Appeal No. 2000-1103
Application No. 08/576,367
BACKGROUND
Appellants’ invention relates to a process of producing a microstructured mold with
at least one open cavity from a solid ceramic, glass, stone or monocrystalline material by
precision mechanical machining, additive or subtractive structuring. The cavity is filled and
the mold covered by a flowable material and the solidified flowable material is separated
from the mold giving a microstructure element. (Specification, pp. 2-3). In another
embodiment, the top portion of the solidified flowable material is removed to expose the
surface of the mold and the solidified material filling the cavity. A layer of conductive
material is applied to the exposed surface and remaining solidified material. Then the
conductive layer and the remaining solidified material are separated from the mold to
provide a structure with a shape complementary to the mold. A layer of metal is
electrodeposited on the complementary structure and, finally, the metal layer is separated to
produce a metallic microstructure element. (Specification, pp. 2-3). Claims 18, 31 and 32
which are representative of the claimed invention, appear below:
18. A process for the production of a microstructured element, comprising the
steps of:
(a) forming a microstructure of a microstructured mold having an open cavity
on one surface thereof from a solid body by mechanical machining, additive
structuring or subtractive structuring, wherein said mold consists essentially of
-2-
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Last modified: November 3, 2007