Mold surfaces with ultra thin release films
AssigneeNanoFilm Corporation
InventorsBrij P. Singh, Raj Subramaniam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A film forming composition including a film forming substance having amphiphilic molecules and being dispersed in a gel-like carrier having a non-liquid state below about 20.degree. C. The carrier stabilizes the film forming substance, and inhibits diffusion of moisture and oxygen into the composition. This minimizes deterioration of the film forming substance, and also minimizes undesirable formation of agglomerations of such substance. When the composition is applied to a surface, an ultra thin substantially continuous film of substantially uniform thickness forms spontaneously and attaches to the surface. The excess composition is then washed away.
Claims17
A mold for casting articles, said mold having inner surfaces coated with a release coating consisting essentially of polymerized amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly and that are self-assembled on said surfaces.
A mold for molding optical lenses, said mold having spaced-apart opposed inner surfaces that are curved to provide desired optical characteristics for a lens molded therein, said surfaces having a release coating consisting essentially of polymerized amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly and that are self-assembled on said surfaces.
A reusable mold assembly for molding optical lenses, said mold having separable parts that include a pair of spaced-apart generally opposite glass molds having curved inner surfaces, said surfaces being coated with a release coating consisting essentially of polmerized amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly and that are self-assembled on said surfaces, said coating being substantially continuous and having a thickness not greater than about 10 nanometers.
A mold internally shaped for casting optical lenses therein and having internal surfaces coated with a film in accordance with the method of:
- providing a composition of polymerizable amphiphilic molecules capable of self-assembly dispersed in a non-aqueous carrier having a thickness sufficient to inhibit diffusion of moisture into said composition and to inhibit agglomeration of said molecules within said composition;
- applying said composition to said mold surfaces;
- leaving said composition on said surfaces for a sufficient period of time to allow a sufficient number of said molecules to migrate from said composition toward said surfaces and to spontaneously self-assemble in-situ on said surfaces and attach themselves thereto to form a substantially continuous thin film thereon;
- and removing the excess of said composition from said surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.