Method and apparatus for protection of contour sensing devices
First Claim
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing on a substrate an array of sensing devices for detecting the contour of an object, each of the sensing devices operable to discriminate ridges from valleys of the object when an adjacent ridge and valley is spaced less than 800 microns apart, wherein each of the sensing devices includes a top surface;
applying under at least one of normal room temperature and normal room pressure conditions a contiguous sheet film protective covering adapted for placement over the top surfaces of the sensing devices to form a sensing apparatus, the sheet film protective covering including a plurality of layers, at least one of the layers enhancing mechanical damage resistance, one of the layers of the sheet film protective covering being polymeric film and at least a top layer of the sheet film protective covering being conductive and grounded.
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Abstract
A sheet film protective covering for different types of contour sensing devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, this covering is a MYLAR® sheet film that is coated with a layer of a conductive material. The bottom surface of the MYLAR® film is also preferably coated with a layer of an adhesive. The sheet film covering preferably is contiguous and serves the purpose, among other things, to protect the underlying surface of the pressure-sensing device from contaminants and from electrostatic discharge, as well provide force concentration during use.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing on a substrate an array of sensing devices for detecting the contour of an object, each of the sensing devices operable to discriminate ridges from valleys of the object when an adjacent ridge and valley is spaced less than 800 microns apart, wherein each of the sensing devices includes a top surface; applying under at least one of normal room temperature and normal room pressure conditions a contiguous sheet film protective covering adapted for placement over the top surfaces of the sensing devices to form a sensing apparatus, the sheet film protective covering including a plurality of layers, at least one of the layers enhancing mechanical damage resistance, one of the layers of the sheet film protective covering being polymeric film and at least a top layer of the sheet film protective covering being conductive and grounded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for protecting an array of sensing devices that detect the contour of an object, each sensing device having a top surface, the apparatus comprising a contiguous sheet film protective covering adapted for placement over the top surfaces of the sensing devices, the sheet film protective covering including a plurality of layers, wherein:
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at least one of the layers enhances mechanical damage resistance of the contiguous sheet film; at least a top layer of the contiguous sheet film is conductive and grounded; at least one of the layers of the contiguous sheet film is polymeric film; and one of the layers of the contiguous sheet film is a polymer layer having a thickness between 1 micron and 50 micron, wherein each of the sensing devices is operable to discriminate ridges from valleys of the object when an adjacent ridge and valley is spaced less than 800 microns apart. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification