US 5,212,000 A · Method for providing an inner-skinned functionalized coating on the lumen-defining surface of a hollow tube

Abstract

This invention provides a method for providing a functionalized inner skin on the lumen-defining surface of a hollow tube using either a Newtonian coating fluid used in combination with a relatively non-Newtonian plug fluid, or a non-Newtonian coating fluid (optionally in combination with a more non-Newtonian plug fluid). This invention enables the facile provision of a functionalized inner skin on the lumen-defining surface of tubes previously deemed difficult to coat, e.g., tubes wherein the inner diameter varies along the length of the tubes, tubes having elliptical or irregular cross-sectional configurations, branched tubes, and tubes having lumens of small diameter, e.g. tubes useful in membrane applications. Preferably, the coating will be dried or crosslinked to promote sustained adhesion and/or to increase the functionality of the coating. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method for imparting a permselective layer upon the lumen-defining surface of a tubular membrane, and/or protective layer therefor.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method for producing an inner-skinned functionalized tube comprising the consecutive steps of:

(a) providing an open-ended hollow tube in part defined by:
(i) at least one inner surface which defines a lumen,
(ii) two open ends which communicate through the lumen,
(iii) a longitudinal axis, extending between the open ends through the center of the lumen,
(iv) a maximum cross-sectional area of the lumen taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is less than about 5 cm.sup.2 ;
(b) introducing a first coating fluid comprising a first polymer through one of the open ends into the lumen:
(c) introducing into the lumen a second fluid through an open end such that the second fluid contacts the first coating fluid, the second fluid having non-Newtonian properties and forming a self-centering plug within the first coating fluid in the lumen;
and
(d) applying the first coating solution to the inner surface by passing the plug through the lumen, coating the inner surface with a first amount of the coating fluid.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for providing an inner-skinned functionalized coating on the lumen-defining surface of a hollow tube

Life of this patent

Method for providing an inner-skinned functionalized coating on the lumen-defining surface of a hollow tube

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34