The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 14, 1998
Filed:
May. 17, 1996
Robert E Belke, Jr, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Michael G Todd, South Lyon, MI (US);
Andrew Z Glovatsky, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Alice D Zitzmann, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A three dimensional multi-layer circuit structure is formed by partially etching a foil having a coating. A pre-circuit is formed by providing a metal foil, applying a photodefinable photoresist to each side of the metal foil, selectively exposing and developing the photoresist leaving exposed areas and unexposed areas and, plating the unexposed areas with a second metal. The pre-circuit is placed in an etching solution and removed after the etching solution partially etches the metal foil to undercut the second metal. The partially etched pre-circuit is then bent into a predetermined shape. The partially etched pre-circuit is then inserted into a mold cavity so that at least one surface of the circuit structure is adjacent to the mold. The mold is filled with a polymer resin so that the polymer resin encapsulates at least a portion of the partially etched pre-circuit and substantially fills the undercut. The molded circuit structure is then removed from the mold and the metallic foil is further etched to complete the forming of the circuit.