US4411931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple step UV curing process for providing accurately controlled surface texture
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-29
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2002-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a three-stage UV curing process whereby a UV-curable substrate is initially exposed to long wave length light of low intensity, thereby causing the bottom portion of the substrate to gel while leaving the top surface essentially unaffected. The first stage irradiation is followed by irradiation with shorter-wave length UV light under an inert atmosphere, thereby causing the surface of the substrate to gel. The final stage of the curing process involves conventional exposure to strong UV light whereby the entire structure is cured to give a product having finely controlled surface texture. The resulting products are useful as surface coverings, and particularly as floor and wall coverings.
Inventors
- 👤 Chau H. Duong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:51
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M7/00; B41M7/0045; B05; B05D; B05D3/00; B05D3/02; B05D3/0209; B05D3/04; B05D3/0486; B05D3/06; B05D3/061; B05D3/065; B05D3/067; B05D5/00; B05D5/06; B05D5/061; B05D5/062; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C59/00; B29C59/16; C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/28; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2022; B05D5/02; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/001; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/732
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A process for accurately controlling the surface texture of UV-curable substrates, said process comprising the steps of exposing a UV-curable substrate having a thickness of not less than about two mils to an ultraviolet light source which emits a wave length of from about 3000 to about 4200 angstroms for a period of time which will cause the bottom portion of said substrate to gel but which will have essentially no effect on the upper surface of said substrate; blanketing the partially gelled substrate with an inert gas and exposing said substrate to a low-pressure mercury ultraviolet light source to gel the upper surface of said substrate and cause development of a desired surface texture; and exposing the gelled substrate to a strong ultraviolet light source to effect final curing and essentially fix the surface texture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process for accurately controlling the surface texture of UV-curable substrates, said process comprising the steps of exposing a UV-curable substrate having a thickness of not less than about two mils to an ultraviolet light source which emits a wave length of from about 3000 to about 4200 angstroms for a period of time which will cause the bottom portion of said substrate to gel but which will have essentially no effect on the upper surface of said substrate; blanketing the partially gelled substrate with an inert gas and exposing said substrate to a low-pressure mercury ultraviolet light source to gel the upper surface of said substrate and cause development of a desired surface texture; and exposing the gelled substrate to a strong ultraviolet light source to effect final curing and essentially fix the surface texture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 hereof wherein said long wave length light source emits primarily between 3300 and 3600 angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 hereof wherein said light source emits at about 3560 angstroms at an intensity of about 1 watt per inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claims 1, 2 or 3 hereof wherein said substrate has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 hereof wherein said substrate has a thickness of from about 4 to about 10 mils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A UV-cured substrate having a fixed surface texture, said substrate being obtained by exposing a UV-curable substrate having a thickness of not less than about two mils to an ultraviolet light source which emits a wave length of from about 3000 to about 4200 angstroms for a period of time which will cause the bottom portion of said substrate to gel but which will have essentially no effect on the upper surface of said substrate; blanketing the partially gelled substrate with an inert gas and exposing said substrate to a low-pressure mercury ultraviolet light source to gel the upper surface of said substrate and cause development of a desired surface texture; and exposing the gelled substrate to a strong ultraviolet light source to effect final curing and essentially fix the surface texture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A UV-cured substrate having a fixed surface texture, said substrate being obtained by exposing a UV-curable substrate having a thickness of not less than about two mils to an ultraviolet light source which emits a wave length of from about 3000 to about 4200 angstroms for a period of time which will cause the bottom portion of said substrate to gel but which will have essentially no effect on the upper surface of said substrate; blanketing the partially gelled substrate with an inert gas and exposing said substrate to a low-pressure mercury ultraviolet light source to gel the upper surface of said substrate and cause development of a desired surface texture; and exposing the gelled substrate to a strong ultraviolet light source to effect final curing and essentially fix the surface texture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 hereof wherein said long wave length light source emits primarily between 3300 and 3600 angstroms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 hereof wherein said light source emits at about 3560 angstroms at an intensity of about 1 watt per inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claims 6, 7 or 8 hereof wherein said substrate has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 hereof wherein said substrate has a thickness of from about 4 to about 10 mils.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |