Patents by Inventor Peter Gruber

Peter Gruber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110233762
    Abstract: A wafer level integrated interconnect decal manufacturing method and wafer level integrated interconnect decal arrangement. In accordance with the technology concerning the soldering of integrated circuits and substrates, and particularly providing for solder decal methods forming and utilization, in the present instance there are employed underfills which consist of a solid film material and which are applied between a semiconductor chip and the substrate in order to enhance the reliability of a flip chip package. In particular, the underfill material increases the resistance to fatigue of controlled collapse chip connect (C4) bumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Jae-woong Nah
  • Publication number: 20110233262
    Abstract: A portion of compliant material includes four walls defining a slot. The slot has a relatively large cross-section end in fluid communication with a solder reservoir, and also has a relatively small cross-section end opposed to the relatively large cross-section end. The slot has a generally elongate rectangular shape when viewed in plan, with a length perpendicular to a scan direction, a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively large cross section end, and a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively small cross section end. The slot is configured in the portion of compliant material such that the relatively small cross-section end of the slot normally remains substantially closed, but locally opens sufficiently to dispense solder from the reservoir when under fluid pressure and locally unsupported by a workpiece. Methods of operation and fabrication are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah
  • Patent number: 8011563
    Abstract: A mold fill head includes a solder delivery head and an interface portion having a compliant portion secured to the solder delivery head and a dispensing region associated with the compliant portion. The dispensing region is formed with at least one aperture configured to interface with cavities in a mold plate, the at least one aperture being in fluid communication with the solder delivery head. The compliant portion is configured and dimensioned to urge the dispensing region against the mold plate when held a predetermined distance therefrom and to substantially tolerate variations in flatness of the mold plate, variations in the predetermined distance, and/or variations in an angular orientation of the interface portion and the mold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Evan G. Colgan, Peter A. Gruber, Gareth G. Hougham, John P. Karidis
  • Publication number: 20110201194
    Abstract: An assembly is obtained; it includes a substrate; a plurality of wet-able pads formed on a surface of the substrate; and a solder resist layer deposited on the surface of the substrate and having an outer surface. At least the solder resist layer is formed with recessed regions defining volumes adjacent the wet-able pads. Molten solder is directly injected into the volumes adjacent the wet-able pads, such that the volumes adjacent the wet-able pads are filled with solder. The solder is allowed to solidify. It forms a plurality of solder structures adhered to the wet-able pads. The substrate and the solder are re-heated after the solidification, to re-flow the solder into generally spherical balls extending above the outer surface of the solder resist layer. The volumes adjacent the wet-able pads are configured and dimensioned to receive sufficient solder in the injecting step such that the generally spherical balls extend above the outer surface of the solder resist layer as a result of the re-heating step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah
  • Publication number: 20110192887
    Abstract: A portion of compliant material includes four walls defining a slot. The slot has a relatively large cross-section end in fluid communication with a solder reservoir, and also has a relatively small cross-section end opposed to the relatively large cross-section end. The slot has a generally elongate rectangular shape when viewed in plan, with a length perpendicular to a scan direction, a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively large cross section end, and a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively small cross section end. The slot is configured in the portion of compliant material such that the relatively small cross-section end of the slot normally remains substantially closed, but locally opens sufficiently to dispense solder from the reservoir when under fluid pressure and locally unsupported by a workpiece. Methods of operation and fabrication are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah
  • Patent number: 7980446
    Abstract: A portion of compliant material includes four walls defining a slot. The slot has a relatively large cross-section end in fluid communication with a solder reservoir, and also has a relatively small cross-section end opposed to the relatively large cross-section end. The slot has a generally elongate rectangular shape when viewed in plan, with a length perpendicular to a scan direction, a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively large cross section end, and a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively small cross section end. The slot is configured in the portion of compliant material such that the relatively small cross-section end of the slot normally remains substantially closed, but locally opens sufficiently to dispense solder from the reservoir when under fluid pressure and locally unsupported by a workpiece. Methods of operation and fabrication are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Businss Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah
  • Patent number: 7955966
    Abstract: Methods for making solder balls, which can be used to bump semiconductor wafers are disclosed. Methods for bumping semiconductor wafers with the solder balls are also disclosed. The solder balls can be made using an injection molded soldering (IMS) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Barry A. Hochlowski, David T. Naugle
  • Publication number: 20110127312
    Abstract: A flexible unitary mask has a plurality of through holes. A substrate has a plurality of wettable pads in recessed regions defining volumes. The through holes are aligned with the wettable pads. Molten solder is directly injected through the through holes of the flexible unitary mask into the volumes with the wettable pads, such that the through holes and the volumes with the wettable pads are filled with solder. The solder is allowed to solidify, forming a plurality of solder structures adhered to the wettable pads. The flexible unitary mask is peeled from the substrate after the solder has solidified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah, Kazushige Toriyama
  • Patent number: 7943176
    Abstract: By suitable retardation oral pharmaceutical compositions containing propiverine or one or several pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in an amount of 4 mg to 60 mg propiverine and having a prolonged release of the active agent are produced. Preferably a blend of active agent and optionally one or more acidic substances having a pKa value of less than 6.65 are provided with a retarding coating or are embedded in a matrix which is then optionally coated with further retarding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Apogepha Arzneimittel GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Gramatte, Peter Gruber, Michael Heschel, Dirk Pamperin, Jan Ploen, Steffen Scheithauser, Wolfgang Wehner, Peter Guldner
  • Publication number: 20110097892
    Abstract: A process for aligning at least two layers in an abutting relationship with each other comprises forming a plurality of sprocket openings in each of the layers for receiving a sprocket of diminishing diameters as the sprocket extends outwardly from a base, with the center axes of the sprocket openings in each layer being substantially alignable with one another, the diameter of the sprocket openings in an abutting layer for first receiving the sprocket being greater than the diameter of the sprocket openings in an abutted layer. This is followed by forming a plurality of reservoir openings in each of at least two of the layers and positioning the sprocket openings in the layers to correspond with one another and the reservoir openings in the layers to correspond with one another so that substantial alignment of the center axes of the corresponding sprocket openings in the layers effects substantial alignment of the center axes of the corresponding reservoir openings in the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Peter A. Gruber, Jae-Woong Nah, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 7931187
    Abstract: A flexible unitary mask has a plurality of through holes. A substrate has a plurality of wettable pads in recessed regions defining volumes. The through holes are aligned with the wettable pads. Molten solder is directly injected through the through holes of the flexible unitary mask into the volumes with the wettable pads, such that the through holes and the volumes with the wettable pads are filled with solder. The solder is allowed to solidify, forming a plurality of solder structures adhered to the wettable pads. The flexible unitary mask is peeled from the substrate after the solder has solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Paul A. Lauro, Jae-Woong Nah, Kazushige Toriyama
  • Publication number: 20110091737
    Abstract: A method for fine positioning a component through the use of fusible elements having two or more melting points so as to establish intermediate displacements between totally melted fusible elements and unmelted fusible elements. Because of the use of non-eutectic fusible materials, fine adjustments in the displacement may be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Philip Charles Danby Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7928585
    Abstract: A process for aligning at least two layers in an abutting relationship with each other comprises forming a plurality of sprocket openings in each of the layers for receiving a sprocket of diminishing diameters as the sprocket extends outwardly from a base, with the center axes of the sprocket openings in each layer being substantially alignable with one another, the diameter of the sprocket openings in an abutting layer for first receiving the sprocket being greater than the diameter of the sprocket openings in an abutted layer. This is followed by forming a plurality of reservoir openings in each of at least two of the layers and positioning the sprocket openings in the layers to correspond with one another and the reservoir openings in the layers to correspond with one another so that substantial alignment of the center axes of the corresponding sprocket openings in the layers effects substantial alignment of the center axes of the corresponding reservoir openings in the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Peter A. Gruber, Jae-Woong Nah, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20110079632
    Abstract: A plurality of through-substrate holes is formed in each of at least one substrate. Each through-substrate hole extends from a top surface of the at least one substrate to the bottom surface of the at least one substrate. The at least one substrate is held by a stationary chuck or a rotating chuck. Vacuum suction is provided to a set of through-substrate holes among the plurality of through-substrate holes through a vacuum manifold attached to the bottom surface of the at least one substrate. An injection mold solder head located above the top surface of the at least one substrate injects a solder material into the set of through-substrate holes to form a plurality of through-substrate solders that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of the at least one substrate. The vacuum suction prevents formation of air bubbles or incomplete filling in the plurality of through-substrate holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: S. Jay Chey, David Danovitch, Peter A. Gruber, Cornelia K. Tsang
  • Patent number: 7857195
    Abstract: A method for fine positioning a component through the use of fusible elements having two or more melting points so as to establish intermediate displacements between totally melted fusible elements and unmelted fusible elements. Because of the use of non-eutectic fusible materials, fine adjustments in the displacement may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Philip Charles Danby Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7841510
    Abstract: A method for fine positioning a component through the use of fusible elements having two or more melting points so as to establish intermediate displacements between totally melted fusible elements and unmelted fusible elements. Because of the use of non-eutectic fusible materials, fine adjustments in the displacement may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Philip Charles Danby Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7838954
    Abstract: A semiconductor solder bump structure having a solder bump with at least a first solder and a second solder attached to the first solder, producing one solder bump having at least two different solders with different melting temperatures. A method of fabricating the solder is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L Buchwalter, Peter A Gruber, Jae-Woong Nah, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 7819376
    Abstract: A method for forming interconnects onto attachment points of a wafer includes the steps of providing a mold with a plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape, depositing a release agent on surfaces of the cavities, filling the cavities with an interconnect material to form the interconnects, removing the release agent from the mold, and attaching the interconnects to the attachment points of the wafer. An adhesive layer can optionally be deposited in addition to the release layer. The adhesive layer can be used, for example, to bond the chip to a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Danovitch, Mukta G. Farooq, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, George R. Proto, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 7810702
    Abstract: A method of producing standoffs in an injection molded solder (IMS) mold, which possesses cavities, each of which is filled with a solder paste using standard techniques, such as screening or IMS. This solder paste is heated to a reflow temperature at which the solder melts and forms a ball or sphere. Since solder pastes are known to reduce in volume due to the therein contained organic material burning off, the remaining solder ball will be significantly lower in volume than that of the cavity. A solder material having a lower melting point is then filled into the cavities about the solder balls. The mold and solder metal are then allowed to cool, resulting in the formation of a solid sphere of metal in the cavity surrounded by solder material of a lower melting point, which, upon transfer to a wafer, form the standoffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20100230475
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect forming method. The electrical interconnect includes a first substrate comprising a first electrically conductive pad, a second substrate comprising a second electrically conductive pad, and an interconnect structure electrically and mechanically connecting the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad. The interconnect structure comprises a non-solder metallic core structure, a first solder structure, and a second solder structure. The first solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a first portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the first electrically conductive pad. The second solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a second portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the second electrically conductive pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Leslie Buchwalter, Bruce K. Furman, Peter A. Gruber, Jae-Woong Nah, Da-Yuan Shih