Patent ID: 6540899
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: C25D,H01L

Abstract:
A method of fluid sealing while electrically contacting the underside perimeter of wet-processed workpieces, that comprises, providing an elastomer-covered ring inwardly terminating in an upwardly projecting peripheral elastomeric sealing bead, and covering an assembly of inwardly extending flexible fingers each (having an upwardly projecting terminal electrical contact and upon the elastomer-covered inner ends of which fingers the perimeter of the underside of the workpiece is to engage along the sealing bead during the wet processing of the workpiece; resting the underside of the workpiece within the ring and forcing the underside periphery of the workpiece against the sealing bead and the inner ends of the elastomer-covered finger assembly, with said inner ends flexibly deflecting downward and resiliently creating a fluid seal around the workpiece-underside periphery at the sealing bead; providing a ring of peripheral openings in the elastomeric covering of the fingers inward of the sealing bead and exposing the electrical contact tips of the fingers therethrough such that, during the downward deflecting of the fingers, there contact tips make resilient electrical contact with the underside periphery of the workpiece inward of the sealing bead, and wherein during said downward deflecting, the contact tips resiliently wipe clean the underside periphery of the workpiece as electrical contact is established.