Liquids with reduced spreading tendency

Claim 1

Method for producing an article, the method comprising producing, from a substance comprising a multi-constituent liquid, on an existing surface, a layer having a shape substantially conforming to a predetermined geometry, the liquid being an adhesive or a liquid comprising a component selected from the group consisting of epoxies, polyesters, acrylics, and silicons, the liquid also comprising an effective amount of a material herein designated inhibitor, the inhibitor being capable of forming a film on the surface, with the film-coated surface having a critical surface tension of wetting that is less than the surface tension of the inhibitor-containing liquid, characterized in that (a) the layer produced from the liquid is at room temperature an adherent, substantially solid layer, (b) the inhibitor is selected from the class defined by the formula [CX 3 --(CH 2 ) n ] N --R, where X is H or F, Y is H, F, or Cl, n is a number from 1 to 12, R is a carboxylic acid, an amide, a substituted amide, an amine, an alcohol, or an ester functionality, and N is 1 when R is not an alcohol or amine functionality, but N is 1, 2, or 3 when R is an alcohol or amine functionality, and (c) the inhibitor is soluble in at least one of the constituents of the liquid to the extent necessary to result in a concentration of at least about 0.05%, by weight of the liquid, of dissolved inhibitor in the liquid.