Method and apparatus for a mechanical dryer for drying thick polymer layers on a substrate
US5394622A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF26B13/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A dryer with zone temperature controls for drying thick polymer-solvent layers on a substrate. The dryer is formed with several heating elements located in an air duct. The cool air is heated a specific amount as it passes each heating element. The heated air is then applied to the polymer-solvent solution on the substrate in a continuous fashion so that the polymer-solvent solution slowly heats up as it passes through the drying apparatus. The preferred design is to ensure a zone residence time of less than 10 seconds and a web heating rate of 10.degree. F./second or less. Most preferred design is a zone residence time less than 5 seconds and a heating rate less that 5.degree. F./second. The dryer is designed to have a continuous temperature gradient, especially in the critical later stages of drying when the solvent content of the film is less than 20%.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.