Multilayer article formed by adhesive ablation

A method of manufacturing a multilayer laminated article comprising:

• providing a first layer having a major surface;
• providing a second layer having a major surface that faces the major surface of the first layer;
• providing an adhesive layer such that the adhesive extends to at least one sidewall, which is perpendicular to the major surface;
• laser ablating a length of the adhesive layer from the sidewall back in a direction away from the sidewall, whereby the adhesive is recessed from the at least one sidewall;
• and
• laminating the first and second layer with the adhesive disposed there between.

A multilayer laminated article comprising:

• at least two layers each having a major surface that faces the major surface of the other layer;
• and
• an adhesive disposed at least partially between the at least two layers, wherein the adhesive extends in a direction to at least one sidewall but the adhesive is recessed from the at least one sidewall, wherein said article is made by a process comprising:
• providing a first layer having a major surface;
• providing a second layer having a major surface that faces the major surface of the first layer;
• providing an adhesive layer such that the adhesive extends to at least one sidewall, which is perpendicular to the major surface;
• removing a length of the adhesive layer from the sidewall back in a direction away from the sidewall, whereby the adhesive is recessed from the at least one sidewall;
• and
• laminating the first and second layer with the adhesive disposed there between.

A method of manufacturing a potentiometric test element comprising the steps of:

• providing a cover web having a lengthwise ribbon of fibers disposed therein to form an ion junction bridge;
• applying an adhesive layer to the cover web, wherein the adhesive layer covers at least a part of the width of the cover web that includes the ribbon of fibers;
• forming one or more apertures in the cover web and adhesive;
• removing a portion of the adhesive in a region where the sidewalls of the test element will be formed;
• applying ion-selective electrodes to the cover web;
• applying one or more further webs over the ion-selective electrodes;
• laminating the layers form a composite laminate;
• cutting individual elements in the region of the adhesive removal to form individual test elements having sidewalls formed by the cut, whereby the adhesive is recessed from the sidewalls by virtue of the adhesive removal.

A method of manufacturing a potentiometric test element comprising the steps of:

• providing a cover web having a lengthwise ribbon of fibers disposed therein to form an ion junction bridge;
• applying an adhesive layer to the cover web, wherein the adhesive layer covers at least a part of the width of the cover web that includes the ribbon of fibers;
• forming one or more apertures in the cover web and adhesive;
• laser ablating a portion of the adhesive in a region where the sidewalls of the test element will be formed;
• applying ion-selective electrodes to the cover web;
• applying one or more further webs over the ion-selective electrodes;
• laminating the layers form a composite laminate;
• cutting individual elements in the region of the laser ablation to form individual test elements having sidewalls formed by the cut, whereby the adhesive is recessed from the sidewalls by virtue of the laser ablation.

A potentiometric test element for use in a diagnostic analyzer comprising:

• two major surfaces and sidewalls;
• a cover layer having therein at least two access apertures, the first cover layer forming the first major surface of the element;
• an ion-junction bridge formed from a sheet of fibers disposed in the first cover layer, wherein the bridge is accessible by the two access apertures;
• an adhesive layer disposed on the major surface of the cover layer which is opposite the first major surface and beneath the sheet of fibers;
• two ion-selective electrodes each arranged such that the ion-junction bridge extends between the electrodes;
• and
• a first additional layer disposed on the opposite side of the first major surface formed by the cover layer, said electrodes being disposed within said first additional layer;
• wherein the adhesive layer extends in a direction to at least one sidewall but is recessed from the at least one sidewall, wherein the test element is formed by a process comprising the steps of:
• providing a cover web having a lengthwise ribbon of fibers disposed therein to form an ion junction bridge;
• applying an adhesive layer to the plastic strip, wherein the adhesive layer covers at least a part of the width of the cover web that includes the ribbon of fibers;
• forming one or more apertures in the cover web;
• laser ablating a portion of the adhesive in a region where the sidewall of the test element will be formed;
• applying ion-selective electrodes to the cover web;
• applying one or more further webs over the ion-selective electrodes;
• laminating the layers form a composite laminate;
• cutting individual elements in the region of the laser ablation to form individual test elements having sidewalls formed by the cut, whereby the adhesive is recessed from the sidewall by virtue of the laser ablation.