Abstract:
A plasma is produced in a treatment space (58) by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes (54,56) separated by a dielectric material (64), and a precursor material is introduced into the treatment space to coat a substrate film or web (14) by vapor deposition or atomized spraying at atmospheric pressure. The deposited precursor exposed to an electromagnetic field (AC, DC, or plasma) and then it is cured by electron-beam, infrared-light, visible-light, or ultraviolet-light radiation, as most appropriate for the particular material being deposited. Additional plasma post-treatment may be used to enhance the properties of the resulting coated products.
Abstract:
Self-coating or self-layering lacquer systems from at least two different resins, oligomers, or polymers, which are emulsifiable or dispersible in water, have different surface tensions, and form self-layering phases. After the application, the phases separate into the components of the formulation.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed by which patterns of various materials can be formed on flexible substrates by a continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing process. The patterns may include metallic, transparent conductive, or non-metallic elements with lateral dimensions including in the range from below 100 nanometers to millimeters and with thickness dimensions including the range from tens of Angstroms to greater than 10,000 Angstroms. The substrate may be any material capable of sufficient flexibility for compatibility with roll-based processing equipment, including polymeric films, metallic foils, and thin glass, with polymeric films representing a particularly broad field of application. Methods may include the continuous roll-to-roll formation of a temporary polymeric structure with selected areas open to the underlying substrate, the continuous addition or subtraction of constituent materials, and the continuous removal, where necessary, of the polymeric structure and any excess material.
Abstract:
A plasma is produced in a treatment space (58) by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes (54,56) separated by a dielectric material (64), a precursor material is introduced into the treatment space to coat a substrate film or web (14) by vapor deposition or atomized spraying at atmospheric pressure. The deposited precursor is cured by electron-beam, infrared-light, visible-light, or ultraviolet-light radiation, as most appropriate for the particular material being deposited. Additional plasma post-treatment may be used to enhance the properties of the resulting coated products.
Abstract:
Thermoplastic resin coated metal, ceramic, and glass articles are made by providing a metal, ceramic, or glass article, applying an aqueous solution, suspension, and/or dispersion of a coating material comprising a first thermoplastic resin to a coated or uncoated surface of the article substrate by dip, spray, or flow coating, withdrawing the article from the dip, spray, or flow coating at a rate so as to form a first coherent film, removing any excess material resulting from the dip, spray, or flow coating, and curing and/or drying the coated article until the first film is substantially dried so as to form a first coating, where the first thermoplastic resin comprises a thermoplastic epoxy resin. Additional coatings of similar or different compositions may be applied onto the first coating in successive iterations of the steps of the inventive process.
Abstract:
A method for applying a decorative metal finish to a substrate is provided which includes the following steps. The method employs depositing a thermally cured leveling layer overlying the substrate, and then subsequently a radiation-cured layer overlying the leveling layer. A decorative metallic layer then is deposited overlying the radiation-cured layer, which in a preferred embodiment is selected to provide a strong adhesive bond to the deposited decorative metal layer. A layered structure made by the foregoing method also is provided.
Abstract:
Described is a gel/cure unit which utilizes separate temperature-control zones. Each zone includes a plurality of quartz infrared lamps which administer heat to a coated substrate which passes through the unit on rollers. One infrared sensor is provided in each zone to remotely detect the temperature surface of the coated substrate. Each zone also has a temperature controller, into which a zone temperature setting may be made. If the zone temperature reading is lower than the zone temperature setting, the intensity of the infrared lamps is increased until that zone meets the set temperature. If the reading is higher, the temperature is decreased until the set temperature is reached. An air-control system for the unit is also disclosed. The air is introduced from top to bottom through the unit. This is done using a pair of induction blowers located on top of the unit and an exhaust blower which is located at the bottom of the unit.
Abstract:
In order to produce an antireflective layer, a coating solution containing at least one metal alkoxy compound and at least one polymer as solid components that are dissolved in a solvent is applied to a substrate that is to be coated by means of a pouring device with a wide slit, the polymer being immiscible and essentially inert in a chemical manner towards the metal alkoxy compound. A layer which is provided with a nanoporous structure having a refractive index that is preferably smaller than 1.22 as well as good antireflective properties is obtained by selective removal of the polymer and thermochemical hardening of the coating.
Abstract:
A system for detecting defects in paint coatings includes a temperature manipulation apparatus configured to change the temperature of a surface and a coating applied to the surface. The system may further include an infrared sensor for measuring the change in temperature (over time) of the surface and coating and a processor to compare the measured change in temperature of the surface and coating to an expected change of temperature (over time) in order to determine anomalies in the coatings. A self-referencing method of determining defects is also disclosed, wherein surrounding pixels are utilized as a reference in the detection process for calculating the change in temperature of each pixel. In addition, application of the inventive aspects to inspection of adhesion interfaces is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for coating sheet material with thermoset material. In certain embodiments, first and second different induction furnaces are provided, with the coated sheet first proceeding into and through the first furnace, and then into and through the second furnace. The first furnace may be maintained at a temperature less than the second furnace, so that out-gassing of volatile materials is achieved in the first furnace and thereafter heightened cross-linking conversation rates are achieved in the second furnace at higher temperatures.