Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Steven H Gotz

Timothy C Sandvig

John W Louks

Dean A Ersfeld

Daniel W Davis

Robert J Fleming

Luther E Erickson

David J Schreifels

Michael E Mehsikomer

This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Electrostatic deaeration method and apparatus

Methods of applying a polymer coating to a substrate are disclosed. By disrupting a bank of polymer precursor, a smooth coating of fast setting polymer can be applied to a substrate. Apparatus for applying a polymer coating is also disclosed. In one embodiment, an oscillating dispenser is used to apply polymer precursor onto to a dispersive surface. The polymer precursor flows down the surface and is transferred to a moving web. Flowing solvent downwardly through the dispenser can provide efficient cleaning without the need for disassembly or production delays.

Coating apparatus and methods of applying a polymer coating

An orthopedic casting material is disclosed comprising a water-curable, isocyanate-functional prepolymer. The prepolymer comprises the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyol having an HLB number per hydroxy group less than zero.

Orthopedic casting material having improved wet strength

A system controls the flow of a conductive fluid after the fluid is coated onto a substrate by applying an electrostatic force to the coated fluid. The force applied to the fluid can be controlled to counteract the fluid tendency to dewet to a thicker state if significant interfacial surface tension differences exists between the fluid and substrate.

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Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Steven H Gotz