material. At least one layer of a flash metal is applied to a first side of the film substrate, and at least one layer of copper is applied on the layer of flash metal. A discrete area of a resistive material is disposed on a second side of the film substrate.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing articles, such as printed circuit boards, comprised of a sheet of copper foil having an essentially uncontaminated surface facing an essentially uncontaminated surface of a sheet of metal, the surfaces of the sheets being in unattached contact with each other in an area that defines a substantially uncontaminated central zone, and the metal sheet being comprised of carbon steel having a layer of chromium thereon, wherein the chromium defines the substantially uncontaminated surface of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing articles, such as printed circuit boards, comprising a laminate constructed of a sheet of copper foil that, in a finished circuit board, constitutes a functional element, and a sheet of carbon steel having a layer of an inert metal thereon, the sheet of carbon steel constituting a discardable element. One surface of the copper sheet and the surface of the inert metal layer on the carbon steel sheet are essentially uncontaminated and engageable with each other at interfaces. The copper sheet is attached to the inert metal layer of the carbon steel sheet at their borders and defines substantially uncontaminated central zones inwardly of the edges of the sheets that are unjoined at the interfaces.

Abstract: An electrodeposition cell for electrodepositing metal onto a surface of a rotating drum that is partially immersed in an electrolytic solution. The cell includes an anode comprised of a main anode body portion and an anode extension portion. The main anode body portion has an arcuate main anode body surface having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the drum. The main anode body portion is totally immersed in the electrolytic solution adjacent the drum wherein a generally uniform gap is formed therebetween. The anode extension portion has an anode extension surface facing the drum and at least one opening extending therethrough. The anode extension portion is disposed within the electrolytic solution wherein a portion thereof extends above the electrolytic solution and the electrolytic solution can flow through the opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for applying a stabilization layer to at least one side of copper foil comprising contacting said side of said copper foil with an electrolyte solution comprising zinc ions, chromium ions and at least one hydrogen inhibitor. This invention also relates to copper foils treated by the foregoing process, and to laminates comprising a dielectric substrate and copper foil treated by the foregoing process adhered to said dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A phase shift keyed carrier recovery and demodulator circuit which includes a phase detector and subsequent feedback control loop circuitry which maintains an initial phase relationship. By comparing an incoming phase modulated carrier with the multiple phase outputs of a local oscillator, the circuit is able to generate a correcting signal which allows coherent phase tracking of the incoming phase modulated carrier. The phase detector produces a correction signal which allows the circuit to phase lock any two sequential phases of the locally generated phase outputs to phase positions on either side of the phase of the incoming phase modulated carrier. Once the circuit has obtained carrier phase lock, the multiple phases produced by the local oscillator will remain fixed (without phase change) relative to the initial detected phase of the incoming phase modulated carrier.

Abstract: Method of forming a flexible circuit laminate for use in the production of flexible circuits, comprising the steps of electrodepositing a continuous layer of copper on a first side of a generally continuous strip of polyimide having a layer of metal on the first side, modifying a second side of the polyimide strip to increase the surface energy thereof, applying a preformed adhesive film on the second side of the generally continuous strip of polyimide, the adhesive strip being formed of a substantially uncured polymeric material, and curing the adhesive film wherein at least the outmost layer of the adhesive film is only partially cured.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adhesive composition, comprising: (A) at least one phenolic resole resin; and (B) the product made by reacting (B-1) at least one difunctional epoxy resin, with (B-2) at least one compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein in Formulae (I) and (II): G, T and Q are each independently functional groups selected from the group consisting of COOH, OH, SH, NH.sub.2, NHR.sup.1, (NHC(.dbd.NH)).sub.m NH.sub.2, R.sup.2 COOH, NR.sup.1.sub.2, C(O)NHR.sup.1, R.sup.2 NR.sup.1.sub.2, R.sup.2 OH, R.sup.2 SH, R.sup.2 NH.sub.2 and R.sup.2 NHR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon group, R.sup.2 is an alkylene or alkylidene group and m is a number in the range of 1 to about 4; T can also be R.sup.1, OR.sup.1 or SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --NH.sub.2 ; and Q can also be H. The invention also relates to copper foils having the foregoing adhesive composition adhered to at least one side thereof to enhance the adhesion between said foils and dielectric substrates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a treated copper foil, comprising: a copper foil with a layer of zinc oxide adhered to the base surface of at least on side of said copper foil, said layer of zinc oxide having a thickness of about 3 .ANG. to about 80 .ANG.; and a layer of a trivalent chromium oxide adhered to said layer of zinc oxide. In one embodiment, the foil has a layer of a silane coupling agent adhered to the layer of trivalent chromium oxide. The invention also relates to a process for applying the layer of zinc oxide and the layer of trivalent chromium oxide to the copper foil. The invention also relates to laminates comprising a dielectric substrate and the foregoing copper foil adhered to the substrate. In one embodiment, the dielectric substrate is comprised of an epoxy resin made with a curing agent that is other than an amine curing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesion promoting layer which exhibits high temperature stability and high peel strengths when used in a multi-layer structure for a printed circuit board. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-layer structure, containing a prepreg layer wherein the prepreg layer is made from an epoxy resin and a non-amine curing agent; and an adhesion promoting layer comprising a nitrogen containing silane compound. The present invention also relates to a multi-layer structure containing a metal foil layer; an epoxy prepreg layer wherein the epoxy prepreg layer is made from an epoxy resin and a non-amine curing agent comprising at least one of an acid, an anhydride, an alkoxide, a phenoxide, a polymeric thiol and a phenol; and an adhesion promoting layer comprising a nitrogen containing silane compound, wherein the adhesion promoting layer is between the metal foil layer and the epoxy prepreg layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a multi-layer laminate from a plurality of individual laminates comprised of copper clad on a polyimide.

Abstract: A method of securing a metal lead of a polymer battery to a flexible circuit, comprising the steps of positioning a metal lead of a polymer electrolyte battery onto a connection pad of a circuit; clamping the metal lead and the connection pad between two weld fixtures of an ultrasonic welder; compressing the metal lead and connection pad between the two weld fixtures to establish a pressure of about 44.9 psi to about 30.8 psi; and vibrating the weld fixtures at a frequency of about 20 kHz for about 0.1 seconds to about 2.0 seconds.

Abstract: A method of treating a copper current collector (copper mesh and/or copper foil) for use in Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer batteries, comprising the steps of: positioning a copper current collector within an electrolytic solution adjacent an anode plate, the electrolytic solution comprised of about 2 to about 25 grams/liter of Cu.sup.+2, and about 30 to about 100 grams/liter of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 ; energizing the system to have a predetermined current density; maintaining the current density of the system for about 0.5 to about 3.0 minutes; and removing the copper current collector from the electrolyte solution and rinsing the same.

Abstract: A method of forming lithium manganese oxide spinel, comprising the steps of combining predetermined amounts of lithium carbonate powder and manganese dioxide powder, the powders having predetermined surface areas; mixing the lithium carbonate and manganese dioxide for about 0.5 hours to about 2.0 hours in a manner so as to thoroughly mix the powders, but not to significantly increase the surface area of the powders; increasing the temperature of the mixture from approximately room temperature to a calcining temperature between about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C.; maintaining the calcining temperature of the mixture between about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. for about 7 hours to about 13 hours; reducing the temperature of the mixture from the calcining temperature to about 500.degree. C. at a cooling rate between about 10.degree. C./hour to about 120.degree. C./hour; and cooling the mixture from 500.degree. C. to room temperature.