Performance polymer film insert molding for fluid control devices
First Claim
1. A fluid control device for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
- at least one thermoplastic component structure making up a part of the fluid processing device; and
at least one thin, flexible protective thermoplastic film securely adhered by insert molding along a portion of the thermoplastic component structure to provide containment characteristics to the fluid control device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for including a thin protective containment polymer film (100), such as Peek in the molding process for fluid processing devices utilized in the semiconductor processing industry. The thermoplastic film of predetermined size and shape is selectively placed along a shaping surface (110) in a mold cavity (106) for alignment with a desired target surface of a molded material. The molding processes causes a surface of the film (100) to bond to a contact surface of the moldable material such that the film (100) is permanently adhered to the moldable material. As a result, a comparable polymer film can be selectively bonded only to those target surfaces where performance characteristics such as abrasion resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, outgassing prevention, rigidity enhancement, fluid absorption prevention, ultraviolet resistance, friction reduction and the like is needed.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A fluid control device for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
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at least one thermoplastic component structure making up a part of the fluid processing device; and
at least one thin, flexible protective thermoplastic film securely adhered by insert molding along a portion of the thermoplastic component structure to provide containment characteristics to the fluid control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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10. (canceled).
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24. A method of film insert molding a semiconductor fluid control component through meltably bonding at least one thin, flexible containment thermoplastic film to at least a portion of a thermoplastic material, comprising the steps of:
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accessing a molding unit having a mold cavity, the mold cavity including at least one shaping surface;
positioning the at least one thin, flexible containment thermoplastic film within the cavity of the molding unit along at least a portion of the at least one shaping surface;
injecting a substantially molten thermoplastic material into the cavity of the molding unit to conform to the shape of the at least one shaping surface;
waiting a cooling period wherein the thermoplastic material substantially solidifies to matably bond with the at least one thin, flexible containment thermoplastic film to generate a protective containment surface on the semiconductor fluid processing component; and
ejecting the semiconductor fluid control component from the molding unit. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A thermoplastic valve for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
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a valve body containing a plurality of fluid ports, said valve body including a central bore whereby the plurality of fluid ports are in fluid communication;
a valve stem, the valve stem including a handle, a rod and a sealing face, the valve stem being sealingly mounted within the central bore; and
at least one thin, flexible thermoplastic protective film, said film securely adhered along a portion of the valve by insert molding to impart a protective characteristic to the valve. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A length of tubing for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
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a thermoplastic tube having a distal end and a proximal end, said tube defining a flow channel whereby said distal end and proximal end are in fluid communication; and
at least one thin, flexible thermoplastic protective film, said film securely adhered along a portion of the tube by insert molding to impart a protective characteristic to the tube. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A flowmeter assembly for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
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a flowmeter including an inlet port and an outlet port, the flowmeter also including a flow indicator mounted between the inlet port and outlet port; and
at least one thermoplastic protective film, said film securely adhered along a portion of the flowmeter by insert molding to impart a protective characteristic to the flowmeter. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A connector for use in semiconductor processing, comprising:
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a thermoplastic connector including a plurality of ports, and at least one thin, flexible thermoplastic protective film, said film securely adhered along a portion of the connector by insert molding to impart a protective characteristic to the connector. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification