Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1996-06-26
1998-01-06
Valentine, Donald R.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204224R, C25D 1700
Patent
active
057050430
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell for selective plating of certain chosen regions on a continuously moving metal or metallized strip.
Such cells are used on machines intended more particularly for surface treatments and for plating of connectors for integrated circuits (lead frames) with precious metals.
2. Description of the prior art
We are aware of the following publications GB-A-2117405 (National Semiconductor); GB-A-2094344 (Owen); WO 81/03187 (Kontakta); USP-A-4155815 (Francis); and "Metal Finishing" published by Eugene B. Madel, January 1987 pages 29-31. None of these disclose the features to which the present case is directed but have been cited as indicating the technological background.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides apparatus for selectively electrolytically treating defined regions of a continuously moving conductive workpiece comprising, means for conveying the workpiece through an electrolytic treatment zone of the apparatus where it is contacted with a treatment electrolyte; the conveying means affording masking means to mask the workpiece so that electrolyte contacts only the defined regions; the conveying means comprising an endless chain affording indexing means by which the workpiece is located in register with the masking means; means for supplying electrolyte to the masked workpiece; and means for passing a current between the workpiece as one electrode and another electrode. Such apparatus will be referred to as apparatus of the type described.
The subject matter of the present case extends to a number of aspects of inventive nature. Any aspect or any two or more aspects may be used in any compatible combination with apparatus of the type described, and the subject matter of the present case extends to all such combinations.
According to a first aspect the means for conveying the workpiece comprises two endless chain conveyors made of articulated links of electrically non-conductive material between which the workpiece is held whilst it is passed through the treatment zone.
A second aspect is that indexing means may be provided for ensuring that the two endless chain conveyors remain in register with each other at least in the treatment zone.
The indexing means comprise cooperating interengaging structures provided by the said chains.
A third aspect is that each of the endless chain conveyors is provided with a support structure at least in the treatment zone. Preferably the support structures are mounted for movement towards and away from each other.
A fourth aspect is than the support structures may be provided with means for holding then in fixed mutually opposed relationship, in which condition the endless chain conveyors are free to slide therebetween in register with one another. The means for holding the support structures in fixed mutually opposed relationship preferably comprise indexing means and clamping means. The indexing means may comprise cooperating interengaging structures provided by or carried on the said support structures.
A fifth aspect is that the two endless chain conveyors may be keyed to each other at least in the treatment zone and only one of the conveyors need be provided with driving means, the driven conveyor acting to carry the other conveyor in register with itself through the treatment zone. The conveyor may be pulled or pushed through the treatment zone.
A sixth aspect is that at least one of the endless chain conveyors may be provided with a support structure at least in the treatment zone and is preferably keyed to the support structure at least in the treatment zone in such a way as to hold the conveyor to the support structure whilst permitting the conveyor to slide along the said structure.
Preferably both of the endless chain conveyors are provided with a support structure at least in the treatment zone and both are keyed to their respective support structure at least in the treatment zone in such a way that each conveyor is held to its respec
REFERENCES:
patent: 4155815 (1979-05-01), Francis et al.
patent: 4405431 (1983-09-01), Pfeifer et al.
patent: 4425213 (1984-01-01), Laverty et al.
patent: 4582583 (1986-04-01), Laverty et al.
patent: 4921583 (1990-05-01), Sewell et al.
Aparicio Mariano
Zwerner Eric
Suntec Trading AG
Valentine Donald R.
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