Methods and apparatus for controlled placement of a polymer composition into a web

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for the controlled placement of a curable, shear thinnable polymer composition into a porous web. The controlled placement is performed by applying tension to the porous web. The polymer composition is applied onto a surface of the web. The composition is shear thinned sufficiently to reduce its viscosity and selectively place it into the tensioned web to encapsulate at least some of the structural elements of the web, leaving most of the interstitial spaces of the porous web open. The invention also relates to methods for selectively placing the polymer composition in a substantially continuous region extending through the web so that the polymer composition fills the interstitial spaces and adheres adjacent structural elements in the region. In the areas in the web above and below the filled region, at least some of the structural elements are encapsulated and most of the interstitial spaces are open. The invention also relates to methods for the controlled placement of a polymer composition into a tensioned porous substrate having a matrix of open cells by applying a localized shear force to selectively distribute a curable, shear thinnable polymer composition within the substrate, at least partially individually lining the cell walls of at least some of the cells, and leaving most of the cells open.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.