Method for forming a product sensor, and a product sensor

• US 6,951,621 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intune Circuits Oy (Savisalo Family)
• Original Assignee: Rafsec Oy
• Inventors: Hanhikorpi, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Shamim
• Application Number:
  US10/247,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 216/13, 216/41, 298/46, 257/386
• US Class Current: 216/13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/244 Tag manufacturing, e.g. continuous manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/162 incorporating printed capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/165 incorporating printed inductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10181 Fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/108 by semi-additive methods; masks therefor characterised by metallic etch mask H05K3/062; electroplating methods or apparatus H05K3/241
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for forming a product sensor, and a product sensor. The product sensor is formed on a substrate and provided with at least one electric circuit comprising at least one capacitor and at least one coil. At least part of the electric circuit is formed by evaporating a first metallization layer at least at the electric circuit in the product sensor.

Claims

1. A method for forming a product sensor which includes a fuse, which sensor is formed on a polymeric film substrate, the product sensor having at least one electric circuit comprising at least one capacitor, at least one coil in electrical circuit with the fuse, and at least part of the electric circuit which includes the fuse is formed by applying a first conductive layer on the product sensor by evaporation;

at least at the location of the electric circuit, wherein the production of the product sensor comprises;

depositing by evaporation a first conductive layer on at least one surface of the polymeric film substrate;

applying an etching resist on the first conductive layer at locations of portions of the electric circuit;

applying a fuse mask on the first conductive layer at the location of one or more fuses to be made in the product sensor;

etching parts of the first conductive layer which are not under the etching resist and the fuse mask to provide a fuse to remove the parts of the first conductive layer not under the etching resist and the fuse mask;

removing the etching resist; and

depositing a second conductive layer on parts of the first conductive layer which remain after the etching process.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

a first plating step, wherein parts of the electric circuit are formed, except for the fuse;

a step of forming an evaporation mask, wherein an evaporation mask is applied onto the first conductive layer, except for the location of one or more fuses to be provided in the product sensor; and

an evaporation step, in which a first conductive layer is evaporated on those parts of the first conductive layer which do not contain an evaporation mask.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and copper.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first conductive layer is aluminum.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the first conductive layer is copper.

6. A method for forming a product sensor which includes a fuse, which sensor is formed on a polymeric film substrate, the product sensor having at least one electric circuit comprising at least one capacitor, at least one coil in electrical circuit with the fuse, and at least part of the electric circuit which includes the fuse is formed by applying a first conductive layer on the product sensor by evaporation, at least at the location of the electric circuit, wherein the production of the product sensor comprises:

depositing by evaporation a first conductive layer on at least one surface of the polymeric film substrate;

applying an electrolytic resist on the first conductive layer at substantially other parts than at the electric circuit;

applying a fuse mask on the first conductive layer at the location of one or more fuses to be made in the product sensor;

a depositing a second conductive layer on parts of the first conductive layer which do not contain electrolytic resist or a fuse mask;

removing the electrolytic resist from the first conductive layer; and

removing parts of the first conductive layer which is are not under the second conductive layer and the fuse mask to provide a fuse.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

a first plating step, wherein parts of the electric circuit are formed, except for the fuse;

a step of forming an evaporation mask, wherein an evaporation mask is applied onto the first conductive layer, except for the location of one or more fuses to be provided in the product sensor; and

an evaporation step, in which a first conductive layer is evaporated on those parts of the first conductive layer which do not contain an evaporation mask.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein the first conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and copper.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first conductive layer is aluminum.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first conductive layer is copper.