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US 2017/0368858 A1Published application
Apparatus and method of microcontact printing for improving uniformity
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsTyler J. RATTRAY, Mikhail L. PEKUROVSKY, Jonathan J. O'HARE, Richard W. GREGER, Larry L. JOHNSON, Matthew H. FREY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods of applying a pattern onto a web with improved uniformity are provided. One or more micro-contact printing stamps are disposed onto a roll with a seam between each adjacent stamp edge. The micro-contact printing stamps are configured and arranged such that the web always contacts the micro-contact printing stamps to provide a consistent contacting pressure to drive the roll.
Claims15
An apparatus comprising:
- a roll being configured to be rotatable about an axis thereof;
- one or more micro-contact printing stamps on an outer surface of the roll, the one or more micro-contact printing stamps being arranged in a down-web direction on the circumference of the roll with a seam between each adjacent transverse edge of the one or more micro-contact printing stamps;
- and
- a web path along which a web is guided such that the web contacts the outer surface of the roll along a transverse contacting line and rotates the roll,
- wherein when the transverse contacting line runs across the seam, the transverse contacting line also runs across at least a portion of the one or more micro-contact printing stamps such that the web always contacts the one or more micro-contact printing stamps.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a roll that is rotatable about an axis thereof;
- providing one or more micro-contact printing stamps on an outer surface of the roll, the one or more micro-contact printing stamps being arranged in a down-web direction on the circumference of the roll with a seam between each adjacent transverse edge of the one or more micro-contact printing stamps;
- and
- guiding a web along a web path such that the web contacts the outer surface of the roll along a transverse contacting line and rotates the roll,
- wherein when the transverse contacting line runs across the seam, the transverse contacting line also runs across at least a portion of the one or more micro-contact printing stamps such that the web always contacts the one or more micro-contact printing stamps.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.