Methods for forming metallized dielectric structures
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorBenjamin M. Rappoport
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic device may be provided with metal coated dielectric structures that serve as electromagnetic interference shielding, antenna structures, or other metal structures. The metal coated dielectric structures may be formed form a sheet of polymer. Metal may be deposited on the sheet of polymer using a deposition tool and patterned following deposition or may be patterned during deposition. A dielectric sheet having patterned metal may be shaped into a desired shape using molding equipment or other equipment that applies heat and pressure to the dielectric sheet and patterned metal. Metal on a dielectric sheet may also be patterned after the dielectric sheet is formed into a desired shape. Metal may be formed on opposing sides of the dielectric sheet.
Claims17
A method of forming an electromagnetic interference shield to shield a component that has a shape, comprising:
- coating a polymer sheet with metal;
- and
- after coating the polymer sheet with metal, covering the component with the polymer sheet coated with the metal so that the polymer sheet conforms to the shape of the component.
A method of forming antenna structures, comprising:
- forming patterned metal structures on a dielectric layer;
- and
- after forming the patterned metal structures on the dielectric layer, molding the dielectric layer with the patterned metal traces into a shape having at least one recess.
A method of forming antenna structures, comprising:
- forming patterned metal structures on a dielectric layer;
- and
- molding the dielectric layer with the patterned metal traces into a shape having at least one recess, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a sheet of polymer having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein forming the patterned metal structures comprises forming metal structures on both the first and second surfaces, and wherein forming the metal structures on the first and second surfaces comprises forming antenna resonating element structures on the first surface and forming electromagnetic signal shielding structures on the second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.