Abstract: A flexible supporting cable for an electronic device which includes a steel foil substrate, a layer of polymer on portions of the substrate, circuit pads on the polymer layer having both the bottom and top surfaces of the pads exposed; circuit lines extending from the top surface of the pads, a window free from steel beneath a portion of the circuit lines, and a second, smaller window free from both steel and the polymer beneath a portion of the circuit lines. Methods are provided for fabricating these flexible supporting cables.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a submersible electrical current supply device and method of plating using said device for providing electrical current to a strip as it is continuously moved through an electroplating bath is provided. The electrical current supply device includes a housing having a slot extending therethrough with entry and exit openings and has wipers disposed at both the entrance and exit openings. In the central section of the device, electrical contacts in the form of electrical brushes are biased into contact with the strip and are provided with electrical contacts to supply current for plating to the brushes. The strip is continuously passed through the slot and contact with the brushes and electrical current is supplied by the brushes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making circuitized, flexible film substrates in a continuous tape format using a transfer technique. The tape is made with window-like openings having a relatively thin layer of polyimide spanning the openings. The relatively thin layer of polyimide is transferred to the tape from a metal carrier foil, preferably by using a special adhesive system. After the polyimide is transferred to the tape, the polyimide spanning the window-like openings in the tape is circuitized to form individual, circuitized, flexible film substrates which may be handled in the tape format for further processing. Preferably, the tape includes perforations for engaging sprockets of automated manufacturing equipment, or the like.