Patent ID: 6645389
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B44C,C23F,H01G,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of effecting selective demetallization of a web in an etchant bath to form a plurality of product units for products, the web having a layer of metal-containing material supported on flexible substrate layer, the method comprising:establishing a pattern having a first part to define product units on the web, and a second part to define protected areas on the web outside of the product units for maintaining the etchant bath in a vital state over a long lifetime; placing etchant-resistant material on a first side of the web over the metal-containing layer in accordance with the pattern; passing the web in an immersed condition through the etchant bath to remove the metal-containing material from areas of the web not protected by the pattern; and removing the web from the etchant bath.