US4713315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire tag etching system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-12-09
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Granted: 1987-12-15
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Expires: 2006-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A method of etching a plurality of identifying characters into a wire tag for macro-organisms is disclosed. The method includes the steps of coating the tag with photoresist, exposing a defined portion of the coated tag to light, the defined portion corresponding to the characters, removing a portion of the photoresist, with that removed portion also corresponding to the characters, and etching the uncoated portion of the tag. Thus, a pattern will be etched into the tag which corresponds to the characters. This provides a means for rapidly, inexpensively, and indelibly marking wire tags in a manner which is superior to the methods proposed in the prior art.
Inventors
- 👤 David V. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K11/00; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of indelibly etching a plurality of identifying characters into a wire tag for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the tag with photoresist; exposing a defined portion of the coated tag to light, the defined portion corresponding to the characters; removing the defined portion of the photoresist; and etching the uncoated portion of the tag, whereby a pattern is etched which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of indelibly etching a plurality of identifying characters into a wire tag for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the tag with photoresist; exposing a defined portion of the coated tag to light, the defined portion corresponding to the characters; removing the defined portion of the photoresist; and etching the uncoated portion of the tag, whereby a pattern is etched which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of exposing a defined portion to light comprises directing a highly focused light beam toward the tag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of exposing a defined portion to light includes positioning a mask defining the characters over the tag, and then exposing the unmasked portion of the tag to light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a tag having an annular cross section and creating a flattened side on the tag prior to said exposing step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising at least partially filling the etched-out portions of the tag with a visually-contrasting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the etched-out portions are at least partially filled with gold.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of etching a plurality of characters into wire for subsequent use as a plurality of identifying tags for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the wire with photoresist; positioning a portion of the wire adjacent a masking station; positioning a mask defining at least some of the characters over the portion of the wire; exposing an unmasked part of the tag to light at the masking station; removing the mask; advancing the wire so that a next portion is adjacent the masking station; repeating the positioning, exposing, removing and advancing steps as necessary to expose desired portions of the wire; and etching the uncoated portion of the wire, whereby a pattern is etched along the length of the wire which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of etching a plurality of characters into wire for subsequent use as a plurality of identifying tags for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the wire with photoresist; positioning a portion of the wire adjacent a masking station; positioning a mask defining at least some of the characters over the portion of the wire; exposing an unmasked part of the tag to light at the masking station; removing the mask; advancing the wire so that a next portion is adjacent the masking station; repeating the positioning, exposing, removing and advancing steps as necessary to expose desired portions of the wire; and etching the uncoated portion of the wire, whereby a pattern is etched along the length of the wire which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said coating step comprises coating the wire with positive photoresist, said exposing steps comprise depolymerizing the unmasked photoresist, and said removal step comprises removal of the unmasked positive photoresist.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said steps of removing a portion of the photoresist and etching the uncoated portion of the wire by applying an appropriate solution.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of etching a plurality of identifying characters into a wire tag for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the tag with photoresist; positioning a mask defining the characters over the tag; exposing an unmasked portion of the tag to light; removing a portion of the photoresist, said removed portion corresponding to the characters; and etching the uncoated portion of the tag, whereby a pattern is etched which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of etching a plurality of identifying characters into a wire tag for macro-organisms, comprising: coating the tag with photoresist; positioning a mask defining the characters over the tag; exposing an unmasked portion of the tag to light; removing a portion of the photoresist, said removed portion corresponding to the characters; and etching the uncoated portion of the tag, whereby a pattern is etched which corresponds to the characters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said coating step comprises coating the tag with a positive photoresist, said exposing step comprises depolymerizing the unmasked photoresist, and said removal step comprises removal of the unmasked positive photoresist.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said coating step comprises coating the tag with a negative photoresist, said exposing step comprises polymerizing the unmasked photoresist, and said removal step comprises removal of the nonexposed negative photoresist.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-14 | 1991-06-15 | 1991-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-14 | 1995-06-15 | 1995-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-14 | 1999-06-15 | 1999-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |