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. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2001
James Lee Chao, Durham, NC (US);
Charles C. Sloop, III, Durham, NC (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and system of reversibly absorbing liquid penetrations into electronic devices having a body and circuitry is described. The method and system comprises providing an absorbent sponge membrane structure in sheet-like form. The structure contains a hydrogel-forming core integrated into a blown polymer foam. The method and system includes placing the absorbent structure within the electronic device such that the hydrogel-forming core and blown polymer foam at least partly covers the electronic circuitry to be protected. A method and system in accordance with the present invention has the further advantage that due to the inclusion of the crystals into the open cells of the sponge, that structure is much easier to manufacture into various templates by punching or stamping holes where the keys and other mechanical obstructions such as bosses and supports must be accommodated.