Method of forming a non-uniform, protective coating on a flexible substrate
US6770324B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31507
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In the present invention, a protective coating is preferably formed as a plurality of dots upon a surface to be protected. The dots have a selected size, cover a selected amount of the underlying surface, and are preferably isolated from one another by uncoated surfaces. This coating not only provides the coated substrate or object (and the cured coating itself) with significantly increased flexibility and formability, but also with a wide range of possible surface finishes and textures. Due to the increased coating flexibility and formability, the coated substrate or object can be partially or even fully cured prior to forming operations such as injection molding or film shaping. The substrate or object is therefore less susceptible to damage from handling and from machine operations. One highly preferred coating embodiment is produced with ink having a controllable stipple amount for a significantly increased range of possible coating finishes and textures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.