Methods of and apparatus for making a flexible composite having reservoirs and capillaries
US8936693B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1085
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a flexible composite panel having a plurality of reservoirs connected by at least one capillary includes forming a capillary assembly by winding a flexible, deformable capillary base web partially around a rotating cylinder that has a plurality of recessed features formed therein; drawing the capillary base web into the recessed features to form the capillaries in the capillary base web; filling the capillaries; and laminating a capillary barrier web over the capillary base web. A flexible reservoir assembly is formed by cutting the perimeter of the at least two reservoirs and associated catchments into a flexible reservoir web; removing the waste cut interiors of the reservoirs and the catchments from the reservoir web; securing the reservoir web to a base layer; overfilling each reservoir; and laminating the capillary assembly over the reservoir assembly, driving excess filler from the reservoirs into the catchments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.