3m Innovative Properties Company

Gary W Maier

Mikhail L Pekurovsky

James L Bries

Tyler J Rattray

Carlos A Barrios

Lars A Smeenk

Daniel H Carlson

George F Vesley

Karl K Stensvad

Jonathan J O'Hare

Scott L Ciliske

Luther E Erickson

James Zhu

Daniel R Fronek

Glen A Jerry

Eric E Rice

Chris J Tanley

Timothy J Edman

Martin J O Widenbrant

Peter M Seiler

Alan J Hollo

David S Grinnell

Wayne D Meredyk

Bruce J G Wahoski

Martin JO Widenbrant

Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for direct coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a die body with one or more bores. One or more cams are pivotally mounted within the bores and have one or more recessed areas formed into the respective peripheral surfaces thereof. The one or more cams are rotatable within the die body to dynamically, independently vary the width or shape of the respectively dispensed one or more fluid coatings.

Cam die coating systems

Herein are disclosed a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a substrate, the adhesive layer containing stripes of first and second pressure-sensitive adhesives. The surface of the adhesive layer that faces the substrate is surface-enriched with the first pressure-sensitive adhesive. Methods of making are disclosed.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive layers with surface-enriched stripes and methods of making

An article including a release liner with an adhesive layer disposed thereon, the adhesive layer including a plurality of stripes of a first pressure-sensitive adhesive and of a second pressure-sensitive adhesive, arranged in a generally alternating pattern. The first pressure-sensitive adhesive is a silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive that includes a silicone block copolymer elastomer comprising hard segments that each comprise at least one polar moiety, and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive is an organic polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Article comprising pressure-sensitive adhesive stripes

A roll coater can be modified by the addition of one or more needle tubes that supply coating fluid to the roll coater in discrete locations across the face of the coating roll. The needle tubes supply a localized band of coating material onto the coating roll superimposed over the uniform coating layer already present on the surface of the coating roll from an upstream coating pond creating a stripe pattern over the uniform coating layer. By varying the relative speeds of the coating rolls in the coater, the width of the stripe can also be adjusted.

Method for producing a non-uniform coating on a substrate

A coating system and method including a web path moving a substrate past a contacting element including a distribution manifold having a cavity, and a multiplicity of needle tubes in fluid communication with the cavity, the needle tubes each having a needle tip dispensing a coating material towards a point of contact between the substrate and the contacting element. In some embodiments, the distribution manifold separates into a manifold containing the internal cavity, and a removable cartridge having the plurality of needle tubes. The coating system and method can be used to apply a pre-metered coating material to the substrate.

Coating system with multiple dispensing needles

Method and apparatus for producing a non-uniform coating on a substrate

A coating apparatus and method of use wherein at least one capillary tube is in contact with a moving substrate during coating.

Contact coating by use of a manifold provided with capillary tubes

A distribution manifold having a manifold and a removable cartridge with a plurality of needle tubes extending from the removable cartridge is disclosed. The distribution manifold can be used with a pre-metered coating system to apply coating material to a substrate.

Distribution manifold with multiple dispensing needles

The invention is a die for dispensing flowable material. The die is comprised of a die block. An external face is disposed on the die block. At least one slot extends perpendicularly into the external face. The slot has a longitudinal dimension, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side. At least one support member extends from the external surface into the slot. The support member extends continuously from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side. At least a portion of the support member is disposed in a direction other than perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. The support member is disposed to such that at least a portion of any plane extending from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the slot, passes through a void area.

Die having multiple orifice slot

The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a viscoelastic article by a process that includes coating a release surface with a curable composition and then curing the composition to form the viscoelastic article. Viscoelastic articles manufactured according to the methods of the present may be constructed to be self-supporting.

Method of making a viscoelastic article by coating and curing on a reusable surface

An adjustable mounting system for premetered contact coating dies includes a base and a die-receiving portion movably connected to the base. During coating, the die can float a distance from the surface being coated based on the balance of forces between the die and the coated surface. This creates a variable separation gap and allows automatic self-compensating for variations in web or fluid properties. This, in turn, optimizes the coating characteristics. The mounting system can also include an enclosure for protecting its components.

Floating coating die mounting system

Retroreflective articles of the invention comprise a continuous base layer and a multi-color polymeric top layer. The invention also includes methods of making such retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles of the invention provide excellent daytime contrast while maintaining nighttime retroreflectivity. Variously colored segments of polymer are directly and either sequentially or simultaneously coated onto a continuous backing to form a multi-colored top layer. Durability over existing multi-colored retroreflective articles is enhanced by use of a continuous base layer.

Growing community of inventors

Roberts, WI, United States of America

Gary W Maier