Apparatus for flame-perforating films and methods of flame-perforating films
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsMark A. Strobel, Michael J. Ulsh, Joel A. Getschel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.
Claims50
An apparatus for flame-perforating film, comprising:
- a frame;
- support surface attached to the frame, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions;
- a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, wherein the burner supports a flame, and wherein the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner;
- and
- a film contacting the support surface, wherein the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, wherein the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.
An apparatus for flame-perforating films, comprising:
- a frame;
- support surface attached to the frame, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions;
- a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface;
- and
- a preheat roll attached to the frame adjacent the support surface, wherein the preheat roll includes an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the preheat roll is heated for pre-heating the film prior to the burner.
An apparatus for flame-perforating films, comprising:
- a frame;
- a support surface attached to the frame, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions;
- a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface;
- a film contacting the support surface;
- and
- a liquid applicator attached to the frame for applying liquid onto the support surface between the film and the support surface prior to contacting the film on the support surface.
A method of flame-perforating film, comprising the steps of:
- providing a film having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
- contacting the second side of the film with a support surface having a plurality of lowered portions, wherein the support surface is cooled to a temperature lower than 120° F. (29° C.);
- contacting the first side of the film with a heated surface, wherein the heated surface is greater than 165° F. (74° C.);
- removing the heated surface from the first side of the film;
- and
- thereafter heating the first side of the film with a flame from a burner to perforate the film in the areas covering the plurality of lowered portions.
A method of flame-perforating film, comprising the steps of:
- providing a support surface, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions;
- providing a burner, wherein the burner supports a flame, and wherein the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner;
- contacting a film against the support surface;
- positioning the burner such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner;
- and
- heating the film with the flame of the burner to perforate the film.
A method of flame-perforating film, comprising the steps of:
- providing backing roll having a support surface, wherein the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions;
- providing a nip roll, wherein the nip roll includes an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the nip roll is heated;
- providing a burner, wherein the burner is positioned such that the angle measured between the burner and the nip roll is less than 45°, wherein a vertex of the angle is positioned at an axis of the backing roll;
- contacting a film against the support surface;
- pressing the film between the nip roll and the support surface of the backing roll to pre-heat the film;
- and
- thereafter perforating the film with a flame of the burner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.