International Business Machines Corporation

Other

International Business Corpration

John T Butler

Alvin W Buechele

John Ulrich Knickerbocker

Krishna Gandhi Sachdev

James N Humenik

Glenn A Pomerantz

Candace A Sullivan

Michael E Cropp

Donald W Diangelo

James C Utter

Daniel S Mackin

John F Harmuth

Bruce E Tripp

David E Speed

Karl Otto Muggenburg

Philo B Hodge

David C Polgrean

Robert M Butler

James G Butler

Edward Kohake

Mark Gerard Reichel

This invention relates to the cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor printing, such as, for example, screening masks. This invention is basically directed to removing, for example, an organic polymer-metal composite paste from screening masks used in printing conductive metal patterns onto ceramic green sheets in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. More particularly, this invention is concerned with the automated in-line cleaning of paste screening masks with an aqueous alkaline solution of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide as a more environmentally friendly alternative to non-aqueous organic solvents-based cleaning in screening operations for the production multilayer ceramic (MLC) substrates.

Aqueous quaternary ammonium hydroxide as a screening mask cleaner

A nozzle apparatus and method of use for extruding a conductive paste through a stencil or screen onto a substrate are disclosed. The nozzle includes a body and a conformable insert for contacting the screen. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a substrate and a patterned screen, contacting the screen with a nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a conformable nozzle insert, and extruding a paste through the nozzle and screen onto the substrate. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for producing patterned lines from extruded pastes in the manufacture of microelectronic components.

Nozzle apparatus for extruding conductive paste

A device and method enabling the de-aeration of viscous media. The device includes a transfer cylinder and a piston for urging the viscous media from a first container, a separator for separating air from the viscous media to create de-aerated viscous media, and a second container to contain the de-aerated viscous media. The de-aerated viscous media may be returned to the first container by urging the de-aerated viscous media from the second container with a second piston back though the separator and into the first container.

System for evacuating air from a viscous media

A paste dispensing system for dispensing paste to a substrate such as a ceramic greensheet or other electronic component substrate comprises a reservoir for holding the paste and a nozzle housing in fluid communication with the reservoir and having an opening therein through which the paste is dispensed. The nozzle housing has disposed therein a rotatable slotted shutter which is in fluid communication with the reservoir and which has an auger disposed in the shutter. The auger when actuated, draws paste from the reservoir into the shutter, advances the liquid material through the shutter and circulates the paste back to the reservoir. When it is desired to dispense the paste, the shutter is rotated so that the slot in the shutter communicates with a slot in a nozzle plate connected to the nozzle housing through which slot the paste is dispensed. The paste is continually circulated through the paste dispensing system by the auger whether or not paste is being dispensed. A paste cartridge is also provided for use with the paste dispensing system and is easily attached or removed from the system reservoir avoiding downtime in the paste dispensing operation. A method is also provided for applying a layer of paste to a substrate using the paste dispensing system of the invention.

Homogeneous screening nozzle

A nozzle apparatus and method of use for extruding a conductive paste through a stencil or screen onto a substrate are disclosed. The nozzle includes a body and a conformable insert for contacting the screen. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a substrate and a patterned screen, contacting the screen with a nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a conformable nozzle insert, and extruding a paste through the nozzle and screen onto the substrate. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for producing patterned lines from extruded pastes in the manufacture of microelectronic components, and are even more particularly adapted for use in producing patterns in substrates having high aspect ratio openings.

Nozzle and method for extruding conductive paste into high aspect ratio

A railroad switch stand is provided by which a switchman can easily and conveniently throw a railroad switch while standing, which automatically locks in respective open and thrown positions, and which automatically disconnects from the switch throw rod in the event excessive longitudinal force is applied to the throw rod, the preferred switch stand includes a hand-operable, rotatable throw wheel; means mounting the wheel at about normal chest height; structure for translating rotation of the wheel into longitudinal movement of the rod; and means for releasably locking the wheel in respective, alternate open and thrown positions. In use, a switchman releases the locking means and rotates the throw wheel through one revolution in order to throw the switch to its alternate position at which point the locking means automatically engages the throw wheel to prevent further rotation thereof.

Railroad switch stand

An open framework defining a pair of rows of stalls for livestock, a feeding hopper movable over the rows of stalls and having a pair of food material discharge openings each disposed to deliver food to the stalls of a different row. A pair of feeding conveyors in the hopper each feed material to a different one of the discharge openings and are independently driven and independently controlled by control elements causing the material to be discharged to predetermined ones only of the stalls. The framework includes longitudinal frame sections which provide gates to each of the stalls individually.

Automatic feeding system for gestating livestock

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Hopewell Junction, NY, United States of America

John T Butler