International Business Machines Corporation

Johnathan Stephen Fish

Benjamin V Fasano

Subhash Laxman Shinde

Gregory M Johnson

A single furnace loading cycle method for sintering at least one product comprises placing at least one product into a ventable/sealable box, and placing the box within the furnace. The box is vented inside the furnace at a first temperature range and the product is sealed inside the box in a second temperature range, wherein the second temperature range is higher than the first temperature range. The box includes a closeable top cover and a control means that comprises a first set of collapsible spacers which hold open the cover at temperatures below the first temperature range and collapse to lower the cover into sealing engagement with the box at temperatures above the first temperature range. The box further comprises a substrate to be sintered with a lower and an upper setter on opposite sides of the substrate. The substrate rests on the lower setter, and a second set of collapsible spacers rest on the lower setter and have heights sufficient to lift the upper setter above the height of the substrate, and wherein the second set of spacers collapse to lower the upper setter to rest upon the substrate at temperatures above the first temperature range.

Method for in-situ environment sensitive sealing and/or product

A single furnace loading cycle technique and a ventable sintering box therefor are disclosed for the sintering of products, such as, ceramic substrates. The sintering box includes a closeable cover which is held open by collapsible or deformable or sensitive spacers in a first furnace temperature range. The sensitive spacers collapse or deform in a higher temperature range to seal closed the box and the substrates therein. Thus, volatile agents within the substrates are permitted to escape in the first temperature range but are prevented from escaping in the higher temperature range. Provision also is made using additional sensitive spacers for applying a weight upon the substrates when in the higher temperature range due to the collapse or deformation of the sensitive spacers.

Apparatus for in situ environment sensitive sealing and/or product

A single furnace loading cycle method for sintering at least one product. The method comprises the steps of placing at least one product into a ventable/sealable box, which box is placed inside a furnace. The box is vented inside the furnace at a first temperature range, and then the box is sealed with the at least one product inside the box in a second temperature range, wherein the second temperature range is higher than the first temperature range, and wherein the step of sealing occurs after the step of venting without removing the box from the furnace.

A single furnace loading cycle technique and a ventable sintering box therefor are disclosed for the sintering of products, such as, ceramic substrates. The sintering box includes a closeable cover which is held open by collapsible or deformable or sensitive spacers in a first furnace temperature range. The sensitive spacers collapse or deform in a higher temperature range to seal closed the box and the substrates therein. Additional spacers may be used for applying weight upon the substrates at the higher temperature range. Thus, volatile agents within the substrates are permitted to escape in the first temperature range but are prevented from escaping in the higher temperature range and in situ sintering weights can be applied without removing the substrates from the furnace.

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Watervliet, NY, United States of America

Johnathan Stephen Fish