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  Cathode plateUSPTO Application #: 20070051621Title: Cathode plate Abstract: A cathode plate (1) comprises a cathode blade (10) and a hanger bar (20) attached to the upper end portion thereof to support the cathode blade (10) in an electrolytic bath. The area of the blade being defined by the hanger bar (20) at the upper periphery and two substantially parallel spaced apart side edges (30) extend from the hanger bar (20) and define the side periphery of the blade. A bottom end edge (40), which is substantially parallel to the hanger bar (20), defines the lower periphery of the blade. The side and bottom edges terminate short of the respective lower and side peripheries of the blade, with the corner edge portions (50) extending between and connecting opposite ends of the bottom edge (40) to the respective side edges (30). (end of abstract) Agent: Baker & Mckenzie LLP - Houston, TX, US Inventor: Wayne Keith Webb USPTO Applicaton #: 20070051621 - Class: 204288000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical And Wave Energy, Apparatus, Electrolytic, Elements, Electrodes, With Electrode Supporting Means, Electrodes With Lateral Extensions The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070051621. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to electrolytic recovery of metals, and in particular to cathode plates for use in electrolytic recovery of metals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. [0003] There are a number of processes for the electrolytic recovery or refining of metals. [0004] One particularly well known technique is the process for electro refining and/or electro winning of copper and other metals as developed by Mount Isa Mines Limited known as ISA PROCESS.TM. or ISA PROCESS 2000.TM. (Trade Marks of Mount Isa Mines Limited). In an electro refining process, unrefined anodes of a base metal such as copper are placed in an electrolytic bath and separated by cathode plates. Each cathode plate comprises a stainless steel blade held and supported in the bath by a hanger bar. Application of a current causes the unrefined base metal from the anode to enter the electrolytic bath and subsequently deposit in a purified form on the cathode blade. The thus refined metal is then mechanically stripped from the cathode plate for subsequent handling. [0005] Typically, stripping of the metal from the cathode plate is accomplished by first flexing the cathode blade to cause at least a part of the copper deposit to separate therefrom and then mechanically stripping or gas blasting the remainder of the deposited metal from the blade. [0006] Generally, deposition of the metal on the edge portions of the cathode blade is avoided since this renders the deposited metal more difficult to strip. Edge strip protectors such as plastic strip mouldings, wax coating or a combination of both may be used to avoid deposition of metal on the edge portions of the cathode blade. Generally, the vertical longitudinal edges of the cathode blade are covered by plastic edge strips which may be riveted, glued or otherwise fixed to the cathode blade whilst the horizontal edge may be covered or left exposed. [0007] There have previously been proposed many edge strip/blade configurations generally, however, the edge strips extend to or below the bottom horizontal end edge of the cathode blade. Accordingly, in use, any force applied to the bottom of the cathode blade/edge strip arrangement is transmitted to the edge strips and tends to tear or at least move the edge strips relative to the cathode plate. Any such movement or damage of the edge strip can be extremely detrimental to the process. In particular, it is both costly and time consuming to replace or reposition the edge strip protectors. [0008] Another disadvantage arises from the deposition of metal on that portion of the cathode plate held within the edge strip. While it is intended to provide a close fit between the edge strip and cathode blade, thereby preventing substantial ingress of electrolyte, some material still makes its way between the edge strip and the cathode blade particularly at the lower end. In some instances, the ingress of electrolyte is sufficient to cause metal to be deposited on that portion of the cathode blade held within the edge strip thereby deforming and potentially detaching the edge strip from the cathode blade. A number of techniques have been used in an effort to prevent such deposition of metal on the edges of the cathode blade held within the edge strips. These include resilient collars on the edge strips or filling the edge strips with suitable sealant such as silicone. Most of these techniques have now become obsolete by providing closer tolerances between the edge strips and the cathode blade. However, a perennial problem remains, which is the growth of the deposited metal on the exposed lower end portion of the cathode blade, at either end of the bottom edge. [0009] Generally, this does not cause structural failure of the edge strip, however, once the metal is stripped from the cathode blade, these additional deposits or `dags` can remain on the stripped metal providing an unattractive product. In severe cases, these deposits act to bridge the metal sheets stripped from either side of the cathode blade, making their separation more difficult. [0010] Various mechanisms have been proposed to seal the bottom end of the plastic edge strip including providing end caps, filling the end portion with a silicone sealant or indeed covering the entire bottom end edge with an edge strip protector. In PCT/AU00/00668, the present Applicants have proposed an edge strip cap which includes a support member or tab adapted to mate with a complementary recess formed in the lower end corners of the cathode blade. This device performs two functions. Firstly, the support member provides a shoulder portion adapted to abut a complementary surface on the cathode blade and thereby support and reduce relative movement of the cathode blade in the edge strip. Further, the bottom edge portion concealed within the edge strip is spaced from the exposed bottom edge portion of the cathode blade, thereby minimising metal deposition on the concealed bottom edge portion. [0011] However, even this system has its own disadvantages and it is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or provide a commercial alternative thereto. DISCLOSURE OF TEE INVENTION [0012] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a cathode plate comprising a cathode blade and a hanger bar attached to the upper end portion thereof to support the cathode blade in an electrolytic bath, the area of the blade being defined by the hanger bar at the upper periphery, two substantially parallel spaced apart side edges extending from the hanger bar and defining the side periphery of the blade and a bottom end edge substantially parallel to the hanger bar and defining the lower periphery of the blade, wherein the side and bottom edges terminate short of the respective lower and side peripheries of the blade, with corner edge portions extending between and connecting opposite ends of the bottom edge to the respective side edges. [0013] The corner edge portion which connects each of the bottom edges with its respective vertical edges may be a substantially straight edge or may be curved. In one embodiment, the corner edge portion includes a substantially straight edge with a curved transition portion connecting the straight corner edge with one or both of the horizontal bottom edge or vertical side edges of the cathode blade. [0014] Indeed, in some instances, the corner edge portion may be a mixture of both curved and straight edge portions. [0015] In a preferred embodiment, the side edges are covered by edge strips which terminate adjacent the junction of the corner edge portion with a respective side edge. [0016] The above arrangement aims to ameliorate some of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, by cropping or cutting the normal right angle corners from the cathode blade, there is no need for a bottom plug in the edge strip. Silicone or other similar filler material may be used to fill the bottom of the edge strip and thereby inhibit copper growth in that area. [0017] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom edge and/or corner edge portions include a groove such as a V-groove to assist in separation of the copper into two separate sheets, from the cathode blade. [0018] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words `comprise`, `comprising`, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The present invention will now be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0020] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a cathode plate in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Cathode plate Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cathode plate patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cathode plate or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Polymer adhesive seals for protected anode architectures Next Patent Application: Simultaneous ion milling and sputter deposition Industry Class: Chemistry: electrical and wave energy ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cathode plate patent info. 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