Flexible printed circuits with many tiny holes

Abstract

A board that may include for example a first conductive area on a first side and a second conductive area on a second side of such board. The board may be fitted with a plurality of holes that may for example open or end on both such first side and such second side of such board. A conductive material in the form of for example a liquid or gel may be applied or for example painted onto one or both sides of such board so that such material may for example substantially fill some or all of such holes and may establish a connection through which an electric current may pass from for example the first conductive area to the second conductive area. A switch having for example a board with a plurality of holes running through such board from a first side to a second side. A conductive material may for example be applied to such board so that such material substantially fills for example two or more of such holes and may be capable of forming an electrical connection between a conductive area on a first side of such board and a conductive area on a second side of such board. A method of forcing a conductive liquid into a plurality of holes in a board so that the liquid forms for example a connection capable of carrying a current between a conductive area on a first side of such board and a conductive area of a second side of such board.

1 . Method of creating an electrical connection between first side of a non-conducting flexible sheet to the second side of said sheet comprising the steps of: 
 providing a non-conductive flexible sheet, where said sheet has through holes where the diameter of the hole is substantially similar to the thickness of the sheet;    applying conductive paint to first side of the sheet so that said paint penetrate said holes and substantially reaches the second side of said sheet.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  where said conductive paint is forced through said holes by capillary force.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  where said conductive paint is forced through said holes by pressure applied on said paint.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  where said through holes are arranged in an array extending substantially to area where said paint is not applied.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  where said through holes over which said paint is applied are substantially filled with said paint.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  where number of through holes forming said electrical connection is larger then 3.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  where number of through holes forming said electrical connection is larger then 10.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  where the quality of said electrical connection through one hole is inadequate, but the connection formed through the all adjacent said holes is of adequate quality.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  where the quality of said electrical connection is its electrical resistance.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  where the quality of said electrical connection is its current carrying capacity.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  where the quality of said electrical connection is its durability.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises the step of applying second conductive paint to second side of said sheet, wherein said second conductive paint makes electrical contact with the paint that penetrated through said holes from the first side of the said sheet.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said step of applying conductive paint to second side of said sheet is done before the paint applied to said first side has substantially dried.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said steps of applying conductive paint to first and second sides of said sheet is done substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said steps of applying conductive paint to first and second sides of said sheet is done by silkscreen painting.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said steps of applying conductive paint to first and second sides of said sheet by silkscreen painting comprises the steps of: 
 positioning said sheet between two silk screens carrying the desired pattern to be printed;    applying conductive paint to both sides of said sheet;    substantially simultaneously wipe the paint across said silk screen.    
   
   
       17 . Method of producing electrical switch using multiple tiny holes comprising the steps of: 
 providing a non-conductive flexible sheet, where said sheet has through holes where the diameter of the hole is substantially similar to the thickness of the sheet;    applying conductive paint to form at least first and second electrically separated conductive lines on first side of the sheet, wherein that said paint penetrate said holes and substantially reaches the second side of said sheet.    
   
   
       18 . The method of producing electrical switch according to  claim 17  and further comprises the step of applying conductive paint to second side of said sheet to form at least first and second electrically separated contacts, wherein said first contact is electrically connected to said first line and said second contact is electrically connected to said second line.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein closing the switch is done by pressing bare finger against said conductive paint pushed through said holes to second side of said sheet.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein closing the switch is done by pressing bare finger against said contacts  
   
   
       21 . Method of anchoring conductive lines made of conductive paint to non-conductive flexible sheet comprising the steps of: 
 providing a non-conductive flexible sheet, where said sheet has through holes where the diameter of the hole is substantially similar to the thickness of the sheet;    applying conductive paint to first side of the sheet so that said paint penetrate said holes and substantially reaches the second side of said sheet.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  where said conductive paint is forced through said holes by capillary force.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprises the step of applying second conductive paint to second side of said sheet, wherein said second conductive paint makes physical contact with the paint that penetrated through said holes from the first side of the said sheet.  
   
   
       24 . Method of producing flexible printed circuit comprising the steps of: 
 providing a non-conductive flexible sheet, where said sheet has through holes where the diameter of the hole is substantially similar to the thickness of the sheet;    applying conductive paint to first side of the sheet so that said paint penetrate said holes and substantially reaches the second side of said sheet.    applying second conductive paint to second side of said sheet, wherein said second conductive paint makes electrical contact with the paint that penetrated through said holes from the first side of the said sheet.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  where said through holes are arranged in an array extending substantially to area where said paint is not applied.  
   
   
       26 . Method of producing a flexible printed circuit wherein the conductive lines are concealed comprising the steps of: 
 providing first and second sheets of non-conductive flexible material, wherein at least the first sheet has through holes where the diameter of the hole is substantially similar to the thickness of the sheet;    applying conductive paint to at least the first side of the first sheet so that said paint penetrates said holes and substantially reaches the second side of said first sheet;    gluing first side of first sheet to first side of second sheet.