U.S. patent application number 11/387526 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for container for electroplating baths.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heraeus Kulzer GmbH. Invention is credited to Annette Baruth, Ulrich Koops.
Application Number | 20060249377 11/387526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36648282 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koops; Ulrich ; et
al. |
November 9, 2006 |
Container for electroplating baths
Abstract
The invention relates to a container, in particular for
electroplating baths, having a removal opening, characterized in
that the container has a flexible jacket on which the removal
opening is provided, and a metering valve is situated at the
removal opening.
Inventors: |
Koops; Ulrich;
(Gundershausen, DE) ; Baruth; Annette;
(Kleinostheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus P.A.
18th Floor
875 Third Avenue
New York
NY
10022
US
|
Assignee: |
Heraeus Kulzer GmbH
Hanau
DE
63450
|
Family ID: |
36648282 |
Appl. No.: |
11/387526 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2575/565 20130101;
B65D 75/5872 20130101; B65D 85/84 20130101; B65D 75/56
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/279 |
International
Class: |
C25B 9/00 20060101
C25B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 015 307.0 |
Claims
1. Container for electroplating baths, having a removal opening
(3), said container having a flexible jacket on which the removal
opening is provided, and a metering valve (4) situated at the
removal opening.
2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible jacket is
in the shape of a bag (1).
3. Container according to claim 1 wherein the jacket is formed from
a material that is air-proof, light-proof or both air- and
light-proof.
4. Container according claim 1, wherein the jacket is formed from a
multilayer material composite.
5. Container according to claim 1, wherein the jacket has a metal
layer.
6. Container according to claim 1, wherein the jacket has an oxygen
diffusion barrier layer.
7. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container has a
holding device which optionally is provided on the jacket.
8. Method for packaging electroplating baths which comprises
packaging said electroplating baths in the container of claim
1.
9. Container of claim 2, wherein said bag is a tubular bag.
10. Container of claim 5, wherein said metal layer is an aluminum
layer.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a container, in particular for
electroplating baths, having a removal opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electroplating baths are electrolytic baths used in
particular in electroplating, and may contain an activator. Such
electroplating baths are provided in bottles, in plastic bottles,
for example. After the bottle is opened, air reaches these baths.
As the result of a reaction in particular with oxygen in the air,
which penetrates the bottle after opening and is present above the
liquid, the baths lose their effectiveness and their service life
is limited.
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a container for
electroplating baths by which the service life of these baths may
be enhanced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object is achieved by the independent claims.
Advantageous embodiments are stated in the dependent claims. As a
result of the container having a flexible jacket on which the
removal opening is provided, the container may be used in a hanging
position, for example, so that the removal opening is situated at
the lower end. The liquid is withdrawn by means of the metering
valve situated at the removal opening. This creates a partial
vacuum in the container which causes the jacket to contract. As a
result of the metering valve practically no air is able to
penetrate, and the flexible jacket in particular prevents air from
being drawn in. The container allows the electroplating baths to be
virtually closed off from the influence of air, so that their
service life is not limited by reaction with air. A flexible jacket
is understood in particular to mean a jacket which deforms when the
container is emptied due to the partial vacuum thus created, and no
significant restoring forces arise to return the jacket, filled
with the electroplating bath, to its original shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0005] The flexible jacket advantageously has the shape of a bag,
in particular a tubular bag. Instead of a tubular bag, a bag
produced in some other manner, for example a so-called seal-edge
bag manufactured from multiple parts mutually joined to one another
(by adhesive bonding or welding, for example), may also be used.
The jacket advantageously is composed of an air- and/or light-proof
material. In particular, the jacket may be formed from a multilayer
material composite, and may have a metal layer, in particular an
aluminum layer. The jacket may also have an oxygen diffusion
barrier, in particular as a layer. It is practical for this oxygen
diffusion barrier to surround the entire interior of the jacket. In
addition, the container, preferably the jacket, may have a holding
device by which the jacket can be fixed in a hanging position.
[0006] The object is further achieved by use of a container having
a flexible jacket, in particular a bag, preferably a tubular bag,
as packaging for electroplating baths.
[0007] One exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained below
with reference to one drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The drawing illustrates the container according to the
invention.
[0009] The container essentially comprises a bag 1. This bag may be
designed as a tubular bag, and thus may have an elongated shape.
The bag is made of a light-proof multilayer film which has an
aluminum barrier layer between two plastic layers. At its upper end
the bag 1 has a fastening eye 2 for hanging on a rack. Instead of
the eye 2, a hook, for example, or a bracket may be used. The
removal opening 3 is situated at the lower end, and can be opened
and closed by means of a metering valve 4. The electroplating bath,
an electrolyte, is provided in the bag 1. During use, the
electroplating bath is withdrawn through the removal opening 3 so
that it may be used for producing metallic layers by
electrochemical or chemical means. The bag 1 automatically
contracts during the withdrawal, so that no air is drawn in and the
remaining volume is practically completely filled with the liquid.
Such a bag may be used, for example, as packaging for gold baths
for the production of electroplated dental prostheses.
* * * * *