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 ).

1 . A cathode plate comprising a cathode blade and a hanger bar attached to the upper end portion thereof to support said cathode blade in an electrolytic bath, the area of said blade being defined by said hanger bar at the upper periphery, two substantially parallel spaced apart side edges extending from said hanger bar and defining the side periphery of said blade and a bottom end edge substantially parallel to said hanger bar and defining the lower periphery of said blade; wherein said side and bottom edges terminate short of the respective lower and side peripheries of said blade, with corner edge portions extending between and connecting opposite ends of the bottom edge to the respective side edges.  
   
   
       2 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said corner edge portion, which connects each of the bottom edges with its respective vertical edges, is a substantially straight edge or is curved.  
   
   
       3 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said 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.  
   
   
       4 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said corner edge portion is a mixture of both curved and straight edge portions.  
   
   
       5 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said side edges are covered by edge strips which terminate adjacent the junction of said corner edge portion with a respective side edge.  
   
   
       6 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said 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.  
   
   
       7 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein the right corners of said cathode plate are cropped or cut and silicone or other similar filler material is used to fill the bottom of the edge strip and thereby inhibit copper growth in that area.  
   
   
       8 . A cathode plate according to  claim 1  wherein said corner edge portions extend between and connect opposite ends of the bottom edge to the respective side edges substantially at an angle of 45 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)