Including A Masking Coating Patents (Class 427/259)
  • Patent number: 6235342
    Abstract: An improved magnetoresistive read sensor (100) and a method of fabricating magnetoresistive read sensor (100) that eliminates film removal is disclosed. The magnetoresistive sensor (100) is formed by positioning a first mask (128) on a gap layer (104) split into three regions due to subsequent layers. A first mask (128) is positioned on the central region of the gap layer (104) and a first hard-biasing material (106) is deposited onto the outside regions of the gap layer (104). The first mask (128) is removed and a magnetoresistive element (116) is deposited onto the outside regions of the first hard-biasing material (106) and the central region of gap layer (104), thereby forming an active region (122), a first passive region (124) and a second passive region (126) of the magnetoresistive sensor (100). A spacer layer (118) is deposited onto the magnetoresistive element (116) in all three regions and a soft adjacent layer (120) is deposited onto the spacer layer (118) in all three regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Song Sheng Xue, Patrick J. Ryan, James F. Dolejsi
  • Patent number: 6168845
    Abstract: A new method for making patterned magnetic storage media with magnetic and substantially non-magnetic zones utilizes a selective oxidation processes. Selective oxidation is achieved by subjecting a magnetic layer to an oxygen plasma through voids in a patterned mask. A high resolution patterned mask is made by embossing and reactive ion etch processes. The method is used to fabricate patterned magnetic disks media with alternating magnetic and non-magnetic zones ranging from 10 to 1000 Nanometers in width. Magnetic storage disks produced by this method have high-bit densities, minimal topography and reduced signal noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Edward Fontana, Jr., Richard Hsiao, Ernesto Esteban Marinero, Hugo Alberto Emilio Santini, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6146483
    Abstract: A decal for use in forming a solar cell includes an antireflective precursor material and a patterned electrically conductive material. The antireflective precursor material and the patterned electrically conductive material are disposed over a base material. The antireflective precursor material can be one or more layers of paste which form an antireflective coating upon being fired. A cover layer can be disposed over the antireflective precursor material and the electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Evergreen Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack I. Hanoka, Brynley E. Lord, Mark T. Mrowka, Xinfa Ma
  • Patent number: 6146516
    Abstract: A method and a device are described for the repair and/or touch-up of small surface flaws in large press plates or endless bands of sheet metal, especially steel sheet, having a structured metal coating and a hard-chrome plating for surface-embossing plastic-coated wooden or laminated panels. Each flaw is repaired by surrounding it with a mask, pickling, and galvanically metallizing it. For a simplified and cost-favorable repair or touch-up, a galvanic solution is applied to the masked and pickled flaw for microgalvanizing damaged areas smaller than 14 mm.sup.2 by dipping the tip of an electrode into the solution. The pickled flaw can first be provided with a thin, microgalvanically applied nickel layer, and it is then copper-plated. The copper build-up is restructured by hand, if necessary, and covered with a hardened cobalt layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hueck Engraving GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Peter Lettmann
  • Patent number: 6139906
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for depositing multilayered thin films onto substrates, for example in making thin film magnetic heads. In accordance with the invention a first film, such as Cr, is deposited onto the substrate at a first angle and a second layer, such as CoCrPt is deposited at a second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Hari Hegde, Adrian Devasahayam, Jinsong Wang
  • Patent number: 6123985
    Abstract: A membrane-actuated charge controlled mirror (CCM) that exhibits increased deflection range, reduced beam current and improved electrostatic stability is fabricated using a combination of flat panel manufacturing along with traditional MEMS techniques. More specifically, a unique combination of five masking layers is used to fabricate a number of CCMs on a large glass panel. At the completion of the MEMS processing, the glass panel is diced into individual CCMs. Thereafter, the polymer mirror and membrane release layers are simultaneously released through vent holes in the membrane to leave the free-standing CCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Solus Micro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Robinson, LeRoy H. Hackett, Philip G. Reif
  • Patent number: 6117485
    Abstract: A vehicle masking material and method of use. The masking material in one embodiment includes a dextrin, a plasticizer, and water. The masking material may additionally include a surfactant. The masking material is applied to a surface which is to be protected from paint overspray or other coating processes, allowed to dry, and the surface is coated (e.g. with paint). After drying of the paint, or other coating, the masking material is removed by water washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Cal-West Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Woodhall, Ronald Swidler
  • Patent number: 6106627
    Abstract: A method of improving the breakdown strength of polymer multi-layer (PML) capacitors is provided and of providing a window in food packaging is provided. The method comprises patterning the aluminum coating, either by selective removal of deposited aluminum or by preventing deposition of the aluminum on selected areas of the underlying polymer film. Apparatus is also provided for patterning metal deposition on polymer films comprising masking for defining regions in which metal is deposited. The apparatus comprises: (a) a rotating drum; (b) a monomer evaporator for depositing a monomer film on the rotating drum; (c) a radiation curing element for curing the monomer film to form a cross-linked polymer film; and (d) a resistive evaporator for depositing a metal film on the cross-linked polymer film. The foregoing elements are enclosed in a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sigma Laboratories of Arizona, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Yializis
  • Patent number: 6106889
    Abstract: Articles such as medical devices are selectively coated with a lubricious coating. A temporary coating, formed from an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer of low to moderate molecular weight, is painted onto those portions of the article which are to remain free of any coating in the final product. Then, the entire article is coated with a material which forms a lubricious coating. The article is then soaked in water to loosen the coatings at the locations at which the temporary coating was applied. The coatings are cleanly removed from those locations, leaving an article with a lubricious coating in some portions, and which is uncoated in the remaining portions. The process can be used in coating portions of catheters, surgical gloves, contact lenses, and any other articles which require a lubricious coating only on a portion of the surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Biocoat Incorporated
    Inventors: Ellington M. Beavers, Elizabeth G. Pervin
  • Patent number: 6086949
    Abstract: A thin film disk and a method for producing the disk having an overcoat with two thickness regions. The thicker overcoat region can be used as a start/stop or loading zone and the thinner overcoat region can be used over the data recording area. This provides increased wear resistance while allowing improved magnetic performance through a reduction in the thickness of the overcoat over the data recording area. The dual thickness regions can be formed using different embodiments of the method. One method sputter deposits a relatively thick layer of overcoat material over the entire disk surface, masks off the portion of the disk for the thick layer, etches the unmasked area to reduce or eliminate the overcoat from the unmasked area, then deposits a second relatively thin layer of overcoat material over the entire surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cherngye Hwang, Charles C. H. Lee, Richard Longstreth White
  • Patent number: 6054171
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a protruding electrode which has the steps of: forming a first film of an organic or polymeric material on the top portion of a protruding electrode formed on a protruding-electrode-forming plane; then forming a second film of a polymeric material on the protruding-electrode-forming plane to bury the base portion of the protruding electrode; and removing the first film after the second film is cured; wherein the first film is of the organic or polymeric material which has no affinity with the polymeric material of the second film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shoji
  • Patent number: 6049458
    Abstract: A heat sink for dissipating heat generated by a CPU, includes a metallic base, a number of heat dissipating fins projecting from the base, thermal grease spread on the base, and a protective cap enclosing the thermal grease to protect it from being contaminated before the heat sink is assembled to the CPU or a CPU module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Jung Lee, Hsieh-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 6048446
    Abstract: The present invention provides several methods for engraving gravure cylinders much more rapidly and at a higher resolution while, at the same time, reducing the engraving cost. The present invention employs a resist that is deposited onto the surface of a gravure cylinder. The resist is capable of being physically and/or chemically changed in response to being exposed to a form of actinic energy, such as a laser beam. The exposed areas of resist allow a material, such as chromium, to be plated onto the surface of the gravure cylinder to form walls that define cells therebetween. In use, the cells contain ink for printing the desired patterns of text and/or images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: A. John Michaelis
  • Patent number: 6040000
    Abstract: There is disclosed in a microchannel plate for an image intensifier tube, a fissured material capable of secondary electron emission disposed on a top surface of the microchannel plate. The fissured material has randomized fissures which permit electrons impinging on the material to exhibit increased electron emission along each of the fissures. The fissured material operates as an electron multiplier causing a cascade of electrons for entry into the MCP channels in response to an electron entering a respective one of the fissures. The image intensifier tube includes an evacuated housing with a photo cathode disposed at a first end thereof, and an optic element disposed at a second end thereof. The microchannel plate with the fissured coating on the top surface is disposed in the evacuated housing between the photo cathode and the optic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Floryan, George Hambro
  • Patent number: 6040002
    Abstract: An etching resist composition containing at least a polymeric compound having an acid value of not less than 35, a base, and water, and having a viscosity of 10 centipoises or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromichi Noguchi, Hiroshi Sugitani, Yutaka Koizumi, Tadayoshi Inamoto, Kiyomi Aono, Yoshie Nakata
  • Patent number: 6037005
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the conductivity of transparent conductive electrodes on display substrates by providing patterned auxiliary metallic layers adjacent to the transparent conductive material. The method of the present invention eliminates the need for aligning the auxiliary metal layers with preexisting transparent conductive electrodes by providing for simultaneous patterning of the auxiliary metal layers and formation of the independently addressable electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Raghunath Padiyath
  • Patent number: 6001749
    Abstract: A patterned conductive textile is provided by applying a finish to selected parts of a fabric which inhibits the formation of a conductive polymer coating on those areas. A conductive polymer is then oxidatively synthesized onto the remaining areas from an aqueous solution comprising the starting monomer, an oxidizing agent, and, optionally, a doping agent or counterion. The areas with the inhibitor finish remain substantially free of conductive polymer and a pattern of conductive and nonconductive areas is thus produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Andrew D. Child, Alfred R. DeAngelis
  • Patent number: 6001414
    Abstract: A dual damascene processing method comprising the steps depositing sequentially a first oxide layer, a SRO layer and a second oxide layer over a substrate. Then, photolithographic and etching operations are conducted to form a via that links up with a desired wire-connecting region above the substrate. Next, another photolithographic and etching operations are conducted to form interconnect trench lines followed by the deposition of metal into the via and trench. Finally, the surface is polished with a chemical-mechanical polishing operation to remove the unwanted metal on the surface. The invention is capable of controlling the depth of trench and obtaining a smoother trench bottom for the metal lines. Furthermore, the separation of via and trench etching steps makes the control of the final etch profile much easier, thereby able to get an optimal result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yimin Huang, Hsiao-Pang Chou, Tri-Rung Yew
  • Patent number: 5989628
    Abstract: A plastic lens comprising the first acrylic hard coated layer formed on the outside surface of a plastic lens base and, on the inside surface, an antifogging coated layer while interposing of the second acrylic hard coated layer is obtained by coating both sides of a plastic lens base with an acrylic hard coating agent, masking the outside surface with a peelable masking agent (e.g., a coating composition containing poly(vinyl chloride) or a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer), coating at least the inside surface with an antifogging agent, and removing the masking layer. As the hard coating agent or antifogging agent, use can be made of an ultraviolet-curable resin composition, and as the masking agent, a coating composition containing a poly-(vinyl chloride) or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Daicel Abosisangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Haga, Yoshio Onisawa, Kohei Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5965076
    Abstract: A method for fabricating soft tissue implants using a mold. The cavity surface of an initially untextured mold, made of an organic material such as epoxy, is given a thin film coating of material that has pinholes and is resistant to atomic particle bombardment. The mold cavity surface is then subjected to atomic particle bombardment, such as when placed in an isotropic atomic oxygen environment. Microscopic depressions in the mold cavity surface are created at the pinhole sites on the thin film coating. The thin film coating is removed and the mold is then used to cast the soft tissue implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Bruce A. Banks, Sharon K. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 5942283
    Abstract: A metallized film capacitor formed from a pair of metallized films. Each of the metallized films includes a dielectric film with a metal evaporated electrode formed thereon. One electrode has longitudinal electrode partitioning lines and a plurality of small blocks separated by fuse areas, while the other electrode does not. Each metallized film is formed by moving the film over a screen cylinder having a side wall with openings formed therein. A nozzle is disposed inside the screen cylinder, adjacent to the side wall. Oil is ejected from the nozzle, while the screen cylinder is rotated. The oil passes through the side wall and is deposited on the film to form a pattern thereon. Subsequently, evaporated metal is deposited on the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Okuno, Toshiyuki Nishimori, Shigeo Okabe, Masahiro Kawai, Nobuji Suzuki, Hidekazu Wada
  • Patent number: 5910337
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing linewidth variations in the patterning of photoresists having non-uniform film thickness, comprising overcoating the photoresist with sufficient thickness of a nonreactive coating composition having a refractive index which within .+-.15 percent of that of the refractive index of the photoreist composition; said overcoating being of sufficient thickness such that it will result in about a one wave length phase lag between the oblique rays and the normal incident rays reflecting back from the substrate, upon arriving back at the resist surface. The effective thickness of the overcoating is a function of the exposure wavelength and the size of the numerical aperture of the objective lens used for expose. The overcoating compositions capable of providing the so defined refractive indices ranges, are described. For example, a polyacrylic acid coating composition having a refractive index of 1.5 at a thickness of 2.0 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Francis Lyons, Gary Thomas Spinillo, Robert Lavin Wood
  • Patent number: 5897917
    Abstract: Heat sinks pre-coated with a layer of a material such as thermal grease are disclosed. Contamination and migration of the thermal grease is substantially reduced by covering the coated areas with a protective film that is removed prior to the assembly of the heat sink into a circuit board or other assembly. By providing a pre-coated heat sink, productivity can be enhanced, by increasing accuracy with which the thermal grease is applied, thus eliminating waste and clean up. Methods for pre-coating either a heat sink or the protective film with thermal grease are also disclosed. In preferred embodiments areas of the heat sink can be either fully coated,, or portions electively coated, and the coating is most preferably accomplished by a silk screening or pad printing process. The protective film is preferably provided with a tear off tab to facilitate the removal of the protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard G. Hinshaw, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 5879530
    Abstract: This self-supported, anisotropic conductive film has a partly annealed polymer layer (46) containing through holes, nail-shaped conductive elements (51) filling the through holes, having a central portion and ends, and the central portion of the nails is made from a hard material (52) and each end respectively of a first and a second meltable materials (44, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Patrice Caillat
  • Patent number: 5869135
    Abstract: A system for selective chemical vapor deposition of polymers onto a substrate. A substrate is provided which comprises a plurality of surface regions, wherein the surface of at least one region provides a more favorable nucleation site for at least one of a polymer or polymer precursor than at least one other region. This may be an intrinsic characteristic of the substrate or may be accomplished through surface treatment of a substrate. The substrate is subjected to chemical vapor deposition of a reactive monomer, producing a polymer coating which is substantially thicker in the regions of favorable nucleation than in the regions of unfavorable nucleation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, Klavs F. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5866206
    Abstract: Apparatus, kit and method for painting a marbleized pattern on an essentially flat interior surface using paints with a plurality of colors. Before beginning the process, if necessary, the surface is cleaned and prepared. This can include applying masking tape around the periphery of the area to be painted. Splotches of paint of one color are then applied to a portion of the total area to be painted using a stiff bristled brush. Splotches of other paint colors are then applied interspersed with the previous colors. The brush is then used to preliminarily blend the various splotches of paint. A special blending tool faced with wool is used to complete blending the paint. The wool face is moistened before use, and blending is completed by patting the paint with the wool face of the tool while changing the angles and locations of the tool between each contact. Accent veining lines can be added to the blended paint surface using a feather dipped into a paint of a different color than the blended surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Barbara Jennings-Tolchiner
  • Patent number: 5863601
    Abstract: A process of producing graphite fiber which includes the generation of the fiber by chemical vapor deposition using an organo metal compound which includes a metal catalyst and the use of a less reactive substance as a substrate to adhere carbon or metal at specific positions on the substrate. And a process of producing graphite fibers by chemical vapor deposition of fine particles of nickel, iron or cobalt as catalyst and use of an organic compound as a source of carbon which includes generating the fibers at a temperature between 650.degree. C. and 800.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Research Development Corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Rie Kikuchi, Masako Yudasaka, Yoshimasa Ohki
  • Patent number: 5853818
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a multi-domain liquid crystal cell is disclosed, wherein first and second alignment directions are formed in first and second portions of an alignment layer provided on a substrate by selectively subjecting the first and second portions to different energy doses of linearly polarized ultraviolet light. Liquid crystal material is then injected between the one substrate and another substrate and into contact with the alignment layer, thereby obtaining a wide viewing angle in the liquid crystal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Bum Kwon, Jong Hyun Kim, Oleg Yaroshchuk, Andrey Dyadyusha
  • Patent number: 5846609
    Abstract: A method of forming a mask including providing a fluid from a group including oxygen based, nitrogen based, or carbon based fluids, introducing a substrate of semiconductor material into the fluid, and growing a film with thickness in a range of 10-20 .ANG. on a surface by converting the fluid adjacent the surface into a reactive species. The reactive species is created by directing light having a wavelength at the absorption peak of the fluid so as to convert the fluid into the reactive species. The surface of the substrate reacts with the reactive species to form the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Kumar Shiralagi
  • Patent number: 5843521
    Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic transducer, and a magnetic transducer formed through the method. There is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a first magnetic pole layer. There is then formed upon the first magnetic pole layer a gap filling dielectric layer. There is then formed upon the gap filling dielectric layer a seed layer. There is then formed upon the seed layer a photoresist frame employed in a photoresist frame plating method for forming a plated second magnetic pole layer upon the seed layer, where a base of a sidewall of the photoresist frame has a taper which provides a notch within an edge of the plated second magnetic pole layer at its interface with the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kochan Ju, Mao-Min Chen, Yimin Guo
  • Patent number: 5837560
    Abstract: A method of masking a substrate to leave an exposed facet for processing during fabrication of a semiconductor devices including providing a substrate formed of a semiconductor material and having a structure projecting therefrom, the structure including a facet. Ultraviolet light is selectively directing onto the substrate at an angle to the structure and opposite the facet so that the structure shades the facet from the ultra violet light. The ultra violet light reacts with the material to form an oxide mask on the substrate leaving the facet unmasked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Kumar Shiralagi
  • Patent number: 5795627
    Abstract: A method of forming an oxide enhancing region, such as phosphorus, in a semiconductor substrate with minimal damage is provided. The method includes the steps of forming an oxide enhancing region in the semiconductor substrate to a depth below the semiconductor substrate. A 308 nm excimer laser is then applied to the oxide enhancing region in order to reduce the damage caused by forming the oxide enhancing region. A uniform and reliable oxide layer is then formed on the surface of the substrate over the damage reduced oxide enhancing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Mehta, Emi Ishida, Xiao-Yu Li
  • Patent number: 5776537
    Abstract: An MR sensor includes an MR layer and permanent magnets defining an active area on the MR layer. A bi-layer test structure is fabricated with a permanent magnet layer deposited on a substrate and an MR layer deposited on the permanent magnet layer. If desired, a SAL may be deposited prior to deposition of the permanent magnet layer. A DC magnetic field is applied to the bi-layer test structure, and the strength of the DC magnetic field is varied. During application of the DC magnetic field, the magnetic response of the bi-layer test structure is measured to determine a hysteresis loop of the bi-layer structure. The exchange coupling between the permanent magnet layer and the MR layer is characterized by a point of inflection identified on the measured hysteresis loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Ryan, Zhijun Yang, Greg S. Mowry
  • Patent number: 5773110
    Abstract: An improved display product and method of making a display wherein a perforated panel is provided with layers of paint which are kept on the panel. Thus, a sign painter can have a wide latitude of designs which can be applied to see-through graphics. The resulting product can be opaque to an observer looking from one side of a display product yet the observer is able to see through the product from the other side of the product. A window to be provided with a display product is masked with masking paper and masking tape to cover the exposed parts. A perforated panel is cut to fit the window and attached over the masking paper and the masking tape. The perforated panel is painted with an image that is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Creative Minds Foundation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Shields
  • Patent number: 5763002
    Abstract: Master disks for providing dies in particular for pressing optical disks, methods of manufacturing same, pressing dies obtained from such master disks and optical disks obtained from the latter and such pressing dies, the master disks consisting of a support carrying at its surface a succession of microcups representative of the information to be duplicated and consisting of a hard, conducting material reflecting in the near infrared range and selected from a zirconium, hafnium or titanium nitride or carbonitride, a hard ceramic reflecting in the near infrared range and conducting at the surface only and a hard glass reflecting in the near infrared range and conducting at the surface only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Digipress
    Inventors: Jean Ledieu, Jean-Francois Dufresne
  • Patent number: 5763016
    Abstract: Water-free, gaseous sulfur trioxide is used as an agent to form patterns in organic coatings, films, and layers, including photoresists, by etching areas exposed to the agent through an overlying mask or by developing a latent image of the desired pattern using the agent as a dry-developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Anon, Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric O. Levenson, Ahmad Waleh
  • Patent number: 5747117
    Abstract: A film is applied to a substrate in accordance with a predetermined pattern by applying a solution of a copolymer of fluoropolymers dissolved in a solvent onto the surface of the substrate; curing and annealing the solution to boil off the solvent and form a copolymer film on the substrate; depositing a thin metal film on the copolymer film; patterning the thin metal film by a photoresist etching process to expose the underlying copolymer film in accordance with the predetermined pattern; removing the exposed copolymer film so that the underlying substrate is exposed in accordance with the predetermined pattern; removing any remaining thin metal film; depositing the film to the remaining copolymer film and exposed substrate; then removing the remaining copolymer film and any film applied thereon by ultrasonic cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Servo Corporation of America
    Inventor: Rand Dannenberg
  • Patent number: 5724175
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to method for manufacturing electrochromic devices using laser ablation techniques. More specifically, the present invention uses laser ablation to provide a simple, noncontact method of patterning electrochromic devices to a controlled depth, to form an electrochromically active area. Furthermore, laser patterning is conducive to the formation of multiple electrochromic devices on a single substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant P. Hichwa, Richard A. Bradley, Jr., Steven P. Sapers, Michael J. Cumbo, J. Gordon H. Mathew
  • Patent number: 5721008
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a dual magnetoresistive (DMR) sensor with improved sensor-to-sensor match is disclosed. A first Mo conductor layer and a first NiMn antiferromagnetic layer are formed on top of a first gap layer in wing regions of the DMR sensor. The first NiMn layer is formed on top of the first Mo layer. A first NiFe sensor layer, a first spacer layer and a second NiFe sensor layer are deposited on top of the first NiMn layer in the wing regions and on top of the first gap layer in the active region. The first NiFe sensor layer, the first spacer layer and the second NiFe sensor layer are all deposited in a single vacuum deposition run to minimize material mismatches, and are simultaneously patterned to the desired geometry to minimize misalignment between the two sensor layers. A second conductor layer and a second antiferromagnetic layer are formed on top the second NiFe sensor layer in the wing regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fujian Huang, James Giusti, Gregory S. Mowry
  • Patent number: 5709763
    Abstract: A rugged shaped sheet capable of exhibiting improved non-slip properties and aesthetic properties and a process for manufacturing the same. The rugged shaped sheet includes a base sheet member and a rugged pattern of a predetermined shape adhered to the base sheet member. The rugged pattern is formed of a plurality of pattern elements different in size, configuration and/or properties into a multi-layer structure. The rugged shaped sheet is manufactured by pouring an elastomer liquid material into each of perforated plates, semicuring the elastomer and laminating the perforated plates on each other, resulting in forming the rugged pattern of a predetermined shape on the base sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Suzuki Sogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyasu Nakanishi, Akira Takayama
  • Patent number: 5690998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe needle wherein a conductive film is formed over a first insulating film formed around the outer periphery of a rod-like member through which a signal current flows, a second insulating film is formed over the outer periphery of the conductive film, and the conductive film is grounded. Since the rod-like member through which a signal current flows is thereby shielded, it is not affected by noise, and mutual crosstalk between signal currents is also prevented. Moreover, since ill effects caused by mutual contact with other probe needles is prevented by the second insulating film, reliable and stable measurement is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Kabushiki kaisha, Tokyo Electron Yamanashi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Nagasawa, Satoru Yamashita, Masahiko Matsudo
  • Patent number: 5686150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of depositing metals onto various substrates. Applications for which the present invention may be useful include the formation of catalysts such as those used in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and the like, refining applications such as oil refining, automotive applications such as automotive catalytic converters, and other similar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventor: Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5686135
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrically conductive contact on an insulated substrate such as a printed circuit board includes the step of defining a contact area on the substrate and applying a copper buss on the substrate so that it extends beyond the marginal edges of the contact area. A thin layer of soldermask is then applied to cover the upper surface of the copper buss outside of the contact area and to cover areas of the substrate not covered by the copper buss. Thereafter, a Thick Film Polymer (TFP) conductive paste is applied over the exposed portions of the copper buss and over a small portion of the soldermask so that the copper buss is covered completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Circo Craft Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Langevin, Benoit Auger, Charles Casavant, Wolfgang Erat
  • Patent number: 5677011
    Abstract: There are disclosed a processing method and a processing apparatus using a fast atom beam to process a micro-sized structure on a desired face and portion of a workpiece having a complex shape. In this invention, an electron beam and/or a focused ion beam is applied to a surface of a workpiece to produce a masking film layer on the workpiece. After that, a fast atom beam is applied to the workpiece remove the surface layer of the workpiece where the masking film layer is not formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Hatakeyama, Chikako Takatou
  • Patent number: 5663095
    Abstract: A micro-dimensional coupling conductor with a shape that is customized for a particular electronic device. A fabrication method is used in which the physical dimensions of the conductor are precisely controlled with photolithographic techniques, resulting in a conductor that is more precisely tuned to the operating frequency of the device. The conductor is fabricated on an SiO.sub.2 substrate using vacuum deposition or electroplating techniques. After fabrication, the conductor is separated from the SiO.sub.2 substrate by dissolving the SiO.sub.2. Alternatively, the conductor may be fabricated on a Teflon.TM. substrate. The use of a Teflon substrate allows a user to remove the conductor from the substrate by applying a small mechanical force to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: LeRoy H. Hackett
  • Patent number: 5658414
    Abstract: An improved method is described for the fusing, joining or seaming of cellulosic materials. The method utilizes a solution of selected organometallic compounds or metal oxides to rapidly crosslink opposing, overlapping cellulosic surfaces to provide secure seams. Enhanced seam strength is achieved by a subsequent moisture treatment. The tubular cellulosic casings are well-suited for the manufacture of sausages and sausage-like products. The seams according to this invention have exceptionally high shear strength and wet strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Abler, Zbigniew S. Borkiewicz, Donald E. Lucke
  • Patent number: 5648125
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for electroless plating of a conductive metal layer onto the surface of a non-conductive substrate, in which the substrate surface is prepared for receiving a coating of activator using conventional methods, and the coating of activator is applied by contacting the substrate surface with a stabilized sensitizing solution comprising ions of at least one Group VIII and IB transition metal, preferably palladium chloride, stannous ions in a molar concentration in excess of that of the transition metal ions, an acid, and a buffering salt; followed by contacting the sensitized substrate surface with a noble metal activating solution to catalyze the substrate surface for subsequent electroless plating. The sensitized and activated substrate is then contacted with an aqueous dry film photoresist, which is then imaged and developed to form a predetermined electrical circuit pattern, using conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Frank N. Cane
  • Patent number: 5639509
    Abstract: A flux enhanced data transducer and method for producing the same in conjunction with shared shields on MR read heads in which substantially between 500-2500 .ANG. of a relatively higher magnetic moment material is added to the upper surface of the shared shield, or bottom write head pole, prior to a magnetic flux containment ion milling operation utilizing the upper pole as a mask. The relatively higher magnetic moment flux enhancement layer may comprise CoNiFe, FeN or similar material which is deposited prior to the formation of the dielectric gap layer. The flux enhancement layer may then be selectively removed substantially surrounding the upper pole by means of a relatively brief ion milling process in which only on the order of 1.0 k.ANG. of the layer need be removed and during which only an insignificant amount of the material removed might be re-deposited on the sides of the upper pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Quantum Peripherals Colorado, Inc.
    Inventor: Terence D. Schemmel
  • Patent number: 5631039
    Abstract: The present invention relates in one aspect to a method of manufacture of a security thread suitable for use in security articles including security paper such as that used for banknotes. In the method a magnetic metal is deposited on a film of polymeric substrate as the substrate passes through a solution containing the magnetic metal and a preparatory operation is carried out on a surface of the substrate prior to immersion of the substrate in the solution. The preparatory operation ensures that magnetic metal is deposited on the substrate in a pattern such that when the security thread is produced from the film by cutting the film the magnetic metal on the security thread has a specific pattern and provides both a visually discernible security feature and a magnetically detectable security feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Portals Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm R. M. Knight, Duncan H. Reid, Jeffrey A. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5618582
    Abstract: A cohesive coating composition (16) having differential adhesion properties is applied to window glass (12) without regard to covering adjacent trim material (14) which is to be subsequently painted. The DAC (differential adhesion composition) coating (16) is characterized by high adhesion to wood, metal, plastics and painted surfaces and at the same time by selective adhesion to glass-like surfaces, so that the coating composition (16) may be easily scraped, peeled, or otherwise lifted from the glass (12), together with any paint overlay thereon, after the painting operation of the window frame (14) is completed. When subjected to sheer forces of pulling and scraping, the cohesive properties of DAC coating (16) when considered in combination with a relatively low adhesion to glass, allows the coating (16) to be removed in long continuous strips rather than fracturing into small pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Walter VanWinckel