Patent US3525094A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5254239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mask stripper for electroform parting
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-26
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2013-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) masking a portion of a mandrel with a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface but fails to adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by either: (i) pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation; or (ii) removing the mandrel while keeping the mask stationary, whereby the end of the article pushes against the mask during withdrawal of the mandrel.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest F. Matyi
- 👤 William G. Herbert
- 👤 Gary J. Maier
- 👤 Loren E. Hendrix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:29
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) masking a portion of a mandrel with a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface and substantially fails to adhere to or does not adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by: (i) pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation; or (ii) removing the mandrel while keeping the mask stationary, whereby the end of the article pushes against the mask during withdrawal of the mandrel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) masking a portion of a mandrel with a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface and substantially fails to adhere to or does not adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by: (i) pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation; or (ii) removing the mandrel while keeping the mask stationary, whereby the end of the article pushes against the mask during withdrawal of the mandrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask in step (a) is positioned around the mandrel at the top end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
The method of claim 1, comprising step (c)(i).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
The method of claim 1, comprising step (c)(ii).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the electroforming material comprises nickel, copper, iron, steel or aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mandrel is fabricated from nickel, copper, iron, steel, or aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask is elastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask comprises butyl rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask has a thickness ranging from about 2 mm to about 1 cm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the mask has a length ranging from about 10 mm to about 5 cm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the coefficient of static friction between the mandrel surface and the mask inner surface ranges from about 0.05 to about 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the coefficient of static friction between the mandrel surface and the mask inner surface ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.50.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) positioning around a mandrel at the top end a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface and substantially fails to adhere to or does not adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) positioning around a mandrel at the top end a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface and substantially fails to adhere to or does not adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |